Category Archives: Events and Premieres

May 29, 2019   Art, Events and Premieres, Gay Cities, Gay News, Gay Pride, Midwest US, New York, news, News and Happenings, Special Events, Travel Tips

Key West to Display Flag at WorldPride NYC

The Florida Keys & Key West tourism council and the Key West Business Guild plan to showcase the inclusive spirit of the subtropical LGBTQ visitor destination in New York City’s WorldPride March and PrideFest street festival slated for Sunday, June 30.

 

New York City’s 2019 Pride is to take place in conjunction with the first WorldPride celebration held in the United States, and millions ofrevelers are expected to attend. The 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising also is to be commemorated in the event known asWorldPride NYC/Stonewall 50, with activities scheduled throughout June.

 

The Pride March is to feature a Keys contingent carrying a 100-foot section of the 1.25-mile “sea-to-sea” pride flag fabricated by the late rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker. Baker and his assistants spent three months in Key West in 2003 sewing about 17,600 linear yards of fabric into the rainbow banner that was unfurled along Key West’s Duval Street from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean on June 15, 2003. The event marked the 25th anniversary of his creation.

WorldPride march participants carrying the flag are to include current and former Keys residents, their friends and families from across the U.S.

“We look forward to showing that Key West is one of the leading destinations to visit by displaying one of the most iconic pieces of history to be created for the LGBTQ community,” said Alan Beaubien, president of the guild’s board of directors.

Welcoming some 300,000 LGBTQ visitors each year, Key West lies at the tip of the Florida Keys island chain and is renowned for its inclusive recognition that all people are created equal. The philosophy was epitomized by the famed One Human Family initiativecreated by local artist J.T. Thompson. After Key West city commissioners adopted the One Human Family motto for the city in 2000,Florida Keys officials embraced it for the entire 125-mile-long string of islands.

The PrideFest street festival is slated for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday along Fourth Avenue from Union Square to Astor Place. The Florida Keys & Key West booth is to feature Keys giveaways and information on vacationing in the environmentally and culturally rich destination.

“It is important to be present at this historic moment to remind everyone that our islands serve as a place free from judgment for LGBTQvisitors and residents alike,” said Guy Ross, the tourism council’s LGBTQ sales manager. “By participating in WorldPride 2019, we can showcase why we remain such a special, much-loved and much-celebrated destination.”

(The original flag, below)

 

Florida Keys & Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/gay and fla-keys.com

Key West Business Guild: gaykeywestfl.com

Social: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Youtube • Keys Voices blog

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January 3, 2019   Deals, Europe, Events and Premieres, Gay Cities, Gay News, Gay Pride, Gay Vacations, News and Happenings, Places outside US, Special Events, Travel Agents

Gay Pride Amsterdam 2019 Travel Deal

What better time to be in Amsterdam than Gay Pride!

Amsterdam Pride is one of the biggest gay events in the world. You will find street parties all weekend long, the best massive circuit parties and of course the famous Canal Parade through the historic Amsterdam Unesco canals on Saturday.

Gay Pride is one of the most busy weekends of the year in Amsterdam. Book NOW – you don’t want to disappointed!

Amsterdam Gay Pride is from 27 July till 4 August 2019, with the Canal Parade and street parties taking place between 2 & 4 August.

Every year Dave from Donovan Travel puts together an awesome package! Dave will hook you up! No matter where you are traveling from, Dave will take good care of you!

Office: (401) 885-3500

Email: dave@donovantravel.com

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January 25, 2017   California, Deals, Events and Premieres, Gay Cities, Gay News, Gay Resorts, News and Happenings, Special Events

Gay Bear Travel Gay Palm Springs

International Bear Convergence (IBC)

is the premier winter event for bears & admirers, in Palm Springs, CA from February 9-13, 2017.

Time to get some color after a long hibernation!

 

 

Last Chance:   $99    WINTER SPECIAL @  INNdulge!
Through January 31, 2017
excluding holiday weekends
Superior rooms (non pool view) start at $99 during the week (Sunday – Thursday) and weekends discounted (Friday and Saturday).
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August 26, 2015   Architecture and Design, Art, Europe, Events and Premieres, News and Happenings, Photo of The Week

Dismaland Art Project in UK

Inside the walls of a derelict seaside swimming resort in Weston-super-Mare, UK, mysterious construction over the last month—including a dingy looking Disney-like castle and a gargantuan rainbow-colored pinwheel tangled in plastic—suggested something big was afoot. Suspicion and anticipation surrounding the unusual activity attributed to fabled artist and provocateur Banksy has reached a Willy Wonka-esque fervor. Well, if Banksy’s your bag, continue fervoring. If not, there’s more than a few reasons to continue reading.

The spectacle has since been revealed to be a pop-up art exhibition in the form of an apocalyptic theme park titled Dismaland (“The UK’s most disappointing new visitor attraction”) that will be open to the public for five weeks.

Here’s some text from the event’s official brochure:

Are you looking for an alternative to the soulless sugar-coated banality of the average family day out? Or just somewhere cheaper. Then this is the place for you—a chaotic new world where you can escape from mindless escapism. Instead of a burger stall, we have a museum. In place of a gift shop we have a library, well, we have a gift shop as well.

Bring the whole family to come and enjoy the latest addition to our chronic leisure surplus—a bemusement park. A theme park who’s big theme is: theme parks should have bigger themes…

This event contains adult themes, distressing imagery, extended use of strobe lighting, smoke effects and swearing. The following items are strictly prohibited: knives, spraycans, illegal drugs, and lawyers from the Walt Disney corporation.

 

A demented assortment of bizarre and beautiful artworks from no less than 58 global artists including Damien Hirst, Jenny Holzer, Jimmy Cauty, Bill Barminski, Caitlin Cherry, Polly Morgan, Josh Keyes, Mike Ross, David Shrigley, Bäst, and Espo. Banksy is also showing 10 artworks of his own.

