Wembley Park Paves the Way for Pride’s 50th Anniversary
Kitty Scott-Claus, London’s best-known drag queen (famed for competing on the third series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK), has announced plans to perform at Wembley Park Pride on Sunday, July 3rd.
Wembley Park has also revealed a vast corridor of colourful Progress Pride Flags to mark the movement’s 50th anniversary & announce a day of live performance, music & dance by an impressive array of international stars on the LGBTQIA+ scene.
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Pride movement in London this year, Wembley Park will be filled with music, movement, and dance for a free, all-day celebration on Sunday 3 July. Headlining Wembley Park Pride will be some of the UK’s hottest drag acts – including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK alumnae Vinegar Strokes and Scarlett Harlett, who will be kicking off the festivities alongside Jonas Hedqvist and Pussy “Kat” Bangkok. They will be performing at Wembley Park’s newest stage, the ‘Sound Shell,’ sitting on Olympic Way, in front of Wembley Stadium and designed by award-winning architecture firm Flanagan Lawrence, with a striking design that echoes the iconic arch of the National Stadium.
Wembley Park Paves the Way for Pride’s 50th Anniversary
Sunday 3 July, Wembley Park
Wembley Park reveals a vast corridor of colourful Progress Pride Flags to mark the movement’s 50th anniversary & announces a day of live performance, music & dance by an impressive array of international stars on the LGBTQIA+ scene
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Pride movement in London this year, Wembley Park will be filled with music, movement, and dance for a free, all-day celebration on Sunday 3 July. Headlining Wembley Park Pride will be some of the UK’s hottest drag acts – including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK alumnae Vinegar Strokes and Scarlett Harlett, who will be kicking off the festivities alongside Jonas Hedqvist and Pussy “Kat” Bangkok. They will be performing at Wembley Park’s newest stage, the ‘Sound Shell,’ sitting on Olympic Way, in front of Wembley Stadium and designed by award-winning architecture firm Flanagan Lawrence, with a striking design that echoes the iconic arch of the National Stadium.
Hot on the heels of Wembley Park’s Platinum Jubilee Dance Party, which attracted over 8,000 partygoers, Wembley Park Pride also follows on from recent sold-out Harry Styles concerts at Wembley Stadium, in which the star caught the request of an enthusiastic Italian supporter, holding up a sign that read: “From Ono to Wembley: Help me come out.” Happily obliging, Styles picked up the sign and a rainbow flag and did just that, with the moment going viral on social media platforms.
For Wembley Park Pride, visitors will be able to walk through the recently transformed Olympic Way. Adorned on both sides with ceremonial banners showcasing the Progress Pride flag – paving the way to the Sound Shell stage, which will be host hours of proud performances from DJs, drag performers and local talent as well as international stars from the LGBT+ scene.
Other performers on the Sound Shell stage will include, among others: Enoka; Conleth Kane; Oakland; Alpha Dancers Performance Group; Therese Neaime; Asifa Lehore; Glimour Queen; Nanao; Drag Kings Tim Tation and Dandy Issues; Clo Clo Pops; Aura Gasm; and Tilly. Visitors can expect lots of surprises and guest performances and might even take home a few prizes from a cheeky game of drag bingo run by ‘The Queen of Bingo’, Orla Nuthin.
And, not to leave it just to the professionals. Wembley Park Pride invites you to get involved and boost that serotonin! The recently inaugurated Union Park, the first new park to open in Brent for over 100 years, will host free dance classes where you can channel your inner Jane Fonda and build up a sweat – RetroGlow-style. Learn a few high-energy pride moves with party-vibing Zumba. Or take a masterclass in 80s pop, high heel diva dance classes or voguing – so get ready to strike a pose. The jam-packed programme is 100% inclusive, with something for everyone and anyone. Wembley Park’s independent retailers will be offering plenty of free activities such as Pilates with Laura Pelinski from “El Estudio,” “Sunset Yoga” with MoreYoga, or life painting classes with local resident artist Laura Ashby. Head to all-day face painting and glitter station to create the look for a totally unforgettable day of PRIDE. End the celebrations at London Pride ‘After Party’ at BOX PARK, Wembley Park.
Wembley Park Pride is produced and curated by Jonas Hedqvist, a Swedish singer, dancer, choreographer, and world-famous LGBTQIA+ advocate. Passionate about working for equality, body positivity and mental health, he has produced events throughout Europe, including “From Sweden With Love,” a fundraising gala to raise money for organisations working to support kids and teens in the LGBTQIA+ community suffering from mental health issues.
“Wembley Park Pride is going to be an incredible day where everyone is welcome and invited to come together, to get involved and see some brilliant performers. It is an honour to produce this special event and to work with such an amazing lineup of international stars from the pride scene, as well as local talent.”
Jonas Hedqvist, Producer and Curator of Wembley Park Pride
The programme features the likes of International Ballroom/Vogue legend Jahmarl’s “move.like.marl” and “Diva Fitness Party”, RetroGlow A -Team instructor Adam Tench’s 80s vs 90s Dance Party”, and Alpha Dancers’ leading man Gary Connor’s “Pop Fitness Dance Class” (last seen on Channel 4’s “Flirty Dancing”).
“Pride in London’s theme for this year is #AllOurPride – a nod to uniting the collective past, present and future of pride from every corner of the LGBTQIA+ community. After a difficult two years for so many people, it’s now a time to move forward and progress – celebrating with an event such as Wembley Park Pride is such an important part of this, bringing everyone in the community together with a boost of positive energy.”
Josh McNorton, Cultural Director of Wembley Park
Wembley Park Pride is part of a summer-long series of free cultural events hosted by Wembley Park, which have included: Wembley Park Live; a new Public Art Trail; International Busking Day – London’s largest celebration of street performance; and Wemba’s Dream in collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a day-long performance experience festival using music, dance, spoken word and theatre.
The full programme for Wembley Park Pride can be found here:
