10 Ways To Mark London Pride Week 2021
POP INTO: Pasta Evangelists #PrideInPasta
In honour of the weekend and in lieu of the parade, on Thursday 9th - Saturday 11th September pasta delivery specialists Pasta Evangelists will launch their #PrideInPasta Pop-Ups. Pasta Evangelists’ Queen of Pasta Roberta d’Elia will co-host a range of masterclasses alongside a selection of London’s most famous Drag Artists, including Herr and Ophelia Love. After an aperitivo and antipasti spread on arrival, you’ll learn how to make two rainbow-coloured pasta shapes from scratch, as well as a traditional pasta filling. There will also be exclusive Drag Artist performances throughout, an ‘Italian Disco’ soundtrack and plenty of Prosecco on offer. Tickets cost £50 per person, for a maximum of 30 people per class, in Soho and Battersea. All profits from ticket sales will be donated to LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall.
Visit PastaEvangelists.com
LISTEN TO CHILLED OUT TUNES AT: Standard Sounds | Pride Special
Last month, the Standard London launched series of LGBTQIA+ events known as TheirStories in honour of and to celebrate London’s diverse LGBTIQA+ community. Hosted in the hotel’s Juice Café, the next instalment will see DJ, broadcaster and music journalist Tina Edwards take to the decks for a one-off night of entertainment on 11th September. The event is free to attend, and while walk-ins are welcome, guests are encouraged to formally RSVP ahead of time.
Visit StandardHotels.com
WATCH THE LATEST SEASON OF: Drag Race UK
This month sees the return of Drag Race UK, with the line-up and a slew of celebrity guest judges already announced. Oti Mabuse and Matt Lucas will both make appearances during the third season, as will comedian Kathy Burke. Other rumours include Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Coronation Street’s Michelle Keegan, Sir Elton John and Spice Girls star Emma Bunton. As usual, Michelle Visage will be back as a regular judge, while Graham Norton and Alan Carr will alternate each week as they have done for the past two series, with Ru Paul handling proceedings from the top. Each week the queens will compete in a different set of challenges to impress RuPaul in a bid to avoid being one of the bottom two queens facing a lip sync and elimination from the competition. We’ve got our eye on Scarlett Harlett, who has described herself as ‘Danny Dyer in drag’.
Available in September on BBC iPlayer.
FIND INFORMATION & ADVICE AT: The Modern Family Show 2021
This one-day event is the only UK family show exclusively designed for the LGBT+ community and is designed to give attendees all the information they need about different options, including surrogacy and IVF/IUI, adoption, fostering, co-parenting, fertility preservation, co-parenting and egg/sperm donation. Taking place on 18th September, the organisers have teamed up with some of the UK’s leading social media parenting influencers, all of whom are parents or parents to be, to ensure you receive first-hand advice and insights into what it means to be a modern-day family in 2021. Featuring a range of talks and workshops – including a session with friend of SL Micheal Johnson-Ellis – all are free to attend within the event. Entry tickets cost £15.
Visit TheModernFamilyShow.co.uk
HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FRIENDS AT: The Ultimate Drag Queen Workshop
Andaz London Liverpool Street will be running the ultimate Drag Queen Workshop hosted by Velma Celli – known as ‘the queen of live vocal drag’ – on Wednesday 8th September from 6pm-9pm. The event will be divided into two parts: a Drag make-up tutorial where Velma will explain how to transform yourself into a glamorous Drag Queen followed by a try-on of colourful wigs and flamboyant outfits supplied by Mad World London. The event will take place at the hotel’s iconic 1901 Ballroom and the event is free to attend.
Visit Hyatt.com
DANCE ALL DAY & NIGHT AT: Pride Party with The House of St Barnabas
Over the last decade Boogie Cartel have earned a reputation for bringing a party wherever they go, and this Saturday they’re joining forces with the House of St Barnabas in Soho for a day and night of good music and delicious drinks. Mica Coca, a London based DJ hailing from Manchester, will be responsible for keeping attendees on the dancefloor with energetic house music and soulful sounds, while guests have been told to keep an eye out for a special guest: drag queen Ella Gant, a trained actor and singer who will be serving up modern pop, Latin hits and some older classics. This event is open to non-members and is a fundraising event for the House of St Barnabas, with all proceeds going towards their mission to break the cycle of homelessness. Tickets cost up to £17.
Book your tickets here.
BOOK A GIRLY BRUNCH AT: The Ivy Soho Brasserie
Between the 10th-12th September, The Ivy Brasserie in Soho will host a range of events, including a neon installation, live entertainment, a drag themed brunch and a limited-edition cocktail menu. On Saturday 11th, guests will be shown to their table by flamboyant hosts to enjoy an array of Ivy classic dishes and cocktails, while stilt walkers, drag acts and performances kick off from 12pm. A live DJ will also play music throughout the day to keep spirits high and festivities going.
Visit TheIvySohoBrasserie.com
Other ways to show your support…
Donate to Pride In London
Perhaps you’re not around to attend an event this year, or perhaps pandemic regulations advise you shouldn’t. Either way, you can still show your support by making a donation to Pride In London by visiting the official website here.
Support other LGBTQ+ charities
Depending which ones move you most, there are several UK-based LGBTQ+ charities which could use your financial and physical support. Here are a few:
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The Albert Kennedy Trust (you can still buy one of Victoria Beckham’s t-shirts in support of the charity via her website.)
Watch, learn & listen
If you’re looking to expand your knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community, listening and watching is probably the best way to spend September. We highly recommend BBC Three’s huge selection of documentaries, podcast Out with Suzi Ruffell and Juno Dawson’s recently released guide What's the T?, which explains what it means to be a young transgender and/or non-binary person in the 21st century. Matthew Todd’s excellent Pride: The Story of the LGBTQ Equality Movement also came out in May this year, while those looking for a light-hearted way into the subject should watch 2014’s Pride, available via Amazon Prime.
For more information visit PrideInLondon.org
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