London-based designer and venue owner Lyall Hakaraia is organising this year’s Gods and Monsters themed Auckland Pride Festival closing party. He wants to make it more international. He tells us why, and what he has up his sleeve.
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A whole lotta fun ! We want people to embrace the theme and dressed up and become creatures of their own divine or debauched imaginations. There is nothing more liberating than entering into character and being someone else for an evening. We want people to feel that they ‘own’ the evening.
What will be
different?
We want to make a
unique and intimate experience with walk about performers, incredible
interactive set designs and DJs and artist who are having just as much fun as
you. We are encouraging people to create their own amazing memories of the
night . It’s time to start dreaming and to get over excited.
What talent do you
have lined up so far?
This year we have a great
crop of international DJs and local darlings. With the faves of the London
fashion world and besties of Kate Moss ‘Disco Smack’, LA cub master Victor
Rodriguez and Queen of the Sydney Mardi Gras scene the sensational DJ Sveta. On
the home front we have a host of talent with the fabulous Buckwheat and Tess
Tickle, Ramon complete with choir, the extraordinary Kneel Halt, the
exceptional Miss Ribena and more to be confirmed.
Read more about the three international headliners here
Why do you think it’s
important to make it more international?
The Proud Party needs
to be more international as so many people are absolutely intrigued by the
exotic wiles that Auckland has to offer. Not only is New Zealand a beautiful
and generous country but it also has its own unique Maori and Polynesian queer
culture.
In what other ways
will you try and attract an international audience?
We will be attracting
international audiences by releasing video footage of what happened at the
Party this year and making the glamour of the evening come across. We have also
selected internationals who will ‘talk -up’ their time in New Zealand, as there
is nothing better than word of mouth to get the message out there. We are also
going to be looking to get endorsements from leading queer figures from across
the world for future parties.
How will make sure
there is a strong local flavour too?
By working with lots
of local artists we there will automatically be a local flavour. The local alternative
queer scene can never have the cutting edge of London or the debauchery of Berlin
or the money of New York. But what it does have is an acceptance and warmth of
a small and friendly community - there is ‘family’.
What’s your ‘pride
message’ to Auckland?
We are Magic!
