Put some SPARKLE in your life!

Our guest blogger is Robert Martin.

Robert is a freelance marketing consultant, photographer and filmmaker who has worked for organisations such as Manchester International Festival, The Lowry, Cornerhouse, Creative Tourist and many more.

Find him on Facebook here.
Here he remembers his first experience of SPARKLE, the national transgender celebration returning to Manchester for its 10th anniversary in July 2014.

A few years ago, my partner and I had been out shopping in Manchester city centre on a Saturday afternoon and decided to stop off on the way home for a drink on Canal Street.

As we walked down towards a spot where the sun still hit the outside tables around Via Fossa and The Rembrandt, a strange feeling came over me, as if I was in a twilight zone where things were just the same, but everything was different… I mean, there were more women around than usual but that wasn’t it. It wasn’t until we sat down that I realised what ‘it’ was.

Some of the men seemed a little different in their stance. Most of those women weren’t women at all…

I sipped my shandy, wide eyed as Little Bo Peep and Snow White walked by, listening to the deep voiced conversation coming from the large group of men in make up, wigs and dresses on the next table. All of them were straight. All of them were married. Some had children. Some had wives who knew where they were, some had wives who had come with them, some had kept their cross dressing firmly in the closet, telling their loved ones that they were ‘away on business’. All of them were braver than I could ever be.

This was my introduction to Sparkle.

It’s ten years since Sparkle took its first stilettoed foot into the world and in that time it has become one of the largest celebrations of and for transgender people in the world. This is thanks in part to the warm openness of the event, welcoming not only anyone who considers themselves transgender in any way, including those who simply like to dress up of a weekend, but also to their families, friends and colleagues.

Wednesday evenings in Manchester’s Gay Village have long been a beacon for trans men and women, known affectionately as Butterflies night, where a greater degree of wiggery, lips and lashes is in evidence. But what Sparkle does is take these butterflies and allows them to spread their wings wider, higher and brighter than ever in the colourful company of their peers.

For one glorious weekend of celebration, Manchester hosts talks, workshops and ‘Sparkle in the Park’, a two day party with the warmest welcome you’ll find anywhere. It’s a hugely important event, celebrating, normalising and generating pride in an area of LGBT life still suffering from prejudice from both outside and within its own communities.

I’ll never forget watching that table of married men say their goodbyes to each other - firm handshakes with painted nails – as they planned to see each other later that night. One bloke in a very short dress strode off alone in his high heels, muscular calves bulging, clomping away towards the ‘real world’ beyond and back to his hotel with a walk that could only be described as very, very manly.

I just can’t imagine the guts that that takes. Can you?

Sparkle
Fri 11 – Sat 13 July 2014
Happening in and around Manchester’s Gay Village.
Much of Sparkle, including Sparkle in the Park, has FREE entry. Some special events require purchased tickets.
Find out more here.

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All the fun of the fur...The Great British Bear Bash is back for its 17th year, but where did it come from?

Our guest blogger is Robert Martin.

Robert is a freelance marketing consultant, photographer and filmmaker who has worked for organisations such as Manchester International Festival, The Lowry, Cornerhouse, Creative Tourist and many more.

Find him on Facebook here.

This week he looks at the origins of the bear scene and recalls how it felt not to fit in with some of the excesses of '90s gay clubbing.

There was a time in the 1990s when you couldn’t go to a gay club without taking your top off.

One of the many unfortunate side effects of the hedonistic, drug-fuelled dance music excess of the time was the rise of that unfortunate institution, the gymnasium.

Younger readers may not actually believe it but there was a time when nobody belonged to a gym because the only ones that existed were in your school or at the council sports centre, and only body builders went to them. Gym culture and dance culture developed symbiotically, creating a whole new breed of people who needed to exercise to stay fit so that they could take vast quantities of drugs, dance for days on end, still hold down an actual job, then exercise some of the after effects off at the gym so that they could do it again. And again. And again…

In many gay clubs, where a new feeling of openness had also started to elbow its way in, often in the form of lots of straight people, more flesh was suddenly on show than there was at a Miss New Brighton contest, as lithe young men and women wanted to show everyone how unquestioningly beautiful their bodies were. Club dance floors seethed with water-guzzling, taught, defined, wide-eyed, clean shaven, totally hairless bodies, and everyone was attractive because they didn’t have an ounce of body fat between them.

