Queer Contact Returns for 2023

News Story

Queer Contact is back, baby!

We can’t wait to celebrate queer culture with a lineup of the UK’s most extraordinary LGBTQ+ talent. Learn all about our flagship queer arts festival below, and secure your tickets today!

Text in the middle says 'House of Suarez Presents The Disco Ball Got to be Real-ness On Tour'. On either side of the text is a performer striking a pose. — House of Suarez Presents: The Vogue Ball, Queer Contact 2023.
2022 Provided by House of Suarez.

House of Suarez: The Disco Ball | 4 Feb 2023

First up, we have House of Suarez’s DISCO BALL taking its legendary centre-stage spot. Get your dancing shoes on, and we’ll see you at the ball.

Text in the middle says 'Girl Gang's Speed Mate-ing', 'Making mates made easy'. — Girl Gang MCR: Speed Mate-ing, Queer Contact 2023
2023 Provided by Girl Gang MCR

GIRL GANG MCR: SPEED MATE-ING 2023 | 6-7 FEB 2023

Taking inspiration from dating shows, bad business meetings, teenage sleepovers, art attack and agony aunts, Girl Gang invite you to undertake creative challenges and respond to conversational topics, creating authentic connections between new friends, quickly and fear-free!

The cast of Cocoa Butter Club glammed up, striking a pose in front of a gold curtain. — The Cocoa Butter Club, Queer Contact 2023.
2023 Provided by The Cocoa Butter Club.

THE COCOA BUTTER CLUB | 9 FEB 2023

Next, The Cocoa Butter Club are here to moisturise a dry and dusty performance scene by showcasing Queer performers of colour!

Reece Connolly playing a recorder on stage. — Gallifrey Cabaret, Queer Contact 2023.
2022 Provided by Gallifrey Cabaret.

GALLIFREY CABARET | 10 FEB 2023

Jump aboard the queerest TARDIS in time and space for a night of cosmic drag and cabaret, all inspired by the greatest TV show in the universe – DOCTOR WHO.

Two women sat facing each other, bending over and laughing. — Ladyfriends: Writing from LGBTQ+ History, Queer Contact 2023
2023 Provided by Ladyfriends.

LADYFRIENDS: WRITING FROM LGBTQ+ HISTORY | 10 FEB 2023

Join writer and director Clodagh Chapman for this insight into making new work from queer history, drawing on her latest production Ladyfriends.

Text in the middle says Peach Chutney and an illustrated plane above the text. — The Bitten Peach Presents: Peach Chutney, Queer Contact 2023
2022 Provided by The Bitten Peach

THE BITTEN PEACH: PEACH CHUTNEY | 11 FEB 2023

Calling all gorgeous passengers to the Queer Contact lounge as we prepare to jet you off on an epic airline voyage! Your Sexy, Silly, Sassy & South Asian flight crew are ready to cater to your every need.

Kao is sat on the floor and dressed in matching gingham vest and trousers. — Outspoken, Queer Contact 2023
2023 Provided by Outspoken.

OUTSPOKEN |11 FEB 2023

Join some of the North West’s finest queer spoken word artists as Outspoken returns for a spellbinding evening of performance.

Kao in a pink headband with a stressed expression on the left and a content expression on the right. — Outspoken Poetry Workshop, Queer Contact 2023
2023 Provided by Outspoken

OUTSPOKEN POETRY WORKSHOP | 11 FEB 2023

Join one of the North West’s finest poets for a workshop exploring queer joy.

Fisayo Akinade looks at the camera; a man with short hair, big brown eyes and wearing a green tshirt against a burnt orange background — 50 Things That Shaped Me with Fisayo Akinade, Queer Contact 2023
2022 Provided by Fisayo Akinade.

50 THINGS THAT SHAPED ME WITH FISAYO AKINADE | 12 FEB 2023

Join Fisayo Akinade as he shares 50 things that shaped him in conversation with Contact Artistic Director and CEO Keisha Thompson, as part of Contact’s 50th-anniversary celebrations.

Composite image showing the artists from When All is Said. — When All Is Said, Queer Contact 2023
2023 Supplied by When All Is Said

WHEN ALL IS SAID | 13-17 FEB 2023

What secrets would you tell a complete stranger? Contained within these new stories by Travis Alabanza, Felix Mufti-Wright, Octavia Nyombi, Ebun Sodipo and Campbell X, are secrets – and you’re invited to listen.

Luke Hereford stood in front of a lit up wardrobe. His hair is pink and dressed in a black fur coat. He is holding a mic in his right hand and holding up his left hand. — Grandmother's Closet
2022 Provided by Grandmother's Closet

GRANDMOTHER’S CLOSET | 16 FEB 2023

Join Luke Hereford (he/they) on a journey of queer self-discovery through the glamorous spirit of his Nan, all to the tune of Madonna, Kylie, Kate Bush and his favourite pop divas.

Milly-Liu looking up with a distressed expression. her eyeliner is smudged over her cheeks. Text on the right says 'An Audience with Milly-Liu'. — An Audience with Millie-Liu, Queer Contact 2023
2022 Giulia Ferrando

AN AUDIENCE WITH MILLY-LIU | 16 FEB 2023

The cat’s out of the bag and Milly-Liu is ready to spill the beans on all your favourite celebrity pussies. She’s worked with the best of them, and been to bed with the rest of them! Come join her (if you dare), but be warned, she’ll throw you around like a half-dead mouse.

Lady Bushra on the right of a plain background. She is dressed in a saree with long and wavy black hair. — Lady Bushra: Robbed, Queer Contact 2023
2023 Image supplied by Lady Bushra.

LADY BUSHRA: ROBBED | 17 FEB 2023

Don’t miss the chance to see the hilarious and iconic drag comedian Lady Bushra as this ‘teenage’ starlet takes you on quite the unique journey! Hailed from the ‘exotic land of Bradford’ Bushra is your South Asian ‘Karen’ so get ready to hear her unique take on how everything is anybody’s fault but hers.

A person is sitting behind another person, brushing their hair. The other person is smiling. — Dzifa: Watch Party.
2023 Provided by Dzifa

DZIFA: WATCH PARTY | 18 FEB 2023

We are inviting audiences to join us on this intimate, rhythmic journey as we watch Dzifa, a short film directed by Savannah Acquah, and ask Queer Black artists to respond to a variety of the film’s themes.

Drag queens Ginny Lemon and Sister Sister glammed up with excited expressions. — Ginny Lemon and Sister Sister: You Keep Me Hangin' On, Queer Contact 2023
2022 Supplied by Ginny Lemon and Sister Sister.

GINNY LEMON AND SISTER SISTER: YOU KEEP ME HANGIN' ON | 18 FEB 2023

Breakout stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2 (and the two most despised queens), Ginny Lemon & Sister Sister are trying to bring you the most disappointing drag show you’ve ever seen!

Contact, Manchester