Mother of All Parties | Pocketmags.com
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383
In this edition
From The Team
Welcome, dear reader, to the April/May issue of GCN.
Future Plans and Future Proofing
As Chair of the National LGBT Federation which publishes GCN along with working to achieve the NXF Strategy 2023 - 2026, I thought I would let you all know how 2024 is going so far.
Creating Inclusive Spaces: A Reflection and Call to Action
It’s no accident that our Strategic Plan at Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre is titled Space for All. As an organisation deeply rooted in our community’s history, we have proudly supported LGBTQ+ people.
Creating Comfort
Creating Proud Spaces in Rural Communities is an initiative developed by Youth Work Ireland and supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Over the Rainbow: Tackling Rainbow Washing At Pride
It will come as no surprise to readers of GCN that Pride’s origins are rooted in protest. The brave actions of LGBTQ+ people throughout history, notably the Stonewall riots in 1969.
Inside SLM
As Dublin Pride prepares to celebrate 50 years since the first Sexual Liberation Movement demonstration for Homosexual Law Reform in 1974, Ethan Moser continues his series highlighting the founding members of the SLM
Uncovering Queer Spaces in Italy
When Charlotte Herrmann moved to Rome in 2022, the last things that came to her mind were the challenges she could encounter regarding her queerness. She was aware of conservative politics in Italy, but did not expect to struggle with homophobia in the capital of the country.
In Tune
It’s an exciting year ahead for Glória, Dublin’s LGBTQ+ choir. They have a busy per formance schedule for the rest of 2024, and their new Musical Director, Leah Mullen, is leading the charge.
Behind the Curtain
The process and craft at the National Theatre are at the heart of our backstage tours.
Finding My Feet
Abigail Sinistore has been “studying abroad” in Dublin for four months now, and during that time, the Irish LGBTQ+ community has become a second home to her. But, as the writer explains, it wasn’t always that way.
Safety in Numbers
In dialogues revolving around the concept of safe spaces, familiar refrains echo, revealing enduring challenges: a persistent scarcity, lack of diversity, sometimes visibility, and sporadic lapses in security. Swantje Mohrbeck speaks to those who work to ensure a ‘safe space’ is a reality more than a buzzword.
Mother of All Parties
As the days get longer and the nights get hotter, it gets easier with each passing day to believe that Pride season, and the Dublinfavourite Mother Pride Block Party, are just around the corner. Ethan Moser fills us in on what treats lie in store.
H.A.M.ing it Up
To write the history of H.A.M. is to write the history of one of the most significant chapters in the social and cultural fabric of Dublin. Han Tiernan explains how its evolution would irrevocably shift the club scene and queer nightlife and would leave an indelible mark on Irish theatre, drag culture, art, and even graphic design.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The Care referendum, which was ultimately defeated by the Irish voting population earlier this year, caused much hurt for disabled folk, who felt overlooked and excluded by many community organisations and activists. In the aftermath, Alannah Murray discusses the damage done, as well as how best to move forward.
Nothing About Us Without Us
Across Ireland and the rest of the world, the struggle for disability rights has continued for a long time. One of the activists involved in the early days of the Irish movement, Suzy Byrne, shared with Beatrice Fanucci why it is essential that the voices of those affected should be the ones to lead the charge.
Stage Mums
Four years ago, two native Corkonians, PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey, sat down to record the very first episode of I’m Grand Mam. The pair shared with Elliott Salmon how an idea, developed on the back of an aeroplane sick bag while they sipped on-flight red wine, transformed into a massively successful podcast and an upcoming live tour.
Name Your Queens
It’s been two years since I last interviewed Pillow Queens for GCN ahead of the release of their second studio album, Leave The Light On. A lot has happened in that time.
Directory
Listings - Organisations - Supports
Directory
Listings - Organisations - Supports
A Milestone
The Cork Women’s Weekend is about to celebrate its 40th anniversary this May Bank Holiday weekend, and it’s going to be fabulous! Founder of the Cork LGBT Archive, Orla Egan, and members of the Cork Women’s Weekend Committee, fill us in on what to expect. Images courtesy of Cork LGBT Archive.
FOND FAREWELL
After an amazing tenure as Group Manager, Michael Brett shares his GCN journey and makes a call to support our national queer media.
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Mother of All Parties

As the days get longer and the nights get hotter, it gets easier with each passing day to believe that Pride season, and the Dublin-favourite Mother Pride Block Party, are just around the corner. Ethan Moser fills us in on what treats lie in store.

Returning after a triumphant weekend-long festival last June, the Mother Pride Block Party is back with a stellar lineup of show-stopping headliners, gag-worthy live drag performances, as well as a plethora of other art, food and drink options galore from sponsors like Absolut, White Claw, Heineken and Red Bull.

