For immediate release
Contact:
Emily Irwin, Public Relations Consultant
(267) 253-9303 or emily@irwinpr.com
GOVERNOR RENDELL SCHEDULED TO MARCH
IN NEW HOPE'S GAY PRIDE PARADE, SATURDAY, MAY 17
AT 11:00 A.M.
NEW HOPE, PA (May 9, 2008) — Pennsylvania
Governor Edward Rendell is scheduled to participate
in The EDSites.net Pride Parade on Saturday, May 17
in New Hope. Featuring the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple
Corp Marching Band from New York City, this 2nd annual
parade is a focal point of New Hope Celebrates Pride
Weekend. The march begins at 11:00 a.m., rain or shine,
at New Hope-Solebury High School on West Bridge Street,
continues down West Ferry Street and turns right on
South Main Street. After the parade, additional performances
take place on West Mechanic Street, which closes to
traffic until 6:00 p.m. for a street fair featuring
antiques, arts and music.
"The parade and the entire weekend
showcase New Hope and our diverse community," says
Louis Licitra, Chair of New Hope Celebrates Pride 2008. "It
is fast becoming an annual New Hope tradition which
highlights our varied history and our commitment to
the future as a gay-friendly destination."
New Hope Celebrates Pride is a weekend
devoted to New Hope, Pennsylvania's gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgendered and allied (GLBTA) visitors, friends
and neighbors. Proceeds from various activities, parties
and performances raise money to support Fighting AIDS
Continuously Together (FACT) Bucks County, Philadelphia
FIGHT, Trevor Project and William Way Community Center.
A full schedule of events and ticketing information
is available online at www.NewHopeCelebrates.com.
"Pride festivals throughout the United
States celebrate the liberation and self-actualization
of GLBT people as they commemorate the riot at the
Stonewall Bar in New York City in 1969," explains Stephen
A. Glassman, Chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations
Commission, an active supporter of New Hope Celebrates. "Today
we continue to fight for full equality while recognizing
how far we have come as a community in the last 39
years. We are very close to passing a non-discrimination
bill in Pennsylvania so that we can join 20 other states
that have already passed this legislation."
According to Mr. Glassman, Governor
Rendell has been a longstanding ally in this fight
for equality for GLBT people and has consistently supported
the gay community, both as Mayor of Philadelphia and
Governor of the Commonwealth: "The Governor has been
an outspoken advocate for gay rights and is famous
for his midnight visits to gay and lesbian bars during
political campaigns for himself and other candidates.
As the community often hears 'The Guv loves the Gays!'"
In addition to Governor Rendell and
Mr. Glassman, other honored guests in the parade include
Judge Daniel Anders of Philadelphia and New Hope Borough
Council members including Mayor Larry Keller, Council
President Sharyn Keiser, Councilwoman Geraldine Delevich
and Councilman Rey Velasco.
Various community organizations demonstrate
their pride and support by marching in the parade including
the Bucks County Lesbian Alliance, FACT Bucks County,
New Hope Eagle Fire Company, Greater New Hope Chamber
of Commerce, Planned Parenthood
of Bucks County's Rainbow Room, St. Philip's
Episcopal Church of New Hope, United Christian Church
of Levittown and Unitarian Universalist Church of Washington's
Crossing.
Other participants include The NJ
Eagles Motorcycle Club, the notorious local drag queen
Miss Pumpkin, New Hope Carriage, La Femme Finishing
School and Bitch Mode Productions. Various marchers
carry the famed 100-foot Key West Rainbow Flag on loan
to New Hope Celebrates for the annual event.
Roads impacted by The EDSites.net
Pride Parade include West Bridge Street closed to traffic
from 11:00 a.m. to noon, West Ferry Street closed to
traffic from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and South Main
Street from West Bridge Street to Riverwoods Drive
closed to traffic from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. West
Mechanic Street closes to traffic until 6:00 p.m. for
a street fair after the parade.
