Five ways to Sparkle this weekend

It's a decade or so since Sparkle took its first stilettoed foot into the world and in that time it has become one of the largest celebrations of and for transgender people in the world. In fact, last year's ranked within the top six Pride events internationally.

This is thanks in part to the warm openness of the event, welcoming not only anyone who considers themselves transgender in any way, and including those who simply like to dress up of a weekend, but also to their families, friends and colleagues. As it says in the introduction the the programme, 'Sparkle is the place to be open with your gender and gender expression - whatever that is and however you identify, Sparkle welcomes you.'

This year sees a few more famous faces popping along to party as well, with Kym Marsh, Kavana and Rowetta joining in the fun. In fact the event has grown so much that there's also a Sparkle Fringe, so, as well as the events happening all weekend in Sackville Park, here are five of the best ways to sparkle.

Just One Day - Ordinary Lives, Taurus, now until Wed 15 July
Photographs exploring the lives of two trans people over the space of one day.

Tacky Tarts, Molly House, Fri 10 July, 9pm
Now a regular at Sparkle, the Tacky Tarts will be singing and dancing their way around Molly's upstairs bar.

Laughter Dark Comedy, New York New York, Fri 10 July, 9.30pm
Late night laughter featuring the star of 'Banana' and 'Cucumber', Bethany Black.

Rock Hard, The Back Door / Bar Pop, Fri 10 July, 11pm 
Manchester's only LGBT rock and metal club, providing a heavy start to Sparkle.

Just Julia, LGBT Foundation, Wed 15 July, 6pm
It has been 35 years since Julia's ground breaking series, 'A Change of Sex' and the one time manchester club legend is back to discuss how things have changed for trans people since then.

Find out more about Sparkle.

See Time Out Manchester's guide to the Gay Village.