Dublin will explode in colour this weekend and right through until next weekend as Dublin’s Pride Festival 2010 kicks off. The quays are already strewn with the rainbowed flags of the LGBTQ and with great weather promised, it should be a fun week.
The George, the Queen of Irish Gay bars has polished of her tiara and brought out her crown jewels to celebrate Pride 2010! At the young age of 25, The George has been there through almost every Pride Festival in our fair city and has seen it all. This year, The George has been crowned the Official Festival Club For Pride 2010 and the Queen has laid on an extra special programme of events, including The Official Pride Launch Party tonight, Friday 18th June, hosted by Veda Beaux Reves and special guest KATRINA of the Waves (remember them?), who will ensure you will be ‘Walking on Sunshine’ from the very start.
Pride at the George
Commenting on Pride at the George, Darragh Flynn, General Manger, The George, said, “We have a very exciting entertainment programme for Pride 2010! The George is Dublin’s number one gay bar and like the Pride Festival is an Irish Gay icon. Pride wouldn’t be Pride without a visit to the George, so make sure and pop in and say hello! On behalf of The George, I would like to wish all our patrons a happy Pride 2010”.
On Sunday night, 20th June, Shirley will hold a Bingo special, where you can stay up all night and celebrate the longest day of the year - Sexy Shirley’s Scissor Sisters Solstice Sunday.
Pride wouldn’t be a celebration of all things gay without a ‘Camp Attack’, join your host Davina Devine with Peaches Queen for a festive night of camp classics on Thursday 24th June.
On Pride Eve, get down to the G for ‘Club Tropicana’ where drinks are free! One free Cosmo per customer.
On Saturday 26th June, ‘Happy Gay Day’! The George goes GAGA with pride; join all your favourite drag queens and special guests Una Gibney and New York’s finest CAZWELL for a pride party to remember.
On Sunday 27th June wave goodbye to Pride 2010 as another great festival comes to an end with the official closing party and Pride Awards, live at The George.
For a full list of events in the bar, check out TheGeorge.ie
Beyond the Party
At the launch of this year’s Pride Festival in City Hall, David Norris spoke of the changes he’s seen in Irish gay life over the years. It’s so wonderful that an event that was once so divisive has become one of Dublin’s premiere festivals, second to St. Patrick’s Day, now renowned for its diversity, multiculturalism and ability to draw everyone together.
Pride is not just about the big parties and larger-than-life drag queens - it has become a festival for the entire family with film screenings, art exhibitions, historic walking tours, the family fun house, the sports , zoo and picnic day, plays and poetry nights and so much more. For a full listing of events, please check out DublinPride.ie. Keep an eye on Culch.ie for further updates throughout the week too.
Oh, and of course, don’t forget the Dublin Pride Parade next Saturday 26th June.
It is great to see events for families this year.