Pop-up Pride event taking place at MediaCity – including drag queen story time and bottomless supper

A free and family-friendly Pride event is taking place this weekend at MediaCity, featuring dance and music performances, drag queen story time and a variety of educational talks and workshops.

Taking place on Saturday 15 July, 12:30-6pm, the Pop-up Pride day will also mark the reopening of the outdoor dining area Box on the Docks, located at MediaCity.

Free events

Mama G, who you may recognise from Britain’s Got Talent, will be leading a Drag Queen story time for people of all ages. There will also be dance workshops from dance and visual arts company Ghetto Fabulous, who are known for raising awareness in equality and diversity through black led LGBTQ+ arts activities. On the music front, there will be performances from the Twisted Tubes brass band, as well as DJs including ShimRise.

There will also be art for visitors to enjoy. Manchester-based creative agency HEADS will be showcasing images from their Queens magazine edition, which features a series of portraits of Northern drag queens taken by HEADS founder and photographer Liam Heeley.

Proud 2 B Parents, an organisation that supports LGBTQ+ parents and parents-to-be, will be delivering talks and workshops, and there will be stalls from The Lowry and Salford University. Feel Good Club will also be there, with a pop-up shop selling Pride t-shirts, with a percentage of the sales going to Proud 2 B Parents.

Sassy Supper Club

In the evening, drag queens Lady Bushra and Miss Blair will be hosting the Sassy Supper Club – an adults-only, 90-minute bottomless supper that will also feature performances from the hosts.

The bottomless drinks on offer include aperol spritz, mimosa, frozen passion fruit daiquiri, frozen pina colada, white peach sangria as well as any draft beer or cider and alcohol-free options. The Box on the Docks food vendors will also be providing the food for the evening. Menu option include: Greek chicken or halloumi gyros, homemade chorizo mac and cheese, Italian focaccia sandwich with prosciutto and vegan options are also available.

The Sassy Supper Club will last from 5-6:30pm. Tickets cost £27 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.

What do the organisers say?

Josie Cahill, place director for MediaCity, said: “We’re delighted to bring Pop-Up Pride to MediaCity for a second year running which will also help raise awareness for some incredible causes, including Proud 2 B Parents, an organisation which is so important to LGBTQ+ parents, carers and their children. Above all, we’re really looking forward to hosting a day of celebration, awareness and acceptance.”

Matt Taylor-Roberts, managing director at Proud 2 b Parents, added: “We at Proud 2 b Parents love Pop up Pride, what an amazing celebration of our community in the heart of MediaCity. There is so much going on throughout the day for the LGBTQ+ community and our allies. I can’t wait to see Mama G story time session too, there is nothing like a drag queen story time!”