SPARKLE How was it?

[Lynda Collins]

What did you think of Sparkle this year? Which ones tick your box?

[Sara Rae]

Sparkle for lacked a drection, Kim Angel wasnt presnt due to having SRS, the leactures of which there were only Two due To Fay breaking down, Vicky's was ok concidering she apeared out of her depth but Dr Richard Curtise was intresting as he battled to convince the audiance that self med wasnt a good idea, the numbers of girls semed down on last year as well, AXM wasnt the same center of atraction as it has been, they semed to be concentrating on the new Venue now.

[Chrissy64_uk]

I agree with Sara seems to be the lack of Sparkle this year i think some one forgot the fairy dust. But given that still enjoyed myself and so did several others..

hugs

Chrissy...:p

[Linzi]

Perhaps Sparkle is getting long in the tooth after 4 years?

So long as the people going for the first time equal those who dont want to bother anymore, then I suppose the event is sustainable.

To be really honest, you could have a good time in Canal St any day of the week.

Perhaps there needs to be a radical re-think by the organisers.:rolleyes:

[michelleward]

Perhaps Sparkle is getting long in the tooth after 4 years?

So long as the people going for the first time equal those who dont want to bother anymore, then I suppose the event is sustainable.

To be really honest, you could have a good time in Canal St any day of the week.

Perhaps there needs to be a radical re-think by the organisers.:rolleyes:


Speaking personally, I think that there`s too much competition from established outlets in and around Canal Street. :)

Kim Angel`s absence and Bella Jay stepping in to avert an otherwise rudderless direction caused it`s own problems. The fact that AXM now under `new-management` and now has the old Hollywood Show Bar - now AXM to promote as well, does not provide a focus in the AXM premises in Canal St., :confused:
There was also a Gay Bear event that weekend, as well as the usual hen-parties and straight couples present, just wanting to soak up the Sparkle event and overall atmosphere that weekend.

For me, the Wednesday evening gathering of TV`s can often be much more enjoyable; as Linzi says, one can have a great time in Canal Street and nearby venues almost any night of the week!

There needs to be a clear focus as to what Sparkle is all about, otherwise it will die, as I fear this years event appears to have started to do already.:(

Michelle

[jennyannebuk]

Hello All,
I have to agree with all the comments on Sparkle.
There was a lack of Focus, I think Bella Jay was dropped into organising a bit late in the day and did her best with the available resources.
I organized some of the Sparkle events(Chinese Banquet, Information Stand on Friday & Saturday, church Service on Sunday, and final "Sparkle" meal on the Sunday evening) and found it hard to get the right publicity for our events, or the integration into the whole event. I don't think we did nearly enough publicity and promotion of the event and individual components,
due to lack of funds- it's still a free event and needs more sponsership.
We also found it very hard to get volunteers to help run our events or to assist in build-up and breakdown of the information stand in the park.
I know Bella Jay had similar problems getting volunteer stewards.
So some of it is down to us to get more involved in the support roles,
perhaps providing labor to keep it a free event.

Perhaps next year, Sparkle will have a proper & visible organising committee with better sponsorship from the City council (Who greatly support Pride) and the business around the village who benefit from our patronage.

I think lots of the clubs and bars wanted to be more involved with Sparkle, but there was no clear way for them to get involved, or anyone from Sparkle trying to recruit them to participate by organizing their own events as part of the Sparkle programme, so that they both promote the event and sponsor it.

I guess the other alternative is to make a charge, just like Pride does, but that would probably mean loosing it's local community ethos.
What do people feel about a small charge-say £5 each?

I still think it was a worthwile event,which achieved much considering it was run on minimal funding and support, often peoples own personal resources,
which could be built into a much bigger and better event with more funding and better inclusion of the Manchester community.

Best Wishes

Jenny-Anne

[michelleward]

Hello All,

Perhaps next year, Sparkle will have a proper & visible organising committee with better sponsorship from the City council (Who greatly support Pride) and the business around the village who benefit from our patronage.

