It’s that time of year again, when Contact Manchester delivers a heady mix of queer arts, for us L, G, B and T’s.

Celebrating some of the best UK and international talent, the annual festival Queer Contact runs from 06 Feb to 03 May 2012, with a programme that, as always, doesn’t fail to delight.

First up, Comedy Playground on 06 Feb at 19:30. You may have got caught up with their antics in Sackville Gardens or in the Main Arena during Pride; Harry and Lou bring their unique flavour of comedy to Contact, along with Pride stalwarts Jonathan Mayor and Rosie Wilby.

Our next pick is Short Cuts on 08 Feb at 20:00. A double-bill of new work-in-progress, These Dreams are Forever by Chris Hoyle (Newspaper Boy) takes a look at homophobia and football, whilst we are taken on a magical musical journey through Queer Manchester history with Hope Theatre Company in Village Voices.

The now infamous Mother’s Ruin delivers a Theatrical Spectacular on 10 Feb, from 20:00, with so many great acts including Jonny Woo, Dickie Beau and Myra Dubois.

Whilst over at Contact, don’t forget to take a look at the exhibitions by Lee Baxter, who exhibited during Manchester Pride 2011, with two exhibitions Apostles; 12 large-scale portraits that bring together a maverick group of opinionated artists and thinkers and Hip Replacement; a retrospective of graphic work, accompanying the aforementioned exhibition. Both are free to visit and run from 03 Feb to 03 May.

Prices vary, you can find the full programme of events over at Contact Manchester, or to find out more about LGBT History Month head over to their website.

Image of Dickie Beau, Mother's Ruin Theatrical Spectacular.

Young LGBT writers in Manchester are coming together to explore the ‘coming of age’ of Jonathan Harvey’s infamous play ‘Beautiful Thing’.

Harvey’s play is showing at the Royal Exchange between now and the start of December, and as a part of this an exciting new writing project has been set up by the theatre with support from Manchester Pride, the Lesbian and Gay Foundation and some high profile writers.

'I Can Dream Can't I’ invites young LGBT writers to come to a safe space to hone in on their skills and learn more about dramatic writing. Both solo and in pairs the writers are constructing monologues (and duologues) based around the fact the play is now eighteen. Following the showings of ‘Beautiful Thing’ on December 1 and December 2, some of the young writers’ work will be read out by actors from the play. In addition to this, pieces written specifically for the performances by Antony Cotton, Stella Duffy, Jackie Kay and Tom Wells will also be read out. These writers are all supporting the ‘I Can Dream Can’t I?’

This is another great example of the arts in Manchester coming together to encourage young people to work on their craft. As a play written about two young, working class men struggling in the real-world with their sexuality, it is a great opportunity to encourage the LGBT community to gain experience in their passion: writing. Eighteen years on, reflecting on how time has changed will be a fantastic way of seeing how our community (in Manchester and beyond) has progressed.

For more information on the show (which is running until December 3), see the Royal Exchange website.

Earlier Manchester Pride caught up with actor, comedienne and jazz artist Lea DeLaria, to talk about her upcoming show at The Royal Exchange, the audiences who come to her shows and how she feels about the title 'That F****** Dyke'. The interview may not be for the easily offended, but we loved it!

So Lea, how would you describe yourself to those who aren't familiar with your work?

If Sandra Bernhard, Zach Galifianakis and Gordan Ramsey had a 3 way which produced an off spring that baby would be my act.

You are an actor, jazz performer and also a comedienne. How did the combination of the two originate?

You forgot actor... When I first started almost 30 years ago. I was a full of rage bald and pierced, hard core butch dyke. In fact, for the first 2 years of my career, I was billed as the F*****' DYKE. My comedy was and is direct and in your face. No one was doing anything quite like it and most audiences could only take about 5 minutes of it before bursting into tears and crying "Mommy make it stop". My father was a Jazz pianist, a good one. I used to sing with him in the clubs of East St. Louis when I was a kid. I added a trio to my act and began weaving standards into the stand up. I found this lulled people into a sort of false sense of security before I started screaming DYKE at them again.

Do you find you have different audiences for your music than you do comedy? Is it easy to bring both together into one show?

