- Manchester Pride: Superbia’s best events for 2018 - 9 July, 2018
- Single review: WATER – Kojey Radical - 9 July, 2018
Superbia is Manchester Pride’s year-round programme of culture. Here are all the Pride events in and around the city you will not want to miss!
JULY
ONCE A YEAR ON BLACKPOOL SANDS
Theatre & Performance
Wednesday 11 July – Saturday 21 July
Three minute theatre
35-39 Oldham Street
Manchester,
M1 1JG
Based on a true story… Set in Blackpool in the summer of 1953 – not long after the Coronation of the new Queen – two Yorkshire miners, Eddie and Tommy, are heading down to the seaside for the annual summer wakes. But Eddie is nursing a dark secret, one that Tommy is dreading to hear…
‘On Blackpool Sands’ is a dark comedy with an emotional punch, dramatising real-life events and people that lead one man to begin the long fight for gay rights and acceptance, when one spark of outrage triggers a lifetime of activism.
By Skint Productions.
Playing in Manchester and Salford before heading to New York!
Running Time: 120 Minutes
KLUB KIDS MANCHESTER PRESENTS ‘AN EVENING WITH ALASKA’
Nightlife
Wednesday 11 July
7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
The Comedy Store
Whitworth Street West
Manchester,
M1 5WY
The Klub Kids team are back once again, but this time with the winner of RuPauls Drag race All stars 2 winner – ALASKA. Come and see Alaska like you have never seen her before with her live music, hilarious comedy, Q+As’s and much more in this uniqiue one woman show.
Get your tickets HERE
AN EVENING WITH MATT CAIN IN MANCHESTER!
Literature
Friday 13 July
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Waterstones
91 Deansgate
Manchester
M3 2BW
Come along to hear Matt Cain, recent editor of Attitude magazine, discuss his new novel, The Madonna of Bolton.
Beginning in a pebble-dashed house in suburban Bolton, at a time when most little boys want to grow up to be Michael Jackson, and girls want to be Princess Di, the plot follows Charlie Matthews’ love story, documenting the importance of being true to yourself.
Remembering the Green Cross Code and getting out of football are the most important things in his life, until Auntie Jan gives him a gift that will last a lifetime: a seven-inch single called `Lucky Star’… On his ninth birthday, Charlie discovers Madonna, and falls in love. His obsession sees him through some tough times in life: being persecuted at school, fitting in at a posh university, a glamorous career in London, finding boyfriends, getting rid of boyfriends, and family heartbreak. Madonna’s music and videos inspire him, and her fierce determination to succeed gives him the confidence to do the same. Ultimately, though, he must learn to let go of his idol and find his own voice.
Charlie’s story is Billy Elliot meets Beautiful Thing wearing a conical bra – a story for anyone who ever sang their heart out, looked for love and dreamed of more… The Madonna of Bolton will make you laugh, cry and Get Into the Groove. It’s a book to Cherish and a Ray of Light, and it even has a little Hanky Panky.
Get your tickets HERE
MADONNA AID OFFICIAL ‘MADONNA OF BOLTON’ LAUNCH AFTERPARTY
Nightlife
Friday, July 13
11:00PM – 3:00 AM
Joshua Brooks
106 Princess Street
Manchester,
M1 6NG
Cock off Beyonce!
Shove it Gaga!
Take the high road Taylor Swift!
Madonna Aid, the campaign to help the REAL Queen of Pop reclaim her gays, is back in Manchester on Friday 13 July, celebrating our queen’s 60th year of giving life with a non-stop Madonna-thon.
This is Madonna Aid’s biggest party yet at the 400-capacity Joshua Brooks, just a two-minute walk from Canal Street. So come on, do you believe in love?! Get on the dance floor and help her Majesty snatch back that crown that is so rightfully hers.
The party coincides with the launch of hot new book The Madonna of Bolton by Matt Cain, described as ‘Billy Elliot meets Beautiful Thing wearing a conical bra!’
Brought to you in association with Manchester Pride and our good friends at Bollox!
Tickets £5 ADV. Get them HERE
DANCE YOURSELF CLEAN VOL. 7
Nightlife
Saturday, July 14
11:00 PM – 2:30 AM
The Peer Hat
14-16 Faraday Street
Manchester,
M1 1BE
Announcing Dance Yourself Clean‘s summer party!
