Party like a queen
The 51st Queens Birthday Ball will take over the Tivoli in Fortitude Valley for the first time this weekend.
Decorated in authentic art deco style, the theatre venue will host the costume ball for its last-ever June date, before switching to the new Queen’s Birthday holiday in October 2013.
The Brisbane Pride Festival is celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee by throwing the party in ‘Fabulous ’50s’ theme, as the party takes attendees back to 1953 when Princess Elizabeth became monarch.
The competition part of the evening will see Queensland’s LGBTI community battle it out in categories such as DJ/Performer of the Year, Drag Performer of the Year, Annual Event of the Year, Licensed Venue of the Year, Community Support Group of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and the Young Achievement Award.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is chosen by the Pride Committee and the costume awards are awarded on the night.
The Queens Ball has seen many changes over its 51-year history. What started out as just a small gathering of friends on Mt Tambourine grew to become one of Brisbane’s biggest and most anticipated parties.
The cultural shift in the ’90s saw the party struggle to find its niche, but thanks to the determined efforts of a re-invigorated Pride Committee, organisers hope the Queens Ball will once again be the premier party of the year.
Last year’s event at Cloudland was a sell-out and this year looks to be heading the same way.
INFO: www.brisbanepridefestival.com.au or book at the bar of the Sportsman Hotel, Spring Hill.