There is always a different audience for each thing I do. I have to tell you this story. About two weeks ago I was flying back to NYC to film One Life To Live. One Life is America's longest running soap. I have been recurring on it for 10 years. I was flying coach, and when the first flight attendant, a large black woman with a decidedly southern country accent, approached me she sort of freaked out as she recognized me from the show. Yes that is my fan base on the soap - people with aluminum foil on the antenna of their 24 inch black and white T.V. She and I talked over a free drink, then another flight attendant walked by, this one a very gay man, immediately knelt down and said "Miss DeLaria, I have a much more comfortable seat for you". He pumped me up to Business Class where he and the other flaming queen flight attendant fought over who was going to get to serve me. Those two went on and on about my Broadway stuff and my CDs. The gay boys LOVE my music. After take off, an absolutely stunning slightly older woman stepped up. She bent over so that I could almost see down her blouse. "Lea?" she asked. "Yes" I replied". Are you comfortable here or would you prefer First Class "Really?... mmm... " Miss DeLaria are you comfortable secretly fingering Natalie Portman in the corner or would you like a room at the Ritz and a dildo... and yes I just used finger as a verb. Up I go to First Class leaving behind a wake of disappointed fags. Once comfortably relocated with champagne in hand the cougar shoves... I kid you not... a Playboy in my face and asks me to autograph it! Brilliant! She was the Purser and a lesbian and she went on and on about my stand up.  I learned a lesson from this. I had assumed that gay men ran the airline industry, but it must be dykes. And all this time I thought the only thing we were ever in charge of was marshaling Gay Pride Parade and Net Ball.

We read somewhere that you self-titled yourself as 'That F******* Dyke'. Is this reclaimation of a negative slur something you bring in to your performances?

No. I actually think Dykes are evil.

Have you played in Manchester before, and if so, how do you find the audience here?

I have done the Queer Up North Fest a few times and this is my second appearance at the Royal Exchange. How do I find the audience? Generally, I just show up at the theater and they are there.

What have you got lined up for the future?

I am working on this show THE LAST BUTCH STANDING looking for a run off broadway. I am in the Studio in the Spring recording my next Jazz CD for Warner HOUSE OF DAVID delaria+bowie=jazz. It is jazz covers of David Bowie tunes, which should be out about this time next year. I have been cast in Californication. AND I have written a jazz show for kids WELCOME TO JAZZLAND - Boom Boom's Bow. It stars myself and my trio.That I will be touring through out England next year, not certain when yet its being worked on... Yes,I am doing show for kids.

Tell us more about your upcoming date at the Royal Exchange and how we can get down there and see you perform

The Last Butch Standing. The chronicles of an olds school butch in a post Ellen Modern Society . This is a return to what it is I do. In your face queer comedy and sweet Jazz... and I have no idea how to get to The Royal Exchange. I don't live in Manchester.

To purchase tickets for Lea's show, The Last Butch Standing, see The Royal Exchange's website. The show takes place on November 22.

 With tonight's switching on of the Manchester lights (and the same event at The Trafford Centre in recent weeks), the opening of the North Pole Bar and Christmas songs being played on local radio - it is fair to say that Manchester is feeling festive already! As the weather gets a little more chill and the streets might seem a little less frantic, we run you through some of the best (and LGBT relevant) events going on between now and the end of the month! Enjoy...

Who? Joe McElderry

Where? The Lowry

When? Sunday 13 November at 19:30

Winner of both X-Factor (2009) and Popstar to Opera Star (2011) Joe McElderry is coming to The Lowry for a very special night’s performance. With songs from his time on both shows, and his albums’ material, the night has something to offer everyone. Joe McEldery also featured on The Independent’s Pink List this year, as one of the most influential/well known LGBT figures in the United Kingdom. This is a show to not miss out on!

Pricing and Tickets: £27.00 - £29.50 (booking fees may apply). For tickets, see here.

 What? Dirty Dancing live on stage

Where? The Palace Theatre

When? Tuesday 22 November – Saturday 7 January

The one and only ‘Dirty Dancing’ is loud and proud on stage here in Manchester, at the fantastic Palace Theatre in the city centre. Expect fast paced, sexy dancing, romantic and gripping storylines and some fabulous sing-a-long music at the renowned show. This is an event that can be enjoyed by friends, couples or even families. For something to do after the holiday season, too, the show goes on into January of next year.

Pricing and Tickets: for more information on booking tickets to this event, see here.

What? La Cage Aux Folles

Where? Burnley Mechanics

When? Saturday 12 – Saturday 19 November

Burnley Light Opera proudly presents ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ this month! Directed by the award winning Anthony Williams and musically directed by Andrew Saunders, the musical comedy classic will see feather boas fly and the audience fall back with laughter. George is a nightclub manager of Saint Tropez and lives with male partner Albin and son George. It all kicks off when George’s son brings his fiancée and her parents home to visit – you will have to see what happens next!

