MILWAUKEE — June 1, 2012 — The festival season in Milwaukee kicks off with color with PrideFest, the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender pride festival in Wisconsin. Join the festivities June 8-10, with entertainment from dancing to film screenings, arts and culture displays, shopping, historical exhibits, the new Wom!nz Spot Lounge and Café and more.
Photo courtesy of Bartoli Filmworks, LLC
Entertainment high kicks off Friday evening with The 2012 PrideFest Drag Show, a showcase of talent and style from Symphony Alexander-Love, Harmony Breeze, “First Lady of Milwaukee” Jackie Roberts, Milwaukee Drag Icon, Shannon Dupree and more. Headliners throughout the weekend include Belinda Carlisle of The Go-Go’s, Taylor Dayne, Ronnie Nyles and Tallulah Who and BERLIN featuring Terri Nunn.
The Pump Works Dance Arena will have a new “steamy” theme, the Stonewall Stage will feature intimate performances and discussions relevant to the LGBT community and the Health & Wellness area, Children’s Amphitheater and Arts & Culture Building will round out the entertainment lineup with something for everybody including screenings from the 2011 Milwaukee LGCT Film Festival. PrideFest will also feature a historical exhibit celebrating 25 years of pride in Milwaukee, dating back to the first “Gay Pride Week” in Milwaukee during January in 1971.
The New PrideFest Wom!nz Spot Lounge and Café is an environment designed by women for women. Located on the South end of the grounds, the Wom!nz Spot offers a covered, open air floor space to enjoy great female artists including LeAnna Eden, prestigious drag performance troupe, The BrewCity Boiz and Babez, folk-rock duo, 2 Girlz and the empowering, self-expression of The Miltown Kings.
Don’t miss the 2012 Group Relationship Celebration in honor of PrideFest’s 25th anniversary to finish off the weekend on Sunday, June 10 at 5:30 p.m. where clergy will lead a service and blessing for all.
Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, and convention and meeting planners, both nationally and internationally. VISIT Milwaukee has approximately 600 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.36 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2011 and supported more than 47,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Frontier Airlines, Potawatomi Bingo Casino and the Wisconsin Center District are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs. For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit www.visitmilwaukee.org.