THERE'S a certain charm involved in the fact that that DJ promoter John Hamilton is having his busiest ever Pride this year.

"I think it's a rather good story," he tells CityLife, "though I say so myself. It's a little known fact that I was the carnival queen at the very first Manchester Pride.

"A friend of mine was on a fashion course Manchester University and I foolishly allowed him to con me into dressing up in the style of Carmen Miranda. Eighteen years on, look what the carnival queen is up to!"

John Hamilton, known through out the Village and indeed the country through his Poptastic night, has a heck of a weekend lined up for Pride this year.

First up is Poptastic's 'Anchors Away' night taking place at Club Alter Ego at launch.

Those who can't make that because they're at Mr Gay UK at the Ritz aren't getting off either as the swine is supplying the music for the Grand Final night too.

There's no escape.

Then on Saturday there's the big 'Hello Sailor' Poptastic bash taking place at Piccadilly Arches under the train station of the same name.

Originally a space used by John for various events, the makeshift club has since become renowned for its rave-ups courtesy of The Warehouse Project. Well, just for a weekend it's back in the hands of Hamilton who's installing his own production and crowd into the historic industrial space.

Cruz

"We're teaming up with Cruz and AXM for the night," beams John proudly, pleased at the joined-up thinking of three usually competing club nights.

Poptastic needs very little introduction. It's been going nearly as along as Pride, it's often a new gay man's first steps on to the scene and features the cream of indie and pop music to Manchester and other key cities in the UK on a weekly basis. Well, it's also here for Pride. Only this time in the labyrinth that is Piccadilly Arches.

Sunday night sees the Hamilton empire go one of two ways. You can follow the good ship Poptastic as it sails down for its Swansong at The Birdcage or tiptoe back to the Arches for the hugely anticipated Manfest event.

"It's for men with special interests," laughs John coyly of the fetish party that will attract men from all over Europe to Piccadilly's underground arches. A strict dress code is implemented on the night with music supplied by Brent Nicholls, Little Miss Natalie and John Aggy.

Tuesday night finally sees a little Poptastic party to round of the weekend and then it's a big fat nothing for the promoter until his batteries recharge.

"Then I'm straight off to New York to meet my husband," says John. "We're going down to New Orleans to go back to visit the place where we first met."

And no doubt enjoy a long, well-earned lie in.

For details of Poptastic parties visit poptastic.co.uk. For Manfest visit manfest.co.uk. Tweet