Celebrating 5 years of The Pride Ball

A colourful collage celebrating five years of “The Pride Ball” at Norwich Arts Centre. It features multiple photos: a drag performer in a rainbow-coloured dress posing on a runway, a performer holding a fan in front of Pride flags, a performer taking a selfie with a cheering audience, a close-up of a performer in a blonde wig and bold makeup, and a stage lineup of performers. Large central text reads “Celebrating 5 years of The Pride Ball.”

Two people stand outside a historic stone church building, holding a large rainbow Pride flag on a pole. The image sits alongside text about restarting Norwich’s drag scene in 2021. Smaller images below show a drag performer on stage under red lighting and another performer in a rainbow dress posing on a runway in a hall with an audience.

A purple-themed collage labelled “2025.” A large Pride Ball poster features multiple drag performers in vibrant costumes. Below, smaller photos show a group of performers posing together and a singer holding a microphone mid-performance. Text describes inspiration behind the event and highlights special guest performers.

A green-background collage titled “2022.” It includes a Pride Ball event poster featuring a lineup of drag performers in bold, stylised outfits. Additional photos show performers singing into microphones under stage lighting and performing energetically on stage. Accompanying text highlights a star-studded lineup and Norwich’s drag scene.

A collage on a pink background labelled “2023.” The main photo shows a group of drag performers on stage under colourful lights with an audience watching. Another image shows a performer taking a selfie with a large cheering crowd. A promotional poster displays multiple drag artists in elaborate costumes. Text describes the 2023 Pride Ball lineup and event timing.

An orange-background collage labelled “2024.” It includes a Pride Ball poster with multiple performers, a stage performance with a performer in a feathered outfit under bright lights, and a group of performers on stage with streamers during a lively show. Text references a guest performer, community fundraising efforts, and the theme of the event.

A blue-background collage featuring a close-up of a performer wearing dramatic rainbow-coloured makeup from a Pride Ball poster. Nearby, a performer waves a large folding fan in front of Pride flags. Additional images show a stage performance with colourful lighting and a cut-out image of a performer posed in the foreground. Text references early Pride Ball moments and performances.

A gradient background image labelled “2026” celebrates the fifth anniversary of The Pride Ball. At the centre is a poster featuring a group of drag performers in elaborate costumes and makeup. Text thanks attendees and highlights the event as an inclusive space for Norwich’s drag community.

Ahead of The Pride Ball 2026 and to celebrate 5 years of The Pride Ball at Norwich Arts Centre, drag artist and organiser, Liv, looks back over the history of the event…

2021
“I was approached by Norwich Arts Centre with one mission: bring the Norwich Drag scene back to life after lockdown!
The Pride Ball was born
After keeping apart for so long we were all ready to get back on the dancefloor so we did sell out quickly
Community members were given awards for their contributions to the scene (Sharpay, Ginger Snaps) and we began the tradition of the open runway…
I did one of my best make-up jobs for the poster.AI wasn’t even a thing at this point, thank god.
We had 16 performers in the line up, plus all the audience members who walked the runway.
Ella Danlos III blew us all away with an epic flag reveal that filled the arts centre with every pride flag she could get her hands on (most of them).
We also had a video message from the iconic Dominique Jackson wishing us all a happy Pride Ball and return to live events.”

2022
“Our second Pride Ball line up was ridiculous.
The Duke Street Premier Inn was star-studded that night.
I’ve always believed that Norwich deserves everything that larger drag scenes have when it comes to events, so I’m really proud of putting this lineup together.”

2023
“Our third Pride Ball was one of my favourite lineups with Bard the Beholder, Dairy King, Egon Centric and Coco Couture.
It was also the debut of the blue sequin jumpsuit, which subsequently became my uniform for ABBA drag brunch.
This was the last Pride Ball that took place in Julythe night before Norwich Pride, since Nottingham Pride is the same weekend and I became their Main Stage coordinator.
The Pride Ball is now at the end of June to commemorate international Pride Month, and mark the start of July being Pride month in Norwich.”

2024
“Chiyo was our special gusto having made a big splash at ‘Fever’ and ‘Rosetta’ a few years beforehand.
Throughout the night Dandy Darling coordinated a fundraising effort to buy e-sims of Palestinian people raising several hundred pounds in the space of a few hours.
The Norwich queer community remain some of the most passionate and politically active people I’ve ever met. I think we can see this in how Norwich just voted the Green Party to run the City Council despite the rest of England.”

2025
“This ball was inspired by the winter balls I began throwing for Notts Pride (which were inspired by The Pride Ball in Norwich originally lol).
We focused more on the dance floor than the drag show with new artists taking to the stage as go-go dancers.
Our special guests Cara Melle and Major Dom were so beautiful to work with an absolute showstopper.
The pride ball has always held space for emerging drag talent to make their debut on the scene and meet professional drag performers. To watch them develop as artists and go onto work professionally in drag themselves brings me so much joy.”

2026
“Five years later we host our sixth pride ball!
I can see my own journey in drag mapped out in these pictures. I’m forever grateful that the Norwich arts Centre put their faith in me to program these drag events and ask asked this NUA graduate to become one of their associate artists – it truly is an honour to serve.
Thank you to anyone who has joined us for the pride ball whether just one or all of them your support for Norwich’s drag scene has allowed us to keep putting on events like this – and as society turns to hostility before understanding we need our safe spaces.”
Liv XXX

Coming up at NAC•

Drag performer in a gold outfit and feathered boa posing in front of a rainbow mural.

Categories:

Fri 26 Jun 2026 @ 8:00 PM

Liv presents The Pride Ball 2026 (5th anniversary)

Price From: £10 Supporter | £12 adv conc

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