It’s been a long, long year of Zoom calls, “next slide please” and new norms, but there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel as we start to be let out again – back into the wild!
If you’re looking for where find LGBT+ spaces that are back open, Sheffield’s newest LGBT+ venue Spirit of Sheffield is on Cumberland Street (opened just before the pandemic then, like many venues, closed, opened and closed again) and back open to take bookings or walks-ins. The Dorothy Pax at Victoria Quays is back, with a percentage of their bookings being donated to Sheffield LGBT+ charity SAYiT. The Rutland Arms is the home of queer beer collective Out and About, and the pub has confirmed its reopening fates on 17 May. At the time of writing, we are still awaiting confirmed reopening dates for Dempseys and Gay Quarter, but keep an eye on their social media pages for the latest announcements.
We’re not quite there yet with face-to-face events, but we still have a couple of online events this month. 17 May is IDAHoBiT (the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia), a day marked around the world since 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender, intersex people and all others with diverse sexual orientations, sex characteristics, and gender identities or expressions. In Sheffield this is traditionally marked with a vigil in the Peace Gardens; however, with restrictions still in place, this year’s event will take place online hosted by SAYiT (full info on socials and at sayit.org.uk).
On the same day, we see Andro and Eve join forces with the Festival of Debate to host an online Gender Exploration Workshop. This online workshop will provide a space for those questioning or wanting to explore their own gender. Andro and Eve’s Artistic Director Finn Warman will be joined by drag artist Christian Adore to facilitate this creative and playful session. Using conversations and creative exercises, this workshop will help participants reflect upon and be inspired by different ways to express gender in their own lives, rather than on stage. It is intended as a space for self-reflection, understanding and connection for people of marginalised and diverse genders.
If you are eager to get some live dates in the diary to look forward to, fear not, as we have a host of rescheduled and new queer events coming up. Drag Race fans will not be disappointed this year, with Leadmill confirming a whole list of dates showcasing RuPaul’s favourites, including Adore Delano’s album Launch and Crystal Method’s Wonderland. Drag Race UK Series 2 Tour will also be arriving in the Steel City at City Hall featuring UK Season 2 Finalists Tayce, Bimini Bon Boulash, Ellie Diamond, Laurence Chaney, plus other stars from Drag Race UK.
And our local queens will be taking to stages across the city with the return of Drag Queens in the Garden (17 Jul) at Malin Bridge Inn with five amazing drag queens, glitter artists, themed cocktails, and fireworks to close the show. The Funky Beavers will be hosting a full drag cabaret stage show with a three-course dinner at the OEC (31 Jul), and last but not least we have Ivy Alexxander, Emma Maezin and Kylie Rey bringing a night of camp cabaret and comedy to Yellow Arch Studios for God Shave The Queens (29 Aug).
If you’re craving live music, Sheffield favourites and former Pride headliners The Bowie Contingent have dates booked in at Sidney & Matilda and West Street Live in July and December respectively. 90s grunge-inspired icons Hands Off Gretel (pictured), of bisexual anthem ‘Kiss Me Girl’ fame, will be returning to the Leadmill on 7 September; while, in events that seemed impossible not long ago, it appears that we will finally see a return of big arena gigs, with camp dance routine icons Steps scheduled in at Fly DSA Arena for 2 November.
If you have been missing your clubbing fix and want to dance the night away, check out CuckooBox Carnival (26 Jun) at Sidney and Matilda – a nightlife event that promotes social inclusion and freedom of expression. The main thing that matters is the atmosphere, with a music policy of straight-up house music and all genres covered: funky, vocal, disco, uplifting, tech, dirty, deep – basically, if it’s got a groove, it’s all good. Then later in the year, gay disco legends Horse Meat Disco will make a welcome return to Signal (19 Nov).
That’s your lot for now, but keep an eye on facebook.com/sheffieldlgbtevents for updates.
