[Ed. Note — qnotes is a sponsor of this year’s Pride Charlotte and editor Matt Comer serves on the event’s organizing committee.]
Organizers of this year’s Pride Charlotte say their newly-expanded, two-day festival in Uptown Charlotte will offer extended opportunities for entertainment and community engagement.
The largest of its kind in the Carolinas, the Pride Charlotte Festival is the culmination of more than a week-long slate of events highlighting the social, cultural, ethnic, artistic and political diversity of the Carolinas and Metro Charlotte area’s LGBT communities. A 10-day Pride “Week” will run Aug. 17-27 with the Pride Charlotte Festival slated for Saturday, Aug. 25, Noon-10 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 26, Noon-6 p.m. on S. Tryon St. between 4th and Stonewall Sts.
Festival Co-Chair Dave Webb says the 2012 events are expected to draw far more interest than years past, especially as Charlotte prepares to host the Democratic National Convention just one week after the festival.
“I would say I’m most excited about the opportunity for the LGBT community here in Charlotte and in the Carolinas just to be able to get togher in this wonderful, two-day festival,” says Webb. “It’s an opportunity for the community to celebrate and enjoy itself with all the events going on during Pride Week.”
Entertainers at this year’s event include Hip Hop recording artist Trina, who was nominated for Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the 2012 BET Awards. Other entertainers include Club/Dance singer Erika Jayne, singer/songwriter Justin Utley and Charlotte’s own DJ Peter Presta. Several contestants from Logo’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” are also scheduled to perform, including Chad Michaels, DiDa Ritz and Jiggly Caliente. You can see a full list of entertainers and an entertainment stage schedule at pridecharlotte.com.
Presenting Sponsors for this year’s Pride Charlotte are The Scorpio and Wells Fargo. Leadership Sponsors include: Flying Biscuit and Monkey Joe’s (Park Road Shopping Center), Marigny Dance Club, Time Warner Cable, qnotes and White Rabbit.
The festival is a project of the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte, raising funds for the group’s activities. The event also offers other local non-profits a chance to be seen and connect with potential clients and supporters.
For more information on Pride Charlotte, its annual “Pride Week” from Aug. 17-27 or how you can get involved as a vendor or volunteer, visit pridecharlotte.com.
• • •
Friday, Aug. 17
Temple Beth-El Pride Kick-off
Friday, Aug. 17, 7:15 p.m.
Temple Beth El Levine Social Hall
5101 Providence Rd. Charlotte, NC 28226
Dinner and music review presented by Temple Beth El’s LGBT advocacy group, Keshet, and hosted by Rabbi Judy Schindler and local LGBT talent. $18 per person for dinner at the door. RSVP online at beth-el.com/rsvp.html.
TransFaith in Color Conference
Friday, Aug. 17-Sunday, Aug. 19
University Place Hilton
8629 JM Keynes Dr., Charlotte, NC 28262
Free registration, with nominal cover charge for Saturday, Aug. 18 “Sweet-T” party featuring a “mini-ball” with local houses and trans rapper Rocco Katastrophe. For more information, visit transfaithincolor.org.
• • •
Sunday, Aug. 19
Southern Country Pride Tea Dance
Sunday, Aug. 19, 3-7 p.m.
Hartigan’s Irish Pub
601 South Cedar St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Free parking and no cover. Southern Country Charlotte memberships available.
hartigans.com
• • •
Monday, Aug. 20
Media Relations (a.k.a. Free Advertising) 101 — PR and Marketing Training for Non-Profits and Small Businesses
Monday, Aug. 20, 6:30-8 p.m.
LGBT Community Center of Charlotte
820 Hamilton St., Suite B11,
Charlotte, NC 28205
Presented by qnotes (qnotescarolinas.com), this short media training will cover how to write and distribute press releases and media advisories, how to communicate and follow-up with journalists and local media and how to take advantage of the exposure a well-crafted media strategy can create for your non-profit or small business. Light refreshments provided.
Flying Biscuit Pride Night
Monday, Aug. 20
Flying Biscuit — Park Road Shopping Center
4241 Park Rd., Charlotte NC 28209
Enjoy a dinner for two for just $30 including one appetizer, two entrees (soup or salad included) and two desserts. Proceeds benefit Pride Charlotte.
• • •
Tuesday, Aug. 21
Pride Charlotte Family Night
Tuesday, Aug. 21, 5-9 p.m.