Pricing and Tickets: £10.00 - 13.50. For more information on prices and how to purchase tickets see here.

Who? Lea DeLaria’s show, ‘The Last Butch Standing’

Where? The Royal Exchange Theatre

When? Tuesday 22 November 2011

Jazz singer and stand-up comedienne Lea Delaria is coming to The Royal Exchange this November for a one-off special evening. Known as one of the world’s best jazz singers, DeLaria’s ‘The Last Butch Standing’ show brings blue comedy together with her trademark jazz, looking at “what it is like to be a badass dyke” this century.

Price and Tickets: £12.00. For more information see here.

 What? Jonathan Harvey’s ‘Beautiful Thing’

Where? The Royal Exchange

When? Wednesday 9 November – Saturday 3 December

Jonathan Harvey’s fantastic production ‘Beautiful Thing’ is coming to The Royal Exchange, nineteen years after he wrote it at the age of 24. Set on an estate in London, it tells the story of three young characters named Jamie, Ste and Leah. The play follows all three characters on their tough paths to discovering who they are. This is an absolute must see for anyone who is not familiar with the story.

Pricing and Tickets: Ticket prices vary, and start at £9.50. For more information, see here.

What? Cheshire Oaks Christmas Lights switch on

Where? Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

When? Friday 11 November, between 5pm and 8pm

Cheshire Oaks will see X Factor star Alexandra Burke turn on Britain’s biggest Christmas tree this year, as she is accompanied by Eli Prime, Chelsea Grimes and a range of contestants from this year’s X-Factor. The tree – ninety foot tall and with over 80,000 baubles and 100,000 lights – is absolutely stunning, and attracted 15,000 people to the event in 2010. The event will also see money-can’t-buy prizes and exclusive promotions for all to enjoy.

Pricing and Tickets: This is a free event.

This week we caught up with friend of Manchester Pride and comedienne Zoe Lyons, before her upcoming gigs across the country, including Manchester's own Sound Control (November 22). We talk to Zoe about her favourite word, the experience of her comedy, Manchester Pride and much more. We are currently running a competition where you can win tickets for the Sound Control gig; more information on how to enter for this prize follows after the interview.

So, Zoe, for anyone who is unfamiliar with you, tell us a little bit more about yourself...

I am a stand up comedian who occasionally pops up on TV or radio but mostly I can be found selling my wares at comedy clubs all over the country. I am a pretty physical comedian onstage and I am not afraid to make a tit of myself. I am in a civil partnership with my very patient other half, I have a dog and a cat and I like my steak medium rare. Snow is my favourite word.

This season yourself, Jen Brister and Suzi Ruffell are embarking on the UK's first ever all-female comedy show - how did this come about?

I know Jen and Suzi from the comedy circuit and we all performed at the GoGo festival this summer together. We had such a fun afternoon and the comedy tent was a great success. Jen had the idea of perhaps doing a short tour together. Touring can be a very lonely existence, I did a solo tour earlier this year and I spent weeks on my own and staying in drab B and B’s. It really can be quite soul destroying. So it is going to be so refreshing to have company on teh road. It will make the shows more interesting too.

How would you describe the experience of your stand up shows for anyone who has not seen them before?

I don’t really know how to describe my comedy, I do a mixture of jokes and stories and I tend to lark about quite a lot. I am not a comedian who picks on the audience, tis pretty fluffy really.

You performed over the summer at Manchester's Frog and The Bucket as a part of a Manchester Pride fundraiser. Why do you think Manchester Pride is an important organisation and heritage for the city to have?

Manchester Pride is a very important and well run organisation. They organise a huge number of events and Pride attracts thousands to the city every year. Not only is there the Parade and of course the Big Weekend but there are also theatre and comedy events. Manchester Pride should make Manchester proud!

What makes you proud?

I am very proud of my family and girlfriend. I also get a tiny burst of pride when my dog does his dancing trick!

We understand that you are giving a pair of tickets away as a part of a competition with Manchester Pride, but for those who aren't lucky winners, how can people get a hold of them? Lee has this info

And finally, what do you have lined up for the future?

I am appearing on a Christmas Special of University Challenge on BBC 2. I am currently swotting up on everything that has ever happened...ever.

You can purchase tickets for Zoe, Jen and Suzi's show, on TicketWeb here. 

For information on how to enter our competition to win tickets to the show, see the Manchester Pride website's competition page.

Manchester Pride are proud to have such a diverse range of fantastic patrons, including actors, singers, sportsmen and more. This weekend however, we will see friend and patron Antony Cotton (Queer As Folk, Coronation Street) join a host of celebrities in the jungle, and so we can add one more to the listof patron specialities: reality star!

