August 26, 2012
Miami Beach to Celebrate LGBT Hispanic Pride
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 4 MIN.
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Coming back bigger & stronger for its 2nd year, the Celebrate ORGULLO Festival, showcasing LGBT Hispanic Pride, will once again hit the sands of Miami Beach on Saturday, October 6th, 2012 on Ocean Drive between 11th & 12th Streets, and this year's plans include a multitude of events to enjoy, leading up to the big weekend!
Started in 2011, Celebrate ORGULLO is a Festival Showcasing Hispanic LGBT Pride during Hispanic Heritage Month- the First Event of its kind in the U.S.
Celebrate ORGULLO is a grassroots effort, conceived and implemented by a group of volunteers who decided that it was time for Miami Beach to lead the way in honoring the cultural contributions of the LGBT Hispanic community.
The event is free and open to the public, is an extravaganza of Latin music, entertainment, folkloric groups, food & drink, dance contests, an art exhibit, men's swim fashion show & gala, community workshops, and much more - all culminating in the outdoor festival, featuring performances by renowned artists on October 6th between the hours of noon to 6pm, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of food and beverages will benefit the LGBT Youth Scholarship Fund and year round programming of the Unity Coalition|Coalici�n Unida (UC|CU).
"Unity Coalition|Coalici�n Unida is a Florida 501(c)3 non-profit whose focus is the Leadership, Protection & Promotion of Latino|Hispanic LGBTQ rights (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) - The only organization of its kind in South Florida since 2002. We are proud to present the Annual Celebrate ORGULLO Festival which highlights, celebrates and supports the contributions of the Hispanic LGBT community." said UC|CU Board member & festival committee member Maria Lago.
"An event of this level and caliber is long overdue in South Florida, and we couldn't be prouder to present it" added Lago.
The main event on October 6th includes a dazzling lineup of talent: various folkloric dance groups, Int'l. recording artist ReGO, Twin Soul Conga featuring DJ Midnight Witch, D.C. Cruz, and back by popular demand - Jose Enrique. Drag divas Adora, Marytrini and Shanaya Bright will also once again bring their unique style of glitz and glamour to the celebration.
And, Univision Radio's 98.3FM powerhouse & local celebrity Enrique Santos will share the stage with these spectacular performers. Many more surprises & celebrities will be announced in the coming weeks leading up to October 6th.
Celebrate Orgullo promises to entice all the senses with a fun and diverse line-up of performances, dozens of colorful vendor, food and drink pavilions and live programming by various media outlets. Presented by Comcast in cooperation with the City of Miami Beach as direct collaborators of this fabulous event, along with the Miami Herald, Univison Radio, GMAB Productions, Coca-Cola, The Palace Bar, Route 7 Productions, Hot Spots, Genre Latino & Ambiente Magazines, SoBe Social, HotFlyers, Printers Cove, Host Hotel the Hotel Victor, and many more wonderful sponsors.
Organizational partnerships with Pridelines Youth Services, Aqua Foundation, Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Miami Design Preservation League, Immigration Equality and many more, will only enhance and enrich the quality of programming of Celebrate ORGULLO 2012.
The event will also host a marvelous salsa contest that serves as the culmination of multiple preliminary contests held throughout South Florida. Hundreds in cash and prizes is at stake and attendees will have an opportunity to support their favorite Celebrate Orgullo dance team and help crown the 2012 Dance Divas.
Additional events scheduled for this year's Celebrate ORGULLO Festival include the SoBe Mens Show & Gala, amazing Art Exhibit hosted by the Miami Design Preservation League, various Sanctioned Events around Dade & Broward counties, and a community workshop focusing on Gay Binational Couples and immigration challenges our community faces every day.
"Celebrate Orgullo will fulfill its mission of celebrating Hispanic culture and take place within the heart of Miami Beach, a city that has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to the Hispanic LGBT community. And, that is why we couldn't think of a better city to host Celebrate ORGULLO" said Antonio Lopez-Ferez, Celebrate Orgullo committee member and board member of Unity Coalition|Coalici�n Unida.
"Celebrate Orgullo is the culmination of the hard work of committee members that are dedicated to empowering the Hispanic|Latino community and celebrating its contributions. We needed an event like this that is representative of the rich and diverse Hispanic culture makes a positive impact in our community and will continue to grow in the years to come," added Lopes-Ferez.
DETAILS
CELEBRATE ORGULLO
What: Celebrate ORGULLO Festival, Celebrating Hispanic LGBT Heritage
When: Saturday, October 6, 2012 Noon-6pm
Where: Ocean Drive between 11 &12th street, on the sands of Miami Beach
For more information, please visit: www.celebrateorgullo.com
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A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