Dismaland features a cavalcade of artists featured here on Colossal over the last few years including pieces by Escif, Maskull Lasserre, Kate McDowell, Paco Pomet, Dietrich Wegner, Michael Beitz, Brock Davis, Ronit Baranga, and others.

A program of 24 short films  will be shown on a massive outdoor cinema that will play on a loop day and night. Films include shorts by Santiago Grasso & Patricio Plaza, Kirsten Lepore, The Mercadantes, Ze Frank, Adrien M. & Claire B., Black Sheep Films, and Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared.

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February 9, 2015   Events and Premieres, Gay Accomodations, Gay Beaches, Gay Cities, Gay Hotels, Gay News, Gay Vacations, News and Happenings, Places US

Gay Travel to Miami for Winter Party

IT’S ALMOST HERE!  Winter  Party  2015!

 

With over 10,000 guests from around the world attending six days of events, the scale of Winter Party Festival is inspiring. But the sense of welcome is warmly personal and sincere. Regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, ethnicity or belief, anyone and everyone is made to feel comfortable and at home.  Winter Party Festival is that place where for one week, the world is full of acceptance and love.  And we can take a deep breath of the ocean air and clear our heads.  Fill our hearts. Engage our minds.  Kick up our heels.  And return to everyday life happier, stronger, wiser, and ready to ignite the world.

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April 7, 2014   Europe, Events and Premieres, News and Happenings

Big Gay Party in Paris! The GAY Marvellous Island Festival

 

 

WE party, PAPA, La Nuit des Follivores / Crazyvores, Code 69, Cockorico, Mauvais Goût et SALE!

present the second edition of…

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

THE GAY MARVELLOUS ISLAND FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, MAY 10th 2014
From 5pm to 6am

SAMEDI 10 MAI 2014
de 17h00 à 06h00

The biggest Outdoor and Indoor Festival of Paris is back!!! for a second edition full of surprises!

Like last year the full saturday will be dedicate to the Gay community! United for an unique and impressive « all day and night » event, some of the most important promoters of the gay scene will rock the Marvelous Island Festival and go crazy on stage with performance, Incredible 3D light effects, mapping giant structures, a fairy tale deco, a fantastic sound system in all the rooms/scenes and of course a BIG CRAZY LINE-UP to satisfy your thirst of dancing… from 5 p.m to 6 a.m … and all this in a Marvelous real Island in Paris !

Le plus grand festival outdoor et indoor de Paris est de retour pour une seconde édition pleine de surprises!!!

Unis pour un impressionnant et inégalable événement, les plus gros promoteurs de la scène gay parisienne investissent le Marvellous Island Festival de 17h à 6h du matin! Des performances folles, un incroyable light show 3D, structures de mapping géantes, une déco hors du commun, un sound system à couper le souffle dans toutes les salles et, bien sûr, un LINE-UP EXPLOSIF pour étancher votre soif de clubbing … Le tout sur une véritable île à Paris !

 

FROM 11PM / À PARTIR DE 23H

—> WE PARTY money: www.wepartyontour.com

During the last year, WE Party has got a great expansion and recognition around the world. WE Party has done parties in most of the European and American cities, taking up residence in the main cities. Besides, WE Party has been in the most important clubs such as MANSION in Miami, PACHA in New York, USHUAÏA and SPACE in Ibiza, CORONET in London, MIX and THE MACHINE DU MOULIN ROUGE in Paris, RAZZMATAZZ in Barcelona, MUCCASSASSINA in Rome, MAGAZZINI in Milan and LA RIVIERA in Madrid among many others.

Music
SEBASTIEN TRIUMPH
MANUEL DE DIEGO
LUIGGI

AMAZING 3D MAPPING WITH QUALITY SOUND SYSTEM D&B

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August 27, 2010   Events and Premieres, News and Happenings, Places US

Burning Man 2010 – Still Has a Gay Edge

Nearly 20 years old,
and growing bigger every year
 the Burning Man Festival 
is an annual  liberal festival that  takes place the last week of August/week before Labor Day. In 2010 Burnin’ Man begins August 30th and finishes September 6th. The theme for 2010 is Metropolis.

Larry Harvey  sort of started Buring Man in San Francisco in 1986. And In 1990, an event was planned by Kevin Evans and John Law on the otherworldly, remote and largely unknown dry lake known as Black Rock Desert, about 100 miles north of Reno.  Evans conceived it as a dadaist event with temporary sculpture to be burned and situationist performance art. He asked John Law, who also had experience on the dry lake and was a defining founder of Cacophony Society, to take on central organizing functions. In the Cacophony Society’s newsletter, it was announced as Zone Trip #4, A Bad Day at Black Rock (inspired by the movie of that name).

Trying to explain what Burning Man is to someone who has never been to the event is a bit like trying to explain what a particular color looks like to someone who is blind! There are no rules about how one must behave or express oneself at this event (save the rules that serve to protect the health, safety, and experience of the community at large); rather, it is up to each participant to decide how they will contribute and what they will give to this community.

THIS IS NOT A RESORT!  You “rough it” at Burning Man. Water is precious and the sun is NOT your friend. Besides packing the usual suspects; toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, lube….you need sunscreen (LOTS), flashlights, sand-proof goggles, canned air, extra socks, loose clothes for day and warm clothes for night. AND LOT’S OF WATER!

Art is an unavoidable part of this experience , and in fact, is such a part of the experience that Larry Harvey, founder of the Burning Man project, gives a theme to each year, to encourage a common bond to help tie each individual’s contribution together in a meaningful way. Participants are encouraged to find a way to help make the theme come alive, whether it is through a large-scale art installation, a theme camp, gifts brought to be given to other individuals, costumes, or any other medium that one comes up with.

