Son of a Tutu and The Middle-Aged Mermaid land at the museum | Photo: National Maritime Museum
Always wanted to be a mermaid? Fancy a sexuality talk night at the museum? Look no further. London Pride Festival is back in town with more than 100 events to get you set for the big parade of 7 July.
The festival will kick off Saturday 9 June and run for a whole month. This year’s theme #PrideMatters encourages volunteers and community groups to come together and show what it means to be LGBTI in London today. Apparently, it means anything from enjoying ping-pong to taking on life-drawing sessions.
‘This year marks a big milestone for Pride Festival. With more than 100 events happening, I think we’ve now become the world’s largest LGBTI festival,’ said Simon Jones, Events Director of Pride in London.
‘We are thrilled to curate our most diverse and inclusive festival yet and, with so much on offer, no one will be bored.’
Events Director of Pride in London Simon Jones announces the festival | Photo: Carol Moir
Festivalgoers can, in fact, attend all sorts of events. It will be hard to keep track, so here are the highlights to make sure you won’t miss the best activities.
Get those dancing shoes on for a special pride performance of The Great Gatsby on 9-10 June. If you don’t feel like dancing, you can test your puzzle-solving skills with Escape with Pride. This is a partnership with Breakin’ Escape Rooms running until 4 July.
The self-defense workshop will take place on 16 June. The two-hour session will provide participants with basic practical defense techniques using the principles of Ju-jitsu.
Football fans, rejoice as on 9 June football team Falcons will welcome anyone who wants to get back to the pitch. for a couple of hours of fitness, skill drills, and friendly crosses.
More a Ginger than a Sporty Spice? You can celebrate human sexuality with talks and performances at the Science Museum on 27 June. Stay for the afterparty with first-class DJs Jay Jay Revlon and Michelle Manetti.
Ready to showcase your talent? If you’re under 18, Flawless Talent on 17 June is the right spotlight for you. It’s the first ever under 18s talent competition in London, featuring young LGBTI artists and performers.
Michael Twaits and Mzz Kimberley are hosting a cabaret at The Hospital Club| Photo: Pride in London
Another Talent Sessions will take place on 29 June at The Hospital Club. Attendees will enjoy performances from this year’s Pride’s Got Talent competition, along with Mzz Kimberley, and cabaret sensation host Michael Twaits.
To save the best for last, London Pride Festival will close in style with Fish Out Of Water, a mermaid grotto at the National Maritime Museum. There will be a screening of Disney’s The Little Mermaid like you’ve never seen it before. Sing along to Ariel’s best tunes and enjoy live drag and gender-bending performances on 6 July. You can also attend a workshop to create your very own mermaid accessories to get you all set for Pride.
Craving for more? Additional events include badminton, films, talks, walks, cabaret, theatre, yoga, comedy improv, business networking, bowling, and the list goes on.
The full calendar of London Pride Festival is updated at www.prideinlondon.org/events.
