The inaugural No Outsiders Family Festival in partnership with Birmingham Pride and Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) happens on 26 September, 11am – 4pm at MAC and it’s all free!
An inclusive, LGBTQ+ festival of creative chaos for 3 – 11-year-old children and their grownups, taking place inside MAC, on the terrace and in the sensory garden, attendees are encouraged to get dressed up and come as whoever they’d like to be.
Conceived and Produced by Dr Hannah Phillips, the No Outsiders Family Festival is an inclusive arts festival celebrating the diversity of identities and alternative families across Birmingham, a festival where everyone is welcome.
Throughout the day expect circus workshops on the terrace with Rogueplay, a highly physical theatre-based company as well as a semi-classical Bollywood dance taster for little ones and their grown-ups with Bollywood dance artist Jaivant Patel.
Audiences can join Open Theatre, who use non-verbal physical theatre to collaborate with young people with learning disabilities, for a workshop of music and movement. Head to the Hexagon Theatre to watch a film based on Action Transport Theatre’s hilarious stage show, Happily Ever After, a charming and humorous fairy tale with a twist, told completely without words and set to a delightful score by Patrick Dineen.
In the public spaces at MAC join in with free craft activities creating a SuperFamily portrait or Superhero mask and don’t miss the No Outsiders comedy show by Britain’s Got Talent local, Barbara Nice followed by a family disco on the terrace.
Deborah Kermode, Chief Executive, Midlands Arts Centre said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Birmingham Pride for No Outsiders, an important LGBTQ+ Festival packed with fun, free and inclusive events for children and their families. From a Bollywood Dance workshop, to a comedy gig from Ms Barbara Nice, there’s plenty on offer for everyone at MAC. Dress up and come along as whoever you’d like to be, and celebrate creativity together in a safe and comfortable environment.”
Lawrence Barton Festival Director of Pride said “Providing funding and supporting the No Outsiders was very important to Birmingham Pride. The event provides a free, accessible, fully inclusive, LGBTQ+ family friendly environment for people to experience. We are delighted that this takes place during Birmingham Pride weekend and hope it’s a great success for all involved”
Young people and their families can join in lots of fun events and workshops throughout the day from 11am – 4pm. These are all free, though some activities require booking to manage capacity. Visit https://macbirmingham.co.uk/no-outsiders-family-festival-2021 for more information and to book.