The Burning Man project has grown from a small group of people gathering spontaneously to a community of over 48,000 people.
Size can be a problem.  When the crowd was under 10,000, that was one thing. Sometimes bigger is not better. And the organization  has issues at times, with losing the original feel and concept of it’s roots. One of the biggest challenges faced by the organization  has been trying to balance the freedom of participants – a defining element of the experience – with the requirements of BLM and various law-enforcement groups. Over the years, numerous restrictions have been put in place to help maintain it’s original concept – as well as safety.

Even considering going to Burning Man for the first time can be daunting. And while it’s true that Burning Man is not for the faint of heart, with some research, preparation, and planning, an experience — and opportunity — beyond your wildest dreams awaits you. In Black Rock City, you’re guaranteed not to be the weirdest kid in the classroom. And you’ll become a part of the growing community of Burners who are active year-round, around the world … ensuring that the fire of Burning Man culture never goes out.

Not surprisingly, the nonstop week of art, music, radical self expression, and, yes, mind-altering substances –  draws a healthy-sized queer contingency. While welcome anywhere , many choose to stay with or attend events at gay-themed camps. There’s even a gay pride parade which gets flack from burners not for its promotion of gay rights, but because some feel it isn’t  “original enough.”

Here’s the short list of gay resources:

Gay camps (locations noted in parentheses where available–if they make no sense, they will once you’re there):

Moonbow Camp  (3:00 & Athens)

Pink Heart Camp (9:00 & Esplanade)

Gender Blender, Camp Beaverton (Women/trans only)

Comfort and Joy (7:30 & Detroit)

Camp Rainbow, Astropups

Celestial Bodies (7:30 & Detroit)

Paradise Motel  (7:30 & Edinburgh)

Camp Stella  (7:30 & Detroit; drug & alcohol free)

Mudskipper Cafe  (7:30 & Detroit)

Gay pride parade: Friday, Sept. 3, 2010. Meet at the Man at 2:00pm and march through Black Rock City, ending at a reception at Moonbow Camp.

Tickets are about $300  when bought in advance ($360 at the gate). NEXT YEAR, if you want to go, BUY TICKETS  early, usually in January the first 10,000 tickets sell for $200 and the price starts going up as the event gets closer.

New Gay Travel Guide

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July 18, 2010   Europe, Events and Premieres, Gay Pride, Places outside US

Euro Pride in Warsaw Poland This Year

For the first time, in a bold move, EuroPride  was held outside of Western Europe and organizers chose Warsaw as its host city for 2010.  The very  Catholic Poland is not known for it’s accepting attitude towards the LGBT community. 

According to the AFP, “opinion surveys show that 80 percent of Poles oppose gay marriage and 93 percent believe gay and lesbian couples should not have the right to adopt children. Two out of three Poles oppose gay demonstrations.”

The AP reports on the parade:

The parade, part of the EuroPride gay rights festival, is meant to give a boost to the fledgling gay rights movement in Poland. Gay rights were strongly repressed during the communist era, and gays and lesbians have struggled since communism fell 20 years ago for acceptance in a society still strongly influenced by the church. “We feel like they are 20 years behind the Netherlands,” said Ad Bakker, a 39-year-old from Holland who traveled to Warsaw to show solidarity with Polish friends. “But the atmosphere is good and we hope that EuroPride will help.” A Polish friend of his, Sebastian Blaszczyk, 36, said the situation in Poland “gets better and better every year,” but the country still has far to go in accepting gays.

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April 29, 2010   Art, Canada, Events and Premieres, Gay Vacations

Gay Pop Art – Pop Life Exhibit Brings Warhol and Haring to Ottawa Canada this Summer!

National Gallery of Canada
in Ottawa  welcomes Pop Life!

From June 11 to September 19, 2010, the
National Gallery of Canada will be home
to the controversial exhibit Pop Life: Art in
a Material World featuring works by Andy
Warhol, Jeff Koons, Keith Haring and many
more.

It has been shown at the Tate Modern
in London, and Ottawa will be the  ONLY North
American stop on the tour.

Pop Life: Art in a Material World explores the complex relationship between contemporary art, marketing, and the mass media that has evolved since the 1980s when Andy Warhol’s uttered his provocative maxim that “being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art.”

The National Gallery of Canada (NGC) is the sole North American venue for this unprecedented exhibition, which features more than 250 paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, videos, installations, multiples and other ephemera produced over the past three decades.

The exhibition begins with Warhol’s notorious provocation that “good business is the best art.” Marketing and publicity provided a means for Warhol to engage in modern life beyond the confines of the studio, the gallery and the museum.

Rather than simply representing or commenting on mass-media culture, Warhol deliberately infiltrated the publicity machine to cultivate an artistic persona. By performing as a partygoer, model, television personality, paparazzo and publisher, he harnessed the power of the celebrity system and expanded his reach beyond the art world and into the wider world of commerce.

Pop Life then looks ahead to the work of a number of artists who, like Warhol, have openly engaged with the cult of celebrity and unashamedly championed the idea of turning public attention into aesthetic notoriety and financial reward.

Ottawa is an open, friendly and welcoming destination for gay and lesbian travelers. And August 20-29,  is their Capital Pride/Gay Pride celebration week which attracts about 50,000  people! 

Plan to visit then and enjoy Gay Pride and the  Pop Art showing!

POP  LIFE is Organized by Tate Modern, London,
 in association with the National Gallery of Canada.

Please note that some rooms contain explicit
and graphic material not suitable for children.

More about  POP  LIFE

(Grace Jones by DOUGLAS  KIRKLAND  PHOTOGRAPHY)
 

  Gay  Travel Guys   @  New Gay Travel Guide

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April 2, 2010   Events and Premieres, News and Happenings, Places US

Gay Polo Tournaments in Florida and California this Month!

Three years ago Chip McKenney
 launched the Gay Polo League because other gay groups bored him — gay lawyers associations and gay business associations, to name a few.

