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We are pulling out all the stops to ensure that the year it is the host of UK Pride is one to remember. Following the recent announcement of an exciting line-up for the free festival, which includes a DJ set by Spice Girl Melanie C, Louise and local hero Joe McElderry, organisers have also added new names to the Friday night fund raiser event on 22 July. Along with performances from Todrick Hall, Bimini and Jodie Harsh, attendees will be able to enjoy a set from singer/songwriter Katy B and BBC Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough. Dean McCullough is a television and radio presenter who hosts his own show every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am on BBC Radio 1, and will get the Launch Party underway when gates open. Attracting 3.3m listeners to Radio 1 Dean is Attitude Magazines’ Top 10 LGBT+ ‘Broadcaster of The Year‘ and has also been nominated at the British LGBT Awards for ‘Broadcaster of The Year’. The dance-orientated electronic pop artist, Katy B, has achieved a number one top spot for her second album ‘Little Red’ and clocked up 5 UK Top 10s including hits ‘Katy on a Mission’, ‘Lights On’ and ‘Crying for No Reason’. Award winning Katy B will warm up the crowds ahead of Todrick Hall, with organisers promising a opening night to remember. Todrick Hall, who found widespread success after appearing on American Idol, and judging on tv shows including RuPaul’s Drag Race and The Greatest Dancer will be joined by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK favourite, Bimini and Northern Pride Online 2021 star DJ Jodie Harsh. While the Saturday and Sunday events which form this year’s Pride – which has Barclays as its headline sponsor - are free, the paid for Friday night helps cover some of the huge costs putting on a weekend of this size incurs, and ensures paid opportunities for the artists, performers and creatives that will help make this years event extra special. Early Bird tickets are sold out with limited first release remaining, with second release on sale soon. Ste Dunn, director of Northern Pride, hopes people will buy tickets and support the event. “Pride simply wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for the support given to us by amazing sponsors like Barclays,” he said. “And we also hope our own community and other allies can see the importance of coming to the only paid for event of the weekend, which helps towards the cost of staging a Pride on this scale. “We’re delighted to be able to add some fantastic new names to the line up, which is going to make the launch party even more exciting.” Platinum Passes are available to purchase for Friday night and across the weekend, which includes the best view of the stage and access to a premium bar, garden and toilets. Organisers will also gift a number of tickets for Friday’s launch event to North East LGBTQ+ charities, not for profit organisations and community groups to continue its commitment to support those hardest hit in the community.

Newcastle Thunder unveils limited edition Pride kit ahead of Bradford Bulls game On Friday 8th July, ahead of Magic Weekend, Newcastle Thunder will host Bradford Bulls at Kingston Park for its latest fixture in the Betfred Championship. This year Magic Friday will support Thunder’s match-day partner Northern Pride – ahead of its 2022 Pride Festival which will mark 50 years since the first Pride march – and will be dedicated to promoting the importance of inclusivity in sport. As part of the event the Thunder first team will be donning an exclusive Pride match-kit, sponsored by Macron, for their game which kicks off at 7.45pm. Each shirt will later be signed by the player wearing it and auctioned off online. The auction is due to go live at the full-time whistle. Northern Pride will also select their man-of-the-match, who’s shirt will become part of their raffle later this year. In addition, the Club shop will have a very limited number of shirts available to purchase. Details of on sale dates will follow shortly. Speaking on the event Macron said: “Macron believes in a game where all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, can be seen, heard, and valued for their contribution to the sport. “We believe passion, dedication and perseverance should be the only determinants of one's ability to play. By standing in solidarity with initiatives of this nature, we hope to continue fostering an environment where all players feel welcome, safe, and supported in the pursuit of their goals.” As part of their sponsorship Macron will also be donating 10 hospitality places that will be up for grabs through various competitions on Pride Radio and across the Newcastle Thunder social channels in the coming weeks. As part of the event, there will be a whole host of pre- and post-match entertainment across the stadium in partnership with Pride Radio and our official after-party venue – Bobby’s Newcastle. Full lines ups and information about other activities will be announced shortly. Newcastle Thunder chairman Keith Christie said: “We’re delighted to have Macron on board as our official kit sponsor for the Magic Friday festival game. They have created this exclusive design in record time to ensure the lads have the bespoke kit in time for the game. We can’t thank them enough for their ongoing support. “The event is shaping up to be a great evening, there will be loads going on in terms of off-pitch entertainment. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone on site.” Throughout the event there will also be a chance for attendees to get their hands on some great raffle prizes, including a host of signed merchandise and passes to the Pride Festival.

