Events

Festival Programme

Northern Pride will be hosting a range of events from the 7th to the 20th July to ensure that, whatever your tastes, there is something that takes your interest.

We will update this section every time a new event is confirmed but for starters here are just some of the events that you can look forward to:

7th July – 20th July LGBT Art Exhibition

La Boca Art Café will be hosting an exhibition of works by LGBT artists exploring this year’s theme. La Boca has hosted a variety of exhibitions over the last few years providing many LGBT artists with the opportunity to show their work for the first time. The exhibition will celebrate the cultural contribution made by the LGBT community as well as providing a comfortable and relaxing environment to take a break from the festivities.

Venue: La Boca Art Café, Princess Square (near the City Library)

16th July The Star and Shadow Cinema, Byker

Details of the event organised by Kate Sweeney and co. at the Star & Shadow as part of the affiliated programme for Pride.

Is Everything ok?

Queer film night

The Star and Shadow Cinema, Byker

7.30pm

£3 /4 tickets (sold on the door)

We first and foremost want to create a cultural event that adds into the queer cultural landscape of Newcastle upon Tyne. Something different from the run of the mill...

We wanted to create a night of films that explore and highlight queer life in cities around the world especially ones where it is (becoming increasingly) difficult to be homosexual.

This evening is organised with a not – for – profit ethos, and is a satellite event of ‘Northern Pride’ – an alternative Gay Pride event taking place in July 08 in the city.

The films will be screened at The Star and Shadow cinema, whose aim is to show a truly independent programme of inspirational and inspired films as cheaply as possible, as well as providing a venue for artists and musicians of all varieties. It is a “cosy venue that provides a haven from the mundane mainstream of film and music, a nursery for independent creativity and thinking.”

It is initially planned as a one – off event, but we hope to gather more films to be able to put on future screenings and develop the night into a regular feature.

12th July Pride Parade

We may have mentioned this before but Northern Pride are organising the North East’s first big Pride Parade to include floats. The parade is a fantastic opportunity for the whole LGBT community and friends to come together and celebrate our diverse identities.

For more information visit the ‘Pride Parade’ section of the website.

12th July Pink Picnic

The Pride Parade will end at Leazes Park (Newcastle) at 1pm when we will kick off the the Pink Picnic. This will be a relaxed affair with lots of activities to take part in. Young people and families with children will have lots to do when the Play and Youth bus rolls up. Whether you want to try your hands on the DJ decks or get your face painted there will be suitable activities whatever your age.

The sporty among us will be represented too, with football and rugby teams showing us how it’s done. For those of us who haven’t played sport since school there will be an opportunity to take part in relaxed and informal ‘taster’ sessions.

There will be lots more besides: with information stalls, music and much more to be confirmed.

Of course, if that all sounds a bit energetic you could just pack a picnic, chill out and watch the world go by!

Venue: Leazes Park

13th July “The Last Laugh”

Northern Pride’s first comedy night promises to provide an evening of alternative entertainment with a subversive edge. We are excited to announce a diverse line up of top rated entertainers, including:

Jonathan Mayor: our MC for the evening, Mayor is a rising star on Manchester’s alternative scene. To get a feel for his act, John Locke of the Manchester Comedy Store suggests that we should "imagine a Christmas tree has just exploded over the campest Bollywood star you know." A night hosted by Mayor will be fabulous.

Stephen K Amos: winner of the 2004 Time Out award for comedy, Amos has taken the comedy circuit by storm. His observational humour and bonhomie produces an unfailingly happy and entertaining act.

Mandy Muden: sharp wit, magic tricks and fantastic audience participation had led to numerous comparisons between Muden and the great Tommy Cooper. The only woman on the circuit to have combined magic and comedy, Muden is one on her own and her act promises to be one to remember.

Scott Capurro: as our headline act Capurro is at the cutting edge of comedy. Since winning the Perrier Award for best newcomer at the 1994 Edinburgh Fringe Festival Capurro has toured extensively in the UK and America, where is highly controversial acts explore topics that are usually taboo; his humour is always close to the bone and never fail to raise an eyebrow.

This show contains adult material and is recommended for those aged 16 or over.

Tickets will be available from Monday 14th April priced at £15 or £12 concessions. They can be bought in person at the Journal Tyne Theatre Box Office, at their website www.thejournaltynetheatre.co.uk CLICK HERE or by calling 08444 939999.

Venue: Journal Tyne Theatre