Jodie Harsh at Pride 2014

JODIE HARSH HITS THE DECKS AT MANCHESTER PRIDE 2014

JODIE HARSH, KRYSTAL KLEAR AND JAMIE BULL WILL PERFORM HEADLINE SETS DURING THE BIG WEEKEND

The reigning queen of nightlife, DJ Jodie Harsh joins Krystal Klear, Kidnap Kid, TCTS and Jamie Bull who will be getting the party started and spinning tracks at this year’s Gaydio Dance Arena, part of Manchester Pride.

The Dance Arena, sponsored by Gaydio, The Beat of Gay UK, will return to the Big Weekend for the second time after proving a huge hit at last years event.

The arena will run from Friday 22 - Sunday 24 August, with a disco theme planned for the opening Friday night, commercial dance on Saturday and a house theme on Sunday’s closing evening.

The full line up also includes Junior J, Sarah Louise (Hed Kandi), Seamus Haji, Drop the Mustard (Ed Norris and Oli Hackett), Meat Free, Sian Bennett and Gaydio DJs.

Jodie Harsh, one of the UK’s most striking DJ’s, said: “I’m so excited about playing at this year’s Pride. The Dance Arena has become legendary in clubbing circles and I can’t wait to get the crowd going. Manchester is known as the party city - don’t disappoint me, getting your dancing feet on. ”

Mark Fletcher, chief executive of Manchester Pride, said: “The Dance Arena is going to be jumping this year. We’ve secured the cream of the club scene - Jodie is so much fun and has played alongside Beth Ditto, Robyn and Swedish House Mafia, held major residencies and DJd at huge events for MTV, the BRIT Awards and Matthew Williamson. 

“Home grown talent like Drop the Mustard, will also be playing having built up a reputation as the best house and techno night in the city, they’ve recently played storming sets at parties in Ibiza and Croatia and supported Disclosure earlier on this summer.

“Last year over 22,000 visitors flocked to the Gaydio Dance Arena over the Big Weekend, this year we’re encouraging people to get their tickets in advance and arrive early!.”

Manchester Pride is also running a competition judged by Seamus Haji, to find a budding DJ, who will be in with a chance of winning a 30 minute set in the Gaydio Dance Arena.

To enter, DJs must create a 20 minute mix and upload it to the Manchester Pride DJ Competition group on SoundCloud. For further information on how to enter, see: manchesterpride.com/dj

Big Weekend tickets are currently priced at £22 for a weekend ticket, day tickets are also on sale and start at £12.50.  Child's Day & Weekend tickets are now on sale too.  A Big Weekend ticket provides guests with access to the event site, including the Main Arena, Sackville Gardens, the Dance Arena and Expo plus it helps Manchester Pride raise money for LGBT and HIV charities and organisations in Greater Manchester. See here for more information manchesterpride.com/tickets. 

There’s more to Manchester Pride than the Big Weekend and since 2003, the festival has grown to include Pride Fringe which encompasses a series of art, culture, heritage, debate, sport, music and film events celebrating the great diversity of the LGBT community.  The Manchester Pride Festival 2104 kicks off on 01 August with Pride Fringe.

You can follow the charity on Twitter @manchesterpride.

easyJet and Manchester Airport are official sponsors of the Manchester Pride Big Weekend. Tens of thousands of people from across the UK and Europe flock to Manchester’s world-renowned Gay Village for the event and to watch the parade.

Published: 14-Aug-2014: (2564)