I Love A Parade

[keefelc]

Okay, with all the cocomotion going on with the one particular topic on the "Discuss Disco & Dance Music" forum, I'm almost hesitant to post this post, but here goes. First off, HAPPY Pride to the GLBT community on this Board!!! I thought you might enjoy hearing about San Francisco's Pride Parade 2002 that happened this Sunday! It was very nice.

Started out as a beautiful day - 67 degrees at 9:30 am, no fog, no clouds - just blue skies and sun! We ended up around 76 to 78 degrees - actually a bit of a heatwave to SF!

The Parade drew an estimated crowd of 300,000 to half a million people. It's amazing how the Parade crowd was composed of people of all types of sexual orientation, all races, all ages (babies to grandmothers and grandfathers), and how TOLERANT everyone was of each other.

This year's theme was "Be yourself - change the world." Our Celebrity Grand Marshalls were Sir Ian McKellen (suddenly hot again because of his roles as Gandolf in "Lord of the Rings" Magneto in "X-Men" and James Whales in "Gods and Monsters") and Sharon Gless (Michael's mom, Debbie, in the U.S. version of "Queer As Folk" and, for us old timers, "Cagney and Lacey"). Both Ian (resplended in a white hat, white topcoat and light green shirt) and Sharon were obviously delighted to be in the Parade. Both of them kept jumping out of their cars to shake hands, take photos and chat with all of us. Sir Ian said in an interview that he was experiencing one of the happiest days of his life. Sharon kept tearing up because of the loud cheers she was getting from the crowd. They both commented they were honored to be selected as Grand Marshalls. We were honored to have them in our Parade!

We also had the pleasure of having Miss Nancy "These Boots Were Made For Walking" Sinatra in the parade. When interviewed for the tv broadcast, the interviewer commented how fabulous she looked. She responded she didn't know how since she didn't get to bed until 5:30 a.m. and then had to get up at 8 a.m. to get to the parade! It didn't show.

A great deal of floats with some nice looking people (and, as usual, in various stages of undress)! However, the coolest float happened when we saw 4 people dressed in multicolored circular segments. We didn't have any idea what they were suppose to be until the 4 dancing segments turned around and joined together to form a GIANT DISCO BALL!!! It was fabulous (as well as a bit blinding).

Jeff and Mark, you would have enjoyed the Festival after the Parade. Falcon Studios had their booth with stars from their movies. However, unlike the last Castro Street Fair party, they didn't have one of their stars greeting people while wearing only a pair of shoes.

How was everyone else's Pride celebration around the country?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: keefelc on 2002-07-03 14:51 ]</font>

[Boodikka]

The NY Pride parade went right by 46th Street and 5th which is the Little Brasil of Manhattan, so the two events converged, which was great! Di and I did so much "street samba", our old legs just about fell off. Great fun all day....we both stayed home today to recover.

[keefelc]

Hi Boodi!
You two did the right thing by taking today off. I wanted to stay home also but since I'm taking Friday off...

Talk about old legs, my cousin and I told the rest of our group (we're their aunties!)to go on ahead at the post parade festival. We did that so we could sit down awhile! Ain't that just plain sad?

[BrunoRepublic]

I had a good time at Toronto's Pride celebration this year, for the first time in a long time. It seemed less commercial than last year. The weather was HOT all weekend (32?C or about 90?F!) as were many of the men. With a crowd that the media estimated to be at a million, there was plenty of people-watching to be done. The only downer was that the city is currently dealing with a garbage strike. Surprisingly, this did not cause as much trouble as I thought it would, but then again, it's only been a week.

I took Friday off, and Monday was a national holiday here, so I got a nice four-day weekend. Sweeeet...

[zeca azevedo]

On 2002-07-01 21:34, keefelc wrote:

Okay, with all the cocomotion going on with the one particular topic on the "Discuss Disco & Dance Music" forum, I'm almost hesitant to post this post, but here goes. First off, HAPPY Pride to the GLBT community on this Board!!! I thought you might enjoy hearing about San Francisco's Pride Parade 2002 that happened this Sunday! It was very nice.

Started out as a beautiful day - 67 degrees at 9:30 am, no fog, no clouds - just blue skies and sun! We ended up around 76 to 78 degrees - actually a bit of a heatwave to SF!

The Parade drew an estimated crowd of 300,000 to half a million people. It's amazing how the Parade crowd was composed of people of all types of sexual orientation, all races, all ages (babies to grandmothers and grandfathers), and how TOLERANT everyone was of each other.

This year's theme was "Be yourself - change the world." Our Celebrity Grand Marshalls were Sir Ian McKellen (suddenly hot again because of his roles as Gandolf in "Lord of the Rings" Magneto in "X-Men" and James Whales in "Gods and Monsters") and Sharon Gless (Michael's mom, Debbie, in the U.S. version of "Queer As Folk" and, for us old timers, "Cagney and Lacey"). Both Ian (resplended in a white hat, white topcoat and light green shirt) and Sharon were obviously delighted to be in the Parade. Both of them kept jumping out of their cars to shake hands, take photos and chat with all of us. Sir Ian said in an interview that he was experiencing one of the happiest days of his life. Sharon kept tearing up because of the loud cheers she was getting from the crowd. They both commented they were honored to be selected as Grand Marshalls. We were honored to have them in our Parade!

