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Magazine V 5 Issue 8 - Mar/Apr 2018
Samuel J Sarah Sylvia The Moth & The Moon Interview with Glenn Quigley
IDGTF 2018 Where We Are Now 2018
NW LGBT+ Theatre Festival
Inside:
Travel | Film | Fashion |Health | News
EILE Magazine | Who’s Who
Contributors
M. Butler M. Butler is a writer and editor, with a keen interest in human rights, and has studied philosophy and psychology Scott De Buitléir Scott is founder and Editor-at-Large of EILE Magazine. He is also an author and poet from Dublin, but is now based in Cork Lisa Reynolds Originally from Co. Meath, Lisa is a fashion industry student, now living in Bray, Co Wicklow, with a great interest in media and celebrity Brian Rochford Brian has studied health, exercise, and nutrition, with a special interest in controlling pain in rheumatism and arthritis Brian Rochford also writes our fashion column this month Frances Winston Frances Winston is EILE’s resident film, theatre and gig buff, and has contributed to many other publications, such as The Irish Independent and Irish Tatler
EILE Magazine
EILE Magazine | Welcome
Highlights March/April 2018 The Moth & the Moon - P.22 Interview with Glenn Quigley, who has just written an LGBT-themed book called The Moth & the Moon
Theatre - Pps.28,34,40,58 IDGTF 2018, also Where We Are Now LGBT+ theatre festival for Ireland’s North-West, Dublin Dance Festival ‘Wrongheaded’about Women’s rights, plus Frances’ theatre reviews
Health - P.50 Brian Rochford tells us how to quit smoking the easy way
Music - Pps. 6,10,14,32 Our music section features the soulful Samuel J, the lovely Sarah Sylvia, and some jazz with Darryl Yokley this month, while Lisa Reynolds gives a retro-review of hip-hop artist, Katastrophe
Men’s Fashion - P.18 Brian Rochford writes on those transitional items of clothing to get us through the erratic weather
Volume 5, Issue 8 Editor-at-Large: Scott De Buitléir Editor: MKB Contributors: M. Butler, Scott De Buitléir, MKB, Lisa Reynolds, Brian Rochford, Frances Winston Photographers: Anthony Dean, Carrie Davenport, LaFamos, Ewa Figaszewska NB: All images in this publication are either under Creative Commons licence, or used with permission. Image credits, where necessary, are printed on the corresponding page(s) or photo(s). Any queries can be made to hello@eile.ie Special Thanks to MKB for all her hard work, dedication and support. Web: http://eile.ie Contact: hello@eile.ie Twitter: @EILEMagazine Facebook: http://fb.com/eilemagazine Note: All opinions expressed in this issue are the writers’ own.
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…plus film reviews, news, travel, and much more! EILE Magazine
EILE Magazine | Editor’s Letter
Contents 6-
Sameul J
10 -
Sarah Sylvia
14 -
Darryl Yokley
18 -
Men’s Fashion
22 -
Glenn Quigley
26 -
A-OK
28 -
WWAN Fest 2018
32 -
Hip-hop transman
34 -
IDGTF 2018:
36 -
Let Me Look At You
38 -
Passing On
40 -
Wrongheaded
44 -
Erasure Review
46 -
Travel Cruises
50 -
Quit Smoking
52 -
Frances on Film & Theatre
plus World LGBT News, Views, Arts, Entertainment etc
EILE March/April 2018 Edition! Welcome to the March/April 2018 issue of EILE Magazine In this jam-packed issue, our music section features an interview with our own Sarah Sylvia, we have soul from Samuel J, and jazz from Darryl Yokley. We interview graphic designer-turned-author, Glenn Quigley, about his new LGBT-themed book, The Moth And The Moon, and in theatre, the North-West of Ireland are preparing for their LGBT drama festival, Where We Are Now 2018. The amazing IDGTF 2018 have also released their programme of events, including Let Me Look At You and Passing On, and the Dublin Dance Festival women’s rights project Wrongheaded is also featured this month. Lisa Reynolds reviews the film short, A-OK about asexuality, and also gives a retro-review on hip-hop artist, Katastrophe. In our health section, Brian Rochford writes about making it easier on ourselves to stop smoking, the force that is Frances Winston reviews great film, theatre and music events, and our fashion feature is about transitional clothing to take you from the colder weather into the hopefully milder weather to come. And if it doesn’t arrive, you can go on a cruise! All this plus news, views and entertainment in abundance, so we hope you enjoy this March/ April 2018 issue of EILE Magazine!
Scott De Buitléir Founder / Editor-at-Large
EILE Magazine EILE Magazine
See our film, gig and theatre reviews by Frances Winston
EILE Magazine
Samuel j EILE Magazine
Singersongwriter, Samuel J, is a breath of fresh air among the musical fraternity, with many strings to his bow. He also produces, is a wellness coach, and unusual for many in the music industry, a conservationist. His soulful approach to his performances is also refreshing, which cements his particular style in the minds of those who have seen him perform. This would account for him being asked to perform for his holiness, the Dalai Lama, and for the Olympics and Paralympics in London.
EILE Magazine
On a global level, he has performed with the likes of Ben Harper, Michael Franti, Jack Johnson, Donovan Frankenreiter, Zero 7, Alice Russell, Jurassic 5, and some of the leading musicians in Brazil. All around the world, people can identify with Samuel’s incredible love and respect for humanity and the importance of nature, which shine through in his music. His new album, ‘Into the Light’, is due out this year, and will follow a series of single releases throughout 2018. Ever the innovator, Samuel has included an orchestral element on the album, which is being produced by some well-known
producers. We can’t wait to hear what he has in store for us next! -MKB
You can catch up with Samuel at: www.facebook.com/ SamuelJTellam/ samjmusic.comsing
Main Images: LaFamos
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(Right) Single Art for Embrace
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Sarah Sylvia Image: Carrie Davenport
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Interview with Irish singer-songwriter,
Sarah Sylvia
Sarah Sylvia, the Irish songstress who won people’s hearts on The Voice of Ireland in 2014, has recently released her LGBT-themed debut single, a great track called St Vincent. Both music and lyrics were written by Sarah Sylvia, and the song is performed by Sarah and her project, Cages. A moody ballad reminiscent of a mix of Kate Bush and Evanescence, St Vincent tells the story of a girl who is tormented when she realises she has fallen for another woman “a ghostly girl with big lonely eyes, there’s something about her which brought me back to life”. In our interview with Sarah below, she talks to us about the track, her future plans, and her decision to come out as bisexual:
Hi Sarah. Congratulations on the release of St. Vincent! It’s a wonderful song, so tell us a little about the inspiration and story behind the song. Sarah: Thank you! I’m so thrilled you love it! St. Vincent came together after I was going through a bit of a stressful time with my own sexual identity. I’ve never really come ‘out’ (as bisexual) before and honestly, I never intended to. I always felt “I love who I love and why should I have to label myself for the sake of others?”, but then I also had this petrifying thought of bringing someone home and it being some sort of ‘surprise’. That made me feel kind of down and unsure of myself. I’ve done a pretty good job of keeping my orientation to myself for a long time, but then I met someone that drew all these feelings from me, and I didn’t know what to do with them. Usually I tend to write instrumental pieces so I can get everything out without feeling like I’m sharing a diary entry, but this one came together naturally, so I guess it was time. The song has a clear LGBT theme behind it; how did this come to you, and what motivated you towards telling the story? Sarah: The song itself is about falling in love with another girl, and all the feelings that came with that for me. Confusion, fear, and relief too in a way. The title ‘St. Vincent’ is inspired by the wonderful musician that is Annie Clark, after I was feeling torn writing lyrics and not wanting to give too much away about the actual person I was writing about. Late one night I came across her for the first time, and I was so captured by her beauty. The first line of the song “Just today, I came across a ghostly girl with big lonely eyes” was a direct description of what I saw in that image of her, and I then made St. Vincent’s beauty the EILE Magazine 11
theme of the lyrics through the rest of the song, as a way of protecting my main subject’s identity. Many of your Irish friends and fans will remember your musical talents from the days of your participation in The Voice of Ireland (and when you were an EILE cover girl!). When did you make the move to Pennsylvania, and tell us more about CVGES! Sarah: I made the move to PA because of an opportunity that came directly from The Voice of Ireland! I was spotted by an American rockschool (Let there be rock school) after coming across my performances on the show, and they asked if I would be interested in coming over to teach there. They had some students that had participated in the US version of The Voice, and they thought I’d make a good fit! Needless to say, I jumped at the chance, and I’ve been teaching piano and voice here ever since! CVGES came together after meeting so many talented musicians here in Philadelphia. I had been trying to find out exactly what my ‘sound’ was, but then I just started writing without putting too much thought into the ‘style’ or ‘genre’, and just let the songs be whatever they wanted to be! I’ve also recorded, performed, and written songs under this project with different musicians, as opposed to the same bandmembers each time, and I really feel like that’s been the most rewarding part. It’s a constant open door for fellow musicians to participate in, and that keeps my creative side flowing. It’s why we wear masks for the most part. Besides me, you most likely won’t find the same musicians performing at each show! Music usually helps people find themselves, and sometimes helps them to love or accept themselves. How has music helped you become who you are today? Sarah: That’s a really great question. Growing 12 EILE Magazine
up, I never felt there was anything particularly special about me, or that I fit in anywhere, especially living in a really small town. I was used to walking up the street and being called names, but I was so obsessed with music, and escaping into that World that it never got to me. It made me feel safe, and gave me strength to handle it. Then when I actually started writing music and performing in front of the very people who would belittle me, I realised that all the name calling and sticking it out was worth it. I stopped worrying about what people thought of me or my music, and thankfully I carried that mindset with me ever since. What’s next for Sarah Sylvia and CVGES? I believe a song ‘as Gaeilge’ is on the cards? Sarah: Yes! We just finished up an acoustic cover version of ‘Wicked Game’ by Chris Isaak. I made the decision to sing it in Irish after living in the US for the past few years, and realising how much I took our country’s history for granted. I was also saddened by how much of my native language I had lost from not speaking it anymore. It’s a stunning language with so much history to it, and I think it’s important to keep it as relevant as we can. I was really nervous about it working out, especially with the phrasing and the melody, but I love how it turned out, and can’t wait to share it. It was originally recorded as a Bside to ‘St. Vincent’, but when everything was completed, I felt it deserved its own release, so I’ll be releasing ‘Cluiche Gránna’on May 4th! Besides the new release, I’ll be doing a radio tour in Ireland for a week in support of the new singles this May. I’m really excited about it, as I haven’t been involved musically with my home country in a long time! Over the Summer I’ll be playing a few festivals in America, and I have videos coming out for both ‘St. Vincent’ and ‘Cluiche Gránna’. My debut EP ‘The Parting Gift’ is due for release this October, which will include all the releases so far, plus my debut as a harpist! I’ll also be hosting a release party in both Ireland and America for the EP, so be sure
to keep up to date on our social media for more details! We’ll keep an eye on things for our readers, Sarah, and the best of luck with the new singles!
