Trafford’s five day annual celebration and exploration of LGBTQ+ arts has returned, running until Saturday.
Pride In Trafford is now entering its third year as it continues to bring together a diverse range of performers and performances. Shows and displays include comedy, cabaret, storytelling, physotography, physical theatre and solo show in and around Trafford.
The festival is largely centred around Waterside in Sale but also includes venues such as Sale Library, Gorse Hill Studios and Sale Town Hall.
When does Pride in Trafford run?
Pride in Trafford 2022 runs from 17-21 May 2022.
What’s on a Pride in Trafford 2022?
IDAHOBIT FLAG RAISING
Tue 17 May | 11:00
Sale Town Hall, Free
To coincide with International day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia and the beginning of Pride in Trafford 2022, organisers will be raising the rainbow pride flag and celebrating this special day.
VAMPIRE HUNTER JESS:
READ BY AUTHOR EMMY CLARKE
Tue 17 May | 16:00
sale Library, Free but booking essential
Age 5+
Vampire Hunter Jess is a funny and heart-warming story for children that follows 10-year-old Jess, an autistic girl who is determined to find proof that her neighbour is a vampire. Told through a mix of prose and unanswered text messages, this story has light LGBTQ+ themes, and also explores grief, friendship, and found family.
Written and read by Emmy Clarke, Vampire Hunter Jess is one of eleven brand-new original tales featured in Stories Of Care’s upcoming children’s anthology, Tales of the Brave, the Bold and the Beautiful‘.
TECHNICOLOUR ARRANGEMENT
Wed 18 May, 17:00 – 20:00
Gorse Hill Studios + Rainbow Reflections
Age 13-19
Two of Trafford’s youth organisations come together to create a special Pride event for young people in Trafford. There’ll be cooking sessions with Rainbow Reflections and Cooking Club, followed by loads of activities, including bingo, quizzes, music, arts activity, all curated by young people.
The event is free, but you do need to book in advance – more info prideintrafford.org/youth
Rowena Gander presents
BARELY VISIBLE
Wed 18 May 20:00
Robert Holt Theatre, Waterside, £12 / £10 / £8
Age 16+
Barely Visible is an empowering physical solo performance that brings focus to common issues that queer women face, including sexualisation, (fe)male gaze and what it feels like to live in the shadows. The performance incorporates the use of a 100-kilo vertical pole, of which the performer actively deconstructs and manipulates to show the audience how they can also become visible and in control.
MAKING WAVES: QUEER EDITION
Thu 19 May, 19:00
Robert Bolt Theatre, Waterside, £10 / £7
Age 16+
An evening celebrating new queer performance, by LGBTQ+ artists in Greater Manchester.
The Waterside Making Waves programme celebrates epic theatre-makers and performers, who are making a big splash with new work.
KD Theatre Productions presents
WITH ONE LOOK: VIVIENNE DE VIL
Thu 19 May, 20:00
The Chambers, Waterside, £12
Age 16+
Musical Theatre diva Vivienne de Vil presents a brand-new show for a brand-new world. Featuring music from the stage and screen, and icons such as Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand and Diana Ross, Vivienne will sing you through life’s ups and downs and fill you with joy and hope as we embrace the future.
Waterside and Creative Industries Trafford present
ALLIE CREWE: YOUR OWN LIGHT
Fri 20 May – Sat 30 July
Lauriston Gallery, Waterside, Free entry
An ongoing series of portraits of transgender and non – binary people. Allie’s portraits have been met with critical acclaim. Described as “highly rated, sincere, poignant and classical…” (Magnum) and “…a terrific body of work filled with heart and empathy” by LensCulture, her work was shortlisted for the prestigious BJP Portrait of Britain award in 2017, which she won in 2019 with “Grace.”
The exhibition is supported by Arts Council England and curated by Castlefield Gallery in partnership with Creative Industries Trafford.
A preview event for the exhibition will be held on Thu 19 May, 17:30 – 19:00. This is a free event but booking is advised.
PAUL SCOTT BULLEN: INTERSTICE
Fri 20 May – Sat 30 Jul
Screenlight (in the foyer), Waterside, Free entry
Interstice is an autobiographical embodiment of Paul’s experience of homophobic resistance. Through movement, sound and spoken word the artist explores memory and reflect through retrospect regarding shifts in an ever changing political landscape.
The Screenlight display is dedicated to supporting the work of moving image artists, working with video, film and animation, curated by Creative Industries Trafford.
LAUGH RIOT: COMEDY NIGHT
Fri 20 May, 20:00
Robert Bolt Theater, Waterside, £15 / £10 low income
Age 16+
Bethany Black + Red Redmond + Kate McCabe + MC Jonathan Mayor
An evening of alternative comedy. The line-up includes MC Jonathan Mayor – a huge cult figure in comedy; comic and improviser Kate McCabe; and stand-up, drag queen and live streamer Red Redmond.
The evening will be headlined by critically acclaimed stand-up Bethany Black – a stalwart of the scene who can be seen performing up and down the country, as “one of the UK circuit’s finest night-time raconteurs” (British Comedy Guide).
This event will be raising money for the Proud Trust – a life-saving and life enhancing charity organisation that helps LGBT+ young people empower themselves, to make a positive change for themselves, and their communities.
PORTRAIT SESSIONS WITH ALLIE CREWE
Sat 21 May, 10:00 – 12:00
Waterside, Free
To celebrate the launch of the Your Own Light exhibition by award-winning photographer Allie Crewe, Waterside invites individuals from the LGBTQ+ community across Greater Manchester to sit for a portrait photo session with Allie.
Individuals taking part then have the choice to have their picture featured on a community wall within the exhibition, which remains on display until Sat 30 July ‘22 at Waterside (please note, this is optional not mandatory).
Curious Arts presents
WILDFLOWER
Sat 21 May, 11:00 | 13:00 | 15:00
Stanley Square and Waterside Plaza, Free event
All ages
What does it mean to be a Wildflower?
Blooming wherever you’re planted.
Being your vibrant, colourful self, sometimes under the harshest conditions.
Join the Wildflowers as they ride by for a fun, floral pop-up performance. Creating a welcoming environment where everyone can thrive!
This is an outdoor 20 minute event and will be subject to change depending on weather conditions.
Pride in Trafford and Mano a Bocca present
PRIDE ON THE PLAZA
Sat 21 May, 12:00 – 16:00
Waterside Plaza, Free
All ages
Brand new for 2022! Pride in Trafford and local pizzeria Mano a Bocca will host a free outdoor celebration on Waterside Plaza, with family friendly activities and a chance to find out more about some local organisations.
image of Pride in Trafford flag raising courtesy Jason Lock
