Wednesday, April 30, 2008
James Roy on Myspace
James Roy is another local entertainer who has been a fixture at PrideFest. Go be his friend on myspace and check out his latest songs and videos.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Call for PrideFest videos
Hey Pride people,
If you have video of you and your family and friends whooping it up at PrideFest why not pass it along to me at drewdenver@aol.com so I can post it up and share it with the world?
Thanks much,
Drew
Monday, April 28, 2008
PrideFest blog featured in latest La Gente Unida newsletter
La Gente Unida was kind enough to feature Denver PrideFest Blog in their most recent newsletter. Here's what they had to say:
"DENVER PRIDEFEST HAS A BLOG that provides updated information on PrideFest 2008, including news, announcements, history, commentary, interviews, photos, videos, and more. Updated Monday through Friday, the blog is where you can find everything you want to know about Pridefest. The blog includes an interview with longtime Chicano gay activist Donaciano Martinez who, as an elder, shares his recollections about the early days of Pride 1975-on. Produced by the nonprofit GLBT Community Center of Colorado, Denver’s PrideFest is recognized as one of the top ten GLBT Pride celebrations in the country, with over 210,000 people expected to attend this year. BlogPro, Colorado’s premier professional blog-content service provider, is the official blog service for this year's PrideFest event. The founder of BlogPro is Drew Wilson, a professional journalist and longtime ally of La Gente Unida. To access the blog, go to: www.DenverPrideFest2008.blogspot.com."
Be sure to check back later this week for my interview with longtime GLBT activist, Donaciano Martinez.
What is your most memorable PrideFest moment?
"I got ****faced and heatstroke so I had to go home and sit in a tub of ice water." - Emily
Friday, April 25, 2008
Royal Rush performing Ciara at PrideFest 2007
Local perormance troupe Royal Rush are always a highlight of the PrideFest festivities.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Guerrilla Queer Bar at Gay Day at Elitch Gardens
From the Guerrilla Queer Bar in Denver website: "Billy Trix and friends got wet all over at Elitch Gardens water park as the second annual Wet and Wild Gay Day resurfaced on Saturday, August 21st. There was plenty of skin, sun and eye candy as we took over the water once again. After a wet day at the park, Billy and gang hit the after party at JR's bar & grill and soaked up several cocktails."
Gay Day at Elitch Gardens
I've gotten a few questions about what and when Gay Day at Elitch Gardens is so hopefully this will clear things up: Gay Day at Elitch Gardens takes place the Monday after PrideFest (June 23 this year) and is a day when the GLBT community puts on red shirts and visits the amusement park en masse. It's a wonderful time and everybody should check it out but it is not an event that is affiliated with Denver PrideFest or The Center as it is not recognized as an official event by Elitch Gardens.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Where's Waldo?
Here's a great crowd shot from last year's PrideFest by Alana Rothstein. Gays! Gays as far as the eye can see!
*click to embiggen
A conversation with DeMarcio Slaughter, Main Stage Entertainment Coordinator for PrideFest
Well, this is actually a little bit more of a Q&A since I had some technical issues with the digital recording of our original conversation and had to fall back on good old-fashioned email. It's still good stuff, though, DeMarcio really brings a lot of energy and attention to detail to PrideFest and he does it all while looking really good in his white spandex (see pic below!):
Drew: So what is it exactly that the main stage entertainment coordinator does?
DeMarcio: My “job” is to review all the acts and bands that want to perform and create the best and most entertaining roster possible. Every now and then, I get lucky and can pull in a major headliner like Tiffany or CeCe Penniston. I also emcee the day, to make sure things are on track and keep the crowd jazzed (as I am) about who’s on next.
How did you come to be involved with PrideFest?
It started six years ago when a close friend of mine asked me to emcee her drag queen set. I got asked back year after year and,each time, I’d host a longer portion of the day. Before I knew it, I’d volunteered to put the whole thing together. I never expected to still be involved all this time later.
Why is this year's PrideFest going to be the best ever?
I want a big show! I want people to be entertained by a diverse group of performers who offer a bit of something to a vast group of people. We increased the budget this year – I raised several thousand dollars personally and pulled some strings so that we could have TOP names and quality performers. The parade will be bigger, the festival will be over two days and it’s going to be one of those shows people talk about until the next year. We get better because the volunteers work harder, seeing what was accomplished the previous year and doing whatever it takes to make it bigger and better.
Who have you booked as performers this year?
The local favorites will be there; James Roy, Nina Montaldo and Royal Rush ALWAYS wow the crowd. There will be some new bands and other fantastic local acts like Laurie Damron from Boulder and Court Clark, who is a regular at a local Karaoke bar.
Headliners will be Sophie B. Hawkins, who agreed to perform a full concert on Saturday and Martha Wash, (performing on Sunday) who I’ve been trying to book for three years! Amazing performers and the singing will be OUT of this world!