To keep up with Sarah Sylvia and Cages visit:
St. Vincent is the debut single from Cages, released March 30, 2018, with Andre (Virus) Karkos – Guitar, Jeff Blaise – Bass, Adam Shumski – Drums, and Justin Yoder – Cello The track was recorded and mixed by Joe Boldizar at Retro City Studios, Philadelphia, PA, with additional mixing and programming by Chris Pollock. Mastered by John Naclerio at Nada Studios, Montgomery, NY. The vocals and piano are performed by Sarah Sylvia, and programming and additional keyboards by Eric Fisher.
www.facebook.com/cagesofficial/
www.cagesofficial.com
twitter.com/cagesofficial
-MKB/SDB Note: An EILE favourite, Sarah Sylvia was featured in our February 2014 monthly issue of EILE Magazine, URL below: https://issuu.com/eilemagazine/docs/issue09 EILE Magazine 13
Jazz Darryl Yokley’s Sound Reformation – Pictures at an African Exhibition 14 EILE Magazine
Darryl Yokley - Images: Twitter
Picture yourself strolling through the doors of an art gallery or into the marble halls of an art museum. The walls are lined with bold, colorful images, some vivid abstracts, many assertively figurative. As you take in the striking landscapes and strong faces, a story emerges -- no less a story than the history of humankind, but also a story that resonates with today’s headlines, a story still unfolding. Now what would that sound like?
Saxophonist/composer, Darry Yokley, has created the soundtrack to just such a gallery of images on his new album, Pictures at an African Exhibition. The album, now available via Truth Revolution Records, was created in collaboration with British-born artist, David Emmanuel Noel, who painted pieces to accompany each of Yokley’s 13 new compositions. The music supplements Yokley’s band, Sound Reformation -- pianist Zaccai Curtis, bassist EILE Magazine 15
The quintet after recording the album Image: Darrylyokley.com
Luques Curtis, and drummer Wayne Smith Jr - alongside special guest drummer Nasheet Waits, and a 12-piece wind ensemble, assembling a group with a sound palette vast enough to match Noel’s visual one.
of art that goes with it. It was written for a double drum quintet and a 12-piece wind ensemble.[...] Each track has a theme that shows up throughout the entire work. I tried to make it sound like a movie being played without words or the screen. I was trying The album’s title points to its clear to write pieces that conjured up images or inspiration, Modest Mussorgsky’s famed specific cultural and historical aspects of “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Africa as I was writing, whether it be melodic and/or rhythmic”. But where Mussorgsky penned music inspired by the artwork of his friend, Viktor Hartmann, “I wanted to explore themes that were Yokley decided to write his suite first and universal,” Yokley explains. “I based the story ask his friend, Noel, to create the exhibition on Africa, because as far as we know that’s to match. The ambitious suite begins with where the human species was born, but I the dawn of the human species, and traces wanted to explore themes that everyone in an alternately triumphant and tragic tale of every culture worldwide could relate to”. migration and enslavement, celebration and warfare, ending on a cautiously optimistic And that he did just that! If you like jazz, hope for the future. you'll love Pictures at an African Exhibition! Yokley commented: -M. Butler “It’s entitled Pictures at an African Exhibition. I based it off of the orchestral work Pictures You can check the album out at: at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky, who https://www.darrylyokley.com/listen wrote the whole symphony based off of the work of his artistic friends in Russia. It’s a For more information on Darryl project that has 13 original works of music Yokley, visit: accompanied by 13 original paintings. Each piece of music has a corresponding piece DarrylYokley.com
Image: Anthony Dean
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Album art for Pictures At An African Exhibition
Paintings by David Emmanuel Noel
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Lost in transition! Brian Rochford on how to navigate the changing seasons as the warmer weather is still in hiding Still waiting for Summer, and it feels like forever. That being said, you can still enjoy the transition. This time of year gives you some very stylish options to choose from, and these fashion choices can keep any guy looking fabulous and on-trend until the sun comes out to play. For footwear, you could check out some of the fabulous men’s faux-suede Chelsea boots on offer. They are perfect for this time of year, comfortable and stylish in the extreme. These boots complement jeans, chinos, and smart-casual slacks. High-street stores and online shops have a fantastic range of these boots at the moment, for example, ASOS etc. I particularly like the black faux Chelsea boot, it’s easy to maintain and looks smart with so many styles. By now, you probably have some heavy sweaters that you will be discarding, so start going for lighter, brighter cotton-rich sweaters, and if you don’t already have a selection, it’s time to invest. Having a selection of lighter ones means that, if you happen to run into some colder days, you can layer up and still look like the fashion icon you really are. Remember that a good sweater is for life (almost) and not just for Spring. Sweaters are a really good permanent wardrobe investment. As always, choosing a style, colour and shape that suits your body type takes time and patience, but it’s worth the effort, as you will be looking and feeling good for a long time. Some of the colours for men this year are peach, pink, light blue and orange, in plain and cable-knit. If you’re used to wearing only dark or neutral colours, you could try these pastels and open a whole new look for yourself! (For example, Arnotts or Brooks Brothers online will give you a good idea of what’s on offer).
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versace
Below: Chelsea Boots
simons le31 EILE Magazine 19
White jeans and black chinos compete with the standard blue denim jeans in the high-street stores at the moment, and what could herald in Summer more than white jeans and a pink shirt or sweater?
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As you shed layers of unwanted clothing for the lighter and perhaps more colourful options, you may want to accessorise your look with a high quality belt to make your jeans or slacks look finished and stylish. This is one accessory that can make them go from looking just okay to looking wow. A good look for this time of year is to pimp up your thinner sweater with a colourful scarf. This is always a winner, as it never fails to look stylish, and is also functional and practical. When you’re not too sure of the weather, a trench coat is a good option, layered over a cotton sweater or a bright tshirt.
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Lighter jackets are still a steady must-have trend at this time, while you are waiting to come out of hibernation. You can always accessorise and layer up some of the lighter jackets (like
bombers or denim) that have been hiding in your wardrobe. Fashion is less about what you wear, and more about how you wear it. You can always copy the look, and spend less. So make the most of what you’ve got, while waiting for the sun to shine, and make the most of your style by choosing what is comfortable, practical and fashionable for you.
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Interview with Glenn Quigley, author of the new LGBT-themed novel, The Moth & The Moon EILE chats with graphic designer and now author, Glenn Quigley, who has just published an LGBT-themed book called The Moth And The Moon. Glenn was born in Dublin, but now lives in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Hi Glenn, could you tell us just what The Moth and the Moon is all about? Glenn: It’s about a man named Robin Shipp, who is a fisherman on a tiny island in the 18th century. He’s not well-liked by the villagers, because of what his father did many years earlier. One day he sees a storm approaching, and convinces everyone to take shelter in the one place big enough to hold them all, which is the tavern named The Moth & Moon. Over the course of the story, a lot of secrets from his past get uncovered, and he’s forced to face up to some very uncomfortable truths. Robin is big, burly, fifty, and gay, and there is a romantic element to the story. Why did you decide to write it, and why did you write it when you did? Glenn: I’ve always wanted to write a book, and in 2015 I decided to finally sit down and try it. I found a series of articles written by Dan Harmon [American writer, producer and actor] about his writing process, which I found very inspiring and, crucially, easy to understand, so I decided to try his methods. I’ve always kept notes of any story ideas, or characters, or bits of dialogue which come to mind. One of these notes was a couple of paragraphs describing a big fisherman, standing by his bedroom window, watching a storm roll in across the sea. I could clearly see this man in my mind, so I decided I’d try to write his story. Starting with that single idea, I wrote a short story first, then realised there were lots of ways it could be expanded, so I fleshed out Robin and his world, and after a year I found I’d written a novel.
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Have you written anything else before this? Glenn: Only little bits and pieces, very short stories and the like. This is my first published work. Now that you’ve finished The Moth And The Moon, are there any more LGBT-themed stories in the pipeline? Glenn: I’m working on a follow up to this story, although The Moth and Moon is a complete tale in itself. Does the story target any particular age group? Glenn: I’d say it’s for adults, just going by the age of the protagonist, although there’s nothing inappropriate for a younger audience. Thanks Glenn. We can’t wait to read it!
Glenn is a graphic designer, originally from Dublin, and now living in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. He is the graphic designer for Dublin Bears, and creates popculture bear designs for www.themoodybear.com. When not writing or designing, he enjoys photography, and has recently taken up watercolour painting.
-MKB
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Short Film Review
A-OK A Short Film About Asexuality - Review By Lisa Reynolds A-OK (2013) is an excellent and motivating short movie by Corinna Wan and Fixers UK, which was made in an attempt to educate people about asexuality. At just over four minutes, the film, starring Abigail Gregory, Ben Finch, Manon Wyn Thomas, and Ashley Povall, follows the story of a young woman, Lucy, who is a former student in Bangor, as she navigates a world that seems to be obsessed with allosexuality. Very soon into the movie, we meet James, who is a friend of Lucy’s flatmate, Kevin. Kevin is trying to set Lucy up with James, and through Lucy’s inner thoughts, we get a great insight into her fears of being put in an awkward situation. The viewers will find themselves willing Lucy and James on to get together, and for Lucy to find a connection with someone who will love her for who she is. Speaking about the short film, Corinna Wan said that when she tells people she is demisexual, there is confusion about what it means. She commented: “There are so many levels to asexuality, and it can be difficult to understand, but this is no excuse for others to treat asexual people any differently. Through my project, I hope to change people’s perceptions of asexuality, so that people who are asexual feel comfortable and proud, and equally treated by everyone else.” A wonderfully crafted film, and a must-watch. (This short documentary film was featured on the ITV News Cymru Wales website in September 2013.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fax8OrL6D20
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Corinna Wan
Above and top:Stills from the short film about asexuality, A-OK
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Where We Are Now - An LGBT+ Theatre Festival From Ireland's North- West Where We Are Now LGBT+ Theatre Festival Sligo & Leitrim, 2nd to 6th May 2018 Treasa Nealon is coproducer of the Where We Are Now Theatre Festival, the North-West of Ireland’s first LGBT Theatre Festival. Now in its second year, the festival will take place on 2-6 May in Leitrim and Sligo. Treasa tells us: “We have the visually stunning ‘Jungle Door’ by the award-winning Eva’s Echo Theatre Company, the intimate ‘Precisionism’ by award winning London based Old Sole Theatre Company, Macbeth set in the neon party scene of 1996 New York and a series of fantastic short plays by The Theatre Room
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Galway. We also have a free showing of Tuesdays at Tescos, performed by Belfast based TheatreofPluck”. Killian Glynn, Artistic Director, is delighted with the fact that this year the festival is going to be bigger and better: “It is stupefying to be writing this [..] in the knowledge that this time last year we were in the midst of preparing for the first annual queer theatre festival in the north-west of Ireland. As a company and as artists, we are so proud to be able to work on a project that celebrates the diversity and cultural richness of our community and get to put on a magnificent show while doing it. This year, with lots of hard work, passion and dedication, we are back with a festival that is bigger, better and brighter than ever before!>>>>>
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You will get to see incredible productions from London and Galway and shows that have been home-grown here in Sligo and Leitrim. There’s something for absolutely everybody, so there’s nothing left to do but sit back, relax and enjoy… Where We Are Now 2018!”
