brunch club cabaret line dancing
tickets & info at brighton-pride.org
Sunday 6th August 2017 • 2pm-12midnight Pride Pleasure Gardens, Old Steine, Brighton, BN1 1EH Free entry to the Pleasure Gardens 2.00pm – 6.00pm for Pride Festival & PVP ticket holders* Tickets are required for Brüt Teadance in Club Tropicana 2.00pm – 12 midnight • £5 advance* BRUT TENT Louis Lennon Chris Brogan Ross Jones * subject to capacity
WUFF TENT (Pop/R&B & Disco Classics ) Dj Dreadful Beary Ceary James Eagan
CABARET STAGE Meth & the Family Fierce The Sex Shells Mzz Kimberley & more tbc
JULY 2017
CONTENTS
GSCENE magazine ) www.gscene.com
MISS JASON @ GOLDEN HANDBAGS
t @gscene f GScene.Brighton PUBLISHER Peter Storrow TEL 01273 749 947 EDITORIAL info@gscene.com ADS+ARTWORK design@gscene.com
EDITORIAL TEAM
BIG HAIR DAY
James Ledward, Graham Robson, Sarah Green, Gary Hart, Alice Blezard SPORTS EDITOR Paul Gustafson ARTS EDITOR Michael Hootman SUB EDITOR Graham Robson DESIGN Michèle Allardyce
FRONT COVER
CHARLES STREET
MODELS Lukas Beachey, Ms Sugar Swan & Jak Ateara PHOTOGRAPHER Hugo Michiels Photography
NEWS 6 News
CONTRIBUTORS Simon Adams, Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Suchi Chatterjee, Sophie Cook, Craig Hanlon-Smith, Samuel Hall, Jak, Enzo Marra, Carl Oprey, Eric Page, Del Sharp, Gay Socrates, Brian Stacey, Michael Steinhage, Sugar Swan, Glen Stevens, Duncan Stewart, Craig Storrie, Mike Wall, Netty Wendt, Roger Wheeler
PHOTOGRAPHERS
SCENE LISTINGS 26 Gscene Out & About 30 Brighton & Hove 42 Solent PRISCILLAS
Alice Blezard, Jack Lynn, James Ledward, Graham Hobson @captaincockroachphotographer, Hugo Michiels Photography, Stella Pix
ARTS 46 48 48 49 50
Arts News All That Jazz Art Matters Classical Notes Page’s Pages
REGULARS © GSCENE 2017 All work appearing in Gscene Ltd is copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated on the page concerned. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in an electronic or other retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. The appearance of any person or any organisation in Gscene is not to be construed as an implication of the sexual orientation or political persuasion of such persons or organisations.
ALICIA MINSHULL-PUTNAM & GLORIA MINSHULL-PUTNAM WERE MARRIED IN WORTHING ON JUNE 1, 2017
FEATURES
22 GOLDEN HANDBAGS STEVE’S 40TH @ SUBLINE
Who won what at the 21st Golden Handbag Awards show
28 BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKEND Bears! Bears! Bears!
47 A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE ROYAL Sam Callahan helps celebrate 50 years of Rockinghorse charity
45 45 51 52 53 54 55 55 56 57 57 58 59 60
Dance Music DJ Profile: Audio K9 Geek Scene Shopping Craig’s Thoughts Charlie Says Hydes’ Hopes Duncan’s Domain Ms Sugar Swan Netty’s World Queenie’s Strip Service Sam Trans Man Police MindOut
INFORMATION 61 Services Directory 62 Classifieds 63 Advertisers’ Map
6
)
DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON
WWW.GSCENE.COM
MINDOUT TO LAUNCH NEW LGBTQ COUNSELLING SERVICE
ACCESSIBLE TOILET FACILITY RETURNS TO BRIGHTON PRIDE WITH ACCESSIBILITY MATTERS ) Last summer hundreds of people used the Access
A new LGBTQ counselling service is to be set up by MindOut, the award-winning LGBTQ mental health charity.
DANIEL CHEESMAN
Recruitment for a Counselling coordinator, volunteer counsellors and supervisors will take place as soon as possible.
