Established by Birmingham LGBT in 2009, SHOUT promotes, showcases and presents the best in queer culture throughout Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Back for its seventh edition, SHOUT 2015 is a ten-day festival encompassing the best in live performance, theatre, comedy, music, visual art, talks and film at venues across the city.
The show launches on November 12 at BOM with 'Sergina’s Stimulatingly Sexy Simultaneous Simulation of Herself at BOM and in Bedrooms in Places Beginning with B', a stunning multi-site, multi-venue performance of 'songs about love, sex, mobile phones and instantaneous culture by Sergina'.
After that tongue twisting opener, the programme is packed with events. Some of the highlights include:
'The Sissy’s Progress'. Taking place at mac Birmingham on Friday 13 November, this Birmingham premiere follows Nando Messias in his response to an act of homophobic hatred with a part installation, part dance-theatre and part walking performance.
The Sissy's Progress
Following a sellout event in 2014, the Polari Literary Salon returns to mac Birmingham on November 14, where it will showcase the best in established and up-and-coming queer literary talent. The event will also include a workshop where writers will get the opportunity to share their work with an audience.
Those looking for a laugh should head to The Penthouse, above The Loft Lounge, on November 15, for an evening of the best female comedy. Alongside resident MC Maureen Younger, the MY Comedy event will feature Jo Enright, VG Lee and Bethany Black.
Throughout the festival, a new partnership with Birmingham School of Art will celebrate queer art practice research though a series of free events and pop-up public lectures at Birmingham City University – the only institution in the UK to offer a practice-led MA in Queer Studies in Arts and Culture.
My Beautiful Laundrette
There are also a number of cinema events taking place over the course of the festival. Along with showings of movies including 'Dressed as a Girl', 'Futuro Beach' and 'A Girl at my Door', is a very special screening of 'My Beautiful Laundrette' at Moseley Washeteria on November 14.
A must-see, though, has to be the unashamedly crude comedienne Pam Ann, who's heading back to the UK for her show 'Queen of the Sky' at the New Alexandra Theatre on November 19.
Pam Ann
A final highlight includes Butch Monologues at the Birmingham REP on November 21. This revealing piece of theatre shares secret stories of female masculinity exploring sex, vulnerability and desire.
Take a look here for the full programme.
SHOUT. November 12-22. Various venues. Tickets are on sale now and more information is available here.
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