 Since then, the Gay Polo League has blossomed into an international organization — the only known gay polo league in the world — with four chapters: Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and one it established in Wellington, Florida,  two months ago.

“We are an athletic, adventurous, dedicated and fun loving group. GPL™ members represent a cross section of ages, abilities, professions and physical types. Some of us have been riding for years and some of us never sat on horse before joining the league. Our common ground lies in our shared desire to meet and engage with other gay men and women while enjoying the challenging and beautiful sport of Polo. We are the Gay Polo League.”

On Saturday April 3rd, the first International Gay Polo Tournament will take over fields at Grand Champions Polo Club Palm Beach. Four teams will play, culminating in a championship game at 3 p.m.

“It’s the first event of its kind — that’s huge,” said Mason Phelps, who runs an equestrian media company based in Wellington. “It’s even more important that we’re doing it in Wellington. It’s another venue, another audience.”

More events  in April  in  Los  Angeles!

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April 1, 2010   Canada, Events and Premieres, Gay Vacations

LGBT Travel to Gay Friendly Ottawa Canada – Tulip Festival

AHHHHH  SPRINGTIME!  For those of us who endure cold dreary winters, the first blossoms that start to pop up from the grounds renews our excitement in our cites!

OTTAWA  CANADA draws a very large crowd for their Captial Pride / Gay Pride every August (20-29, 2010). But year round, this gay-friendly cultural city has amazing things to see and do! 

Ottawa is blessed with a natural setting offering boundless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Paved recreational paths welcome cyclists, inline skaters and joggers across the region and on Sunday mornings from May through September, several streets are closed to cars for Sunday Bikedays. The region’s many waterways are ideal for kayaking, canoeing and boating, and the upper Ottawa River offers some of the best whitewater rafting anywhere. And nearby Gatineau Park offers hiking, rock climbing, camping, exciting zip line aerial experiences and more.

THIS YEAR  marks the 65th Anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands, in which Canadian soldiers played such a large role. The Dutch Royal Family spent the years of World War II in Ottawa, and the current queen’s sister, Princess Margriet, was born here. So when the war ended and the family went home, they sent a gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs to the people of Canada, via Ottawa, in a gesture of respect and friendship.

Those tulips form the basis of what evolved into the Canadian Tulip Festival and in fact, a tulip gift continues to be made each year!

This year, the iconic festival will run May 7 – 24 , and will honour veterans by hosting many special events, including an opening day afternoon tribute at the National War Memorial. The tribute will be followed by the Liberation Street Party that recreates the spontaneous street party that took on VE Day—party like it’s 1945!

300,000  tulips at Commissioners Park near Dows Lake are always the focus, and, as of May 14, activities begin in Major’s Hill Park as well. Tour the world at the International Pavilion, grab a brew at the Liberation Beer Garden, and catch an event at Celebridée (the “festival of ideas”).

Celebridée events are held in the 

“Cabaret Libre” Mirror Tent, a weatherproof setting with hardwood floors, dramatic brocade and festive cheer. You can also check out the Liberation Swing Band and a late-night concert series of Ottawa performers.

 

Admission to both festival sites is free, though some events at the Mirror Tent will require tickets. 

 

 Ottawa Tourism’s Tulip Celebration Package  provides accommodation, a Tulip Passport with savings at restaurants and spas, and a selection of museum admission, city tour, or concert at the National Arts Centre.

CANADIAN  TULIP  FESTIVAL

GAY TRAVEL GUYS   at  New Gay Travel Guide

Today’s Top Travel Deals

 

 

 

 

 

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February 20, 2010   Events and Premieres, Gay Vacations, Places of Interest, Places US

LGBT Gay Travel – Sun or Ski in March and April


SKI OR SUN?  

That is the question!

The next 8 weeks offer a choice of either.  Starting with Winter Pride March 1-8th in Whistler BC. As soon as the Olympics come to end, it’s going to be one big gay party week!  You’ll find dozens of reasons to choose Whistler for your next get-away. In addition to the gay-friendly attitude, the scenery is spectacular every season of the year. You can fill a whole album with the breath-taking beauty that surrounds you—and fill a week or even longer with all the recreational activities that are Whistler.



Maybe you would rather have fun in the sun? March 3 – 8, several thousand LGBT people hit South Beach, Miami. Launched in 1994 as a one-time charity dance event on the sands of beautiful South Beach, Winter Party Festival has evolved into a week-long series of events benefiting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community nationally and locally.

More than just a day at the beach, Winter Party Festival creates an experience for LGBT people and their friends and supporters. In addition to being an important fundraiser, the Festival is also a major contributor to Miami and Miami Beach’s economy by attracting over 5,000+  people from around the world to South Florida each year.



March 7 – 14th is another big ski week. Join the friendliest skiers from the United States   and around the globe on Lake Tahoe’s scenic south shore! Skiers and non skiers alike will enjoy the beauty and fun of WinterFest XV. 

Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, dance parties, comedy, and skiing at  HEAVENLY!  There’s a difference between a mountain resort and a ski area. Ski areas are more primitive and have warming huts, resorts have lodges. Ski areas serve snacks and sandwiches and Mountain Resorts serve gourmet food at half a dozen restaurants. Ski Heavenly is a mountain resort because it has the amenities and facilities to take your love for the mountain and turn it into a ski vacation that reflects your desire to live the mountain lifestyle while having all modern amenities available.





If you want some gorgeous Spring Time weather,  CHERRY 9 in Washington DC is the place to be April 30 – May 2. The Cherry Fund’s weekend dance event is one of the few that is produced entirely by volunteers, and that still donates all of its proceeds to worthy non-profit charitable organizations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
 
The cost of your pass or ticket not only gives you access to an unforgettable weekend of events, but also directly supports the work of our beneficiaries. The portion of your ticket price that benefits these charities is of course tax deductible.