Booking Information:
Plays at a Glance (but check website)
www.facebook.com/therabbitsriottheatrecom pany/
2 to the 6 May 2018
Visit: The Rabbit’s Riot Theatre Company on www.eventbrite.ie therabbitsriottheatrecompany@gmail.com
Wednesday
Facebook: WhereWeAreNowLGBTTheatreFest ival
2pm Macbeth, The Glens Centre
Twitter: WWANFest
7pm, Tuesdays at Tescos, Black Box
For Macbeth: www.theglensncentre.com (071) 9855833
Thursday
8pm Illuminations Poetry and Spoken Word Open Mic. The Bookmart
The Rabbit’s Riot Theatre Company was cofounded in March 2016 by director and designer, Sonia Norris, and playwright and actor, Treasa Nealon. Since their conception they have produced over 10 performances, and won an award for their work at the 2017 Galway Fringe Festival. They are delighted to produce the North-West of Ireland’s first LGBT+ Theatre Festival!
Friday
ANNOUNCEMENT!!
6pm Macbeth, Andersons
Please see the time change for Jungle Door by Eva’s Echo Theatre Company
6pm Theatre Rooms, Yeats building 8pm Jungle Door, Black Box 8.30pm Macbeth, The Glens Centre
8pm Jungle Door, Black Box 9.30pm Gatsby Theme Party, Andersons Saturday 4pm Precisionism, Andersons 2pm Jungle Door, Black Box [changed] 8pm Precisionism, Andersons 11.30om, UV PARTY, Andersons Sunday 8pm Precisionism, Andersons
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The Saturday 6pm performance (May 5th) will now take place at 2pm Thursday & Friday are still both at 8pm, Saturday is now 2pm Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite...or straight through the facebook link!
Please check with website/Facebook for any other changes to the programme!
Rehearsals for Macbeth 2pm 2nd May // 8.30pm 3rd May// The Glens Centre, 6pm 4th May // Andersons Grill & Bar Sligo - Niall Colleary, Killian Glynn and Pamela Devaney.
Be a part of the North-West’s amazing LGBT+ theatre festival!, Where We Are Now! They are always looking for volunteers to give them a hand in the time leading up to and during the festival! Last year was too fun for words meeting new people, seeing a new side of theatre and creating the WWAN family.
The festival runs from the 1st - 6th May 2018. If you think you might be interested, let them know with a message, and they’ll take it from there - they're looking forward to hearing from you!
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Fault, Lines, and Faultlines Retro-Album Review By Lisa Reynolds “God, I can barely see ten days from now. I try to just think about each day and not worry about the future too much. This has served me well so far.” - Katastrophe Fault, Lines, And Faultlines (Cherchez La Femme label, 2005) is a wonderful album by San Francisco based, American hip-hop artist and transman, Rocco Kayiatos, aka Katastrophe (or Rocco Katastrophe). The album is very cohesive, and wonderfully put together from start to finish. Like a lot of rappers, his 15 tracks on this album are like mini-stories, with a raw realness about the songs which draws the listener in, and keeps us listening. There are excellent lyrics and hooks that stick in your head, which you will find yourself humming long after listening to the album. Katastrophe’s narrative vocals are like a mixture of rapping and spoken word. Absolutely wonderful. Comprised of 15 tracks, the album opens with the song, This Life, which sets the album up beautifully with a great beat, and is instantly catchy, very rhythmic, and tight - a perfect opening track, and one of my favourite tracks on the album. The next track is Break Down, which is stunningly put together, with the contrast of Katastrope’s edgy vocal and the rhythmic
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music working a treat - a solid, gorgeous track. The third track is Diamond Rings, which has a melodious and relaxed sound. Next up is another one of my favourite tracks, the very catchy Drop A Line. DrunkInterlude comes next, a wonderful short piece, which leads into another great track on the album, Read Me, where Katastrophe’s vocal sounds gorgeously dark, and combined with the slightly gothic music, it is delightfully amazing. Last Laugh comes next, which is an edgy, cohesive track. Brilliantly rounded and piercing. No Fun brings us to just over the halfway point. It is a very relaxed number that sounds wonderful. Dig Up starts off the second half with a bang. Katastrophe’s vocal is edgy and visual, and the music has a real 90s hip-hop feel, but done in a contemporary way. Out To Dinner-Interlude follows, and is another great short piece, which leads into Bad Mood. This has very relaxed, chilled music, the kind of music that makes you sway slightly, involuntarily almost. A wonderfully rounded song. Next up is Oh No. Katastrophe’s vocal is very fast on this track, so rapping along for most of us is out of the question. Another excellent track. Easy and Nice is comes next, and is another one of my favourite tracks. It is gritty and amazing, and flows from section to section brilliantly, leading to Fake Meat. This is a
Rapper Katastrophe
brilliantly put together track, with a strong narrative, and flows easily. Closing the album is All Wrong, which is the perfect closing track. The music is gorgeous on this, and complements Katastrophe’s vocal perfectly. He has an understated edge which works brilliantly. This album is a must-listen. Gorgeously contemporary and amazing. To llisten to the album, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fault-lines-andfaultlines/270383411
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IDGTF 2018 - Programme Launch – 25 Plays for 25 Years of Decriminalisation The 15th International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival launched its diverse programme online on Tuesday April 10th on www.gaytheatre.ie. “This is a special anniversary year for the LGBTI community in Ireland and the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival has assembled a top class programme of Irish and International LGBT theatre, full of stories that could not be told in the past and that are waiting to be told today” said Founder and programmer, Brian Merriman.
“It is 35 years since the appalling outcome in the Declan Flynn (Fairview Park) murder trial, and 'The Drowning Room' by Irish playwright, Verity-Alicia Mavenawitz’recounts a family gathering after a similar verdict in Ireland. Voices that lived before and during decriminalisation take to many stages, including Tennessee William’s final years in ‘His Greatness' from Chicago, Oscar Wilde appears in ‘Beloved Sinner’ and again with William Shakespeare and Mary Shelley, who are amongst the 'Writers In the Stars' battling for eternal fame. '2HISstories' looks at Irish life in the 1980s in ‘The Off Switch’, and UCD founder, Cardinal Newman’s lifelong friendship with Fr Ambrose St John in ’The Second Miracle’. John M Farrell’s ‘3 Lies About Brooklyn’ follows the story of being trafficked from an Irish Mother and Baby home to Brooklyn and back. ‘Let Me Look at You’ captures a moment in time in Soho in 1993. Ireland’s Breda Larkin, Canada’s Franny McCabe-Bennett, and UK’s Annabel Pribelski headline our top class female comedy performances. ‘Tab and Landon’ from Canada, is a dark insight into family relationships, arriving from Theatre Outre, Canada, with ‘Blue Island 99’ a coming-out story – our first by a Taiwanese artist. The diversity of the Mens’ and Womens’ Shorts programme sees Ireland’s LGBT community group, Acting Out, team up with the world’s first Gay Theatre Company, New York’s TOSOS, an excellent programmes of short plays. Exciting theatre from young companies includes the UK’s ‘Cherry Pickings’, ‘Ginger Beer’ and ‘Memories We Lost In The Fire’. Young Irish playwrights premiering their work include Conor Burke’s ‘Ethan and Evan and All They Know’ and Robert Downes’ ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight?’.
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Renowned lesbian playwright, Carolyn Gage’s insight into Marty Mann, founder of the National Council on Alcoholism, premieres from the USA, as Ireland’s ‘Blue Heart Theatre Company’ premieres ‘Passing On’, a story of surrogacy, family and choices. “We mark this 25th anniversary year with a free opening seminar on visibility and decriminalisation, with speakers Tonie Walsh, Gráinne Healy, Kieran Rose, and Chaired by Séamus Dooley. The free play reading is the world premiere of ‘Party Boy’, based on the true life story of an Irish gay gogo dancer” explained Brian. There is a nightly Festival Club and the Festival is supported by The Arts Council, Dublin City Council, and Fáilte Ireland. All of this, plus our incredible voluntary support, makes Dublin the biggest centre for gay theatre worldwide. Programme cover for IDGTF 2018
“There are two separate weekly programme of accessible and lowpriced theatre, in city centre venues from May 7– 20. It is an honour in this anniversary year, to stand on the shoulders of all who got us to this point and those who continue to struggle for freedom worldwide” added Brian. “25 years ago, this would have been unimaginable – today, Dublin (and Ireland) opens its arms to diverse artistic voices, and we are very pleased to welcome all the companies and you, our audience, to our unique programme of 25 plays for 25 years”, he concluded. Tickets are now on sale from www.gaytheatre.ie. IDGTF Director and Founder Brian Merriman Image: Theatre In The Now
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IDGTF 2018 - ‘Let Me Look At You’ at the Pearse Centre Theatre, Dublin Starving Artists Theatre Company presents: LET ME LOOK AT YOU
his misadventures, while quietly having a nervous breakdown himself. On the fiftieth anniversary of the UK’s Sexual Offences Act, Starving Artists offers up the oft-ignored warning: things haven’t changed all that much.
by Godfrey Hamilton, performed by Mark Celebrated for their Pinkosh combined talents as writer As a part of the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival (IDGTF 2018) presented at the The Pearse Centre Theatre – 27 Pearse Street – Dublin, May 7 – 12 at 9 pm, additional performances May 7 & 12 at 2.30 pm Q: What’s so funny about being gay? A: Let Me Look At You. Let Me Look At You is the newest performance piece from award-winning Starving Artists Theatre Company. Stand-up meets solo theatre in this personal story from the gay “movement”. Grounded in history and battered by camp, a fiftysomething gay man shares
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and performer, Godfrey Hamilton and Mark Pinkosh (partners on stage and off for 30 years) present their latest collaboration at the 2018 International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. Returning to Dublin, the team have staged previous shows at the Abbey Theatre’s Peacock Stage, as well as Andrews Lane Theatre. Having won two Fringe First awards (Road Movie, Viper’s Opium,) and winning the first-ever Stage Award For Acting Excellence (Pinkosh, for Road Movie) the team have reunited with director, David Prescott (Artistic Associate, Theatre Royal Plymouth) and dramaturg, Ruth Mitchell. Lighting
design by Douglas Kuhrt . Writer Godfrey Hamilton’s prolific body of work includes over thirty plays. His work has also been staged at, among other places, the Tron, Traverse, Lyric Hammersmith, BAC, Finborough, Eden Court, Gardner Arts Center, Komedia and Manchester Royal Exchange. He has been commissioned by the Bush Theatre, Paisley Arts and Theatre Centre London. BBC Radio 4 produced his play Pacific Dreams, and the work he created with Pinkosh and Starving Artists has been seen in New Zealand, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, Paris, Munich, Miami, Seattle and San Francisco. To book review tickets for this show please contact the Box Office at 089 219 6898 during box office opening hours (Mon – Fri: 12noon -5pm Sat: 12 noon-3pm) For More Information, contact: Mark Pinkosh@ StarvingArtistsTheatre.org
LET ME LOOK AT YOU by Godfrey Hamilton, performed by Mark Pinkosh
IDGTF 2018 Seeking Volunteers!
