It’s Hotting Up!
April already! Spring has sprung, it’s officially beer garden weather (which up north just means it’s probably not going to snow) and we have another month packed with LGBT+ events. This month we also celebrate Lesbian Visibility Day (Fri 26 Apr), so let’s look at some of the queer women-focussed happenings taking place. First up, following its popular preview in LGBTQ+ History Month, there’s another chance to catch a screening of Rafiki at the Showroom (Mon 15 Apr), this time with the addition of a Q&A with director Wanuri Kahiu. Originally banned in Kenya for its lesbian content, Rafiki tells the story of love blossoming with two women despite the political rivalry of their families.
LGBT Sheffield return to Walkley Community Centre with their Lesbian Disco (Sat 27 Apr) open to all LBT+ women, with DJ Gail on the decks. Following the success of their launch event, GRL – a new Sheffield-based collective made up of women and non-binary DJs – return to Foodhall (Fri 12 Apr) in continuing their mission to spread love and have a good ol’ boogie. Self-identifying gals and non-binary pals who want to share half an hour of their favourite tracks (no genre too weird or groove too far out) can get up on the stage and give it a go. All women on the decks, everyone else on floor.
If you fancy taking to the decks yourself, head to Intervention (Fri 5 Apr) at Hope Works, where Ifeoluwa will be hosting a free womxn/non-binary DJ workshop, providing a safe space to learn and express through DJing that focuses specifically on under-represented people within the dance music industry.
Sheffield icons Andro and Eve are also back with their latest instalment of The Kingdom Come at Abbeydale Picture House (Sat 11 May) – and OK, this one is technically not until next month, but their events always sell out in advance so grab tickets quick. Get ready to step into the Garden of Eden for their paradise-themed event, hosted by the one and only Shesus and the Sisters with a line-up including Drag King Benjamin Butch, CHIYO and more TBA.
Iceandfire are joining forces with STAR (Student Action for Refugees) as part of Refugee Week to host a screening of ‘This Is Who I Am’, telling first-hand accounts of LGBT+ asylum seekers and the struggles faced both in their own countries and upon arrival in the UK. It will take place at Broomhall Community Centre (Tue 2 Apr) and will be followed by a Q&A session with members of the Sheffield LGBT+ Asylum Seeker and Refugee Community. The show is being ran on a pay-as-you-can basis (suggested £5 donation). No-one will be turned away through lack of funds.
There are more opportunities to get out and about, meet people and get involved in local LGBT+ community groups with Open Sheffield’s Open Communion at St Marks Broomhill (Sun 14 Apr), swimming sessions with Trans Active at Heeley Pool (Sat 6 and 20 Apr) and Sheffield’s Equality Hub Network LGBT+ Hub at the Town Hall (Wed 10 Apr). There are also multiple opportunities to get involved with the Pride in Sheffield team with the open meeting at Sheffield Hallam (Mon 1 Apr), their Killer Pool fundraiser at Mulberry Tavern (Sun 28 Apr), or in another heads up for a guaranteed sell-out event next month, their biggest fundraising event to date, Rainbow Revenge at Yellow Arch Studios (Fri 10 May) with a night not to be missed featuring 80s band Atomic and Everly Pregnant Brother’s Big Shaun.
Start your engines and sissy that walk as April also sees more drag than you can shake a rhinestoned stiletto at, starting with the RuPaul pub quiz at Walkabout (Mon 1 Apr). Malin Bridge are hosting an Easter Drag extravaganza (Fri 19 Apr) featuring Electric Blue, Miss Angel and Dream Girls. We also have two RuPaul icons joining us with Adore Delano’s one woman show, A Pizza Me at the Leadmill (Tue 9 Apr) and the large and in charge, chunky yet funky, Latrice Royal at Plug (Tue 16 Apr).
