BANGOR — The Bridge Alliance extends an invitation to the community to join it in celebrating Bangor Pride.
“In planning the Bangor Pride Festival and events, we’re eager to celebrate how far the LGBTA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allied) community has come,” said Alex Patel, president of the Bridge Alliance. “However, many of the members felt heavy hearted thinking of those who continue to struggle to be out and proud- teens struggling with bullying; transgender children, adults and their families feeling isolated while maneuvering through challenging waters; LGBTQA people taking their own lives or attempting to because they know no other way to get out of the closets they’re living in. So, we have themed this year’s event Living OUT Loud!”
The Bridge Alliance invites area businesses, artisans, crafters and community members to join the event. There are opportunities to enter a float in the parade, to set up a space to promote a business or sell products, to offer sponsorship to the festival or to volunteer time, energy and talents at one of the many events throughout the week of pride.
The festivities are supported by donations from AbOUT Maine Magazine, Athena Health, Key Bank, the Sea Dog Brewing Company, the Penobscot Theatre Company, the Downeast Aids Network, The Charles Inn, Nocturnem Draft Haus, Paddy Murphy’s, Ipanema’s, Blaze, UPS and many other area businesses.
Celebration schedule is:
- Equality Maine will host a meet and greet and film, “Children 404” 6-9 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at Nocturnem Draft Haus, Equality Maine will host a meet and greet and film entitled, “Children 404.” Karaoke will take place at 9 p.m. at Ipanema’s Pub and Restaurant with karaoke queen Marissa. Enter the Mystery Song Raffle for the chance to win a prize!
- SAGE and the Bridge Alliance will sponsor a potluck for elder LGBTA community members at 2 p.m. Friday, June 26.
- The Downeast Aids Network, the Eastern Maine Aids Network and the Health Equity Alliance will host a grand opening 4-6 p.m. Friday, June 26, at their new facility at 106 Pine St. in Bangor. Guests will enjoy light refreshments, Pride float decorating and a first hand look at the new Health Equity Alliance Community Center. At 5 p.m. participants are invited to start preparing for the first annual DRAGenger Hunt with a hair and makeup table and costumes for participants who need one. At 6 p.m. teams of two to five people will head off to downtown Bangor in search of rainbow tokens from participating sponsors. The first team to reach the Charles Inn with all tokens wins a prize. There also will be a lucky draw, goodie bags, free food and live music including Jessi Mallory. For information or to register team, contact Michael at michael@mainehealthequity.org.
- The Pride Parade will take place at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27. The line up will begin at 10 a.m. for floats and 11 a.m. for walkers at the Bangor Waterfront. To enter a float or gather a group to walk, sashay, strut or dance along the parade route, contact the Bridge Alliance at bridgealliance.maine@gmail.com.
The main event of the week, The Bangor Pride Festival will be held noon-4 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at West Market and Pickering Square. Live performers will include The Rotating Taps, The Crown Vics, The Blast Addicts and Stesha Cano. Emcee will be Zachary Robbins. To join the party by volunteering, setting up a booth or offering a donation, visit the Bridge Alliance on Facebook at Bangor Pride 2015 or email bridgealliance.maine@gmail.com.
The festivities will continue into the evening of June 27 with an encore performance of “A Work In Progress” at 6 p.m. the Bangor Opera House, sponsored by the Penobscot Theatre Company, written and choreographed by Bangor High School senior Abby McCarthy. The performance, which will include the original cast of 23 BHS students is a satirical look at LGBTQA youth struggling for identity and worth in light of well-meaning, misdirected friends, family and organizations set at a conversion therapy camp in the 1980s. This show gives the audience a glimpse into both despair and hope and shares a message of acceptance with its audience. The performance is free to the public, but donations to defray the theater’s costs will be accepted.
In addition, at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 27, many downtown businesses will participate in a Pub Crawl, including Nocturnem Draft Haus, Paddy Murphy’s, Ipanema’s Bar and Restaurant, Blaze and the Big Easy Lounge at the Charles Inn.
The Bridge Alliance then invites people to close out the evening with a dance party at 9 p.m. at the Sea Dog Brewing Company. This event will include a Drag Performance at the start of the evening followed by a DJ, drink specials and surprises. The Bridge Alliance is requesting a $5 donation at the door to help support future Pride festivities and other events supporting the LGBTQA community throughout the year.
The week will wind down with faith services around the area on Sunday morning and a youth dance at 10:45 a.m. at the YMCA in Bangor.
For information on all the events for Bangor Pride 2015: Living Out Loud, visit the Bridge Alliance on Facebook or email Bridgealliance.maine@gmail.com.