/ 29 September 2011

Jo’burg Gay Pride picks: September 30 2011

Jo’burg Pride reaches its zenith on Saturday when, it is hoped, tens of thousands of politically aware gays, lesbians and transgender freedom-seekers take to the streets.

? You and your friends can celebrate sexual diversity along with the multitudes by arriving at the Zoo Lake Sports Club at 11am. The parade route takes a gentle meander around Rosebank — nothing too strenuous, so bring along granny and the kids — and rounds off with a lazy afternoon in the lakeside sun.

This year’s entertainment line-up features top female DJ Lisa Lashes from the United Kingdom, stage-burning performances by Jozi-based songbird Lira, rock act Kinky Robot, heart-throb singer George Meiring, dance act Flash Republic as well as fabulous drag acts. The day rounds off with an afterparty at the Bassline in Newtown from 7.30pm.

Zoo Lakes Sports Club, Parkview, Johannesburg, from 8am to 6pm, and at the Bassline in Newtown from 7.30pm. Afterparty tickets are R50 for party-goers and R100 for VIPs. Facebook: www.facebook.com/joburgpride. Twitter: www.twitter.com/realjoburgpride.

? Lamunu Hotel’s Grove Bar in Braamfontein is setting itself up as a friendly gay venue for this weekend’s Jo’burg Pride celebration.

Take the first bite out of the Pride weekend on Friday evening at what has been termed the ‘side dish’s really happy hours sundowner set” with musical entertainment by sultry songbird Christine Mansour. Explore the ­district and grab a bite to eat at La Menu @ Lamunu (light meals), Ramen (noodle bar) or Velo (sandwiches). The pop-up art galleries nearby feature the works of artists Andrew Lindsay, Jeanette Schlebusch, tattoo artist Candi McLaren Lewis and photographers Herby Opland, Johannes Dreyer and Nadine Hutton.

Later in the ­evening there are video and performance-art pieces by super-talented cultural activist Kieron Jina, who explores gender, stigma and relationships. You can also see movies by radical filmmaker Stanimir Stoykov and catch camp cabaret and dance by Mamela Nyamza later that night.

Hotel Lamunu Grove Bar, South Point Precinct, De Korte Street, Braamfontein.