I’ve also been talking to Matthew Rush on a regular basis, and although he won’t be able to perform, I’ve emceed a show with him before and he is simply great to look at on stage. I am hoping that he can make it …
Why is it important to have celebrities at PrideFest?
Celebrities are like the icing on a REALLY good cake. You may like cake and know where to get the best cake in town, but if there’s no icing – it may not catch your eye and you may skip it, despite knowing that you’ll enjoy it. With our entertainment in Denver, I’ve got to have the best icing on our PrideFest cake!
If you could bring anybody to PrideFest, who would it be?
I like people who can sing and draw a crowd. If money were no object, I’d have Whitney open with the Star Spangled Banner and close with the Scissor Sisters. However, we are the only PrideFest around where you don’t have to pay $$ to see the entertainment. I’d love to get $15 for every person who saw Tiffany last year, then I could afford Beyonce or Madonna. I met Leona Lewis last week, and I immediately thought to ask her to perform (after she got in her limo and drove off…!)
What does PrideFest mean to you?
PrideFest means unity. It means love and togetherness. Pride has been embraced and championed by our community, however it is something that is completely celebrated and over the top for a few days in June, in the Denver. I am fortunate and thankful that I am able to do my part to contribute to such a positive celebration of positive change and acceptance!
What is your message for readers of this blog?
When you come to Pride: Number one, apply sunscreen and, number two, bring water. We are preparing the BIGGEST & BEST cake that Denver has ever seen and we don’t want you to miss out on one single bite!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Show your stuff at PrideFest
Got a product or a service that you want seen by an audience of over 200,000 people? Of course you do! If you are interested in purchasing a booth space for PrideFest 2008, contact Carol Hiller at Caroleyii@mindspring.com and show your stuff.
Look who's sponsoring PrideFest
Recognized as one of the top ten pride events in the country, Denver’s PrideFest is a celebration of community and culture. Market research shows that 87% of the guests that attend Denver Pridefest have switched brands to support companies who market directly to the GLBT community. 83% have incomes above the national average of $40,000 a year. Denver’s percentage of gay and lesbian households ranks nationally as the 7th largest.
In 2006 alone, Hewlett Packard estimated a 34 million dollar return on Pride sponsorships nationwide.
For more information about becoming a PrideFest sponsor, contact Debra Pollock at The Center
303.733.7743 x104, or dpollock@glbtcolorado.org
Monday, April 21, 2008
What is your most memorable PrideFest moment?
"Best moment was watching this clown in front of a church with a sign that said, 'God will not be mocked', and I was mocking him. That's my most memorable moment." - Ty
Friday, April 18, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
A conversation with Sue Anne Michaels, Community Stage Coordinator for PrideFest
Drew: The name Sue Anne Michaels sounds very familiar to me, I believe through ICRME, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
Sue Anne Michaels: Yes, I’ve been involved with the Imperial Court since the 27th reign and have served on five lines of succession. I was elected to the board of directors several years ago and served as their chief financial officer for two years. I now serve on the board of parliament.
And how long have you been working with PrideFest?
This is my third year now.
How did you get started?
They called me about three years ago about two months out from PrideFest. The person who had taken it on couldn’t continue for personal reasons and they asked me to step in and take it over because I had done a lot of volunteer work for The Center over the years. I was more than happy to do it. We were a little bit rushed but it all came off really well thanks to the fact that we have a wonderfully talented community.
Speaking of which, what kinds of talents can we expect to see on the community stage at this year’s PrideFest?
Gosh, we have just a little bit of everything, any part of our community you can possibly think about is represented. We really try to put a big variety on the community stage. We have square dancing and female impersonators and male impersonators and the Two-Spirit Society ... the list just goes on and on.
Where can we find the community stage?
We are right at 14th and Broadway where we’ve been for many years now. We usually start about a half hour after the keynote speaker and we usually go on until, gosh, I think last year we had like 40 some performers so our time commitment is pretty full.
Which are your favorite types of performances?
As far as a favorite? Oh, boy, that would be so unfair to pick one because they each bring something so unique to the community. Anybody who is willing to share so much of themselves; to me that’s just amazing.
How can people apply to appear on the community stage?
We are taking applications right now so go online and download the application. That is submitted to me and we try to do it on a first-come first-served basis and we do fill up so get those applications in as soon as possible. Last year I had to turn away about 10 people.
What would you like hopeful performers to know about the event ahead of time?
Oh, well, our community, God love them, they tend to put things off to the last minute. You know, there’s gay time and drag time and I’m really easy to work with and we work extremely hard to accommodate everybody we can but timing is very important.
What is your message for Denver’s GLBT community regarding PrideFest?
My message about PrideFest would be that we are one diverse community and love and feeling of goodwill for all aspects of our community is something we need to keep in our lives every day of the year whether we are gay, bi, lesbian or trans.
