The Queer Beer kickoff event, which is open to the public, will be held at Half Pints’ brewery located at 550 Roseberry Street on Saturday, May 19 from 12 pm to 4 pm. This will include samples beginning at noon, a toast with words from Half Pints and Pride Winnipeg at 12:30 pm, and an optional brewery tour at 1 pm. Members of the media are encouraged to attend between 12:15 pm and 12:45 pm, but are welcome to stay longer. The tasting room will stay open until 4 pm.

Queer beer will be available at the above-noted LiquorMarts on Tuesday, May 22. For the first time ever, the beer will be available in 6/341ml packs and will cost $12.52 plus taxes and deposit. This year, it also features a fresh and bold new look. Queer beer is brewed in the style of a helles, which is a German pilsner. It is mild with a slight fruity aroma derived from the zythos hops. It will be a great session beer to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pride Winnipeg.

Half Pints is once again a proud sponsor of the Pride Festival, and will be serving Queer Beer in the beer tent at The Forks after the parade on June 3.

The main stage at The Forks will be headlined by Canadian singer/songwriter Anjulie (www.anjuliemusic.com), who is signed to the Universal Republic record label, and Toronto-based Warner Music recording artists The Cliks (www.thecliks.com).

“We’ve got an amazing line-up of talented musicians, dancers, and DJs, including local artists, to help us celebrate our 25th anniversary this year,” said Barb Burkowski, Chair of the Pride Winnipeg committee.

Anjulie is responsible for the singles “Brand New Chick (Bitch)”, “Stand Behind The Music”, “Boom”, “Love Songs”, and “Rain”. She also wrote the single “Don’t Call Me Baby” which was recorded by Canadian recording artist Kreesha Turner. It reached number eight on Billboard’s Canadian Hot 100 in 2008 and number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Chart. Anjulie has been signed hot on the heels of her 2012 Juno award nomination for Dance Recording of the Year and a performance at this year’s televised awards show.

The Cliks have been compared to the likes of David Bowie and the White Stripes with the release of their first album,
“Snakehouse”. They are the first band with a transgender leader to be signed with a major record label. Lead singer Silveira works his experiences with identity as a trans man into his music. The emotional and guitar-driven album features the single “Oh Yeah” and a cover of Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River”.

The main stage is rounded out by fan favourites Womyn Of Pride, who rocked it out at the 2011 Pride Festival, and country recording artist Jerry Sereda, from Dauphin.

The Pride Festival is a free, all-ages event. The festivities get underway at approximately 1:30 p.m. on June 3 with a Pride Mart business fair, beer tent, children’s area, and food vendors following the Pride Parade through downtown Winnipeg. Stage performances are presented by Energy 106, Winnipeg’s NEW #1 Hit Music Station.

For all the latest information about this year’s Pride activities, please keep an eye on www.pridewinnipeg.com.

Media contact:

Scott Carman
Director of Media & Communications Pride Winnipeg
Phone: (204) 805-3553
Email: media@pridewinnipeg.com
Website: www.pridewinnipeg.com

Advance tickets are just $10 in advance or at the door! All proceeds from the door before 11:30 will be donated directly to this year’s festival, so get there early! Better yet: arrive before 11:30 to be entered for door prizes!

Email Paul at events@pridewinnipeg.com for advance tickets.