Local festival previews

08.09.07 | Reading Pride | Kings Meadow | Reading | Free

2007 is a big year for Reading Pride, which first launched in Reading's Kings Meadow four years ago as a small but perfectly formed family festival to celebrate diversity in the Thames Valley.

This year Reading Pride can now boast charity-status and will be staging its first ever parade through Reading town centre.

See a map of the parade route here:

On the Kings Meadow site there will be a whole host of entertainment taking place on more stages - one of the highlights surely being The Sheilas (from the Sheila's Wheels advert).

Reading Pride's chairperson (and now trustee) Lorna McArdle, is confident that this years Pride Festival will be the best ever. 

She said: "Last year's weather didn't do us any favours and the bomb scare in the station behind the festival site added to our work load, but this year will be our landmark Pride – our first pride festival as a charity and our first pride parade."

See here for the full list of entertainment on the bill. As well the tents below, there will be a Karaoke Tent, a Game Show & Beer Tent plus a Youth Zone.

Grey Matter: Live Stage and Women's Stage

Live Stage:

Blue Beyond
Grey Matter
Vadershandbag
Yes Miss No Miss
Nicolette Street
Jess Gardham
Diane James
Karen Jones
Keith Anderson
Jamie Watson
Envy
Code5

The Sheilas, Down Under at Sumo

Cabaret Stage:

The Sheilas
Amber Dextrous
Fanny Dazzle
Miss Kitty
Davina Sparkle
Sandra
Drag With No Name
Miss Jason
Wilma Fingadoo
Miss Thunderpussy
Miss Bridey
Matt & Sebastian

Dance Stage:

DJ Gary H
DJ Chris Reardon

Nina McCann: Women's Stage

Women's Tent

Axe Girl
Onepercubicle
Vadershandbag
Lyndsy Dolbear
Grey Matter
Nina Mccann
Yonni

Reading Pride is a non-profit members' organisation serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities of Reading and The Thames Valley.

For more information, visit the Reading Pride website: