Here's everything you need to know about ShanghaiPRIDE 2018
Photograph: Matias Rengel via Unsplash
China’s biggest and brightest LGBTQ festival ShanghaiPRIDE turns ten years old this month with a huge line-up of parties, talks, screenings and more from Friday 8 through Monday 18 June. But what makes it the loudest Pride yet? Let us count the ways...
1. There’s a special anniversary exhibition
Photograph: courtesy organiser
The extra auspicious three-week Pride Anniversary Gallery exhibit takes a look back at the festivals of years past. It’s your chance to check out old memorabilia and get a close look at the history of ShanghaiPRIDE.
Polar Bear Gallery Room 113, Bldg 4B, 50 Moganshan Lu, near Suzhou Xi Lu. Fri 8 Jun-Sun 1 Jul. Free.
2. The raucous trivia night is back
Photograph: courtesy organiser
Battle it out for the title of Trivia Night Champion at the annual Pride quiz at Lucca390. Questions will cover everything from pop culture to queer history to obscure facts.
Lucca390 390 Panyu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. Wed 13 Jun. 7pm. Free.
3. It's packed with a stellar roster of talks
Photograph: courtesy organiser
The highlights? Saturday 9 June, the festivities take over Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai for a day of discussions. The Women Up! Anti Sexual Harassment Panel is on a mission to raise awareness of sexual harassment and domestic violence in China, and the Rainbow Family Conference delves into the big questions for same-sex couples starting families. The weekend after (Saturday 16 June), Pride Talk sees ten speakers from all walks share their stories of ‘growing up, coming out and navigating the LGBTQ community’.
Various locations. See the full line-up and register for the forums.
4. LGBTQ-themed film screenings
Photograph: courtesy organiser
Celebrating the diverse voices shaping and growing the queer-cinema scene, the ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival returns from June 10-17 with a week of screenings across the city. Expect LGBTQ-themed works from emerging Chinese filmmakers and some boundary-pushing international cinema.
Various locations across Shanghai. Sun 10-Sun 17 Jun. See the full ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival schedule and register.
5. Live performances
Photograph: courtesy organiser
Performers from all backgrounds take to stages around the city for the ShanghaiPRIDE Theatre Festival. From improv shows and plays to the first national LGBTQ choir concert, all the performances are devised on Pride10’s theme of ‘Our community. Our identity. Our Pride.’
Various locations across Shanghai. Sun 10-Sun 17 Jun. See the full ShanghaiPRIDE Theatre Festival schedule and register.
6. The parties are set to be poppin'
Photograph: courtesy organiser
ShanghaiPRIDE kicks off as it means to go on with a glitter-fuelled Bling Party at The Pearl, keeping the momentum up with a mid-week ladies-only soiree at HILO (‘guys in drag also welcome’), before wrapping up the festivities with a roaring red dragon-themed party in honour of Dragon Boat Festival at RIINK. For a chiller vibe, return to the original scene of ShanghaiPRIDE, Cotton’s, for a rainbow barbecue.
Bling Party The Pearl, 471 Zhapu Lu, near Haining Lu. Sat 9 Jun. 9pm. 100RMB (includes one drink).
Ladies Party HILO, B1, Found 158, 158 Julu Lu, near Ruijin Yi Lu. Thu 14 Jun. 9pm. Free.
Red Dragon Party RIINK, Unit 6-103, No 1, Bund Square, 658 Dapu Lu, near Longhua Dong Lu. Sat 16 Jun. 9pm. 100RMB (includes one drink).
Rainbow BBQ Cotton’s, 294 Xinhua Lu, near Xianghuaqiao Lu. Sun 17 Jun. 1pm. 148-198RMB.
7. The annual opener Pride Run is supporting Chinese athletes competing in the Gay Games 2018
Photograph: courtesy organiser
Be out and proud at the Pride week kick-off event. Pride Run sees participants set off from six of Shanghai’s landmark locations, coming together at the Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai for a pink-themed celebratory brunch. All proceeds from the run will be donated to the Chinese athletes competing at the 2018 Gay Games in Paris this August.
Various starting points. Sat 9 Jun. 9am. Suggested minimum donation 180RMB.
8. It’s the debut of CnPRIDE
Photograph: courtesy organiser
ShanghaiPRIDE teams up with LGBTQ organisations across China for the first edition of CnPRIDE, a countrywide celebration through June.
For more information, follow WeChat ID: shanghai-pride
9. It’s not just ShanghaiPRIDE that’s turning ten
Photograph: courtesy organiser
Another tenth birthday celebration on the cards at Pride week 2018 is that of PFLAG China – a group of families, allies and members of the LGBTQ community offering support and advice to those who need it. For the anniversary edition of its annual PFLAG Conference, organisers are bringing together the group’s chapters from all over the country (over 40 cities) to Shanghai for workshops and a look back over the past ten years of PFLAG China – as well as a look forward at the next ten years.
Ballroom Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai, 88 Songshan Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu. Sat 9 Jun. 10am-6pm. Free (registration required).
10. And there will be rainbow bagels
Photograph: courtesy Spread the Bagel
Spread the Bagel is helping spread the love with its special edition rainbow bagels available at cafés across the city during Pride week. The STB team will also be giving away rainbow bagels and bagel balls at the Women Up! x CADVS anti-sexual harassment panel and Queer Talks - Queer & Disabilities event, as well as offering 50 of the rainbow rounds with cream cheese for free in-store on June 9 and 10.
Various locations. For more information, click here.
ShanghaiPRIDE takes place at various locations around Shanghai. Fri 8 Jun-Mon 18 Jun. Prices vary. Full schedule here.
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