Dublin Winter Pride starts with a bang with '50 Years of Pride – Songs and Stories'

Panti Bliss hosted the musical journey through the years of gay anthems and LGBT+ stories last night in The National Concert Hall.

News . Written by Rebecca Kelly.

Panti Bliss on stage at the launch of Dublin Winter Pride

Dublin Winter Pride kicked off yesterday Monday, November 25 with ’50 Years of Pride – Songs and Stories’ a night of music and celebration hosted by Panti Bliss in The National Concert Hall. The event had a star-studded line up including drag performers, singers and a choir which brought the audience on a journey through 50 years of gay anthems and LGBT+ stories through their performances. 

The show was opened by Dublin drag queen Mr Pussy and several other fabulous acts soon followed including fellow drag performers; Veda alongside Lady K, Phil T Gorgeous, Bunny O’Hare, and Avoca Reaction, former Eurovision contestants Brian Kennedy, Niamh Kavanagh and Paul Harrington and many more. 

The show was a huge success, with many people hopping on to Twitter to share snaps they had taken at the concert and commend the performers on the show.

Similarly, acts from the night’s show also took to Twitter to thank the audience for coming to see the production as well as praising their fellow performers for how well they did.

Dublin Winter Pride director, Jed Dowling, expressed his gratitude for the amount of support the event garnered stating; “From Stonewall to The National Concert Hall in just 50 years. Pride has taken us more places than we could ever imagine. We were blown away by the support for our new Winter Pride festival and would like to thank everyone involved in our Pride concert who gave their time freely. Winter Pride is not just about going new places, it’s about making sure no one is left behind in our journey.”

Similarly, Festival Manager, Eddie Mc Guinness, said that Winter pride is a way to bring some light into the dreary winter season with a wide range of fun events happening throughout the city.

“Winter Pride is our way to get people together when the rainbow flag will help shine in these cold winter days. We have some amazing events and get together and couldn’t do this with out the help of Dublin City Council to Failte Ireland and venues like Panti Bar, Street 66 to The George also our Dublin LGBTQ Pride team and volunteers. We also want to say the energy and passion on stage at NCH It was a real show of talent over the ages.”

The seven day-long celebration continues tomorrow with a free traditional ‘Géilí’ taking place in Pantibar, with the night promising fabulous LGBT+ Irish trad musicians and lots of Irish music to dance along with. If you are interested in finding out more about Dublin Winter Pride you can read up about the events taking place across the city this week and book tickets here!

© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.

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