Announcing the programme for the upcoming unmissable gig, Mother co-founder Cormac Cashman said: “We’re really excited to share with the community our very special Pride lineup and plans for the Pride Block Party 2024 in the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks, a spacious and accessible city centre festival site complete with three stages, multiple bars and fairground rides.”

Promising to be Mother’s “biggest and most exciting Pride show yet,” the 2024 Pride Block Party will feature a mind-blowing group of headlining acts, including globally celebrated vocalist COBRAH, who was recently nominated for a Swedish Grammy for their track ‘GOOD PUSS’, which has received more than 25 million streams since its debut.

COBRAH will be joined on the mainstage by viral electronic music sensation Princess Superstar. The rap artist, based out of New York City, has been slaying music charts for years with her signature blend of sample-based hip-hop, electro, punk, and swagger. Pride Block Party attendees can expect Princess Superstar to perform her chart-smashing singles ‘Bad Babysitter’ and ‘Perfect Exceeder’.

Rounding out the Pride Block Party’s trio of musical headliners is Robin S. The American singer-songwriter is renowned for her remarkable vocal talent with chart-topping tracks like ‘Show Me Love’.

Joining those musical acts on Mother's mainstage will be some familiar faces from the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Sasha Velour, known for her boundary-pushing drag, took home the crown on Season Nine. Since her tenure on the show, Velour has taken the world by storm with her astonishing NightGowns tour. Velour will take to the stage alongside fellow Drag Race winner Blu Hydrangea.

Hydrangea, who first appeared on Season One of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, returned in 2022 to snatch the crown on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK VS The World.

More recently, Hydrangea has made headlines for her performance on Dancing With the Stars Ireland, where the Northern Irish drag legend finished with a runner-up placement earlier this spring.

The Pride Block Party will also feature performances by the always-iconic Mother DJs, Celaviedmai, Sexy Tadgh, Haus of WIG and more.

Local drag talent will grace the grounds of Collins Barracks, with performances from Anziety, Avatar Guille, Dan the Man, Donna Fella, Faux Joli, Mia Gold, Naomi Diamond, Richard Joke, Shaqira Knightly and Viola Gayvis.

Fairground rides, food and drink vendors, and a number of Pride merch stations will similarly be set up throughout the grounds for the duration of the event, ensuring that Block Party attendees will be thoroughly satisfied.

Mother co-founder Lisa Connell shared, “Planning the Block Party annually to celebrate Pride in our capital city is Mother’s biggest party of the year.”

Founded in 2010, Mother was originally conceived as an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Dublin to raise funds for yours truly, GCN. After becoming a staple in the city’s queer nightlife, Mother expanded its reach, filling dance spaces at festivals and clubs far and wide before establishing the Block Party, which has become the country’s largest annual Pride party.

“It’s our opportunity to programme a world class Pride party with the best of local and international queer talent to celebrate Pride. We take great pleasure in creating a full festival site in the heart of the city centre to host LGBTQ+ folk and their allies on our favourite weekend of the year,” continued Connell.

“We relish in creating safe and joyful queer space in the beautiful surrounds of the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.”

In addition to the Mother Pride Block Party, Mother has similarly partnered with Vibez Emotion to present the BRAZA Block Party, which is set to take place at Collins Barracks on Friday, June 28.

Attendees can expect “a very exciting opening party for Pride 2024 with a big Brazilian heart”.

The BRAZA Block Party will be headlined by two of Brazil’s hottest musical exports - Pedro Sampaio and Gloria Groove.

Sampaio, known for his innovative productions, which mix the beats of Rio funk with other rhythms, will kick off the party with a selection of hits that have earned the singer an impressive eight million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Gloria Groove, singer, rapper, songwriter, drag queen and voice actress, will take the stage after Sampaio, performing tracks that have made the artist the most listened-to drag queen in the world as well as earning her performance slots at major festivals like Lollapalooza and Rock in Rio.

A mix of Brazilian and Irish talents such as Dougie, Kat and Mike, Moa, Pablo Coutinho, Souzac, Spangol, Stephen Dowling, Thaal, and Tygo, will keep the party going throughout the day.

While both the BRAZA and Mother Block Parties will conclude at 11pm, a number of Pride afterparties, including Mother’s own late night celebrations at Lost Lane on both Friday and Saturday night, will be announced in the coming weeks. So keep your eyes peeled!

Tickets for both the BRAZA Block Party and the Mother Pride Block Party are on sale now on Eventbrite.