3 days of dancing, a dozen dj’s, guest performers and more!

A highlight is sure to be 3rd ANNUAL SUNDAY AFTERNOON CAPITAL TEA ON THE POTOMAC –
Back by popular demand, Sunday afternoon of Cherry Weekend is a chance to catch some sightseeing and mingle with your new & old friends. And we provide the perfect setting for you to pick your pleasure all aboard the Spirit of Washington on a cruise down the Potomac. We’ve even commandeered a new boat for our Tea this year. Spirit of Washington Cruise  –  Pier 4, 6th and Water Streets, SW.

Soak up the sun on the multilevel outdoor decks as the Spirit of Washington glides past the magnificent ever-changing vistas including the gothic spires of National Cathedral and Georgetown University, Rosslyn’s ultra-modern office towers, and the graceful arches of Memorial Bridge.


The Best Gay Travel Guide






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February 2, 2010   Events and Premieres, Gay Vacations, News and Happenings, Places outside US

The BIGGEST Gay Party in The World – Sydney Gay LGBT Mardis Gras

While America
and Europe 
are freeeeezing…..

Things are hotter than ever in Australia, as anticipation builds for the 2010 Sydney Gay Mardis Gras!

More than 80 events that span about 3 weeks! With the majority of the highlights taking place the weekends of  the 27th February and 6th of March.

Outdoor  picnics, dance festivals, John Waters, Whitney Houston in concert, film festivals, Harbour Party, and of course the BIG PARADE with over 100,000 participants!

Mardi Gras knows how to go out with a bang, and in 2010 they are  saving the best for last. Sheer queer glamour and unforgettable party mayhem explode over four spectacular venues at the Entertainment Quarter for an all-night, dance-til-dawn fiesta that’s unrivalled worldwide. 20,000 people are expected!

Every year there is usually a  famous celebrity to lead the parade. This year is the one and only  AMANDA LEPORE! “I’m thrilled and honoured to be invited to be Chief of Parade,” said Lepore in a statement released today. “I can’t wait to be part of the Mardi Gras and celebrations of our community,” she said.




Mardi Gras Party is your wildest night of the year, and 2010 is no exception. Apart from our frenetic lasers, our gorgeous design and the beautiful party people, the DJ line-up is set to treat you to such an aurally delicious and irresistible night that you’ll never leave the dancefloor.



Legendary French house DJ and producer David Guetta will keep you dancing – plus DJ Carl Cox. Voted No.1 DJ of the past 25 years   by MixMag and No.1 DJ in the world by DJ Magazine, his night Carl Cox & Friends has been held in Space Ibiza and Heaven London alongside Freemasons, Fatboy Slim and Pendulum.





 ART


March 1st. Create a moment in history by shedding your clothing and taking part in The Base, a new large-scale work by internationally renowned installation artist, Spencer Tunick.


This is your chance to participate in Tunick’s first large-scale installation in Sydney, developed especially for the Mardi Gras Festival.

He is best known for his installations that feature large numbers of nude people posed in artistic formations. These installations are often situated in urban locations throughout the world, although he has also has done some “Beyond The City” woodland and beach installations and still does individuals and small groups occasionally.  His models are volunteers who receive a limited edition photo as a reward. –  Check out the HBO documentaries – available thru Netflix also. THIS WILL BE HUGE!

 



There are lots of free events to attend and some cost as much as  $150 per ticket! So you will want to plan accordingly.

Everything you need to know is  online  at  MARDIS GRAS.org

You can also be their fan on Facebook.

The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is Australia’s premier GLBTQ arts, sports and cultural festival. 3 weeks of fun and festivities!


It’s a must-see, must-do for your bucket list!

WATCH THIS VIDEO AND  YOU WILL WANT TO RUN BOOK A  FLIGHT  RIGHT  NOW!




The Best Gay Travel Guide


 

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August 11, 2009   Events and Premieres, Places US

Southern Decadence – Gay New Orleans – OUTRAGEOUS BEHAVIOR!


         Southern Decadence is outrageous! New Orleans’ largest gay street fair  is September 2 – 7.   Drag queens, drag men, go-go boys and strippers, Lady Bunny, Shirley Q. Liquor, Chi-Chi LaRue- everyone and anyone is here!  Sunday’s big street parade, which rivals New Orleans’ gay Mardi Gras in scope, is the peak of the event.

The corner of Bourbon and St. Anne is considered the epicenter. The Bourbon Pub and The Parade are the big bars overflowing with male dancers. Everything and anything goes here! Dance parties, drinking, costumes, drinking, contests, parades and more drinking! Drink around the clock if you want to – and many do!

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According to Wikipedia – Decadence, as it is known by participants, is marked by parades, bead tossing, street parties and dance parties. The festival like Mardi Gras is highly sexual in nature, with overt advertising that liquor will be flowing heavily. It is aptly known as Gay Mardi Gras for its similarity to Carnival week earlier in the year.

Decadence crowds in the Quarter typically match or exceed the gay Mardi Gras crowds, leading some residents of the French Quarter to leave the city over Labor Day weekend, like some do for Mardi Gras itself, although the influx of visitors to the city as a whole is not so great as for New Orleans Mardi Gras.

 You used to have book 1 year in advance to get a room, and pre-pay, and pay double the room rate because it is such a highly attended event!  Last time I was there, pre-Katrina, a room in the French Quarter was $200 a night, with a 5 night stay. I am not sure if the same is still true in these post-Katrina times…..I checked online this morning, and rooms could  be found for  $65 – $100 a night!  MUCH  MORE  AFFORDABLE!  It’s a fun time, and every gay person should experience it at least once, in their life.