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IDGTF 2018 -
Passing On A Drama by Sean Denyer
PASSING ON by SEAN DENYER YOUR FAMILY. FOREVER PART OF YOUR D.N.A Brian and Tom, together for ten years, would like to have a child, to be, as Tom says, ‘a proper family with two dads‘. When their friend, Jane, agrees to act as a surrogate, it seems they can really have it all. But after Tom is very reluctantly pressed into finding out about his biological parents, what he discovers will turn their dream of a family into their worst nightmare, threatening to destroy everything they have. ‘Passing On’, is a gripping new play by Sean Denyer, and is being producing by Acting Out and Blue Heart Theatre. Acting Out, Dublin’s LGBT theatre group, recently won the 2017 National GALA Award for Irish Arts and Literature for their previous shows, The Ref and The Paradise. Writer Sean Denyer, who is also a Consultant in Public Health Medicine said: ‘Now gay couples can, thankfully, have most of the same choices as anyone else in terms of family formation, I wanted to explore this in the context of the rapidly advancing developments in genetics and screening. We can now find out more and more about our genetic make-up, but is this necessarily always a good thing? More and more people create their own ‘family’, but are there things about our biological families that we just can’t escape from?’ Featuring a talented cast of Irish actors, this gripping and thought-provoking play will
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stimulate a lot of debate for audiences about genetics, ethics, surrogacy, and the impact of nature and nurture. It places this in the context of a powerful and insightful examination of a close and loving relationship, tested to the limit by discoveries from the past. Passing On is being performed at: Theatre@36 at the Teacher’s Club, 36 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1, from May 14-19 at 7.30pm (70 mins) with tickets priced at ₏15/13/10 For more, visit: International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival Link : www.gaytheatre.ie Show Twitter: @blueheartplays @actingoutgroup Websites: www.bluehearttheatre.com www.actingoutgroup.com
'Now gay couples can, thankfully, have most of the same choices as anyone else in terms of family formation, I wanted to explore this in the context of the rapidly advancing developments in genetics and screening. We can now find out more and more about our genetic makeup, but is this necessarily always a good thing?' -Sean Denyer
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Dublin Dance Festival 2018: Liz Roche Company’s powerful new version of WRoNGHEADED confronts women’s rights / freedom of choice WRoNGHEADED [2018] Dublin Dance Festival 2018 at Project Arts Centre 16 & 17 May, 2018 dublindancefestival. ie / projectartscentre.ie Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, 22 May, 2018/ paviliontheatre.ie Hawkswell Theatre, Sligo, 24 May, 2018/ hawkswell.com Liz Roche’s powerful dance piece confronts the stark realities of women’s rights and freedom of choice at the dawn of Ireland’s referendum for Repeal the 8th.
Liz Roche Company is known for its evocative and compelling dance productions, and this year makes a very timely re-release of the powerful dance show, Wrongheaded - just as Ireland plans to go to referendum and Repeal the Eighth, to amend its constitution on women’s rights. This powerful production merges film, 40 EILE Magazine
voice and movement, and confronts the stark realities of women’s rights and freedom of choice in our country today. The show opens at the Dublin Dance Festival 2018, running at Project Arts Centre (May 16 & 17) and moves to Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire (May 22) and Hawks Well, Sligo (May 24). In this new version of the original 2016 production, which premiered at the Dublin Fringe Festival, audiences will experience an additional male dance duet, performed by Kevin Coquelard and Jack Webb, who mirror the choreography of the two superb female dancers, Sarah Cerneaux and Justine Cooper. Roche has purposefully made the clever inclusion of men in this edition of the piece, as it is crucial to highlight that men also have a role in this significant debate on women’s issues. Expect the original fierce spoken words, created by the award-winning Galway poet, Elaine Feeney, which drives this dance work, with electrifying performances from four of the exceptional dancers. Together with Feeney’s words, this creative ensemble stage a new extended
Wrongheaded - Image: Ewa Figaszewska
‘The women are here to count, To sit together and carve out arms. To bury their dead, to feed their living, When they are done they can Dance in the end clutches of their spat energy, Bone of bone’s, sharp cuckoo barrage. Sweet desire, All spent.’ EILE Magazine 41
interwoven tapestry to the exquisite work of filmmaker, Mary Wycherley, which will be projected in a new format for this show; there’s beautiful music from composer, Ray Harman (from the band Something Happens); and superb stage illuminations by lighting designer, Stephen Dodd. All these elements are gathered together to create an intense forum for emotion and physicality, but ultimately, Wrongheaded is a refuge from the necessary but ongoing debate, and a space to consider these issues from a new perspective. The show will also tour to Edinburgh Fringe Festival (to Dance Base) in August, and Civic Theatre Tallaght in October. CAST - Sarah Cerneaux / Justine Cooper / Kevin Coquelard / Jack Webb Choreographed & Created by Liz Roche Poetry by Elaine Feeney Film by Mary Wycherley Music Composition by Ray Harmon Lighting Design by Stephen Dodd
Wrongheaded venues: PROJECT ARTS CENTRE, East Essex Street, Dublin Wednesday 16 & Thursday 17 May | 7.30pm | €22/€18 Dublin Dance Festival Box Office – Tel: 01 679 8658 dublindancefestival.ie
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Project Box Office – Tel: 01 881 9613 / projectartscentre.ie PAVILION THEATRE, Dun Laoghaire Tuesday 22 May | 8.00pm | €20/€18 Box Office – Tel: 01 231 2929 / paviliontheatre.ie HAWKS WELL, Sligo Thursday 24 May | 8.00pm | €22/18 [?? check with box office] Box Office – Tel: 071 916 1518 / hawkswell.com Further information at: https://www. lizrochecompany.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook. com/lizrochecompany TWITTER: @LizRocheCompany
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Gig Review Erasure at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin
- Review by Frances Winston
There were a lot of disgruntled fans in January, when Erasure were forced to cancel their scheduled dates, due to singer, Andy Bell, falling ill, and judging by the fact that there were some empty seats at this gig, it’s safe to say that many people couldn’t make this rescheduled date as the concerts were completely sold out. Not to rub salt in the wounds of those who couldn’t make the new date, but it really was worth the wait. The stage was stunning, and when the opening strains of the Tales of the Unexpected theme tune blasted out, and figures in silhouette appeared behind screens, you knew that this was going to be a visually impressive gig. Of course, everyone’s worry was would Andy’s voice hold up following his throat issues, but as he broke into Oh L’Amour for the band’s opening song, there was no sign that anything was afflicting him. He hit the falsetto without a care, ably backed by his partner in crime Vince Clarke, who very much stayed in the background for most of the gig.
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The band have a new album World Beyond out, hence the tour, and they peppered the set with songs from this. However, as is often the case, many people didn’t seem to know these yet, and they weren’t greeted with the same enthusiasm as their back catalogue. This did give the gig a somewhat disjointed feel, as people’s enthusiasm visibly waned when they played these tracks. However, as soon as they belted out any of their numerous classics, the crowd went wild and were on their feet, shaking the Olympia to its core with their dancing. Andy exchanged banter with the crowd, but made no reference to the fact that this was a rescheduled date, which I thought was a bit odd. However, the crowd seemed to enjoy his segues into each track. With a back-catalogue as vast as theirs, there were always going to be one or two tracks that didn’t make the setlist. Noticeably absent were Love to Hate You, The Circus, and It Doesn’t Have To Be, but despite this, there was enough here to keep both the diehard fans, and those who simply dip in and out of Erasure’s music happy. They saved two of their most popular songs
for last, and after Sometimes, Vince left the confines of his keyboard to join Andy on stage in A Little Respect, their encore song. Although he was only out front for a few minutes, he seemed to be really enjoying himself, which made it seem a pity that he had been hiding away for most of the show. However, Andy has more than enough personality for the two of them, even if his stage outfit was a tiny bit questionable. Suffice to say that he is extremely body-confident. This wasn’t quite the nostalgia-fest many were expecting, and the new songs aren’t quite as strong as their classic hits (although I’m sure they’ll grow on people) but overall, it was a camptastic, fun filled evening.
Setlist: 1. Oh L’Amour 2. Ship of Fools 3. Breathe 4. Mad As We Are 5. Just a Little Love 6. In My Arms 7. Chains of Love 8. Sacred 9. Sweet Summer Loving 10. I Love Saturday 11. Victim of Love 12. Phantom Bride 13. World Be Gone 14. Who Needs Love Like That 15. Take Me Out of Myself 16. Blue Savannah 17. Atomic (Blondie cover) 18. Drama! 19. Stop! 20. Love You to the Sky 21. Always 22. Here I Go Impossible Again 23. Sometimes Encore: 24. A Little Respect Erasure played at The Olympia Theatre, Dublin on 13th, 14th and 15th March EILE Magazine 45
Travel
Incredible savings on Caribbean cruises! No matter what your age, budget, or preferences are, there is a cruise to suit you! With these newly released offers, you have the perfect opportunity for the ultimate cruise trip, without breaking the bank. Let the scenery come to you on a magnificent cruise through the Caribbean on world-class ships that offer a wealth of entertainment from Broadway shows, excellent cuisine, exciting watersports and stunning views. What’s more, you can also combine your Caribbean cruise with a stay in some of America’s most sought-after cities to really amp up your trip, including Las Vegas, Miami and Orlando. There really is no better way than a USA cruise and stay! Orlando & Caribbean Cruise Spend 2 nights at the 3* Rosen Inn International, Orlando followed by a 7 night cruise onboard Oasis of the Seas from only €1,125pp. Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 9 nights’ accommodation as stated including a 7 night cruise, taxes and charges. Travel: 14th September 2018 Ref No: 1562291 Las Vegas & Eastern Caribbean Cruise Spend 4 nights at the 4* Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, 1 night at the 4* Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay followed by a 7 night cruise on-board MSC Seaside from only €1,119pp. Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 12 nights’ accommodation as stated including a 7 night cruise, internal flights, taxes and charges. Travel: 19th November 2018
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Ref No: 1564362 Cancun, Mexico & Eastern Caribbean Cruise Spend 6 nights at the 4* Panama Jack Resorts Gran Caribe All-Inclusive, 1 night at the 4* Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay followed by a 7 night cruise on-board MSC Seaside from only ₏1,975pp. Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 14 nights’ accommodation as stated including a 7 night cruise, internal flights, taxes and charges. Travel: 22nd September 2018 Ref No: 1564370 Call American Holidays to book on 01 673 3804 or call into their office just off Grafton Street - 18- 19 Duke Street, Dublin 2 where the expert staff will help you plan your holiday of a lifetime. For more information visit www.americanholidays.com.
