Tue 6 Oct 2009 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Bear New Zealand - the country's first ever week long events schedule dedicated to bears and their friends - has been announced for February 2010. "The bears community is growing fast in New Zealand and we decided to get involved with a special week of events," says Urge co-owner Alan Granville. "It's the first time this has been tried in New Zealand and we hope to follow in the successful footsteps of similar events like Southern HiBearnation in Melbourne and Sydney's Bear Essentials." The week will include a BBQ at K' Road's Kamo bar, a Bear Drag night at Caluzzi, an UnderBear party at Urge bar, the Mr. Urge New Zealand Bear pageant and a special Tri-Nations Dance Party featuring DJs from the US, New Zealand and Australia. Organisers the NZ Bears group and Urge bar say the events will happen over 21-28 February 2010, supported by the NZ AIDS Foundation's Get It On! safe sex campaign. "We are starting off small but with the support of a number of gay businesses and Get It On! we hope this will become an annual event," says Granville. "Get It On! jumped at the opportunity to support Bear New Zealand," explains the NZ AIDS Foundation's Matt Creamer. "During this special week Get It On! will enable Bears to get it on with condoms and lube at every den and cubby hole where Bears will be gathering." The early months of 2010 are busy ones for Auckland's LGBT communities, with several new festivals and events announced. OurFest will happen across February, incorporating the annual Big Gay Out picnic day, The second week in March is scheduled for Mika's Aroha Festival, and the Out 2010 The full schedule is yet to be confirmed but several events have now been announced: Sunday 21 Feb: BBQ at Kamo Tuesday 23 Feb: Bear Drag at Caluzzi. Wednesday 24 Feb: UnderBear Party at URGE. Thursday 25 Feb: Bear Bingo and movie night at Dot's. Friday 26 Feb: Mr URGE New Zealand Bear 2010. The search for the Kiwi representative for Southern HiBearnation in Melbourne. Saturday 27 Feb: Tri-Nations Dance Party with DJs from the US, New Zealand and Australia. Venue to be confirmed.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 6th October 2009 - 11:37am