New Hope Celebrates is a nonprofit
GLBTA tourism marketing organization of the retail,
hospitality, professional and local community. The
organization is hosted by the Greater New Hope Chamber
of Commerce and endorsed by the New Hope Borough Council.
As of Fall 2007, NHC has donated nearly $50,000 to
such organizations as Fighting Aids Continuously Together
(FACT: Bucks County), the New Hope Flood Relief Fund,
the Human Rights Campaign and Planned Parenthood Association
of Bucks County's Rainbow Room. Sponsorship opportunities
and grant applications are available through the Delaware
Valley Legacy Fund.
Major sponsors of New Hope Celebrates
Pride 2008 include Smirnoff (Presenting Sponsor), Southwest
Airlines, Origlio Beverages (Coors Light), Comcast,
FunMaps, Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau,
Inn to the Woods Bed & Breakfast, The Nevermore
Hotel, Rainbow Assurance, Triumph Brewing Company,
The Wishing Well Guesthouse, EDSites.net, Karla's/Zoubi
Restaurants, Baldi & Jenei P.C., Havana Bar & Grill,
New Hope Shoes, Notations Inc., Procerus MedSpa and
Penn Wealth Planning. A complete list of sponsors is
available at www.NewHopeCelebrates.com.
Photos are available to the media
upon request. |
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For immediate release
Contact:
Emily J. Irwin, Public Relations
Consultant
(267) 253-9303 or emily@irwinpr.com
NEW HOPE CELEBRATES AND DELAWARE
VALLEY LEGACY FUND ANNOUNCE 2008 PARTNERSHIP BENEFICIARIES
NEW HOPE & PHILADELPHIA, PA (April
22, 2008) -- The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund and
New Hope Celebrates are pleased to announce the four
chosen beneficiaries of New Hope Celebrates Pride
2008: Fighting AIDS Continuously Together (FACT)
Bucks County, Philadelphia FIGHT, Trevor Project
and William Way Community Center. The Delaware Valley
Legacy Fund (DVLF) is the region's lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community foundation.
New Hope Celebrates (NHC) is a nonprofit LGBT tourism
marketing organization for New Hope, Pennsylvania,
which serves a diverse constituency through its annual
film festival (April 25-27), annual pride celebration
(May 16-18) and ambitious grant program.
NHC Pride is one of only a handful
of pride festivals in the country with the principal
goal of raising money to serve needs within the community.
The grantmaking partnership between NHC and DVLF is
a formal effort to increase support for LGBT and allied
organizations in the region. The initiative was created
to increase access for funding support and to encourage
many applications from both mature and grassroots organizations.
"Our peers at New Hope Celebrates
are making an extraordinary impact by creating new
vehicles for change," explains Dee Wellmon, DVLF Board
member. "The organization is taking outstanding steps
to increase philanthropy from nontraditional sources."
Daniel Brooks, Founder of NHC adds: "Through
our partnership with DVLF, we garnered over 40 applications
for review. What a testament to the importance of our
work together! We conducted our decision making process
with great care, and feel that we've chosen organizations
that complement the mission of New Hope Celebrates
to put our Pride weekend proceeds to the best use."
About the 2008 beneficiaries:
FACT Bucks County was established in
1992 to raise funds and increase awareness in an effort
to combat the growing AIDS epidemic in Bucks and Hunterdon
Counties. FACT Bucks County is an all volunteer, nonprofit
organization with one purpose in mind -- to maintain
the quality of life for those infected and affected
by HIV and AIDS.
Philadelphia FIGHT is a comprehensive
AIDS service organization providing primary care, consumer
education, advocacy and research on potential treatments
and vaccines. FIGHT was formed as a partnership of
individuals living with HIV/AIDS and clinicians, who
joined together to improve the lives of people living
with the disease.
The Trevor Project operates the only
nationwide, around-the-clock suicide prevention helpline
for gay and questioning youth. Every day, The Trevor
Project saves lives though its free and confidential
helpline, website and educational services.