Flying Biscuit — Park Road Shopping Center
4241 Park Rd., Charlotte NC 28209
Flying Biscuit and Monkey Joe’s team up for a special Pride Charlotte Family Night for all ages! Parents enjoy a special dinner for two for just $30, while kids eat and play at Monkey Joe’s for only $4 per child! Bring the entire family out to Flying Biscuit starting at 5 p.m. Monkey Joe will pick kids up each half hour and escort to the Monkey Joe’s facility for food and fun!
GayCharlotte Film Series Film Screening
Tuesday, Aug. 21, 6:30 p.m.
LGBT Community Center of Charlotte
820 Hamilton St., Suite B11,
Charlotte, NC 28205
The Gay Charlotte Film Series presents two documentaries. Admission is Free.
“After Stonewall” chronicles the history of lesbian and gay life from the riots at Stonewall to the end of the century. “Making The Boys” explores the drama, struggle and enduring legacy of the first-ever gay play and subsequent Hollywood movie to successfully reach a mainstream audience.
• • •
Wednesday, Aug. 22
2012 Pride Charlotte Charity Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament
Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012
5 p.m. registration, 6:30 p.m. dealing begins.
Comedy Zone, NC Music Factory
For more detailed information and ticket purchases, visit pridecharlotte.com/poker.
• • •
Thursday, Aug. 23
The Sounds of Pride
Thursday, Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m.
Charlotte Pride Band, Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte and One Voice Chorus
Mint Museum Uptown
For more detailed information, visit pridecharlotte.com/concert.
Shiprocked at Snug Harbor
Thursday, Aug. 23, 10 p.m.
Snug Harbor
1228 Gordon St., Charlotte, NC 28205
The Shiprocked crew presents a special
Pride Week party. More information: facebook.com/shiprockedclt
Hartigan’s Karaoke Contest
Thursday, Aug. 23, 9-11 p.m.
Hartigan’s Irish Pub
601 South Cedar St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Finalists compete! $100 grand prize.
hartigans.com
International Night
Thursday, Aug. 23, 9 p.m.
Blue Bar
2906 Central Ave. Charlotte, NC 28205
Live DJ spinning around the world top hits, drink specials and free cover.
facebook.com/BlueBarOnCentral
• • •
Friday, Aug. 24
Red Frog Basketball Tournament
Friday, Aug. 24, 6-10 p.m.
Covenant Presbyterian Church
1000 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28204
More information: facebook.com/redfrog1
Pride Charlotte Westin Takeover
Friday, Aug. 24, 7-11 p.m.
The Westin Charlotte
601 S. College St., Charlotte, NC 28202
More information: facebook.com/events/
Hartigan’s Drag Diner & Drag Show
Friday, Aug. 24, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Hartigan’s Irish Pub
601 South Cedar Street Charlotte, NC 28202
Buff Faye and a cast of local entertainers present their Drag Diner, 9-11 p.m. Followed by Roxy C. Moorecox’s Pride Drag Show,
11 p.m.-1 a.m.
hartigans.com
Pride Paint Party
Friday, Aug. 24, 9 p.m.
Blue Bar
2906 Central Ave. Charlotte, NC 28205
Free neon body paint and glow sticks, live guest DJ mixing club-rockin’ music and only a $3 cover!
facebook.com/BlueBarOnCentral
• • •
Saturday, Aug. 25
Pride Charlotte Festival
Saturday, Aug. 25, Noon-10 p.m.
S. Tryon St. between 4th and Stonewall Sts.
pridecharlotte.com/festival
Pride Charlotte After Party: Marigny
Saturday, Aug. 25, 10 p.m.
Marigny Dance Club
1440 S. Tryon St., Suite 110,
Charlotte, NC 28203
More information: marignycharlotte.com
• • •
Sunday, Aug. 26
Buff Faye’s Drag Brunch
Sunday, Aug. 19, Noon
Hartigan’s Irish Pub
601 South Cedar St., Charlotte, NC 28202
hartigans.com
Pride Charlotte Festival
Saturday, Aug. 25, Noon-6 p.m.
S. Tryon St. between 4th and Stonewall Sts.
pridecharlotte.com/festival
Pride Charlotte After Party: Scorpio
The Scorpio
2301 Freedom Dr., Charlotte, NC 28208
More information: thescorpio.com
• • •
Monday, Aug. 27
Flying Biscuit Pride Charlotte Wine Down
Monday, Aug. 27
Flying Biscuit — Park Road Shopping Center
4241 Park Rd., Charlotte NC 28209
Flying Biscuit presents a special “Wine Down” event. Now that Pride Charlotte is over, come and relax with a delicious meal and half-priced bottles of wine. A portion of proceeds benefit Pride Charlotte.
More events and details to be announced via Pride Charlotte’s website at pridecharlotte.com/events.
— Event information courtesy Pride Charlotte