Charlotte Pride

[Urbanity]

^It should probably up shortly (the times of each performer) but Leanne will likely not be till Sat evening.  Here's current roster:  http://charlottepride.org/entertainment/

 

On a related matter - I hope everyone has seen that the Levine Museum of the New South is having an exhibity (Grand Opening tonight) called ““LGBTQ Perspectives on Equality".  It will include a history timeline of CLT LGBT events and as far as I know is the first major  exhibit of LGBT Life in the Carolinas!

[tozmervo]

Leanne will be Sunday afternoon after the parade, probably 4. The full time schedule has not been released yet but will be soon.

[tozmervo]

Also Pride has lots of need and positions for volunteers! Everything from selling beer tickets to bar tending, helping with saturday morning setup to sunday evening break down. Lots lots lots. Message me if your interested, or you can swing by the volunteer page: http://charlottepride.org/volunteers/ for more info. It's a great time, and this year will be crazy

[15895]

So I never been to pride and only considering it this year because Leanne Rimes grabbed my attention.

I had friends from Mnt. Airy coming down, and well. Now I'm sort of nervous to go because I personally found speed street to be extremely dull. Now I'm debating in Chimney Rock/Sliding Rock & Looking Glass falls vs. Carowinds vs. White Water Center...

Maybe I'll do White Water after Pride. Hmmm. I just don't want to be disappointed if its basically Aflac booths down Tryon. I admit more than anything I only want to go to support Charlotte and show how great we are butttt ... After looking at a YouTube video of 2013 parade... It doesn't look to promising.

Edited August 4, 2014 by AirNostrumMAD

[tozmervo]

No Aflac, just Metlife and Liberty Mutual

 

While Pride does have significant corporate presence (BAC, Wells, PNC, TWC), participation in the festival is very diverse. From the food court and one end to the stage at the other, there are tons of exhibitors ranging from churches to aethiests, pets to political parties, AIDS organizations and LGBT arts groups. You won't have to look far for a variety of drinking opportunities (including a karaoke bar that was crazy last year), and if you are looking closely enough you'll find some fun, uh, toy booths. You could also just spend your money getting Charlotte Royals rugby boys wet at their dunk booth. I'm particularly proud of the "Faces of Diversity" art project that will be in front of the Bechtler - over 10,000 thumbprints will be collected to create a huge collage piece. And of course, the Parade steps off at 1 on Sunday. That's a whole other level of crazy. 

 

More than anything, I'd say Pride is set apart by a much lighter and more fun atmosphere than Speed Street. SS always feels "forced" to me, and most people at Pride are there to have a fun time. 

 

#sortofbiased

[15895]

No Aflac, just Metlife and Liberty Mutual

While Pride does have significant corporate presence (BAC, Wells, PNC, TWC), participation in the festival is very diverse. From the food court and one end to the stage at the other, there are tons of exhibitors ranging from churches to aethiests, pets to political parties, AIDS organizations and LGBT arts groups. You won't have to look far for a variety of drinking opportunities (including a karaoke bar that was crazy last year), and if you are looking closely enough you'll find some fun, uh, toy booths. You could also just spend your money getting Charlotte Royals rugby boys wet at their dunk booth. I'm particularly proud of the "Faces of Diversity" art project that will be in front of the Bechtler - over 10,000 thumbprints will be collected to create a huge collage piece. And of course, the Parade steps off at 1 on Sunday. That's a whole other level of crazy.

More than anything, I'd say Pride is set apart by a much lighter and more fun atmosphere than Speed Street. SS always feels "forced" to me, and most people at Pride are there to have a fun time.

#sortofbiased

Thanks!

I think I'll go. Get there @ 12 - 6pm Sunday.

I want to ask something sort of OT. Where is a good place to eat during pride? i love Merts. I love the atmosphere & prices. Preferably uptown

Edited August 5, 2014 by AirNostrumMAD

[CLTProductions]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/08/13/5103612/charlotte-gay-pride-event-expects.html#.U-usbUjgW14

 

30 years ago the city refused to accept bus ads for the parade... 2014: expecting the most attendees ever as well as having the most corporate sponsorship (even if thats all PR bs). Quite amazing to see how this city has progressed and stepped out of the Stone Ages....unfortunately the same can't be said for the state.

[15895]

Pride is really fun 10x better than any other parade or festival

Edit: the pride was really really fun. Stayed from 11am-6pm.

