Free family festival to celebrate diversity this month
An inclusive festival is set to take place this month in celebration of the diverse identities and cultures across Birmingham.
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 and is a festival where everyone is welcome.
This year 's festival is being held in partnership with Birmingham Pride and Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) and will take place on Sunday 26 September.
Throughout the day attendees can 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 also join Open Theatre, who use non-verbal physical theatre to collaborate with young people with learning disabilities, for a workshop of music and movement.
The Hexagon Theatre will feature 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.
There will also be lots of creative chaos for younger children taking place inside, on the terrace and in the sensory garden and attendees are encouraged to get dressed up and come as whoever they 'd like to be.
A No Outsiders comedy show by Britain 's Got Talent local, Barbara Nice, is also set to feature, followed by a family disco on the terrace.
Deborah Kermode, chief executive for the 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. ”
Andrew Moffat MBE, teacher, author and founder of No Outsiders said “We want all children to know that they belong in the fantastic, diverse City of Birmingham and the No Outsiders Family Festival is a great way to celebrate that.
“We are overjoyed to be working with Birmingham Pride and to offer a new festival specifically designed for children and their families as part of the weekend. The Midlands Arts Centre is the perfect venue for this inclusive event and we welcome everyone, whoever they are, to come along, be themselves and feel truly welcome on the day. ”
Young people and their families can join the day for free from 11am - 4pm.
For more information and to book, visit https://macbirmingham.co.uk/no-outsiders-family-festival-2021
For updates ahead of the festival follow @NoOutsidersFestival on Facebook and Instagram.