New Zealand’s most diverse festival set to open Auckland’s summer season

AUCKLAND PRIDE FESTIVAL: 2-18 February 2018
AUCKLAND PRIDE PARADE: Saturday 17 February 2018

Auckland Pride 2018 will march for peace, love and unity at a time of escalating global unrest, when human rights are increasingly under attack all over the world.

Painting the Queen City with rainbows from 2-18 February 2018, the incredibly diverse and inclusive 17-day festival programme features the landmark Auckland Pride Parade which pounds the length of Ponsonby Road on Saturday 17 February.

Local and international talent will be on display for Auckland’s first multi-genre festival of 2018, showcasing the incredible creativity of Aotearoa’s Rainbow communities and celebrating the unique mix of cultures, sexualities and gender identities in New Zealand’s most super-diverse city.

Over 70 different events are registered within the 2018 Festival. The full programme goes live on the Auckland Pride website later this week – and features theatre and cabaret, comedy, dance, art exhibitions, live music, film and digital media, literature, poetry, debates and discussions, drag and burlesque, youth events and workshops, gardening, pets, pageants and epic parties!

Auckland Pride Parade registrations remain open on the Auckland Pride website into the New Year – but space is limited and interest is strong, so early registration is advised. The theme for 2018 is Rainbow Warriors: Pride and Peace.

Auckland Pride’s talented cast of local and international artists, performers, authors, playwrights, film-makers, float-builders, drag divas, activists, celebrities and queer community icons are available for interviews – please send in your requests now!

He pōkēkē uenuku i tu ai!  Against a dark cloud, a rainbow stands out brightly!

AUCKLAND PRIDE 2018: MAJOR EVENTS AND PROGRAMMES

The Auckland Pride Gala
Friday 2 February, 8pm
Q Theatre, 305 Queen Street
Bookings: http://www.qtheatre.co.nz/auckland-pride-gala-2018-4

Bear New Zealand Week
Tuesday 6 – Sunday 11 February
Website: http://bearnewzealand.co.nz

Women’s Music 80s Reunion Concert
Friday 9 February, 7.30pm
Dorothy Winstone Theatre, AGGS
Bookings: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2018/womens-music-80s-reunion-concert/auckland/newton

Same Same But Different Writer’s Festival
Friday 9 – Saturday 10 February
Sir Paul Reeves Building, AUT
Bookings: https://www.iticket.co.nz/go-to/samesame-but-different

Heroic Garden Festival
Friday 9 – Sunday 11 February
Website: http://heroicgardens.org.nz

Ending HIV Big Gay Out
Sunday 11 February from midday
Coyle Park, Pt. Chevalier
FREE
Website: https://endinghiv.org.nz/big-gay-out/ending-hiv-big-gay-out-2018

Courtney Act: Under the Covers
Thursday 15 February, 7.30pm
Q Theatre
Bookings: http://www.qtheatre.co.nz/courtney-act-under-covers

Auckland Pride Parade 2018
Saturday 17 February, 7.30pm
Ponsonby Road
FREE
Website: https://aucklandpride.org.nz/join-the-parade/

Auckland Pride Parade Grandstand
Saturday 17 February from 5.30pm
Western Park, Ponsonby Road
Bookings: http://www.qtheatre.co.nz/auckland-pride-parade-grandstand

PROUD 2018
Saturday 17 February, 10pm
Q Theatre
Bookings: http://www.qtheatre.co.nz/proud-2018

For more information about the 2018 Auckland Pride Festival, please contact Festival Director Julian Cook: [email protected]

To enter a float or march in the 2018 Auckland Pride Parade, please contact Parade Producer Shaughan Woodcock: [email protected]

Connect with Auckland Pride
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

#AKLpride

For more information, images and interviews contact:
Michelle Lafferty at Elephant Publicity
09 368 4180 or 027 295 6450 | [email protected]