Matt, 23, has been living in and loving Manchester for five years, since moving up to study from London. He is into live music, creative writing, politics and all things Manchester. He works in communications and previously at Manchester Pride. In his spare time Matt writes for SoSoGay & VIVA Manchester & Cheshire magazine.
For most people, the months of May and June are a time that we generally associate with cheeriness and things to either celebrate or look forward to. We’ve said goodbye to the tax year end, (fingers crossed) the worst of the weather the first half of the year has to offer and we’re beginning to gear up for numerous events and activities taking place over the summer, whether here or abroad.
This year seems no different and – as a nice ‘ease’ into all things summer – there are a number of fast approaching events to look forward to in May and June, no matter what you’re into.
Three particular May/June-time events that are relevant for us gays that I’m going to bring to the brink this time around are: the Great British Bear Bash (GBBB), the debut of LadyRock Festival and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend celebrations.
Great British Bear Bash
City Centre
3 – 7 May 2012
Whilst I think I have as much chance being labelled a giraffe or a rhinoceros as I do a ‘bear’, the GBBB is a huge calendar event that sees the streets of Manchester fill up to celebrate all things ‘grizzly’.
The theme for this year’s event – in its fifteenth edition – is ‘Law and disOrder’. ‘Bandit’ jokes aside, you’ll want to make sure that you get yourself down to Luvyababes in Manchester Arndale before the cops and robbers’ clobber all sells out towards the end of April. Alternatively, if you can afford to splash out on the genuine articles (or have them lying around at home) – there’s nothing like a bit of authenticity for an event such as this. Manchester’s very own RoB store on China Lane (a short walk from the village) is also brimming with items that will put a bit of extra growl into your British Bear Bash weekend…
• Legends on Friday night
• Funbears on Saturday afternoon
• The Law and disOrder Cops and Robbers Party at Legends on Saturday night
• Birdcage on Sunday afternoon
• Legends on Sunday night featuring the Bears in The Foam party
For more information see: http://www.manbears.co.uk/.
LadyRock Festival
Manchester Rugby Club
26 May 2012
LadyRock Festival is about showcasing female talent – both in comedy and music – and generating a good, fun and vibrant community spirit that Manchester festivals are all about. With numerous local events either cancelled or on hiatus for 2012, LadyRock Festival could not come at a more needed time. Manchester is known for its music circuit but, in my opinion, we host a series of extremely talented females who often don’t get the showcase they deserve. LadyRock Festival’s unsigned and ‘up and coming’ stage endeavours to change this.
LadyRock Festival debuts at Manchester Rugby Club on Saturday 26 May – its founder and director being the infamous Jackie Crozier, former Festival Director of Manchester Pride, who hopes to ‘bring Girl Power back to the 21st century’ in a few months time with her latest venture.
The festival site is easily accessible, and you can reach it via the city centre on the X57 bus. Alternatively you can get there by car via the M60 and the M34.
Men are more than welcome to the event and are encouraged to attend – the festival is about sharing a love of music, Manchester and fun in the (fingers crossed…) sun.
Set to headline LadyRock Festival is singing sensation KT Tunstall, who will be supported by main stage acts such as Jess Mills, New Young Pony Club, DJ Kate Lawler, Heather Peace, The Arcadian Kicks and fantastic local acts including Josephine and Second Hand Wings.
LadyRock Festival is partnered with Vanilla – Manchester’s premier women’s venue – who will be holding the opening and closing parties for the festival (Friday 25 May and Saturday 26 May) until late. Tickets can also be purchased from the venue, as well as online.
For detailed information on directions and further information on LadyRock Festival and how to grab your tickets see: http://www.ladyrockfestival.com/.
Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend
Anywhere
2 – 5 June, 2012
Despite being a nation who are often self-confessed ‘moaners’ – be it the weather, a lack of Sunday afternoon television or a few extra pence on a sausage roll – the United Kingdom is made up of (on a whole) some very patriotic people. We are also a nation of people who love to party – especially in the wonderful city of Manchester.
Last year saw crowds of Mancunians (whether by birth or, like me, postcode) gather together to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton ‘get hitched’, as we decorated our streets with Union Jacks flags, threw dances, bake sales and fantastic street parties. Of course, Will and Kate are the nation’s sweethearts – but the crowds pouring onto the streets of Manchester were happy about more than just that. It was a catalyst for a real sense of unity.
If Manchester is a city that “thinks a table is for dancing”, then our gay village is the spot that thinks a handbag is for dancing around. The Village partied harder than almost everyone during the Royal Wedding last year – rivaled perhaps by only the Northern Quarter – and the same is expected for this June.
Whilst we may often owe the continuous hauling of ourselves down to the Village bars, pubs and clubs down to a Queen – be it our best friend, better half or drag performing favourite – this time around is a little different.
So, how will you be celebrating the ‘Di-Jubes’ this June?
If you would describe your area as ‘the wrong side of safe’ or you’re fairly rural, with your next door neighbours being a four acre field, then a neighbourhood get-together might not be for you. Street parties will be thrown both in and around the gay village (keep an eye out for branding and posters as we get nearer to May), after which numerous themed club nights will undoubtedly follow.
The fabulous Taurus bar and restaurant have announced a street party for the weekend, complete with bunting, tea and cakes and outrageous costume – and we wouldn’t expect anything less. Polly and the gang will no doubt help us all let our hair down in a fashion that Lizzy would be proud of!
Alternatively, the Richmond Tea Rooms will provide a chic and quintessentially English backdrop with cream tea, finger sandwiches and other refreshments that would even get Prince Willy a little green with envy.
So, there we have it: three extremely different events to kick start the summer over May and June of this year. Whether you’re into your Yogi Bears, femme fatale rockers or are more partial to a tea and scone – there will be something for everyone going on in Manchester.
And, as we take these next few weeks to recover from a very exciting and fun-packed Easter weekend in the village, we can already start making notes in our diaries for what we have to look forward to in the next month or so!
And so until then…
X
www.manbears.co.uk
www.ladyrockfestival.com
For even more information visit the official Visit Manchester LGBT website: www.visitmanchester.com/lgbt
How to get to Manchester
Manchester is only 2 hours and 7 minutes from London by train. Virgin Trains operate three trains an hour from London Euston.
Fly to Manchester in 60 minutes from London with British Airways and BMI.
Fly non-stop from over 200 destinations worldwide to Manchester Airport.
Where to stay
Radisson Edwardian Manchester
Abode Hotel
