Pride Party Pandemonium! | Pocketmags.com

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Pride Party Pandemonium!

Pride Party Pandemonium!

Saturday June 30 will officially be the biggest queer party day and night in Dublin. Pre and post-Parade there are so many places to shake your proud booty, it’s hard to take it all in. Here’s the ultimate guide, folks!

At 12 noon, the fab folks at The George throw open their doors for the annual Pride Party. Non-stop back-to-back DJs will keep you on the dance floor of our queer Dublin stalwart until the wee hours. With free entry until 5pm and €10 after, this iconic LGBT social is a must for first timers and seasoned pros alike.

Winner of the gayest street in the capital, Capel St has a raft of happenings catering to the community. The Queen of Ireland throws her famous all-day street party in Pantibar from 2pm, with free entry, fab tunes and great vibes ensured. For some non-alcoholic merriment, the Outhouse crew throw their GOLD Post Parade Party. Queers of all ages are welcome to the free happenings from 3pm til 7. A hop, skip and a twirl away, Nealon’s will host El Styra’s Pride Pop Party for the furrier attendee. Celebrate with the Dublin Bears free of charge from 4pm.

Fancy one of the guaranteed hottest parties in town? Bag yourself a ticket for the Mother Pride Block Party in the Tivoli from 4pm. There’s a ton of amazing acts and Nadine Coyle (yes, the Nadine!) is headlining. Live your Girls Aloud fantasy surrounded by full bars, food stalls, bespoke interactive installations and everything else needed for the most banging party on the block. Tickets available from www.eventbrite.com.

The Official Pride 2018 After Party takes over Opium on Wexford St with none other than Samantha Mumba headlining. There’s a rooftop BBQ and an exclusive Pride cocktail menu to enjoy, while the confetti cannons showering the dance floor sound like the cherry on top of a fabulous event. Tickets available from www.eventbrite.com. Group reservations via bookings@opium.com.

The one and only drag diva Paul Ryder hosts Drop. Drag. Gorgeous. in The Mercantile from 7.30pm. With high kicks, low blows and lip sync battles guaranteed, it’s the perfect way to ease into Pride night. Tickets available from www.eventbrite. com. Group reservations via bookings@mercantile.ie Street 66 will cater for the more alternative queer with The Covers – a night celebrating rock and indie classics, with free entry from 8pm. For those wanting to keep the party going afterwards, DJ Ger Bear and Pixie Woo will be on hand.

Speaking of bears, the guys at The Furry Glen open their cave at Wiley Fox from 10pm. Dublin Bears will present Sound House, packing the dance floors with the help of DJs Martin McCann and Eddie Kay. Entry €10 at the door.

The LADYZ will be in charge at Spinster in Bad Bobs, Temple Bar. Expect five floors of dance floor stompers for female clubbers with DJ Elle taking over the main club from 10pm until late. Partying with a cause, the Spinster gang will donate €1 from every ticket to TENI. Tickets available from dublingurlclub.com.

Rounding the night off, Mother After Dark follows on from the Block Party. Promising the matriarch of all after-parties, resident DJs will be on hand to ring the very last bit of craic out of the night in Tivoli and District 8. We are officially spoiled for choice! Visit the Mother Facebook page for ticket details.

These Boots Are Made For Marching

You’ve got the outfit sorted, including the comfortable shoes (we doubt it); on Saturday, June 30 it’s time for the jewel in the tiara of a festival of celebrations – the Dublin LGBTQ Pride Parade. The ultimate way to highlight and celebrate our community, our journey and our future, the LGBT+ family take to the streets, proud of who we are and how we got here.

This year’s parade will assemble at St Stephen’s Green South starting from 12 noon. There’ll be guest speakers and entertainment galore even before the procession sets off at 2pm, then it’s onward through the city, finishing up in Smithfield Square at this year’s brand new Pride Village.

The Pride Parade is recognised as the biggest people parade in the country, so whether you’re on a float or cheering one on, let’s make sure it’s the loudest and proudest.

Projecting Pride

For those wishing to rest their marching feet, why not grab some popcorn and enjoy one of the LGBT+ movie happenings in Dublin over the big week.

On June 26, Smithfield’s Lighthouse Cinema will host a screening of the utterly essential documentary The 34th, which depicts the brilliant folks behind the Marriage Equality organisation. You’ll want to stay put afterwards for an exclusive Q and A with some of the key figures featured – the awesome Ailbhe Smyth, Orla Howard, Moninne Griffith and TD Katherine Zappone. All proceeds will go toward Minister Zappone’s political campaign fund.

Tickets for the screening with Q & A available at www.eventbrite.ie

For some equally rousing viewing, the Worker’s Socialist Film Club’s ‘Reel Politics’ event will screen the hugely entertaining Pride, about an activist LGBT+ group during the 1980’s miners’ strike. The film highlights the power to achieve change by making common cause, and you can show your support by popping along.

Screening June 29, Reel Politics Offices, Dublin 1. Suggested donation €5 waged/€3 unwaged

Pride Nationwide

Pride isn’t confi ned to the big smoke, so don’t worry if you can’t make it up to Dublin, there are plenty of festivals happening all over Ireland.

