Milking it for all it’s worth - @MilkFest2010

Earlier today, Eilish had a post up about this Summer’s festivals and her review of the Indiependence Festival in Michelstown. There’s another very unique Irish music festival coming up next weekend. It promises to be brighter, more colourful and a hell of a lot more flamboyant than anything that has come before it. It’s Europe’s First LGBT Music Festival - MILK.

Get your diamond encrusted wellington boots at the ready for Europe’s first ever outdoor music and arts festival for the LGBT community. Taking place on Saturday 14^th August, in the majestic surroundings of Ballinlough Castle, which will be transformed into a technicoloured dream world for one day of outrageous gay fun, think Wizard Of Oz meets Alice in Wonderland! From 12noon to 12am, 5,000 of Ireland’s gay community and their beautiful straight friends will strut their stuff, as a Mardi Gras Style atmosphere takes over!

Sophie Ellis Bexter

There’s a great and wonderfully camp line up, all hosted by the Queen of the Scene, Panti. Joining her on the main stage will be Sophie Ellis Bextor, Alexandra Burke and Amasis to name a few. The 80’s and 90′s will be back with a big sparkly bang when icons Bananarama and Samantha Fox will join Right Said Fred in retro heaven.

The beautiful and talented Roisin Murphy will be doing the DJ thang and International DJs Seb Fontaine, Bodyrox & Luciana, Andy Moor and many more will have crowds dancing to their beat at the Pink Palace.

And there’s a hell of a lot more than that going on. The Alternative Tent (isn’t the entire festival alternative??) will play host to some of Europe’s and Ireland’s most creative, hosted by Growing Up Gay’s Riyadh Khalaf. Featured acts include drag queen extraordinaire, Veda Beaux Reves, the utterly fantabulous Von Trash and the sometimes funny Katherine Lynch.

Attention shoppers, if that’s not enough to drag you along (ha ha, drag…), then how about embracing the Chillout Zone in the beautiful walled gardens of Ballinlough Estate or dance the forbidden dance ‘The Lambada’ at the Brazilian, Hollywood and Californian cocktail bars. MILK is also home to a colourful art zone which will showcase the best of Ireland’s creative community. A full range of culinary delights will be on offer to feed the hungry, while the VIP tent and private bar will cater for those looking for that extra bit of shininess on the day.

Roisin Murphy

Standard tickets are priced at €99.99 and vippy tickets (€125) are now sold out, although they do give you the option to request them. Tickets can be purchased online at www.milk2010.ie. You can also get plenty of additional info on milk2010.ie.

Don’t forget to join them on Facebook and make sure you follow them on Twitter @MilkFest2010. Although, if you want the real gossip on the weekend, you’re probably better off following @PantiBliss.

See you all there next weekend. I’ll be the one in the red chord trousers.