please login to add to this item

Saved arts festival announces 2008 plans

They're here, they're queer and they're up north

Friday, 22 February 2008

They’re here, they’re queer and they’re up north. After all the campaigning, letter writing and petition filling queerupnorth are reaping the rewards of their successful campaign against the Arts Council proposed cuts. queerupnorth 2008 is going ahead and you can sense the chuffness of the organisers as they release details of the forthcoming festival. They have over 40 events, including 9 premieres, planned with action coming to the north from Europe, Asia and the USA. And it looks like being the best queerupnorth yet. Highlights include a one-off performance of the legendary Sandra Bernhard’s Without You I’m Nothing supported by Tina C, a queer music festival at Manchester Academy, dark new theatre from innovators Ridiculusmus Bitch and the Exciting Conclusion, FIT, the first ever queer teen fiction reading project, ROCK starring Bette Bourne, an exciting new premiere especially written for Justin Bond (Kiki of Kiki and Herb) and Taylor Ma plus UK premieres of two dance works by ground-breaking US choreographer Stephen Petronio with specially-commissioned music from Anthony Hegarty, Rufus Wainwright, and Fischerspooner. Add the numerous gigs, films, exhibitions, club and cabaret nights coming the north’s way and you hardly have time to take a breath and note queerupnorth’s plans to also celebrates the anniversary of the birth 100 years ago of queer icon Quentin Crisp.

QUN Artistic Director Jonathan Best is one happy man, relieved by the reprieve queerupnorth received. He’s a director intent on celebrating the best of queer culture. “Queer arts and culture is thriving. This year’s festival celebrates some of the world’s most distinctive and unique artists and performers, from renegade writer Dennis Cooper to UK’s queer theatre star Bette Bourne, and Downtown New York star Justin Bond. I’m thrilled that Sandra Bernhard has chosen queerupnorth to premiere ‘Without You I’m Nothing’ – a new version of the hugely influential show which catapulted her to fame 20 years ago. Stephen Petronio’s shows are a highlight of the New York dance calendar; queerupnorth will be the only opportunity to see his newest work, created with Fischerspooner and Anthony Hegarty. Whether you’re looking for cutting edge theatre or provocative debate - or just a good night out - this year’s queerupnorth will have something for you.”

Friday 9th May - Sunday 25th May 2008
www.queerupnorth.com