Birmingham LGBT’s Ageing Better Programme and LivingWell Project are delighted to present a line up of FREE community events to mark this year’s Pride (supported by Birmingham Pride and the Ageing Better Fund). Birmingham Pride takes place over the 27th and 28th of May with this year’s Pride Parade taking place at midday on Saturday 27th May (if you’d like to join Birmingham LGBT in the Parade keep reading), details of all our Pride events can be found below:
FLOAT DECORATION WORKSHOP – Sunday 21st May, 11am to 2pm, Birmingham LGBT Centre
Join Garry Jones and get creative! We will be making all the props and decorations for the Ageing Better float. Refreshments will be available. Please let Maria know if you would like to attend: 0121 643 0821 or mariahughes@blgbt.org.
NEW: FLOAT DRESSING – Friday 26th May, from 2pm
Come and join Garry to dress our Ageing Better float, which will be parked at Gallan Car Park at the bottom of Hurst Street.
SATURDAY 27th May
- PRIDE PARADE: If you wish to walk with the Birmingham LGBT walking group or if you are riding the Ageing Better float, there are two meeting places: Birmingham LGBT Centre and Victoria Square. If you are meeting Ros at Birmingham LGBT Centre, please try to get there between 10.45am and 11am as you will need to sign the walking group register and join the group in Victoria Square by 11.15am. If you are meeting Maria at Victoria Square, please also aim to be there between 10.45am and 11.15am to give yourself time to sign the register. People who aren’t on the register will not be allowed to walk. This is in the interests of health and safety, and security.
- Acoustic Sessions at Birmingham Pride, 1:30-5:30pm
Birmingham LGBT will play host to the ever popular ‘Acoustic Chill’ event in Cakes and Ladders Café at the LGBT Centre. Join us for an afternoon of some of Birmingham’s favourite acoustic singers including Faye Bagley and Zara Sykes performing throughout the afternoon. Join us for a coffee and an afternoon of superb entertainment starting straight after the Parade. During the afternoon we will also be screening a specially curated programme of LGBT short films. Further activities to be announced.
SUNDAY 28th May, 12pm to 6.45pm
AGEING WELL TOGETHER WITH PRIDE, LGBT Centre and Cakes & Ladders
Join us at any time for this FREE event, no booking required. The times are subject to change: please keep checking http://www.birminghamlgbt.org.uk/events/.
entertainment includes:
- Headline act: VG Lee, from 5pm
VG Lee is the critically-acclaimed and award-winning author, who will charm us with her witty and incisive observations and stand-up comedy. - Moselele, from 12.30pm
Moselele is a Moseley-based ukulele group of enthusiastic, self-taught ukulele players which has become very popular, due to their mix of contemporary songs, and the odd kazoo. - BGSO (Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra), 1pm, 2pm, 3.30pm
BGSO promotes musical talent directly from within the LGBT community. Their string quartet will be playing a mix of classical pieces and more modern music, including musical theatre. - Rainbow Spirit, from 2pm
Rainbow Spirit is a community of men attracted to men who meet to develop personal empowerment, friendship and support. You are welcome to try some of their activities, such as trust games and circle dances, in the Vault of Birmingham LGBT. - Journey Film Club, from 2.35pm
Bringing the Silver Screen to LGBTQ Birmingham and friends, Journey Film Club is showing the classic 1969 film version of “Women In Love”, starring Oliver Reed, Alan Bates and Glenda Jackson. - Acting Out, from 3pm
LGBT theatre group Acting Out will be performing an excerpt from their new work “Seasons Of Our Lives”, a fascinating insight into gay life! All of our lives have a season: are you in high summer or the winter of discontent? - Illuminate, from 6pm
Illuminate offers a space for non-religious spiritual reflection and music. You are invited to join Illuminate and celebrate Birmingham Pride.
MONDAY 29th May, various venues and times
AGEING BETTER BANK HOLIDAY BONANZA
All these events and free and you don’t need to book, although it would help with numbers if you let Maria know you are attending. Please see the events page for more details: http://www.birminghamlgbt.org.uk/events/
- Rainbow Ramble – Hidden Gems, from 11am
On Pride Monday Simon is going to take us on a journey through the Jewellery Quarter, an intriguing part of Birmingham, famous for its gold and silver. He will also show us its architecture, catacombs, and other hidden gems.
We meet at the tram stop in Stephenson Street Outside New Street Station from 10.30am and set off for the Jewellery Quarter on the first tram after 11am (the ticket costs £1). This is an easy, flat walk of about 2 miles and we aim to be back at New Street station between 2 and 3pm. Please wear comfortable shoes, and be careful crossing busy roads. It is not suitable for dogs. Along the way there will be a half hour stop when you can eat your own packed lunch or buy food, and go and look in a jewellers if you wish. Come and celebrate Birmingham Pride by doing something different, making new friends and having a great time. - Meetup, tea and gallery! at BMAG, from 11am
Ageing Well Together invites you to take refreshment at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s Edwardian Tea Rooms, followed by a stroll round some of the current exhibits, including “Birmingham People and Change in the Inner-City” and “I Want! I Want!: Art & Technology”. Meet in the main reception area from 11am. - Pride Picnic, from 1pm
Join the Java & Chow group with a picnic in City Centre Gardens (behind Birmingham Rep Theatre). Bring your own picnic, but expect some free cake! If the weather is not kind, this event will move to Birmingham LGBT Centre. - Giggle Pride! Comedy at the Fox, doors 3pm, performance 5pm
The Fox and MY Comedy proudly presents live stand up from Debra-Jane Appelby, Julie Jepson, Lindsey Santoro – hosted by Maureen Younger. Doors open 3pm, with comedy from 5pm, 17 Lower Essex St.
