Poole Pride Evening Concert

About

Lighthouse is delighted to announce new-drag superstar Bimini and queer club culture DJ collective Horse Meat Disco are set to bring the party as they headline the evening concert and late-night after-party at the first ever Poole Pride on Saturday 8 June.

Drag queen, artist, author, recording star, model, and a much-heralded champion of inclusion and self-affirmation, Bimini is a new cultural icon for the 21st century. They first found global fame as the breakout star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, a perfect launch pad that has seen them dominate press and social media with their irrepressible sense of style and fashion.

Initially established in 2004 at The Eagle gay bar in London’s Vauxhall, Horse Meat Disco has evolved into a powerful force in the wider queer and club culture. Co-founded by James Hillard and Jim Stanton, and encompassing residents Severino and Luke Howard, a typical HMD set blends classics, Italo disco, house, oddities and punk funk, to conjure their initial spirit of “a queer party for everyone”, including, but not limited to, “Homos and Heteros, club kids, bears, fashionistas, naturists, guerilla drag queens and ladies who munch.”

They have made appearances on every notable club scene around the world and have long been a key fixture at festivals including Glastonbury, Bestival and Festival No.6.

O Beach Ibiza resident, Hed Kandi/Ministry of Sound artist and all-round in-demand horn blower, Ellie Sax; well-known LGBTQ+ advocate and fantastic DJ talent Woody Cook (he learned from the best after all – dad Fatboy Slim and mum Zoe Ball) will be on hand to keep the party moving, while firebrand rave legend Charlotte Devaney will play the transition slots between the acts.

Planned in consultation with a community steering group that includes members of the LGBTQ+ community, Poole Pride will include free-to-see performances and activities throughout Lighthouse, including the outdoor theatre where CBeebies star Chris Jarvis will host a family-friendly talent show ahead of the Proud Pooches dog show. In the Concert Hall, inclusive educationalists Pop’n’Olly will host a daytime crafting session and the Sherling Studio plays host to Life’s A Cabaret with Outspoken, the Pride Slam, Dorsetborn’s Writing Out Loud and the Come on Out Cabaret showcasing local LGBTQ+ artists.

A queer film festival will run in the week leading up to Pride as well as, ‘Wed Didn’t Know if It Was a Party or A Revolution’, a month-long exhibition, presented in partnership with AUB, in association with Bournemouth University and LUSH, honouring influential gay activist John Chesterman who was closely involved in the formation of the Gay Liberation Front in 1970 and whose ideas underpin the modern Pride movement. 

Tickets on sale now

More announcements will follow.

 

Event information: 

Please note, this is a standing gig. If your ticket is in the Stalls, you’ll be standing downstairs and if your ticket is in the Balcony, you’ll be seated upstairs.

Age Guidance: Standing area 14+. Those under 14 require a Seated ticket and are to be accompanied by an adult 18+

NB: Tickets will be released in stages as follows: 

First release from Fri 26 Jan, to Lighthouse Friends. General on sale from Thu 1 Feb, 10am

Second release will be available from Fri 16 Feb, 10am 

Third release will be available from Mon 15 April, 10am