Pride Week is Here!

Charleston Pride Week 2012

July 12th – July 15th

Thursday, July 12th:

Charleston Pride is proud to present the second annual “Art for Pride” Art Walk. The Art Walk will take place at various businesses along North Charleston’s Old Business District on East Montague in Park Circle.

The Art Walk celebrates local LGBT artists and provides a medium for established and new artists alike to connect with the community. The North Charleston Meeting Place will serve as the central hub during the Art Walk where participants can gather information about the artists and business involved.

We’re still taking artists submissions until June 30th, so let your artistic voice be heard and contact Shinzart87@gmail.com with samples of your work and we’ll inform you of drop off locations and times.

Join Charleston Pride for the second annual “LGBT Film Festival” at the Old North Charleston Picture House in Park Circle. The film festival will be featuring the films “Breakfast With Scot” and “Pariah,” the latter of which was featured at the Sundance Film Festival last year.

Tickets are only $5.00 for nonmembers and $2.00 for members of the Old North Charleston Picture House.

“Breakfast With Scot” will be shown at 7 pm. “Pariah” will be shown at 9pm.

Sponsored by the local LGBT community group enlightenMen, this meet and greet features Gay In America author Scott Pasfield and takes place at South of Broadway in Park Circle. The book highlights various LGBT individuals and their lives throughout the United States through photo documentation. Gay In America beautifully illustrates the diversity of the gay community throughout the United States.

Doors open at 7 pm and the event lasts until 10 pm. The event will be highlighted by a presentation by Scott Pasfield at 7:30 pm, a panel discussion from various men Pasfield featured in the book, and finally a book signing at 9:00 pm.

Gay In America was a winner of the 2012 Gold Award in the gay/lesbian nonfiction category.

Takeover Charleston is at it again! And this time it’s during Pride Week 2012! The group responsible for the social takeovers at areas such as California Dreaming and the Tides at Folly will be taking over Dig In The Park in Park Circle.

Takeover will encompass the various events taking place in Park Circle on Thursday, so we invite you to attend all the events then head over to Takeover at Dig! Come out, gather with friends, and enjoy good food and drinks as we kick off Pride Week.

Takeover at Dig will feature DJ Beck Danger, corn-hole tournaments, and, as always, great drink specials!

Friday, July 13th:

Charleston Pride presents the third annual “Charleston Pride Empress and Emperor Pageant.” This year’s Pageant will be taking place at the Music Farm in historic Downtown Charleston. The Pageant will feature the following categories: Evening Gown, Creative Pride Wear, and the Talent portion. Festivities will be hosted by Brook Collins and Ava Clear with special performances by Coti Collins and Justin Atlanta!

Tickets are only $10 for 21 and older and $15 for under 21. Tickets will be available at the door. Charleston Pride’s Empress and Emperor will represent Pride for the next year and first official performance as Empress or Emperor will take place at the Charleston Pride Rally on Saturday, July 14th.

Those interested in participating in the Empress and Emperor Pageant please review the Pageant Registration article under the Forms tab.

Immediately following the Empress and Emperor Pageant at the Music Farm, Absolut Vodka, in coordination with Chris Coleman Enterprises and Revolve Paper, presents Charleston Pride’s Sin Party. The party will take place until 2 am Saturday morning.

In addition to the fabulous dance music brought to you by international DJ and producer Oren Nizri, Sin will feature a stellar fashion show and crowd give-aways compliments of Addicted Underwear.

Presale tickets begin at $15.00 and are available at www.chriscolemanenterprises.com. VIP tickets are $25.00.

Saturday, July 14th

The signature event of every Pride festival, the 2012 Charleston Pride Parade returns to the Park Circle area of North Charleston. The third annual parade promises to be bigger and feature more parades and floats from various local individuals and businesses. The Parade will kick off at 11 am at Park Circle and travel down East Montague Ave until 12 pm. The Parade will immediately lead into the Charleston Pride Rally at River Front Park at noon.

If you are interested in participating in the Charleston Pride 2012 Parade, please see the Parade Registration link under the Forms tab above.

Full information, including maps, directions, and the specific parade route, is available by clicking here.

Immediately following the Parade, Charleston Pride is proud to present the 2012 Pride Rally. The Rally returns to the scenic River Front Park in North Charleston and kicks off at 12 pm and lasts until 5 pm. Chairs, umbrellas, grills, and pets are welcome. Alcohol is not permitted in the Park.

The Rally will offer a full array of entertainment and activities for kids and adults. As always, the Rally will be family friendly to encourage LGBT individuals to celebrate Pride with family as well as the rest of the LGBT community. This year will feature numerous drag performances, musical entertainment, and over 50 merchant, food/beverage, and information vendors.

If you are interested in participating in the Charleston Pride 2012 Rally, please see the Vendor Booth Registration link under the Forms tab above.

An official party of Charleston Pride 2012 and brought to you by Bud Light, in coordination with Chris Coleman Enterprises and Revolve Paper, the “Neptune” party begins at 9 pm and lasts until 2 am.

“Neptune” will be hosted at the gorgeous multi-floor atrium in the South Carolina Aquarium in historic Downtown Charleston. With DJ Manny Lehman providing the music, the party will feature a fashion show and crowd giveaways compliments of Timoteo Swimwear. Additionally, “Neptune” will feature $500 in door prizes!

Tickets begin at $25 for general admission and $35 for VIP tickets. Tickets are available for purchase at www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.

The official after-hours party of Charleston Pride 2012, “Worship” will take place between 2 am following the “Neptune” party at the South Carolina Aquarium. The “Worship” festivities will be held in the magnificent 40ft Fish Tank Ballroom at the Aquarium.

DJ Lydia Prim will be providing the music, and there will be a cash bar available until the end of the party at 5 am. Chad Michaels from RuPaul’s Drag Race will be headlining both the “Neptune” and “Worship” parties. The first after-hours party of Charleston Pride is brought to you by Bud Light in coordination with Chris Coleman Enterprises and Revolve Paper.

Tickets begin at $25 for general admission and $35 for VIP tickets. Tickets are available for purchase at www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.

Sunday, July 15th

The closing party of Charleston Pride 2012, the “Folly Beach Party” will take place between 12 pm and 7 pm. As the party namesake indicates, the closing event will be hosted on the gorgeous Folly Beach.

Local LGBT activist and DJ, DJ Trevor will be kicking off the festivities. International DJ and producer DJ Scorpio will follow DJ Trevor to close out Charleston Pride 2012. Festivities include a swimsuit fashion show courtesy of Timoteo Swimwear. Additionally, the party will offer $1000 in raffles and $500 in door prizes for guests.

Bud Light and Absolut Vodka will be providing shuttle transportation to Folly Beach from Charleston Pride’s host hotel at the historic Mill House.