Hamilton’s ever-fun Pride week is less than a month away! We’ve got the lowdown on everything you need to know, from the opening party to the closing party - and the doggy day out and everything else in between. Halloween done with Pride: 31 October, 6.30PM Hamilton Roller Skating Rink Spooks, queers, queens and trick and treaters ... Welcome all to the opening extravaganza of Pride Week! Startlingly ghoulish and stunningly scary evening!! $5 entry, $2 non skaters. Doors open at 6:30pm. Dress in your quirky costumes and enjoy the initial glide into Pride!! Event page Rainbow Mental Health Panel: 1 November, 3PM Te Whare Tapere Iti, University of Waikato A panel including Green MP Jan Logie, intersex activist Mani Mitchell and bisexual activist Kaye McLaren will discuss rainbow mental health on launch day of Hamilton Pride 2014. The panel also includes Maori, Pasefika, youth, transgender, gay and lesbian speakers. They will cover the high rate of mental health challenges among rainbow people. Speakers will also outline innovative practice in rainbow mental health and share stories of hope and recovery. Event page Hamilton Pride Festival Launch: 1 November, 6.30PM Te Whare Tapere iti, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato Hamilton Pride Week will officially launch at this event with a mihi and karakia from the chairs of Hamilton Pride Inc. and Hui Takataapui. The Infamous Gloria Dividend will then MC and along with the GLOW singers and amazing Burlesque dancers to entertain us. Join us for refreshments as we launch into our week of festival fun. All welcome, see you all there! Facebook event page WaQuY Pride Ball: 1 November, 8PM Sky City Hamilton Function Centre Hamilton Pride and Waikato Queer Youth present a night to remember... This year's theme is Fairytale vs Golden Age Hollywood Come dressed in one theme or a mash-up of both $20 door charge All ages queer and queer friendly event! Event page Doggy Day Out: 2 November, 9AM Hamilton Lake Domain Meet at The Verandah. Host: Rudy. Bring your dog and join us for a fabulous Rainbow walk around Hamilton’s lake. Everyone welcome at no cost, with or without a dog. A prize for best-dressed person- pooch pairing! This event happens rain or shine. See you all there. Stay and we can have brunch or a coffee. Event page Various Voices, 2 November, 11.30AM University Chapel Join GLOW (Gay and Lesbian choir based in Hamilton) and learn to sing. This is fun for anyone who has ever wanted to be part of a gay choir, but hasn't found the time or courage to give it a go - now is your moment to sing with the stars! All Welcome. Event page Gays Go Global: 4 November, 6PM Link House, 2 Dawson St Hamilton Pride is hosting a potluck dinner in celebration of our community’s cultural diversity. Bring along a dish that represents your culture and/or country of origin. We will also have an informal ‘show and tell’ segment, so feel free to bring objects, clothing or music to educate the group with. Please invite any friends who might be interested - the more the merrier! :) Event page It's Bingo, Bitches! 5 November, 6.30PM Level Zero, University of Waikato A fun-filled, family friendly evening of bingo hosted by the lovely Ria Royale Craeving as part of the 2014 Hamilton Pride celebrations. There are plenty of prizes up for grabs so pack the wine, bring your family and make this evening fabulous! Event page Queer Women's Quiz, 6 November, 7PM The Back Bar at Diggers, 17b Hood Street Always highly entertaining, and more than a little competitive! Brush up on your general knowledge and swot up on your Sapphic savoir-faire, get a team together, or just turn up on the night and join the party. Hosted by Lesbian Social Group. $5 quiz entry pp. women welcome. For more details email lsg@hamiltonpride.co.nz Event page MooVie Nite OUT: 6 November University of Waikato, S Block, Room SG03 All you keen moviegoers; we invite you to come along to the uni and enjoy a pride MooVie nite OUT! The movie is called 'The Geography Club'. Invite your friends along, anyone and everyone is welcome. MooLoo Mix is proudly hosting this event. Cost is $5 cash at the door and includes Pizza, drink and the movie. See you all there! Event page LYC Pride Party XTRAVAGANZA: 8 November Altitude Bar GayNZ.com staff - 15th October 2014