New Gay Travel Guide  and  Best Gay Cities

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July 3, 2009   Europe, Events and Premieres, Places outside US

Amsterdam Gay Pride on the Canal July 31 – August 2

 


Gay Pride Amsterdam is the yearly highlight for gay Amsterdam. This year the main Amsterdam Pride weekend will be  from July 31 – August 2, 2009.

Don’t miss this thrilling weekend, as Amsterdam Pride is one of the biggest and most special gay prides around the globe! With street parties all weekend long, the best club circuit parties and of course the famous Canal Parade on Saturday.







The Amsterdam Gay Pride weekend will be full of events and parties. In the end the complete program will be a mix for anyone’s taste. These are the main outlines of everything to come up. Keep an eye on Amsterdampride.nl to get the latest updates on parties and events.

 


 


For the thirteenth time the extravagant Canal Parade will be held during Amsterdam Pride 2008. With 250.000 spectators this event is the third largest in Amsterdam.


If you want to be a spectator of the Canal Parade we suggest you find a spot somewhere along the Prinsengracht or Amstel in the old city of Amsterdam. Also at the Stopera a lot of people are watching the boats come by. Many enjoy the parade standing on a bridge over the Prinsengracht.



The parade happens Saturday  August  1st, between 14:00 and 18:00.  See the whole Gay Pride schedule online.


A unique aspect this year is that the minister for the emancipation of homosexuals, Mr. Plasterk, will join the Canal Parade.

Last year Amsterdam Gay Pride drew in a record amount of visitors. Some 500,000 people watched the Canal Parade, where a record 75 boats took part.


For the first time there were also boats with heterosexuals, gay youths under 16, city boats and the mentally handicapped.



 



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June 19, 2009   Anaheim Orange County CA, California, Events and Premieres, Gay Vacations, Recommended Reads, Special Events

Gay Days Disneyland in Anaheim – Queens in the Magic Kingdom October 2 – 4


For 12 years, gays and lesbians wearing red shirts have descended on Disneyland in California for Gay Days, an annual event that forces mainstream Americans and Mickey Mouse  to deal with the  LGBTQ community face to face. 

Much different than the week long Gay Days held in Orlando each June at DisneyWorld, which draws lots of circuit  boys and party-goers, this weekend in Anaheim draws over 30,000 people, but is a real mix of men, women, twinks, daddies, bears, couples and gaybies.

Years ago, Disneyland used to have a private party one night of the year for gays and lesbians. When the event was canceled in 1998, Gay Day Anaheim was created. “We based the happening on our big sister event in Orlando, Gay Day, which attracts over 100,000+ gays and lesbians from around the world each June.

Like the Orlando event, Gay Days Anaheim is a “mix in,” meaning gay people and straight people mingle together; the park is open to the general public. Also like Orlando’s Gay Day, we wear RED shirts to identify one another and show our numbers.” says producer Eddie Shapiro.


 
Disney doesn’t endorse any group that comes into their park during regular park operating hours. While they may reserve space (like they  do for  the Gay Days group), that does not connote an official endorsement. In order to make it truly official, “we’d need to rent out the entire park, and they don’t do that during regular operating hours.”

“Disney has been wonderfully supportive of the event, especially as it has grown over the years. They are involved in all of the official aspects of the event (hotel room blocks, the Info Center), and have been very accommodating. But they are not involved in the actual ‘unofficial gay days’ in the park. This year, however we continue to work closely with PRIDE, which is Disney’s LGBT diversity group, and they have done a great job of integrating the event as much as possible into Disneyland’s schedule.”


Saturday is the main day at Disneyland, and Sunday is the main day at Disney’s California Adventure. But producers of the event, Eddie Shapiro and Jeffrey Epstein always plan  a weekend of festivities to please everyone. 


 
“It’s important for us to be very inclusive of the entire LGBTQ community. We try really hard at scheduling the weekend with all kinds of activities that we hope will matter to all the different diverse tastes that make up our community. “

Past events have included a youth scavenger hunt, teen dance party, bears gathering, book reading, family photo ops, singles gatherings, couple dinners, lesbian lunch, movie screenings, celebrity meet-and-greet, ice cream social, morning wake-up work-outs, cocktail parties, and a big evening dance party at House of Blues.


“We really want EVERYONE to feel welcome and there is something for them!” explained Eddie.


It’s always interesting to see the straight men and women who show up at the park that day, unaffiliated with Gay Days, who appeared to be rethinking the red shirts they slipped into that morning, now finding themselves dressed in the same color as half the park’s patrons, most of whom were walking arm in arm with someone of the same sex! 




For the most part, families are friendly and everyone has a great time. There are always those few right wingers who are upset that they chose the same weekend as the gays, and you may hear them muttering something under their breathe. 

There have  never been  any reports of physical confrontations between gay people and homophobic guests during Gay Days. While I  have heard of a few isolated incidents of people muttering rude remarks under their breath, 99% of the comments   are overwhelmingly positive. 

Last year a family struck up a conversation with my partner and I, and they were very much in support of equality for gays and the legalization of civil unions.  Plus, while Disney does not endorse the event, they are aware it happens so security are on alert for any harassment, and the people in guest relations do a great job of handling any problems which may arise.

In 2007, The Walt Disney Co. changed its policy to allow same-sex couples to participate in a popular Fairy Tale Wedding program it runs mainly at its two U.S. resorts and cruise line.

 



Disney previously had allowed gay couples to organize their own weddings or commitment ceremonies at rented meeting rooms at the resorts, but had barred them from purchasing its Fairy Tale Wedding package and holding the event at locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World that are set aside specifically for weddings.

“We believe this change is consistent with Disney’s longstanding policy of welcoming all guests in an inclusive environment…


…We are not in the business of making judgments about the lifestyle of our guests. We are in the hospitality business and our parks and resorts are open to everyone,” a Disney spokesperson  said.




There are lots of discounted rooms available for the Gay Days Anaheim event. 

