THIS Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 24 - Monday 27) sees the Manchester Pride Festival bring it's usual colourful carnival atmosphere to the streets of the city. Across the weekend there are dozens of events, attractions and parties. As thousands of people descend on The Village and surrounding areas here is a list of some of the biggest events happening across this year's Pride.
Tickets and wristbands for select events over the weekend are available here.
Parade
This takes place on Saturday. The theme for this year is ‘Queer’d Science’ in a tribute to famous gay mathematician Alan Turing and promises to ‘celebrate all things Blighty’. Flying their rainbow flags in the parade will be members of Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, as well as representatives of G-A-Y, Baa Bar, Gaydar and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service among a whole host of others. The procession will begin outside the Hilton Hotel on Deansgate at 1pm and wend its way along Princess Street to end on Whitworth Street in The Village.
Pride Parade
Gaydar Arena
The Gaydar Arena is the main musical hub for the weekend featuring a line-up of local, national and international acts. The arena will be situated on Bloom Street/Sackville Street with entry allowed only to ticket or wristband holders. Among the headline acts are Steps who, with 20 million album sales and 14 consecutive top five hits are one of Britain’s most successful pop groups. The Sunday night headline slot comes courtesy of former Yazoo star Alison Moyet. The 80s singer who became famous with Yazoo at 21 and released her solo triple-platinum selling album at 23 will be performing hits from the whole of her back catalogue. She will also be joined on stage by X-Factor finalist Amelia Lilly, who will showcase her debut single, 'Bring Me Joy'. Other acts include Mel Blatt formerly of All Saints, Abba tribute band Bjorn Again, 2 Shoes, Cleo Soul, Alexander Stewart and many more.
Gaydar Arena
Village Market.
Across the weekend there will be a Village Market which is exactly what it sounds like – a market in The Village. There'll be organic clothing, clubwear, jewellery, mementos, cupcakes and confectionary.
Village Market
Sackville Gardens.
The Pride extravaganza also takes over Sackville Gardens for the weekend with Saturday and Sunday showcasing events throughout the day. Saturday will see a handful of new and emerging artists take to the stage. One of which will be I Am Tich who ahead of the release of her first EP can already list Paolo Nutini, Pixie Lott and Justin Bieber as her touring mates. Also on the bill are The Spiels, formed in 2010 by Canadian singer/songwriter Ryan Lamey and British songwriter/producer Ben McGarvey. The Spiels are set to release new material this year having already released a cover of Kate Bush’s ‘December Will Be Magic Again’ and produced a soundtrack for Red Theatre Company’s production of ‘Closer’. Moving on to Sunday see’s the Womens Stage come to life, headlined by the evergreen Toyah. Backing Toyah on the stage will be comedian/musician Rosie Wilby, Blues/Rock band Kath and the Kicks and singer Claire Mooney among others.
Sackville Gardens
Lifestyle Expo
Open across the weekend the Lifestyle Expo is an outdoor covered exhibition space in The Village that provides a wealth of information and resources about community groups, health, sports clubs, legal advice and much more. The expo will be open across Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11am until 6pm.
Lifestyle Expo
Official Closing Party – Cruz 101
The longest running gay party night in Manchester at Cruz 101 will double up as the official Pride closing party on Bank Holiday Monday 27. Back To The 90s will celebrate the end of this year’s festival with one stage playing out archive classics from the 70s through to the noughties and another providing a more dancey vibe with classic trance. Entry is priced at £6 for members and advance tickets whereas Pride volunteers and Village staff get in absolutely free on production of staff ID.
Cruz 101 Closing Party
Candlelit Vigil
The culmination of the festival proper will take place again in Sackville Gardens with the George House Trust Candlelit Vigil. From 9.15pm on Monday evening the gardens will become a flickering field of flames candles are lit and people pause to take a minute to remember those who have been lost to the HIV virus and join together to fight the deadly worldwide epidemic. The vigil is the spiritual heart of the Manchester Pride festival and will afford a quiet moment of reflection in a weekend of celebration.
Candlelit Vigil
Further information about Manchester Pride 2012 can be found on the official website here.