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Travel
Be Part of the Symphony! Looking for the ultimate cruising experience? Then look no further than the brand new and worldclass Symphony of the Seas, launched just last week by Royal Caribbean. It is the largest cruise ship in the world, offering seven distinct experience areas, like the tree-lined Central Park and the luxury shop-filled Royal Promenade, creating unique opportunities for travellers to enjoy and explore. You will never tire of the dining options either, from Mexican to fresh seafood to American style burgers - the choices are endless. For adrenaline-packed adventure, Symphony of the Seas also has a 10-deck slide, the Ultimate Abyss, a rock climbing wall, a zip-line, sports courts, an ice rink, two flow-rider machines and numerous theme park style water slides. Enjoy jaw-dropping entertainment in the form of world-class Broadway shows, ice-dancing shows and out of this world performers at the Aqua theatre on the top deck. Some of the American Holidays team were lucky enough to be invited onboard last week and are brimming with excitement to use their knowledge to help you plan a holiday that will surpass your wildest dreams. Adrienne Keogh, General Manager at American 48 EILE Magazine
Holidays, was one of those lucky few. She said, “It’s been 15 years since I have been on a cruise ship and I was absolutely blown away by this ship. From the different neighbourhoods to the excellent bar and restaurant options - not to mention the fantastic amenities onboard. It was more like a floating resort! So much so, I actually had to take a moment on deck just to reconfirm that yes, this is in fact a ship!” Symphony of the Seas is an experience for all ages. Let American Holidays tailor make your dream with their amazing packages, for your perfect cruising holiday.
Florida Keys & Eastern Caribbean Cruise
Spend 1 night at the 4* Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, followed by 7 nights onboard Symphony of the Seas and 2 nights post-cruise at the 4* Sheraton Suites Key West from only €1,899pp. Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 10 nights’ accommodation as stated, Key West Sunset Dinner Cruise, 2 nights’ car hire, taxes and charges. Based on 2 adults sharing. Travel: November 2018 Ref No: 1563748
Miami Stay & Eastern Caribbean Cruise Spend 2 nights at the 4* Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay (1 pre and 1 post cruise), followed
by 7 nights onboard Symphony of the Seas and 2 nights post-cruise at the 4* Sheraton Suites Key West from only €1,475pp. Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 9 nights’ accommodation as stated, taxes and charges. Based on 2 adults sharing. Travel: December 2018 Ref No: 1567227
New York, Miami & Western Caribbean
Spend 2 nights at the 4* Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel, New York, 2 nights at the 4* Surfcomber South Beach Miami, followed by 7 nights onboard Symphony of the Seas and 2 nights post-cruise at the 4* Sheraton Suites Key West from only €2,215pp.
Price includes: Return flights ex. Dublin, 9 nights’ accommodation as stated, taxes and charges. Based on 2 adults sharing. Travel: January 2019 Ref No: 1567235 Call American Holidays to book on 01 673 3804 or drop into their office at 18- 19 Duke Street - just off Grafton Street - where the expert staff will help you plan your holiday of a lifetime. For more information visit www. americanholidays.com.
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Health
It’s Quittin’ Time Brian Rochford advises on strategies to help you quit smoking You want to stop smoking, but feel you can’t. The place to start is to develop a clear understanding as to how, and why, a person can become addicted to smoking. The more you understand the motivation, the easier it will be for you to overcome the habit. Habit is what it is, and the more aware you become of this fact, the more you will find better, and more effective, ways you can introduce new habits that will cancel out this very destructive one. It has been stated that nicotine disrupts the balance of chemicals in the brain - the most significant chemicals being noradrenalin and dopamine - and as these changes occur your focus and mood can alter. This shift in mood is one of the payoffs experienced by the smoker.
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As nicotine is inhaled, it enters the brain fast, and can be instrumental in reducing anxiety and stress levels. As a result, many users start to use this as a coping mechanism. The problem this creates is the more you use the substance, the more nicotine you will require to achieve the original effect.
exercising more. The increase in levels of oxygen means that you will be less tired, even less likely to have flus and common colds. Although it’s true that while in the process of quitting you will experience some stress, eventually you will experience less stress as you actively progress towards the achievement of your objective.
It naturally follows that when you decide to quit smoking, the levels of chemicals in the brain have now changed, and this can cause you to feel irritable, and even in some cases quite depressed.
There are some cosmetic benefits to stopping, like better younger-looking skin, not to mention whiter teeth, and it’s been said that you will be less likely to suffer from gum disease. Also, you will find that you breath is cleaner and fresher.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. As an ex-smoker, I feel it is important to emphasise that research has shown that from a few weeks to about 3 months after you stop smoking, your newlyimproved blood circulation means that it will now be easier for you to engage in activities like running, walking, and
Like with all changes and challenges, getting started can be difficult. Having a plan will help you to stay focused and motivated. In the early stages, it is important to keep busy, because when you have been doing something for a long time, it becomes part of
your daily routine, and when you suddenly stop, it feels like there is something missing. We are creatures of habit, so realising this fact can be significant in coping with the changes. Remember, you only have to get through one day at a time. It is important to recognise that there are triggers that unconsciously encourage you to smoke. If you can come to the conclusion that your habit is largely mental, you will be placed in a very strong position to succeed. Situations, people, and places add to the temptation, also certain times of the day when you usually take a smoke-break. Remaining in a positive state of mind can really help. Focusing on why you are doing it can help get you over the bumps in the road so to speak. We all know that achieving anything can be difficult, and changing
the habit of a lifetime is no different. Remember, when deciding to quit seek the advice of your doctor, as he or she will have some sound medical advice to offer, and will have helped others achieve their goals. It has been noted that a craving can last from 5 to 10 minutes, so have a strategy to deal with these moments. Some people have a song playlist that helps them through these times. Listening to your favourite music can help you feel positive and empowered. Deep breathing and relaxation techniques can also be a powerful way of blasting through the desire to fall back and give in to your cravings. It takes time to change so give yourself time, and don’t feel you have to build Rome in one day. There are ‘quit smoking’ Apps available that some people find helpful. Every hour
and every day that you distance yourself form this damaging habit makes you stronger, and more likely to reach your target. We are all different, so find what helps you. A daily exercise routine really helps, as it goes beyond the physical benefits to making you stronger mentally and emotionally. You will need to remain positive emotionally, because in times of stress and anxiety, there will be pressure to return to old familiar habits. There are also sound files available that you can listen to when you have time to relax, or when you are sleeping, that will help to mentally reinforce your commitment to stay smoke free. Remember, if you want to, you can say to yourself: It’s quittin’ time!
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Frances Winston on Movies Directed by: Greg Berlanti – Starring: Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Keiynan Lonsdale, Miles Heizer, Logan Miller, Talitha Bateman, Josh Duhamel
other as they debate how and when to come out and share their stories.
Romantic dramadies are 10-a-penny. Romantic dramadies with gay protagonists are not. In fact, mainstream big studio movies rarely take a chance on movies featuring a gay lead, often shoehorning them into someone else’s love story as the token gay best friend, or a tiny subplot.
Part of what makes this film so good is the familiarity. We have all seen these high school coming-of-age dramas. The only difference is that the protagonist is gay. And aside from the blackmail drama, there is a sweet mystery at the heart of this, as Simon tries to figure out who his mystery online penpal is, as his feelings for them grow.
This is what makes Love, Simon so refreshing. Based on the book, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, it follows closested teen, Simon Spier (Robinson) as he navigates his way through coming out. He has a wonderful family and fantastic friends and a very normal life, and is afraid of what his revelation will do to that. When another teen comes out on an anonymous website, he begins an email correspondence with them, and the two support each
Unfortunately, a cruel classmate, Martin (Miller) manages to screengrab their messages, and uses them to blackmail Simon into setting him up with one of his friends, and he must now face up to the reality of being publicly outed if he doesn’t do as they say.
The words sweet and charming are bandied about a lot for movies like this, but Love, Simon is truly is one of the sweetest movies you will encounter. It completely normalises the fact that Simon is gay, and doesn’t use it as a sensational kickingoff point. It is probably an important moment in the battle for inclusion, but these facts only become apparent in hindsight, several years later. It is ridiculously funny, but also deeply moving, and it is
almost impossible not to fall in love with it. All of the actors do a fantastic job, and Robinson is amazing as Simon. Garner and Duhamel as his parents are surprisingly good, and very much a part of his story, rather than being sidelined to focus on the teens. This is aided by a witty, warm, and thoughtful script. There is also some lovely cinematography, and a belting soundtrack holds it all together. This has all the benchmarks of an instant classic that you could watch again and again, and should definitely help some young people struggling to come out. While everyone’s coming out story is different, the angst people feel about how other’s will react is the same. By showing this as a normal part of the growing up experience, and that everyone else is also suffering angst over something, they have managed to strip away a lot of the stigma. Not just a fantastic movie, but an important movie in terms of the LGBT community, this will warm the cockles of your heart, and leave you with the warm and fuzzies.
In Cinemas Now!
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Michael Inside
Dafhyd Flynn
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Frances Winston on Movies continued...
Directed by Frank Berry – Starring: Dafhyd Flynn, Lalor Roddy, Moe Dunford
prison guard ruthlessly lashing out for no reason. This makes for a refreshing watch, and ensures you remain interested.
drama. When it happens though, it is raw and visceral, and feels very real, rather than something staged for the screen.
Michael Inside hits cinemas with the benefit of a Best Picture win at the IFTAs behind it, which is sure to generate interest from the cinema-going public. In fact, it has been widely acclaimed and praised – so much so that you might think it’s too good to be true. It’s not however.
In other hands, this could have been a totally depressing and turgid pity-fest. But Berry has managed to create a multi-layered piece. He deals with the ripple effects of Michael’s actions for all concerned, including his family and friends, and he does so without judgment throughout, allowing the audience to make up their own minds.
Completely compelling, this is one of the best Irish films in years, and will linger with you long after you leave the cinema.