Serving you the best in Nu-disco, Synthwave, Synthpop, Art Pop, Dream pop, Electronica, Experimental pop, Hip Hop, Psychedelia, Indie Rock and funk!
Resident DYC DJs Tom Quaye and Phil Perry return to wield the Power Cosmic. Help make waves in the celestial ocean by dancing until the morning light and creating good vibes after good vibes!
£5 entry. Tickets Here
JEFFREY CHEUNG PROJECT: SKATEBOARD DESIGN
Art
Sunday, July 15, 2018
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The Proud Trust
The Joyce Layland LGBT Centre
45-51 Sidney Street
M1 7HB
Jeffrey Cheung is an American-based artist, illustrator and LGBT activist who set up Unity – an umbrella term for a multi-disciplinary collective involving skateboarding, publishing and workshops.
In the run up to Manchester Pride in August, Centre for Chinese Contemporay Art (CFCCA) with the Proud Trust are hosting a series of three FREE workshops inpired by the work of Jeffrey Cheung.
These monthly workshops are aimed at 16 – 25 year olds.
A selection of the work produced from all three workshops will be exhibited at CFCCA alongside documentation and images from Jeffrey Cheung’s work in August 2018 to coincide with Manchester Pride.
This event is on a drop in basis – no booking required.
Event Page: facebook.com/Jeffrey Cheung Skateboard Design
MOTHER’S RUIN
Theatre & Performance
Friday, July 20
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
1 Waterside Plaza
Sale,
Trafford
M33 7ZF
Hosted by Jonathan Mayor
Mother’s Ruin presents a hilarious night of outrageous and fiercely entertaining queer cabaret mayhem with an unprecedented line up of local artists from the sublime to the spectacular.
Comedy, music, drag, poetry and the unpredictable presented by a top bill of subversive Queer artists from the North West and beyond.
Full line up to be announced.
Running Times:
Set One: 20:00 – 20:50
Interval: 20:50 – 21:15
Set Two: 21:15 – 22:00
Age Recommendation 16+
GIN & TONIC OFFER (Ticket-holders aged 18+)
For £12 buy your ticket and a single gin & tonic
Events Page: watersidearts.org/mothers-ruin
THE LITTLE BOOK OF MASCULINITY
Dance/ Theatre & Performance
Sunday, July 22 – Tuesday, July 24
The kings Arms
11 Bloom Street
Salford
M3 6AN
Come and see John strip, dance and crack jokes all in the name of saving masculinity! Whether you’re in need of help to becoming a real man, or your masculine ego just needs a gentle rub, then this show is a must-see!
£8 Adult
£5 Concession
THE SUNDAY BOYS: OUR MANCHESTER HOME
Music / Theatre & Performance
Sunday 29 July
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
The Stoller Hall
Hunts Bank
Manchester
M3 1DA
Join Manchester’s male voice choir The Sunday Boys for their much-anticipated summer gig for an evening of music, singing and celebration as they reflect on their relationship with Manchester and the journey their beloved city has taken them on.
Featuring lyrics from Manchester-based poet Andrew McMillan and set to music by The Sunday Boys’ Musical Director Michael Betteridge, this special gig will feature three original compositions based on The Sunday Boys’ real-life experiences of Manchester, the city they call home.
The evening will feature a varied and exciting programme of original composition and arrangements such as: Leather by Tori Amos, Mornin’ Glow from the musical Pippin, Prettiest Eyes by The Beautiful South, Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat among many others.
Written around the themes of arrival, exploration, settling down and aging, The Sunday Boys will take you on a musical journey through this unique city.
Concessions: audiences aged 65+, students and under 19s
Event Page: stollerhall.com/whats-on/the-sunday-boys/
AUGUST
FOR THE NOSTALGIA
Art / Dance / Music
Friday, August 3
8:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Partisan Collective
19 Cheetham Hill Road
Manchester
M4 4FY
RebeccaNeverBecky Productions is a Manchester-based creative conceptual event organisation inspired by the cultural, musical, artistic and visual influences of yesteryear.
You are warmly welcomed to attend RNB Production’s official launch event and summertime extravaganza: FOR THE NOSTALGIA!
