AHEAD of The Pride Big Weekend on August Bank Holiday comes Pride Fringe – now in its eleventh year. Celebrating LGBT arts in the city, it brings a diverse programme of music, film, writing, and art to suit all tastes, with over 40 events across Greater Manchester.
Creator of Coronation Street, Tony Warren, joins writers and stars from ITV to give a fascinating insight into the complexities of characters coming out in soaps
The festival kicks off on 1 August with a series of events in partnership with fellow festival organisers Dig the City. Established artist Paul Harfleet reactivates the well known Alan Turing Memorial in Sackville Gardens in an immersive installation, BYTE (Saturday 2 August). Paul is also delivering a talk about his ongoing work known as the Pansy Project (Saturday 3 August). A number of pieces from the Pansy Project will be exhibited throughout the month at DoubleTree by Hilton hotel.
Continuing the programme of LGBT artists is high profile exhibition, Queerchester: Liberation and Legacies (from Friday 15 August) and a flamboyant show of works by Canadian artist and illustrator Maurice Vellekoop. Cockadoodle is his first European solo show (Friday 15 August) and look out for splinter events such as Got Lead? and Naked Boys Reading!
If you’re looking for a bit of variety, then make a plan to see Manchester Pride favourite Denise Black, who played Vince’s energetic mother and karaoke queen Hazel Tyler in the epic Channel 4 series Queer as Folk. She returns to the Gay Village with Hazel’s Karaoke Night (Saturday 9 August) for one night only.
From one epic series to another. A flagship Fringe event for 2014 is Coming Out: From Script to Screen, in partnership with ITV. Creator of Coronation Street, Tony Warren, joins writers and stars from ITV to give a fascinating insight into the complexities of characters coming out in soaps, and how this is translated from script to screen (Tuesday 19 August).
Moving from the small screen to the big screen, Manchester Pride is delighted to be working with esteemed film producers Pathé to present a series of events ahead of the major release of their outstanding film, Pride. There will be cast Q&As along with a chance to meet some of the figures featured in the film. Find out more about the programme at manchesterpride.com/pride.
And finally, Pride Fringe will be taking over a Metrolink tram and filling it with live music. Plus look out for a performance from a naked harpist, and the return of the ever-popular Chamber Music Concerts.
See the Full Guide to Pride Fringe
Highlights of Pride Fringe 2014
BYTE
An art installation by Paul Harfleet
Saturday 2 August, 1pm, Sackville Gardens
Byte is a new work by artist Paul Harfleet (the Pansy Project) which uses the Alan Turing memorial sculpture in Sackville Gardens as a catalyst for conversation. Harfleet intends to reactivate this well-known memorial and encourage conversation and debate about Turing’s legacy and the mythology that surrounds the life and death of this controversial figure.
Harfleet will distribute subtly augmented apples to passers-by and invite them to take a bite. During this performative action Harfleet will explain the use of the apple; it’s significance to Alan Turing and the symbolism of the apple throughout history.
FREE
The Pansy Project
Presented by Leftcoast, Blackpool Pride, Dig the City, Manchester Pride and DoubleTree by Hilton
Friday 1 August onwards, DoubleTree by Hilton
Artist Paul Harfleet plants pansies at the site of homophobia. This ongoing work, known as The Pansy Project, is now in its ninth year. Harfleet devised the project in Manchester in 2005 and it has gone on to appear across the UK and beyond, including in Belgium, Germany, Turkey and the US.
FREE
Artists Talk: Paul Harfleet
Presented by Manchester Pride and Dig the City
Sunday 3 August, 3pm, Dig the City Festival Hub
Join Pansy Project artist Paul Harfleet for an insightful talk about his work, challenging homophobia, and his co-production with Manchester Pride; Byte.
FREE
Cabaret at the Grill
Presented by Manchester Pride and Grill on New York Street
Thursday 14 August, from 7pm-late, Grill on New York Street
A wonderful charity fundraiser with great food and entertainment courtesy of the Grill on New York Street. Guests are invited to a sparkling drinks reception, followed by a delicious four-course dinner with an exciting programme of live music and cabaret performances.
Performing at the event will be La Voix – a warm and generous performer and one of the most enigmatic voices in the industry. She has performed on stage and screen, and by appointment to the Royals, and reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2014. Expect some serious glamour and show-stopping numbers.
£50 per person (includes a £10 donation to Manchester Pride)
Book on 0161 238 9790 or email: thegrillonnewyorkstreetbdm@blackhouse.uk.com
www.manchesterpride.com/whatson/grill
Hazel’s Karaoke Night
Presented by Manchester Pride, starring Denise Black
Saturday 9 August, 8.30pm, New York New York
Hazel’s back! Hazel “too busy dancin’...title of my autobiography that is” Tyler was Vince’s Mum in the iconic Channel 4 series Queer As Folk by Russell T Davies.
She was played by Brighton-based actress Denise Black.
At Pride Fringe 2014, Denise hosts ‘Hazel’s Karaoke’ for one night only. This is your chance to party your socks off, and maybe even sing a duet with Hazel.
Free. Donations welcome.
Coming Out: from Script to Screen
Manchester Pride in partnership with ITV
Tuesday 19 August, 7pm, Compass Room, The Lowry
A highlight of Pride Fringe 2014. Join creator of Coronation Street, Tony Warren, actress Brooke Vincent and writers Jonathan Harvey, Damon Rochefort and Debbie Oates as they discuss the concept of characters in soaps coming out, and how the story moves from script to screen.
This should be a fascinating discussion.
This event is likely to be very popular so booking is advised.
£5
PRIDE CAST Q&A
Presented by Pathé
Friday 22 August, 2.30pm, Selfridges, Exchange Square
It’s the summer of 1984 – Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is on strike.
At the Gay Pride March in London, a group of gay and lesbian activists decide to raise money to support the families of the striking miners. But there is a problem. The Union seems embarrassed to receive their support.
But the activists are not deterred. They decide to ignore the Union and go direct to the miners. They identify a mining village in deepest Wales and set off in a mini bus to make their donation in person. And so begins the extraordinary story of two seemingly alien communities who form a surprising and ultimately triumphant partnership.
Pride was written by Stephen Beresford and stars Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Paddy Cosidine, Dominic West, Andrew Scott and Joe Gilgun.
Join members of the cast as they discuss the forthcoming movie's historical significance and uplifting message.
This event will be popular and has limited availability. Please email pride@manchestepride.com to be added to the guest list (maximum two places per person).
FREE
Secret Screening
Presented by Manchester Pride
Friday 15 August, 7.30pm and Saturday 16 August, 2.30pm, The Moston Miners Community Arts & Music Centre
Join us at our secret cinema for an exclusive preview of a forthcoming major film release. Come along and see how a little support can go a long way.
This is an intimate venue with a very limited number of tickets available.
£8 (Fri) £6 (Sat)
Book now: manchesterpride.com/secret
Metrolink Sessions: The Jam on a Tram
Presented by Manchester Pride and Metrolink
Wednesday 13 August, 8pm, leaving from Piccadilly Metrolink Station
Manchester Pride and Metrolink are collaborating to present a unique event never before seen in Manchester – an exclusive moving gig on the city’s trams.
This will be a journey, and an evening, like no other as the vibrant Twisted Tubes get your feet tapping and hips shaking as you wind your way to MediaCityUK and back for a drinks reception.
Twisted Tubes is a ten-piece brass band that turns traditional tubes on their head. It will be popular so book your tickets in advance.
£8