Mr. Cotton joins the likes of Mark Wright (The Only Way Is Essex), Freddie Starr and sports personality Fatima Whitbread in the outback for ITV's big ratings show on Sunday night, and we cannot wait to see what the Northern lad will bring to the show! Like other viewers, here at Manchester Pride HQ we have no idea what tricks the show (presented by Ant and Dec) has in-store for the group, but we imagine it will be a far throw away from Sean Tully's pint pulling in Corrie's pub The Rovers. And, no doubt, the jungle 'treats' on offer for the contestants to snack on will most likely not match up to Betty's wonderful hot-pot!

This is not the first time that someone associated with Manchester Pride has been a part of the show. Friend of Manchester Pride Christopher Biggins, who went on to win the show, had this to say on his jungle experience: "I loved every moment, I wouldn't have missed it for the world and I'd never do it again. So beware celebrity's you're in for a bumpy ride..."

Cotton tells the ITV website that his biggest fears include flying and enclosed spaces, which makes us think he may have a challenge or two lined up for him, even just in the helicopters on the way into the jungle! Keeping Manchester Pride proud, Antony told ITV he "can't bear people with no moral code" and hopes "really nice people who look after one another" will make up his company in the jungle!

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! starts on ITV1 this Sunday night. Good luck Mr. Cotton!

This week Manchester Pride got to have a chat with friend and performer Lucy Spraggan, who has graced our stages at the festival over the years. For anyone unfamiliar with Lucy, she is fantastic talent, offering something very different to the 'A-FLOP' genre (see below). As a proud LGBT performer, Lucy will be stopping by to perform at Vanilla later this month as a part of her tour. But enough from us - let's hear from the girl herself...

So Lucy, for those who are not familiar with you, tell us a little more about yourself...

Firstly, I am a 20 year-old singer-songwriter from Buxton, Derbyshire - a lovely, little town about an hour from Manchester. The genre of my music has been introduced as 'A-FLOP', which is where acoustic, folk and hip-hop all meet in the middle... Apparently! In August I came second in the national talent competiton final of Live and Unsigned (which had over 40,000 entrants), and it's opened many doors since! In the last few months I have been signed to BGM Records, finished my album 'Top Room At The Zoo', featured on BBC Introducing and started touring as a showcase act with Open Mic UK. It's been fun!

You have performed at Manchester Pride for a few years now - what has been your overall highlight (not including performing) and what is it about the festival you like so much?

I've been going to Pride events since I was very young, but, Manchester was the first that I really witnessed what it was all about. My first 'party' Pride was Manchester 2007 where my best friend and I spent the whole weekend in the Village meeting new people, having lots of beers and kissing lots of girls. My favourite part of Pride is the community spirit of it all, there's always an amazing atmosphere and everybody is out for a good time! The Candlelit Vigil also means a lot to me, it gets more and more beautiful every year.

Your album sees you work with a huge mix of genres, from rapping, to folk ballads to ska music. Was it a conscious decision to use such a different combination of genres or did it just happen organically?

The album 'Top Room At The Zoo' took around 6 months to record so over that time I started being influenced by many more different artists - I thought it would just be an acoustic album! My producer, Will Farley, and I really wanted a different 'sound' for some songs. We just used trial and error to see what worked, so in some ways it was organic. My partner also had a large input in what sounded good, she is my harshest critic by far (in a good way!) I guess you will have to judge all of this yourself though; the album will be available to download this month!

You have performed at some fantastic LGBT gigs, including GayDays, Osfest and Sheffield Pride; how important is your LGBT fan base to you? And what has been your favourite gig to date?

Every single LGBT gig has been amazing, I didn't realise I had many LGBT fans until this year's Manchester Pride; while I was playing I looked into the audience and saw people singing a long to songs I had written! That was the most overwhelming part of my career so far, which definitely put Manchester Pride at the top of all gigs. Osfest was a brilliant festival, I played alongside the likes of Tinchy Stryder, Example and The Feeling. After the weekend I read a review which quoted me as 'the highlight of the festival' from Lovemusic.com. That certainly shocked me a lot. Also, I'm featuring in Diva magazine's 'Four to Adore' coming out on November 11 issue for all you readers out there!

Who's on your iPod at the moment?

Lots of Beyonce, Dolly Parton, Ed Sheeran 50 Cent, JME, Ron Pope, Micheal Buble... The list goes on!