This will be an evening of vibrant conceptual cabaret comprising of dance, music and art-all of which will be paying homage to a very special and influential era that is the 1990s.
This era is undisputedly one of the most prolific decades which has heavily influenced culture and remains to have an impact on modern times. Admit it we all like 90’s jam or fashion here and there!
There will also be a particular focus on LGBTQIA, QTIPOC and women of colour perspectives. Celebrating up and coming, emerging and established creatives from Manchester and surrounding areas.
Expect to be taken on a immersive journey and most importantly this event will give way to a new and fresh space on the Manchester scene.
GOTHIKA – A DARK DRAG BALL
Dance/ Theatre & Performance
Friday 3 August
10:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Great Northern Warehouse
235 Deansgate
Manchester
M3 4EN
A dark drag show and macabre party celebrating what lurks in the shadows. The drag ball to end all drag balls. Looks that slay and voguing to literally die for.
Join the frighteningly talented Manchester party monster Cheddar Gorgeous and the monochrome drag vampire Liquorice Black for a night of dark drag and dance inspired by Manchester’s gothic past, present and future. A clubnight under candle light with Manchester’s finest DJs and the awe inspiring vogue house The House of Decay who serve savage beauty and dance moves that slay (and then bring you back from the dead!). Come dance until the sun turns you to dust!
Come shade yourself from the sunny summer night and plunge yourself into a dark world of queered gothic pleasures. Our amazing lineup of performers have been inspired by the academic work of Manchester Met’s Centre for Gothic Studies and in the 200 year anniversary of the publishing of Frankenstein they have been delving into the monstrous and the barbarous. This is a party for people who can’t wait another three months for All Hallows Eve.
Part of Manchester Gothic Manchester Festival 2018: www.mmu.ac.uk/gothicmanchesterfestival
CLOSETS THE MUSICAL
Music/ Theatre & Performance
Tuesday 14 August – Thursday 23 August
Hope Mill Theatre
113 Pollard Street
Manchester,
M4 7JA
A new original musical extravaganza starring Lloyd Daniels (X-Factor, Joseph National Tour) and Sam Retford (Ackley Bridge). It’s 1988 and 16 year old Henry is struggling with his sexuality, identity and daily battles with his mother. He goes inside his closet and unexpectedly time travels to 2018, meeting 16-year old Ben, who is living in his bedroom and dealing with similar issues today.
Ben and Henry decide to run away from their lives by time travelling in the closet, taking them on adventures to New York’s Stonewall bar in 1969 and beyond. But how long can they run from their lives before their time zones catch up with them?
Featuring uplifting pop musical numbers and contemporary ballads this show is guaranteed to warm everyones soul.
Recommended age 12 +. Features some strong language and sexual references.
BURNOUT
Theatre & Performance
Thursday, August 23 – Saturday, August 25
3 Minute Theatre
Afflecks Palace
Manchester
M1 1JG
Midnight. A 24-hour gym. A missing person. A missing piece.
Raf – charming, charismatic, the life of the party – has disappeared. Everybody at the gym tonight has been affected by him in some way. But is Raf the only thing missing? Or is everybody missing something?
A play about living life in your own way, the struggles of mental illness and the light at the end of the darkness.
Tickets: ticketsource.co.uk/burnout
PENGUIN PRIDE ON TOUR 2018
Literature
Thursday, August 23, 2018
19:30 PM – 22:30 PM
Z-Arts
335 Stretford Road
Manchester
M15 5ZA
Penguin Pride comes to Manchester for the first time ever this August with an awe-inspiring line-up of LGBTQ writers, poets, musicians and activists to celebrate the city’s incredible diversity and to shine a light on new voices in the community.
Hosted at Z-Arts by award-winning poet and playwright Toby Campion, this multi-arts festival-style event will showcase published authors alongside local writers and performers in what promises to be a truly inspiring evening of queer talent.
Partnering with GAY TIMES and The Albert Kennedy Trust, Penguin Pride will celebrate and encourage diversity and inclusion in every location, championing local voices and influencers whilst highlighting the importance of LGBTQ literature and examining queer stories through the lens of multiple art disciplines.
£1 per ticket sold will go towards the great work of The Albert Kennedy Trust, a national LGBTQ youth homelessness charity.
