Joburg Pride is coming of age
2007-09-18 11:42
Cape Town - Joburg Pride is set to come of age on 6 October 2007 when the annual event celebrates its 18th anniversary.
Participants can look forward to a day of smoothly organised celebration and commemoration of South Africa's constitutional freedoms.
The customary colourful parade is scheduled to start at 11:00 from Johannesburg's Zoo Lake Sports Club. Chart-topping electronica band Flash Republic will perform live on stage from 10:00, officially kicking off the parade at the end of their set.
A minute's silence will be observed to mark the recent brutal murder of two lesbians in Meadowlands, as well as acknowledging all victims of hate-crimes.
The parade, with over 16 floats confirmed at the time of going to press and more expected to register, will make its way through the streets of Rosebank.
Top entertainers
For the first time, soft-drink and water points will be provided for marchers, so bring your children and pets to join in the fun.
The parade will take a circular route, returning to Zoo Lake Sports Club at around 13:00, when the celebration is set to continue.
"We hope that Pride is not perceived as being exclusive to lesbians and gays," says Joburg Pride chairperson Tracey Sandilands.
"We welcome everyone who believes in a culture of equal rights and personal freedom to take part or to cheer on the marchers and enjoy the fun and spectacle of the day. Bring the family and your friends," she urges.
A number of top entertainers, including up-and-coming band Running With Scissors, hot new songstress Lira, Afrikaans Idols runner-up Willem Botha, R&B star Tumi and legendary DJ Stuart Hillary have confirmed that they will be performing live at the Joburg Pride "Party in the Park".
Drag-Race
More performers will be announced closer to the event date. Entry to the day's events is free of charge.
There will be plenty of food stalls as well as bars to cater for hungry and thirsty revellers, and a children's area with a jumping castle.
Community organisations will also be present to answer questions about their activities - and expect to see the much-anticipated "Drag-Race".
The 2007 Joburg Pride celebrations officially kick off on Thursday 27 September with a charity screening of the comedy Another Gay Movie at Cinema Nouveau in Rosebank.
The R150 tickets will go towards funding Pride and guests will be treated to drinks and snacks.
For information on attending this exclusive event, through which you can play a part in supporting Pride, call 082 567 8894 (during office hours only).
Pride Film Festival
The evening will also see the invitation-only launch of Ster Kinekor's Pride Film Festival, a stand-alone gay and lesbian film festival held during the Pride festivities.
A number of events will also take place across Gauteng in the week preceding the parade.
Clubs and entertainment venues in Johannesburg and Pretoria will be hosting numerous parties, expected to draw significant crowds, while community organisations will be presenting seminars on more serious topics.
Look out for the Joburg Pride Festival Guide, which will be available at selected venues around the city, or visit www.joburgpride.org to view the ever-growing list of events scheduled for the week preceding the Pride Parade.