This is part coming-ofage drama and part prison drama. Both genres are wellworn, but the fusing of the two is unusual. Here the eponymous Michael (Dafhyd Flynn) finds himself incarcerated, after he foolishly holds drugs for a friend’s brother. Although he acts like a tough guy, prison is something of a rude awakening for him. Just wanting to keep his head down and do his time, some fellow inmates have other ideas, and once you are in the system it is difficult to get out. Somehow Berry has managed to totally avoid prison-movie stereotypes. There are no good-guy mentors taking Michael under their wing. No allusions to sexual tensions between the men. No brutish
In Cinemas Now!
Everything here is wellthought-out, from the colour and textures to the soundtrack to the almost claustrophobic cell-shots. Flynn is an excellent choice for the role of Michael. He plays him restrained and thoughtful, and looks youthful enough that you feel for his predicament, but not so much that you think him completely naïve. He works especially well with Lalor Roddy as his grandfather, who stands by him through everything. There are one or two scenes that will somewhat shock, but overall, Berry has kept the violence pretty low-key, particularly for a prison
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Frances Winston on Movies continued...
Directed by: The Russo Brothers – Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Ten years and 19 movies in the making, this epic offering sees almost every single star of the MCU (that’s Marvel Cinematic Universe to the uninitiated) come together on the big screen. Although people are dying to know what it’s about, we’ve been asked to write spoiler-free reviews.What I can tell you is that they are brought together in their quest to defeat an evil entity called Thanos, who is collecting Infinity Stones, which will give him the ability to bend reality and end the universe. Thus The Avengers are forced back together, working alongside The Guardians of the Galaxy to try and stop him. From the opening scene which sees Thanos taking on Thor, it rarely stops for breath with action-scene after actionscene after action-scene. I’ve often written that movies like this are roller-coasters, but Avengers – Infinity War is more like visiting Six Flags Magic Mountain (a rollercoaster theme park, where you can ride roller-coasters all day). This, however, is often at the cost of the emotional arc that usually accompanies Marvel movies, and is part of their
formula for success. With so many characters kicking so much ass, it is hard to become invested in any one story, and because of this Avengers – Infinity War loses some of the heart that is usually at the forefront of Marvel films. Yes, it’s big and noisy and bloated and expensive, and you will get swept up in the spectacle, so much that you won’t notice the missing character arcs until afterwards, but you will have a niggling sense that this is different. That aside, all the actors give fantastic performances (as they should at this stage given how often most of them have played these characters) and everyone really does seem to be having great fun. Our own Tom Vaughan Lawlor is even in there, but I won’t spoil it by telling you who he plays. See if you can spot him. There are some very witty moments in the script – Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, and Chris Pratt in particular fare well with the one liners – and some brilliantly-thought-out throwbacks for diehard fans of the comics and movies. Although there are many, many, many, action-scenes, each one is stand-alone, and they look fantastic and are as spectacular as you would expect. It probably helps that this story spans several countries and planets, so they had plenty of scenarios to choose from. Avengers – Infinity War never lets up its pace, which by the end of
the 149 minutes is somewhat exhausting. However, this running-time is necessary to encompass the story fully, and somehow the Russo brothers manage to keep the balls in the air throughout, and never allow this to dip. Since Avengers – Infinity War is a two-part movie, it is not a spoiler to say that it leaves you hanging, which is somewhat dissatisfying. Especially following on from the numerous OMG moments throughout. I’m not sure what the record for saying “Oh my God!” while watching a movie is, but I’m pretty sure I, and many other reviewers, broke it at this screening, and everyone seemed almost shell-shocked by the twist it took. I can honestly say I did not see it coming, but rather than getting excited about it, I was almost disappointed to have been taken on such a journey for that particular payoff. Avengers – Infinity War is big and brash and lacking the depth of some previous offerings. But it is also thrilling and exciting, and a total spectacle. It will leave you conflicted and confused, but also wanting to know what happens next. Avengers – Infinity War lives up to its hype and then some, however it will leave you feeling slightly cheated. But I’m now counting the hours to the sequel, so I guess it has done its job. In Cinemas Now!
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Ross O’Carroll-Kelly’s Postcards from The Ledge Theatre Review by Frances Winston
Love him or loathe him, rugby jock, Ross O’CarrollKelly is now a bona fide popicon. Even if you haven’t followed his adventures from day one, he has a way of tapping into the zeitgeist, meaning that everyone can relate to his adventures on some level. Here we fast-forward to 2029, where our eponymous hero (or antihero depending on your feelings) is the MD of estate agents, Hook, Lyon and Sinker. Arriving to value a charming abode with scope for improvement 58 EILE Magazine
(or in lay terms an ugly, structurally unsound hovel that needs the plumbing and electrics redone) he is taken aback when he realises it was, in fact, his childhood home. Thus begins a trip down memory lane, as he recalls his upbringing, reflecting on everything from his parent’s relationship to his first crush. All the while, he is fielding calls from assorted family members, since this also happens to be daughter, Honor’s wedding day – but he is refusing to give her away. Rory Nolan reprises the role of Ross, which he has played to great acclaim in the previous three stage outings over the past decade. However, this time round, there is no supporting cast (other than on the end of the phone) and it is left to him to command the stage, and tell his story.
To command an audience for what is basically a two-hour monologue is no mean feat, and Nolan is extremely impressive. His energy is infectious as he bounds through the story, channelling Ross’s legendary arrogance and swagger. While other characters come and go via telephone calls, Nolan’s co-star here is really the set, which is extremely impressive. Setdesigner, Grace Smart, has created a fantastic backdrop for the show, featuring the façade of the aforementioned house, and its front yard and immediate surrounds. It allows Nolan plenty to work with, as he segues between Ross’s yarns. There were some sound issues on the night I attended, but I’m sure they were rectified, and overall the sound design works, with the phone calls and
other interruptions to Ross’s train of thought appearing seamless. What elevates this above just a guy on a stage telling a story, are the zinging oneliners buried throughout the script. Many of the circumstances that Ross finds himself in are pretty everyday fare. But it is the inverted snobbery, and writer Paul Howard’s ability to mine a gag from even the most seemingly mundane circumstance, that really keeps the momentum going.
Very few people wouldn’t find something to laugh at in this. This is far from a deep thought-provoking drama, and it wouldn't leave you pondering the meaning of life, but it would tickle your funny-bone and raise your spirits. It felt far shorter than its 2hour running time (which is always a good sign) and you'd exit the theatre with a smile on your face, which should qualify as a good evening’s entertainment by anyone’s standards.
Ross O’Carroll-Kelly’s Postcards from The Ledge (written by Paul Howard, and directed by Jimmy Fay) played at The Gaiety Theatre, South King Street, Dublin 2, from 9th until 14th April.
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Theatre Review: The Unmanageable Sisters Review by Frances Winston If you’ve seen the posters for this play, you’ll know that while it might not quite have a cast of thousands, it boasted a rather large and impressive ensemble, the size of which you would usually only see in a West End Musical. There were no less than 15 – count ‘em 15 – of Ireland’s finest female thesps on the stage (and a special guest appearance by the voice of the lovely Owen Roe). In an era where everyone is now hyper-sensitive about female representation in the arts, no one could complain that this play wasn’t meeting its quota of women castmembers! Based on acclaimed French Canadian playwright, Michel Tremblay’s acclaimed work, Les Belles-Soeurs, the action is transported by Deirdre Kinahan to Ballymun in 1974, 60 EILE Magazine
where Rose O’Brien has just won one million Green Shield stamps, and has decided to have a party, so her friends and family can help her stick them into booklets. But with pretty much everyone jealous of her win, a rogue sister looming large, and a tempestuous daughter who rebels against everything she says, this could turn out to be one of the longest evenings of her life. This was like watching a soapopera. Fair City on speed springs to mind. It had a manic energy, but all the soapy elements you would expect in an episode of any serial drama – even a cliffhanger ending before the interval. The script is peppered with one-liners, which were marvellously brought to life by the cast, and each character got their moment in the spotlight. This was no mean feat, given the number of people on stage at any one time. Indeed any female actors looking for audition monologues could
do worse than check out this script, as it caters to all stages of women’s lives. The set was straight out of On The Buses, or some similar 70s’ comedy or kitchen-sink drama. The whole play was set in Rose’s tiny flat in the Ballymun Towers, and the attention to detail was astonishing, down to the peeling paint in the corners of the ceiling. Musically, it let itself down somewhat. Don’t get me wrong, the songs were fantastic, but some of them were released after the date the play is set in, and it is details like that that can confuse an audience. They were wonderfully high-energy and used well, but having them accurate to the era would have made such a difference. One other thing that let this down somewhat was that it had one or two scenes where its politics were really in your face. It is absolutely fine to use theatre as a political forum, but these scenes seemed rather forced, and did detract
somewhat from the play.
Cast
As I left the preview I attended, I heard a few people comment that there were references in the play that they hadn’t heard in years, and indeed for people of a certain age, this was a total nostalgia fest.
· Rose O’Brien: Karen Ardiff
· Dolly Snow: Rynagh O’Grady
· Gabby Joyce: Clare Barrett
· Lisa Pearse: Caoimhe O’Malley
· Lilly de Courcey: Charlotte Bradley
· Teresa Doyle: Catherine Walsh
On the other end of the spectrum, for the incredibly PC brigade, it meant that there were one or two references that were appropriate to the setting, but would be deemed unthinkable by today’s standards.
· Angie Smith: Catherine Byrne
That aside, this was very entertaining, incredibly witty, and wonderfully staged. Its occasional in-your-face political assertions aside, this would leave you with a smile on your face.
· Olive Doyle: Noelle Brown
· Additional Voices by: Owen Roe
· Ruthie Barrett: Rachael Dowling · Marie Boyle: Tina Kellegher · Patsy Guerin: Lisa Lambe · Janet Mooney: Sarah Madigan · Linda Lawless: Clare Monnelly · Yvonne Long: Mary O’Driscoll · Ger Lawless: Marion O’Dwyer
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Theatre Review: Purgatory – Anarchic Part II - at The International Bar, Dublin -Review by Frances Winston Purgatory: Anarchic Part II played at The International Bar, 23 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2, and ran until March 24th, 6.30 pm
downtrodden man forced to face up to the realities of his life, when he is presented with a mysterious book, which knows more about his life than he does.
To write one play is a big ask, so to write and produce three simultaneously is quite an undertaking, but that is exactly what writer and director, Luke Corcoran, has done here – for the second time. As the title suggests this is actually the second part of his Purgatory: Anarchic series.
A quick straw poll of the audience the night I attended showed that there was no one firm standout, with everyone favouring a different one out of the three offerings. Personally, I found Presents the most engaging. The characters were well-formed, and it had some truly hilarious moments, which balanced well with the more serious elements of the story. I could also see this working really well as a short film.
