Museum night 'a celebration of queer joy'

A silent disco with a Smoggie Queens playlist will be among the event's highlights

Glitter and games are to transform a museum in a celebration of an area's LGBTQIA+ community.

An exhibition focusing on television comedy Smoggie Queens will be among the highlights of the event at Middlesbrough's Dorman Museum later.

A silent disco - when dancers listen to music played through headphones - will have a playlist featuring songs from the BBC series, while there will also be drag-led tours and creative workshops.

Organisers say the venue will become "a late-night playground of art, music and connection" and send a "powerful message that queer joy, history and belonging deserve to be seen, shared and celebrated".

The exhibition, Smoggie Queens: Behind the Scenes, will feature costumes, props and photography from the programme which focuses on a queer community.

Councillor Philippa Storey, Middlesbrough's deputy mayor and executive member for education and culture, said the event would be "a riot of fun and entertainment" as well as "a celebration of the town's starring role in Smoggie Queens, underpinned by a serious message about tolerance and inclusion".

Ellie Puckering, creative producer at charity Curious Arts which has organised the schedule, said that while the night "promises laughter and dancing, it also has a community purpose at its heart".

Starting at 19:00 BST, ticket proceeds will go towards supporting Middlesbrough Pride.