Pride in Trafford returns with special 'Block Party Weekender'
Sale is once again at the forefront of championing LGBTQ+ arts, community and creativity with the return of Pride in Trafford 2024.
Pride of Trafford 2024 is returning to Sale’s Waterside in May - © Pride in Trafford
Taking place from Wednesday 15 - Saturday 18 May 2024, the festival marks its sixth year with a programme of performances, workshops and events centred around Waterside arts venue in Sale.
Pride in Trafford kicks off on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, with the chief executive of Trafford Council raising the Pride flag at Waterside Plaza. This symbolic act, accompanied by local school children performing songs, is a potent reminder of the festival’s commitment to unity and diversity.
This year’s festival is buzzing with innovation, notably introducing the ‘Block Party Weekender’ as the grand finale. This new addition promises two days filled with live performances, dazzling cabaret, engaging talks and family activities, transforming Waterside’s theatre space into a vibrant ballroom and communal celebration area.
Family Catwalk Extravaganza © David Oakes
The ‘Block Party for Families’ on Saturday 18 May features a number of free, fun and fabulous outdoor events for all ages on Waterside Plaza. Bringing a bit of glitz and glamour to kick start the day, is a Ghetto Fabulous Catwalk Extravaganza fusing vogue, dance, fashion and lip sync. There will also be a free, drop-in workshop 15 minutess before the show for all those who want to learn how to strut their stuff like a pro!
With a particular focus on community engagement and developing new queer talent in 2024, The Queer Creatives Assembly is a free event aimed at building connections among LGBTQ+ artists and creatives from Greater Manchester. It represents an invaluable opportunity for networking, collaboration and showcasing emerging queer talent, underlined by a focus on community engagement.
Images above © Joel Fildes.
The programming is as diverse as it is engaging. From Susan Kerr’s exploration of love and identity in "We See Each Other Better with Our Eyes Closed" to trans artist and Drag King Hunter Millington, who explores themes of dysphoria, joy and discovering your authentic self in their new campy country musical for trans equality. They will be joined by Laurie Williams and Reece Bennett – our most recent commissionees to receive the Pride Stages bursary.
The Cocoa Butter Club © Dawn Kilner
Pride in Trafford is not just a celebration but also a platform for education and outreach. The collaboration with Gorse Hill Studios and Rainbow Reflections to host a special evening for young LGBTQ+ individuals highlights the festival’s dedication to inclusivity and support for the youth of the community.
The Laugh Riot Comedy Night returns with a stellar lineup of LGBTQ+ comics, promising an evening filled with laughter and levity, while the Block Party for Families and the Village on the Plaza offer fun, educational and engaging activities for all ages.
Darren Adams, producer for Pride in Trafford and manager of Waterside, said: “I’m really excited for this year’s Pride in Trafford; the festival champions LGBTQ+ arts as a powerful vehicle for expression, representation and social change. We aim to create a platform where LGBTQ+ voices can be heard and celebrated, and our communities’ stories can be shared.”
For more information, visit prideintrafford.org or see some festival highlights below.
Our Pride in Trafford 2024 event highlights
Official festival launch
Wednesday 15 May at 11am
Free
To mark International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and the opening of the Pride in Trafford 2024 festivities, expect speeches and song as the Pride Flag is raised at Sale Town Hall.
📍 Waterside Plaza, Sale M33 7ZF
The Queer Creatives Assembly
Wednesday 15 May 6-7pm
Free
A chance to connect, collaborate and celebrate with LGBTQ+ creatives from Greater Manchester at this brand-new gathering.
Whether you're an artist, writer, theatre-maker, designer or anyone with a passion for creativity, you’ll be welcomed in a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. Expect vibrant conversations, meaningful connections and a chance to network and hear from Queer artists and creatives supported through Creative Industries Trafford.
Free event, but pre-registration is required – prideintrafford.org/assembly.
📍 Lauriston Gallery, Waterside M33 7ZF
Making Waves: A Celebration of New Queer Work
Wednesday 15 May 7.30-9pm
£12 / £10
An opportunity to watch four brand-new works by LGBTQ+ artists in Greater Manchester in partnership with Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Arts & Culture Network, delivered by LGBT Foundation.
Susan Kerr’s ‘We See Each Other Better with Our Eyes Closed’ explores being an older Black lesbian in the queer community and love in all its messy complexity. Trans artist and Drag King Hunter Millington explores themes of dysphoria, joy and discovering your authentic self in their new campy country musical for trans equality. They will be joined by Laurie Williams and Reece Bennett - our most recent commissionees to receive the Pride Stages bursary.
📍 Robert Bolt Theatre, Waterside M33 7ZF
Laugh Riot: Pride in Trafford
Thursday 16 May 8pm
£16
An evening of the very best in alternative comedy featuring: multi-award nominated comedian, presenter, actor and writer Stephen Bailey, whose indecorous brand of gossipy humour has singled him out as one of the UK’s most sought-after talents; comic and improviser Kate McCabe and Jonathan Mayor - a huge cult figure in comedy, with award-winning writer, stand up and TV & Radio regular Katie Mulgrew as MC.
📍 Robert Bolt Theatre, Waterside M33 7ZF
Block Party Weekender
Block Party Weekender ticket £25
Day ticket £15 (£18 on the door)
A celebration of inclusivity and unity, join in with this sensational Block Party Weekender. Across the weekend, there’ll be live performances, dazzling cabaret, talks, family activities and loads more.
Waterside’s theatre space will be transformed into a ballroom, hosting The Cocoa Butter Club, Bongo’s Bingo Festival Experience, DJs and cabaret.
Block Party Family Edition
Family Catwalk Extravaganza + Mini Pride
Saturday 18 May 12-4pm
Free
Get ready for an exciting free outdoor edition of the Block Party Weekender on Waterside Plaza, featuring specially curated activities for children and young people and their families.
Family Catwalk Extravaganza
12.30pm and 3pm
Bring your glamour, glitz and grace and come together in a fabulous celebration of self-expression. Four dancers go head to head in a dance, fashion and lip sync competition in an interactive event where the audience decides the winner.
Whether you just want to join in the fun or have a passion for posing, come along and show off your own magnificence by dressing up and helping crown the winner!
Dress your finest, learn the moves – then take to the floor…
Want to learn the moves? There will be an audience workshop 15 minutes before the show for those who want to strut their stuff!
Mini Pride
The brilliant Curious Arts will again take over Sale Library Atrium for Mini Pride, a joyous celebration of individuality and creativity!
Ignite your imagination by taking part in fun activities from colourful arts and crafts to inclusive storytimes with our Curious Artists.
A welcoming, relaxed space for families, be proud and celebrate!
Suitable for ages 3-7 and their families.
📍 Sale Library, 2 Tatton Road, Sale M33 7EB
Block Party Saturday
Saturday 18 May 8pm until late
Bongo’s Bingo Festival Experience + DJ + Chillout Space
As the festival draws to a close, there’s one final hurrah in the ballroom. Prepare to close the festival for another year, dust off your dancing shoes for a bonkers celebration.
Bongo’s Bingo Festival Experience
Music. Mayhem. Prizes… this is the Bongo’s Bingo Festival Experience!
The award-winning Bongo’s Bingo unites people for nights of magic and mayhem in a wild immersive experience.
Expect a fast-paced dose of Bongo’s with all the fun, dancing, tunes, audience interaction and iconic prizes as our regular shows but with a twist… it’s Bongo’s without the Bingo!