Events Page: penguin.co.uk/penguin-pride-2018-manchester/
MICHELLE VISAGE AT THE RUBY LOUNGE
Nightlife/Theatre & Performance
Saturday, August 25
11:00 PM – 3:00 AM
The Ruby Lounge
Manchester
The legendary MICHELLE VISAGE will be welcomed back to Pop Curious? at The Ruby Lounge on the Saturday night of the Manchester Pride weekend as part of the ‘Judging You 2018’ tour!
She will be guest judge at the return of THE HUNTY GAMES: a drag lip sync battle to the death, featuring eight fierce queens who – in honour of Michelle returning – will be performing against each other to tracks by the biggest Pop Divas from throughout the years!
The winner of the original Hunty Games, ANNA PHYLACTIC will also be a guest judge on the night, with Pop Curious? hostess Miss TILLY SKREAMS also helping to read drag tributes to filth.
As well as the competition, there’ll be a thrilling pop diva soundtrack courtesy of DANNY OLSSON-LANE (Cha Cha Boudoir / Fugly), PHIL BAKSTAD (Sonic Youtha) and the ever-present CHRISTOPHER DRESDEN STYLES from doors until close.
Facebook Event Page: facebook.com/events/1654457961336680/
OCTOBER
RENT PARTY
Theatre & Performance
Wednesday, October 10
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
The Klondyke
1 Burnage Range
Manchester,
England, M19 2HQ
Being broke never looked so fierce.
Winning a string of 5-star reviews, Rent Party has been created by an extraordinary group of artists with a long association with Contact: Darren Pritchard, Sonia Hughes and Cheryl Martin.
“We’re inviting you to a party in The Klondyke, we’re going to entertain you with all our friends – dancers, singers and musicians – we’re going to vogue, we’re going to party and we’re going to create a kaleidoscopic picture of what it means to be young, gifted, black…and poor, and gay.”
THE PRIDE
Theatre & Performance
Tuesday, October 16 – Saturday, October 20
Hope Mill Theatre
113 Pollard Street
Manchester
M4 7JA
‘It was the first time, when we were together, when we were embracing that I felt that I had a pride. A pride for the person I was.’
The powerful debut play from Alexi Kaye Campbell (Apologia, The Faith Machine, Bracken Moor), presented by Green Carnation Company.
The 1958 Oliver is in love with Philip, but Philip is married to Sylvia. The 2008 Philip is in love with Oliver, but Oliver is addicted to sex with strangers. Sylvia loves them both.
Alternating between 1958 and 2008, The Pride examines changing attitudes to sexuality, looking at intimacy, identity and the courage it takes to be who you really are. It celebrates the ideals of gay pride and challenges ideas of shame and the worth we put on ourselves.
The Pride has previously been performed in London starring Hayley Atwell and Matt Horne, and New York starring Ben Whishaw, Hugh Dancy and Andrea Riseborough.
‘Marvellous, sad and blisteringly funny. A brave and rewarding drama that speaks to us all.’ The Guardian on The Pride.
Events Page: hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/the-pride/
NOVEMBER
THE MAIDS
Theatre & Performance
Friday, November 16 – Friday, November 30
HOME
2 Tony Wilson Place
Manchester,
M15 4FN
A deadly game of ritual, role-play and rubber gloves.
Two sisters, Clare and Solange live and work as maids in a grand house in a French city. When the mistress is out, they play an obsessive game of role play in which one of the sisters dresses up in the fine clothes belonging to the mistress.
Acting out the power structures which define their lives with great theatricality, the sisters expose a complex relationship of violence, submission, tenderness and erotic tension. As the line between make believe and reality becomes increasingly distorted, it becomes clear that the aim of the game is to murder their mistress.
Jean Genet’s radical play premiered in 1947 and was inspired by a genuine case. The Papin sisters bludgeoned their employer and her daughter to death before being discovered lying naked in bed together with their bloody murder weapons at their side.
The Maids is a play of fantasies, rituals, masks and mirrors. Well ahead of its time, The Maids explodes with modern ideas about sexual and political outcasts, the inequality of society and the idea of gender as performance.
Tickets: homemcr.org/production/the-maids/
More information on Pride’s fringe events can be found on Supberbia’s Website
