Superbia Weekend will feature a programme of exhibitions, panel discussions, sober socials, one-man shows and the premiere of one of the most exciting films released this year.
Billed as the headline event, Deep In Vogue will get its North West premiere at The Refuge Basement on 24 August and will be accompanied by a performance party.
The film is described as “a compelling documentary into Manchester’s Vogue Ball scene and a journey of love, compassion and community developed in the black, gay ballrooms of 1980s New York.”
Elsewhere, the Superbia Art Gallery will feature all LGBTQ artists from Manchester. That will be hosted at No 70 Oxford Street across the weekend, and will showcase films, paintings, sculpture and live performances.
“The Superbia Weekend is a key strand of Manchester Pride Festival – as well as hosting a year round calendar of events, Superbia provides a series of unique cultural experiences across the weekend,” said Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride.
“These events offer an alternative way to celebrate Pride whilst experiencing some of the diverse offerings of LGBT+ arts and culture.”
The majority of these events are free to attend, but spaces will be limited for film screenings so early attendance is advised.
The Supberbia Weekend takes place from 24 August to 26 August.
The full Supberia Weekend programme is as follows:
FRIDAY 23 AUGUST
The Superbia Weekend Launch
Screening of ‘Beyond, ‘There’s always a Black issue, dear’…’ with Q&A from film director, Claire Lawrie.
Guest artists and Project Manager of Superbia, Greg Thorpe introduce The Superbia Weekend followed by social time and music.
SATURDAY 24 AUGUST
Post-Parade Party
Music, café and art workshop for all ages.
Superbia Gallery
Exhibition of work from Manchester artists, including a specially-commissioned audio installation of bisexual poets reading their work, Heather Glazzard’s Queer Letters, Tom Quaye’s collection of digital work including ‘Queers of Manchester’, drag artisit Cheddar Gorgeous and a collection of make-up faceprints and many more.
Rainbow Noir Exhibition Launch
Rainbow Noir, a group for and by queer people of colour in Manchester, launch of exhibition of materials including photographs, video, T-shirts, banners, flyers and more. The exhibition will be curated by Rainbow Noir member and artist/curator Leo Hermitt. The exhibition is due to launch directly after the Parade with marchers placing parade banners into the exhibition as the final pieces. There will be launch speeches followed by a catered West Indian buffet in the Function Room.
For anyone who misses the event over the course of the weekend, the exhibition to run until the end of September.
South and Central American Queer Film
Screening of ‘This Is My Face’ focusing on Chilean men living with HIV with introduction by filmmaker Angelica Cabezas, and ‘Carmen’, about a drag queen community in Panama, with an introduction by artist Humberto Velez who worked on the project.
Drag Queen Story Time with The Nightbus
The Nightbus reads for the kids! A theatre production aimed at young people, drag queen The Nightbus hosts a story time event to encourage people to ’embrace difference’. Drag Queen Story Time is inspired by a project created in San Francisco. It is exactly what it sounds like – a drag queen reading stories in libraries, schools and community spaces to help educate and imagine a world where people are not judged on their appearance or identity.
SMART Recovery Meeting
SMART Recovery is an international non-profit organization that provides assistance to individuals seeking abstinence from addictions. SMART is an acronym for Self-Management and Recovery Training. The group get together will include conversation, meditation and acupuncture and will be open to all.
BiPhoria Birthday Event
A panel, conversation and celebration event looking at bi/pan/omni issues and history in collaboration with Biphoria.
Superbia Lecture
Dr Andrew Moor of Manchester Metropolitan University gives a talk on contemporary gay cinema.
‘Deep In Vogue’ Manchester Premiere and Performance Party
Manchester premiere of the ‘Deep In Vogue’ documentary including two screenings, conversations with filmmakers, an appearance from documentary star Honey Dijon. The screenings will be followed by performances from House of Ghetto and local DJs.
Film screening: 9pm–10:30pm
After party with performances: 11pm–3am
Tickets – £5 available here
Riot Act
One man verbatim theatre performance focussing on different gay historical voices throughout the years, directed by Rob Ward: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltG7Dh0JcKU
Queers Without Beers Takeover!
Sober social with music and a pop-up pay-what-you-feel alcohol-free bar.
SUNDAY 25 AUGUST
Morning Yoga
An audience with Luke Turner
Author event with writer of ‘Out Of The Woods’, a ‘powerful bisexual memoir’. Hosted by Emily Metcalfe of Leeds Lit Festival.
Bi/Pan Film Programme
Collection of bi/pan films curated and introduced by Abbie Wolfe of Belladonna Experiences.
Superbia Gallery: Artist Tour & Talk
Artists discuss their work in a guided tour of The Superbia Gallery plus pop-up performances and reading.
Rebel Dyke Live
One woman show by Karen Fisch looking back at her life as a dyke activist, London drag king and notorious Rebel Dyke.
Les Flicks presents ‘JT LeRoy’
New feature film looking at enigmatic JT LeRoy scandal presented with Manchester’s lesbian/bi monthly film club.
Abigail Ward presents Jayne County
50 minute talk on the transgender punk icon and rebel.
