Manchester Pride 2011 Preview

2011 sees Manchester Pride turn 21, and to celebrate this momentous landmark, the organisers are planning what looks set to easily be the biggest and boldest pride event yet.

Pride Fringe

The festival officially kicks off on the 19th August, with a week of Fringe events at various locations around the city. Expect unique and diverse arts, culture, comedy, music and theatre all celebrating gay pride. Download a guide to the Fringe events here.

The Big Weekend

The appropriately named Big Weekend kicks off on Friday 25th August when the village comes alive as people travel from across the UK and abroad to what is arguably best Pride event going. The Gaydar main arena is where the biggest headline acts will be performing, and this year’s line-up is in my opinion the best ever.

Friday sees legendary comedian Pam Ann take to the stage, followed by dance diva Angie Brown.

Things step up a gear on Saturday with Gaydar Radio bringing a host of live DJs and PAs throughout the day, hot new girl band Soundgirl perform live, and UK pop queen Miss Pixie Lott graces the stage to perform her chart smashes.

Sunday night is the big one for live acts as local and emerging musical talent Rubika, Horse, Heather Peace, and Santiago Street Machine perform live. Acclaimed singer/songwriter Patrick Wolf performs, as do Zuko Fontaine with guitar driven electro pop. The headliners are pop legends Sugababes, Jade, Heidi and Amelle, bringing a live set of the band's biggest hits and their new track ‘Freedom’, and X-Factor superstar Alexandra Burke in association with G.A.Y. Phew!

That’s not all, Monday sees an even more diverse selection of performers, highlights include Toyah, Hazel Dean, Bucks Fizz, 4 Poofs and a Piano – and the headliners, Blue! This year’s Eurovision hopefuls bring us their anthemic entry ‘I Can’ and a smattering of their naughties pop gems. That really is it now.

The village’s bars and clubs are pulling out all the stops to bring you a literally huge selection of events across the weekend... from Back To School nights at VIA, Mutya Buena performing live at Eagle Bar, legendary London nights Fire and Onyx taking on Essential, to Monday Morning Glory at Queer for the real hardcore party animals. There’s a bar to suit every possible taste, all guaranteed to be packed with high-spirited party goers; my advice is to grab a beer and have a wander round the village to get your bearings and work out where best to get your pride on. For full event listings check the Pride website.

Candlelight Vigil

The culmination of the Big Weekend is the George House Trust Candlelit Vigil in which Sackville Gardens is turned into a sea of flickering candles as we take a minute to remember those we’ve lost to the HIV virus and join together to fight the epidemic worldwide. The Vigil is the spiritual heart of the Manchester Pride festival and there is a truly magical and moving atmosphere of quiet reflection in the gardens.

Inclusion

Whilst the focus of Manchester Pride is undoubtedly a celebration of gay, lesbian and transgender rights, culture, and style, it is important to note that every year the event attracts a huge number of people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, sexualities and walks of life. Quite simply, anyone wanting to join in the party is welcome – and we mean join in the party; the event works closely with local police to ensure people with the wrong attitude are not permitted.

Hotels

Manchester city centre is littered with hotels, several on and surrounding the village itself. Check out Velvet, Malmaison and Mint Hotel for a luxury, central hotel option. Isis, Holiday Inn and Stays Inn are a little further out but perfect for those on a more limited budget. Endless restaurants provide dining options for every possible taste and budget; our top tips are View, Eden and Velvet (under the hotel), all offering top quality nosh throughout the weekend. Most hotels are booked up well in advance but check Skiddle Hotels for the best last minute deals.

I’ve been going to Manchester Pride for a good eight or nine years now, and can honestly say it seems to get bigger and better each time. This year looks set to be no exception, literally the perfect way to say goodbye to summer with a bang.

Skiddle bring you three of the biggest club events of Pride weekend...

Saturday 27th August

Federation presents Out Of Africa @ Manchester Academy 1

Federation presents a huge 'one room' production led event themed on everything that is wild! As well as the crazy antics of the Federation entertainers and dancers, the team are flying in an African dance troupe that has to be seen to be believed. The all important funfair will also return to the back of the Academy along with plenty of room to chill out and rest those dancing feet. Federation’s headlining trio of DJs Gregg Holden, Jason Guy and Nik Denton will be bring you Federation’s big room sounds.

Advance tickets £18.00

Homoelectric @ Legends

HomoElectric is a non-stop exotic disco for twisted sleazy people. Expect faggy disco, jacking house, rock 'n' roll trash and outsider pop. Gun slinging in our bank holiday showdown, a reunion of the Mancunians in the form of Guy Williams and Dave Kendrick as three club nights become one for a night of lewd conduct.

Advance tickets £11.00

Sunday 28th August

Federation from Sankeys with Pride

A very special event at Sankeys on Bank Holiday Sunday 28th August as part of Manchester Pride’s Big Weekend, this event is aimed at our different soundtracks with three rooms of music: Tough chunky house, the hugely popular Federation classics and a cool mix of New York style electronic disco in the most underground venue in the city. Sankeys has also been voted the number one club in the world by readers of Mixmag and boasts state of the art sound and lighting, and a huge outdoor terrace complete with its own beach. All this added to Federation’s production, DJs and entertainers come together to create an awesome atmosphere.

Advance tickets £18.00

Words: Chris White