Sparkle : The National Transgender Celebration

SPARKLE IN THE PARK 12 noon - 7.00 pm

Sackville Gardens, which is just across from Canal Street was once again the focus of Sparkle on Saturday afternoon. We had more trade and info stands than ever before, the weather was lovely and a great time was had by all!

Trade/Info stands:

The Sparkle Official Information Point -
Run run for us by TransForum and Unique and providing information on all the weekends' activities and venues, with copies of the Sparkle Festival Guide. Plus details of help and support groups from all over the UK.
(Also a chance to collect your copy of NW TransListings – the definitive monthly guide to all Trans resources and Trans friendly events in the NW.)

The Beaumont Society - National support group (web)
Manchester Concord - the local Wednesday night group (web)
Rose's Repartee - TG lifestyle magazine (web)
Transliving - Magazine and Club (Web)
Annabelle's Wigs - wig retailer (Web)
Tranny Web - Internet membership group (Web)
Linda's Bring-and-buy - McMillan Charity fundraiser
Orchid Cancer Awareness - Cancer charity (Web)
Extreme Makeup - Makeup sales and advice (Web)
Moggy's - reasonably priced new & pre-loved clothing, shoes and accessories
Bibelo Gifts - Gift shop
Trans-Pose - Dressing Service, photography and shop (Web)
NHS Manchester
Femesque - Dressing Service based in Aldershot (Web)
Total Fitness Laser Clinics - Fast and discreet hair removal treatments (web)
Right Price Cosmetics - selling Avon products
Strictly Seventh Heaven - Dressing Service (Web)
West Yorkshire Switch - Support group
TransFixed - Make-up, wig styling and Dressing Service (Web)
Crown Prosecution Service - Reporting hate crime etc.
Hot Candys - Own label clothing, Dressing Service, photography and events (Web)
His to Hers - Clothes, jewellery, bags, shoes and make-up
Misstresses - Wigs
Jenna Jones - Tattoos and Permanent Cosmetics
Manchester Laser Clinic - Hair Removal
Bountiful Bosoms - Breast Forms (Web)
Unison - Trade Union

Live on Stage :

The Sparkle show will be presented by Miss Penny Crayon .

Miss Penny Crayon is Manchester's Gay Village's most classiest leading lady and only 100% LIVE cabaret artiste. She has worked for clubs and bars up and down the UK both straight and gay and entertains the crowd with ease wherever she goes! Penny has taken up residency at Manchester's AXM Club as front-of-house greeter and hosts a regular Friday night event with her fellow Starlight Sister, Viva la Diva. We are very pleased that she is going to be supporting the Sparkle event and the TG community as host of Sparkle in the Park for the first time this year!

January is the only non-TG performer at Sparkle this year. Regularly gigging around the North West she has a wealth of experience for someone so young and this will be a performance you don't want to miss! She is currently 'Talented Youngster of the Year' and was one of the last dozen girls on X-Factor 2009 - She is a dedicated musician, studying a BA Degree in Popular music at the University Of Salford. January is a rising star of the future, tipped to make it to the top, but happy to give her time for free in support of Sparkle 2010! Web site: http://www.januarysings.com
Transgender lady, Miss Kimberley, is one of London's most fashionable drag queens, she performs regularly in the Capitol as well as all over Europe and in the USA. Her one woman live cabaret show features jazz, blues and torch songs accompanied by her musical director Richard Link. Miss K studied musical theatre in London and acting at the New York Academy of Theatre Arts. With a powerful strong belting voice, she entertains her audiences with memories of being a little black girl growing up in Detroit, a tribute to Destiny's Child and Shirley Bassey with the Billie Holiday story. She also has her own Internet TV show 'The Powder Room' on QUOD TV.
A comedy first for Sparkle as we welcome TG Stand-up Comedienne, Shelly Cooper and her one woman show. Shelly has performed on BBC radio, at The Edinburgh Festival and in various comedy clubs all over the UK as well as Europe and New York . "Shelley Cooper, one to watch" Time Out Magazine - hard hitting and sometimes controversial bringing a good laugh to Sparkle 2010!
The Trans-pose Fashion Show, organised and run for us by the staff and girls from Trans-pose dressing service, photography, make-overs and retail shop. Based in Cheshire. www.trans-pose.com Bridal Party - Bride, Bridesmaids, Mother of the Bride … Fantastic Fairytales - Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Fairy Godmother … Time Warp - 60's, 70's and 80's fashions Just for Fun - Moulin Rouge, Flapper, School girl, Wonderwoman … All Girls Together - Grand finale featuring all the models.

He first performed at Sparkle 2006 and we are very please to welcome him back in 2010 - Joey Hateley A.K.A. The Gender Joker "Gender Joey is a shooting star! Style, talent and panache combines to not only educate and entertain and illuminate... " Joey is the Artistic Director of TransAction Theatre Company and has performed all over the World.
We are delighted to welcome back the lovely Gloria who has performed at Sparkle previously. Gloria has been a professional performing musician for many years, toured Europe and the States with various bands and released nine solo albums as well as other collaborative recording projects. Last year she released her first cd as Gloria "Living For Me" which celebrates TG life from various angles. She has also acted and written music for film and stage. " ... a terrific guitarist ... a masterclass" fRoots May 2008