Now in its third year, Pride in Trafford brings together a diverse range of performers and performances, from comedy and cabaret, storytelling and solo shows to photography and physical theatre.

While Manchester Pride might grab the headlines, local prides such as Trafford bring a real celebration of diversity to local communities, highlighting a broad range of queer arts and artists that may have otherwise remained inaccessible.

We cannot wait to see the community back celebrating Pride in Trafford for five days of queer joy, fun and pride

Trafford Pride is part of the GM Pride Network, bringing together Prides across Greater Manchester, as well as the GM Digital Pride, a streaming event that was held last year to make Pride accessible during the pandemic and to raise money for the LGBT Foundation and George House Trust.

Launching this year’s Trafford Pride is the annual Flag Raising at Sale Town Hall at 11am on Tuesday 17 May to coincide with and mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

Grace By Allie Crewe Will Be Exhibited At Sale Waterside For Pride In Trafford — **'Grace' won the BJP Portrait of Britain Award** Image: Allie Crewe

Art in its various guises is a huge focus of Trafford Pride, with Allie Crewe’s Your Own Light exhibition opening at Sale Waterside, described by Magnum as “highly rated, sincere, poignant and classical”, this emotive exhibition is filled with heart and empathy.

The exhibition is curated by Castlefield Gallery and supported by Arts Council England. Whilst work is on display up until June, Crewe aims to add to her exhibition with new photographs of LGBTQ+ people living in Greater Manchester.

The visual arts element of Pride in Trafford continues with Interstice – a digital display and autobiographical embodiment of artist Paul Scott Bullen’s experience of homophobic resistance.

Vivienne De Vil Will Perform At Pride In Trafford — **Diva Vivienne de Vil will perform** Image: Pride in Trafford

Performance

Live cabaret and comedy also feature prominently throughout this year’s Pride in Trafford celebrations with highlights including musical theatre diva Vivienne de Vil. In her brand-new show With One Look Vivienne sings through life’s ups and downs, embracing the future one show tune at a time.

Alternative comedy night Laugh Riot includes MC Jonathan Mayor - a cult figure in comedy; comic and improviser Kate McCabe; drag queen and live streamer Red Redmond and critically acclaimed stand-up Bethany Black. This event will be raising money for the life-saving and life-enhancing charity, the Proud Trust.

Dancer and choreographer Rowena Gander presents her experimental, thought-provoking new work through contemporary pole dance fusion. In her one-woman show Barely Visible she brings together dance and the spoken word to shed a light on common issues that queer women face.

Author Photo Of Emmy Clarke Who Will Appear At Pride In Trafford — **Emmy Clarke will read at Sale Library** Image: Emmy Clarke

Youth

Events for younger audiences sit at the heart of this year’s programme, with leading local groups Gorse Hill Studios, Rainbow Reflections and Cooking Club coming together to create a fun and free special Pride event for young people in Trafford. There’ll be cooking sessions followed by loads of activities, including quizzes, music, arts activities, all curated by and for young people.

Lovers of all things gothic are invited to a very special event with Emmy Clarke, writer of Vampire Hunter Jess - a funny and heart-warming short story for children. Inspired by her own personal experiences growing up with autism, Clarke’s protagonist Jess is also an autistic girl, who is determined to find proof that her neighbour is a vampire. Emmy will read excerpts from her work on 17 May at Sale Library.

Wildflower Perofrmance Will Appear At Trafford Pride Amelia Read — **Wildflower by Curious Arts** Image: Amelia Read

Closing events

Wildflower is a fun, floral pop-up performance that celebrates being your vibrant, colourful self even under the harshest conditions. On Saturday 21 May, the team from Curious Arts will spread the love by creating a joyous vibe wherever they peddle on their flowery trike.

Throughout the same afternoon, Pride in Trafford and Roman-style pizza specialists Mano a Bocca will host a free outdoor celebration on Waterside Plaza, with family-friendly activities and stalls from local organisations. We will be on the lookout for rainbow gelato and (hopefully) sunshine.

A Pizza And Glass Of Wine At Mano A Bocca At Sale Waterside Manchester — **Mano a Bocca will host the closing celebrations** Image: Confidentials

Producer for Pride in Trafford and Manager of Waterside, Darren Adams commented: “We are really thrilled with this year’s line-up for Pride in Trafford. There is a real sense of ‘coming together’ weaved throughout the programme – not just because all the events are live in person, but in terms of the themes, the artists and the collaborators involved. Through their work, all our performers celebrate inclusivity, love, diversity and togetherness and one thing that really stands out and encapsulates this year’s programme is that our differences can unite us and that it is something to embrace and celebrate. We cannot wait to see the community back celebrating Pride in Trafford for five days of queer joy, fun and pride.”

Tickets are on sale from Thursday 31 March at prideintrafford.org

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