Former Spice Girl, Melanie C, Louise, Joe McElderry and a taste of Ibiza are all part of the stunning line up of top class entertainment which has been unveiled for this year’s UK Pride. After a virtual event over the past two years, Northern Pride will return this 22- 24 July as the hosts of UK Pride 2022. And along with a host of big name performances at Newcastle’s Town Moor, the event -which has Barclays as its headline sponsor - has also drawn heavily from the North East’s LGBTQ+ community. More than 90 per cent of the artists, performers, creatives and campaigners involved in this year’s weekend are from the immediate region – keeping to Northern Pride’s promise to “elevate and celebrate the North East’s LGBTQ+ community” when it won the UK Pride title four years ago. Appearing on the main stage on Saturday 23 July will be Melanie C, with a DJ set, alongside North East singer Karen Harding and former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK competitor, Choriza May. The following day the entertainment will be headlined by Louise, with attendees also being treated to performances by DJ Adele Roberts and homegrown singing star, Joe McElderry. The festival will also end with one of its most ambitious performances to date, with Ibiza in Symphony featuring DJ Michael Maddison, where a live orchestra will play a number of dance classics, supported by some of the region’s best LGBTQ+ vocalists and musicians. While UK Pride is a celebration of the community, the event will also focus on this year’s theme of Remember, Resist and Rise Up. Among the campaigners who will take to the stage are Kristine Garina, President of European Pride Organising Association, who will reflect on world events such as the war in the Ukraine and the impact this has on the LGBTQ+ community. Ste Dunn, director of Northern Pride, is delighted with the ambitious programme. “With the postponement of UK Pride during the pandemic, we are thrilled to finally be able to stage an in person event,” he said. “We have stuck to our promise to engage as many people from the North East’s LGBTQ+ community in Pride and we have an incredible level of regional involvement. “Alongside all of the great entertainment, we must never forget the true purpose of Pride and the challenges facing our community here in the UK and in other parts of the world. “We look forward to welcoming everyone to Newcastle for what we know will be a memorable event.”

Pride supporters can bank on another successful festival in the North East this summer, thanks to the continued support from a top sponsor. Northern Pride are this year’s hosts of UK Pride, which will take place at Newcastle’s Town Moor from 22 to 24 July. And organisers have more than just a packed programme of events to celebrate this year, with the news that Barclays has returned as festival sponsor. This is the fourth year that the bank has supported the Northern Pride Festival, including sponsoring its two virtual events during the pandemic. This year’s weekend will kick off with a launch party on Friday 22 July, featuring performances from Todrick Hall, Bimini Bon Boulash and Jodie Harsh, with the full weekend line-up to be announced later this week. Ian Twizell, North East Chair, Spectrum, Barclays LGBT+ Employee Resource Group, is confident this year’s festival will be one to remember. “We are thrilled to be supporting UK Pride as festival sponsor this year as part of Barclay’s ongoing support to the LGBTQ+ community,” Ian said. “Barclays has a strong track record in supporting our LGBTQ+ colleagues and customers and our Pride partnerships are just one of the ways we strive for equality, understanding, respect and inclusivity across the board. “We have worked with Northern Pride for a number of years now and seen first hand the amazing work they do across the North East and beyond so we are looking forward to another brilliant year for the event.” Ste Dunn, director of Northern Pride, is delighted to have Barclays back on board as festival sponsor. “Barclays has been a huge support to us over the last few years so it is fantastic to have them returning as festival sponsor for UK Pride,” he said. “We have some really exciting plans in place this summer and it’s partnerships like these which really allow us to create the best possible experience for the LGBTQ+ community in the region. “UK Pride really is shaping up to be one of our best events yet and we’re working with some incredibly talented local performers alongside our big name acts to really showcase the what the North East has to offer.”