Chris Gull, Chair of the Rainbow Fund, added: “Our role is to provide help and support to organisations who provide In April, LGBT Switchboard announced that after effective front line services to 22 years supporting hundreds of individuals within LGBT+ people. MindOut are the LGBT+ communities in Sussex, their longperfectly suited to deliver this important service established counselling service was and we are very happy to provide that support.” to close due to funding cuts. Daniel Cheesman, LGBT For more information about the new counselling Switchboard's CEO, says: “We’re service or other services MindOut offer, view: pleased that MindOut are able to fill www.mindout.org.uk or email: the gap that has been left due to us info@mindout.org.uk or call: 01273 234839
BILLIE LEWIS
Danny Dwyer, founder and organiser of Bear Patrol, said: “LGBTQ people need access to good counselling and Bear-Patrol are thrilled to be fundraising for MindOut to make that possible.”
CHRIS GULL
Helen Jones, MindOut CEO, says: “We will be opening a new counselling service run by and for LGBTQ people in October 2017. There is more need than ever for community mental health and wellbeing initiatives and we’re delighted to add counselling to the range of services we offer. Many LGBTQ people want to access services they can trust to be non-stigmatising, confidential and professional. This service will be an important addition to the talking therapies on offer in Brighton and Hove.”
closing our counselling service earlier this year. We wish the MindOut team all the very best with this new service."
DANNY DWYER
HELEN JONES
) With support from the Rainbow Fund and Bear Patrol the social networking group, the service will be funded by grants, donations and client contributions, making it a community funded service.
Facilities at Brighton Pride delivered by the volunteers of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum through their Accessibility Matters initiative. Working in partnership with Brighton Pride, Accessibility Matters has made significant progress in ensuring the event is accessible to everyone. A favourite feature of recent years has been the High Dependency Unit (HDU). Many people are expected to use these facilities again this summer and LGBT+ people who otherwise would feel unable to access the event are now able to do so with confidence.
BRIGHTON PRIDE ‘DIVERSITY BUS' NAMED AFTER ICONIC DRAG QUEEN
MARTIN HARRIS
) Pride and Brighton & Hove Buses unveiled last month, their new Diversity Bus for 2017 – the latest incarnation of the Pride Festival Bus. The Diversity Bus has been designed to celebrate diversity in all the city's communities. Martin Harris, Managing Director of B&H Buses, said: “The Diversity Bus not only celebrates Pride and everything it stands for but is a symbol of our broader support for diversity and inclusion in general. We have a long history of supporting diversity across sexual orientation, gender, race and ethnicity, improving services for disabled people, and welcoming refugees. “Following the terrible events in Manchester, we want to stand side by side with those who work to heal divisions in our society and to support those that are vulnerable in our communities. And to
Paul Kemp, Director of Brighton Pride, added: “We are thrilled Brighton & Hove Buses has rejoined other prominent city businesses to support Pride in our city in this our 27th year. This is an ongoing relationship that includes a dedicated bus and shuttle service from the Pride campsite as well as exciting all-year-round promotional activity with the Pride Diversity bus.” The bus carries messages of love and celebration and the simple but powerful message #moreincommon, set up in the aftermath of MP Jo Cox’s tragic murder a year ago to demonstrate how much more we all have in common than that which divides us. The bus has been named in memory of local drag artist, Phil Starr, who performed on stages across the world for more than 50 years raising £1,000s for charity. Phil lived his final years in Brighton and was a great supporter of the annual Pride event in Brighton & Hove when he was alive.
PAUL KEMP
stand by those who oppose hate. We’re delighted once again to be launching the bus alongside our Pride partners and hope it can help to promote, support and celebrate the fantastic Pride festival.”
