As a young man in Edmonton during the early 1990s, I heard of circuit parties like the White Parties in the States, along with Black and Blue in Montreal. I knew there was pretty much zero chance of a similar event occurring in Alberta.
The organizers behind the Pure Pride party, occurring in Edmonton Saturday June 11th, had the same experience. Starting in 2005, they decided to do something about it. Pure Pride was inspired by a series of nightclub events that year, which seized those emotions of community, love, excitement and celebration.
It’s grown considerably in the last six years to the point Pure Pride is now one of the premier Pride dance parties in Canada. Each year they strive to present the world’s top Pride circuit DJs and entertainers. Additionally, they haven’t forgotten their roots – they still want to bring the world to Edmonton’s Pride Festival each year.
According to Pure Pride producer Dale Plourde, "it’s going to be a full night...things get underway right at 9 o’clock...it’s going to be jammed packed until three."
This year’s lineup of DJs include DJ/producer Hector Fonseca,one of the most sought-after producers; he has topped the charts with official remixes for Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Kelis, among others. Backing him up will be Alyson Calagna, who is fast becoming known as the world’s most entertaining female DJ. Additionally, there will be a concert performance by New York City’s Gay hip-hop sensation Cazwell and his hot dancers.
As eye candy goes, adult film stars Brent Everett and Tristan Jaxx will also be in attendance to help raise your...spirits. Unlike other parties with a sectioned-off VIP lounge, Dale tells us, "everybody will have access to those guys" for autographs.
If that wasn’t enough, Mark Sheppard’s Freakshow is also part of the mix. It’s an elaborate fashion show/dance performance/musical performance. This year’s Pure Pride should blow your mind, according to Dale. "The production is going to be amazing...it’s going to be a full concert production with lots of special effects."
They’ve also grown and improved it over the years. Dale says they have learned a few things about appealing to the attendees: "Things we’ve changed...we’re just more aware that variety is important." They’re trying to have a wider range of entertainment options.
Along with a wider variety of guys to look at. "The same thing (applies) for models in the Priape fashion show...it’s not going to be one flavor. They’ll be jocks and twinks and some bigger muscle guys. There’s going to be some variety because everyone loves something different."
For something like this to happen in Alberta is amazing. Last year’s attendance topped out at 1800; this year it’s almost double, with room for 3000 attendees. Having someone big like Hector is going to be "pretty powerful" at the party.
Dale has received praise for the lineup of entertainers – the kind of praise that tells you we’ve finally gotten our own home-grown version of a circuit party. "I’ve got a couple of friends coming from Vancouver, and (they said) you guys are kicking our asses...we never have parties like this." That’s because people have finally figured out Edmontonians and Calgarians will support, and deserve, such an event.