The return of Newcastle Thunder’s Magic Friday will be in partnership with Northern Pride this July. The club has confirmed a festival-style event for the pre-Magic Weekend curtain-raiser to support the not-for-profit organisation in the year that Newcastle becomes the host city for UK Pride. Bradford Bulls provides the opposition for this year’s edition on Friday 8 (KO 7.45pm), where the club is aiming to set a new attendance record and eclipse the current benchmark of 6,631, set against the same opponents in May 1999. With Newcastle hosting UK Pride two weeks later between July 22 – 24 – in what is the 50th anniversary year of the first Pride march – the club wants to demonstrate its’ ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community and continue to promote the importance of inclusivity within sport. The collaboration will see the club, Northern Pride and its other partners, including Pride Radio, work to drive awareness of not only the events but also the ongoing work being done to promote sport as a safe place for everyone. In addition, Newcastle Thunder is also supporting fundraising efforts to support Northern Pride. Northern Pride director Ste Dunn said: “We are huge fans of Newcastle Thunder, so it is amazing to have their support for Northern Pride during Magic Friday. “We all know the benefits sports can have for improving both mental and physical health, which is why it’s fantastic that the team is working so hard to make sure that the sport is inclusive and a safe space for everyone. “Magic Friday is sure to be a brilliant event and we’re so grateful to be involved, with all fundraising throughout the day going towards keeping the UK Pride weekend free for everyone to enjoy.” Taking place on Newcastle’s Town Moor, a whole host of events are planned in the run up to Northern Pride, with tens of thousands of people expected to be attracted to the city in the run up to and during the 3-day festival. Newcastle Thunder chairman Keith Christie said: “We’re delighted to be working teams from Northern Pride and Pride Radio on this year’s Magic Friday. Inclusivity is a major focus for rugby league, and for sport more generally, and, with Magic Friday taking place two weeks before UK Pride festival, we recognise this unique opportunity to further bolster awareness for Pride and continue to inform those in the sports community about the importance of creating an inclusive environment at what will hopefully be our biggest game of the season. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with the LGBTQ+ community and to introduce members to rugby league and Thunder for the first time. “We have some exciting plans to announce in due course and I’m sure everyone who joins us at Kingston Park will enjoy a matchday that all members of the Thunder family will be talking about for many years to come.” Tickets for this year’s Magic Friday are now on sale, priced at £15 for adults, £10 for concessions, £8 for 16-24-year-olds and £3 for Under 16s. To book, click here, call 0191 214 5588 (opt 1) or visit the Kingston Park Stadium box office.

We're looking for members of our community to feature in some promotional images for UK Pride 2022! We've teamed up with our good friends from NewcastleGateshead Initiative to help promote our Pride Festival across the UK and we want to make sure that our community is at the heart of this campaign. We're looking for families, couples, friends, even you and your dog to take part! You must be free to take part during the day on Thursday 21st or Monday 25th April. Able to travel and be in a group of no more than 4. Not only will you have your face all over our tourism campaign, but you and all those that take part with you, will get a Platinum Passes for UK Pride including our Friday Night Launch event. To apply, send a selfie to info@npride.org.uk including what date you can be free. Participants will be confirmed on Tuesday 19th. #wearenorthernpride #ukpride22 #faceofpride

