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Queer We Are is Manchester’s newest LGBT+ arts and culture festival.
Queer We Are is open to all – regardless of sexuality, ethnicity, disability, (trans)gender or age – and is based in a multi-room venue with a 6am late licence. Unlike other festivals, Queer We Are is entirely free, with no pride wristband required for entry, although it runs over the same weekend as Manchester Pride.
Friday will feature an afternoon of theatre and performance, plus Speed Mating – a sort of welcome party where you can meet new friends and dates prior to the weekend’s revelry.
Friday’s Word Up, hosted by the fabulous Steph Pike, is an evening hour of poetry and word play.
Also on Friday, Women in Comedy Festival UK brings an hour of comedy from the people behind the UK’s first and only comedy festival which actively books all female line-ups.
That night, Rapture Nightclub creates a space that centres itself on women and the queer scene. Expect comedy, live musical talent, DJs and art. Rapture does not exclude anyone, as a group of people that wants to party. Rapture has a large LGBT+ following, particularly among women, with ages ranging from 18 up 80.
The Saturday line-up includes family activities during the day and an evening programme to be announced, although we do know that Tranarchy will be hosting an event.
The Sunday line-up includes a Brunch Club of food and chilled out tunes to recover from Saturday night’s partying. In the evening, Galivantes will present their gypsy/ska punk/electroswing blend at festival style club night Swing & Shout for a special Mardi Gras Party.
For those who like their beats more international, DJembeKlan, the African dance fusion band, will also be playing.
Experimental band Ill will also be performing, along with Factory Acts – the Salford-based dark electro/alt-dance duo signed to Analogue Trash.
Nathan Barratt & His Mates are a band from Manchester. Their style is characterised by strong riffs, fun grooves and catchy melodies. They’ll be performing on the Sunday. You can preview their performance
The Monday line-up will include a mini film festival and talks, before festival-goers are invited to join the Candlelit Vigil in Sackvile Gardens. This will be followed by an after-party – for those who still haven’t danced enough!
