PrideFest Milwaukee announces opening night acts

Andy Bell and Sophie B. Hawkins are two of the performers featured on the opening night of PrideFest Milwaukee in June. Organizers also have booked ABBA Salute.

Bell, of Erasure fame, will perform on the Miller Lite Mainstage on June 7. That night also features Hawkins and ABBA Salute, as well as the Wisconsin Royalty Drag Show, the Windy City Beauties and Chicago DJ Teri Bristol and Psycho Bitch. 

“We are honored to bring you another amazing festival experience in 2013,” PrideFest president Scott Gunkel said in a news release. PrideFest organizers will announce additional performers in the weeks ahead.

PrideFest Milwaukee is heading into spring with a re-launched website, a new regional ad campaign and a special advance ticket campaign for the three-day celebration that takes place June 7-9 at the Summerfest grounds.

PrideFest said this year’s event celebrates the strength and pride of families – families of birth and families of choice.

“Last year was not only one of our highest-grossing festivals, but also our most profitable festival in our 25 year history,” said Gunkel. “Across the board, our entire team made smart and responsible cost reductions. Those savings allowed us to deliver the best return on our community’s investment last year.”

General admission to the event includes access to live entertainment, including headliners, on eight stages.

For 2013, PrideFest Milwaukee is offering advance ticket packages:

• Single-day admission is $13 advance ($16 at gate).

• Three-day weekend pass is $30 advance.

• Single-day VIP passes, which include access to the exclusive Potawatomi Bingo Casino VIP Deck, will be $100 advance or $225 or the three-day weekend.

Tickets go on sale April 15, with an option to add $1 to the pricetag to support the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center’s “greatest needs fund.”

For more about PrideFest, go to www.pridefest.com.