Torbay Pride 16th-19th July
Monday 29th June 2009
The first ever gay summer festival in set to take place in Torquay from 16th – 19th July. Pride Torbay will be a four day festival aimed at celebrating diversity and showcasing the stunning natural environment of the English Riviera.
Matt Newbury, Pride Torbay Director said: “Seaside towns are really experiencing a renaissance this year with nostalgia tourism being a genuine trend. With this in mind, we’ve put together a programme that really celebrates the great British seaside, with boat trips, beach picnics, pool parties and even an open-air cinema screening as the sun sets over the Bay. We are really hoping that people from across the country will come down and join in the fun.”
Pride Torbay launches on Thursday 16th July with a boat cruise around the Bay, followed by a launch party at Play Nightclub, starring dancefloor legends Bimbo Jones.
The Friday of Pride will see a cultural evening taking place in the stunning grounds of Torre Abbey. People will be able to enjoy a viewing of Antony Gormley’s Field for the British Isles, followed by live music from Archipelago and a book reading and talk by author Paul Burston.
People will then be able to sit back with a picnic and enjoy an open-air screening of Oscar-winning film, Milk. All of the events taking place on the cultural evening will free, although donations will be taken for the two pride charities, Eddystone Trust and Rowcroft Hospice.
There is then a choice of two club nights to finish up the night in style. Candyfloss are hosting a special Pride Torbay Traffic Light Party, with two floors of great music and the door takings being donated to pride. Meanwhile Remix at Bohemia Nightclub is being hosted by Miss Jason and top chart vocalist Tina Cousins, with DJ sets from Gary H, Lee Yeomans and Max Sanna.
What better way to chill out after a hard night of partying than at a pool party, in the stunning grounds of the Key West Resort on Saturday afternoon. The event will feature a charity barbecue, community stalls, a DJ, live acoustic music and a host of other fun in the sun. Attendees are encouraged to wear bad taste Hawaiian shirts! In the evening, the team from bear night Come To Daddy will be hosting a party in Tom’s Cruise Bar (also at Key West Resort), while over at Candyfloss you can enjoy the Big Pride Saturday Night Bash.
On Sunday afternoon (18th July) it’s time to hit the beach for the big gay picnic on Oddicome beach. Take the cliff railway down to this stunning beach and enjoy an afternoon of live music from the cream of local bands. The beach picnic is a real family event open to everyone and will see face painters and balloon modellers for the kids. People are encouraged to take rainbow flags, beach towels, clothing etc and make the place a truly colourful spectacle.
It’s then on up to the closing evening event – the Pride Cabaret Street Party organised by the team at the Meadfoot Inn. They are closing the road outside of this popular bendy boozer for a fully licensed party with a host of great entertainment on the cabaret stage. Highlights include Jason Abrahams, Topping & Butch and Rogue Minogue.
The full programme of events can now be viewed at www.pridetorbay.org, while people can also join the Official Pride Torbay Facebook Group or keep up with the news on Twitter.
For more information contact:
Matt Newbury
07785-306875