North East shoppers can show their support for the LGBTQ+ community and enjoy savings on top brands at the same time, thanks to a partnership between a charity and a leading shopping centre. As UK Pride hosts we have welcomed back Newcastle’s Eldon Square as the festival’s wristband sponsor. And this year’s wristbands will not only raise money for our LGBTQ+ charity to help keep the weekend festival free but will also unlock exclusive offers from retailers across the shopping centre. With a suggested donation of £2 each, the wristbands can be used to redeem deals at a wide range of stores, including 10 per cent off at Accessorize, Lakeland, Molton Brown, New Look, The Geordie Witch and Whittard. Those with a sweet tooth can make the most of 20 per cent off at Millie’s Cookies, while Boost Juice will offer two regular smoothies for the price of one. A number of the centre’s restaurants have also joined the scheme, with 25 per cent off at Chiquito, 20 per cent off at Bella Italia and 10 per cent off at Frankie and Benny’s, excluding drinks. And this year’s wristbands are made from 100 per cent recycled materials using PET – shredded pellets from plastic bottles which are then spun into thread. Ste Dunn, director of Northern Pride, is delighted to have Eldon Square back on board. “Eldon Square are fantastic supporters of Northern Pride and their retailers have been incredibly generous this year,” he said. “There are some amazing savings on offer on everything from a new outfit to a meal out and it’s great to be able to give something back to everyone who supports us. “We’re so excited to bring the UK Pride title to Newcastle and we have some amazing plans lined up to make this year’s festival our best yet.” UK Pride takes place from 22 to 24 July at Newcastle’s Town Moor, with a star-studded line-up still to be announced. Tania Kelly, Marketing Manager at Eldon Square said: “It is a pleasure to once again be able to announce our support for such a great charity. The impact of the initiatives from Northern Pride are far-reaching and so important to the culture of Newcastle Upon Tyne. We are proud to be able to support the charity’s ongoing work and be able to unite with a great cause.”

AN INTERNATIONAL pop star, world renowned DJ and a Drag Race icon will take centre stage to launch Pride celebrations in the North East this summer. Northern Pride Festival will host UK Pride at Newcastle’s Town Moor from 22 to 24 July, with a packed programme of events scheduled across the region during the countdown to the weekend. And we have revealed a stellar line up for our Friday night fundraiser, with Broadway star, famed choreographer and award-winning performer Todrick Hall headlining the launch party. Also joining him is RuPaul’s Drag Race UK finalist Bimini Bon Boulash and world-famous DJ Jodie Harsh, with more acts still to be announced. Todrick Hall found widespread success after appearing on American Idol, going on to collaborate professionally with huge stars such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Pentatonix and judging on tv shows including RuPaul’s Drag Race and The Greatest Dancer. And it will be the second time organisers are working with Todrick after being one of the few UK Pride festivals selected to take part in Global Pride 2020, which the performer hosted. Joining him on the line-up is Bimini Bon Boulash, who rose to fame and became a firm fan favourite after appearing on the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. The finalist won over viewers with their eclectic style and quick wit during their time on the show, caricaturing Katie Price, performing a hit verse on the chart-topping single UK Hun? and later releasing their debut single, God Save This Queen. And the festival will also welcome back renowned DJ Jodie Harsh – who headlined last year’s virtual event, Northern Pride Online 2.1. A staple on the UK club scene, the acclaimed producer has played for audiences across the globe and taken to the stage at huge events including Glastonbury, Creamfields and Bestival. Ste Dunn, director of Northern Pride, hopes that Pride supporters will get behind the launch party fundraiser. “After hosting behind a screen for the last two years, we are delighted to be returning with an in-person festival and I can’t think of a better line-up to kick off the weekend,” he said. “Like many charities, we’ve been hit hard by the pandemic and for that reason this year’s fundraiser is more important than ever – with 100 per cent of the profits going towards building and delivering the festival weekend. “We have an amazing night planned with more acts still to come, so we hope that those who are able to will come out in their thousands to enjoy the show, with the knowledge that they are also helping us reach our goal of remaining the largest free Pride festival weekend in the UK.” Funds raised at Friday’s event will also go towards supporting North East artists, performers and creatives with paid opportunities to contribute to UK Pride. Tickets for the Launch Party start at £18 for first release and can be purchased at www.northern-pride.com. Platinum Passes are available to purchase for Friday night and across the weekend, which includes the best view of the stage and access to a premium bar, garden and toilets. Northern Pride will also gift a number of tickets for Friday’s launch event to North East LGBTQ+ charities, not for profit organisations and community groups to continue our commitment to support those hardest hit in the community.

