We've put together this fab guide of all the Shrewsbury Pride events on in town this weekend (Saturday, September 30th, 2023) from the Pride Parade to creative workshops and everything in between! By Claire Pocock.
Saturday, September 30th
Kicking off at 10am, you can join the creatives from Camp Vampire to pick up and personalise your Pride t-shirt at Highly Flammable Studios. Or join Miriam Bell in the Square to get your banners prepped.
At 11am, Pride will officially be opened in the Square by the Lady Mayor of Shrewsbury, followed by members of the LGBTQ+ community sharing what Pride means to them. And bring your banners and flags for the big event - at 12pm is the FullFibre Pride Parade with singing, dancing and celebrations through town.
Pride continues from 1pm–5pm in the Square with LGBTQ+ performers on the main stage, including drag artists, local theatre groups, singers, musical groups, dance troupes, and more.
XR Rhythms will be encouraging you to get loud and proud for Pride with some samba fusion at 12pm outside St Mary’s and 1pm outside the Parade Shops. And local photographer Ming De Nasty will be taking Pride Portraits at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery from 1pm-3pm.
From 1pm-4pm at Cups, Coffee and Creators, there will be a display of memorial quilts designed for those lost to HIV and AIDS, marking 40 years since the first diagnosis of AIDS. Then there's a spoken word open mic at 1pm at In Good Hands. They’ll also be hosting a Midnight Revolution Grooves Pride Party from 6pm.
It’s Rainbow Storytime at Shrewsbury Library at 1:30pm from The Montessori Rainbow. At 2:15pm, a Shropshire storyteller is debuting at the library. Danielle is going to tell the story of Narcissus as you've never heard it before - a story of gender dysmorphia, trans-awareness and self-love. From 3pm you can join Scrap-U-Do to polaroid your Pride.
Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery have a special spotlight Pride talk at 2pm - Queer Histories on Display. From Emperor Hadrian to Wilfred Owen, Medieval Kings and Queens to dress and drag, discover the hidden histories in the museum collection.
People of different faiths and Christian traditions are invited to St. Chad’s for Eucharist for Pride at 3pm.
Jenn Deere, Mr Brake Down and Em Deez will be hosting an after party at The Wheatsheaf
There’s a Drag Show After Party at The Wheatsheaf from 5pm – 8pm with live signing, lip-syncing and laughs from a group of talented local performers - Jenn Deere, Mr Brake Down and Em Deez.
There’s more drag in store at The Bird in Hand from 8pm with local drag queen Tess Tease and the Piratical Suitcase Cult featuring Count D Ranged and Miss Electric.
Sunday
From 3pm onwards, Nerdy café is hosting an LGBTQ+ Meet and Greet. It’s an informal hangout and all are welcome, whether you’re on the rainbow, friend or ally.
Old Market Hall is showing Blue Jean (15) at 7pm. It’s 1988 England and Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government is about to pass a law stigmatizing gays and lesbians, forcing Jean to live a double life.
In Good Hands is hosting Boom Boom Womb from 7pm with a ferocious mix of garage, punk and rock.
Keep an eye on the Shrewsbury Pride Facebook page for updates and full lineup