Safety in Numbers
In dialogues revolving around the concept of safe spaces, familiar refrains echo, revealing enduring challenges: a persistent scarcity, lack of diversity, sometimes visibility, and sporadic lapses in security. Swantje Mohrbeck speaks to those who work to ensure a ‘safe space’ is a reality more than a buzzword.
< Go to Previous Article
Stage Mums
Four years ago, two native Corkonians, PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey, sat down to record the very first episode of I’m Grand Mam. The pair shared with Elliott Salmon how an idea, developed on the back of an aeroplane sick bag while they sipped on-flight red wine, transformed into a massively successful podcast and an upcoming live tour.
Go to Next Article >
Stage Mums
Four years ago, two native Corkonians, PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey, sat down to record the very first episode of I’m Grand Mam. The pair shared with Elliott Salmon how an idea, developed on the back of an aeroplane sick bag while they sipped on-flight red wine, transformed into a massively successful podcast and an upcoming live tour.
Go to Next Article >
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383
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From The Team
Welcome, dear reader, to the April/May issue of GCN.
Future Plans and Future Proofing
As Chair of the National LGBT Federation which publishes GCN along with working to achieve the NXF Strategy 2023 - 2026, I thought I would let you all know how 2024 is going so far.
Creating Inclusive Spaces: A Reflection and Call to Action
It’s no accident that our Strategic Plan at Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre is titled Space for All. As an organisation deeply rooted in our community’s history, we have proudly supported LGBTQ+ people.
Creating Comfort
Creating Proud Spaces in Rural Communities is an initiative developed by Youth Work Ireland and supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Over the Rainbow: Tackling Rainbow Washing At Pride
It will come as no surprise to readers of GCN that Pride’s origins are rooted in protest. The brave actions of LGBTQ+ people throughout history, notably the Stonewall riots in 1969.
Inside SLM
As Dublin Pride prepares to celebrate 50 years since the first Sexual Liberation Movement demonstration for Homosexual Law Reform in 1974, Ethan Moser continues his series highlighting the founding members of the SLM
Uncovering Queer Spaces in Italy
When Charlotte Herrmann moved to Rome in 2022, the last things that came to her mind were the challenges she could encounter regarding her queerness. She was aware of conservative politics in Italy, but did not expect to struggle with homophobia in the capital of the country.
In Tune
It’s an exciting year ahead for Glória, Dublin’s LGBTQ+ choir. They have a busy per formance schedule for the rest of 2024, and their new Musical Director, Leah Mullen, is leading the charge.
Behind the Curtain
The process and craft at the National Theatre are at the heart of our backstage tours.
Finding My Feet
Abigail Sinistore has been “studying abroad” in Dublin for four months now, and during that time, the Irish LGBTQ+ community has become a second home to her. But, as the writer explains, it wasn’t always that way.
Safety in Numbers
In dialogues revolving around the concept of safe spaces, familiar refrains echo, revealing enduring challenges: a persistent scarcity, lack of diversity, sometimes visibility, and sporadic lapses in security. Swantje Mohrbeck speaks to those who work to ensure a ‘safe space’ is a reality more than a buzzword.
Mother of All Parties
As the days get longer and the nights get hotter, it gets easier with each passing day to believe that Pride season, and the Dublinfavourite Mother Pride Block Party, are just around the corner. Ethan Moser fills us in on what treats lie in store.
H.A.M.ing it Up
To write the history of H.A.M. is to write the history of one of the most significant chapters in the social and cultural fabric of Dublin. Han Tiernan explains how its evolution would irrevocably shift the club scene and queer nightlife and would leave an indelible mark on Irish theatre, drag culture, art, and even graphic design.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The Care referendum, which was ultimately defeated by the Irish voting population earlier this year, caused much hurt for disabled folk, who felt overlooked and excluded by many community organisations and activists. In the aftermath, Alannah Murray discusses the damage done, as well as how best to move forward.
Nothing About Us Without Us
Across Ireland and the rest of the world, the struggle for disability rights has continued for a long time. One of the activists involved in the early days of the Irish movement, Suzy Byrne, shared with Beatrice Fanucci why it is essential that the voices of those affected should be the ones to lead the charge.
Stage Mums
Four years ago, two native Corkonians, PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey, sat down to record the very first episode of I’m Grand Mam. The pair shared with Elliott Salmon how an idea, developed on the back of an aeroplane sick bag while they sipped on-flight red wine, transformed into a massively successful podcast and an upcoming live tour.
Name Your Queens
It’s been two years since I last interviewed Pillow Queens for GCN ahead of the release of their second studio album, Leave The Light On. A lot has happened in that time.
Directory
Listings - Organisations - Supports
Directory
Listings - Organisations - Supports
A Milestone
The Cork Women’s Weekend is about to celebrate its 40th anniversary this May Bank Holiday weekend, and it’s going to be fabulous! Founder of the Cork LGBT Archive, Orla Egan, and members of the Cork Women’s Weekend Committee, fill us in on what to expect. Images courtesy of Cork LGBT Archive.
FOND FAREWELL
After an amazing tenure as Group Manager, Michael Brett shares his GCN journey and makes a call to support our national queer media.
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