Parade highlights Dallas Pride
Celebration.
That's the word of the day on Sunday when the 24th annual Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade steps off down Cedar Springs.
But it's not the only word of the day. "Responsibility" and "respect" are also at the top of the list, according to Michael Doughman, executive director of the Dallas Tavern Guild, which presents the parade each year.
"As the parade has grown larger and larger, there is a lot more involved in planning and staging the parade. It is a lot more technical," Doughman said. "The Dallas Police Department has required a pretty stringent list of things we have to do to tighten things up and improve the parade as it has gotten larger. And since [the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001], the security measures we have to take has gotten more stringent, too. It all requires more staffing and more money. But it is better than the alternative - not having a parade at all."
He added, "We want people to come out and enjoy the parade and have a good time celebrating Pride. But we want them to remember, too, that celebrating and having a good time doesn't mean getting out of hand."
The celebration on Sunday starts at noon in Lee Park with live entertainment, including Anton Shaw and her band and Sirius Radio DJs Derek and Romaine.
Then at 1 p.m., the pre-parade performances kick off - literally - with the Turtle Creek Chorale Strangerettes and K.C. Barbecue high-kicking their way into spectators' hearts in front of the parade judges' stand, which will be located at the intersection of Reagan Street and Cedar Springs Roads, between the Black-Eye Pea and Sue Ellen's.
Many Dallasites are already familiar with the Strangerettes, a group of Chorale members - all male - who don their short skirts, high white boots and perky cowboy boots for a precision drill team routine inspired by the world-famous Kilgore Rangerettes. The K.C. Barbecue, Doughman said, is a much smaller group from Kansas City which also spoofs precision drill team performances.
"I am sure the performance will be totally over the top, fun and campy," Doughman said. "I think people will really enjoy it."
The parade itself starts at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Cedar Springs Road and Wycliff Avenue, and will follow its usual route down Cedar Springs, across Oak Lawn Avenue to Turtle Creek Avenue, then left to Lee Park. Representatives of the three community organizations named as beneficiaries this year will carry the banner to lead the parade, Doughman said.
This year's beneficiaries are The Resource Center of Dallas, AIDS Arms, Inc. and Youth First Texas, chosen by a vote of Tavern Guild members from a slate that included just about every non-profit in the Dallas LGBT community, Doughman said.
The number of beneficiaries went down from six last year to three this year, Doughman explained, because the cost of security requirements went up due to new Homeland Security regulations involved with any gathering of this size.
"We have to have additional police security and additional private security officers. We have had to add barricades and new signage," he said. "And we will not be stopping the parade for any kind of performances at the judges' stand or anywhere along the parade route. That's why we have the pre-parade performances. The parade starts at 2 p.m. and moves steadily onward. The only time it will stop at all is when the police stop the parade at Cedar Springs and Oak Lawn to let some of the cross-traffic get through."
Last year, Doughman said, parade organizers got 100-plus entries down the road and to the park in two hours and five minutes. This year's event, with 97 paid entries plus the V.I.P. entries such as the grand marshals and the color guard, should take about the same length of time.
Doughman warned again that spectators need to remember to "manage their behavior" both during the parade and during the post-parade festival in Lee Park.
"If you are walking around with an open container or if you are drunk and disorderly, you can be arrested and removed," Doughman said. "Once the parade starts, you absolutely cannot cross the barricades and go out into the street or cross the street. You can be arrested if you do. You need to decide what side of the street you want to be on before the parade starts. The only places you can cross once it has started is at the Wycliff-Cedar Springs intersection or the Oak Lawn-Cedar Springs intersection, and you have to cross with the light. It's a matter of safety.
"It's all just a matter of good sense," Doughman continued. "The parade is not a license to get out of control. It's about having respect for the people in the parade. Most of the community does have respect and is willing to follow the rules. But there are a handful of people who go beyond the boundaries."