Leanne Rimes was Awesome!! I liked that the parade was really long. I'm really really glad I went. Afterwards went to Birkdale to Fox & Hounds and then we went bowling right by Birkdale right at Statesville & Sam Furr

Edited August 18, 2014 by AirNostrumMAD

[tozmervo]

Well, my feet hurt like hell, but it was worth it.

 

http://charlottepride.org/3278/charlotte-pride-breaks-100000-attendance-record/

[ah59396]

Congrats guys, that's great news. I wandered around for a bit on Sunday and it was quite the spectical! Amazing numbers.

[davidclt]

Well, my feet hurt like hell, but it was worth it.

 

http://charlottepride.org/3278/charlotte-pride-breaks-100000-attendance-record/

 

I am impressed by the way Charlotte Pride has grown each year, especially the past four years. There was a really sad one in 2002 or 2003 and the one at the Music Factory was just weird and disjointed but now our little festival is all grown up. Can't wait to see how it does next year. We met some people up from Atlanta which given the size of their Pride makes me thing there's something to our fair city that's a draw. It made me smile.

[Third Strike]

I think this is worth bumping this topic for the breaking news: Same-sex Marriage is now legal in North Carolina!

 

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/10/10/5232525/nc-gop-leaders-given-until-noon.html#.VDhpzRZzCK8

 

 

[CLTProductions]

Well hey would ya look at NC deciding to join the 21st century. Absolutely love this nose, and to make an old (but still funny joke) now gay people can get married and be as miserable as the rest of us!

Edited October 10, 2014 by Jayvee

[ScottCLT]

So happy about this ruling! I'd love it even more if our fellow North Carolinians actually were the ones that made it happen, though. Right-wingers love to boost the parts of the constitution that they agree with, but of course they tend to ignore those parts that they don't agree with. I am glad the SCOTUS stepped up and knocked Amendment one down. A premature "Congrats!" to the UPers out there (and non-UPers, for that matter) that will now be able to have the same rights as everyone else and tie the knot!

[CLTProductions]

A gay friend of mine was buying shots for everyone last night and cheers-ing to gay divorce, it was quite hilarious.

[Guest]

[ah59396]

17681_10153387138970816_7267890395476617279_n.jpg

 

Old Mayor Pat tried his best.  Our GA is WHACK right now.

[grodney]

Oh no.  My god I hate this stuff.  How embarrassing.  Just when I thought NC was coming out of the dark ages.

[Third Strike]

I believe this law allows magistrates to deny marriage licenses to ANYONE, not just same-sex couples. Expect a lawsuit, and costly court battles. I could also see this reaching the Supreme Court.

 

Our GA is beyond psycho.  Hopefully next year, we can filter out just enough so that they don't have a veto proof majority. Laws like this are really damaging NC's reputation (what's left).

[15895]

^ the irony of the GOP damaging what's "left" of our reputation

Edited June 11, 2015 by AirNostrumMAD

[tozmervo]

Charlotte Pride 2015 is upon us. Weather looks beautiful, the festival is bigger than ever (Stonewall to Trade), the parade is bigger than ever (120+ entries,3000+ participants), and the mood is happier than ever! I'll be running around in a green staff shirt, but if you see me say hi!

Also: if you're up for a little volunteer action, it's never too late to pitch in. We especially need help after 2:00 both days. http://charlottepride.org/volunteers/ or just come by the volunteer station at MLK & Tryon

[Guest]

Charlotte Pride 2015 is upon us. Weather looks beautiful, the festival is bigger than ever (Stonewall to Trade), the parade is bigger than ever (120+ entries,3000+ participants), and the mood is happier than ever! I'll be running around in a green staff shirt, but if you see me say hi!

Also: if you're up for a little volunteer action, it's never too late to pitch in. We especially need help after 2:00 both days. http://charlottepride.org/volunteers/ or just come by the volunteer station at MLK & Tryon

I'm flying into town for a funeral (ugh) but I'm going to probably check out the festivities. I'll come find you

[tozmervo]

Oof, sorry to hear that man.

 If you're able to make it to the festival, shoot me a txt or facebook msg. I may or may not have completely lost my mind, depending on the time of day.

[jtmonk]

I'll be there but i can't come until after 5 Saturday, I promised my dad i would help him out at our family restaurant in Lexington that day.  It is nice to see how much it has grown over the years.

[UPNoDa]

Count me in on Saturday and possibly Sunday.

Question for tozmervo....are Sunday's festivities more laid back/relaxed after the parade or is it more upbeat like Sunday Funday?