Where We Belong, performed for the first time on 8 November, turns the experiences of local people into six original songs.
Six choirs will sing six new songs at Blackpool Grand Theatre next month, each created from the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the town.
Where We Belong – Sandgrown Song Cycle will be performed on Sunday 8 November, the first time the music has been heard in public. The songs grew out of conversations and creative work with LGBTQ+ people, community groups and organisations across Blackpool and explore identity, resilience, pride and the search for somewhere to belong.
BMS Contemporary Choir, Blackpool Male Voice Choir, Capricorn Singers, Waterloo Women’s Choir, Encore Singers and Electric Pink Voices will perform the pieces. The cycle was composed by Michael Betteridge, written by Jonathan Ainscough and produced by Phill Fairhurst of Electric Pink Voices.
Contributors include Blackpool Council Youth Group, Blackpool Council and Public Health, Renaissance, Empowerment, Blackpool Rainbow Alliance and Trinity Hospice.
“People have trusted us with stories that matter deeply to them,” Phill Fairhurst said. “Hearing those experiences become songs, and then hearing six Blackpool choirs give them their voices, will be something incredibly special. This is a chance for the people who helped shape the music to see what they have made possible – and for the whole town to share in it.”
Doors open at 6.30pm, when live performances will start to unfold around the theatre before the main show at 7.30pm. As the night continues, audiences will hear from the people, organisations and artists behind the work about how lived experiences became songs.
Andrew Howard, head of audiences, marketing and sales at the Grand, said the theatre hoped the event would draw in everyone connected to the project.
“There is a particular kind of magic when people from across Blackpool come together in The Grand and recognise themselves in what is happening on stage,” he said. “Where We Belong has been made with this town, and I hope everyone who has shared a story, sung in a choir or supported someone involved will come and feel part of this moment. Bring a friend, bring your family, or come on your own – there is a place for you here.”
The performance is a first look at the project. The complete Sandgrown Song Cycle will premiere at the Hand in Hand festival in 2027.
Where We Belong – Sandgrown Song Cycle is at Blackpool Grand Theatre on Sunday 8 November, 7.30pm (doors and pre-show entertainment from 6.30pm). Tickets £15 from blackpoolgrand.co.uk or the box office on 01253 290190.