Stay at one of the fabulous Disneyland Resort hotels for a fraction of the regular price! Last year they sold out   in advance. DON’T MISS OUT!  

Also many local hotels particiapte with the Gay Days group offering weekend special pricing.

Sheraton Anaheim  
HoJo Anaheim  
Holiday Inn Buena Park



New Gay Travel Guide recommends Hotel Menage. A wonderful boutique hotel right next door to Disneyland.

There is  LOTS to see and do in Anaheim, and if you can afford the time, I would urge you to take an additional couple days  to explore Anaheim, Orange County  (the OC)   and all  of the surrounding beach and art communities. It’s a beautiful area of Southern California packed with inviting beaches, unparalleled shopping and entertainment, trendy restaurants, nightlife, championship golf, lively art districts, beautiful historic landmarks and the ultimate of family attractions.


Gay Days aficionados Jeffrey  and Eddie  immersed themselves in Disney culture so much so, that they even  penned Queens in the Kingdom in 2007.


 


* TR  KNIGHT  / Mark Cornelsen photo by  Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland  as seen on  Just Jared


New Gay Travel Guide  and  Best Gay Cities

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June 2, 2009   Anaheim Orange County CA, California, Events and Premieres

Art in the OC – Laguna Beach – Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters July 5 – August 31



Known for its miles of clean sandy beaches, working artists and annual festivals, Laguna Beach is the perfect California small town getaway for visitors near and far.

It has been a  small gay enclave for decades. In the summer, downtown Laguna is simply mobbed, yet still retains its small-town feel, with sidewalk bistros and artsy shopping.

Framed by the San Joaquin hills, the coves and bluffs have a decidedly Mediterranean feel. Here you will find a small gay paradise with some very nice restaurants, gay beaches, small hotels and nightlife. Laguna Beach is a popular getaway for L.A. gays.

Located mid-way between Los Angeles and San Diego, and just a stone’s throw from Anaheim, the city of Laguna Beach is a seaside village of 25,000-plus residents that includes hundreds of local working artists and unique  gift shops.

It is home for people who seek the tranquility of beach accommodations as well as endless cultural opportunities. These include dozens of art and music events throughout the year, as well as an art museum and a live stage theater. While there is not a  gay-borhood per se’, there are gays everywhere!



Four of the well-known festivals include the

Sawdust Art Festival, (June 26-Aug.30))

Festival of Arts / Pageant of the Masters
(in July 5 – August 31)

and   Art-A-Fair.  (in July 26 – August 30)

California’s finest Summer art event , Festival of Arts, is staged in a six-acre canyon park near the ocean in Laguna Beach. The stars of this summertime tradition, which began here in 1932, are over 140 of the Southland’s most accomplished artists.

Each night during the summer season at 8:30 the Festival of Arts presents its most famous attraction, the Pageant of the Masters. It is like nothing you have ever seen!




Pageant of the Masters …What is it?

 


Ninety minutes of “living pictures” – incredibly faithful art re-creations of classical and contemporary works with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces. An outdoor amphitheater, professional orchestra, original score, live narration, intricate sets, sophisticated lighting, expert staff, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers have won recognition for the Pageant as the best presentation of its kind.


These annual festivals together attract hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world who experience original artwork in many different forms. Scheduled throughout the summer and early fall, unique paintings, sculpture, photography and ceramics are just a few forms of art that visitors can enjoy.


More than two dozen hotels, B & B’s, seaside villas and full-service resorts dot the coastline throughout the city. There are accommodations for every taste and style. Many of these properties have been featured in media publications throughout the United States and many have breathtaking views.

When we were in Anaheim last year, we stayed at Hotel Menage. The same owner has two properties in Laguna Beach.  La Casa Del Camino, a 1927 seaside retreat and landmark hotel  with an awesome rooftop  and  Laguna Beach Inn ,  a Spanish Mediterranean Boutique Inn. – And the gorgeous Crystal Cove is right there nearby also!



When it comes to dining, Laguna Beach has many favorite, long-established restaurants as well as extraordinary choices in many ethnic cuisines. For the trendy or traditional experience, the area has become known as one of the best dining destinations in Southern California with many culinary delights.

Laguna Beach is Southern California’s premier seaside destination located just 75 minutes south of Los Angeles and along the central coast of Orange County. Known as home to hundreds of local artists, it is just one of Southern California’s amazing gems!
 
Laguna Beach is primarily served by John Wayne/Orange County Airport located 20 minutes away.



New Gay Travel Guide   and  Best Gay Cities

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March 18, 2009   Europe, Events and Premieres, Places outside US

GAY VIENNA and the LIFE BALL May 16th









           


The four Elements of Life Ball: 2009 – Let Love flow!


The 17th Life Ball on 16th May 2009 is the start of a four-year cycle: the elements water, earth, air and fire metaphorically stand for the central symbols of life in their artistic implementation.



In the previous years each Life Ball presented itself thematically very different. This year though the team surrounding Gery Keszler decided to develop a concept valid for the next four years – starting with the 17th Life Ball an 16th May 2009 and concluding with the 20th edition, the jubilee ball in 2012. In the centre of the artistic implementation are the elements water, earth, air and fire. Powerful archaic symbols but still enormously progressive in their value.

 


It is still these four elements that feed the world, back the ecological balance, take a vital role for health and serve the economic development – for a start simply make life possible. Water – the element of 2009 – is the start of all life and the evolution. The Earth feeds us. Air lets us breath and carries us over the continents. And the discovery of fire even was the start of civilisation.


The element water marks the start of this cycle on 16th May 2009 – as a central symbol of life. Clean water is the base for all human existence. It regulates the circle of nature is the central need of economical progressing. The scarcity of water brings hunger, illness and misery. Especially in countries most affected by HIV/AIDS, in countries where the Life Ball acts within international projects, severe scarcity of water prevails.



