What a way to end the summer! Projects like this are what we are all about at Sundae, and this one in particular is a movement close to all of our hearts… the team at Pride Classical, the trailblazing organisation dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ history and culture through the power of music, invited us to raise awareness and confirm contributors to their new initiative My Pride Song, a celebration of Pride and allyship.
My Pride Song called upon as many LGBTQ+ community members and allies as possible to contribute a video message with the story behind their choice, the importance of the song, and why the music of Pride matters to them.
Any new contributors would join prominent LGBTQ+ community members and allies including actress, presenter, author, television producer, and activist Dame Joanna Lumley, winner of season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Danny Beard, renowned actress and activist Julie, Coronation Street actress Dolly-Rose Campbell, comedian Jason Manford, global cabaret queen Alison Jiear, and Olivier award winning actor Matt Henry MBE who had already joined the movement.
My Pride Song was born out of and inspired by Pride Classical, a brand new event that celebrated the music and history of the LGBTQ+ community. Premiering at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom and Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, across the opening weekend of Pride Month in June 2023, Pride Classical presented brand new arrangements of beloved songs by iconic artists, performed by a full professional orchestra of LGBTQ+ musicians and allies.
We’re so proud to say that we placed features in I Love Manchester, GScene, DIVA Magazine and Canal Street Online, as well as confirming contributions from Coronation Street stars Anthony Crank and Jane Hazelgrove, It’s a Sin actor Neil Ashton, Waterloo Road’s Hollie-Jay Bowes, prolific actress and writer Sue Vincent, Hollyoaks’ Ashling O’Shea and Annie Wallace, Rise and Fall’s Connor Fisher and drag queen Kitty Scott-Claus.
In the words of Patsy Stone of Absolutely Fabulous fame: “Cheers, sweeties! Thanks a lot!”
Sundae x
📸: Joshua Croft Photography
