Preview: Manchester Pride 2011

Featured image: Sir Ian (‘Serena’) McKellen at Manchester Pride 2010. Photograph by Ian Pattinson via Flickr.

This year, Manchester’s Gay Pride becomes a fully legal adult. It’s hitting the big two-one, so naturally they promise that this year will be bigger and better than ever. The ten-day festivities kick off on Friday 19 August, ending on Monday 29 August and they have a lot lined up every day: if you can afford to spend ten days and nights celebrating in the UK’s northern gay capital, you should.

The Pride Fringe runs from 19-25 August and showcases the more cultural side of Manchester’s LGBT community, with over 40 different exhibitions, concerts, musicals and plays, public discussions, outdoor and sporting activities, and much more. The more interesting events include a Drag King workshop, a debate with openly gay sports personalities, Quaker meetings, a tea party and burlesque show, the LGBT Family Fun Day, the Pink Dog Show, and the infamous It’s a Gay Knockout. A full list of what’s on can be downloaded from the official Manchester Pride website.

2008's X Factor winner Alexandra Burke will be headlining on this year's main arena

On Friday 26 August we enter the Big Weekend, with four full days and nights of sweaty, hot fun. The Gaydar Main Arena will be host to up-and-coming and big-name stars (still not quite as big as Kylie though, unfortunately) including Pixie Lott, Sugababes, Alexandra Burke, Patrick Wolf, boyband Blue and the Original Bucks Fizz, to name just a few.

The Village Square and Sackville Gardens will be holding various established and new musical, comedy, theatrical and drag acts, including Hollyoaks actress Abi Phillips, Corrie star Bruno Langley, Bears Aloud, the UK’s number one drag king artist Valentino King and the cross-dressing comedy Sinderfella, starring Alice Barry from Shameless.

For those of you who fancy something more relaxing, there is a Lifestyle Expo with access to resources and information regarding the local LGBT community groups and lifestyle advice, the Village Market for a spot of shopping and the ‘Out in the Past Heritage’ Trail which takes you back over Manchester’s incredible 200-year-long LGBT history.

The Parade – the heart of Manchester Pride - will take over the city centre on Saturday 27 August from 1pm, and this year’s theme is the ‘Best of British’, so if you fancy dressing up to watch it, there are plenty of British-made cultural inspirations to choose from. It will start at Deansgate before moving onto St Ann’s Street, Cross Street, Albert Square, Princess Street and ending on Whitworth Street on the edge of Canal Street. Community groups and clubs, local, national and international companies, many of Canal Street’s own bars, pubs and clubs, charity organisations, political parties and health and rescue services will be taking part in the huge travelling carnival party, consisting of participants of all ages and from all backgrounds. And who knows, maybe Sir Ian McKellen will make a return appearance after last year? Or perhaps another international superstar will be there?

Monday will be the final day of celebrations, and what better way to start it than some exercise to burn all those calories you will have consumed over the past few days? No? Oh well, if you’re interested in doing any there will be a mass zumba session and same-gender tango lessons taking place in the Square. To wind down the weekend, the gardens will be holding their own Proms in the Park before ending with a moving candlelit vigil at 9pm to remember those who have passed away from HIV and Aids.

There are always some great attractions at these Pride events…

However, if you just want to go out and party in the countless bars and clubs that Manchester’s famous Gay Village has to offer – let’s admit it, that’s what the majority of us will be doing, right? – you will not be short of places and events from which to choose. Many will be presenting special Pride-related nights throughout the ten-day festival. Some notable events include one-off gigs by pop stars like Mutya Buena and Booty Luv (Eagle Bar), Gareth Gates and Angie Brown (Cruz 101) and Lady Gaga! No, we joke, but the ever-popular Poptastic will be hosting a party dedicated just to her on 27 August. Some of these nights may require tickets, which we would recommend you purchase in advance. Again, the full list is available on the official Pride website.

Manchester Pride is noted for being one of Europe’s biggest and most action-packed LGBT events and this year is guaranteed to be no different. Some thought London Pride 2011 was not quite as busy or as enjoyable as in previous years, and with Brighton Pride having faced controversy for charging people for the first time ever, many are hoping Manchester will not disappoint. Some of us from the So So Gay team will be attending and will be reporting back on our thoughts and adventures (well, maybe not all our adventures) soon…

Big Weekend and single day tickets are still available to purchase online from the website, over the phone and throughout the Gay Village itself.