Dundalk Outcomers paint the town in rainbow colours from July 9. There’ll be events galore, culminating in a family fun day in the Outcomers’ courtyard on July 14.

Our friends in the south will celebrate Cork Pride from July 30 to August 6. Their theme this year is ‘Shine’, which is what the city is sure to do.

Keep up to date with planned events at www.corkpride.com

Good times are guaranteed up north. Winners of 2017 Event of the Year at the Gala Awards, Belfast Pride will make a triumphant return from July 27 to August 5.

Future details will be available at www.belfastpride.com City of the Tribes, Galway, bursts with pride from August 13 to 19. The county will be out in force bringing the Pride season to a fine close

Be sure to check www.galwaypride.com for updates

The Great Debate

Pride perennial Outhouse is the location for the Dublin Pride Annual Debate on June 28. Adam Long of the National LGBT Federation will chair a stellar panel of speakers on hand to discuss political and legislative issues aff ecting the community.

With topics including international LGBT+ rights, the outstanding areas in which Ireland has yet to achieve progress and LGBT+ education equality, audience input will be as important as ever in an event which serves as a crucial reminder that the Pride movement is fi rmly rooted in politics and social change.

The free event begins at 6.30 and attendees can expect to see esteemed keynote speakers such as TENI Chair and Pride Grand Marshall Sara Phillips, global equality campaigner Peter Tatchell, Senator Fintan Warfi eld of Sinn Féin, Justin McAleese of Fianna Fáil and broadcaster Dil Wickremasinghe marking a year of signifi cant anniversaries.

Wedding Brunch

Planning to pop the question during the Pride parade? The fine folk at Rainbow Weddings are throwing a glorious wedding fair on July 1 ready to cater to all your nuptial needs.

Organising the big day can be tricky, so avail of awesome advice from wedding planner extraordinaire, Daragh Doyle, while enjoying a mouth watering BBQ brunch served alongside delicious cocktails by Gourmet Food Parlour, all in the chic surroundings of House on Leeson St Goddesses of glam, Leeson Beauty, will be on hand for your hands, providing amazing nail care, while The Swing Cats will bring the atmosphere, getting those feet tapping as you peruse a show-stopping showcase of unique venues, products and services suggested for your special event.

Along with your soon-to-be betrothed, bring the last day of Pride to a fitting close by planning for the first day of the rest of your lives.

Ticket options for the Rainbow Wedding Fair are available on the door and at www.eventbrite.ie

The Pride of Limerick

We’re feeling the Pride all over Ireland this year, and Limerick Pride takes the cake. This year’s festival is super family friendly, with tons going on for LGBT+ attendees and allies alike!

The festival kicks off on Monday July 2 with the free official launch in Limerick City Hotel. Get your Pride buzz on with free nibbles and a set from DJ Eamonn!

Spend Tuesday July 3 crafting your day away at Print With Pride, a free workshop in Limerick Printmakers Studio and Gallery from 4pm. Bring along your own canvas (Tshirts! Totes! Jumpers! Whatever takes your fancy!) and create your very own custom Limerick Pride Silk Screen art piece.

Afterwards head to Hook and Ladder on Sarsfield Street for Cupcakes With Charnell, a baking class where you’ll learn how to whip up a batch of rainbow cupcakes! Places are limited so book your tickets early by emailing chair@limerickpride.ie.

Don’t miss Queens of the Cobbles on Wednesday July 4, an over-18s event that ticks all our gay boxes. They’ve got everything: Drag! Magic! Music! Oh my!

On Thursday July 5, Limerick Pride and The Limerick Lady are paying homage to one of their own this year with ‘I Heart the Cranberries’, a loving tribute to the late great Dolores O’Riordan. Over 20 artists will be performing their own unique renditions of some of our most beloved Cranberries songs on the night. Organisers have described the event as “a celebration of diversity, women, the LGBTQ community and Irish music at its very best”. All funds raised go towards Adapt House and Limerick Mental Health.

Friday July 6 is Limerick Pride Parade eve, and GOSHH have teamed up with Limerick Youth Service to host the county’s only Pride Youth Party. The event is for Pride participants aged 14 to 19, who can head over to Lava Javas Youth Café for music, activities, art and preparations for the parade. This self- proclaimed celebration of the “the LGBTI community and all young people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or race” is a fabulous way to meet other young like-minded people to spend your Pride with!

For the more seasoned Pride attendees, T’was The Night Before Pride is back! This free annual event returns to Mickey Martin’s from 9pm til late, with a night chock full of DJs and Pride anthems to get you hyped for a day full of celebrations.

On Saturday July 7 Limerick’s Pride Parade is the cherry on top of a week full of fabulous events. This gathering of the LGBT+ community from far and wide is the perfect opportunity to break out the best of your glittery garb and colourful clothing, and celebrate diversity and equality by parading through the streets of Limerick. Leaving City Hall at 2.30pm, paraders will proudly and visibly march their way through the city.

