I Books 17 a Clubs 18 ; Comedy 24 ' I Film 25 I Kids 16
0t and proud
Glasgow Pride has put the unpleasantness of 2006 behind it and is set to be bigger than ever. Suzanne Black gets her glitter on
t‘s that time of year again. Dig out the cowboy hats.
the feather boas and anything whatsoever with a
rainbow on it. ()h. and dig otit your conviction about your sexuality because this is one of the best days of the year to make a statement. celebrate diversity and remind any malingering doubters in the world at large of the positive aspects of the LGBTQ communities.
Pride Scotia have traditionally alternated the festival between lidinburgh and Glasgow. Ross Stephenson. one of the directors of Pride Scotia (Glasgow) explains why this will be the first of now annual Pride marches for the west coast. ‘When we met to plan this year‘s event it was decided that we needed to create an event for Glasgow. an event that could bring Glasgow and Scotland together.‘
Cleverly playing on the LGBT name. the event has the tagline ‘l.et‘s Get Back Together‘. Cast your minds back to the problems at the last Pride in Glasgow in 2006 (when several members of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue refused to hand out fliers on moral grounds) and you‘ll know why this is an apposite sentiment. ‘We also have the support of Strathclydc Fire and Rescue.’ Stephenson assures me. ‘We‘ve been working closely with them to make sure the event is nothing like a repeat of 2006.‘
And there’s more fun than ever. The festival is
stretching to two days. making it the biggest Pride event in Scotland. The march starts from Blythswood Square at l l.30am on Saturday and wends through the city centre to arrive at George Square in time for the festivities and appearances by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Glasgow (‘ity Council‘s liquality Spokesman. Drag queens will preside over the vast musical line-up. comprising dance duo Uniting Nations. dance uno Hazel Dean. X-I'lu'tm' contestant Brenda lidwards. powerhouse diva Hannah Jones. Kelly Wilde and boyband Billiam. The boys have supported Westlife and Girls Aloud and reached the dizzying heights of number 32 in the charts last year with single 'Beautiful ()nes‘.
If you survive all that. the linale party (Sun 31 Aug. Tiger Tiger. 8pm). which is organised in association with Queer Scotland magazine and Babylon. boasts Brenda Edwards (again) and Karen Danzig.
So where will Stephenson be on the day'.’ ‘You can probably find me attached to a valium tank somewhere!‘ Who knew that enjoying the freedom of expression of sexuality was so exhausting“?
George Square, Glasgow, Sat 30 Aug; Tiger Tiger, Glasgow, Sun 31 Aug. See www.prideglasgow.co.uk
I Visual Art 54
I LGBT 15 Music 40 i I Theatre 53 I TV 28 l
l
=l= Festival of Politics Star-studded debates, chats
and lectures with Simon Callow
and Mark Thomas among
others. May even feature actual politicians. Scottish Parliament, i Edinburgh, until Sun 24 Aug.
a Collectormania Glasgow Geek—Mecca opens its doors
again in an unashamed
celebration of comic book
nerdery, replete with legendary
stars of stage and sci-fi like ; Dave Prowse! Actual Darth Vader! Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Sat 23-Sun 24 Aug. >3: Queens Park Carnival The Southside issues its annual challenge to the West End Festival, with a massive carnival procession snaking all over Pollokshaws Road. Queens Park (start), Glasgow, Sat 23 Aug.
>r. Edinburgh Mela Huge, week-long festival of intercultural arts. crafts, food and music. Outside Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh Mon 25—Sun 3 7 Aug.
>i< Milkshake! Live, in my First Concert Channel Five's Milkshake brings all the boys and girls to the yard and gets them dancing in their seats, with much loved characters like Rupert Bear, Fif & Bumble, Mr Bump and Noddy. Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Thu 28—Sat 30 Aug. 7 * Pride Glasgow, Massive,
two day celebration of all things
L, G, B, T and indeed, 0. See preview, left. Glasgow city
centre, Sat 30 8. Sun 37 Aug.
21 Aug—4 Sep 2008 THE LIST 15