Billie Lewis, Chair of the LGBT Community Safety Forum, said: “The HDU provided by Mobiloo will play a significant role within the community area at Preston Park ensuring that those who need our support the most will get it. It will also change the way people access their Pride on the day. The facility at the Access Tent will draw different people together again this year. We have changed the provider of the HDU this year to ensure we offer the best service with recognition for value for money and sustainability.” For many disabled people adequate toilet facilities are an important factor when planning a day out. If they cannot walk or stand, they may still be unable to use even the standard specialist accessible toilets that are sometimes provided. They may need support from one or two carers or personal assistants to use the toilet or to have their incontinence pad changed. Standard specialist accessible toilets rarely provide changing tables or hoists. The absence of appropriate facilities can impact on whole families. Social activities and days out have to be planned down to the smallest detail to fit around a stop at suitable changing facilities or to get back home after only a few hours. The most intrepid may have ventured out to festivals or camping trips – but then often have to find a discreet area in a field or a dirty toilet floor instead of the dignified facilities we should all be entitled to. Mobiloo recognises this gap in provision for disabled people. Its unique, mobile facility offers the right of access to the more rural locations, festivals, activities and events across the UK. Accessibility Matters are currently working with Brighton Pride to ensure more accessible toilets are available across the Festival Park. For Access questions, you can email access@lgbt-help.com. Please note that these contact details are for access issues regarding facilities for the deaf, blind, disabled and older Pride attendees only. Other Pride related info such as stalls/vendors, road closures, act line ups and bus information cannot be answered here. For all other pride related info email info@brighton-pride.org. To register for the Accessibility Matters Pride Access Plan visit lgbt-help.com For Access Tickets for the Brighton Pride Festival, on Saturday August 5, 2017, visit: www.brightonpride.org/tickets/access-tickets/
GSCENE 7
RECORD CROWDS EXPECTED AT TRANS PRIDE 2017 TRANS PRIDE FILM NIGHT ) The 5th Annual TRANS PRIDE FILM NIGHT, the curtain raiser to Trans Pride 2017 on Friday July 21, will celebrate trans lives and trans representation through film. It will feature trans film makers, stories about trans people and will be curated by My Genderation and Eyes Wide Open. The evening will include a selection of trans films, musical entertainment and opening speeches. Trans Pride merchandise will be on sale to help towards the cost of staging Trans Pride 2017. Trans Pride Film night takes place at Dukes at Komedia, 44-47 Gardner St, Brighton on Friday, July 22 starting at 6pm. Tickets cost £5/£7. To book tickets online, view: www.picturehouses.com/cinema/Dukes_At_Komedia/film/trans-pride-2017
TRANS PRIDE MARCH & PARK ) The main event, the 4th annual TRANS PRIDE MARCH (5th Trans Pride event) will assemble at the Marlborough Pub in Princess Street, Brighton on Saturday, July 22 at 11.30am. ) After welcoming speeches from the organisers, marchers will set off towards Brighton Palace Pier, turn right and proceed along the seafront to Brunswick Gardens in Hove for the PARTY IN THE PARK, featuring music, spoken word and poetry as well as community stalls profiling LGBT+ community groups. The Mayor of Brighton & Hove will welcome everyone to Trans Pride, on behalf of the city at 1pm. No dogs are allowed on the park, except for assistance dogs. Entry to the park is free but please put a donation in the buckets. These events cost a lot of money to stage.
TRANS PRIDE PARTIES ) Later in the evening there is a choice of events to support; Trans Pride Brighton presents a NIGHT OF D.I.Y at the West Hill Hall (£5). Rock the night away with great bands and help raise funds for Trans Pride Brighton 2017. ) TRANS PRIDE THE PARTY! hosted by Traumfrau at North Laine Brewhouse, 27 Gloucester Place, Brighton, will be headlined by international DJ S/HE (Tomboys Don’t Cry), the Transgender DJ from Milan where they run Gender Sux! a weekly queer event, S/HE has played for various LGBTQIA+ parties in London (Club Lesley, T Club, Wotever and Lemon Juice) and is part of the queer collective Tomboys Don’t Cry. Their high-energy DJ sets are a mix of deep-house, electro, queer hop and tech-house. Last years event sold out quickly so make sure you book your tickets in advance so as to not be disappointed on the day. To book online, view: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2993023 ) New to Trans Pride this year is, TRANS SAUNA NIGHT at Brighton Sauna on Monday, July 24 from 6pm-1am. Once a month The Brighton Sauna opens its doors to trans and non-binary folk and their significant others, friends, families and allies (by their invites only). Cost: £15 for standard entry (single entry, once you leave you leave), £16 for a day pass (allowing you to come and go throughout the day), or £8 for the night owl ticket (late entry after 11pm, for the last two hours). For more info, view: www.thebrightonsauna.com
TRANS PRIDE INFO For a complete list of events happening during Trans Pride, view: http://transpridebrighton.org/events/ To checkout all of Pink Fringe's events at The Marlborough, view: https:// issuu.com/abbybutcher/docs/marlborough_weekend_3_trans_flyer_i There are more details of exhibitions and performances during Trans Pride on pages 8 and 46 of this Gscene.