Except…

I’d always liked bigger, hairier men myself. From Mr Briars, my moustachioed rugby teacher at school, to the hairy-chested models in my Mum’s catalogue, casually leaning against each other in their underwear, to the burly wrestlers of Saturday afternoon TV. And anyone with a beard who happened to be foreign, preferably middle-eastern, was much more up my ‘Danny la Rue’. Standing at the edge of the dance floor with my top most definitely on made me feel like this new aspect of the gay scene wasn't really for me.

Body fascism dominated gay clubbing in the 90s. It was a blight which saw many gay men and women ostracized from the very clubs that were supposed to be their own. I wasn’t interested in going to a gym, in taking drugs and dancing to awful music. And for a while, gay clubs started to become places where, if you were over 25, over 11 stone and had any hair on your face or body at all, you didn’t belong. But all was not lost.

Across the planet, packs started to gather in more traditional pubs, where (size L) checked shirts replaced, well, no shirt at all, and the atmosphere was welcoming, warm and furry.

Bears had, of course, always been there, but the body fascism of the 90s forced them into their own caves, craving the company of others who didn’t care that eating a pie had more appeal than an hour on a treadmill and who would never, ever, shave their chests.

Like a slightly more butch Goldilocks, I followed the bears to their lairs and, thank goodness, remembered what a nice place gay clubs used to be when you didn’t all have to look the same. Ironically of course, this realisation happened in clubs where almost everyone had a beard and was carrying a few extra pounds…

Bear culture grew and grew and is now big in more ways than one. Almost every gay destination has a bear pride event, cities have bear bars, and there’s a whole family that you can be part of – if you’re not an actual bear you might be a cub, an otter, a silver fox even! More like a petting zoo than a family, really.

Madrid has Madbear, Reykjavik has Bears On Ice and Manchester hosts two of the most enjoyable and fun bear events in Europe, the Great British Bear Bash and Pre-Hibearnation.

Based in and around the Village, the GBBB celebrates its 17th year this May, with events attracting burly chaps from all over the world. What sets it apart from other bear gatherings is the effort put in by the organisers to make sure that it’s a weekend about more than bars and clubbing, and Canal Street makes the perfect place for visitors to hang out throughout the day.

What goes around certainly comes around and, for a while, a parallel bear body fascism started to show its ugly shaven head on the bear scene but it feels like balance has been restored and the Great British Bear Bash, for bears, chubbies, muscle bears and their admirers, goes from strength to strength.

Grrrr, as the bears say!

Find out more about the 17th Great British Bear Bash here.

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Marriage Equality

March's guest blogger is Robert Martin.

Robert is a freelance marketing consultant who has worked for organisations such as Manchester International Festival, The Lowry, Cornerhouse, Creative Tourist and many more.

Find him on Facebook here.
He met his partner in Cornerhouse 23 years ago and they've been together in Manchester ever since.  In that time they have seen many changes in the 'gay village' and in the status of LGBT communities.

On the 29 March 2014, the first ever same sex marriages will take place in England and Wales. 'At last', I hear you shout!

Marriage equality in England and Wales will be followed by the same in Scotland later in the year. Northern Ireland has no plans to introduce it, but does allow Civil Partnerships, which were made legal in the UK in December 2005.

That December, I was in a car traveling to see a friend for her birthday, and my partner was driving. On the radio, the news said that Civil Partnerships would, from early 2006, allow gay couples the same legal rights as everyone else who was in a marriage. The only difference would be the name and the fact that there’d be no place for religion in the proceedings.

By that time, my partner and I had already been together for 16 years. We had a house, families who loved us, jobs we were ourselves in… in other words, we had a very normal life. I turned to my partner and uttered the romantic words, ‘Shall we then?’ ‘Yes OK, why not?’ came the reply, and we drove on. Later, we asked each other properly as the gravity of the situation became a reality.

The following April, 140 friends and family joined us in what was, for most people, their first Civil Partnership. That day felt like it was about so much more than just me and my partner. It genuinely felt like we were all taking part in and celebrating a piece of history. For anyone who had grown up in the shadow of ‘the gay plague’, who had marched against Thatcher’s infamous Clause 28, outlawing the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality in the classroom as a valid way of living, who had come out in a world where there were NO gay characters in TV soaps and the gay scene still consisted of shadowy doorways, dingy bars and the distinct possibility of getting beaten up on the way out, Civil Partnerships felt like validation, like the rights and acknowledgement which LGBT communities had been fighting for for so long were finally coming.

