|
STANLEY STREET QUARTER
PREPARES TO CELEBRATE PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR FIRST PRIDE AS RECOGNISED
'GAYBOURHOOD'
MORE local talent than you
could shake an oar at will take to the LCH Stanley Street Quarter
Stage when Liverpool Pride floats into the city on Saturday, 4
August 2012.
This will be the first Liverpool Pride Festival to take place in the
Stanley Street Quarter since its inception as the city's officially
recognised 'gaybourhood' in October 2011.
The Stanley Street Quarter Stage is sponsored by Liverpool Community
Health NHS Trust (LCH) and partnered with Gaydio. Zoran Blackie,
Chair of Liverpool Pride said:- "Thanks to support from LCH,
there's a bigger and better community stage for Stanley Street this
year showcasing our fabulous local talent"
The 2012 Stanley Street, Cumberland Street and a section of Dale
Street will be closed to traffic throughout the day to allow for
Pridegoers to celebrate in safety. Bars will be open from 1pm,
following the arrival of the Pride March at the PierHead. The LCH
Stanley Street Quarter Stage, which will be much improved in terms
of size and scale than 2011's, will also burst
into life at 1pm featuring a wealth of local talent.
Hosted by Desperate Scousewives' Layla Flaherty,
Superstar Boudoir's DJ Silk Tray, Juice FM's Baz Todd and Liverpool
Pride
Trustee Paul St. German the Stanley Street Quarter stage's exciting
line up features DJ sets and performances from each of
the Stanley Street Quarter's bars to keep the crowds dancing from
day to night in addition to a set from Gaydio's Kriss Herbert, who
will also be broadcasting live from the festival earlier that day.
Getting the party startedandfresh onto the music scene, Rebecca
Pierce was born in Cheshire in 1983. Rebecca has been collaborating
with producers with over 20 years experience in the industry and
local jazz musicians. She has just finished recording her first
single and is filming her music video in September.
She's followed by Phil Maguire, a local lad who burst onto the music
scene at the age of 16 as part of Liverpool boy band 711.
Since then he has been no stranger to the stage supporting some of
the UK's biggest acts. Currently working on a new solo EP, Phil has
a strong soulful voice and some great R&B /pop tracks that will get
everybody on their feet.
Next up, Craig Cavanagh is a singer songwriter from Walton.
Originally a choirboy, Craig now connects both acoustic soul and
power pop into one with a unique vocal style and a skill for writing
heartfelt and meaningful original songs. Craig has performed at
several events around the UK including BBC Merseyside's Upfront
Live, Chester Festival 2010, Monton Festival 2012 and several
charity events such as The Michael Causer Foundation, FSIDS and Kyla
Lunny. He draws inspiration from a variety of lyrical and musical
influences such as The Stylistics, Wendy Rene, Mariah Carey and
Adele.
He's followed by 28 year old Liverpudlian Singer/Songwriter Eden
Showers, who has developed a distinctive, signature style of singing
which has attracted the attention of various people within the music
industry. Eden is currently focusing on his Song Writing skills,
which have......
...(continued)... |
 |
...(continued)... ......attracted the
attention of a number of Liverpool's local DJ's, most notably Whelan
& Di Scala who in 2012 Eden wrote and recorded the song "Open
Up Your Heart" with. Being hailed as one of 2012's Summer
Anthems it has attracted the attention of International DJ's such as
Thomas Gold & Fedde Le Grand and is currently awaiting an official
release.
Sure to get everyone in the
celebratory spirit, dance diva Nikki Belle will perform a number of
her biggest club hits. 3 solo club chart number ones under her belt
allied to some barnstorming live performances have seen her elevated
to being one of the most popular singers in clubland both here and
internationally particularly in her 2nd home in Ibiza. Nikki
continues to grow her club following in 2012 building on her huge
success with "Teardrops", "Trippin on You"
and "Sex Shooter" which was a massive club number
one and European hit including hitting Number 1 in Russia.
Nikki is followed by Jem, who
despite hertender years (she is 24) has sung with everyone from
James Brown to Elvis Costello, with her incredible vocal range
reminiscent of a young Billie Jo Spears or even the great Dolly
Parton! Jem is backed by her band comprising the brilliance of Kirk
Ward on guitar and the tightest of rhythm sections in Saul Godman on
bass, Chris Morgan on drums with Ciaron Bell on keyboards (hit
producer Ciaron is developing Jem's album of original material);
they bring their own dynamic dance-floor twist to every song.
Bringing the day to a close is 19 year old musical prodigy and
Liverpool Pride favourite Chelcee Grimes. Liverpool born Chelcee has
been writing songs since she was 11 years old. In November 2009
Chelcee won Juice FM's Search for a Star and since then has
developed at a fast pace. Voted by the public as best up and coming
act (ahead of Rebecca Ferguson) at the 2011 Juice FM Style Awards
Chelcee is growing her fan-base at an incredible rate, she's done
more than 200 shows in the last 12 months alone with highlights
including sharing a stage with Tinie Tempah and dueting with Jessie
J.
There will also be camptastic performances from the city's finest
drag artistes including Whitney Wideon and Tiara, Cilla, Brenda and
Silk Tray of the Superstar Boudoir.
Paul St. German, Liverpool Pride Trustee and organiser of
StanleyStreet's celebrations said:- "Last year was amazing
this year it's going to be bigger and better watch this space it's
going to be the street party of the year. Not to be missed"
Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City council cabinet member, said:-
"Stanley Street is the UK's first officially recognised 'gaybourhood'
and having the first Pride event there since its recognition means
it is going to be a very special occasion. It is going to be a party
to be remembered!"
The acts join on the bill in addition to a river pageant load of
other fabulous acts when the UK's biggest FREE LGBT Pride
festival outside of London returns for its 3rd voyage later this
summer.
Marcus Collins, Liz McClarnon,Jessica Wright, 2 Shoes and a whole
host of other home grown, national and international talent
will play the Waterfront Stage on the day.
In just 2 years, Liverpool Pride has established itself as one of
the major highlights in the city and the wider LGB&T community's
summer calendar. Bursting onto the scene in 2010, the inaugural
Liverpool Pride festival attracted over 20,000 people, which was
doubled to over 44,000 in 2011.
For 2012 Festival organisers are promising the best event yet, a
festival whichLiverpool's LGB&T community is proud of, attracting
people from across the country to experience the diverse culture of
one of Europe's most exciting cities.
The festival came about following the launch of the LGB&T Network,
at which the public voted for a Pride festival to engage, empower
and involve the LGB&T communities within the city. This was fully
endorsed by Liverpool City Council in January 2009. Following a
number of high profile attacks in the city, the event was
established in 2010 and now takes place each year to coincide with
the anniversary of murdered gay teenager Michael Causer.
Liverpool Pride 2012 will take place at Liverpool's iconic pier-head
and throughout the Stanley Street Gay Quarter. In addition to this,
there will be a weekend of cultural events taking place at some of
Liverpool's most influential arts and cultural establishments. The
festival's 'Nautical but Nice' theme, chosen in a
ballot by 700 members of the local LGBT community, gives a nod to
the city's commemoration of the 100 year anniversary of the sinking
of the Titanic, whilst at the same time, celebrating the city's rich
maritime history and taking advantage of the main festival site,
which sits on the banks of the River Mersey.
Applications are still open for the Liverpool Pride March.
Individuals, groups and organisations are invited to take part by
registering
online before 31 July 2012.
Make sure you check out @LiverpoolPride on Twitter and search
Liverpool Pride on Facebook to have your say and for all of the
latest pride news. |
