FACES & PLACES
AROUND TOWN
May 2008

5th ANNUAL GAY PRIDE WEEKEND

New Hope Celebrates (NHC) hosts its 5th anniversary pride weekend May 16-18, 2008. This celebration of New Hope’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and allied (GLBTA) visitors, friends and neighbors raises money to support Fighting AIDS Continuously Together (FACT) Bucks County, Philadelphia FIGHT, Trevor Project and William Way Community Center. The weekend includes performances by groundbreaking comedienne Suzanne Westenhoefer, folk-funk musician Christine Havrilla, "dragapella beautyshop quartet" The Kinsey Sicks and dance chart favorite Kristine W. Details and tickets are available online at www.NewHopeCelebrates.com.

"Our 5th anniversary weekend will be one of the best yet as we continue to celebrate our town's diversity and inclusive spirit," explains Louis Licitra, Chair of NHC Pride Weekend.

Among the highlights of the weekend:

• Suzanne Westenhoefer presents hilarious and unscripted comedy on Friday, May 16 at 8:00 p.m. at the New Hope-Solebury High School/Stephen Buck Theatre. The first openly gay comedian in New York stars on Game Show Network's remake of the classic show, "I've Got a Secret" and frequently appears as a commentator on E!, VH1 and Country Music Television. Following the showcase, an After Party at Triumph Brewing Company features folk-funk singer Christine Havrilla.

• The EDSites.net Pride Parade led by the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corp Marching Band begins at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 17. Comprised of community organizations, decorative floats, motorcyclists and entertainment, the parade travels from the New Hope-Solebury High School on West Bridge Street to West Ferry Street and turns right on South Main Street. Performances continue afterwards on West Mechanic Street, which closes to traffic until 6:00 p.m. for a street fair full of antiques, arts and music.

• NHC partners with Planned Parenthood Association of Bucks County for "Sing Out Loud and Proud" on Saturday, May 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the New Hope-Solebury High School/Stephen Buck Theatre. This fundraiser for the Rainbow Room GLBT teen center features The Kinsey Sicks, known for a cappella singing, sharp satire and over-the-top drag fashions. The Afterglow Party follows at Triumph Brewing Company and stars dance chart recording artist Kristine W., a former Miss America contestant with real vocal talent.

• GLBTA couples and individuals with children (and their friends!) are invited to take part in two special events sponsored by Steven M. Kolbo of Addison Wolfe Real Estate. A family fun and fitness session with yoga, arts and crafts takes place on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the New Hope-Solebury High School, and a special family-friendly dance party on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Kehilat HaNahar, the Little Shul by the River on West Mechanic Street includes a limbo contest, chicken dance and popular music for children.

Other scheduled events include the Diversity Dance Party on Friday, 10:00 p.m. at The Nevermore Hotel; a vendor fair on Saturday, noon to 5:00 p.m. on New Street (Old Church parking lot); a softball tournament on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the New Hope-Solebury High School sponsored by Melissa Manzi of The Last Temptation; Sunday brunch specials at participating restaurants (pick up a brunch discount card during the Parade on Saturday / limited discount cards available); bicycle, walking and historic house tours; and the Sunset T-Dance on Sunday, 4:00 p.m., Poolside at The Nevermore Hotel. For specific times and details, visit www.NewHopeCelebrates.com.

New Hope Celebrates is a nonprofit GLBTA tourism marketing organization of the retail, hospitality, professional and local community. The organization is hosted by the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce and endorsed by the New Hope Borough Council. As of Fall 2007, NHC has donated nearly $50,000 to such organizations as Fighting Aids Continuously Together (FACT: Bucks County), the New Hope Flood Relief Fund, the Human Rights Campaign and Planned Parenthood Association of Bucks County's Rainbow Room. Sponsorship opportunities and grant applications are available through the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund.

Major sponsors of New Hope Celebrates Pride 2008 include Smirnoff (Presenting Sponsor), Southwest Airlines, Origlio Beverages (Coors Light), Comcast, FunMaps, Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau, Inn to the Woods Bed & Breakfast, The Nevermore Hotel, Rainbow Assurance, Triumph Brewing Company, The Wishing Well Guesthouse, EDSites.net, Karla's/Zoubi Restaurants, Baldi & Jenei P.C., Havana Bar & Grill, New Hope Shoes, Notations Inc., Procerus MedSpa and Penn Wealth Planning. A complete list of sponsors is available at www.NewHopeCelebrates.com.