So now, years later, loads of us have done it! Society hasn't fallen apart and the traditional family continues to thrive, despite what some of the more concerned members of the population thought... The thing is though, it’s such a mouthful. I mean, what am I supposed to say? What’s my status? I am Civil Partnered? That’s not quite English, I think… We are in a Civil Partnership? Clumsy. Can I call him my husband if we’re not married?

In reality, most gay couples who have had a Civil Partnership describe themselves as 'married' and, later in the year, once the government figure out how to make it work, we’ll be able to transfer officially to being married without having to have another ceremony or having to buy a new hat.

For some gay couples, the appeal of Civil Partnerships is in the fact that it IS different from marriage, from what straight people do, and once marriage equality becomes the norm, that choice will remain as Civil Partnerships won’t disappear. And there’s the point. Choice.

It matters so much. I’m lucky. I’ve lived in Manchester since I came here to University in 1985. It has always been a city which has stood up for, promoted and encouraged an open and inclusive attitude towards its LGBT inhabitants and visitors. Manchester’s Canal Street and the world famous Gay Village have been a beacon of gay equality for as long as I can remember, and the city, with events such as Pride, Sparkle, the Great British Bear Bash and so many more, continues to show its commitment to supporting equality.

But liberty is a fragile thing. There are places, some not too far from home, where such liberties have never existed or are taking backward steps. Indeed, there are 83 countries at the moment where homosexuality is still illegal, and 5 which will put us to death for being gay.

So the choices we now have can’t be taken for granted and must be seen within the context of the bigger picture. The fight for true equality continues but, for now, we can celebrate the fact that the children who will be our next generation of gay men and women will see their right to marriage as the norm, here in Manchester and most of the UK.

And that’s worth shouting about.

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Welcome back

It has been a while! Have you missed us?

As Spring approaches, the Manchester Gay Village blog returns with regular posts from guest bloggers, focussing on different aspects of LGBT life which affect communities within Manchester and beyond.

In the first of these, we'll be looking at marriage equality, so watch out for that a little later on.

The Village Gaymes 2012

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. 

One of the many reasons that I fell in love with Manchester when I first visited the city at seventeen is that it never ceases to amaze people. This year, Manchester has made me take an active interest in sports. This is what I would call making the impossible possible.

This summer, the whole of Manchester – and our LGBT community in particular – is in sports overdrive.

Over the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend, the sixth Bingham Cup took place. The tournament is the world’s gay (and inclusive) rugby championship, and also stands as the second biggest amateur 15-a-side rugby tournament in the world. More information on the Bingham Cup can be found here: http://www.binghamcup.com/.

In addition to hosting the Bingham Cup, it won’t be long until the city begins to gear up for the Pride Games, which will take place in the city between July 14 and July 21. The annual multi sports festival for LGBT people includes the likes of squash, track and tennis. For more information on Pride Games, see: http://www.pridesports.org.uk/#!pridegames/c14tm.

Leading the group of these activities is of course the London 2012 Olympics, which will impact our city in a number of ways. Manchester will welcome the Australian Swimming and Brazilian Paralympics teams for training, whilst we will host some of the integral Olympic football games at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Old Trafford.

For those who are less interested in the sporting element of what’s taking place, the Cultural Olympiad taking place within Manchester has something on offer for those who are more into arts, history and all things Africa. ‘We Face Forward’ is a celebration of West African arts that will showcase paintings, live performance and fashion across numerous Manchester venues.

In a sort of ‘sports homage’ – two words I thought I would never actively pull together – we have decided to take an Olympic-styled look at what Team MCR has to offer visitors to Canal Street and beyond this summer, and in general…

So if you’re new to the village, or know someone who is, then this is for you.

The Gaymes: A Guide for Gay Village Virgins

Sailing

1. G-A-Y Bar
2. The Thompson’s Arms
3. New York New York

As trained as our Olympic sailors may be, this is a sport that is extremely weather dependent; in this sense, teams could well end up ‘wherever the wind takes them’… Similarly to Manchester’s gay village, both locals and visitors often face that same situation: you turn to your friends to decide that you’ll “come for one, and then play it by ear”… These nights often turn out to be the wildest…

Representing Manchester in this category include G-A-Y, with its low-priced drinks and plasma VJ (video DJ) screens, The Thompson’s Arms – perfect for a few evening drinks before it fills with punters late into the night, and old school favourite, New York New York.

