Sophie Ellis-Bextor is returning to the area this year to headline the first ever Poole Pride on Saturday 8 June.
The singer’s 2001 hit Murder on the Dancefloor is enjoying the limelight once again after its use in the movie Saltburn.
Sophie, who last visited Poole in 2022 on her Kitchen Disco Tour, will be back at Lighthouse to headline a flat floor show before giving way to DJs as the Concert Hall hosts a late-night after-party.
She’s also scheduled to play at the BIC in December this year.
“We’re thrilled that Sophie will headline Poole’s first ever Pride this summer – she’s the perfect artist to top the bill on a day that is all about inclusivity,” says Tim Colegate, Head of Programming at Lighthouse.
“We want to create an amazing day, an event that all the people of Poole can be proud of. Poole Pride will be a safe space for everyone where people can be themselves, come as they are, and crucially, enjoy some first-class entertainment – something that Lighthouse is very used to.”
Planned in consultation with a community steering group that includes members of the LGBTQ+ community, Poole Pride will include performances and activities throughout Lighthouse, including the outdoor theatre.
A Queer film festival will run in the week leading up to Pride as well as a month-long exhibition, presented in partnership with AUB, honouring influential gay activist John Chesterman who was closely involved in the formation of the Gay Liberation Front in 1970 and whose ideas underpin the modern Pride movement.
“We’re also working on a family-friendly daytime programme with performances, talks, educational sessions and signposting to LGBTQ+ support charities and groups, and we’re thankful for the support of Bourne Free, Bournemouth’s annual pride festival, to pull this off.” adds Tim.
“Poole is a major conurbation and, as a much-cherished part of life in the town, Lighthouse is perfectly placed to host its first ever Pride event… and we’re going all out to make it a day we’ll never forget!”
Tickets go on pre-sale to pre-sale to Lighthouse Friends only today (Friday 26 January) at noon and on general sale from 10am on Thursday 1 February via the Lighthouse website.