Momentum is gathering for the biggest and best Cardiff Wales Mardi Gras in Wales’ largest festival of diversity. With only a month to go before the colourful extravaganza The Mardi Gras has received the support of local businesses, political parties and organisations across Wales and beyond. Last year 20,000 people joined the celebrations. Now, in its 13th year, its ready to welcome more than ever to the event in Coopers fields for ten hours of non-stop fun.
Richard Newton chairman of the Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras said, “We are truly encouraged by the response so far to the biggest Mardi Gras event to date in Wales. Support has reached us from all walks of life, from politicians to organizations including the public and private sector. People are obviously incorporating the message of tolerance that we want to transfer. Recent homophobic hate crime figures show a 40% rise in the reported cases in South Wales over the past three years which shows that the confidence of gay victims in coming forward. But statistics also show us that trans and homo-phobic hate crime is on the increase in south Wales; and that many have suffered bullying and discrimination in schools and at work. We want to take this opportunity on September 1st as a an opportunity to stop this by create visibility by parading through Cardiff City Center to Coopers field to celebrate tolerance.”
2012 the attractions include:
Heather Small – Top solo artist and former lead singer of M People joins the Main Stage line-up to take the crowd through a range of her hits. She is thrilled by the opportunity and said: “Any singer’s dream is to appeal to the widest audience possible, and to be able to sing for such a diverse audience at Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras will be an absolute joy. I look forward to singing in the ‘land of song’, and I hope to see you there!”
Marcus Collins – X Factor Finalist joins us hot on the success of the release of his top 10 album ‘Seven Nation Army’ Marcus Collins said: ‘I’m really looking forward to performing at Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras Festival this summer. As a singer it’s a great privilege to be asked to take part in such an event. I hope that people come from far and wide to celebrate their diversity and make Cardiff come alive on a very special day”
Making what’s bound to be a popular return to Cardiff – Ruth Lorenzo – joins the main stage line up. Following her time in the X Factor live shows, Ruth is now an established live artist.
Following on from a great main stage performance last year, and in conjunction of the release of their new album Bright Light Bright Light make a welcome return to Mardi Gras
The Lady Gaga Experience – Donna Marie Trego makes a welcome return to the main stage as the world’s leading Lady Gaga tribute act and impersonator.
Stacey Jackson is a Canadian singer living in London – she’ll be bringing her five top twentydance tracks to the main stage – including her collaboration with Snoop Dogg – ‘Live it Up’
Vanquish are four very special girls, one very special sound – fresh from supporting Westlife on their farewell tour.
One of the most exciting new acts on the circuit John Galea is about to set the charts on fire; having worked with the guys behind Blue, Natalie Imbruglia and A1
He Met Her – these guys will be huge – there’s some big announcements coming about them this summer – but think a bit of Black Eyed Peas but a bit camper!
Everyoung – are four teenagers with a new single and are a rising talent.
Mardi Gras Parade – This year Cardiff LGBT Mardi Gras is holding Wales the first ever Mardi Gras Parade. Politicians, businesses and individuals will all be parading on the morning of 1st September 2012 as the colourful and inspiring spectacle highlights LGBT rights in Wales. The parade moves off from the assembly point on Dumballs Road at 11.00am on September 1st through St Mary Street and High Street prior to arriving at Cooper’s Field in time for the main Mardi Gras event.
The Official Mardi Gras After Party (Over18’s only)- For the first time Cardiff Mardi Gras are hosting their own official after-party. The official Cardiff Mardi Gras after-party will be held in the undercover dance arena on Cooper’s Field on September 1st 2012 and features one of the world’s largest, most respected, awarded and successful club nights, The SuperMartXé World Tour, presenting The Freemasons, featuring Abel the Kid and Sandra Criado. This will be a Wales debut for SuperMartXé as part of their World tour (other Cities include: Madrid, Ibiza, Tel Aviv, Rio de Janeiro).
Arts Festival – Cardiff-Wales LGBT Mardi Gras is holding a week long Arts Festival celebrating the best of Cardiff’s vibrant arts scene in the run-up to the main Mardi Gras event at Coopers Field on Saturday September 1st.
The Admiral Cabaret Garden – highlighting the best in cabaret, drag and unsigned acts from the local area.
Youth Zone – For the third year running Cardiff Mardi Gras will host a Youth and Family Zone at the Coopers Field event on September 1st 2012. The Youth and Family Zone is the first of its kind at a Mardi Gras or Pride Event. Whilst the Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras aims to engage people in a fun way, it is an important element in a wider strategy to combat hate crime and to encourage and respect diversity.
Community and Markets – giving the opportunity to shop from a range of traders, and explore the public and voluntary sector agencies that seek to support and work with the LGBT community.
Also present in the field will be the Mardi Gras Funfair, and a range of bars and catering.
Dance Arena will be the biggest ever! Highlighting some of the best local and national DJ talent. During the day the 2,000 capacity Dance Arena will be hosted by Decadance, the well established Cardiff clubbing brand that hosts its parties in the capital at Club X since 2008. Decadance are delighted to host the Cardiff Mardi Gras Dance Arena and will bring their very unique music to clubbers, through resident DJ’s Ant Nichols, Mark Anthony, Nigel Trego and Dan Stone.
Editors Notes
Admission Details:
This year for the first time there will be a small admission price to enter Coopers Field. This reflects the increasing costs of putting on such an event, along with responding to feedback from previous years requesting that we increase the facilities on the field; and the quality of entertainment.
As such admission is charged at:
Adult – £6, 5– 16 year olds – £3, Under 5 – free
Tickers are available to buy on the gate from 11am cash sales only – and each ticket enables the holder to one admission into the field. Tickets will be available throughout the day – but when the field reaches capacity we will operate a one-in / one-out policy.
There are a limited number of multi-admission tickets available in advance via Ticketweb
These tickets carry the following benefits –
– Unlimited re-entry into the Field
– Fast track entry
These tickets are priced at the same rate as standard admission and a limited number are available on a first come first served basis
Adult – £6, 5 – 16 year olds – £3, Under 5 – Free
And are available online – www.cardiffmardigras.co.uk
Tickets are also available by phoning 08444 771 000 – 24 hour availability
