READING Pride returns to the town on Saturday, bringing live music, performances, drag, protest, and a rainbow of other events to the annual celebration.
The event will kick off with the usual Pride Parade from Reading Station, leading past Reading Museum, along Broad Street, down to The Oracle and through Riverside, before heading up to Forbury Gardens and into Kings Meadow to kick off the Love Unites Festival.
This year’s Main Stage will be hosted by veritable veterans Wilma Fingadoo, Bodacia, Son of a Tutu, and Martha D’Arthur, and opened by the Mayor of Reading, Alice Mpofu-Coles.
It will kick off with performances from Thames Valley Gay Chorus and the Rock Choir, followed by Misha Dawn, P!nk!sh, and Aaron Sibley.
It will also see sets from Misha Dawn, King Dee, Amrick Channa, and Janethan.
Reading’s own powerhouse and synthpop sensation Natalie Gray will also be performing, alongside the return of Nicolette Street, Lolly, and Claudia Kariuki.
Reading Pride is also welcoming stratospheric comedian and singer Jordan Gray, who will close out the day’s acts on the Main Stage.
Elsewhere the Pirde aLive stage has been renamed as the Colours and Fires stage in honour of campaigner and musician Sophie Sheehan, a long-time friend and supporter of Reading Pride, as well as a number of pride events around the UK.
Proceedings on the stage will begin with a tribute to Sophie featuring some of the music of Colours and Fires, followed by Mignight Drive, Tomorrow Bird, Sophie Rose and Emilia Quinn, as well as Kiera, Nichole Grace, Mike Lemin, Nicole Allan, He Fired First, and Huw Tarry.
Meanwhile the Pride Xtra stage will return, bringing drag, dance, and other live performances, hosted by Miss Charley O’llocks and Grace Anatomy.
It’ll see performances from Cameron Grant, Miss Champagne Charlotte, Reading Operatic Society, Jess Queen, and Crip Ladywood, as well as drag from Big Jay and Lentil Pulse.
They’ll be followed by Miss Champagne Charlotte, SuperGirly, Thames Valley Gay Chorus, and Dimitri’s Karaoke.
Reading Pride Love Unites Parade and Festival returns to Reading on Saturday, August 30; the parade begins at 11am, with the festival kicking off from noon.
The event is free to attend, but donations are encouraged; full details available via: readingpride.co.uk
