Durham was alive with colour today, a city wrapped in rainbows, music and movement. Pride always brings a certain magic to the cobbled streets and cathedral green, but this year felt especially vivid. Everywhere you looked, there was rhythm and laughter, sequins catching the sunlight, and faces painted in every hue imaginable.
I was commissioned by Jack Drum Arts to photograph their contribution to the day, and it was a joy to follow their Disco Samba Bloco through the celebrations. Among the swirl of flags and feathers, they brought their unmistakable energy to the heart of the city. The sound of drums echoed through the streets, pulsing like a heartbeat beneath the cathedral towers. Their rhythm carried through the parade and into the afternoon performances, drawing people in with irresistible joy.
I spent the day with the group, from the quiet concentration of face painting in the morning, where rainbow colours bloomed across foreheads and cheeks, to the full throttle performances later on stage. The transformation was beautiful: artists becoming part of the spectacle, each brushstroke and beat adding to the collective story of Pride.
There was a moment when the sunlight hit the sequins just right and it felt like the whole day distilled into that single flash of brilliance. Behind the drums, faces glowed with pride and purpose; behind the fan that read Whatever, a performer smiled with the kind of confidence that defines the day.
Durham Pride is more than a parade, it is a celebration of identity, creativity and community. It is a reminder that art and activism often share the same rhythm. Jack Drum Arts embody that perfectly: their Disco Samba Bloco project is not just about performance, it is about connection bringing people together through music, movement and shared joy.
As the drums faded and the crowd began to disperse, the colours lingered on faces, in the air and in memory. Pride days are fleeting, but their spirit lasts much longer.