The William Way Community Center
seeks to encourage, support and advocate for the well-being
and acceptance of sexual and gender minorities through
service, recreational, educational and cultural programming.
According to studies by the Council
on Foundations and the Funders for Lesbian & Gay
Issues, since 1983, funding for LGBT causes has represented
only 1% of all funding from foundations and corporate
giving entities. DVLF strongly believes that the LGBT
community deserves a greater share of philanthropic
dollars in order to improve the Greater Philadelphia
region's overall social, political, spiritual, health
and other affiliated and allied networks. For more
information about DVLF and its grantmaking programs,
visit www.dvlf.org.
Highlights of New Hope Celebrates
Pride, May 16-18, 2008 include live performances by
groundbreaking comedienne Suzanne Westenhoefer, folk-funk
musician Christine Havrilla and dance chart favorite
Kristine W. NHC is also partnering with Planned Parenthood
Association of Bucks County's Rainbow Room to host
Sing Out Loud and Proud 2008, an entertainment showcase
featuring "dragapella beautyshop quartet" The Kinsey
Sicks. For more information or to purchase tickets,
visit www.newhopecelebrates.com.
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NEW HOPE CELEBRATES ANNOUNCES
FIRST ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL
Deadline
for film submissions is March 15; Public festival is
April 26-27
NEW HOPE, PA (February 11, 2008)—New
Hope Celebrates (NHC) has teamed up with internationally
renowned writer and director Stephen Stahl and the Philadelphia
Film Society to host New Hope, Pennsylvania’s first-ever
film festival for aspiring and independent filmmakers
of all genres. The three-day festival, entitled “New
Hope Celebrates Film,” kicks off on April
25, 2008 with an evening networking event for sponsors
and participants. Public viewings of 15-20 films plus
free educational seminars led by prominent industry professionals
on the many aspects of filmmaking—including directing,
screenwriting and casting—take place throughout
New Hope on April 26 and 27. The deadline for film submissions
is March 15. All films must contain a gay, lesbian, bisexual
or transgender (GLBT) slant, meaning that at least one
GLBT featured character motivates the plot.
“The creativity,
beauty, diversity and excitement that is New Hope now becomes
home to a dynamic international film festival,” said
Stephen Stahl, a noted industry professional whose 2006
independent film Consequences won
the Los Angeles International Independent Film and Video
Festival for Best Feature: Thriller and won Stahl the
coveted top honor of Best Director of a Feature Film. “To
be part of an event tied in with NHC, the Philadelphia
Film Society, TLA, Ray Murray and the Greater Philadelphia
Film Office is a personal privilege and opens enormous
avenues for filmmakers and filmgoers alike.”
Independent
regional, national, international and student filmmakers
are all encouraged to participate. Chosen films will
be recognized with award certificates for various categories.
Narrative features, short features, documentaries and
short docs are welcome for consideration. Entry forms
are available at www.NewHopeCelebrates.com/Film-Festival.htm.
Film submissions must be mailed to New Hope Celebrates
Film, PO Box 71, New Hope, PA 18938 with a non-refundable
handling fee of $25 per film no later than March 15,
2008. All submissions must be in DVD form and must be
labeled with the film title, total running time and contact
information. Foreign language films must incorporate
original language soundtrack and English subtitles. Film
submissions will not be returned.
“The film festival is a perfect expansion project
for NHC, as the committee celebrates its 5 th anniversary
as a GLBTA nonprofit marketing organization,” explains
Daniel Brooks, a founder and NHC President. “With
successful endeavors such as New Hope Idol and the annual
multi-faceted Pride weekend under our belts, we are well
prepared to launch another event to drive celebrity to
our town as an arts community. The independent film community,
with its subsection of gay and lesbian filmmakers, provides
the synergy we are looking for in terms of a worthwhile
event to invest our energy and expertise.”