The LGBT Community Safety Forum is an independent group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* (LGBT) volunteers in Brighton & Hove. For more info visit: lgbt-help.com
PUBLIC MEETING
WED 12TH JULY 2017 7-9pm THE SANCTUARY DORSET GARDENS METHODIST CHURCH, BN2 1RL,
HAVE YOU BEEN AFFECTED BY BULLYING OR HARASSMENT? ONLINE? WORK? SCHOOL? UNI? HOME? IN PUBLIC? Come along to this informative session where a Detective Constable from Surrey & Sussex Police, Cyber Crime Unit, Specialist Crime Command will be sharing info on what to do if you have been affected. Meet the new Divisional Commander for Brighton & Hove Police, Chief Superintendent Lisa Bell
ARE YOU GOING TO BRIGHTON PRIDE? Would you like to know more about how the event works? We have invited the Head of Operations from Brighton Pride to attend the meeting to answer your questions or concerns. If you don’t feel confident enough to speak directly at the meeting you can submit your question/concern for any of the above in advance to: info@lgbt-help.com If you have any access requirements please email access@lgbt-help.com or call 01273 855620 Option 3 • Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum is is a member of Working To Connect LGBT Small Groups Network, funded by the Rainbow Fund • Listening Ear Service provided by the Samaritans • This Advert was paid for with a grant from the Rainbow Fund.
8
DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON
)
WWW.GSCENE.COM
) This summer, Brighton Museum launches Be Bold, a series of collaborative events and exhibitions funded by Arts Council England and programmed in partnership with Brighton & Hove’s LGBT+ communities.
E-J SCOTT: PHOTO BY SHARON KILGANNON AT ALONGLINES PHOTOGRAPHY
The exhibitions aim to reflect the experiences of the city’s LGBT+ residents, and begins with The Museum of Transology, a bold, brave and profound collection of artefacts and photographic portraiture that began with donations from Brighton’s vibrant trans community. Now comprising around 150 objects, the crowd-sourced collection is the largest collection representing trans people in the UK – if not the world.
E-J Scott, collector and curator, said: “This is a highly intimate display that challenges the idea that gender is fixed, binary and biologically determined, by exploring how the objects I’ve collected reflect people’s self-determined gender journeys. It addresses issues including violence against trans people, intersex and non-binary identities, fashion’s shaping of gender identity, medical transition and the spectacularisation of trans peoples’ lives by the mainstream media. “It has been made possible by those who donated their stories and personal objects, which commonly share themes of hope, ambition and determination. Most of the display items are accompanied by a handwritten narrative by their donator.” In a new rendering specifically for Brighton, the display’s layout will reflect a typical domestic sphere before moving into the medicalised realm of the hospital. Visitors will be invited to leave their own tag describing their personal gender journey. Free with museum admission, it will also feature: • A slide show of around 100 studio-shot portraits of trans people by Bharat Sikka and Sharon Kilgannon – many of which were taken at Brighton & Hove’s Trans Pride event • Behind the scenes footage from the artist film Born Risky by Grayson Perry • My Genderation - films by Fox Fisher, who will be attending the preview, and Lewis Hancox. • Sexing the Transman and Mr Angel - documentaries by adult film star, Buck Angel • A focus on Brighton & Hove’s Trans Pride event • A soundtrack featuring music by around 20 trans artists and bands This display is part of Brighton Museum’s programme to reflect and connect with LGBT+ lives, histories and culture, which includes a new display on 20th century artist Glyn Philpot also opening on July 20. The Museum of Transology, Thursday, July 20, 2017 to June 2018, Spotlight Gallery, Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, 12a Pavilion Parade, Brighton BN1 1EE.
