Manchester Histories Festival 2016

The biennial Manchester Histories Festival returns across Greater Manchester from the 3-12 June 2016.

If you’re looking for historical re-enactments, Spitfire flyovers and the firing of cannons, Manchester Histories Festival might not be for you! But if you’re after playing online games, a queer review, sharing ordinary people’s stories from diverse communities, being part of making tomorrow’s histories, exploring reggae in the city, discussing the issue of homelessness now and then, walking tours, bike tours, and running tours, or listening to an artist’s historical soundscape… then we might be just what you’re after.

A varied, diverse line up of LGBT events is again included and are itemised below.

From the 3-12 June 2016, the biennial Manchester Histories Festival (MHF) returns across Greater Manchester for the fourth time. Including 180+ events and activities, many of them free, including the Manchester Celebration Day at Manchester Town Hall and Manchester Central Library on Saturday 11 June 2016. 

Delivered by the small charity Manchester Histories (MH), MHF is unique amongst histories festivals in the UK for working in collaborative partnerships with communities, individuals and organisations. Offering ten-days of music, film, debate, a digital game, talks, theatre and performance, tours, exhibitions and more, MHF aims to both celebrate the familiar and reveal the new and hidden histories from across Greater Manchester. Whether people would describe themselves as history fans or not, MHF 2016 will have something for everyone.

#MHF2016 – LGBT programme.

Queer Noise - Hidden History of LGBT Music in Manchester A lively presentation exploring how queer music and club culture in Manchester helped redefine attitudes to sexuality across the city and beyond. Featuring rarely seen images and footage courtesy of Manchester District Music Archive. Part of BBC Music Day. 8pm Friday 3 June. The Picturehouse Bar, Band on the Wall, The Northern Quarter, 25 Swan Street M4 5JZ. 18+ FREE / booking essential 

A Queer Revue! Four of Manchester’s most exciting musical acts take the stage at Band on the Wall. Smart synthesiser pop from HUSK. Lyrical-satirical punk from ILL. Heart-break dream-pop from MÉNAGE À TROIS. Pin-sharp new-wave from LIINES. PLUS after-party with DJs Greg Thorpe and Zoe from LIINES/Bollox till late, with the best soundsystem in Manchester! Part of BBC Music Day. 10pm Friday 3 June. Band on the Wall, The Northern Quarter, 25 Swan Street M4 5JZ. £6 adv/ £8 otd To book.

Manchester's LGBT Centre: We were born in the 80s Just as Thatcher’s government were enacting Section 28, Manchester became the first place to build an entirely publicly funded, purpose designed centre for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The story will be told on this 1-hour walking tour with Emily Crompton. Plus all attendees will receive a free zine! 2pm - 3.15pm Saturday 4 June. Meet outside Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square M60 2LA. FREE / but booking essential 

OUT! LGBT Digital Histories Launch Event Manchester Pride presents 'OUT!' a bespoke digital platform aimed at opening up access to the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lives in Manchester. Created for smartphones OUT! brings to life pivotal historical moments through a digital heritage trail across the city. 6pm - 7pm Thursday 9 June. Manchester Archives+ at Manchester Central Library, St. Peter's Square M2 5PD. FREE / booking essential 

OUT! - An Introduction to Researching Archives Join Manchester Pride in the historic Chief Librarian's room at Central Library for a lively training session on uncovering LGBT histories in Greater Manchester. Learn about viewing, handling and digitising rarely seen material, and find out how you can contribute to the digital exhibition space at Archives+. 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm Saturday 11 June. Manchester Central Library, St. Peter's Square M2 5PD. FREE / booking essential 

Published: 26-May-2016: (3740)