Rainbow flags will fly aboard the Queen Mary May when it hosts its first Proud Mary Weekend May 19 and 20 in Long Beach. Planned to coincide with Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, the second largest pride celebration in the nation, the ship’s festivities will feature Poseidon, an off-the-charts dance party on Saturday night, followed by a special brunch on Sunday.
Taking place in a three-story event hall that formerly housed one of the Queen Mary’s enormous boilers, Poseidon promises to be the hottest dance event of the weekend. Complete with aerial performers, go-go dancers and a few other surprises, party-goers will be treated to music by DJs Manny Lehman and Scotty K spinning the top dance beats. Poseidon will also feature a live performance by international pop sensation, Amannda, whose recently-debuted single, “The Only One,” is climbing the Billboard Dance chart (currently at #23). The all-night party rolls from 7:00pm to 2:00am. Tickets are $50.
Following Poseidon, weary revelers can soak in some sun and scenery from 9:00am to 2:00pm during the Queen Mary’s first-ever Pride Sunday Brunch on the ship’s Verandah Deck. Cost is $24.95 per person and includes a light brunch buffet, a complimentary mimosa or Bloody Mary, panoramic views of Long Beach harbor and the soulful house and trance sounds of guest DJ Kimberly S.
“We are thrilled to host Proud Mary Weekend and introduce these two incredible events during Long Beach Pride,” said the Queen Mary’s Director of Entertainment Events Steve Sheldon. “The Queen Mary welcomes the LGBT community year-round and is proud to play a role in the second largest pride event in the U.S. We can’t think of a better place to celebrate Pride than aboard the city’s biggest Queen!”
To take full advantage of the fun, guests to Proud Mary Weekend can book a variety of hotel packages. The Proud Mary package includes deluxe accommodations, two tickets to Poseidon and Pride Sunday Brunch for two. This package requires a minimum two-night stay (Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday) and double occupancy. Rates start at $329 plus tax per room. The Queens Pride Package includes a one-night stay in a deluxe stateroom, two tickets to Poseidon and Pride Sunday Brunch. Rates start at $229 plus tax per room. Guests who wish to stay and play longer may add Sunday or Monday night accommodations for just $79 plus tax.
In its heyday, the Queen Mary carried a variety of colorful characters from World War II leaders to British royalty and the stars of Hollywood’s golden era including Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo and playwrights Tennessee Williams and Edward Albee – all regarded today as notable gay, lesbian or bisexual people in history.
The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach. To purchase tickets to Proud Mary Weekend
or for more information, visit http://www.queenmary.com/Pride.aspx or call (800) 437-2934.