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Outburst UK celebrated the Pride season in style, on Saturday 27th June 2009.
We were offered wall-to-wall entertainment, informative stalls and mouth-watering delicacies in magnificent surroundings.
Set on the grounds of the glorious Tereza Joanne boat, in the heart of London’s Docklands, blessence magazine proudly pitched its first ever stall. The sun beamed down on us and glistened on the river.
The scene was set and the third Outburst UK festival was ready to go, gaining momentum as the day progressed.
It was Sykes (the Brummie rock chick we know and love) who first willed us to the performance tent. OK, by now everyone was hastily packing down their stalls – work done, time to party!
 A few acts on, following a warm receptive speech from the Mayor of Newham, I found myself totally lost in the festival vibe.
I house-partied hard to Angie Brown’s ‘Unbelievable’. The tune was pumping and everyone was jumping!
There was such a community spirit in that tent and this continued onto the boat as everyone scurried inside, to escape the sudden unannounced downpour of rain.
Someone said that these were showers of blessings, and I agree. For during that interlude, whilst we waited for the festivities to resume, I experienced something I have never quite managed to achieve at a scene party before. I TALKED - to the people around me.
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 In fact, I didn't just talk, I engaged in real meaty, gritty conversation. The community spirit was somewhat sealed in those few minutes.
A buzz of conversation and laughter echoed around the boat and then there came a huge ‘whoop!’ and ‘yay!’ as the sweet tones of host, Efe Ezekiel, sound-checked the mic.
Everyone jumped to their feet once again and partied on, like old friends.
We circled the performers: Chewy, DNA, Frixion, Sandra Grant-Lady Saxophonist, to name but a few.
The evening wasn’t complete without the fantastic fireworks display and of course, a tribute set of Michael Jackson’s masterful tunes.
We all held hands, lamented, did the Thriller dance and the moonwalk – well, tried to, at least!
From that moment until midnight we didn’t stop ‘til we got enough. It seemed like no one wanted to leave.
I certainly went home with a full belly, to last another year.
Thanks once again, Outburst UK. See you in 2010!
www.outburstuk.org
(Pictures thanks to www.outburstfestival.org
Left: Angie Brown, Above: Sandra Grant-Lady Saxophonist)
Check out reader 'Shout-Outs' from Outburst's Festival
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