Homobloc announces new residency with Islington Mill Foundation

Homobloc, the renowned queer block party, has announced the launch of HOMOMILL – a collaborative residency with arts charity organisation Islington Mill Foundation.

Running throughout the autumn, the initiative aims to dismantle financial barriers and provide Manchester’s queer community with access to vital creative spaces, resources, and opportunities.

The HOMOMILL residency at Islington Mill, born from a consultation with Manchester’s queer creative community, will serve as a platform to empower emerging queer artists, offering space for club events, artist residencies, self-defence classes, workshops, and much more.

Rebecca Power from Islington Mill Foundation, commented: “Holding space to nurture queer artists is in the Mill’s DNA, and to have the opportunity for the projects born out of this Homobloc residency to be part of the biggest queer stage in the city this November is a massive opportunity. It shows how important the community working together always is.”

HOMOMILL supported projects include:

• • Artist residencies with LIE NING and Lavender Rodriguez
  • SAFE ‘N SOUND – self-defence and protection skills classes open to queer, POC and
    all those who identify as women
  • Bummer Camp – an independent pride event with live bands and DJs
  • Disabled Ravers Network – a space created intentionally for disabled and
    neurodivergent people within the nightlife community
  • Dyke Consultation – to discuss what is happening on the scene and any aims or goals
    for the dykes of Manchester
  • Alt Femme presents Rebel Dykes film screening and Q&A event
  • A queer bicycle network and repair scheme
  • The History of Vogue workshops
  • Club Sodom – a kink-friendly art rave

Marilyn Kelly, a key figure in the Disabled Ravers Network, shared her enthusiasm for the project: “I’m really excited and happy for the HOMOMILL project. It’s given me a space to develop and create a space for disabled artists and members of the rave community to come together. The Disabled Ravers Network is a project I’ve envisioned for a long time, and having a dedicated space with funding and help from such a prominent force in the community has been amazing.”

Sophie Bee, Creative Director of Homobloc, said: “Islington Mill has a huge place in the hearts of the Homobloc production team. It’s been a safe space for over 20 years for us to experiment, from the early days of parties in the club space to drag labs and studio spaces for our commercial projects.

“It has fantastic links to the art courses at the city’s universities and is a space for experiential fun. We are so happy to be putting back into the source where many of us started our professional careers, supporting the next generation of makers, doers and explorers.”

You can find more information on everything coming up at Islington Mill here.