A Pride event that began as a barbecue gathering between friends and grew into a lifeline for a Salford social club on the brink is set to brighten up the city again this weekend.
A Freddy Mercury tribute act, a renowned inclusive choir and a singing drag queen will take to the stage as Weaste Pride returns to Weaste and Seedley Social Club on Saturday 11 July.
The jam-packed line-up will perform for festivalgoers dressed in vibrant 80s and 90s-themed costumes at this year’s event.
Punters turning out to enjoy the glitz, glamour and forecast Salford sunshine will be hopeful that winning a loaded charity raffle with Avanti West Coast train tickets, a meal voucher for the historic Black Friar pub in Salford and shop credit at clothing stores will cap off a fine day.
Ian Carberry, the Hartlepool-born social club secretary and brain behind Weaste Pride, explained that the annual celebration of the city’s LGBTQ+ community began in his back garden.
“It started off as a barbecue in my garden,” he said, laughing. “It became so big that, when we did it for the first year and everyone turned up, it was quite overwhelming but still an amazing day.
“We have taken some feedback on and will have more acts, more variety and better stalls at the event this year.”
The proceeds from the charity will go to local suicide prevention charity Jak’s World, which will have a stand alongside social housing provider Salix Homes and non-profit art studio Grit.
The 39-year-old has planned ahead to ensure visitors are comfortably cool while dancing to all-singing, all-dancing Manchester-based drag queen Tina Tuna, who will host the event in the baking heat.
“I’ve bought lots of ice pops, because it’s a heatwave again this year,” he said. “We have lots of tatty decorations, Lily savage and Bad Girls cutouts – we’re very hun vibes here.”
The Beautiful South fan is particularly looking forward to seeing a tribute band celebrating the pop rock group, as well as Manchester Proud Chorus, a prominent LGBTQ+ community choir.
Ian, a gay man who admitted he would have thought twice before drinking in Salford ten years ago, said the city has become a “welcoming place” for members of a burgeoning LGBTQ+ community.
“It is the most friendly place,” he explained, adding, “around here you don’t have to pay Manchester prices; it’s not like going to Canal Street.
“Here it’s £4.50 for a pint of Madri, £3.60 for a Carling and there is a great sense of community here.”
While the pints are cheap and the decorations are up, this year’s event comes at a time when the social club faces mounting financial pressures.
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to raise £5,000 to fund urgent repairs needed to bring the ageing 1980s building into the 21st century.
Pointing to a damaged, stained roof supported by makeshift wooden panels, Ian allowed himself to dream of a brighter future for the social club he has grown to adore.
“I would love to come in one day and make it modern,” he said, imagining a room without the red blinds he loathes. “It would be nice for the space to be more modern, inviting and practical so we could host bigger and better events.”
He hopes events like Weaste Pride will give festival-goers a glimpse of the social club’s potential, while helping to promote greater inclusivity and reduce social isolation in the area.
More information about the Weaste Pride festival can be found here, while a link to the crowdfunder is available here.
