It’s that time of year again. As festival season slowly draws to a close, SHOUT Festival are slowly getting into gear with a packed programme of queer performance and visual art. Taking place from the 8th until the 18th of November, this years programme rivals festivals all over the UK with a mixture of diverse perspectives and celebrations of identity littered all over the city. Jinkx Monsoon will be returning for round two with ‘The Ginger Snapped’ but there’s a whole host of new, exciting and unmissable events and interventions.

Here’s the top 4 for SHOUT Festival

Le Gateau Chocolat’s “ICONS’ will launch the festival this year on the 8th of November taking place at a secret location (Shhhh!) this lycra-loving opera sensation will deliver a show that seamlessly weaves between many personas and musicalities to explore art that has come to shape us and the ideals that we aspire to. This opening gala is a steal at a mere £9!

What the hell is a national identity? What constitutes And why are so many willing to die for it? As things become infinitely more unclear for britain, Xavier De Sousa’s ‘Post’ is an insightful theatre show that ponders political and geographical borders, and their origins. Expect a seat at the table. Tuck into delicious Portuguese food, drink potent Cachaça and challenge what makes a nation. Probably the most relevant show since article 50. Tickets are £8 and Post will close the festival on the 18th November alongside SHOUT OUT community day at the Midlands Art Centre which is totally free.

Club Fierce needs no introduction. If this nomadic night isn’t locked permanently in your calendar then it should be. Take out your phone, do it. Saturday 10th of November, watch the Quantum Exhibition Centre transform into a nest of performance and debauchery as Lucy Mccormick delivers Triple Threat (A smash-hit sell out at Edinburgh Fringe), to the unsuspecting crowd. Tickets are £10.

It’s the ethos of  Rent Party that makes us the most excited. In a time of ever-more exorbitant rent prices and soaring living costs, Rent Party reminisces about 1920’s Harlem and the rent parties (house parties charging entry which was then used to pay rent) that became legendary. Coupled with a workshop on the ‘Rent Party Hustle’ just before to get you in the party mood, Darren Pritchard’s dance piece invites you to party in his flat. Being broke never looked so fierce. Tickets are £7!

For the full programme and to buy tickets visit: shoutfestival.co.uk