The three plays in question here – Presents, Jobber, and The Book of Karl, are a very mixed bag. Avoiding the temptation to have a common thread running through them, they are all standalone pieces of around 25 minutes in duration. Presents tells the story of a first date, made all the more unusual by the fact that both parties imaginary childhood friends attend with them. In the case of the female, Clare (played by Amy Gallagher) her ‘friend’ is actually played by a man in drag (Dave T. Kelly in his stage debut) which adds a quirky comedic element to proceedings. Jobber sees a man encounter his father in a rather embarrassing work situation, forcing them both to confront home truths. Meanwhile, The Book of Karl sees a
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Jobber was probably my least favourite, partly because the setup is rather contrived, although the two actors, Jason Deeney and Padraic McGinley, had a fantastic chemistry, and worked brilliantly together. Once you got past the initial premise, they had some lovely and poignant scenes. The Book of Karl tackles the difficult issue of abuse through an absurdist style story, and again has some lovely moments in it, and a fantastic performance from Barry O’Brien as the eponymous Karl. He is a great physical actor, and really throws himself into the material. I did feel that there was quite a lot of repetition in this one, however, and at times it was very ‘shouty’, which even in heightened scenes isn’t always necessary.
With a quick turnaround between the plays (there is a brief interval between Jobber and Book of Karl) you barely have time to process one work before it is on to the next one, and it often feels somewhat frantic. This is both good and bad, as all three works touch on sensitive issues at some point, and it is often good to absorb this for a while afterwards. However, this also means you don’t dwell on the subjects, which, given that some of them may be distressing to people, could be beneficial to people’s theatrical experience. It is tricky to pull off such an ambitious project in a venue such as The International, which has no wings to enter and exit from, and a small stage which doesn’t allow much in the way of props, but Corcoran has made it
work here. Overall it is a wonderful project with some lovely writing in parts. There are some sections in all three that could do with slight tweaking, but the ideas and the core of the pieces are there. He’s done well to assemble such great casts, given that there are eight actors overall, and all were being rehearsed at the same time. Perhaps tackling two plays next time rather than three might make for a slightly richer experience, as there is a huge amount going on here, but overall, this is worth a look if you want to see some real up and coming talent in action, both behind the scenes and front of house.
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‘Niteflyers’ filming in Limerick at Troy Studios
Netflix has released a first look teaser for Nightflyers whi
Based on George R. R. Martin’s novella, Nightflyers is set in the future, on the eve of Earth’s dest intercept a mysterious alien spacecraft t
As the crew nears their destination, they discover that the ship’s artificial intelligence and never-s of sp
Gretchen Mol (“Boardwalk Empire”) stars as Dr. Agatha Matheson, alongside Eoin Macken (“ (“EastEnders”) as Thale, Maya Eshet (“Teen Wolf”) as Lommie, Angus Sampson (“Fargo”) as R Dollar Baby”
Nightflyers will air exclusively on Netflix 64 EILE Magazine
ich is currently being filmed at Troy Studios in Limerick.
truction. A crew of explorers journey on the most advanced ship in the galaxy, The Nightflyer, to that might hold the key to their survival.
seen captain may be steering them into deadly and unspeakable horrors deep in the dark reaches pace.
“The Night Shift”) as Karl D’Branin, David Ajala (“Fast & Furious 6”) as Roy Eris, Sam Strike Rowan, Jodie Turner-Smith (“The Last Ship”) as Melantha Jhirl, and Brían F. O’Byrne (“Million ”) as Auggie.
x worldwide, excluding the United States. EILE Magazine 65
BeLonG To Free Counselling for LGBT Young People 14 to 23 Years Old 66 EILE Magazine
Free Counselling Service for LGBTI Youth
Working with Pieta House, BeLonG To provides a free counselling service for LGBTI+ young people in Dublin city centre. This vital service is for 14-23-year-olds, who are self-harming or thinking of suicide. The free, confidential counselling sessions take place every Wednesday and Friday 9am1pm. According to the 2016 LGBTIreland Report, LGBTI+ teenagers are are twice as likely to self-harm, and three times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. This is a vital service for LGBTI young people, and will let them know that they are not alone when feeling lonely and vulnerable. Help is available. The 50-minute sessions take place at BeLonG To, 13 Parliament St, Dublin 2. Please Note: Young people under 18 years need parental/guardian consent. To make an appointment, call 01 462 4792 or email belongto@pieta.ie EILE Magazine 67
Rejoice – RU PAUL’S DRAG RACE is back! (And lots more on Netflix in April) RU PAUL’S DRAG RACE IS BACK! (Season 10 with new episodes on Fridays, which started on Friday, 23rd March). So now it’s back, no more excuses. Clear your diary, look glamorous, and join your squirrel friends for weekly episodes, filled to the brim with fake tan, fabulous eyelashes and, of course, DRAMAAAA. Okurrrr?! And…if your excitement has hit the roof and you can’t wait for the next episode, get a grip and rewatch your favourite episodes, 'cause Seasons 2-9 available on Netflix now. Ru Paul joins a whole host of other shows streaming on Netflix Ireland, just hours after their US broadcast! Lots more goodies are on Netflix in April, from David Letterman with Jay-Z to Monty Python.
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‘WILL & GRACE’ Return Gets Season 3 Pick-up The return of ‘Will & Grace’, which began as an Internet reunion that turned into a one-season order and then a two-season order before it even went back on the air last fall, has just been ordered for a third season to premiere in fall 2019.
With its razor-sharp wit intact and all four Emmy Award-winning actors back at the top of their game, one of the best NBC Must See comedies will return for an 18episode third season. In addition, the network has increased the season two order, which will begin again next fall, from 13 to 18 episodes. The announcement was made by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. “As far as I’m concerned, we can’t get enough of ‘Will & Grace’ and 23 more episodes is music to my ears,” Greenblatt said. “We’re eternally grateful that Debra, Eric, Sean and Megan feel the same way and wanted to keep this good thing going. I’m overwhelmed by the euphoric response the new show has received from the press and the audience, and my hat is off to the unrivaled writing team of Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, as well as the brilliant directing of Jimmy Burrows, for consistently delivering one of the best shows on television.” So far this season ‘Will & Grace’ is averaging a 3.1 rating in adults 18-49 and 9.8 million viewers overall in “live plus seven day” figures from Nielsen Media Research. ‘Will & Grace’ is NBC’s most-watched primetime comedy at this point in the season in eight years and has improved its Thursday timeslot by +48% versus NBC’s year-ago results for regular non-sports programming in 18-49. ‘Will & Grace’ has received critical acclaim since the show’s return in September. “Watching it is like running into an old flame who looks fantastic and is as bright and fun as ever,” said The New York Times. Entertainment Weekly wrote that “‘Will & Grace’ has been just as incredible as the original series: hilarious, poignant,
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From left: Sean Hayes, Debra Messing, Eric McCormack,
contemporary” while USA Today added, “Watching the foursome is like taking in a tango by professional dancers.”
‘Will & Grace’ stars Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally.
Season one has been highlighted by an array of top guest stars, including Jennifer Lopez, Alec Baldwin, Minnie Driver, Ben Platt, Molly Shannon, Jane Lynch, Andrew Rannells and more.
Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, who co-created the series, write and executive produce. James Burrows directs and executive produces. ‘Will & Grace’ is produced by Universal Television.
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Photo: Charlotte Hadden
UK: Terrence Higgins Trust Launches New Report On Women With HIV – Invisible No Longer The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) in the UK has launched a new report with Sophia Forum that shines a spotlight on the needs of women affected by HIV. Here are the key findings: Women make up one third of people living with HIV in the UK, yet are left out of research, decision-making and service design and delivery. Women’s experiences of living with HIV, and the impact it has on their lives, vary widely. Almost half (45%) of women living with HIV in the UK live below the poverty line. Over half of women living with HIV in the UK have experienced violence because of their HIV status. 72 EILE Magazine
Nearly one third (31%) have avoided or delayed attending healthcare in the past year due to fear of discrimination. Two thirds (67%) are not satisfied with their sex lives. Two in five (42%) said that HIV impacted their decisions on whether to have children. Despite this, half of women living with HIV (49%) described their quality of life as ‘good’ or ‘very good’, while a further 38% called it ‘acceptable’. On HIV prevention, little effort has been made to define who women at risk of HIV are. Nearly half the respondents (42%) felt that barriers prevent them from testing for HIV, and no woman spoken to had yet chosen to access PrEP. About the project Women and HIV: Invisible No Longer was a one-year
project led by Sophia Forum and Terrence Higgins Trust. It aimed to set out clear recommendations for policy and service development to ensure that greater focus is given to women affected by HIV. The project used existing evidence and generated new data with over 340 women involved in the project’s surveys and workshops. It aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the situation for women in the UK living with or vulnerable to acquiring HIV. The project was focused on all women including trans women. It focused on women of any sexuality, any ethnicity, whether they do or do not have children, or are pregnant. The project was co-produced
with women living with and affected by HIV. What THT are calling for The full report details a range of recommendations for action. These five key asks summarise the changes they need and want to see to ensure that women are Invisible No Longer in HIV prevention, care, support, research and data in the UK. Achieve gender parity in the UK HIV response, ensuring equitable investment, priority and attention to women in HIV prevention, research, data and services Ensure that HIV research addresses specific knowledge gaps around HIV and women and supports the full participation and meaningful involvement of women Prioritise reducing late diagnosis of HIV among women, better explore the use of innovative HIV testing approaches, and improve rates of HIV test offers and uptake in different settings Improve data collection and disaggregation on HIV and women, ensure local level data is available, and include sexuality data for women in national reporting Invest in HIV support services that meet women’s needs holistically and enable women to not just live well but to thrive, including peer support and support for mental health and genderbased violence Why it’s important to focus on women and HIV Around a third of people living with HIV in the UK are women, and a quarter of all new HIV diagnoses are in women. Yet women living
with and affected by HIV have been mainly invisible in the narrative and response to HIV in the UK. THT know little about what it means to be a woman in the UK living with or at risk of HIV. They don’t know enough about what women’s needs are or what interventions are in place to meet these needs. But they do know that women are not seen as a 'key target' for HIV interventions. This must change. Take action THT are asking people to pledge to make sure women are Invisible No Longer when it comes to HIV. They are asking people to join them in calling for a far greater focus on women living with and affected by HIV on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by sharing their pledge. The Pledge I pledge to make sure women are #InvisibleNoLonger when it comes to HIV: www.tht.org.uk/ invisiblenolonger http://www.tht.org.uk/~/media/ O094%20Campaign/women-and-HIV_ report_final.pdfInvisible No Longer: http://www.tht.org.uk/~/media/ O094%20Campaign/women-and-HIV_ summary_final.pdf If you’re living with HIV, join women's http://www.tht.org.uk/myhiv/ Services/Forums (Sundays 7pm).
