"This year's HERO Festival is on track for the fortnight from 6 to 22 February and includes familiar and some new events" said Mike Binis today, spokesman for the HERO Brand Management Group. "This year's HERO Festival is on track for the fortnight from 6 to 22 February and includes familiar and some new events" said Mike Binis today, spokesman for the HERO Brand Management Group."The aim of HERO 2004 is to recall why HERO was originally started and to celebrate the rich facets of the Gay and Lesbian community". "The aim is to make the community feel proud of HERO, and about itself" he said. "HERO will promote the events through its official sponsors and outlets, and each event will promote the HERO name" he says.

"Trademark events like the Ansell Big Gay Out at Coyle Park (8th February), the Heroic Gardens (14th and 15th February), and the HERO Party (21 February) are all confirmed" he said today. "The Tennis Tournament (20th ) and new events like the Hero Debate (9th ) help round out the variety, offering something for everyone" said Mr. Binis.

"A parade is not part of the line up this year. As just one event within the entire festival each year, the costs involved and the logistics of organizing it in such a short time were prohibitive" he said.

This year, independent event organizers will run each event, and if there are profits the event organizers have the option to donate directly to a Hero charity of their own choosing, this means that HERO has no financial responsibility.

"The HERO governing body, and the HERO Brand Management Group, would like to thank this year's official sponsors Ansell, Up Newspaper, GayNZ.com, and all of the other supporters" said Mike.

Contact:

Mike Binis
Spokesperson for the HERO BMG
mbinis@slingshot.co.nz
379-4611
or
kiwikeir@hotmail.com for questions about specific events or contacts for HERO events.

Following is a rundown of events by date, and time. The complete guide will be updated constantly on GayNZ.com and will be published in the next issue of UP newspaper. Be sure to pick up your copy from 30 January from all gay venues!

Confirmed events so far are:
30 Jan Wild West Lesbian Dance 9pm Cask & Cleaver, Dominion Rd.
1 Feb Herne Bay Hair Event
10am-5pm Ak. Town Hall
Festival begins
6 Feb Hero Launch event 11am-2pm Hydrant, Ponsonby
7 Feb Big Gay Bubbly Brunch
from 11am Kamo
Hero Motor Rally 1pm Kamo (with Classic Car Club, Dykes On Bikes, and Ak. Gay Motorcyclists)
8 Feb BIG GAY OUT Noon Coyle Park, Pt. Chev
9 Feb Hero debate 7:30pm Classic Comedy & Bar, Queen St
12 Feb Queen of the Whole Wide World
7:30pm Academy Theatre
13 Feb Ak Bears Hero Night 8pm Kamo
14 Feb Heroic Gardens Day 1
Lesbian Wellness Gala
Chocolate Fish Swim Meet 7:30pm Tepid Baths
15 Feb Heroic Gardens day 2
Queen of the Whole Wide World 7:30pm Academy Theatre
Aquarius Club "Worst Shirt" party 5 - 9pmView Bar
17 Feb Queer History 101 reading 7pm Alleluya Cafe, St Kevins K'Rd
19 Feb Pride Ctr. Fashion Show 7:30pm
Finale Cabaret
20 Feb Hero Tennis Tournament 6pm Westland Tennis Club, Cox's Bay
21 Feb THE HERO PARTY at Galatos
22 Feb Bowling Tournament
Wigs on The Waterfront