SUSSEX BEACON CALL FOR INPATIENTS TO TELL THEIR STORIES ) Have you ever been an inpatient at the Sussex Beacon? Did your stay benefit your health and personal circumstances? If so, The Beacon would really love to hear from you. To celebrate their 25th year anniversary and raise funds to continue to serve for another 25 years plus, local author, Graham Hamilton, is compiling a book, Tales of The Sussex Beacon, with a selection of your words - in short
stories, poems or letters - about your experience at The Beacon, how it helped you and why you think it’s so important to save this valuable service.
GRAHAM HAMILTON
THE MUSEUM OF TRANSOLOGY
For more information about how to get involved, email: talesofthesussexbeacon@aol.co.uk to contact Graham Hamilton.
EXCITING RESEARCH PROJECT ON 25 YEARS OF LGBT+ LIFE AND CULTURE IN BRIGHTON & HOVE research project on a topic exploring local media, activism and positive social change for LGBT+ people and be supervised by an experienced academic researcher, supported by the Community University Partnership If you’re interested in this research Programme (CUPP) and work closely project you can apply to The University with the founder and editor of GScene of Brighton’s MRes in Arts & Cultural Magazine James Ledward. Research, with a proposal for what The successful candidate will be your project would focus on. trained in research skills via the MRes curriculum as well as through training opportunities offered by the Transforming Sexuality and Gender Research Cluster at the University of Brighton which is committed to cutting edge research, community engagement and homes internationally recognised scholars who work in and across a wide range of fields intersecting with the The chosen student will be given study of genders and sexualities, across access to around 300 or so issues of the arts, humanities and social Gscene, which charts both the sciences. challenges and important steps enabling local LGBT community groups Anyone with a passion for this project who meets the criteria of the MRes in and culture to develop into everything that Brighton as a city stands for today Arts and Cultural Research entry requirements can apply. Applicants in the national ‘imaginings of this city from all walks of life are welcome. The as the “gay capital’’ (Browne and University's flexible admissions policy Bakshi 2016). will take relevant non-academic merits This unique resource charts the into account. Brighton LGBT+ community’s development and culture from 1992 to Scholarships are also available for recent University of Brighton alumni. today, including major battles for HIV Check out the info page on the Uni’s prevention and care, the joys and website for further details about this. politics of being host to one of Britain main pride festivals, tensions between If you have any questions you can party politics at council level and local contact Dr Olu Jenzen: LGBT+ activism, turbulent relations o.jenzen@brighton.ac.uk or CUPP: between the LGBT+ Community and cupp@brighton.ac.uk Sussex Police, as well as the diverse voices of the LGBT+ communities over Application is via the Arts and Cultural Research MRes course page: the 25 years timescale. www.brighton.ac.uk/courses/study/ The student will use the archive as a arts-and-cultural-research-mresprimary source for a 20,000 word pgcert-pgdip.aspx ) University of Brighton and Gscene have launched a collaboration to enable a research student to work on the complete archive of Gscene magazines since the early 90s.
10
)
DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON
WWW.GSCENE.COM
RAINBOW CHORUS CHAIR RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
embraces all strands of our communities with particular reference to older LGBT+ people. She works tirelessly to ensure that all are included within the LGBT+ agenda through attending different fora. I think that she would be a worthy recipient of a Golden Handbag Award." Frances Horsley, Older and Out.
For the first time this year, I asked LGBT+ and HIV groups and organisations to nominate someone who they felt deserved special recognition at the Golden Handbag Awards 2017. By James Ledward
“She's constantly working for the greater good in our community and her commitment and dedication is selfless to the point of setting aside her own needs. I’m honoured to be able to call her a friend.” Julie Benger, RC.
compassionate and generous. She’s beyond worthy of this award, and is a true role model for all who seek to offer solidarity.” Matthew Beetar, University of Sussex.