(eile.ie 24 April 2018) EILE Magazine 73
TENI: New helpline for families of trans and gender nonconforming people launches A new volunteer-led listening and support service, for families of trans and gender non-conforming people in Ireland, is to be launched today, Friday 23 March 2018, at 11.30 am, at the Hilton Hotel, Kilmainham, Dublin 8. The Gender Identity Family Support Line (01 9073707) is an initiative of Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) and LGBT Ireland. Dr Colman Noctor, noted child and adolescent psychotherapist, author, lecturer, and media contributor, will launch the service. Speaking ahead of the launch, CEO of LGBT Ireland, Paula Fagan, said: “While we have run the national LGBT Helpline for many years, this is the first such service aimed exclusively at families of trans and gender non-conforming people in Ireland. Working on the premise of ‘families supporting families’, volunteers have undergone extensive training in active listening and support techniques, and will be supervised by staff of LGBT Ireland and TENI in the operation of the helpline.” Welcoming the new service, TENI Health and Education Manager, Vanessa Lacey, commented: “I am thrilled to see this much-needed service launched today. In recent times we have experienced an exponential rise of young-people experiencing gender related issues. TENI is proud to have been in a position to support families on their road to understanding the needs of loved ones, including through our national family support network TransparenCI. “Through these services, we aim to support all families undertaking this journey, including parents, grand-parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, foster-families and carers of trans people”, she added. “As the parent of a child who transitioned, I know first hand the dizzying array of questions and concerns that arise within families and how disruptive those experiences can be,” said Catherine Cross, TENI’s Education and Family Support Officer.
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“Through these services, we aim to support all families undertaking this journey, including parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings, foster-families and carers of trans people”,
“Meeting families in similar circumstances, I found that we were not the only family learning to support each other and coping with the many conflicting feelings that arise. Having someone to talk to, and to listen, means that as a family, you are not alone.”
Gender Identity Family Support Line – Telephone 01 907 3707
The Gender Identity Family Support Line will commence operating this coming Sunday 25 March from 6pm to 9pm, and subsequently on the second and fourth Sunday of each month at this time. The initiative is supported by a grant from the Dormant Accounts Fund administered through the HSE.
LGBT Ireland is a national charitable organisation, which provides quality support, advocacy and training services to enhance the visibility, rights and inclusion of LGBT people living in Ireland.
Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) seeks to improve conditions and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families.
(eile.ie 23 March 2018)
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TENI’s Sara Phillips for Grand Marshall of Dublin Pride Parade 2018 Congratulations to Sara Phillips, Chair of TENI, who is to be the Grand Marshall of the Dublin Pride Parade 2018, where the theme this year is ‘We Are Family’. Sara has been with TENI since the beginning in 2006, was appointed Chair in 2012, and is now in her second term at this position. (eile.ie 23 March 2018)
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Sara Phillips, Chair of TENI - Image: independent.ie
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Irish LGBT Dictionary ‘An Foclóir Aiteach’ launched at DCU, Dublin ‘An Foclóir Aiteach’ (the Queer Dictionary) has been launched at DCU in Dublin . On Wednesday 21 March, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Minister of State for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh TD, launched the Irish dictionary, which is a collaboration between TENI, BeLonG To Youth Services, and Union of Students in Ireland (USI). TENI say that many of the words included have been translated for the first time, so that LGBTI+ people can speak about their lives in the Irish language. (eile.ie 23 March 2018)
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US: Carson Admits Ignoring Protections for LGBTQ in Homeless Shelters Yesterday (20th) LGBTQ rights group, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) in the US, criticised Secretary Ben Carson’s admission that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is delaying important resources protecting LGBTQ people in homeless shelters. Carson testified yesterday during a budget hearing before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, HUD, and related agencies. “Ben Carson [..] testified before Congress that he is ignoring protections for LGBTQ people in homeless shelters, and defended his inaction by citing debunked and meanspirited claims about transgender people that completely lack merit,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “The level of ignorance he has consistently shown as the nation’s top housing official is deeply alarming, and has clear consequences for LGBTQ people who experience disproportionate rates of homelessness. When homeless shelters become unwelcome spaces for LGBTQ people, the consequences are devastating.” Ben Carson has a long history of opposing LGBTQ equality, and has been key a figure in the Trump-Pence Administration’s efforts to attack the civil rights of LGBTQ people. Only two weeks ago, Carson floated a new HUD Department mission statement that removed mention of fighting discrimination in housing. Last year, HUD withdrew a notice requiring emergency shelters, receiving HUD funding, to post information about LGBTQ people’s rights to access shelter safely, and in accordance with their gender identity. During a separate budget hearing yesterday, Betsy DeVos defended the Department of Education’s refusal to investigate reports of discrimination against transgender
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Ben Carson – Image: REUTERS/Steve Marcus
students, in direct conflict with federal court rulings. Last month, HRC called out the Department’s decision to advance the dangerous TrumpPence anti-LGBTQ agenda. (eile.ie 21 March 2018)
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Design: Anthony Zagariko, exclusively for EILE Magazine
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Quality LGBT News and Features – Produced from Los Angeles Available via podcast on our website (thiswayout.org) or on iTunes, and on 200+ Radio Stations Worldwide!
thiswayout.org | Twitter: @TWORadio Overnight Productions (Inc.)/”This Way Out” Post Office Box 1065 Los Angeles, CA 90078 U.S.A. EILE Magazine 83
Brazil: Transgender Legal Recognition Supreme Court Removes Medical and Judicial Criteria to Change Legal Gender Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled that the government can no longer require transgender people who want their name and gender marker on identification documents changed to undergo medical procedures or subject their decisions to judicial review. Last week’s decision is a major shift that reflects increasing global momentum to recognize transgender people’s rights to dignity and recognition before the law. Transgender people in Brazil had previously been able to change their names and legal gender in the national civil registry and on some identification documents – but only after undergoing mandatory psychiatric evaluations and surgical procedures and obtaining a judicial order from the Public Prosecutor. Countries around the world have changed their policies on legal gender recognition in recent years to ones based on rights and a person’s self-identification, not the approval of any doctor, psychologist, judge, or other authority. Argentina was the first country to do so with a 2012 law considered the gold standard for legal gender recognition. There, anyone older than 18 can choose their legal gender and revise official documents without judicial or medical approval. In subsequent years, Colombia, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, and Malta eliminated significant barriers to legal gender recognition. Courts in India, Nepal, and Botswana have also called on governments to recognize gender identity. On January 9, 2018, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued an advisory opinion asserting that countries should establish fast, inexpensive, and straightforward procedures to ensure legal gender recognition based solely on the self-perceived identity of a person.
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Brazil is now part of this change. People should not be forced to carry an identity marker that does not reflect who they are. Recognizing peoples’ self-identified gender is not asking governments to acknowledge any new or special rights. Instead, it is a commitment to the core idea that governments will not decide for people who they are. (eile.ie 19 March 2018)
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Irish Senator proposes bill to ban LGBT conversion therapies An Irish Senator has introduced a bill that would ban so-called conversion therapies claiming to ‘cure’ LGBT people. Fintan Warfield, a senator with Irish nationalist party, Sinn Fein, proposed the bill on Wednesday, to ban conversion therapy as a “deceptive and harmful act or practice against a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and, or gender expression”. View image on Twitter View image on Twitter Fintan Warfield@ fintanwarfield Today, I have launched legislation which aims to prohibit conversion therapy, as a deceptive and harmful act or practice against a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and, or gender expression.
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11:30 AM – Mar 14, 2018 Despite global gains in LGBT rights, many gay people are still forced to undergo archaic and invasive therapy, based on the idea that homosexuality is a mental disorder or medical condition. Although conversion therapy has been widely discredited, only Brazil, Ecuador and Malta have nationwide bans, says the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). Such therapies could have a “negative impact on people’s mental health, as they can lead to lower self-esteem, depression and suicidal ideation,” Evelyne Paradis, executive director of ILGAEurope, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “Legislation sends out a powerful message that stigma masquerading as ‘therapy’ will not be tolerated by modern societies … and we encourage Irish parliamentarians to quickly
pick up this really important issue,” she said by email. Under the bill, individuals found guilty of performing conversion therapy on another person, could be fined up to 10,000 euros ($12,351) and face up to a year in prison. Irish politicians have called on Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s first openly gay [Taoiseach] to raise LGBT rights at a meeting on Friday with US Vice President Mike Pence, who has expressed staunchly anti-gay rights views. Ireland made history in 2015 as the first country to legalize gay marriage by popular ballot. In the referendum, 62 percent voted in favour, in a nation that was once dominated by the Catholic Church. -Zoe Tabary, Thomson Reuters Foundation (eile.ie 16 March 2018)
Irish Senator Fintan Warfield
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Stonewall UK Criticise Voter ID Pilots In Local Elections In Britain, on 3 May 2018, local government elections will be taking place across London. The British Government is planning to pilot a new voter identification scheme in polling stations, in Woking, Gosport, Bromley, Watford and Swindon. This would require individuals to bring photo ID with them to be able to vote. Stonewall UK are concerned by some unintended consequences of these pilots, and their use of photo ID. In principle, voter ID regulations are intended to crackdown on electoral fraud. But there’s very little evidence of electoral fraud actually being a problem that would support implementing these trials. In 2016, out of nearly 64 million votes, there were only 44 allegations of fraud. That’s just one case for every 1.5 million votes cast. The Electoral Commission further revealed that 3.5 million people (7.5% of the electorate) in Britain do not have access to any form of photo ID. Getting access to approved ID can be very difficult for minority groups, including trans, BAME, disabled, and homeless people. It is also a complicated and costly process. A provisional driving licence can cost £32, while a passport is £72.50. For a homeless person who has lost their ID, applying for, and being able to afford, new ID represents a challenge that many won’t be able to overcome. The reality is voter ID schemes create barriers to voting that would disproportionately disenfranchise minority groups. The LGBT community is an incredibly diverse group that of course includes BAME, older, disabled, homeless, trans and non-binary people. LGBT people make up part of those 3.5 million people who do not have photo ID, and face being denied their vote at the polling station. BAME and diasporic activists in Britain have voiced their concerns about how such
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voting restrictions hurt ethnic minority groups. These concerns have also been raised in other countries. In fact, the US Supreme Court recently made a decision to strike down a North Carolina voter ID law that unfairly targeted “African-Americans with almost surgical precision.” In addition, trans and non-binary people could be particularly vulnerable to this proposed photo ID pilot. In the boroughs set to trial voter ID, trans and non-binary people may not have photo identification that reflects their gender expression or identity. This is likely to lead to confusion or challenges from staff at polling stations. Even if trans people have registered with their correct details, they may be challenged by staff if the name on their ID differs from that of their Deed Poll. In its current form, this pilot scheme would affect many members of the LGBT community who live in the chosen boroughs. Even though the participating Local Authorities have tried to address concerns with plans to provide alternative options for those without photo ID, Stonewall are concerned that it doesn’t go far enough. They’re urging the Government to reconsider this proposal, and take steps to engage communities in developing future pilots that will help – not hinder – the number and diversity of people voting in elections. -Stonewall UK (eile.ie 15 March 2018)
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