The 5th Anniversary of SIRIUS OutQ
On April 14th, 2003, SIRIUS OutQ proudly debuted as America's first 24/7 radio station for the GLBT community. Five years later, their commitment only continues to grow — with a diverse, exclusive mix of talk, entertainment, news, politics, pop culture and more including the Derek & Romaine show, weekdays from 6 - 10 p.m. ET.
When the light of day begins to fade, the heat of the night takes on a life of its own, fueled by the outrageously funny and frisky Derek Hartley and Romaine Patterson. From personal ads to porn stars, astrology to ass-timonials, this is the hottest talk on talk radio! 
Don't miss Romaine Patterson on Saturday, June 21, only at Denver PrideFest.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Be a Denver PrideFest VIP!
Mingle with main stage acts and other VIPs. Stop waiting in line for food and drinks. Get it all as a Denver PrideFest VIP! VIP Pride is $125 in advance and $150 at Pride. And did we mention that the proceeds go directly back into programs that support your community?
Click HERE to purchase your tickets today or contact Debra Pollock at dpollock@glbtcolorado.org or 303-733-PRIDE x104.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
66 days 'til PrideFest
Dig the rainbow-flavored PrideFest Counter here and at its permanent home at the bottom of this blog. Many thanks to Ryan and Amy for the idea and the tip on where to find it.
MySpace Countdowns
Sophie B. Hawkins confirmed for PrideFest
Damn, I wished Sophie B. Hawkins would be confirmed for PrideFest.
And now she is!
Monday, April 14, 2008
'It's Raining Men' is Denver's favorite Martha Wash song
Well, the poll is closed and Denver's GLBT community has spoken; with 57 percent of the vote, 'It's Raining Men' is our favorite Martha Wash song. I already posted clips of the original version and the sequel she did with RuPaul so now here are versions by Kelly Clarkson and the Spice Girls' Geri Halliwell:
And as an extra-special bonus, here's 'It's Raining 300 Men.'
Friday, April 11, 2008
Family Field Day Update
The following activities are confirmed for Family Field Day on Saturday, June 21:
* Scavenger Hunt
* Children's Parade
* Imagination Station (arts & crafts)
* Relay Races
*photo courtesy of Out Front Colorado
PrideFest Blog call for photos
Do you have fabulous photos of you and your family and friends enjoying PrideFest? Would you like to share them with the official blog of PrideFest and have them seen by thousands of people? Email them to drewdenver@aol.com along with any information or captions you would like to include and I'll make sure they get posted up for all to see.
I'll get the ball rolling with some of mine:
Here I am splashing in the fountain way in the background.
Not sure exactly what we were trying to accomplish here but everybody seems to be having fun.
Here I am waiting with my Out Front Colorado contingent for the parade to start. Judging by my outfit, it's 1997. Visor? Check. Oakleys? Check. Puka shell necklace? You know that's right.
Tearin' it up on the dancefloor after a couple cocktails.
Blast from the Past: Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Colorado
The Gay and Lesbian Community Center, which would later become The Center, was responsible for putting on Denver's first PrideFest.
*photo courtesy of Out Front Colorado
Thursday, April 10, 2008
PrideFest Rumor Mill
I have it from a very good source that musclegod Matthew Rush just might be coming to Denver's PrideFest to sex the joint up this year. Sounds good to me! You'll know more when I do.
Here's a clip of him signing autographs at San Francisco Gay Pride:
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
What is your favorite part of PrideFest?
"I think my favorite thing about PrideFest is just the spirit of community that seems to happen along the sides of the streets. Not necessarily what goes on in the parade. It's very strange to me how everybody just seems to come together on the curbside and I think it's a wonderful thing. It's been a part of every PrideFest I've been involved in and I hope that we never, ever lose that." - Jerry Wheeler, staff writer for Out Front Colorado
Coming to PrideFest from out of town?
Check out the Convention and Visitors Bureau and find out everything you need to know about the Mile High City.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Romaine is confirmed for PrideFest
Romaine Patterson has been confirmed for PrideFest as the emcee for Family Field Day. Romaine is the co-host of Sirius Satellite Radio's "Derek and Romaine" show who first got started in GLBT activism when her close friend Matthew Shepard was killed in Wyoming in 1998. She is perhaps best known for her work combating the anti-gay Rev. Fred Phelps (whose Westboro Baptist Church picketed Shepard's funeral) as the founder of Angel Action, an organization for peaceful demonstration.
Pride is for families
Family Field Day takes place on Saturday, June 21 at 14th and Broadway and features an all-day Pride Festival with such events as a Kid's Pride Parade (just about the cutest thing you ever saw!), Family Field Day Activities, and a Family-Centered Community Stage with fun for families and children of all ages.
* photos courtesy of Alana Rothstein
Monday, April 7, 2008
Dogs are a PrideFest's best friend
Colorado St. Bernard Rescue will participate in the Denver Pride Parade for the fourth year in a row, and hopes to see many of you along the parade route. They will have the Rescue Float loaded up with Saint Bernards and volunteers, and expect a great day of sunshine and fun for all.
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