“Finola is a formidable colleague to have in the queer choral movement and I'm lucky enough to be able to call her a friend. The kind of friend that’s there when you need it most and not just for the glory. The kind of friend that will help you even when you don't ask but knows you desperately need her. A fierce believer in human rights and equality for all, Finola is one of those people who shines like a beacon not for their own advantage but to provide a path of hope and support to those around her.” Silvio Grasso, Co-founder and PR/Marketing Coordinator, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus.
“Finola is one of the greatest supporters of our LGBT+ communities and works tirelessly for everyone in those communities, no matter what is happening in her own life. She is an amazing, compassionate and generous woman who deserves all the accolades that can be bestowed upon her. She is awesome in the truest sense of the word and we feel very blessed to call her our friend.” Harry O'Neill and Andy Braybrook Members of the Rainbow Chorus (RC) lobbied hard to have the achievements of their Chair, Finola Brophy, recognised by the LGBT+ communities of Brighton & Hove at this year’s ceremony at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on Sunday, June 11. I was personally thrilled to present Finola with a Gscene Lifetime Achievement Award for her services to equality and LGBT+ people in the city. Over the 21 years I have been editing Gscene I’ve learnt to work out who are the wannabes and takers in this community. Finola is 100% pure gold, 100% reliable and a formidable ally to have in your corner. We’re very fortunate to have in the city not one, but six LGBT+ choirs. It’s a huge undertaking to Chair any of these organisations and keep everyone happy. I take my hat off to every Chair who takes that responsibility on. As well as chairing RC, Finola is active in Older & Out and sits on the committee of the Working To Connect LGBT Small Groups Network. She’s been involved in LGBT+ community development work for many years and understands the nuances of helping solve the problems encountered by fledgling LGBT+ organisations as they develop.
“She will always give of herself to help others and to further any LGBT+ cause. I’ve felt well supported by Fin’s love and compassion during some very difficult times and I can think of no-one better to receive such a Community Award.” Ed Borgars, RC “I can't think of anyone who should get this award more than Finola. As chair of RC and in the wider communities, she speaks out against injustice and discrimination. She’s a strong and loving ally of the trans community and as a newcomer to Brighton’s LGBT+community I’ve found her to be such a rock, she’s amazing.” Taylor Blue “Fin is a tireless worker for the voluntary sector of the LGBT+ communities, not only as Chair of the RC, but as a committee member for Older & Out too. She always finds the time to speak to everyone and remembers who they are, a rare quality these days.” Jenny Bennett, Older and Out
The following citations helped us come to the decision to award Finola Brophy a Lifetime Achievement Award for her services to all LGBT+ communities in the city.
“The most selfless person I’ve ever known and such a beautiful soul. She consistently puts others needs before her own and tirelessly works hard to fight for equal rights and LGBT+ causes. She builds bridges between people and communities, fights for the underdog, gives time, love and support to anyone in need who has the pleasure of knowing her. I can't think of anyone who deserves recognition more. This is long overdue.” Simonne Gnessen, RC, Wise Monkey Financial Coaching
“For me she’s the definitive individual who symbolises community. She is embracing, non-judgemental,
“Finola is an enthusiastic ambassador for the LGBT+ communities. She’s supportive and empathic, and
“Since moving to Brighton five years ago I’ve been touched, moved and inspired by the incredible commitment this woman shows to the LGBT+ communities and gives so much to everyone she meets.” Aneesa Chaudhry, Musical Director of RC. “During my Mayoral year I came to appreciate the reach of Finola’s hard work to strengthen relations across the LGBT+ communities and beyond. As Chair, Finola has ensured RC takes a pivotal role in promoting and supporting our LGBT+ communities. The Chorus are often chosen to perform at key community events such as IDAHOBIT and Trans Remembrance. Bravo Finola, you’re a great ambassador for our city in all its wonderful diversity.” Cllr Pete West, Mayor, Brighton & Hove 2016-17. To read all the citations Finola received in full, view: www.gscene.com
Unisex Hairsalon 18 St Georges Road, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1EB
01273 623 408
GSCENE 11
REGINALD BALLUM
AN ECLECTIC MIX OF LIGHTING, INDUSTRIAL, VINTAGE, TIME WORN, ARCHITECTURAL & DECORATIVE ANTIQUES THOUGHTFULLY DISPLAYED IN OUR SIX ROOM SHOWROOM 83 ROWLANDS RD • WORTHING • BN11 3JN • 01903 820408 •