Then bop on over to the gardens of the Hunt Museum for Pridefest 2018, a free family-friendly event with live music from The Voice of Ireland’s Emmett Daly and Cork duo, Sparkle, plus a bouncy castle, cone van and bar/café so you can bask away the day in the pride of it all.

If you still haven’t hit your Pride peak, finish up with the Pride Climax Party, which stretches over three venues: The Warehouse, Dolans and Kasbah Club, all combined to bring you a Pride extravaganza of the highest order. KiKi St Clair will host this jam-packed night of performances from across the globe, with entertainment from Europe’s number one Pink tribute act Laura Tapp, Fada, Letycha Le’Synn, Mia Gold and headliners Lasgo vs Ian Van Dahl Battle Tour. Tickets are only €12 so snap yours up at www.dolans.ie or ticketmaster.ie.

For more information on Limerick Pride Festival events, visit limerickpride.ie

A Quickie With...

Duncan Maguire, owner of Ukiyo

Since it fl ung its doors open in 2004, Ukiyo on the corner of Exchequer Street and Dame Court in Dublin has been a great mix of aff ordably fabulous food, crackin’ cocktails and karaoke (and there have been many GCN karaoke staff nights there), deadly DJs and delirious disco dancing into the wee small hours. Now they’ve a created a seriously cool new lounge, bar and kitchen, adjoining the existing venue, with its own entrance on Dame Court. And there’s a new menu too, from chef Ciaran Crawford, which we’re dying to try out. In the meantime, we had a quick chat with owner, Duncan Maguire, photographed here with his wife and co-owner, Lou Leahy.

1. Hey Duncan, what’s the gayest thing about Ukiyo? Without a doubt it’s the private karaoke rooms, where any song and everything goes! We are partial to a bit of catwalking on the dancefl oor too.

2. Your ideal party of fi ve, living or dead?

Oscar Wilde, Eileen Gray, Ryan Reynolds, Gil Scott Heron, and Joan Rivers.

3. What would be on the menu?

Swan.

4. If you could have one movie star through your doors, who would it be?

We’ve had quite a few through the doors over the last 14 years but I’m not much of a celebrity slut. I once tried to get Bono to sing a U2 song in our karaoke rooms but he refused, probably because he wasn’t getting any royalties.

5. Who’s your queer icon?

Grace Jones.

6. Your favourite place to eat in Dublin, other than your own?

Coppinger Row for quiet (or not so quiet) boozy lunches.

At night, it’s always Las Tapas de Lola for the amazing hospitality and food.

7. Who or what is rocking your world in restaurants right now, and why?

Umami, which is why I go to San Sebastian with two chef friends at least once a year on my own food pilgrimage. I just love the simplicity and the all-consuming passion of the natives for food. Even the bin trucks smell amazing 8. What’s the funniest thing you overheard in your restaurant?

My Asian staff don’t always get spellings correct on the specials board, among my favourites are ‘Sweat Chilli Prawns’ and ‘Ring Tempura’.

9. What’s the best piece of life advice you ever received?

“Don’t sweat the small stuff.” I’ve so many little maxims I live by, I could be here all day!

10. If the world were ending tomorrow, what would you do today?

Since my greatest fear is starvation, I would defi nitely be shopping for the fi nal feast.

Uykio, 7-9 Exchequer St, Dublin 2, open from 12pm to 2.30am, Monday to Sunday, www.uykiobar.com

Tastes Like Mór

The creators of award-winning Mór Irish Gin have only gone and released a very special Pride bottle, just in time for this year’s festivities.

You can buy this super-limited bottle at the Celtic Whiskey Store (and their online store), Molloy’s off -licenses, which have seven branches around Dublin’s fair city, and Conaty Catering.

And that’s not all, folks. A percentage of each Pride bottle sold will go to Mór Gin’s chosen charity, which is... drumroll... your free LGBT community magazine. That’s GCN, people! Plus the team at Mór Gin will match every donation to double the amount. Thanks guys!

Mór has also partnered with quite a few bars around the city where you can get your Pride party hands on their Gin – JT PIMS, The Fourth Corner, Idlewild, Lemuel’s at the Conrad Hotel, Bad Bobs in Temple Bar and The Old Stand.

So why not get your party started with a Mòr Gin, knowing it’s a win-win all the way!

And remember, people, drink sensibly!

Get To The Chorus

Marking the 25th anniversary of decriminalisation, with a queer choral spectacular are the always tuneful, Dublin Gay Men’s Chorus. Ireland’s only all-male, all-amazing gay choir will raise voices as well as spirits with their summer show, entitled Life Over The Rainbow – a celebration in song of a momentous time of change.

With a fine pedigree in melodious events, the singing showstoppers are guaranteed to fi ll the pews and raise the rafters of St Stephen’s Church on June 24 at 4pm, so potential attendees are advised to get their tickets quickly. Lucky attendees can expect a radiant range of pop classics, musical theatre delights and power anthems.

For those looking for an emotional tune-up, there’s no better way to spend your fi rst Pride Sunday than with this terrifi c troupe, marking a quarter century of freedom.

Book your tickets at www.lifeovertherainbow.eventbrite.ie

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