FESTIVAL EVENTS
29 MAY to 7 JUNE 2009.
There will be a few surprises throughout the 1st Oxford Pride Festival, and here are some highlights to tempt…
Fri 29 May
Oxford Pride Festival Media Launch @ Oxford Castle OX1 1AY
Official Oxford Pride Festival Launch and Media Event featuring speeches, entertainment and unveiling the “Oxford Pride Mural”. Plus, there’ll be the opportunity to add your name or your personal story to the Pride History Wall 1969-2009.
Sponsored by Oxford Castle. www.oxfordcastle.com
Peace, Love & Flower Power with DJ Paul Goodyear
10.30pm – 3am @ Coven, Oxpens Road OX1 1RX
The Oxford Pride Launch Party: Prizes for Themed Best Dressed plus
sensational dance beats from international circuit DJ PAUL GOODYEAR www.paulgoodyear.com (credits include: Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, Atlantis Grand Baltic Cruise and San Francisco’s Folsom Street plus Rio, Miami, Amsterdam, Barcelona, LA and NY). Entry £5
Sat 30 May
Summer Eights OU LGBTsoc
11am @ Christchurch Meadow OX1 4LB
On the bank of the Isis (the Thames), Christchurch Meadow, behind the Head of the River pub. Come and watch the final day of the rowing with the University of Oxford LGBTsoc. We’ll have lemonade and fruit, all you need to bring is the Pimms! Get there early and look for the rainbow flag.
Queer Oxfordshire Studies (12 May to 30 June)
Level 2, Central Library, Westgate OX1 1DJ (open Tue, Thu - Sat 10-5pm)
3pm viewing with coordinators, Ross Brooks, Afroditi Aparti and Mazz Image
From Oscar Wilde to the development of Oxford Pride, a unique display documents key moments in the queer life of the County from the past 150 years. Looking to the future, Oxfordshire Studies asks for your help in expanding the County’s collection of LGBT-related material. This is your chance to see and make history!
Oxfordshire Studies brings together Oxfordshire County Council’s local history library, family history centre and large collections of newspapers, maps, photographs and oral history recordings. Catalogues and digitised images are online at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/heritagesearch
FLASHBACK by Mazz Image
3.30pm @ Oxfordshire Studies, level 2, Central Library, Westgate OX1 1DJ
Mazz Image presents photography, art-film and stories from LGBT celebrations around the world, including events in Paris, Berlin, Rome, Milan, Montreal and San Francisco and leads a discussion about Oxford’s place on this international stage. more online
Sun 31 May
Walk on the Wilde Side: A Queer Oxford LGBT History Walk
4pm meet @ Magdalen Bridge High Street OX1 4AU
How well do you know the queer past in Oxford? The depth and breadth of LGBT experiences in the ‘Capital of Romance’, good and bad, may well surprise you. This walk begins at an icon of British queerness, Magdalen College, the spiritual home of both Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas.
Queer Oxford was published by Ross Brooks in 2006 following extensive research into local history. This walk was developed from this research. An enhanced second edition is due for publication in 2010.
Mon 1 June
Pride Arts Walk
for information contact Afroditi festival (at) oxfordpride.org.uk 07880521907
5.30pm Meet @ The Vault & Garden Café (OX1 4AH), then we shall walk to The Nosebag and The Honey Pot ending at opening of...
Queer Arts Exhibition (26 May to 10 June, open daily - ask staff for access )
The Jam Factory, Hollybush Row & Park End Street OX1 1HU
7.30pm “Jam on That” - performance & poetry night lead by Steve Hay
Celebrate the creative freedom of local and international artist.
Queer, queer friendly artists and inclusive venues are celebrating their artistic freedom and creativity showing 1969 themed artwork. All participants are inspired to facilitate, engage others and support through their art, an awareness of LGBT issues and lifestyle. Curated by Afroditi Aparti and Mazz Image. More information online, for venue times and artist see page 12.
WayOut - LGBT Youth support and social event by THT
7.30-9.30pm @ a venue near the Oxford Railway Station. Just call mobile 07855 402099 for more information. Any under 25 LGBT is welcome and there is an exciting range of activities chosen by members. It would be great to have you come along! WayOut meets every Monday.
Tue 2 June
Sappho by Oxford Lesbian History Group
7.30pm @ Oxford Town Hall St Aldate’s OX1 1BX
Discover the life and times of the famous lesbian poet and an introduction to her poetry.
The Oxford Lesbian History Group is a small, friendly and informal group which was founded in 1992 who usually meet in the Brewery Gate on the 2nd or 4th Tuesday of the month. The group has an interest in all aspects of lesbian history and culture but members are not experts or academic historians. Meetings usually take the form of a talk given by a member of the group but there are also sometimes discussions and social activities. All women welcome.
Morse Code for Cats by Tom Conyers (Laguna Press)
8pm @ Jolly Farmers, Paradise Street OX1 1LD
Coming of age … coming out. Sam wants life to be the way it is in books – one meaningful moment after the other – so exchanging the country for the city. Sex, drugs, sport, a new circle to move in, plus a chance to make money doing something he loves: his fresh start offers it all. Contemporary ... insightful … raw … from emerging Australian author. Book launch with the publisher and performance guests.
more online
Fancy Dress Drinks OU LGBTsoc
9pm @ St Peter’s College Turl Street Ox1 3DR
University of Oxford LGBTsoc will be holding a costume competition at its weekly Drinks night. The theme is 1969, the year of the Stonewall Rebellion and the foundation of LGBTsoc! There will be a bottle of wine for the winner plus cheap drinks on the bar.
Flower Power Party POPtarts
10pm-3am @ Baby Love Bar, King Edward Street OX1 4HS
Get ya glad rags on (or off) for Oxford Tastiest Gay Night @ Baby Love Bar! Think sexy 60’s Outfits, the Best Tunes from the 60’s to Now and Gorgeous Cocktails and drinks deals throughout the night, as well as plenty of free shots!!! POPtarts is one of Oxfords longest running LGBT nights hosted at Baby Love Bar, King Edward St, by ‘The Tarts’, and has long been a favourite of locals and students alike set over 2 floors in a one of Oxfords best cocktail bars. Contact: Robert Bremner-Milne rbremnermilne @ yahoo.co.uk more online
Wed 3 June
Stonewall at 40 : a panel debate
6:30pm @ Rewley House, University of Oxford, 1 Wellington Sq OX1 2JA
As we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, how well are we doing? Do join us in discussion with a panel which includes Prof. Marcus Banks (Chair), Sue Saunders (co-founder of Schools Out and UK LGBT History Month), Robert Taylor (photographer, taylor-photo.co.uk) and Mazz Image (Creative Director of Oxford Pride, mazzimage.com)
Oxford University’s Equality and Diversity Unit works in partnership across the University to ensure that the University’s goal of the pursuit of excellence goes hand in hand with ensuring freedom from discrimination and equality of opportunity. See website for latest details online. Do email to reserve a seat equality @ admin.ox.ac.uk Sponsored by OU Equality and Diversity Unit.
Thu 4 June
LGBT Domestic & Sexual Abuse workshop
2pm-4pm @ Old Music Hall, 106 – 108 Cowley Road OX4 1JE
Domestic abuse & sexual violence can affect anyone, it could be someone you know, it could be you. Following the successful LGBT Conference in March this workshop will look at domestic & sexual violence, what we can do locally to improve response and support for those who have experienced it. Liz Jones is the Domestic & Sexual Abuse Co-ordinator for Oxford City Council. Her role is to raise awareness of domestic and sexual abuse and improve services for those affected. Contact Liz Jones: ejones@oxford.gov.uk
Let’s Talk About Sex workshop with Polly McLean
6pm-9pm @ Grove House, Rotunda 44 Iffley Turn (off Iffley Road) OX44DU
A chance to explore & become more at ease with your own sexuality in a fun, safe group, built around talking and experiential exercises. LGBT focussed and facilitated; all welcome. No nudity or sexual contact involved! Polly McLean holds a certificate in Psychosexual Health, and in Group Analysis. She will be assisted by her partner, Rose McAfee.
Price: £15 Concession Price: (Students/Oxford Pride Members) £10
Booking essential Contact: 07870 643260 pollymclean @ googlemail.com or online
Karaoke with DJ Marc Abercrombie
Regular Oxford Pride fundraiser.
9pm @ Castle Tavern, Paradise Street OX1 1LD
Fri 5 June
Trans-script : Invisible iNK Magazine & Oxford City Amnesty International (OCAI)
7pm-9.30pm @ East Oxford Community Centre, 44b Princes Street, Cowley OX4
Trans-script is a series of spoken monologues describing a collection of experiences of transgendered women, followed by a Q&A panel for the audience. Amnesty will also be there to talk and share information and material on it’s work with LGBT people.
Trans-script was written as a collaboration between Maxiie Paige and Sally Outen in association with OCAI and Invisible iNK Magazine, an online magazine on art culture and life. OCAI Group campaigns locally and internationally against Human Rights abuses, including raising awareness about the ill-treatment of LGBT people. Contact: Maxiie Paige editor @ invisibleinkmagazine.com
Pre-Pride Party
9pm til late @ Castle Tavern, Paradise Street OX1 1LD
Dirty Angel Live. Love. Dance.
Tickets available from website or 01865309670
10.30pm – 3am @ Coven, Oxpens Road OX1 1RX
Sat 6 June
Oxford Pride Parade
11:00am Meet @ the Saxon tower of St. Michael, corner of Ship and Cornmarket Streets. From the oldest building in Oxford the Parade will march through Bonn Square and Market Square to finish at the Oxford Pride Event.
Oxford Pride Event
12pm – 8pm Oxpens Field, Oxpens Road OX1 1RQ
Post Pride Parties
Paradise Street Big Tent (enrty via Jolly Farmers) - with live shows by Liz Oke, Rose Garden and guests, plus DJ Marc will keep you dancing til 2am
Castle Tavern & Rainbow Room - with DJ Sam through to 4am
- buy a wristband for entry into above venues. All profits goes to Oxford Pride :-)
Brewery Gayte - open to 2am
Sun 7 June
Then & Now: Queer Oxford LGBT History Walk
4pm meet @ Wadham College, Parks Road OX1 3PN
This walk traverses six centuries of queer history in Oxford, beginning with scandal ridden Wadham College, attended by the raunchy seventeenth-century poet John Wilmot and, later, home of one of Britain’s first student LGBTSocs. The walk takes in other historic colleges such as Hertford, intimately associated with Evelyn Waugh and the repressed homoeroticism of 1920s Oxford depicted in Brideshead Revisited.
Line Dancing @ First Sundays
6.30pm @ St Columba’s United Reformed Church, Alfred Street OX1 4EH
Chill out after Pride and maybe try out some line dancing...
FirstSunday, through St Columba’s Church in Oxford, is a fellowship for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or questioning their sexuality. We provide a positively inclusive space where people can explore who they are, explore Christianity, make friends over coffee, chill out or make deep conversation.