Fat movers and shakers in the northeast have come together to offer this series of events to counter the worst of the new year diet culture nonsense. Come and meet fat friends, do fun stuff, and enjoy ignoring boring body-hating chitchat.
Doughnuts and Deadlifts with Body Image Fitness
Wednesday 8 January, 6.30pm
The Clubhouse, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne
£12 (see below re: access funds)
Kickstart the year with strength, joy, and zero guilt at Doughnuts and Deadlifts—an empowering event that celebrates moving your body without the toxic diet culture nonsense. Enjoy a fun, supportive workout focused on lifting and building confidence, followed by a social where you can indulge in delicious doughnuts (because fitness isn’t about punishment for what you ate!). This event is perfect for all fitness levels.
More info and booking: https://shorturl.at/7BK49
Fat Dance with Gillie Kleiman
Every Tuesday 14 January – 1 April, apart from 25 February, 6.30pm-8pm
Newcastle upon Tyne city centre (please get in touch for details)
Free
Creative, exploratory movement and performance sessions for people in larger bodies, led by Gillie Kleiman, a fat professional dance artist. In each session, we will do some movement exploration exercises including moments of building or doing performances for each other.
For further information, including access details, please contact gilliekleiman@gmail.com.
Fat Chance: Screening and Workshop with Rachel Stockdale
Wednesday 15 January, 6-8pm
Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
Suggested donation £15
Join writer, actor and fat activist Rachel Stockdale for a screening of her award-winning play Fat Chance. You will then have the opportunity to participate in a writing response workshop, discussing fatphobia/themes of the play in a safe space.
More info and booking: https://shorturl.at/WcgiC
For any questions, please contact fatchancetheplay@gmail.com.
Gong Bath with Tracey West/Sacred Sounds
Sunday 19 January, 2-4pm
Sacred Sounds, Eagle Building, Sunderland
Donation in person on the day
“During a Gong Bath, I invite you to bring your whole self, for a gentle reset with love. Treat yourself to a sonic massage for your mind, body and healing journey. We begin with one or two breathing exercises and somatic movement, leading into the gong bath, which can be accessed through floor-based and seated practice. “
To book: https://sacredsoundscic.as.me/?appointmentType=72175752
For more information, please contact Tracey on 07469180185 or visit sacredsoundscic.co.uk.
FUPA Fantastic with Hildy Harland
Sunday 2 February, 2-4pm
Prohibition Cabaret Bar, Newcastle upon Tyne
£15 (see below re: access funds)
Join plus-sized professional dancer Hildy Harland in this body positive dance workshop created for people with bigger bodies. This event will be a safe space to let your hair down, slay and build confidence as a dancer in a non judgmental environment. Whether you are an absolute beginner or more advanced, Hildy will guide you through this fun, relaxed workshop with FUPA-friendly stretches, a routine with options that will suit your body and above all a teacher who understands that sometimes bigger bodies move differently.
Booking details available soon!
For questions, please contact hello@hildyharland.com.
Fat Lunch with Phillis
Sunday 9 February, 1pm
Newcastle City Centre, location tbc
Free (meal not provided)
Join beloved fat community member Phillis for lunch and chats in town. To be added to the chat and help decide where we meet, get in touch with him directly on 07428341967.
Research Salon: Community Dance and/as Fat Activism with Dr Gillie Kleiman
Wednesday 12 February, 6.30pm
Dance City, Newcastle upon Tyne
Free
In this informal session, Dr Gillie Kleiman, Dance City’s Head of Higher Education, will discuss her research on the relationships between grassroots community dance and fat activism.
To book: https://www.dancecity.co.uk/performance/270899/research-salon-community-dance-asand-fat-activism/
For questions, please contact gilliekleiman@gmail.com.
Other information
Please contact the person listed for each activity if you have questions about that event. If you want more information on the series as a whole, please contact gilliekleiman@gmail.com.
There are some funds available or those who would need them to access the activities, such as help with transport, covering some or all of the ticket cost, or paying for lunch. Please be in touch if this would be of use by emailing gilliekleiman@gmail.com – this will be first-come-first-served.
The facilitators of these events do not represent everyone who experiences anti-fatness, and the list is missing representation of some people who experience anti-fatness most viciously. There are some reasons for this, but no excuses, and efforts are under way to work on this and do better. Thanks go to those who have pointed this out, generously and clearly. Please be in touch if you would like to share thoughts or be in dialogue about this.