Sparkle Weekend is in Manchester this 7-8 July. | Photo: Man Alive!/Flickr
Sparkle Weekend, the world’s largest celebration of gender identity, comes back to Manchester this 7-8 July for the fourteenth year.
Organized by the homonymous UK national transgender charity, the two-day event takes place in Sackville Gardens, in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village. There will also be a launch party at Via on Canal Street on 6 July. DJ Lucy London, from Trans Radio UK, will be on the decks all night.
The festival is free to attend and will feature entertainment from trans and non-binary artists and musicians, food and refreshments, a licensed bar, and market vendors. Furthermore, support groups and LGBTI organizations will be on site to provide attendees with counseling.
As for nighttime fun, several deejays will be spinning records until 8:30pm every evening.
Celebrations are open to the trans and non-binary community. Their families, friends, allies, and anyone who believes in trans equality and equal human rights are welcome.
The events on Saturday
Model and trans activist Munroe Bergdorf will attend this year’s event. | Photo: @munroebergdorf/Instagram
The Sparkle in the Park event goes live at midday both Saturday and Sunday. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit bars and the market stalls before the main stage entertainment starts at 1pm.
Dee Chanelle and The In-Laws will perform live on stage on Saturday. They will be joined by Sparkle Music Awards 2017 runner-up Nina Kvasnik, local musicians The Two Ladies, Scottish trans indie pop band The Spook School, and hi-octane dance vocalist Amrick Channa.
Trans activist, DJ, and model Munroe Bergdorf will also appear on stage at around 3:20pm. She will then join the LGBT Foundation for their Trans MCR programme of talks and workshops.
Following a live performance by Sparkle Music Awards 2017 winners T-Party London, DJ Katy Willow will be playing upfront club sounds until 8:30pm.
The ball
The annual ball will be at the Manchester Mercure Hotel on Saturday night. A formal event, with live musicians, and a three-course meal, the ball is a popular part of the weekend.
There is also an alternate event this year for those who don’t feel comfortable in a long gown or dinner suit. The Alternative Sparkle Ball at TriBeCa will have deejays playing in a diverse and inclusive venue. No attitude and no dress code required.
A sparkling Sunday in the park
Sparkle Weekend is now in its fourteenth year. | Photo: Man Alive!/Flickr
Sunday starts with a chance for trans and non-binary students to network with others at a casual event at No. 70 Oxford Street. Led by students from University of Salford, University of Manchester and MMU, the event aims to create a network of trans student groups.
The Sparkle in the Park stage will be hosted by Jordan Gray and opens with Sparkle Music Awards runner-up Geri Love. She will be joined by electro-pop artist Husk and Drag Idol 2018 finalist Vivienne Lynsey. Sparkle Music Awards 2017 winner Jojo McClay will also perform.
Sparkle Music Awards
This year’s Sparkle Music Awards takes place during both Saturday and Sunday, with three singer/songwriters and four vocalists battling out for the chance to record in a professional recording studio.
Sunday also sees the popular Mr. Sparkle, Miss Sparkle, and Miss Golden Sparkle contests. Judges will be looking for individuals who embody the values of the charity: visibility, compassion, altruism, and authenticity.
The event is organized by the UK leading charity advocating for transgender rights. | Photo: Man Alive!/Flickr