 Lucy has a range of gigs coming up over the next few weeks, including one at our very own Vanilla in Manchester! You can catch her at the following venues:

•  November 4 and 5: The Trinity Band (Back From The Future), Deda, Derby
• November 13: Goodship, London
• November 17: Vanilla, Canal Street, Manchester
• November 18: Peak FM's Calendar Launch, The Association Bar, Chesterfield
• November 20: The Railway, Whaley Bridge
• November 25: Dream Another Dream, Derby Conference Centre (Leanne Burke Show)
• November 27: Bedford Open Mic Showcase

 You can also find Lucy on both Facebook or Twitter.

Last week we heard that there is a plan to impose a 'traffic ban' on Sackville Street - which goes through Manchester's Gay Village - on Friday and Saturday nights. Some have said this is great news, as it is an extremely dangerous street around this time, whilst others think it will cause unnecessary hassle. We took to our Facebook poll to ask our online 'fans' what they thought, and the results are below:

Forty six of you - the majority by far - are supoprting the new traffic ban, followed by nine voters who think we should wait and see... A minority of five think that this will just cause more hassle, perhaps as other roads will fill up or because it will potentially make taxi rides more awkward, longer and more expensive! We think this could be good news as the road does get very dangerous, but let's wait and see!

We were sad to learn recently that friend and board member of Manchester Pride, Vanilla owner Steph Kay, would be leaving us this year. Steph has shown the organisation some solid support over the years and both her and Vanilla are an absolute asset to Manchester's Gay Village. It is only fair then, we thought, that we have a nice catch-up with Steph now she is stepping down from the board about how she got involved with Manchester Pride, her plans for the future and what it is she loves about our city and the community.

So Steph, tell us about how you got involved with Manchester Pride and why?

My best friend Rod sadly died of HIV 13 years ago;it was so awful. I decided i wanted to get more involved with local HIV charities and support small groups that were making an actual difference - Manchester Pride was the obvious choice.

What are your favourite things about Manchester and its gay community?

Manchester has a compact scene; it's so accessible, a massive variety of venues in walkable distance, with sexy bars and super clubs. I've worked all over the UK and no city compares. I'm very passionate about our great Gay Village and Manchester as a whole.

Of the years you have been with the organisation, do you have any  top Manchester Pride moments?

Hitting £1M for charity after this year's 21st birthday was fantastic! I also loved meeting the Gossip and Human League and a fantastic speech from Michelle Read (George House Trust) some years ago. Above all, the opportunity to meet thousands of people from all over the world, who love Manchester and what we do here, has to be the overall highlight. It's that sense of positivity that's all around during the Big Weekend - it's a buzz - and I wouldn't change that feeling for the world!

Although you will be stepping down from Manchester Pride this year, who would be your dream act for the Big Weekend in the future?

Easy: Annie Lennox - she is an amazing role model.

What will you miss most about being on the board?

The people - but not the politics! Being a part of the Board of Trustees has been a great experience and I am so happy to have been a part of something as special as Manchester Pride. I hope that my contribution has been received well by fellow board members, and I'm lucky to have made some great friends through the experience as well!

If you could give a message to anyone who has yet to go to a Manchester Pride but is intrigued by it, what would it be?

Manchester Pride is a 72 hour marathon of all things gay! The entertainment content of the festival is only part of what happens over the weekend; all village venues push the boat out and produce fabulous and wild parties every evening - grab yourself an early bird ticket in May for just £15! What a bargain! There is meaning in the message with Manchester Pride too - as we learn about through the Candlelit Vigil hosted by the George House Trust on the evening of the bank holiday Monday, HIV/AIDS is still among us and there are people struggling to live with it. Manchester Pride helps raise money to support these people to make living situations easier. We are also sending the message to homophobic men and women that we are here - loud and proud - and fully support one another as a community. To celebrate this, help worthy causes and have one giant party at the same time? Why wouldn't you support Manchester Pride each year?

After Star Trek star Zachary Quinto recently came out as gay, we decided to take to our Facebook page to discuss with our Facebook fans the topic of celebrities 'coming out' and what effect it had (if any) on the gay community. Below are your results!

Yes, that's right, a whopping sixty of sixty eight thought that celebrities coming out is a great thing for those who may be in the closet or not comfortable with who they are. None of you believed that this was a bad thing, whilst one voter was 'unsure' and seven of you believed it made little difference.

Whilst this is less controversial results-wise than our other polls, sometimes it's nice to all be on the same page! And on another note, celebrities 'coming out' is not always just a good thing for the public, but for themselves too!