However when water is available in abundance it can even bring deserts to life. The Life Ball 2009 especially focuses its attention to this distinctive allegory of extremes in our world.

 


Musically as well as theatrically the Life Ball theme 2009 is largely along the line of the baroque, which in its inconsistency picked up the visual language of the mythological history of the ancient world and converted it in a new way.


But in its staging it is obliged to the here and now. The audience can expect a vast number of opulent surprises – a grand part of the opening ceremony production of the coming Life Ball will happen on, by and in water. This way the show in front of Vienna’s City Hall strongly emphasises the elemental force of water and its central value for life itself.



Life Ball is Europe’s largest and most spectacular annual charity event dedicated to raising support for the worldwide fight against HIV and AIDS.  Celebrating the beauty of life and the diversity of world cultures, Life Ball reinvents the great Viennese Ball tradition with glamorous, outlandish performances and inspirational speeches. It attracts huge interest in the media and is broadcast live on Austrian National TV prime time, with delayed airing in Germany.

Since 1993, world famous personalities and artists have lent their voices and support to Life Ball, giving their time and effort to make the charitable event successful every year.  With their appearances, personal impulses and involvement, Sharon Stone, Sir Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Catherine Deneuve, Liza Minnelli, Kim Cattrall, Linda Evangelista, Heidi Klum, Dennis Rodman, Naomi Campbell and Randy Crawford and many more have inspired courage and promoted the joyful aspects of life and given a clear sign against discrimination and ignorance.

For more  on  GAY VIENNA visit our other story!



 SIDENOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS –

For the first time in history, Life Ball, the most glamorous and over-the-top AIDS/HIV benefit in the world, is offering a very small number of tickets to International travelers, and they’ve selected Steele Luxury Travel as the exclusive tour operator for the US and Canada.  Steele Luxury Travel has put together an all inclusive, affordable travel package for those hoping to experience the glamour and spectacle that is Life Ball.  Life Ball has also authorized Steele to book seats on the Life Ball “Party Plane”, which carries all US celebrities and VIP’s to Vienna in true style… The entire jet, sponsored by Red Bull, is configured to allow additional space and all business-class service.  The party begins at the Austrian Airlines lounge in JFK, and continues throughout the weekend. 


The best way to grasp the scale of this extravaganza is to see it:
 
http://tinyurl.com/cq68wm AND http://tinyurl.com/ck4bp2


Steele travelers will receive full VIP treatment from the moment they depart JFK… They’ll walk the paparazzi filled red-carpet when they arrive in Vienna (with celebs and VIP’s) where they’ll be whisked away to their deluxe accommodations at Vienna’s Ring Hotel   They’ll stay the weekend and attend the most buzzed about soirees and special events.  They’ll mix and mingle with the stars and enjoy the opening ceremonies and fashion show !

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March 3, 2009   Events and Premieres, Places outside US

Gay Travel in Bangkok and Thailand – gCiruit Party in April with SK3

 



Bangkok, like the rest of Thailand is, on the whole, a very gay friendly city. It also has some great night-life and fantastic restaurants to keep even the most discerning of visitors happy.

There are various hotels, guesthouses, bars and clubs that cater, if not exclusively, then very often, to gay and lesbian clientele from all over the world. The Thai are very tolerant and welcoming of gay people and offer a very relaxed and comfortable environment for the gay community and its visitors.

Gay and lesbian Bangkok can be fun, naughty, refined or private, depending on what you prefer. There are discreet gay massage places in Bangkok, or pockets of lively bars and go go venues. Others prefer the tasteful restaurants and spas that are welcoming of a gay atmosphere in Bangkok. Wherever you go, the Thais and foreigners alike are unlikely to make you feel uncomfortable.

 


Thailand has a larger than usual gay community, for they are readily accepted without fuss. The feminine side of society is celebrated and many Thai boys find it much easier to ‘come out’ in this country, especially in Bangkok.

Then there is the famous ladyboys who add a fun character to the gay community. Most lady boys are ‘she males’ (most can’t afford the full operation) who are equally at home with women and men. They often find themselves partners in both gay and straight men and are always ready for a party. They can be quite assertive but always take good care of themselves.


The main website for  Bangkok LGBT resources is
1 Stop Bangkok.



There are several PRIDE FESTIVALS in Thailand. But in April, the third installment of gCircuit’s now famous Song Kran event is here again!

Spending the Thai New Year in Bangkok with gCircuit has become a tradition with not only the local gay populace but with the rest of gay Asia as well. Song Kran 3 will feature 3 parties, namely Spin (on the 10th April 09), Steam (on the 11th April 09) and Splash (on the 12th April 09). Super DJs Joe Gauthreaux and Tye will return to headline the opening and closing parties respectively while the main event will feature the debut of renowned top DJ Roland Belmares, who will be playing in Asia for the first time.

With 3 unique parties and 3 stellar DJs, there is no better way to spend the Song Kran holidays than with gCircuit once again.



 

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January 18, 2009   Events and Premieres, Gay News, Places US

Lesbian and Gay Band to March in Washington DC this Week

As the nation’s attention turns to this week’s Inaugural festivities, in Washington DC,  Gays and Lesbians can be proud of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association’s historic participation in the Inaugural Parade. The band will be the first LGBT organization ever to march in an Inaugural Parade.

Participants, however, are responsible for paying for their own lodging, transportation, and other expenses. And it’s not cheap.
A gift of just a few dollars will help cover the many expenses of participating in an event of this magnitude.

I know I’ll be excited when the announcer tells the television viewing audience that the next contingent is the Lesbian and Gay Bands of America. The parade will be seen by hundreds of millions around the world. And it’s that sense of pride. Recognition. That we are getting one step closer to equal rights.

MAKE A DONATION TODAY  and support the Lesbian and Gay band!

Bye Bye Georgie! Hello Barack!!

UPDATE – Watch the Video from the Inauguration Parade!

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