Gymnastics

1. Poptastic (Tuesdays and Saturdays at Alter Ego)
2. Cruz 101
3. Legends

Unlike sailing, most of this year’s Olympic sports can only be affected by your own actions and preparation. In gymnastics, it is down to precision, choice of routine and the ability to make sure that you’re able to land on your feet. Sound familiar?

Let’s not beat around the bush – sometimes what we need most to forget our troubles involves a good group of friends, an even greater measure of your poison of choice and a lot of bad dancing. Just like gymnastics, this involves a lot of shape-throwing, and trying your hardest not to fall flat on your face. If this sounds like you, do not fear: Team MCR’s got your back.

Poptastic (Tuesdays and Saturdays at hetero venue Alter Ego), Cruz 101 and Legends – all village veterans and all good for practising your best vault – with stage areas for the more daring gymnasts out there…

Fencing

1. The Molly House
2. Richmond Tea Rooms
3. Icon

If you’re looking for something more low-key than dance floor acrobatics, we’ve got that for you too. Whilst gymnastics is a more show-stopping, sight-grabbing sport we see in the Olympics – fencing is far more formal, traditional and perhaps not something you’re a part of everyday.

To draw comparison to that, Manchester’s gay scene has some real gems that offer something a little different. The Molly House is a wonderful bar/pub in the village, offering a wide range of traditional ales in a gorgeous vintage ‘lodge’ style feel. Nearby to Molly’s is Icon, a fantastic new cocktail bar, often with themed evenings and never too overcrowded. Joining these two is the opulent Richmond Tea Rooms – which does what it says on the tin (and then some). The Tea Rooms are beautifully decorated throughout, with Alice in Wonderland styled furniture and aesthetics and an exquisite menu of teas and cakes. In addition to this, it also has a mean cocktail. For the fencer in you – make sure to check out these fierce competitors this summer.

Women’s 100 metre sprint

1. Vanilla
2. Coyotes

Many of the sports in the Olympics are seen as male dominated, which is why it is always important for female competitors to have their own leagues which they can choose to compete in. If you are a female in the village, and you feel as though you might be in the minority, then there is no need to worry. Women’s venues Coyotes and Vanilla are within running distance for when you’re feeling at your most womanly – and that is why they represent Manchester’s gay village women’s 100 metre sprint.

Equestrian

1. New Union
2. The Rembrandt
3. Eagle

As many equestrian competitors find, their sporting horse only gets better as it grows with age, which can definitely be said about a good old British pub. This is no different in Manchester’s gay village. If you’re looking for a quiet pint - no frills – then New Union, The Rembrandt and Eagle are your best venues to head towards. All staple parts of the village, ever popular and long-standing, you probably won’t find a Gaga t-shirt or Cherry WKD in sight. If you’re a self-proclaimed alcopop-guzzling Little Monster, you may want to try elsewhere…

Water-polo

1. Tribeca
2. Eden
3. Velvet

Just like water-polo, where you need to be both good with the ball and fairly nifty in the water, sometimes you want your village venue to be a pony of more than one trick. Village hot-spots Tribeca, Eden and Velvet are great both as watering holes whilst at the same time, are the perfect places to grab a light lunch, mid-afternoon coffee or even a dinner – each boasting fantastic menus with diverse atmospheres and friendly staff.

Triathlon

1. Taurus

And finally, an honorary mention must go to Taurus – the ‘triathlete’ of Canal Street and Manchester’s gay village. One of the longest standing and best loved bars in the area – often known as the ‘community’s venue’ of the street – Taurus is a place for quiet drinks, mouth-watering meals (whether breakfast, lunch or dinner) and is renowned as being a fabulous place to party!

And there you have it, an Olympic themed run-through of some of your Manchester gay village ‘must-sees’ whilst you visit our wonderful city!

For even more information visit the official Visit Manchester LGBT website.

Where to stay:

Abode Hotel

Britannia Hotels 
Radisson Edwardian Manchester 

Become a fan of Manchester's Gay Village on Facebook.

Bears, Ladies and Queens: A sneak peek of Manchester this May and June

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…

Taking place from Thursday 3 May until Monday 7 May (Bank Holiday weekend), it is too late to purchase an Early Bird ticket for GBBB15, but you can still get yourself a full weekend registration for £40. The price will include a drinks voucher valid until 6pm on Saturday, an event wallet, and collectors badge and will also (most importantly) guarantee your entry to the following events taking place over the 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.