We also had the pleasure of having Miss Nancy "These Boots Were Made For Walking" Sinatra in the parade. When interviewed for the tv broadcast, the interviewer commented how fabulous she looked. She responded she didn't know how since she didn't get to bed until 5:30 a.m. and then had to get up at 8 a.m. to get to the parade! It didn't show.

A great deal of floats with some nice looking people (and, as usual, in various stages of undress)! However, I coolest float happened when we saw 4 people dressed in multicolored circular segments. We didn't have any idea what they were suppose to be until the 4 dancing segments turned around and joined together to form a GIANT DISCO BALL!!! It was fabulous (as well as a bit blinding).

Jeff and Mark, you would have enjoyed the Festival after the Parade. Falcon Studios had their booth with stars from their movies. However, unlike the last Castro Street Fair party, they didn't have one of their stars greeting people while wearing only a pair of shoes.

How was everyone else's Pride celebration around the country?

Hey KEEF,


first of all, you don't have to hesitate when you want to write to this FORUM about GAY PRIDE. We are all free to write about who we are - so feel free to express yourself ALWAYS.

Second, I'd love to see Frisco's Parade, it's a great, big party for sure. Ian McKellen and Nancy Sinatra, wow! Very cool. What about the music? Just techno or the guys played different styles of music?

I think Parades like this and the LOVE PARADE of Berlin are influenced by brazilian carnival, which is great - Dionysus rules!


Peace and love parades to you all,

zeca azevedo, doing his own parade


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: zeca azevedo on 2002-07-02 00:56 ]</font>

[zeca azevedo]

Hey,

It surprises me A LOT that a very liberal, funny, hedonistic style of music like DISCO has some conservative fans. I think these guys don't have a clue of what DISCO MUSIC and CULTURE is about. That's MY OPINION.

zeca azevedo, a/k/a ZORRO!

[NickNack]

On 2002-07-02 07:08, Fantomas wrote:
Sinners----haha !!!

TIRED!

[NickNack]

I didn't get to participate this year. :sad: But, hopefully, next year my lover and I will be celebrating our 25th. I plan to party. Maybe I can talk him into San Francisco.

Wishin' and Hopin'...

[markydefad]

On 2002-07-02 09:39, zeca azevedo wrote:
Hey,

It surprises me A LOT that a very liberal, funny, hedonistic style of music like DISCO has some conservative fans. I think these guys don't have a clue of what DISCO MUSIC and CULTURE is about. That's MY OPINION.

zeca azevedo, a/k/a ZORRO!

Zeca,

As usual, you spoke for BOTH OF US!!!!

Tight-assed prudes shaking their groove thangs til the early morning light???!!!!

To quote Marvin Gaye, (NOT "GAY", BTW :lol: ):

"Ain't that peculiar?" :roll:

[markydefad]

So Keefe,

Is Nancy Sinatra workin' the Gay Parade Circuit this year? She was part of the show here in LA, too, along with Jody Watley and some newer names like Pepper Mashay ("Dive In The Pool").

[Jeff H]

On 2002-07-01 21:34, keefelc wrote:
However, unlike the last Castro Street Fair party, they didn't have one of their stars greeting people while wearing only a pair of shoes.

Keefe--

Yeah, that guy (whoever he was!) at last year's Castro Fair stroking away in full view at the Falcon booth at the corner of Castro and Market surprised me too! You expect that kind of behavior at the Folsom Fair, but not at the Castro, given that that fair is becoming more and more for the baby-stroller crowd! :roll:

At least the Falcon booth was giving away lots of those handy pocket-sized packets of lube!

[nrgbeat]

Yeah, they make a good face moisturizer. LOL!!!

[keefelc]

Wow! Alot to respond to and one post to ignore.

Graham - Okay, I can't complain about our heat. I'll bet you would trade your 90 degrees for 78 degrees without any humidity at any time! As I read the news articles about SF's Pride Parade, the crowds were estimated to be all sorts of figures. One said 300,000, another a half a million, and a few others said a million. My question is HOW DID THEY COME UP WITH THOSE ESTIMATES??? Did they have the Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence go through the crowds, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5...?"

Zeca and Boodikka - I have to say that the Brazilian floats and dancers are always some of the best in our Parades. Their costumes are always award winners and this year was not an exception. It's said the materials for the costumes are ordered from Brazil to insure they get the right quality, especially the vibrant colors.

Zeca and Nicky - The last few San Francisco Pride Parades have really become fun and inspirational events again! The same with the post parade festival. The festival takes place in a HUGE area around our Civic Center so they have different areas with different music to cover all tastes. When we were sitting and enjoying a snack and the eye candy, we had a wonderful dixieland band playing next to us. Another stage had Asian dance artists. Walk down another street and you had swing music. Some people have complained that the Parade has become too commercialized. I've been to the Parades for the past 24 years and I think they've only improved!

Anyway, SF welcomes you! Nicky, I think a trip to SF for you and Bill to celebrate your 25th would be most tasteful and romantic!

Mark - Yes, Miss Nancy knows which crowds still love her! She was up late the night before because she was a surprise guest at the second to the last Universe party (they lost their lease). She also signed autographs at Tower by the Castro on Friday.

Jeff - So, you know what I'm saying about the Falcon booth at last year's Castro Street Fair. I found it quite amusing that several Asian tourists had to have their photos taken with him! At the Parade on Sunday, they were handing out KY Liquid lube. These were in little foil packets so you found a trail of them all the way up Market Street to the Civic Center!

Nrgbeat - Thanks for the beauty tip, dear!