Newsletter #12 - 27 February
Six sleeps until the Festival for you!
Possibly not even six sleeps for your committee, because sleep has become something rather in short supply around here. My week as Chair has involved - among other things - recovering a dozen cushions to create a cozy hub, drafting in unfortunate friends to clean grimy bathrooms, as well as maybe a million hours spent in Canva, constantly updating the map of places taking part in Rainbow Windows of Wellington, contemplating how many people fit on the back of a ute, and trying to manage at least four different email addresses, all of which are overflowing with things that need to be done. And I love almost all of those things (maybe not the bathrooms).
What I’m saying is that it’s such a privilege to be able to serve the community in this way, which is something you’ll probably hear me say again very soon at the Dawn Ceremony, the Pride Parade, Ginger’s Pop-Up and Out in the City. And now I speak not just for the Wellington Pride Festival committee but also every other event producer - we’ve done the work, and now it’s time for YOU to play your part and book tickets to the events you want to go to. Register for the free events that are asking for registrations. Sign your dogs up to take part in Pooches in the Plaza. Grab a ticket to the Youth Ball for your favourite rainbow rangitahi - or buy a supporter donation if you’re able. Please don’t leave it until the last minute - it is very stressful not having certainty that people are going to show up after all your efforts! We would also appreciate you forwarding on this email to those you think might be interested, and also telling all your networks about Festival happenings.
Because there are so very many things happening as part of the Festival! We have over 90 events, ranging from cozy crafting sessions to the full on dance parties of Frisky, and the large stage production at of Out in Brewtown. We’ve worked hard all year to develop a really diverse spread of activities, including a focus on getting more happening in the Hutt Valley. Use “filter by category” option on our website to find the perfect things for you - or use the PDF of the printed version for a calendar and/or alphabetical options (though online listings may be more up to date) - and get those tickets!
See you at the Festival - we can’t wait!
Joanna McLeod
Chair
Newsletter contents
Dawn Ceremony launch
Win a double pass to Out in Brewtown
Pooches in the Plaza
Pride HQ
They Ate
The Pride Youth Ball
Join us early Friday morning as we launch the Festival and Parade
The weather forecast for Friday 6 March is looking sunny, which is great news, because at 5.30am, we’ll be launching the Festival & Parade at the summit of Matairangi / Mount Victoria. Mana whenua will offer karakia and waiata and we’ll watch the sun come up together, before heading to Pride HQ for a cup of tea.
This was one of the most beautiful events last year, and we’d love for more of our community to join us. Please note though that unfortunately there are steps to the summit, it’s a bit of a climb and there is not seating at the top.
Out in Brewtown
We talked about this in our last newsletter, but part of trying to bring more queer events to the Hutt Valley has involved working with our friends at Brewtown on a new large Signature Event - Out at Brewtown.
Ladyhawke! Bec Sandridge! Dateline! Ardon England! Tahini Bikini! You’d best be wearing your dancing shoes - though there will also be an accessible area with seating for those with mobility issues. Don’t forget, events like this are open to everyone who comes with love and respect (well, in this case it’s an R18 event), so bring your straight allies too! The train station is nearby but you can also purchase direct transport option with your ticket.
And speaking of tickets! We’ve got one double pass to give away - just reply to this email and tell us who you’re most excited to see on the day and why. We’ll draw someone at random on Wednesday.
A portion of the ticket sales will come to us at the Festival, and a portion will go to Naming NZ.
Pooches in the Plaza returns
One of the highlights at Out in the City is seeing the many very good dogs walking around with their people. You asked for it to come back and Scotty & Mal agreed to MC it again, so this year will see the return of Pooches in the Plaza, yay!
Categories include:
BEST GROOMED: Shiny? Handsome? Fluffy? Long or short haired? Great colour? Endearing face? Whatever it is, let 'em strut their stuff.
BEST DOG / OWNER LOOK ALIKE: Teehee! You might resemble each other uncannily OR maybe you're both dressed in matching costumes OR maybe you've both dyed your hair!
BEST TRICK: Can your dog 'sit'? OR catch biscuits? OR roll over? OR fetch items? OR bark/talk/sing on command? OR...?
PEOPLE'S CHOICE: Chosen from crowd adoration
It’s free to enter and there’s great doggy accessories to win from Gorman, so if your dog is chill with crowds, sign them up now!
Our judges on the day will include Edward Wright from the festival committee, city councillor Rebecca Matthews and one of the amazing performers.
Don’t forget about our other signature events
We want to make sure you have our Signature Events in your calendar!
6 March: Dawn Ceremony - this is a really beautiful moment at the top of Matairangi / Mount Victoria where Mana Whenua open the Festival with karakia and waiata. Yes it’s early in the morning, but honestly it’s worth it and the climb up to the summit.
7 March: The Wellington Pride Parade - keep an eye out for the Festival team bringing 1986 realness!
14 March: The Pride Youth Ball - Okay, this one’s only for those who are 13-18, but you can support the event by buying a supporter’s ticket which keeps the ball accessible for everyone who needs it.
15 March: Pride Hīkoi - Join us as we march in solidarity to the opening of Out in the City. Bring your signs, bring your flags and bring your passion.
15 March: Out in the City - our great big massive fair, which started the whole festival. 70+ stalls, all kinds of entertainment on the Datacom stage, including the very requested dog show Pooches in the Plaza. Our website will be updated this week with a list of stallholders and entertainers.
21 March: Out in Brewtown - We just talked about this, but it’s going to be an amazing day out.
22 March: The Pride Picnic - A delightfully chill afternoon in the Botanic Gardens. Bring a picnic, bring some friends and soak up the sun and the vibes. We’ll also be announcing the winners of Rainbow Winners of Wellington then too!
The physical home of the Festival at 28 Blair St
Thanks to Urban Dream Brokerage and the Wellington City Council, we got the keys to 28 Blair Street yesterday. For the duration of the festival, Pride HQ will be open as a drop-in space from 11am-7pm. You can come by any time to play some board games, do some colouring in or a puzzle, have a cup of coffee or tea, grab a mini snack, have a chat and find queer community.
There’s also a bunch of small events already programmed into the space like a workshops for making felt flags and zines, a Men’s Circle 101, Fat Queers Eating Cake, and an R18 game of Werewolf (these are all free but please register for them in advance!). We’ll add on specific sessions soon for board games and colouring in too, and we’re keen to take on more programming. Is there something you’d like to host? We’d really love to have a lunchtime dance party especially!
For any enquiries about using the space, contact chair@wellingtonpride.com.
They Ate
You should know all about They Ate - the free cooking classes that we offer fortnightly at Te Mako Naenae Community Centre, so this is just to say that registrations are open for our 11 March class.
Pride Youth Ball
Tickets are now on sale for the Pride Youth Ball, an event for rainbow rangitahi age 13-18.
This vibrant celebration is all about letting your true colors shine in a safe and welcoming space, and a night filled with music, dancing, and pure joy. Whether you're strutting your stuff on the dance floor or making new friends, the Pride Youth Ball is your chance to celebrate who you are with a community that embraces diversity and pride.
The ball includes buses from Lower Hutt and Porirua, and Get Ready Together events, to make sure everyone can get there and home again safely.
If you’re not in this age group but you’d still like to support the event and its subsidised ticket cost, you can purchase a donation ticket.
6 SLEEPS UNTIL WPF 2026!
PS: Why did the buffalo farmer go to the Pride Parade?
He had a bison!