To tilt our hats to Old Liz’s fabulous sixty year reign this summer – also known as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – there is no doubt that we will be out in full force for even bigger celebrations than last year.


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

Britannia Hotel Manchester

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POP ‘til we drop

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. 

 

I arrived in Manchester over five years ago now, and I haven’t looked back since. People had always said “home is where the heart is” – which sounds so cheesy – but I think now more than ever I’d have to agree. Although a lot of people, especially younger people or those studying, think of ‘home’ as being where their parents or guardians live. For me, home has been Manchester ever since I sat my luggage down in the exciting and yet scary surroundings of the converted city centre hotel I called my "first year halls"...

A degree, Masters, three relationships, six different houses/flats/halls and even four parrot fish later – and I’m still here. Although my passion for Manchester has always been consistent, the people, places and things that have surrounded me over the past five years have changed with time. One thing that seems to have stuck however – and I’m not afraid to say it – is a night out and a half in Manchester’s Gay Village.

I first experienced Canal Street on a ‘road trip’ during my A-Levels, when G-A-Y Bar was Spirit, the Holiday Inn seemed like miles away and the Northern accent was intriguing and mysterious. It was one amazing, carefree party – and everyone was invited. My best friend Kat found love – well, sort of – and a fellow Matt and I danced into the daylight of Sunday.

Although I am a gay man, I don’t think that defines me (or dictates my interest). I’ve tried out all the clubs in and around Manchester since getting here, and there are some great ones. There’s something about the Gay Village that continues to draw my friends and I back though – and half of them aren’t even gay…

In a bid to save up some money towards the summer, now I’ve finished my Masters and am working full-time, I have given up clubbing for lent. The response of disbelief was shocking and made me wonder – am I addicted? And, if I am, is it such a bad thing? I’m not a big clothes shopper, I don’t cook with expensive ingredients and I don’t have a car to keep up payments with. For me, I unashamedly like using my disposable income being out, letting my hair down and having fun with my friends. For me – Canal Street and the Gay Village is the best place for this.

Now that the days of “which days shall we go out this week?” are as behind me as my 19^th birthday, we’re all living for the weekend, which for us means one thing: Poptastic.

Poptastic has graced Manchester for over fifteen years, and is run by John Hamilton, a favourite and friendly face in the gay village. Mr. Hamilton makes regular appearances at the club night, as well as at its 'Back 2 Back' Thursday night where it is remixed at venue Cruz 101. The Tuesday and Saturday night extravaganzas feature fantastic sets from Phil Perry and Si (in the 'indie room') and the fabulous Miss Penny Crayon keeping the crowd jumping over in the 'pop room'. We are absolutely spoiled for choice.

For us, we just can't get enough of the Saturday night on Princess Street.

We’ll POP ‘til we drop each weekend, and I don’t think we’re alone. One of the things I love so much about the club night is that – whilst it welcomes absolutely everyone (I was a virgin to Club Alter Ego once) – there are so   many groups of regulars there each and every Saturday.

The music in the main ‘pop’ room could be current or pre-historic – but is always unashamedly fun – whilst the ‘indie’ room may as well rename itself the ‘wait and see’ room, as it could play anything from Pendulum to System of A Down to M.I.A and Busy P. Again - a salute to both Penny, Phil, Si and co. for keeping a good pick n' mix in Alter Ego's best nights of the week!

Of course – the drinks prices are also a perk. It also can't help that, as fate would have it, I now live on the same street as the night's Tuesday and Saturday night venue...

This is not to purposely single out Mr. Hamilton’s bi-weekly night as the only good spot in the village – in fact, far from it. Each venue seems to hit the spot for its own reasons – whether it’s lunch at Taurus, an after work cocktail at Tribeca or some cheap Sunday night drinks at G-A-Y (where the doors always seem to be open) – we are just extremely lucky to have the village here in Manchester. However, we all have our favourite haunts and Alter Ego is most definitely mine.

Whilst boyfriends come and go,105 – 107 Princess Street
has always been a faithful little gem. From Halloween circa 2011 to fancy dress flat-warming parties, birthdays and most recently New Year’s Eve – there is never a moment that couldn’t use a little ‘Pop’.

I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted lent to be over more than I do in 2012.

See you soon POP.

www.poptastic.co.uk

Poptastic takes place at Club Alter Ego, 105-107 Princess Street Manchester every Tuesday and Saturday night.  You can also catch Poptastic’s Back2Back night at Cruz 101 each and every Thursday.

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

Britannia Hotel Manchester

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