Eurovision fans will be entertained by city-based inclusive club night Sonic Yootha this weekend.
As part of its programme celebrating Liverpool hosting Eurovision 2023, the Royal Albert Dock has partnered with the LGBTQ+ group. The collaboration will see DJs playing onboard a 72ft Challenger yacht during the afternoon of Eurovision Grand Final Day - Saturday, May 13.
Operated by Tall Ships Youth Trust, the yacht will be moored in the dock’s inner quay and Sonic Yootha DJs will hit the decks between 2pm and 5pm.
READ MORE: LGBTQ+ guide to Liverpool and Eurovision with RuPaul's Drag Race stars
Promoted as “a monthly dislocated disco for homos, fauxmos, gender-blenders and part-time brendas”, Sonic Yootha has risen to fame over the past few years to become one of the leading club events in the country and even supported Kylie Minogue on her 2018 ‘Golden’ tour.
Playing a set of Eurovision hits, disco classics, and indie anthems, co-founder of Sonic Yootha, Shaun Duggan said: "We can’t wait to be all at sea for Eurovision on finals day - it’s the first time Ian, John and I will have played from the deck of a boat so it’s certainly going to be lots of fun. It’s great to be involved in the dock celebrations and hope visitors enjoy our set.”
In addition to Sonic Yootha’s DJ set, the waterfront destination will also be bringing the party with “time to shine” podiums - where visitors can come together and lip sync or play air guitar to their favourite tunes on specially built mini-stages.
Hosted by presenter Leanne Campbell, the podiums will be operating on the afternoons of Tuesday, May, 9, Thursday, 11 and Saturday 13 with the best performances winning spot prizes.
Continuing the theme of unity and positivity, the dock’s Grand Hall is set to host a three-day takeover by Skittles and Gay Times.
The free pop-up exhibition entitled ‘Queer Joy’ aims to shine a light on the unfiltered, queer self-expression that is vital to the LGBTQ+ community and highlight the sense of queer joy in the community.
The exhibition will showcase striking portraits of queer people, captured by a variety of emerging international photographers.
Josh Fletcher, executive creative director at GTX, GayTimes Group, said: “In a world where anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is gaining more prominence across the media landscape, representation of Queer Joy is more important than ever.
“Our exhibition provides much-needed positivity, celebrating and bringing hope to the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike. Too often, the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals relies on outdated stereotypes, failing to capture true diversity. By collaborating with the next generation of talented photographers, we aim to disrupt this cycle and create lasting change.
"As Eurovision draws a massive LGBTQ+ audience, it's the perfect opportunity to spread joy and celebrate our campaign ahead of such a big moment in the city.”
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