A Eurovision Watch Party is being hosted this Saturday in Sheffield City Centre for people to come together and enjoy the show.
Racoon Studios, a not-for-profit organisation run by the community, is hosting the watch party for free to offer a space for underrepresented groups to come together and socialise.
Terri Silver, 32, who is part of the volunteer events team, said:
“Eurovision is a colourful and camp affair. I have enjoyed watching it every year with my friends as it always feels like a fun event for the queer community and encourages healthy competition and inclusive national pride.
“We hope to provide a fun, inclusive space for everyone to come together and indulge in some pop music from around the world and we will be encouraging cheering, singing along and dancing.”
Terri has previously worked on similar events at the DINA venue, which has since closed down, but said previous Eurovision watch parties were a great success and they hope this will be the same.
The event will be led by drag artist, Jack Valentine, who started drag through a workshop held at the studios by a group named the Cryptid Queers.
The upcoming drag queen will be greeting guests before the screening, which will be open from 7pm until midnight.
There is a capacity for up to 100 Eurovision fans and there will be a bar and space to watch the event, however, the organisers have decided that they will not be showing Israel’s entry and instead, will be listening to a song in support of Palestine.
Racoon Studios is a newly opened venue which is set to be a thriving new arts space for the community.
They are planning a huge host of upcoming queer-friendly events and have previously hosted art markets, fundraisers and workshops which they hope to continue.