Manchester’s destination hub, Ducie Street Warehouse and Native Manchester, are proud to announce two-weekends of ‘Freedom to Be’ parties to celebrate Pride and Bank Holiday weekend in Manchester, this August.
The ‘Freedom to Be’ parties at Ducie Street Warehouse are an ode for celebrations and expressions – a space for everyone to get involved and to be connected with their true self, with each other and amongst everyone. ‘Freedom to Be’ are FREE to attend parties.
‘Freedom to Be’ will kick off on Saturday 20th August from 5pm until late, where the warehouse will welcome a very special headliner – the sensational national presenter and DJ Gok Wan and supporting act from Manchester queer collective Queer Latifah. An inspiration to many, Gok Wan has empowered women and the LGBTQIA+ community with his works, including the acclaimed How to Look Good Naked. Gok Wan is also notably known within the fashion industry as a consultant where he has worked with international celebrities, brands and publications.
Completing the style for ‘Freedom to Be’, the warehouse glass lift tower will feature vinyl art in collaboration with Sally Gilford, founder of the independent art collective Salford Markers. Gilford’s works explores of multi-disciplinary art forms to encourage self-expression and creative experimentation – she works with people and communities to connect ideas and creativity to place, identity and heritage. With a background in surface design and print, her work is bold, playful and inquisitive.
Continuing into August Bank Holiday, Ducie Street Warehouse will host its famous BIG disco brunch for ‘Freedom to Be’ from 11am until 4pm. The disco brunch will be soundtracked by by The Niallist bringing in the finest disco selections, plus performances from Poppy Lah, Monopoly Phonic, Dakota Schiffer, Sharon Legrand and Banksie – and bottomless Glam Daiquiris on the flow.
Carrying on the party until 9pm on Saturday 27th August, DJ collectives Girls On Film and Fat Camp will be in charge of the sound system to keep the groove going.
Sunday Bank Holiday on 28th August will welcome more DJs and performances curated by vogue collective Ghetto Fabulous from 11am until 4pm with another disco brunch back in full swing. Followed by High Hoops takeover bringing in the best in world disco to psychedelic house into the dancefloor until 9pm.
Book the ‘Freedom to Be’ disco brunches on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August here.
Finishing off on Monday 29th August, Ducie Street Warehouse is back with its ‘Recharge & Reset’ brunch with healthier food options and hydrating drinks to ease guests back into the week. The menu includes Turmeric fried eggs with kale, tenderstem broccoli, sweet corn fritter and pomegranate seeds; Mango on French toast with coconut yogurt, hazelnuts and puffed rice; and Mixed grain and almond milk porridge with poached plums.
Over at the vibrant South-facing terrace, Bacardi will be bringing in their cocktail truck serving specials such as Mai Tai with Bacardi Cuatro, Public Spirit Golden, Smith & Cross, curacao, orgeat and pressed lime; and classic Mojito with Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum, rich cane sugar, mint, pressed lime and Fever Tree Mexican Lime Soda.
Throughout August, Ducie Street Warehouse will be serving special ‘Freedom to Be’ cocktails in celebration with Bacardi, Grey Goose, Patron and Bombay Sapphire – with menu highlights including Heartbreaker, a vodka & tonic with a lot more sass, and classics such as Negroni, Cosmopolitan, French Martini, Espresso Martini, Bramble, French 75 and signature Ducie’s Elderflower.
Following the success of HEADS exhibition last month, the warehouse is collaborating with the creative team once again for a special exhibition celebrating LGBTQIA+ figures in and around Manchester – featuring the likes of Banksie, Athena, Ginger, Big Dee, Chastity, Oxxymoron, Anna Phylactic, Danny Beard and more. The exhibition will be showcased on Saturday 20th August.
On Wednesday 24th August, Manchester’s LGBTQIA+ film platform Superbia will return to the Mini Cini and present a series of queer films to celebrate Manchester Pride 2022 as well. The platform will also run a masterclass with makeup artist Patti Baston – find out more here.
Olivia Immesi, Managing Director at Native Places, said, “The team at Native Manchester and Ducie Street Warehouse are delighted to present ‘Freedom to Be’ parties for all. We are proud to be part of this incredible city – and to celebrate the people and its diverse communities which makes Manchester unique.”
For the ultimate Pride weekend experience in Manchester, the aparthotel above Ducie Street Warehouse, Native Manchester, offers leisure staycations with large self-contained luxury apartments offering a truly home from home stay. Room rate starts for £100 per night.
All housed within the warehouse-chic surroundings of the Grade II listed building, Ducie Street Warehouse and its aparthotel Native Manchester, are right in the heart of the city centre – a destination hub of creative concepts with something for everyone.