Once the parade winds up at Lee Park, Doughman said, grand marshals Melissa Grove and Ed Oakley will speak, along with some of the Dallas City Council members who are expected to attend. Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert will be walking in the parade, but Doughman said the mayor had not confirmed as of Sep. 7 whether he would speak at the rally.
After trophies are handed out to winning parade entries and V.I.P. guests are recognized, Doughman said, Voice of Pride winner Randall Garland and runners-up Matt Brewer and Juliana Jeffery will perform.
"We encourage people to come out and have a good time celebrating Pride with their friends," Doughman said. "We have more people coming in from out of town every year, and we want our local residents to be hospitable and courteous and make our visitors welcome. We want every one to have a great time on parade day."
PRIDE WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, SEPT. 14, 2007
DEREK AND ROMAINE INVADE DALLAS
Derek Hartley and Romaine Patterson of OutQ Radio 109 broadcast their uncensored, unedited and outrageous show live from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Sue Ellen's Patio, 3903 Cedar Springs Road. For more information, go to: www.caven.com
THE KINSEY SICKS LIVE IN CONCERT
AT THE LAKEWOOD THEATER
The Kinsey Sicks bring their superb vocal talents, biting wit and hilarious comedy to the Lakewood Theater, 1825 Abrams Parkway in Dallas for one night only. Tickets are on sale through area Ticketmaster locations. Most tickets are available at $20 for general admission, with no reserved seating. There are a few VIP reserved seats available in the center section on the main floor for $35. The performance is hosted by the Dallas Tavern Guild, the Resource Center of Dallas and American Airlines. Call 214-373-8000 or order online at www.ticketmaster.com.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 15, 2007
GAY DAY AT SIX FLAGS
Once again the "queer" community descends on the largest theme park in the Southwest for a day of food, fun, rides and community. This is a really special outing and should not be missed. Six Flags Over Texas is located in Arlington, midway between Dallas and Fort Worth at the intersection of Interstate 30 and Highway 360 (Angus Wynne Jr. Freeway). Park is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday is the next-to-last day of the annual Best of Texas Festival. For ticket discounts, go online to www.sixflags.com/overTexas. Tickets at the gate are $47.
GAY BINGO AT THE LAKEWOOD THEATER
Calling all celebrity wanna-bees, divas and dashing dudes: It's time for a Hollywood premiere, Bingo-style. The Resource Center presents "Red Carpet GayBINGO" at the Lakewood Theater, 1825 Abrans Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information go to www.resourcecenterdalls.org.
PECKERS HOST PRIDE WEEK BENEFIT
FOR AIDS INTERFAITH
Peckers, 2615 Oak Lawn, No. 101, will hold a benefit for the AIDS Interfaith Network on Saturday, Sept. 15, with host Robert Foley. The event includes a raffle for a 37-inch flat screen television, a silent auction and many other prizes. For information call 214-528-3333.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th, 2007
The 24th ANNUAL ALAN ROSS TEXAS FREEDOM PARADE & RALLY IN LEE PARK
Join the 30,000 GLBT people, their friends and family expected to turn out to celebrate this great parade through the heart of the "gayborhood," then head over to Lee Park for food, beverages, live entertainment, guest speakers, awards and special recognitions. People begin gathering for the event around noon when live entertainment begins in Lee Park. Pre-parade performances on Cedar Springs Road begin at 1 p.m., and the parade starts at 2 p.m. The rally follows at 5 p.m. Guest emcees at the rally will be Derek Hartley and Romaine Patterson. For more information see the parade and rally link at www.dallastavernguild.org.
MONDAY, SEPT. 17, 2007
NORTH TEXAS GLBT CHAMBER PRIDE DINNER
The North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce presented noted marketing guru, promoter and author Jeff Guaracino as guest speaker at its annual September Pride Dinner at the Warwick Melrose Hotel, 3015 Oak Lawn Ave. Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for non-members. For information go online to www.glbtchamber.org.