www.reginaldballum.co.uk
12
)
DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON
WWW.GSCENE.COM
BRIGHTON SAUNA TRIAL NEW HIV TESTING VENDING MACHINE Through the Department of Health HIV Prevention Innovation Fund (2016-17), the Martin Fisher Foundation (MFF) have established a unique team of vending machine manufacturers, designers, clinicians and researchers to develop and evaluate a ‘next generation’ touch screen vending machine to dispense Biosure self-testing kits. DR SUNEETA SONI & DR GILLIAN DEAN CONSULTANT PHYSICIANS SEXUAL HEALTH & HIV
HIV self-tests have been available at the Brighton Sauna since National HIV Testing week (2016) with high levels of acceptance amongst both staff and clients. Most men report that the testing procedure was easy to do and they would recommend this type of test to a friend. The Digital Vending Machine (DVM): A bespoke wall-mounted machine with a large digital interactive screen is in the foyer of the Brighton Sauna. When not in use, clear visual messages about HIV testing, as well as tweets from previous testers automatically scroll across the screen.
ACCESSING A TEST
) The Biosure HIV Self-Test is a CE marked third generation HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody test which requires only a single drop of blood and gives a result within minutes, rather than sending a sample away to a laboratory for analysis and waiting for up to one week.
When a client engages with the machine they are prompted to have their mobile to hand, and enter their phone number in via the touch screen. They then receive an SMS confirmation code via their phones which they type into the vending machine to release a test. The clients then give basic anonymous demographic information (age, HIV testing history and whether they are residents of Brighton & Hove). The kit is then dispensed.
THE KIT
It became available in 2015 through online stores and at some clinics, but is expensive (£29.95), requires payment through a traceable credit card or bank account, or requires a person to person interaction to perform.
The kit contains the Biosure self-test box, separate instructions for what to do after the test, depending on the result, and a contact details card outlining how to access support before, during or after the testing procedure.
In contrast, this project will enable men who have sex with men (MSM) to obtain the HIV tests for free, in a discrete and anonymous manner whilst visiting the Brighton Sauna.
TAKING THE TEST
The prototype vending machine was placed in the Brighton Sauna on June 16, 2017. A previous survey of the sauna clients showed 93% would consider collecting a HIV self-test from the sauna.
Clients will usually choose to take the testing kit away to perform later, although the Sauna does have the capacity to support use on the premises. Venue staff have undergone comprehensive training regarding HIV testing and the procedure to follow if a client has a reactive test. They will be able to offer appropriate support and advice, and signpost the
patient to the Sexual Health Department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital for test confirmation and ongoing care.
FOLLOW-UP Once the kit is taken away it’s difficult to measure exactly how many are used and what results are obtained. In order to gather as much information as possible, users will receive a link via SMS messaging to an anonymous questionnaire on Survey Monkey with questions about the test. Users will have the opportunity to share their experiences via Twitter and Facebook, with ‘tweeted’ comments appearing on the ‘home screen’ of the DVM, thus creating a live experience for future testers and the sense of a ‘testing community’.
NEXT STEPS The Martin Fisher Foundation (MFF) aim to roll this model out to more mainstream venues across the city in order to improve access to HIV tests and close the ‘undiagnosed gap’ for the wider MSM (men who have sex with men) community. If the evaluation of a wider roll out is encouraging, then MFF foresee digital vending machines dispensing HIV self-tests being made available on a wider scale to other areas and communities across the UK. MFF is a grassroots charity founded on the pioneering achievements of Professor Martin Fisher, whose vision and passion remains at the centre of the Foundation’s work. By building on partnerships across the city, the charity brings together stakeholders working towards clear goals. In December 2016, the Foundation realised their first goal when Brighton & Hove became the first UK city to be awarded UNAIDS Fast-Track City (FTC) status. MFF and FTC aim for ‘Towards Zero’ new HIV infections, which will be achieved in part by reducing undiagnosed HIV through improving access to HIV testing. Their strategic goal is that everyone in Brighton & Hove is aware of their HIV status and 100% of sexually active MSM test for HIV at least annually.