I think lots of the clubs and bars wanted to be more involved with Sparkle, but there was no clear way for them to get involved, or anyone from Sparkle trying to recruit them to participate by organizing their own events as part of the Sparkle programme, so that they both promote the event and sponsor it.

I guess the other alternative is to make a charge, just like Pride does, but that would probably mean loosing it's local community ethos.
What do people feel about a small charge-say £5 each?

I still think it was a worthwile event,which achieved much considering it was run on minimal funding and support, often peoples own personal resources,
which could be built into a much bigger and better event with more funding and better inclusion of the Manchester community.

Best Wishes

Jenny-Anne

Jenny, I hope you can get the numbers of staff needed to promote, which will be great, otherwise one`s continues with the problems outlined witrh the 2008 programme. I have expanded on your points below.

Picking up on your points:

1. It`s getting people to volunteer to offer their services to help staff the Sparkle event, and do all the leg-work prior - often that means meeting and discussing in person with the establishment/s(often this will be evening work) you want to help promote Sparkle. If one`s choice is acting as a Steward then there`s little fun in spending a fair chunk of one`s cash for the weekend and having to work very hard during the day/s

2.Take a look at the Manchester Gay-Pride site webpage and see the huge amount of sponsorship that they have mustered. The whole `village` is also surrounded by Portacabins -ticket offices, wristband provision and application that cannot be `lost` misappropriated etc., etc., - a huge amount of work that appears beyond the staffing resources available to Sparkle - unless I`m misstaken? Also GAYPRIDE is covering all genders, the place is heaving, you cannot walk safely underfoot for the huge amount of rubbish that litters Canal Street. Getting served at the bar last year was often a one hour to one and a half hour wait; often two rounds were purchased since they did not expect to be served/get to the bar again before they shut - not a memorable experience. Hotel prices increase(double in some cases) and many straights/families/kids come along for the colourful `free show`

3.I currently cannot see how Sparkle can `surround the village` and make a charge - Gay Pride charge this year is - £20 on the Bank holiday weekend - see.:)

4.Personally, I think there was too much attempted in too many venues and it was just too much overall. So, if I`m right, then do less and make it mean more by ensuring that what`s offered is what`s needed and is appreciated. Basic sales technique is people only buy what they have a need for and want - otherwise best offer in the world has no real value since no one wants to buy!!

5. Whatever is offered needs to be done well and appreciated for its quality. As a `group` we have to realise that there is limited time, limited resources - before and during the event, therefore our best outcome is achieved by matching our resources to the needs and ensuring we offer QUALITY.

6. One final point, that needs not to be lost sight of.
Once the task/obligation starts to be like any other job - paid or volunteer, then we loose the enjoyment - that`s what we all want when we attend Sparkle, or any other event!

7. Having done many jobs - unpaid - for charities over the years, as well as voluntery organisations, there`s always the danger that what`s supposed to be fun turns into a chore and then it`s boring and one wants out to pastures new.

Smile, have fun, and ENJOY...life`s too short for anything else:cool:

Here endeth the lesson...I hope!!

Michelle

[Diana Richards]

Having never been to Sparkle before, I've no personal experience to judge it on. I had a terrific time, as did everyone I met both old friends and new.
Can I say however, that I was very surprised when I saw Bella Jay's plaintive request for stewards, over on Roses, and the lack of support she got there. Her words were that unless we get more stewards, the event will not happen.
Having read that, I gladly volunteered , and it was left to several of us newbies amongst others to don the hi vis vests and do the first shift stewarding in Sackville gardens.
Don't misunderstand me, we had a great time doing it, and I will gladly do it again, as well as anything else which comes to pass. Sparkle means a lot to me, and the wheels are currently in motion for that to happen. It does grate however when I see people elsewhere having a lot to say about the event without actually appearing to do anything to help.
(present company excepted of course !)
Di
x