Cape Town Pride Festival, 2010

Cape Town Pride is a non-profit, section 21 organisation managed and coordinated by a group of dedicated volunteers. The official beneficiary of the organisation is the Pride Shelter Trust, an
independently-registered non-profit section 21 entity establishing a shelter that offers safe short-term sanctuary and accommodation during crisis periods for Cape Town's lesbian, gay and transgender community.

The festival programme

The festival programme includes movies, great parties, several topical seminars, a hike and a book event, competitions and awards, the LeapFrog Pink Ball, shows and even more parties, events for girls and events for the boys and of course the Cape Town Pride Parade and Fair.

Regular updates on diverse events will be issues from the Pride News Desk, but following are details regarding only four key events in the programme:

Cape Town Pride Pageant

The ever-popular Pride Pageant will take place at 8pm on Saturday, 20 February at the Joseph Stone Auditorium, where contestants will compete for the Mr Cape Town Pride and Miss Cape Town Pride pageant. The title holders will represent Cape Town Pride and be present at several events, with the winner of the Mr Cape Town Pride title automatically qualifying as a regional finalist in the next Mr Gay South Africa contest. Tickets will cost R30 and R80 (VIP) and can be purchased at the door. For more info, please contact Luiz on +27 (0)72 950 7454 or Dominic on +27 (0)82 725 9963.

The Gurly Show

For the past three years the Pride Divas have played to a packed house making this unique event a highlight of the annual Cape Town Pride Festival. Featuring showbiz favourites from the Roaring Twenties to the present day, this year's multimedia extravaganza will be held on Monday, 22 February at On Broadway. A deliciously decadent dragathon including almost 100 years of drag classics performed by some of Cape Town's best loved and most infamous Drag Divas; from Dietrich to Gaga, from Marilyn to Madonna, anything can and will happen. There is only one show in town that could get all these Divas to share a stage! Show commences at 8.30 pm, but be there by 7pm if you also want dinner. Tickets cost R95. For info or bookings go to www.onbroadway.co.za or email , or call the producer Liam on +27 (0)79 877 4402.

The Red Party

The 2010 Cape Town Pride Festival officially kicks off with the kick-ass Red Party on Friday, 26 February. The colour red serves as a reminder to each of us to be mindful of our health and to embrace everyone living with HIV. In keeping with the festival theme of Uniting the Cultures of Cape Town, a donation of R20 to Cape Town Pride will get you a magical bracelet allowing access to several great parties at participating venues, including:

• Beaulah Bar
  
• Crew Bar
  
• Bronx
  
• Stargayzer
  
• Amsterdam Bar (men only)
  
• Rosies
  
• Uncle Jacks
  
• Adam & Eve Lounge Bar

For more info contact Luiz on +27 (0)72 950 7454 or Myrna on +27 (0)82 565 6174.

Cape Town Pride Parade and Fair

The Pride Parade, taking place on Saturday, 6 March and after-parade fair will be huge - we anticipate approximately 15 floats in the parade. We are delighted to confirm that the Magi Fund has allocated sponsorship for the provision of public transport to make this day truly accessible for all. Contact Maureen for more info regarding public transport: maureen@oia.co.za. The route for the Pride Parade will be as follows: Depart from Green Point Traffic Department at 12 noon, proceed along Somerset Road to march up Long Street, into Wale Street and down Adderly Street, to return to Green Point. The venue for the after-parade fair is Prestwich Primary School, in Napier Street, De Waterkant. A kick-ass line-up of performers has been organised to keep the crowd entertained, and for the first time a children's corner is being organised. In addition to the five bars and regular stalls selling food and merchandise, this year's event will also include a separate adult-only stall area. The fair will be wheelchair-friendly, including the provision of accessible toilet facilities. Application forms for floats and stalls at the fair are available from the Pride Office located at 4A Dixon Street, De Waterkant.

Call 0861 9 PRIDE for up-to-date information on developments around the Cape Town Pride 2010 Festival. Operators are available 24-hours per day.