A “groundbreaking” new drag school especially for LGBTQ+ youth and allies in Greater Manchester has been launched this week.
As part of a new partnership between Manchester Pride and local group Drag Kings of Manchester, the new drag school – which is called ‘The House of Queens, Kings and Holy Things’ – is kicking-off with a series of exciting free summer workshops aimed at providing the region‘s LGBTQ+ youth and allies with “performance skills, confidence, and community”.
Offering “a transformative experience in the world of drag”, this innovative new drag school is exclusively for members of Youth Pride MCR aged 14 to 18, and those up to 25 with additional needs.
In case you’re not familiar with Youth Pride MCR, it’s a project by Manchester Pride that’s dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ young people and their allies by creating a safe and inclusive community, and organising engaging workshops where participants can explore their identities, develop new skills, and build meaningful connections.
Those taking part in the new workshops at ‘The House of Queens, Kings and Holy Things’ this summer will have the opportunity to develop their performance skills, learn about makeup and costume, build self-confidence, and ultimately perfect their drag performance craft.
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At the end of the five-week course, those taking part will then have a chance to perform at the Youth Pride MCR event as part of the legendary Manchester Pride Festival.
Manchester Pride says it has developed the workshops in response to feedback directly from the young people it supports.
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More than 50% of young people said they wanted to learn more about drag and creative performance.
Beyond the glamour and glitter, Manchester Pride and Drag Kings of Manchester say the workshop series also aims to provide LGBTQ+ youth and allies with “valuable experience and insights into the creative industries”, as well as help to improve their social and public speaking skills.
Manchester Pride launches ‘groundbreaking’ new drag school to teach LGBTQ+ youth performance skills / Credit: Youth Pride MCR
“We are excited to launch this unique and creative initiative, offering our young members a platform to express themselves, meet new people, and potentially ignite their passion for a career in the creative industries,” Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said ahead of the launch of the new drag school and workshop series.
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“The House of Queens, Kings and Holy Things encapsulates the spirit of Manchester Pride, creating opportunities for the LGBTQ+ youth of our community to thrive, be seen, and heard.
“We are eager to see the talent and creativity that will emerge from this program.”
You can learn more about the workshops and upcoming events here.
Featured Image – Youth Pride MCR
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A pop-up apres-ski bar with yurts, live music and steins has opened in Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
All the vibes of an apres-ski experience have landed in Greater Manchester with the arrival of a full Yurt Village.
Inside each cosy space you’ll find log fires, Christmas trees, ski racks, cable cars and fur throws for the perfect Alpine atmosphere.
The YurtBar pop-up in Sale has several different event spaces of varying shapes and sizes, each one named after and inspired by iconic European ski resorts.
Just imagine gathering all your loved ones together to sip on mulled wines, steins of beer and ski shots surrounded by twinkling lights. Bliss, right?
If you’re planning a party this winter, whether it’s your work Christmas do, a birthday, or just a festive get-together with friends, YurtBar is a perfect party spot for the season.
A pop-up apres-ski bar with yurts, live music and steins has opened in Greater Manchester. Credit: Supplied
While the yurts can be booked for groups up to 152 people, you can also just enjoy the apres-ski atmosphere in much smaller groups, with tables available for six people too.
On arrival at the festive Yurt Village you’ll be greeted with a welcome drink before tucking into an Alpine-themed three-course meal by The Hog and Apple.
And to get the party started there’s a full cocktail bar, plus live music with a DJ and saxophonist.
You’ll be able to document your festive celebration in a photobooth with an Alpine themed backdrop, as well as a 360 degree videobooth.
Billed by previous customers as ‘the best night of the year’, YurtBar bookings are now open for minimum tables of six.
To feel like you’ve been whisked off to the mountains without ever leaving town, click HERE.
And you can save money on your booking using the code Organisergoesfree!
Huge Black Friday sale launches on flights from Manchester to New York, Barbados and Orlando
Daisy Jackson
Anyone who says money can’t buy happiness clearly hasn’t booked themselves a discounted flight to a bucket list destination.
The Aer Lingus Black Friday sale is now live, with huge savings on trips between Manchester and dream locations like New York, Barbados and Orlando.
Direct flights with Aer Lingus from Manchester are now on sale from just £379 return, valid on trips all the way through until next summer.
As well as those deals on direct flights already mentioned, Aer Lingus’s Black Friday sale will also whisk you off to other hotspots like Las Vegas, LA, Chicago, Boston and more, via Dublin.
The sale is live now and will run until 3 December, valid on flights until 30 June 2025.
In just a matter of hours you could be relaxing on white-sand beaches and sipping on coconuts in beautiful Barbados.
Or Aer Lingus could jet you off to the city that never sleeps, New York City, ready for a winter soaking in the sights or a spring break scrolling around Central Park.
There are also amazing deals to Florida, whether you’re seeking an action-packed holiday filled with theme parks or just relaxing on one of the state’s many sunny beaches.
Keep your eyes peeled in Manchester city centre on Thursday 28 November, as Aer Lingus will be in town with a spin-the-wheel activation where you can win short- and long-haul flights.
Aer Lingus will be in Manchester Arndale between 10am and 8pm on Thursday.
You can browse all the Aer Lingus Black Friday deals HERE – T&Cs apply.
Emily Sergeant -
20th June 2023 
