Pride in Trafford 2024
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Exploring and celebrating LGBTQ+ arts, we’re thrilled that Pride in Trafford is back for 2024. Packed with comedy, storytelling and performance alongside creative activities and networking events – the festival is now in its sixth year and brings an exciting blend of performers and artists to the borough of Trafford.
Running for four days this May and hosted by our friends at Waterside, all the events take place in venues and spaces around Sale town centre. Driven by community engagement and championing emerging Queer talent, we love that this year’s festival brings an eclectic mix of familiar events as well as some brilliant new additions.
New for 2024, The Queer Creatives Assembly (Wednesday 15 May) is a free evening event for LGBTQ+ creatives based in Greater Manchester. Expect vibrant conversations, meaningful connections, and a chance to network and hear from other Queer artists and makers. Additionally, four new works by LGBTQ+ artists will be performed on the night too: Susan Kerr’s We See Each Other Better with Our Eyes Closed explores being an older Black lesbian in the queer community. Meanwhile, trans artist Hunter Millington explores themes of dysphoria, joy and discovering your authentic self in their new musical for trans equality. There will also be performances from Laurie Williams and Reece Bennett, who recently received the Pride Stages bursary.
At the heart of the festival – and brand new for Pride in Trafford 2024 – is Block Party Weekender, a two-day event running across Friday 17 and Saturday 18 May. Audiences can expect a night of unmissable performance from award-winning cabaret collective The Cocoa Butter Club (Friday), where Waterside’s theatre space will be transformed into a lively ballroom for an evening of eye-popping, booty-shaking drag, dance, burlesque and music. Meanwhile, on Saturday, families can carry on the party with an array of fabulous (and free) outdoor events, for all ages, on the Waterside Plaza; don’t miss the family-friendly Ghetto Fabulous Catwalk Extravaganza, a glitzy and glamorous fusion of vogue, dance, fashion and lip sync. Additionally, the ever-brilliant Curious Arts will take over Sale Library for Mini Pride. Head down to celebrate individuality and self-expression with colourful craft activities and story-times.
On Thursday 16 May, Laugh Riot returns with an evening of the best alternative comedy too. Hosted by award-winning writer, actor and stand-up comedian, Katie Mulgrew, the impressive line-up includes award-winning comedian, presenter, actor and writer Stephen Bailey; comic and improviser Kate McCabe, and Manchester comedy legend, Jonathan Mayor.
Of Pride in Trafford, Manager of Waterside, Darren Adams told us, “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. Through our celebration, we not only showcase the incredible talent within our community but also create a platform where LGBTQ+ voices can be heard, and celebrated, and our communities’ stories can be shared.”