We have unveiled ambitious plans for our 2022 festival, as we bring UK Pride to the North East. The Northern Pride festival will return to Newcastle’s Town Moor from 22 to 24 July, with a packed programme of events planned for the lead up to the festival. And this year’s theme has been revealed as Remember, Resist, Rise Up, with organisers releasing a video preview made with local artists and activists to illustrate what this means to them. Along with the musical weekend, the charity has plans to launch its Life in Lockdown documentary series, exhibition and book, and will bring together health experts and campaigners for a mental health conference The city centre will be home to the Forth Plinth – a platform showcasing the trans, non-binary and gender diverse community – and the Local Heroes Awards will celebrate LGBTQ+ people and allies who have made an impact to the community over the last 50 years. And the popular family dog show Paws with Pride will return after a four year hiatus, with plans in place for a second Ouseburn Family Pride, following the success of the first event last month (September). Northern Pride was originally awarded the UK Pride title in 2018 but this was postponed due to the pandemic, with organisers hosting virtual events for the 2020 and 2021 celebrations. Ste Dunn, Director of Northern Pride, is confident this will be their most inclusive and accessible festival to date. “It’s fantastic to be back in a position where we can organise an in-person event and finally get to work making our plans for UK Pride in Newcastle a reality,” he said. “We’ve chosen a powerful theme this year, Remember, Resist, Rise Up, to pay homage to our collective history, resist oppression – with the pandemic having a disproportionate impact on LGBTQ+ people – and rise up to the challenges we still face. “Pairing this with a really diverse series of events and plans to showcase more local performers and creatives than ever before and I believe we’re on the path to deliver our best festival to date.” Jenny Dewsnap, Co-Chair of the UK Pride Organiser’s Network, is delighted that UK Pride will finally be coming to Newcastle in 2022. “We were impressed with Northern Pride’s bid way back in 2018 and, while the pandemic put a hold on their plans, it was fantastic to see them host virtual festivals in its place to bring the community together online. “It’s shaping up to be a really exciting programme, with something for all ages to enjoy, and we can’t wait to see their plans come to fruition.” The video preview, featuring animator Sofia Barton, writer Bridget Hamilton, musician Jen Stevens and vocals from Journals of Dami and MXYM, can be viewed on the Northern Pride website.

The North East's LGBTQ+ young people can celebrate the spooky season in style, thanks to the return of a popular event next month (October). Northern Pride’s Youth Prom will take place on Thursday 28 October, at Newcastle’s Crowne Plaza – which is also sponsoring the event – from 7pm to 10pm. And organisers have revealed that this year’s celebration will be a Halloween special, with a whole host of entertainment throughout the evening. Along with popular DJ Michael Maddison providing the soundtrack for the party and a buffet, young people can also enjoy a variety of performances from Drag Castle. A newly formed collective based in the North East, the group features a diverse range of drag artists covering everything from comedy to cosplay. Halloween fancy dress is not essential ... but is encouraged 👻 The event, which is open to LGBTQ+ people and their friends aged 14 to 24, is free to attend but tickets must be reserved online at www.northern-pride.com. The announcement comes following the success of Northern Pride’s Ouseburn Family Pride last weekend (19 September) and the charity’s Director, Ste Dunn, is confident it will be a fantastic night. “We had an overwhelmingly positive response from our last event aimed at young people and their families, which reaffirms there is a clear need for more events catered towards the younger members of our community,” he said. “While the pandemic put a temporary halt on Youth Prom last year, we’re delighted to bring it back as it is a really special event for LGBTQ+ youth to meet others in the community and enjoy a night of fun with their friends. “We have some incredible entertainers lined up to take to the stage over the evening and with this year’s spooky spectacular theme, it’s sure to be one of our best yet.”

