Montreal, Quebec -
The BBCM Foundation will hold its 14th edition of the renowned Black & Blue Festival in Montreal from October 6 to 12. One of the biggest gay events in the world, this week-long festival offers a variety of activities ranging from major parties like the infamous Black & Blue Party, the Military Ball, the Leather Ball and the Recovery Party, to socio-cultural activities such as art exhibits, brunches, conferences, and even sports activities. Some 50 artistic, cultural, sports and social events will mobilize 85 000 people, including tens of thousands of affluent gay tourists from every corner of the globe—during the week leading up to Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, which coincides with Columbus Day in the U.S.A. It is mostly the Festival’s national and international clientele that makes it possible to generate direct and indirect economic spin-offs of $35 million. This huge economic impact makes the Black and Blue Festival one of Canada’s top-ranking tourism events.
According to organizers, the wide variety of events that will make up the Festival’s fourteenth edition will offer something for everyone.
The 2004 Black & Blue Main Event will be held this year on Sunday, October 10, at the newly revamped and expanded Montreal Convention Centre with a special theme inspired by Louis the 14th (the Sun King). On this special occasion, the world-famous Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil will present one official number during the all-night extravaganza, for the first time at an event of this kind. The new Artistic Director of the 2004 Black & Blue main event is Michel Laprise. Mr. Laprise is an experienced theatre production director and has been working as casting coordinator for the Cirque du Soleil for the past few years. Many surprises will bring participants to another world from the moment they step into the Convention Centre right until they leave after the 14-hour event. Main guest DJs will include Montreal’s renowned Mark Anthony.
Other major parties are not to be missed: the Jock Ball on Thursday, October 7; the Leather Ball on Friday, October 8; the Military Ball on Saturday, October 9; and the Recovery Party on Monday, October 11, to name a few. Other events will take place in the clubs of Montreal.
Various VIP passes are already on sale for the Festival via the BBCM web site at www.bbcm.org. The BBCM proposes three levels of VIP passes to its wide clientele: Bronze, Silver and Gold. All the passes offer a choice of activities included in the mega Black & Blue Festival taking place in Montreal from October 6 to 12.
All profits generated by the official BBCM events during the 2004 Black & Blue Festival will make it possible to raise funds for the BBCM Foundation, which provides organizations that assist people with HIV/AIDS and several other gay and lesbian community groups with financial and other types of support.
According to organizers, the wide variety of events that will make up the Festival’s fourteenth edition will offer something for everyone.
The 2004 Black & Blue Main Event will be held this year on Sunday, October 10, at the newly revamped and expanded Montreal Convention Centre with a special theme inspired by Louis the 14th (the Sun King). On this special occasion, the world-famous Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil will present one official number during the all-night extravaganza, for the first time at an event of this kind. The new Artistic Director of the 2004 Black & Blue main event is Michel Laprise. Mr. Laprise is an experienced theatre production director and has been working as casting coordinator for the Cirque du Soleil for the past few years. Many surprises will bring participants to another world from the moment they step into the Convention Centre right until they leave after the 14-hour event. Main guest DJs will include Montreal’s renowned Mark Anthony.
Other major parties are not to be missed: the Jock Ball on Thursday, October 7; the Leather Ball on Friday, October 8; the Military Ball on Saturday, October 9; and the Recovery Party on Monday, October 11, to name a few. Other events will take place in the clubs of Montreal.
Various VIP passes are already on sale for the Festival via the BBCM web site at www.bbcm.org. The BBCM proposes three levels of VIP passes to its wide clientele: Bronze, Silver and Gold. All the passes offer a choice of activities included in the mega Black & Blue Festival taking place in Montreal from October 6 to 12.
All profits generated by the official BBCM events during the 2004 Black & Blue Festival will make it possible to raise funds for the BBCM Foundation, which provides organizations that assist people with HIV/AIDS and several other gay and lesbian community groups with financial and other types of support.
This article originally appeared on 365gay.com. Republished with permission.
