Arctic Pilot Events 2022
This is the programme from the 4th Pilot in 2022. Many of the same activities will happen in 2023, with some new addtitons, changes and surprises also coming up. The schedule for 2023 is estimated to be ready in June
Take ON Tromsø!
Thursday, Nov 10
1400: Welcome to Tromsø. Introduction to the Arctic Pride and the Pilot. Registration. Gathering at restaurant Skarven, Strandtorget 1. Light lunch available.
1630: Polar Bear Beer - Drinks at good old Ølhallen pub, perhaps with a Tromsø history talk. https://www.mack.no/en/olhallen
1800: Moving on to catch bus No. 20 to Tromsøbadet.
1830: Splash out! We dive into the pools at Tromsøbadet water park and hopefully get to see some Aurora from the outdoor balcony pool. Pizza and other hot and cold foods available. Swimwear, also a woollen hat recommended. https://www.tromsobadet.no/en
2100: Northern Lights walk (weather permitting). We’ll walk around the Lake Prestvannet, the best spot in Tromsø for seeing the Lights. If the weather is awful, we’ll rather head downtown to a pub.
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And if you're not fond of water:
2000: Fireside Chat with Mari-Mette Graff.
Well-known leatherman Doug O'Keeffe interviews the lady who is not afraid to be a proud fetishist in church, and who stands her ground when meeting hatred and prejudice.
Venue: Tromsø Cathedral (Domkirken).
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Don't forget to look for the Aurora whenever you are outdoors after dark!
Furry friends fun
Friday, Nov 11
1100: Tromsø City Hall. The City of Tromsø presents to us their plans for LGBT+ issues and general politics considering sexual orientation and sexual health in Norway.
This presentation is a part of the Arctic Pride and open to everyone. We expect media coverage, so be prepared to appear in newspapers. Full leather outfit. Title holders wear sashes.
1230: Meet at SAS Radisson hotel for bus departure to Tromsø Wilderness Centre for some happy husky cuddling. Warm lunch, coffee and cake included. Back in town by 1630.
Rough outfit, this will be muddy! Some garments, like warm overalls can be borrowed at the wilderness centre.
Suggested interlude before going to church:
Gather at the friendly Emmas Bar, right across the street from the cathedral. This newly opened bar is gay friendly and fit for a mature audience - so they invited us...?
https://arcticpride.no/program/moteplass-for-voksne-skeive-emmas-bar-3/
Heaven to Hell Night
Friday, Nov 11
1900: PRIDE Rainbow Mass in Tromsø Lutheran Cathedral. Leather men particularly welcome. This very special service celebrates love and is the most including experience you've ever had in a church. Promise!
Tromsø Domkirke, Kirkegata 7. Full leather outfit. Title holders wear sashes.
2100: Arctic Fetish Night by SLM Oslo. For the 3rd time the Norwegian gay leather club moves north for the night and invites all men to a party in fetish style. Dresscodes as per SLM rules (masculine fetish wear) - just no nudity this time. Prize-winning DJ of the Year K-Paxian spins the music and you simply can't stay off the dance floor!
Venue: "Isbjørn scene" at Driv student house, separate entrance from Grønnegata street. This event is part of the official Arctic Pride program. Pilots enter with either Arctic Fox pass or Polar Bear pass. Doors open at 2100, party ends at 0200. Age 18+. Club outfit - be that you full leathers or just a jockstrap.
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If you don't go to church:
1930: Fireside Chat with Rune Nilsen.
Well-known leatherman Doug O'Keeffe interviews the creative rebel who came back to his roots to spread awareness and pride through drag! Also known as Lady Die, Rune is sure to have some good answers to all questions.
Venue: Driv student house.
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Don't forget to look for the Aurora whenever you are outdoors after dark!
Pride & parade day
Saturday, Nov 12
1030: Pre-parade workshop. Prepare your flags and buff up that leather! Tvibit youth culture centre, Parkgata 27/29. Café with lights snacks. http://tvibit.net/
1200: Walk from Tvibit to the parade assembly spot.
1300: Tromsø Arctic Pride PARADE, starting from Hålogaland Theatre. Cool if you can carry the flag of your nation or club! Full leather outfit (with wool undies). Title holders wear sashes.
1515: Black Selfie – high tea, coffee and cakes in leather at Selfie patisserie. https://selfiekonditori.no/
1800: Formal Leather dinner at Full Steam restaurant, right at the seafront in Tromsø inner harbour. Local and traditional ingredients make up the basis for our feast tonight. Formal leather outfit. Title holders wear sashes. https://fullsteam.no/en/tromso-en/
2100: Pride Night. The main party for Arctic Party, and it would not be complete without us, or what? Party leather outfit (G-rated). Sashes optional, follow Mr. Leather Norway’s advice.
Don't forget to look for the Aurora whenever you are outdoors after dark!
QUeering the arctic
Sunday, Nov 13
1100: The Polar Museum opens - all Arctic Pilots have free admittance through the entire day. Just let the ticket counter know you are a Pilot.
Venue: The Polar Museum, Søndre Tollbugate 11.
https://en.uit.no/tmu/polarmuseet
1300: Intimate Brunch at Restaurant Bårstua 1840. This historic and cosy restaurant is a long-standing favourite with the Pilots. We have the place all to ourselves, and there is a set menu for everyone. Any special diet requirements should be sent to Per Helge in advance. The restaurant is located next to the Polar Museum, just a 2-minute walk away. Relaxed Sunday leathers. https://barstua.no/
1500: Fireside chat with Per Helge Nylund.
Well-known leatherman Doug O'Keeffe interviews your very own Head Pilot and former Mr. Leather Norway on issues about being gay and fronting leather culture in the High North.
Venue: The Polar Museum.
1545: Queering the Arctic. Ms. Silje Gaupstad, head of the Polar Museum gives an introduction to the new exhibition "Queering polar history", looking at polar explorers and Arctic hunters in a queer perspective. We visit the exhbition afterwards.
1700: All Male Concert – classic choir music in English performed by the handsomest male choir available: The Norwegian Male Choir of 1995/ Tromsø Student Singers. Banksalen, Rødbanken, Storgata 65. Leather outfit encouraged.
Concert Facebook event
After: Heading to a bar? Sure! The night is young!
Safe journey home – cherish the memories,
and welcome back to Tromsø, fourth pilots!