A huge LGBTQ+ festival is set to return virtually next month (July), with UK club scene royalty revealed as its headline act. Music fans can tune into Northern Pride Online 2.1, sponsored by Barclays, on 24 July for a packed programme of entertainment from 12 noon, hosted by Newcastle comedy queen Miss Rory and award-winning presenter Gok Wan. Check out the sneak peek of the action via our trailer below, which announces that renowned DJ Jodie Harsh will take top billing at the virtual event. We've teamed up with NE1’s Screen on the Green, beer garden Central Park, Times Square and a number of LGBTQ+ venues who have agreed to stream the event across the day, with more locations to be announced in coming weeks. At the same time employees at Ikea Gateshead will also be able to watch the broadcast after bosses agreed to stream it in their staff areas. Known for her famous blonde beehive, Jodie (pictured above) has been a staple of the UK club scene for more than a decade, regularly touring across Asia, Australia, North America and Europe, supporting the Spice Girls on their comeback tour and playing sets at world-famous festivals including Glastonbury and Bestival. The event will also shine a spotlight on local performers, including dance and house duo Ibiza Soul, singer-songwriter Sophia Flanaghan and Afro-Latin percussion and brass duo Ladies of Midnight Blue (pictured below). Also taking to the virtual stage are indie rock band St Buryan (pictured below), rapper Kay Greyson and singer-songwriter Michael T Ogilvie. Not-for-profit LGBTQ+ arts organisation, Curious Arts, are supporting the event with dance performances from Jesse Salamon and Toi Toi Guy, along with Love_Dance by Adam Russell Dance and spoken word pieces, including Bridget Hamilton’s love poem to the North East, ‘Proud Geordie’. And local drag artists will also take centre stage this year, including Drag Idol 2021 winner Frida Sapphic, her 2019 predecessor, Choriza May, and Penni T. Ste Dunn, Director of Northern Pride, is confident the virtual event will be one to remember. “We made an early decision to take the event online this year and all that extra time to plan has let us create something really special,” he said. “We’ve got an excellent line-up performing throughout the day, with a whole host of local artists and drag performers and even queen of the club scene Jodie Harsh performing a headline DJ set at the end of the night. “Our whole team has been working round the clock to make sure we can pull this off and, although we can’t all celebrate on one site this year, we’re confident our streaming partners will create an amazing atmosphere across the Newcastle venues and the wider region.” The eight-hour event has been filmed at a specially built studio and is being produced by award-winning entertainment production company ISG, which supplied a full 360 production service, including stage, sound and a full video recording media suite.

North East LGBTQ+ artists and performers are invited to showcase their talent at a huge virtual event this summer. Leading charity Northern Pride recently announced that its 2021 festival would move online, with award-winning DJ and presenter Gok Wan and Boulevard favourite Miss Rory stepping in as hosts. And Northern Pride Online 2.1 – which takes place on 24 July and is sponsored by Barclays – will put local talent centre stage this year, with organisers calling out for drag performers to get in touch. The charity is keen to shine a spotlight on new and emerging artists along with seasoned performers and applicants should be available on 19 May for the paid opportunity. The eight-hour event is being filmed at a specially built studio and is being produced by award winning entertainment production company ISG, which is using an allocation of its Cultural Recovery Fund to supply a full 360 production service including stage, sound and a full video recording media suite. Viewers will also be able to watch behind the scenes segments with performers in the green room, with upcycled furniture provided by local charity and care provider St Oswald’s Hospice. Paul Waite, Director of ISG said “To be able to support Northern Pride in this way is such a great honour and the entire ISG team are extremely excited to produce an 8 hour spectacular which will be shown all around the world. This of course wouldn’t be possible without the support of Arts Council England to we are extremely grateful. Huge thanks to Ste and the team at Northern Pride for trusting ISG to deliver such an important event.” Drag performers and LGBTQ+ artists can apply online at www.northern-pride.com, closing date Monday 3 May 2021.