The focal point of Hamilton's gay pride will once again be the statue celebrating the father of Rocky Horror, which will be covered with knitted rainbow wraps to mark the start of Hamilton Pride. Hamilton City Council quashed organisers' dream of putting the knitted wraps around lamp posts on Victoria Bridge, saying they would distract drivers and possibly cause accidents. The statue of Riff Raff on Victoria St will be decorated with the colourful knitting instead, something which will happen at 9am on Saturday. Pride Week will then begin with a spirituality workshop at 11am at the Lady Goodfellow chapel on the University of Waikato campus. At 1pm there is an Arts Exhibition at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Art at the University of Waikato. At 2.30pm at the same venue, Kevin Hague, Murray Riches, Seb Stewart and Priscilla Penniket will take part in a panel on 'Queer, Young and Proud'. Hamilton Pride 2011 will be officially launched at 4.30pm at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts. The guest speaker is Louisa Wall and the GLOW singers provide entertainment. There will be refreshments and nibbles. The fun will get into full swing that night with a party at Shine from 10pm, with entry by gold coin donation to Hamilton Pride Inc. For all events throughout the festival week from September 17th to September 25th, check out www.hamiltonpride.co.nz
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 15th September 2011 - 10:44am