Pride & Passion finally returned home—and it broke records while doing so. The five-year-old kick-off to Pride Month celebrated art and the LGBT community at the new Tampa Museum of Art on May 21.
The annual celebration is an unofficial “kick-off” to the Tampa Bay area’s June Gay Pride Month and the event is designed to encourage patrons to join the museum and raise money for its exhibits. Once again Bern’s and Sidebern’s provided food for attendees and music was provided in the main atrium by DJs Dino Bonetti and Coro.
“This is just an amazing place to be,” said Gregory McKeen, who had never attended a Pride & Passion event before. “There are so many people here—and people in positions of power. It’s really reaffirming to know that the gay community is so strong here in Tampa Bay.”
The “people of power” McKeen referred to ranged from area activists, television reporters and local politicians. Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner and St. Petersburg City Councilman Steve Kornell were both seen mingling with constituents and friends.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Beckner said of Pride & Passion. “It’s always great to see so much support for this event and the museum.”
While guests mingled and enjoyed the food provided, performance artist Gianna Love made a grand entrance via the museum’s grand staircase. Several exhibits in the upstairs portion of the building were also on display.
The recently opened Jesper Just: Romantic Delusions featured works by Danish filmmaker Jesper Just in the MacKechnie Gallery, as well as recent works by avante garde LED artist Leo Villareal. Several other long-running exhibitions were also open for Museum visitors. Street photographer Gary Winogrand’s collection of historic photographs were on display and works from the museum’s renowned permanent antiquities collection were accessible throughout the night.
“We are grateful to the supporters and sponsors of Pride & Passion, we couldn’t do it without you,” event chair Scott Moore said from the stage. “Thank you for everything you do for the community.”
Event organizers plan to bring the sixth annual Pride & Passion back to the new Museum of Art in 2011.
