Promising to be one of the most important LGBT concentrations in Europe, this year's Ibiza Gay Pride event promises to deliver on that claim on a huge scale. Taking place between 8-12 July, the event with the strapline of ‘The colour comes home', will be serving up a huge rainbow of events, featuring local clubs, DJs and artists for five days of LGBT celebration; picking up where the Madrid Gay Pride event leaves off, visitors can opt for a full two weeks of festivities.
The full programme of events kicks off at midday with the opening of three exhibitions in the Exposition Zone outside the Ibiza Town town hall in Plaza España. There'll be a talk covering 30 years of equality as well as displays from illustrator Ismael Alvarez and photographer Álvaro Villarubia. Joining the artists will be Animation Flashmob from local dance school Paso a Paso on the Thursday and Friday for an integrative Ibiza feel.
For those wanting a day of the beach to warm up for the night, there's a daily party at Chiringay at the official Ibiza Gay Pride beach, Es Cavallet. Here, there'll be special events including drag queen shows and guest DJs including Dani Vi and Felix Da Funk.
The opening programme and welcome starts at 4pm till very late in Calle de la Virgen where there will be street theatre, street dance and acrobatics, including an animation show from theatre company Y & Acrobatik in the same street and also in the port and the marina. There's also a welcome address on the port stage with live DJ performances from 7pm, building up to the night time Grand Opening Party taking place at Space and presented by Café Olé and Beyond, with DJs Chus+Ceballos, Camilo Franco, House South and others.
Unsurprisingly for such a big event, Ibiza's top clubs and venues are holding their own shows. On Wednesday 9th July Bora Bora is holding a Gay Pride event as well as The Invictus Pool Party on the Sunday. On the Friday Supermartxe gets in on the act with its Superman night and the Zoo Project hosts Animal Park featuring all day performances and even a nudist solarium. Privilege is hosting the Main Party on Saturday featuring DJs including Ben Manson and Rebeka Brown, whilst Amnesia is holding the closing party, La Troya on the Sunday.
Visitors not looking to stray too far from the main action in Ibiza Town can get down to Anfora in Dalt Vila, the islands only gay disco for late night action, where each night the club is holding differently themed parties up until the last night's Bye Bye party.
No Gay Pride would be complete without a parade, and Saturday at 8pm starting on Avenida de Bartomeu is the LGBT Rights Parade which snakes through the streets ending in Avenida de Los Andenes near to the port stage where there'll be a reading of a Rights Statement by Kike Sarasola and Carlos Marrero.
The official website has lots more information on individual artists and DJs as well as the full line up of events. Gay Pride Ibiza is set to supply much sparkle and glamour, make sure you don't miss out.
WORDS | Julian Heathcote
