On Saturday 3rd September the 2011 Cardiff Wales Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Mardi Gras event will take place at Cooper’s Field, Cardiff. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the event, which aims to celebrate diversity and help to combat hate crime.
The main event will feature a full line-up of local and national performers on the main stage, as well as the Admiral Cabaret Garden, showcasing some of the best cabaret acts around, and the Gaydar Dance Arena. As usual there will be a market area, fairground, bars and catering in addition to the development of the Youth Zone which debuted in 2010.
In the lead up to the Main Event on September 3rd, the first ever Cardiff Mardi Gras Arts Festival will take place across the city, showcasing the best that Cardiff’s arts scene has to offer. Events include a performance by NoFit State Circus, solo show Stevenage at Chapter Arts Centre, a cabaret night at St David’s Hall, Jazz & Cocktails at Cardiff Central Library and a Welsh-language gig featuring Clinigol and Nia Medi at Clwb Ifor Bach.
The Main Event will once again take place in a fenced-off area, with no alcohol to be brought onto the site, for everyone’s safety and to ensure that the Mardi Gras remains open and accessible to all. It is free to attend the Main Event but donations are welcomed as they help to meet the costs of staging the event.
It has been revealed that the main stage line-up will include the South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus, Eurovision sensation Scooch performing a Glee-inspired set, 80s pop icon Hazell Dean, favourites of the LGBT rock scene Kenelis, X Factor finalist Sean Rumsey, Welsh language rockers Clinigol and many more.
Councillor Nigel Howells, Cardiff Council’s Executive Member for sport Culture and Leisure, said: “The Cardiff Mardi Gras is a great event that celebrates diversity in a city that prides itself on promoting equality for all. As a Council we have been proud to be recognized for our commitment to the LGBT community and have reached the top 50 of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, which lists Britain’s top 100 employers for LGBT staff. The Council also plays an active role in offering support to the LGBT community of Cardiff, including providing support to the Cardiff Mardi Gras”
Cardiff Wales Mardi Gras is organised solely by a volunteer committee. To find out more about the planned events, or to get involved, please visit www.cardiffmardigras.co.uk.
