Mardi Gras names more top acts

Cardiff Wales Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Mardi Gras taking place over the forthcoming August bank holiday weekend (August 29 - 30) has announced yet more top talent.

The festival takes place in Coopers Field, behind Cardiff’s iconic Castle, and is returning for its 10th anniversary after a year off.
Girls Can’t Catch, the latest stars of the UK pop scene will headline the Admiral main stage on Sunday.

Girl’s Can’t Catch are fresh from supporting Girls Aloud on tour and are record-label sisters to The Saturdays. Girls Can’t Catch will be performing a full set which includes their recent chart hit, Keep Your Head Up.

Local singer and actor Noel Sullivan has been added to the Saturday line-up. Noel found fame with chart band Hear’say and has recently made his name in musical theatre, just finishing touring in the leading roll in Flashdance.

Swansea Band, The Good Things, who have taken south Wales by storm over the last year, supporting Sierra Alpha and Mamacoca and described by The Rock Show as, ‘the love child of Guns and Roses and Led Zeppelin’, are also on Sunday’s billing.

These join over 70 confirmed acts including Blazin’ Squad, Mark Read formerly from A1 and Gareth David-Lloyd’s (BBC1’s Torchwood) band Blue Gillespie, performing across The Admiral Main Stage, the Cabaret and Dance tents. Further headline acts will shortly be announced through Cardiff Mardi Gras’ partnership with local hit music station Red Dragon FM.

In addition to the entertainment venues there really is something for everyone on the Mardi Gras Field with the Co-operative Family Area, Marketstalls, a funfair and a food and drink village. Alongside being a great day out and a lot of fun; Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras is a key element in a strategy that seeks to reduce hate crime and promote diversity; and in line with this events over Mardi Gras weekend are open to all, free of charge – making it an ideal event for a recession busting bank holiday weekend.

Carl Turner, Chair of the volunteer organising committee for Mardi Gras said: "We are hoping that record number of people will join with us and celebrate the diverse communities in which we all live and work."

Among the patrons of this year’s Mardi Gras is Charlotte Church who said: "I am truly excited to carry on being a patron of Mardi Gras."

The event is fun, upbeat and really brings people together to celebrate diversity and this year will be no exception. Mardi Gras is totally organised by a volunteer committee, supported by Safer Wales. To find out more about the planned events, or to become involved visit www.cardiffmardigras.co.uk.