West London Queer Project to celebrate fifth birthday with a street party

Last year’s WLQP street party 

Children’s events, a drag show, a sing-along and opportunities to win prizes

West London Queer Project (WLQP) is celebrating its fifth birthday with a street party on Sunday 31 August, from 12 – 9pm at Old Market Place on Chiswick High Road.

WLQP believes that everyone has the right to live with dignity, respect and equality, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and organises social gatherings, sports teams, walks, seminars, and advocacy to support West London’s LGBTQ+ community.

The event is to celebrate WLQP’s success, but it is also to thank its supporters, founder Aubrey Crawley told The Chiswick Calendar.

“It’s very much a whole community event” says Aubrey. “It’s family friendly and we hope everyone will come”.

The event is free, with performances for children from Pop ‘n Olly and Gnome Theatre in the early afternoon:

“Expect sing-alongs, dance routines, and loads of exciting giveaways, including prizes from Disney and Pop ‘n Olly”.

From 2pm onwards, the main stage bursts to life with drag performances by the La Voix, (best known for competing on Britain’s Got Talent and Queen of the Universe), X Factor winner Matt Terry, and “a dazzling lineup of London’s top drag artists and vocal talents”.

WLQP is also proud to showcase “incredible local performers”, says Aubrey, “with Alice Pisano, Amilost, and Susie Wilkins representing the best of Chiswick’s creative scene”.

Performers at this year’s party: (L) Matt Terry; (R) La Voix

“A celebration of five incredible years”

Alongside the entertainment, guests can enjoy street food and drink stalls, cocktail bars, a ‘speed-glam station’ powered by their headline sponsor NYX Professional Makeup, as well as community and artisan stalls, interactive activities, and giveaways throughout the day.

“This isn’t just a street party, it’s a celebration of five incredible years of WLQP, right here in the heart of Chiswick where it all began,” says Aubrey.

“It’s our way of giving back to the friends, neighbours and supporters who’ve stood by us from the very beginning. On a personal level, Chiswick has given me so much over the past decade, and I’m incredibly proud to honour both WLQP’s journey and the community that’s helped shape it.

“Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or flying solo, this is a day to celebrate community, connection and our story so far”.

READ ALSO: West London Queer Project secures National Lottery funding for five years

READ ALSO: WLQP founder Aubrey Crawley invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party

One of the highlights of last year’s WLQP social calendar

Volunteers needed

WLQP are looking for enthusiastic community volunteers to join them and help out on the day. The roles they need people to fill are as follows:

Marshal – Help maintain the safety and smooth flow of the event. You’ll guide guests to key areas like seating, toilets, and food stalls, monitor crowd movement to prevent congestion, assist with setup and pack-down and act as a friendly point of contact for attendees.

Stall Manager – Take charge of a stall by managing setup, engaging with visitors, handling stock or materials, processing cash or contactless payments if needed, and keeping the space tidy and welcoming throughout the day.

Fundraiser – Support WLQP’s fundraising efforts by encouraging contributions and sharing information about our mission. This role is great for confident communicators who enjoy engaging with the public.

As a thank you, all volunteers will receive a special gift bag and a free meal voucher.

Here is the form to fill out if you would like to help: Volunteer to help with the WLQP street party

For full details and event updates, visit wlqp.org or follow @WLQP_London on Instagram and Facebook.

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar