THE SHOW MUST GO ON
PRIDE TAKES MUCH OF ITS ANNUAL CELEBRATION ONLINE... WITH A SOCIALLY-DISTANCED CANDLELIT VIGIL PLANNED TO CLOSE THE EVENT
MANCHESTER Pride has announced a three-day programme of virtual celebrations over the August bank holiday weekend.
The LGBTQ+ festival, which is normally held in and around the Gay Village and last year moved its main music stages to Mayfield, had to cancel its usual events this year.
Organisers announced the news in May, when a ban remained in place on large gatherings including gigs. Socially distanced outdoor performances have since been allowed to resume and indoor shows may follow from August 1 - but it’s too late for many of this summer’s festivals.
Pride isn’t going to let the annual occasion go uncelebrated, however - and is taking the festivities online this year instead.
The Alternative Manchester Pride Festival 2020 will feature free content that can be enjoyed by those who wish to celebrate from the safety of their own homes.
Saturday will see a day of content inspired by the festival’s Manchester Pride Live event, broadcast by United We Stream.
The nightlife streaming platform was launched in April by night time economy advisor Sacha Lord and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and played host to artists including Melanie C, Elbow and New Order while raising £477,000 for local charities and good causes.
Manchester Pride will curate a series of live performances and DJ sets with a number of special guests, alongside some legacy performances from previous events and a very special presentation of the Manchester Pride Parade for 2020.
The content will then be available
again on Sunday for anyone that missed it on Saturday.
Sunday will see the festival move to YouTube with a programme of arts and cultural content curated by the charity’s Superbia and Youth Pride MCR teams, designed for teenagers aged 14 and over.
On Monday, the festival will close as usual with the moving candlelit vigil, remembering the LGBTQ+ lives lost to HIV and AIDs, those living with the virus and those facing persecution around the world.
The vigil will take place in a socially distanced manner in Sackville Gardens. It will also be streamed online for people to watch from home as well as being broadcast on BBC Radio Manchester and Gaydio.
Manchester Pride is also introducing a Human Rights Forum this years to explore trans rights and issues affecting black and minority ethnic members of the community.
Mark Fletcher, chief executive of Manchester Pride, said; “We have had an unbelievably tough four months as I know many other organisations both commercial and otherwise have and I am very proud that we are still in a position to deliver this much needed celebration of LGBTQ+ life.
“The country is still in shock and many members of our community have been adversely affected by the pandemic, whilst also our Trans and BAME families have faced further challenges. It is more important than ever that we keep conversations around equality and inclusion heard whilst also providing much needed entertainment.
“We remain unable to provide a large scale physical festival but we very much want Manchester’s Gay Village to remain at the heart of what we do.
“We are working to host a safe and distanced Vigil gathering in Sackville Gardens on Monday August 31.
“We will also support the Gay Village businesses in whatever they are able to offer customers over the weekend and every other day too.
“I want to thank all of our partners and supporters that are pulling together to help us deliver this year’s alternative festival. From community groups to partners such as Gaydio, Hits Radio, BBC Radio Manchester, United We Stream, Manchester City Council, GMCA and a special thanks to Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Holidays and each of our other sponsors who are supporting this vital activity.
“Our Festival enables us to help LGBTQ+ people, organisations and charities and without the support of ticket buyers and sponsors we will not be able to continue this work. I ask that over the weekend anyone who can, does donate, because we must continue our work in supporting LGBTQ+ people across Greater Manchester. The conversation must, and will, continue.”
Sacha Lord added: “We are really pleased to bring United We Stream back online for Manchester Pride’s alternative festival. The Festival is a huge part of our city and we know how much LGBTQ+ people across Greater Manchester will miss it.
“I know we can deliver a brilliant alternative which will hopefully also raise loads of money for the charity to continue its vital work into 2021.”
This year’s programme has been funded by grants and other financial lifelines. The charity says its work is still at risk as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, and is appealing for donations from those who can afford to support it.
For more information visit manchesterpride.com.