This is where Sparkle really starts and is the perfect place to arrange to meet up with friends and plan your weekend ahead. If you're new to the scene or new to Manchester then this is where to make some new friends and talk to the friendly locals who will help you plan your weekend and direct you to the various events. Entrance via the door on Sackville Street only (through Belinda Scandals). Tea and coffee is also available from the bar if required.

Full details of all the weekends activities will be available and you can collect your own copy of The 2011 Sparkle Guide. The welcome event is co-hosted for us by Manchester Concord , TransForum and Unique .

Meeting point for T-girl first timers ... Anyone who is at Sparkle for the first time, on their own or nervous about being out dressed, is welcome to come along to The Rembrandt in male mode during the afternoon.

Emma Lovelace (who is at Sparkle for the sixth time) and her wife Lesley have kindly agreed to host a get-together for new girls. If you want to find others in the same position as you or someone to walk into the Village with later in the evening, or simply want someone to help with those first-time nerves - then this is you point of contact.

Emma is pictured left so you know who to look for. Or ask the girls at the welcome event to point you in Emma and Lesley's direction. Between 3.00 and 5.00 pm They can usually be found in the street just outside the door.

This is the Sparkle launch party, to be held in the upstairs bar at AXM.

It's the perfect early evening start to the weekend and a great chance to meet old friends and make new ones. The venue is ideal for relaxed chat before heading into the Village for some serious clubbing and a great point to meet up later before heading home.

Meet the Sparkle organisers and sponsors plus the Tranny Of The Year girls as they are presented with their event sashes. The evening will be hosted for us by the fabulous Miss Chrisie Edkins and we have Miss Emily Archer acting as DJ too!

See map, location 14.

Venue now changed - CLICK HERE for info

The event will take over the restaurant and function rooms from 7:30 pm and so is particularly suitable for those not used to being out in public or dressing for the first time. It is also accessible to Wheelchair users and caters for vegetarians. The Shang Hi Restaurant is on Whitworth Street, just outside the Gay Village.
See map location 12.

The cost is £16 per person and bookings should be made with the organiser, Jenny-Anne Bishop by e-mail or phone 07500-741955.

This event is being organised by TransForum Manchester and Unique TG Network especially for Sparkle.

For a complete list of all stalls and stands attending go to Sparkle in the Park page

We are very pleased to welcome Chelsea back for the third time to host the show. The show will be officially opened by Lynne Featherstone MP - Minister for Equalities.

Paulazz Dorianzz
Legend elludes us to believe that Paula was the surviour of an alien race, cast down upon the earth as our protector, when she landed she made a great big trench and thought....hey what a great place to have a studio. We could bang on about her pedigree but, shit......just listen.

NeEz MicheLlez BoytoNzz
Rumoured to be the love child of Goering and Marlene Dietrich, she once drunk a mystical elixir of youth but it didnt have any alchol in it so she went to Tescoes and got a bottle of Jack. NeEz can play guitar but she is pretty lazy so she had to have a job where she sat down, thats why she plays drums.

Danielle Davizzzz
Danielle heralds from the now mythical island state of Domestos, having escaped the caustic isles she headed for the bright lights, unfortunately her sat nav was on the blink and she has an awful sense of direction so she bumped into the other two.

Stand up comedy and performance poetry, replacing Samantha Eames at the last minute.

A unique 'theatrical electro' duo who have recently toured the UK supporting The stranglers!

Sorry - Cancelled due to lack on entrants.

An evening of scintillating spectacles, and effervescent entertainments, including band on the barge, providing modern hits with a retro twist, as you get your funk on at our waterside location. As the night progresses vogue to our vignettes, and sip champagne on the veranda whilst the burlesque babes, and butlers in boxers filter through our bohemian crowd, and begin the masquerade parade!
So whether your dripping with drag, luscious in latex, or mysteriously masked, you're sure to feel whisked off to wonderland at our fantasy themed bash . . .
Be Who you want to be ...BE THERE!

www.masquerade-manchester.co.uk

Everyone is invited to this lovely restaurant on Canal Street for a fixed price Sunday lunch, £12.50 per head incl service charge (drinks are extra!). See Menu .
This will be our sixth year for Sparkle and the management are looking forward to welcoming us back.) It's the perfect place to catch up with friends before you head for home. See map, location 13.

Book with Emma Lovelace and send your menu choices please!

Wilbraham St Ninian's United Reformed Church, Wilbraham Road / Egerton Rd South, Chorlton , Manchester M21 0XJ ( Sat. Nav M21 0UB )

Metropolitan Community (LBGT) Church, Manchester (MCCM) is delighted to invite all participants in the Sparkle celebrations to worship with us from 4:30pm, when our service will be led by our Transgender members. The Service will be followed by refreshments.
e-mail Jenny-Anne Bishop for more info or talk to Jenny-Anne and Elen on the Sparkle info stand at Sparkle. See here for directions to the Church.

This event is organised by MCCM

A Special Indian meal at a top class restaurant has been booked for 6:30pm.
All attending Sparkle are invited to Join us at the well known Sangam Indian
Restaurant, 9-19 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, M14 5TB. Map and Details.

This is a restaurant well known to the local Trans community and is particularly suitable for those not used to being out in public. It is also accessible to Wheelchair users and will cater for vegetarians. It is one of the best budget Indian restaurants in Manchester and is very Trans-friendly, regularly being used for our Trans group meals.

Cost is very reasonable at £ 13-16 per person (Including a small tip for the restaurant), depending on what you eat and your consumption of Alcohol. Please order and pay for your own drinks.

Please book direct with the organiser, Jenny-Anne Bishop by e-mail or phone: 07500-741955. Or contact her on the Sparkle information stand.

This event is being organised by TransForum Manchester and Unique TG Network especially for Sparkle.

3rd Floor - Main Meeting Room until 3 pm

An Important Workshop between the Community and the Government Equality office (GEO) to develop further the Transgender Community Statement of Needs (SON), which resources the Governments Trans Equality Action Plan, and commence working on the actions the community will implement.

“The Coalition Government is committed to publishing a Transgender Equality Action Plan by the end of 2011”.

Several community workshops in collaboration with the Government Equalities Office, GIRES and members of the Trans community have already taken place to develop the Trans Community Statement of Needs, which is being used in shaping the Government's Trans Equality Action Plan.

Based on this work, it is already clear that there are several layers of approach, some requiring legislation, others making better use and understanding of existing provision, and there is much that the community could do for itself.

The purpose of this workshop is to update the community, have your opinion heard, help in identifying those actions that the community can itself embrace, and begin planning the implementation of these community actions.

Please reserve your place with Jenny-Anne Bishop: jennyannebuk@yahoo.co.uk or 01745 -337144
(so that we can cater for everyone who wants to attend)