Brisbane Pride Festival 20th Anniversary
Twenty years ago the Brisbane Pride Festival (BPF) was born and year by year it has grown to become what it is today.
This year BPF has more than 60 events on the calendar, including dance nights for young and old, art exhibitions, cabaret shows, pool competitions, and even rollerskating derbies.
For those looking to hear north to enjoy the festivities, here’s a few events on this year’s calendar.
THE KRANSKY SISTERS: HEARD IT ON THE WIRELESS
Venturing into the big smoke from the dusty curtained private world of their old family home in Esk, sisters Mourne, Eve and Dawn Kransky arrive in Brisbane with their darkly funny stories from the countryside and their unique homespun versions of popular tunes heard on the old wireless. A recent incarnation of their 2005 Baggage, Heard It On The Wireless offers audiences the chance to revisit many of The Kransky Sisters’ most popular tunes including hits from AC/DC, Steppenwolf, Russell Morris, Sugar Ray and the Eurythmics.
Dates: Tuesday 30 June to Saturday 4 July
Times: Tue & Fri 6.30, Wed & Thur 9pm, Sat 2pm & 6.30pm
Venue: Cremorne Theatre, QPAC
Cost: $29 & $23
Bookings: qtix 136 246 or qtix.com.au
info: Visit institches.qpac.com.au
PRISCILLA GETS HISTORICAL: THE BIG QUEER BRISBANE BUS TOUR
Come ride the bus and walk with some queer history buffs on a day trip down Brisbane’s rainbow memory lane. Check out Brisbane’s hidden queer past: venues, people, places, memorials… there is a lot to see if you know where to look! Further information can be found at qahc.org.au
Date: Sat 27 June
Time: 10am to 4pm
Venue: Meet in the Valley
info: (07) 3017 1777 or visit qahc.org.au/beinginvolved
QCP QUEER EXHIBITIONS
The Queensland Centre for Photography is please to partner with the Brisbane Pride Festival to present a series of queer-themed exhibitions in June. The QCP has recently moved from its Bulimba gallery to a glamorous new Southbank location where it continues to present the best and most interesting local, national and international photographic art. The program for Pride will feature works by Gemma Rose Turnbul, Keith Carey, Melly Niotakas, Eric Bridgeman, Angela Bailey and others.
Date: 1 -“ 30 June
Time: Wed -“ Sat 11am -“ 6pm / Sun 11am -“ 3pm
Venue: Qld Centre of Photography, Cnr Cordelia & Russell Sts, South Brisbane
info: (07) 3844 1101
The rally and march will be back in full force and will wind its way down to West End, where the party will continue all day. The Pink Pub Prowl will return with five new venues to explore and Holes and Poles will once again lift the roof with more local bands than you know what to do with.
The official Brisbane Pride Festival Guide will hit the streets next week and will also be available in PDF format on the festival website. So check it out and come along to join in the festivities.
Brisbane Pride Festival is also seeking wonderful volunteers ready to donate their time and energy to supporting the month-long festivities. Six major events during June require volunteers including the rally, march and Fair Day, the Queen’s Birthday Community Awards and the Pride Art Exhibition.
Donate just three hours of your time and not only will you get free entry to the event you support, you will also get to feel great, knowing you are supporting your community!
info: For more information on volunteering, or to register your interest visit pridebrisbane.org.au or call Martin on 0405 332 731.
I don’t know if I was ever “beautiful” but yes now that I’m 49 things have changed but I’m happy to be in reasonably good health. Let’s face it, the gay community puts a premium on youth and beauty. One may not like it but that’s the way it is.
Thats easy for you both to say as it sounds like you where both once the “beautiful”people.
You are what you are. Learn to love what you’ve got and others will love you for it. Being confident is one of the most things a person can be. I used to be one of those boys when I was in my early 20’s and it clicked one day that all those boys are just as insecure as everyone else. I have to say I am a lot happier now that I am no longer concerned about what people are thinking of me. As for being 50. You should be glad you are 50 and celebrate it. Not everyone makes it to 50.
I once looked those boys, mostly when I was in my 30’s but now I’m pushing 40 (from the other side with my back up against 50) and in the gay community if you’re 50 or nearly so, you might as well be 80! I was 39 for about six years though. :-)
I wish I looked like one of those muscley boys… its them who gets all the attention and opportunity to work in community.. they even get free drinks at the bars.. its not fair i want to look like them so I can dance on the dance floor without being looked at.. if i looked like them I would have so many gay friends… I wouldnt be targeted as a minortiy within the community.. I would just be normal… its not fair…