This year’s annual Ilkley Pride event at the King’s Hall and Winter Garden is just days away, Saturday 29th June.
The stallholders are preparing and volunteers are eagerly awaiting the final briefing email but as you’d expect, it’s the huge variety of performers that will be the sparkling stars of the show. Despite rising costs the organisers of this year’s event have suggested that this year’s line-up is even bigger and better than last year with a number of popular acts performing again alongside acts new to Ilkley Pride. This year the team behind Ilkley Pride have given the format a shake up to introduce ‘Pride Unplugged’, a more sophisticated and laid back entertainment offering, in the Winter Garden during the evening whilst the more traditional Pride acts perform in the King’s Hall.
The celebrations begin in the afternoon with a performance from the incredible drag duo, Bosom Buddies, famous for their sensational vocal performances on ITV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. The rest of the King’s Hall line-up includes local dance school Joze School of Dance, Dan Hatton the legendary local performer and IGS Battle Of The Bands winners Shaded, an all-female band. Queenergy, the UK’s leading Queen tribute act, take to the stage at 15:20 and are sure to raise the roof before Lady Za Za brings the sass with her Lady GaGa tribute. The evening consists of Marigold Addams, a local drag artist followed by Smashby, an icon of the LGBT performing community. Queenergy are back for a second performance at 20:20 before the fabulous Miss Syren finishes the night with her spectacular vocals.
Pride Unplugged runs alongside the King’s Hall entertainment and kicks off at 17:00 in the Winter Garden. Performers include The Sheds, Cooper Brown, Alex Ash, Akiharu Kitagawa, The Bleeding Obvious, Imogen Ross and Man Cave.
A spokesperson for Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group said “There really is something for everyone this year. We’ve got mouth-watering street food, interactive workshops, informative stalls and a dedicated youth area as well as a jam-packed programme of entertainment all day. A massive thank you to all our sponsors and the individuals who’ve been generous enough to support us.”
Ilkley Pride 2024 takes place at the King’s Hall and Winter Garden on Saturday 29th June from noon. Tickets are on sale now from The Grove Bookshop or ilkleypride.co.uk. Tickets are free for under 18’s.