After a three year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, Pride is back in Newcastle in a big way this weekend as the city has the honour of hosting UK Pride - nearly four years after the announcement was first made.
The central hub of Northern Pride's vast line-up of festivities this year is the Town Moor, where the fun will get going on Friday with the Launch Party, featuring the likes of Todrick Hall, Katy B and Bimini. Proceedings will kick off on Saturday with the Pride March from the Civic Centre, which will then lead up to the Moor in time for acts starting on the Main Stage, Be Scene Stage and Curious Arts Stage.
Newcastle Pride acts this year include Saturday headliner Melanie C, who will round things off with a DJ set; Eternal member turned solo diva Louise, the North East's own former X Factor winner Joe McElderry, who will both take the stage on Sunday and Drag Idol Newcastle champion turned Drag Race UK icon Choriza May, who is also on on Saturday.
And, as well as the wealth of artists in action at the Town Moor, there is plenty of Newcastle Pride celebrations to get involved in back in time as all of the bara on the gay scene push the boat out for Pride weekend.
Here is a round-up of what's going on in the vicinity of TImes Square. across all three days and nights...
The Bank
Phyllis will get the Pride fun going on Friday afternoon, while after the entertainment has finished up at the Moor on Sunday, The Bank will play host to one of the big highlights of the Pride action in the bars - Sunday Night Live - featuring Plastiq, Nora, Lucy Phurr, Baron Lavey, Layla Sphynx, Anna Morphic, Mercury.co.uk and special guests.
Entry is free.
The Yard & Oscars
A whole host of different queens will be on hand to help you enjoy Pride just along the road at The Yard and Oscars.
Drag Idol 2022 runner-up Stacey Recht is the main attraction at The Yard on Friday, while Tess Co spins the Clubland tunes upstairs, with Fonda Coxx and Kylie Gender joining them.
Sunday will see Pia Pressure host The Yard, with DJ Millie upstairs in Oscars, as Fonda, Danni Delonco and Titana Gemini join in the fun and then on Sunday it's Tess Co and Gladys Duffy on hosting duties downstairs in The Yard, with Danni Delonco up in Oscars. Mercedes Bent, Fonda and Titana will also be there to keep you well topped up on shots.
Just like with The Bank, entry is free.
Rusty's
In a big first for the Times Square favourite, Rustys' will have an outdoor stage., underneath the array of rainbow umbrellas which have already been commanding plenty of attention.
The fun will get going indoors on Friday night, before DJ Pete Green takes to the decks from 4pm on Saturday afternoon as Gladys Duffy is the hostess with the mostest. She will then take the decks herself from 9pm, as Pete moves inside to the Blonde Barrel next door with a set of funky house, dance and pop remixes from until 9pm until close.
Rusty's will also be open on Sunday and entry across all three nights is free.
Bobby's
This year is Bobby's first as part of the Newcastle Pride celebrations, after its opening last summer. It's free to join the party Bonnie Love, one half of Drag Idol 2022 winning duo Bonnie & Ben, is starting things off from 5pm on Friday, before Wendy Towers takes things to Studio 54 from 9pm.
Gloria Love hosts from 5pm on Saturday, before being joined by Wendy, with Ste Jay on the decks and on Sunday, there's a treat for country fans as a Dolly Parton tribute entertains from 8pm.
The Tipsy Cow
There is stellar line-up of entertainment at another bar which will be enjoying its first Pride weekend this year. There's an 80s feel to proceedings on Blandford St. on Friday night as DJ Millie and Camp as T*ts get the party started.
DJ Baz will be host for a Bingo and BBQ on Saturday afternoon, before scene legend Vicky Paris welcomes revellers on the evening. There will also be a special guest appearance by the team from famous Manchester haunt Bar Pop, led by Viva La Diva and a performance from Jessica James as Pete Burns.
Entry is free all weekend and the star attraction on Sunday is world famous Whitney Houston tribute Ikenna Amaechi, who will be on stage at 10pm.
Switch
Switch are getting things going early on Friday, with Pete Green on the decks early doors, before Michael Maddison takes over, while Ben Fisher does the honours upstairs in The Loft Free entry..
Eazy Street
Eazy Street is promising a Summer Sizzler for Pride Weekend, opening from 6pm-3am on Friday, 4pm-3am on Saturday and 6pm-3am on Sunday. Entry is free.
Queens
Another Newcastle bar making its debut for Pride 2022, Queens say: "we are boosting our soundtrack with extra added legendary LGBTQ+ Anthems!"
The bar, formerly The Dog and #Central, will be open from 2pm til late on Friday and Saturday and from 5pm on Sunday. Entry is free.
Powerhouse and Pink Room
The two venues are joining together to stage what they promise will be 'the biggest after party,' on Saturday, featuring sets from MIchael Maddison, Ste Jay, Cris Howe, Adam Forrest and Plastiq.
Both will be open until 5am to get half price entry before 12.30am, click 'going' on the Facebook event.
SR44
The Scotswood Road warehouse club is re-opening its doors right in time for Pride and another teasing a massive after party on Saturday night, featuring DJ sets from Lee Harris (House Nation) and JNR, as well as brand new sound system and lights. Tickets from £5 from SR44.co.uk.
Zerox
There is one hell of a do going on down on the Quayside on Sunday night as Spectrum stage their epic Pride After Party. A Facebook teaser for the event reads: "Show off your bold colour outfits on our runway (there will be prizes for best dressed)! We want to see your creative flair and showcase your interpretation of the theme in your outift! From custom made, to hot glue gun creations, come along and be your authentic selves while mingling with other likeminded people!
"DJ sets from our resident DJ’s MATTHEW PLEWS and TEQUILA playing queer disco classics and lgbtqia+ artists all night long!"
Tickets are £5 for standard entry and £10, available in advance from Flickr.
Boulevard
The Churchill Street cabaret hot spot will be represented by Miss Rory and Danni Dee & The Broadway Dancers on the main stage at Pride and, back on their home turf, there will b a show on Friday, two on Saturday and another on Sunday.
Walks in are welcome or you can book up in advance by ringing 0191 250 7068
The Eagle
While not posting about what it's got planned for Pride, the Scotswood Road venue will be open all weekend til late.
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UK Pride in Newcastle: Food and drink rules for Northern Pride Town Moor celebrations
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