Gay pride parade due to return to North Charleston (post-event update)

Image by Flickr user -Marlith-

Update May 16: By all accounts and measures, Charleston Pride 2011 was as great success.

The three days of celebration finished off with a bang on Saturday in North Charleston with a parade, rally and numerous after-parties. With over 4,000 people in attendance, more parade entries and absolutely no protestors, it is safe to say the event accomplished it's goal of raising awareness and promoting equality in the Charleston area.

Charleston Scene has a nice post-event round-up along with some photos from Saturday's rally; you'll find both right here.

Update May 9: With Charleston Pride less than a week away, we've got some fresh info on all of the activities and fun scheduled before, during and after the big day.

Absolute Vodka is sponsoring the 2011 Pride Festival and Rally on May 12 - 14 and is inviting the everyone to “Catch the Wave of Equality” during Saturday's parade.

Below is the schedule of events taking place all around town leading up to the parade:

  • May 12: 6 - 9 p.m., “Art For Pride” Charleston Pride Art Walk @ Evo, The Mill, Cork, The Chart and Sesame in Park Circle, N. Charleston 
  • Thursday, May 12: 7 - 11 p.m., Charleston Pride Gay Film Festival, Olde Village Picture House, Park Circle, N. Charleston (7pm- “If These Walls Could Talk 2”; 9pm- “A Single Man”) 
  • Friday, May 13: 9 p.m.-12.a.m, Absolut Pride Pageant, American Theatre, Charleston
  • Saturday, May 14, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Charleston Pride Parade, E. Montague Avenue, N. Charleston (Line-up at 9:15 a.m. at North Charleston Elementary) 
  • Saturday, May 14, Noon - 6:00 p.m.: Catch the Wave of Equality Charleston Pride Rally, Riverfront Park, N. Charleston
  • Saturday, May 14, 9 p.m.- 2 a.m., Absolut(ly) Born This Way Charleston Pride After Party, 10 Storehouse Row at the Navy Yard at Noisette, N. Charleston

And during the "Catch the Wave of Equality Rally Event" on Saturday:

  • 12:00-12:15 p.m.- Lowcountry Highrollers
  • 12:15-12:20- Presentation of Honor Guard and National Anthem
  • 12:20-12:30- Introduction of Grand Marshall and Charleston Pride Festival Board
  • 12:30-1:00- Jamison Alley
  • 1:00-1:15- Keith Riddle (Stonewall Democrats)
  • 1:15-1:45- Friends of Ridicule 
  • 1:45-2:00- Performance by Brooke Collins (Grand Marshall)
  • 2:00-2:30- Thunderkings
  • 2:30-2:45- Elke Kennedy (Sean’s Last Wish) 
  • 2:45-3:00- Performance by Absolut Pride Pageant Empress
  • 3:00-3:30- Heyrocco
  • 3:30-3:45- Melissa Moore (We Are Family)
  • 3:45-4:00- Performance by Absolut Pride Pageant Emperor 
  • 4:00-4:15- Warren Redman-Gress (Alliance for Full Acceptance)
  • 4:15-4:45- Becca & the Push
  • 4:45-5:00- Closing statements/Sponsor & Vendor recognition 
  • 5:00-5:30- Blynd Snyper

Update April 13: Charleston Pride and the North Charleston Film Society are proud to present the second annual gay film festival in conjunction with the Charleston Pride event.

On May 12th, If These Walls Could Talk 2 will play at 7 p.m. and will be followed by A Single Man at 9 p.m. Both will be screened at the Old North Charleston Picture House located at 4820 Jenkins Avenue in North Charleston.

Jump over to the Facebook invitation for everything you need to know.

First reporting: After a successful first yearCharleston Pride is prepping to put on a similar parade celebrating gay rights in North Charleston on May 14. 

Charleston Scene caught up with group chair Bastian Fennell and has the most details I've seen so far; take a read of the brief here.