As one of the first Pride events of the year, Miami Beach Gay Pride will
expand to a week of celebrations for 2013, announced Babak Movahedi,
chairman of the Pride board of directors. Kicking off with a rainbow
flag raising ceremony at Miami Beach City Hall and culminating with a
loud and colorful parade and festival on Sunday, April 14, the schedule
of events promises something for everyone.Movahedi said the expanded line-up of Pride activities speaks to the rising popularity of the event. “Pride is a celebration for the whole community,” he said. “It’s gratifying to realize that after only five years, Miami Beach Pride has grown so exponentially and attracts both locals and visitors.”
The expanded schedule of events starts with a rainbow flag raising ceremony on Monday, April 8, at 6 p.m. at Miami Beach City Hall, followed by a reception honoring Miami Beach Pride’s original founders and Pride’s Legacy Couples, partners who have been together for 20 years and longer. The reception will also unveil the Miami Beach Police Department’s “rainbow” painted squad car. This event is free and open to the entire community.
On Tuesday, April 9, the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce will host a “Spotlight Reception” fundraiser for Pride at the Shore Club Hotel. Tickets are $10 for chamber members and $20 for non-members with a portion of the proceeds being donated back to Miami Beach Gay Pride.
“Soundscape: Outdoor Movie Night with the Family” will present the film “The Princess Bride” on Wednesday, April 10, at 8 p.m. at the New World Center, 17th and Washington Avenue. The movie night is free and open to the public.
The following night, Thursday, April 11, beginning at 7 p.m. Miami Beach Pride will honor its Angel and Archangel donors – those who have given $500 and $1,000, respectively – at a cocktail reception at the W Hotel. Tickets are $125 each, but Angel and Archangel donors will be admitted free.
Start the Pride weekend off on Friday, April 12, at the “Mova Block Party” beginning at 8 p.m. in front of Mova Lounge on Michigan, just south of Lincoln Road. The street will be closed and international DJ Brett Henrichsen will spin until 2 a.m. No cover. After the “Mova Block Party,” Pride presents “Sense,” a dance party at Nikki Beach, 1 Ocean Drive, featuring DJ Joe Gauthreaux and GRAMMY-nominated DJ Tony Moran. “Sense” starts at 11 p.m. and gets senseless until 5 a.m. Tickets are $35, $40 and $45 in advance and $55 at the door.
On Saturday, April 13, beginning at 9 a.m., Oleta River State Park will be the site of the “Out-Fit Challenge” where participants traverse a 5K to 7K cross-country trail run, dotted by 10–15 military-style obstacles that may include mud, water, ice and fire. Survivors will be treated to a post-race party that will include a DJ, cocktails and contests. Registration is $85 before March 15 and is available at www.out-fitchallenge.com. A portion of the registration fee will be donated to local and national LGBT charities.
If sand is more your thing than mud, Miami Beach Gay Pride will present its first-ever “Beach Party” from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Lummus Park with international DJ/Producer Theresa and DJ Manny Lehman. The “Beach Party” is free and open to the entire community.
The big day of Pride, Sunday, April 14, starts at 9:30 a.m. when the new “Grandstand VIP Area” opens. Enjoy the parade and all the people watching from a reserved grandstand seat that features bottomless mimosas or Bloody Marys and continental breakfast buffet. Grandstanders will have a front-row seat for the Parade, which this year is emceed by Univision radio’s Enrique Santos. The grandstand is located on Ocean Drive between 11th and 12th Streets. Advance tickets are $30, $35 and $40 with tickets at the door $50.
At 11 a.m. on Sunday, Miami Beach Gay Pride Festival opens with more than 125 LGBT-friendly vendors and businesses, exciting celebrities, musical performances, refreshments, food and a family-friendly play area. Fireworks will light up the sky above the Festival at 9 p.m. while the concert keeps going until 11 p.m.
More details after the jump!
At noon, the Fifth Annual Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade kicks off at 5th Street and Ocean Drive. Last year, more than 66 parade entries featured 1,200 participants who rode, waved, strutted, sashayed and cartwheeled up to 15th Street. More than 60,000 people attended last year’s Pride Parade and Festival, so get there early to save your spot for all the excitement.
In addition to the Festival booths, Pride features three stages of performances. The Concert Stage features sizzling hot, celebrity performances. The Latin Stage features rhythm and drag show divas while the 12th Street Stage features DJ Grind.
Pride’s official closing party, “Play,” will be held at Dream Nightclub, 1532 Washington Avenue, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. “Play” features DJs Paolo and Jackinsky with an opening set by DJ Hans. Tickets for “Play” are $25, $30 and $35 in advance and $45 at the door.
For those wishing to continue their feeling of Pride at sea, the third annual “Pride Cruise” aboard the Norwegian Sky which sets sail for the Bahamas and Norwegian’s private island from April 15 – 19. Prices start at $449 per person, based on double occupancy, at www.sourceevents.com.
