Cool Manchester

Organisers of the UK’s leading Pride event, Manchester Pride, have today confirmed tickets are on sale from 01 May for the Big Weekend festival.

Visitors are expected to descend on Manchester for the August bank holiday weekend in the tens of thousands, for what has become one of the most successful LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) celebrations in the UK.

The Big Weekend runs from 24 – 27 August and ticket prices have been frozen with Early Bird weekend tickets costing £15. Headline artists will be confirmed closer to the event. Past performers have included: Kelis, Alexandra Burke, Pixie Lott, Little Boots, Patrick Wolf, Human League, Roisin Murphy and Gossip.

John Stewart, Chief Executive of Manchester said “We are delighted to be working again with G-A-Y to deliver some of the headline artists as part of the Big Weekend programme. Last year artists such as Alexandra Burke and the Sugababes were presented in association with G-A-Y.”

The festival raises vital funds for LGBT and HIV charities and community groups in Greater Manchester. Last year, the charity distributed £105,000 to projects including the Albert Kennedy Purple Door scheme, which aims to provide emergency housing for young LGBT people. Along with larger projects, the charity also provides grants for small organisations and groups, such as Transforum, Queer Youth Network and the Lesbian Community Project.

Antony Cotton, Manchester Pride Patron said: “Manchester Pride is more than just a fun-filled weekend and is one of the only Pride events in the country to consistently raise large amounts of money for HIV and LGBT charities. I would like to remind all Pride-goers that your money makes a huge difference to the local LGBT community. Have a great Pride”

In addition to the Big Weekend, Pride Fringe runs from 17 - 23 August and is headlined by camp chanteuse, Margarita Pracatan, with her UK premiere of ‘Stranger in the Night’. Performances take place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 August.

Tickets for the Big Weekend are available from www.manchesterpride.com or by calling 0871 230 3450. Tickets are subject to booking fees.

Further information on the festival can be found on twitter @manchesterpride

A fisheries expert is approached by a consultant to help realize a sheik's vision of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert and embarks on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible possible.

Not the most exciting of film names, and some of the trailers I have seen for this film leave you wondering what this film is about - and I don't mean the salmon fishing, I'm not that dumb.

For a week where Battleships is number one everywhere (may the gods help us) we were quite surprised to find this film in Screen 1 at our local Cineworld. The screen was actually quite full, and once everyone had got settled in their correct seats (it still amazes me how many people sit in the wrong seats in a Cinema that always allocates seating), we settled in to watch.

Whilst the film is mainly about the 10,000 salmon getting moved from British waters to The Yemen, the story between Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt's characters is at some points hilarious, others quite sad and other times just "nice".

I'm not great at writing, and I am hoping to improve as I write more of these reviews - so I will leave it here: The film is really good and I would recommend you see it - you don't need to know about fishing.

My Score: 7/10

Director: Lasse Hallström
Stars: Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt and Amr Waked

As Able As kane (AAAK)

Totalitarian Tip Toe

Review By Andrew Barclay

Back in Manchester in the late 80s and early 90s, the music most closely associated with the city was the psychedelic dance tinged beats of The Happy Mondays and The Stone Roses. It was in this musical environment that 'As Able As Kane' emerged. However, AAAK were a no nonsense industrial influenced band, and this in itself separated them from the other groups of that period.

Perhaps because of this different musical slant, the band caught Record label attention and they were duly signed. Two albums later and several appearances on John Peel's now legendary radio show, the band found themselves in 1992, and with the group’s members all being involved in other projects, AAAK split up.

Some 17 years later, the 'Electric Tremor' label approached the band about putting out a 'Best of' album, and with renewed enthusiasm, the band decided to record and tour again. 'Totalitarian Tip Toe' is the resulting comeback album, and it's a beast of an album. Paul Rawlinson’s vocals are authoritative and strong, accompanied by the programming and synth wizardry of Simon 'Ding' Archer.

Further to my previous blog about the Coalition For EQUAL Marriage, http://www.coolmanchester.com/index.php/CM/manchester-pride/coalition-for-equal-marriage-don

the government are carrying out an equal civil marriage consultation.

As quoted on the website, The key proposals of the consultation are:

to enable same-sex couples to have a civil marriage i.e. only civil ceremonies in a register office or approved premises (like a hotel)

to make no changes to religious marriages. This will continue to only be legally possible between a man and a woman

to retain civil partnerships for same-sex couples and allow couples already in a civil partnership to convert this into a marriage

civil partnership registrations on religious premises will continue as is currently possible i.e. on a voluntary basis for faith groups and with no religious content

individuals will, for the first time, be able legally to change their gender without having to end their marriage

Current legislation allows same-sex couples to enter into a civil partnership, but not civil marriage.

If you would like to participate in this consultation, the form can be found here:

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equal-civil-marriage/

I have completed the form and it only takes a few minutes, I would strongly recommend that all same sex couples do the same thing and share this document everywhere, it's a very good way to show the current government how we feel.

Submissions are being sought from charities, organisations, groups and individuals to take part in this year’s festival. Organisers have opened applications for the Manchester Pride Parade and Lifestyle Expo.

One of the UK’s most successful Pride events, the festival is a unique opportunity to show commitment to diversity and inclusion, whilst helping the charity to raise much needed funds for local LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) and HIV charities and community groups.

The Manchester Pride Parade, weaves its way through the streets of Manchester on Saturday 25 August 2012. Over 3000 people take part in the parade each year and previous entrants have included Manchester Airport, Coronation Street and Greater Manchester Police.

The theme Queer’d Science, has been adopted in honour of the father of computer science, mathematician, logician, wartime code breaker and victim of prejudice, Alan Turing. The gay computer pioneer was prosecuted for gross indecency for having relations with another man in 1952, when homosexual acts were illegal in the UK. This year the country celebrates the centenary of Turing’s birth.

Exhibition space is also available during the Big Weekend in the Lifestyle Expo area, with host of exhibitors promoting services and offering support. A very popular area of the festival site, early booking is advised.

Manchester Pride’s Chief Executive, John Stewart said “This year focuses on encouraging individuals to become ambassadors for Manchester Pride, promoting and inspiring their workplaces to take part in the festival.”

“Participants have a great time, whilst helping us raise money for services in Greater Manchester that support the LGBT community and those living with or affected by HIV.”

Tickets for the Big Weekend, will be released for sale on 01 May 2012. However, those wishing to indulge themselves with the VIP treatment can purchase Platinum Passes, giving access to the events site, Main Arena viewing area and the VIP suite, in addition to a number of complimentary drinks during the weekend.

All applications can be made through the Manchester Pride website www.manchesterpride.com and click on get involved.

To find out more about Manchester Pride and this year’s festival you can follow the charity on Twitter @manchesterpride