Homegrown songstar Annie Crummer has been confirmed to feature on stage at the annual Get it On! Big Gay Out LGBT picnic day in Auckland this summer. Confirmed for New Zealand's gayest day out: Annie Crummer Crummer, who will be joined by her back-up singers at the free event in Point Chevalier's Coyle Park on Sunday 14 February, recently performed in the musical RENT and as Killer Queen in We Will Rock You, and has also toured with lesbian icon KD Lang. Pop sensation Will C Barling and sexy DJ Stevolicious are also confirmed for the Get it On! Big Gay Out stage. Other acts throughout the day will include a selection of premium bands, comedy, solo artists and dance performances. Last year's scorching summer weather was offset by one of the Big Gay Out's favourite attractions - a Slip 'n Slide, which will return this year along with the equally popular members of the NZ Fire Service who hosed it down while promoting smoke detectors and fire safety. Attendees will also have the chance to swap their old jocks for one of 200 new pairs in the 'Jock Swap'. Other attractions on the day will be the George FM dance tent, complete with elegant chandeliers, rugs and inviting beats. The Coyle Park Kasbah will host a range of locally produced and specialty products, and provide information from community organisations and political groups. In response to feedback from attendees, the Kasbah will host a wide variety of locally produced, specialty foods as well as festival favourites. Meanwhile, the Caluzzi and Urge Beer Garden, which was a popular attraction at this year's Big Gay Out, will return with increased capacity and shade-covered seating. NEW ZEALAND'S BIGGEST GAY EVENT Around 10,000 people attended Auckland's Big Gay Out day in previous years - and the event has extensive political support - Prime Ministers, Mayors, Opposition Leaders and MPs have all appeared on stage. Originally started to provide a safe and supportive social environment for people of diverse sexualities and gender, their families and friends, the Get it On! Big Gay Out has become a celebration and an opportunity for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation to deliver its safe sex messages to attendees. Staff from the NZAF will be present to provide free, fast and confidential syphilis testing on the day as well as advice and referrals. "Around 10,000 people will hear our call to action to use condoms and lube, and to support those you care about to do the same," says Get it On! spokesperson Matt Creamer. "Research carried out in New Zealand has shown that the majority of gay and bisexual men use condoms and lube most of the time," he adds. "That's a real achievement, and the Get it On! Big Gay Out is chance to celebrate all those people who Get it On!" The Get it On! Big Gay Out will run from Midday until 7pm on Sunday, 14 February 2010 at Coyle Park, Pt Chevalier Road, Pt Chevalier, Auckland.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Thursday, 5th November 2009 - 3:02pm