NYC & Company And Heritage Of Pride Announce Theme Of This Years NYC Pride Celebration

NYC & COMPANY AND HERITAGE OF PRIDE ANNOUNCE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S NYC PRIDE CELEBRATION: “PROUD AND POWERFUL”

—More than 1 Million Expected to Attend Annual New York City Pride Events, June 18–26—

New York City (April 7, 2011)—NYC & Company, the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, today joined with Heritage of Pride, Inc., to unveil the theme of the City’s annual gay pride celebration. The theme for 2011, “Proud and Powerful,” will spotlight New York City as one of the world’s most popular LGBT destinations. The City will host eight days of activities, beginning with The Rally at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield on Saturday, June 18, and culminating in the legendary Dance on the Pier at Pier 54 in Hudson River Park on Sunday, June 26.

“We are proud that New York City has become one of the most popular destinations to celebrate LGBT pride,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “We invite visitors from around the world to book their travel now to take part in our vibrant and unique pride celebration.”

Heritage of Pride, which organizes LGBT events in New York City to commemorate and celebrate the 1969 Stonewall Riots, will present a weeklong roster of activities that will showcase the City as a LGBT destination. In addition, Heritage of Pride has teamed up with Morgans Hotel Group to offer exclusive NYC Pride 2011 packages with rates starting at $189. morganshotelgroup.com/en-us/email-special-offers/hudson-pride.

“Our theme for 2011, Proud and Powerful, exemplifies where the LGBT movement is now,” said Chris Frederick, managing director of Heritage of Pride, Inc. “Over the past year we’ve seen the downfall of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the slow breakdown of the Defense of Marriage Act, and many other wins for the community. Our message is clear and succinct: we are proud of who we are and increasingly more powerful in winning LGBT equal rights.” A list of NYC Pride 2011 activities follows:

The Rally Saturday, June 18, 3–6pm Rumsey Playfield, Central Park (Fifth Avenue and 72nd Street) The official NYC LGBT Pride Rally will feature well-known performers and motivational speakers from the LGBT community to kick off this year’s Pride Week events. This event is free and open to the public; no tickets are necessary.

The Pride Ride Thursday, June 23, 10am–4:30pm Saturday, June 25, 10am–4:30pm Monday, June 27, 10am–4:30pm Explore Manhattan’s LGBT culture and history with a comprehensive bike tour that starts near Central Park and includes a picnic lunch on a scenic Hudson River pier. Price includes bike rental, helmet, licensed tour guides, lunch and a snack. For reservations and more information: bikethebigapple.com/pride.php?scDate=2011,+06,+23.

Rapture on the River: A Women’s Dance Saturday, June 25, 6–11pm Pier 54, Hudson River Park (West Side Highway and West 13th Street) Rapture on the River, now in its eighth year, is the official NYC Pride Week women’s dance and a staple Pride Week event. Tickets will be available starting on May 1. nycpride.org/rapture.php. All proceeds from Rapture on the River will benefit NYC’s LGBT Pride Week events and community organizations.

The March Sunday, June 26, steps off at noon Starts at 36th Street and Fifth Avenue; ends at Christopher and Greenwich Streets The March, which began as a civil rights demonstration the year after the Stonewall Riots, is now also a celebration of gay rights as well as recognition of causes such as the fight against AIDS. Spectators can watch along the entire route, but the highest energy crowds will be found closer to the march’s end, in the West Village. This event is free and open to the public; no tickets are necessary.

PrideFest Sunday, June 26, 11am–7pm Hudson Street between Abingdon Square and West 14th Street PrideFest, the annual LGBT street fair, brings together local residents and families, community leaders, area business owners and visitors for a day of fun and celebration. This event is free and open to the public; no tickets are necessary.

Dance on the Pier: Dance 25 Sunday, June 26, 4–10:30pm Pier 54, Hudson River Park (West Side Highway and West 13th Street) Dance on the Pier will feature hometown favorite DJ Vito Fun and one of the most popular female DJs on the dance circuit, DJ Ana Paula. Fireworks start after the dance. Tickets will be available starting on May 1. nycpride.org/pierdance.php. All proceeds from the Dance on the Pier will benefit NYC’s LGBT Pride Week events and community organizations.

For more information, please visit nycpride.org or follow Heritage of Pride on Twitter (twitter.com/nyc_pride) or on Facebook (facebook.com/nycpride). For more information on the best of NYC’s LGBT history and offerings, visit nycgo.com/gay.

NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For the official source on all there is to see and do in New York City, go to nycgo.com.

For more press inquiries please contact Chris Heywood at 212.484.1270 or cheywood@nycgo.com.