Manchester’s schedule of summer events just keeps getting better, as now a brand-new multi-venue LGBTQ+ film and TV festival is coming to the city centre.
The debut city-wide festival simply entitled ‘SCENE’ will be celebrating queer stories on the big and small screen over the course of a full seven days, with special screenings, exclusive panels featuring figures from within the industry, special guests and more.
The event will not only be a huge celebration of LGBTQ+ culture but serve as a massive contribution to the community as well.
A Manchester Pride Festival official partner event for 2024 too, Canal Street and the Gay Village as a whole will be joining a whole host of venues helping bring this wonderful festival’s inaugural event to life.
The weeklong event will kick off with an exclusive opening night featuring a celebration panel and after-party to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the influential drama, Queer as Folk.
One of the most beloved and groundbreaking British series ever, the show spotlighted Manchester’s Canal Street and this year’s celebration will see appearances from writer Russell T Davies, executive producer Nicola Shindlerand actress Denise Black (Hazel Tyler), with more names still to be announced.
This is just one of many star-studded events taking place throughout the LGBTQ festival, including a special screening of BBC hit drama, Lost Boys & Fairies, followed by one of many Q&As from the TV show’s writer and main star, and a showing of documentary film, Striking With Pride: United at the Coalface Pop, at The People’s History Museum.
Another partnered festival venue is the HOME cinema and arts centre, which will honour the legendary John Waters with screenings of cult favourite films Pink Flamingos and Female Trouble, as well as a raucous circus takeover from ‘The Filthiest Carnival Alive’ on the Saturday.
To say there is a lot going on is putting it mildly, with tickets to all events either £15 or under and many of them being just a fiver or completely free – there’s even a free outdoor screen on at First Street throughout.
We Were Here (David Weissman)Home CinemaQueer As FolkCredit: SCENE LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival (supplied)
And beyond enriching local recognition of this city’s queer SCENE (see what we did there?), how else will the festival be contributing to the community?
Well, ticket profits will be donated directly to the Manchester Pride Charity as an official partner event of the festival, with promoters Skiddle also donating the booking fee for any SCENE events purchased through their site too. You just love to see it.
Head of Events at CityCo, producers of SCENE Festival 2024, Gary Williams, said: “We are excited to bring this celebration of LGBTQ+ Film & TV to Manchester as part of Manchester Pride’s festivities. SCENE promises a week of solidarity, diversity, and enjoyment.
“LGBTQIA+ representation on screen allows us to share our stories, break down barriers, and grow our community. We can’t wait to champion queer content and celebrate together this summer.”
The first-ever SCENE LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival takes place from Friday, 16 August to Thursday, 22 August and what better way to kick into the wider 2024 Manchester Pride celebrations than this? You can find a full events calendar and grab your tickets HERE.
Rochdale will be hosting its FIRST EVER comedy festival later this year
Thomas Melia
There’s a comedy festival making its way to Rochdale for the first time ever, and it’s taking place over 10 days this autumn.
Rochdale is preparing for barrels of laughter, as the borough is about to host a comedy festival as part of its events programme for being crowned Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025-26.
The line-up features some well-renowned names in thecomedy world, many of whom have received awards and recognition along the way.
You can expect appearances from Lou Conran, who features as a regular support act for Sarah Millican, Tez Ilyas, from ‘Man Like Mobeen’, and TV comedy legend Mick Miller. There’s even some Britain’s Got Talent alumni in the form of last year’s finalist Alex Mitchell and 2017 semi-finalist Jonny Awsum.
Tez Ilyaz, Lou Conran and Brennan Reece are just some of the acts listed for Rochdale Comedy Festival / Credit: Supplied
Edinburgh Festival favourite Patrick Monahan will be performing along with English comedian of the year Rob Mullholland, Aaron Wood – named by Rolling Stone UK as one of the 12 rising comedy stars to see at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer, and comedy musician Alex Camp.
The lineup also includes Robin Ince, co-host and creator of Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage, and a whole host of other stand-up acts who are all gearing up ready to make Rochdale giggle.
“Us northerners are famous for our sense of humour and there’s a big appetite for comedy,” commented Councillor Sue Smith, who is the cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council.
Rochdale Comedy Festival has an array of comedians taking part including Jonny Awsum and Daisy Earl / Credit: Supplied
“I’m happy to see Rochdale Comedy Festival launching during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
“It will bring together communities and give new comedians a chance to shine.”
So whether you’re in need of a cheer up, or you’re a comedy aficionado, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to crack a smile at Rochdale Comedy Festival, as it’s happening across 10 days from 26 September to 5 October in various venues across the Greater Manchester borough.
Featured Images – Supplied (via Publicity Pictures)
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Northern Quarter favourite The Pen and Pencil announces massive 10th birthday party and huge offers
Daisy Jackson
The Pen and Pencil, an absolute staple for brunches and drinks in the Northern Quarter, is celebrating a major milestone this month with a huge party and some unbeatable deals.
The bar and restaurant will be marking 10 years on Tariff Street in September – and it’s only right that we all pile in to celebrate with them.
This spot is one of the city’s original bottomless brunch venues and is similarly famed for its happy hour offerings, and opened in 2015 to bring a taste of Manhattan to Manchester.
Pen and Pencil took its name from the infamous New York City bar that was seen in Mad Men.
And now as it turns 10 years old, it’ll be throwing one big party on Saturday 27 September, featuring 10 hours of DJs, free pints of Red Stripe at 10pm, and a special bottomless brunch offering.
Those DJing on the day will include Drag Race UK’s Banksie, as well as Les Croasdaile, Mark Hogg, Danny Ward and A Deeper Groove.
Pen & Pencil has amazing deals for its 10th birthdayPen & Pencil is a Northern Quarter OG
The Pen and Pencil 10th birthday party will kick off from 2pm and run until late – but if you can’t make that one, there’ll be celebrations all week (and, indeed, month) long.
On Tuesday 23 September, you’ll be able to play for double prize money in The Pen and Pencil quiz, as well as enjoying happy hour drinks all night.
Then on Friday 26 September, it’ll be an all-night happy hour, with free tequila shots at 10pm and music from DJs Nev Johnson and Gareth James from 7pm.
All September long, there’ll be 50% off food every Monday, two-for-£10 cocktails every Wednesday, £10 burgers every Thursday, happy hour all night on Fridays, 10 dishes for £10 and two bloody Marys for £10 on Sundays, plus DJs on Fridays and Saturdays.
There’s a new colourful art installation outside the venue inspired by the bar’s New York roots.
Owner Kevin Connor said: “We’re really excited to be celebrating being part of the Manchester community for ten years!
“New York’s Pen and Pencil was a classic steak and cocktail joint, and we’re proud to have created our very own iconic Northern Quarter hangout. We hope everyone will join us in celebrating ten years on Tariff Street.”
Walk-ins are welcome for The Pen and Pencil 10th birthday party on Saturday 27 September, but booking is encouraged – book your spot HERE.
Danny Jones -
14th July 2024 