Brooks continues: “Steve Stahl knows
how to run a first-class, competitive film event. New
Hopians and our welcomed guests can expect only the best
production from his devoted committee. Guidance from
the industry folks in Philly will help us reach international
filmmaking applicants, assuring us a diverse mix and
setting high standards.”
Mike Amery, representing The New Odette’s, is a
regional corporate sponsor for New Hope Celebrates Film.
Sponsorships, as well as program ad opportunities, are
encouraged and available for this well-publicized event.
Advertising for New Hope Celebrates Film will reach key
publications in the entire Northeast corridor.
New Hope Celebrates is a nonprofit GLBTA
tourism marketing organization of the retail, hospitality,
professional and local community. The organization is
hosted by the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce and
endorsed by the New Hope Borough Council. The goal of
New Hope Celebrates is to serve the diverse GLBTA populace
in an enjoyable and meaningful manner, conducting entertaining
as well as educational experiences throughout the year
and culminating with an annual pride celebration. Proceeds
flow back to the community via various charities. Sponsors
enjoy tax deductions for their contributions. Sponsorship
opportunities and grant applications are available through
the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund.
Link to
Feb 18th front page story on NHC Film in the Trenton
Times: Click Here |
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5th ANNUAL GAY PRIDE WEEKEND
IN NEW HOPE, PA FEATURES SUZANNE WESTENHOEFER,
KRISTINE W, THE KINSEY SICKS AND MORE
NEW HOPE, PA (February 18, 2008) — New Hope Celebrates (NHC) hosts its
5th anniversary pride weekend May
16-18, 2008. This celebration of New Hope, Pennsylvania's
gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and allied
(GLBTA) visitors, friends and neighbors is one
of only a handful of pride festivals in the country
with the principal goal of raising money to serve
needs within the community. Highlights of the
weekend include live performances by groundbreaking
comedienne Suzanne Westenhoefer, folk-funk musician
Christine Havrilla and dance chart favorite Kristine
W. NHC is also partnering with Planned Parenthood
Association of Bucks County's Rainbow Room to
host Sing Out Loud and Proud 2008, an entertainment
showcase featuring "dragapella beautyshop quartet" The
Kinsey Sicks.
Our 5th anniversary
weekend will be one of the best yet as we continue
to celebrate our town's diversity and inclusive
spirit," explains Louis Licitra, Chair of the
New Hope Celebrates Pride Weekend. "As always,
NHC will host great dance parties and extraordinary
entertainment, but we'll also demonstrate our
equality through our 2nd annual pride
parade through town, and welcome a wide audience
through a softball tournament, art displays,
a vendor fair and a family fitness event."
Home of the famed Bucks County Playhouse
and such popular nightspots as The Raven Resort,
Triumph Brewing Company and The Nevermore Hotel,
New Hope has long been lauded for its acceptance
of the gay community. The New Hope Borough Council
is recognized as one of the first municipalities
in Pennsylvania to pass an antidiscrimination
law, as well as a resolution in favor of same-sex
marriages. Situated along the banks of the scenic
Delaware River, New Hope is the perfect getaway
destination for all ages and interests. This
sophisticated yet relaxed, country town just
a short drive north of Philadelphia and a train
ride from New York City, offers unique shopping;
live music and theatre; historic barge, train
and horse-drawn carriage rides; museums, art
galleries and antiques shops; fine restaurants
and casual fare; plus romantic bed & breakfasts
and family-friendly hotels—all within one
square-mile.
New Hope Celebrates is a nonprofit
GLBTA tourism marketing organization of the retail,
hospitality, professional and local community.
The organization is hosted by the Greater New
Hope Chamber of Commerce and endorsed by the
New Hope Borough Council. As of Fall 2007, NHC
has donated nearly $50,000 to such organizations
as Fighting Aids Continuously Together (FACT:
Bucks County), the New Hope Flood Relief Fund,
the Human Rights Campaign and Planned Parenthood
Association of Bucks County's Rainbow Room. Sponsorship
opportunities and grant applications are available
through the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund.
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