14
)
DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON
WWW.GSCENE.COM
ANOTHER YEAR OF MINDOUT FOR THE LAUGHS! ) The annual bumper comedy cabaret extravaganza in support of MindOut returns to the Komedia on Wednesday, August 2 with great comedy and a good dose of musical entertainment!
BARRY NELSON LEAVING PARTY, QUEENS ARMS
Headlining is award-winning comic Zoe Lyons fresh from her Little Misfits tour. If you missed her on BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week or the News Quiz, then this is the perfect opportunity to see her live. Next up is king of cabaret noir, Joe Black. Compere for the evening will be Spice who will introduce the hilarious Debra-Jane Appleby, as well as the dulcet tones of Laura Nixon as Marilyn Monroe, members of the Actually Gay Men’s Chorus and the fabulous Brighton icon, Dolly Rocket. Go along, take your friends and enjoy a fun-filled evening while raising vital funds for the LGBT+ mental health charity MindOut! MindOut for The Laughs: Komedia, 44-47 Gardner St, Brighton BN1 1UN on Wednesday, August 2: Doors 6.30pm for 7.30pm start: Tickets £15/£12 concessions available online or in person at Komedia Box Office: 01273 647100 For more information about MindOut services, view: www.mindout.org.uk
BEAR-PATROL THANK OUTGOING MAYOR FOR HIS SUPPORT
CLLR PETE WEST & GERALDINE: PHOTOS NICK FORD
) Bear-Patrol, the social networking group, held a reception at the Old Ship Hotel last month to thank the outgoing Mayor of Brighton & Hove, in the final days of his terms of office, for his support of the group during his year in office. Cllr Peter West and his partner Geraldine were presented with a framed photo taken by photographer Nick Ford of the Mayor in his chain of office. Cllr West thanked the guests for their support with his own fundraising activities during his year in office and thanked Bear-Patrol for inviting him to their fundraising events in 2016-17. The reception was made possible with the kind support of the management team of the Old Ship Hotel.
MOVING ON! BARRY NELSON ) After three years at the helm of the Queens Arms, Barry Nelson has moved on to new challenges. When he took over the reins, the Queens Arms was in need of a face lift to re-establish it as a full-time cabaret bar. That was his aim and this he has achieved. A full refurbishment in October 2014 brought new life into one of the oldest established gay bars in the city, creating a bigger, brighter and busier Queens Arms.
Clutching his pearls close to his chest, he sighed: "It’s with a heavy heart that I hand the reins over, but the time is right for me to move on. What will I do in the future? I am taking a holiday then will be opening a new restaurant upstairs at Bar Revenge on July 4, called Burgershack.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their support, loyalty and custom and all the acts that have placed a stiletto on the Queens Arms stage. As a lover of cabaret I’ll still be around and to be With the help of the staff and acts, new honest it’ll be nice to watch the cabaret and old, the Queens Arms fought its as a customer once again. I’d like to way back to the top of the list of wish the Queens Arms and the new venues that people go to watch live manager, John Michael Fletcher, every cabaret in Brighton culminating in the success and hope he has as much fun venue coming runners up in the as I’ve these last three years. Favourite Cabaret Venue and Favourite Small Bar Venue at the Golden Handbag Awards last month. During the last three years, Barry and his team have worked hard to become a major part of the annual Pride Village party with George Street becoming the biggest cabaret zone at the event, and in the process raising thousands of pounds for local charities “So it’s bye for now and thank you for and LGBT+ organisations. voting me runner up in the Favourite Landlord category at the Golden Barry says: “In the last three years I’ve Handbags last month”. seen relationships begin, end, and witnessed laughter and tears. I’ve met Barry’s leaving party last month was some amazing people (and the odd hosted by Miss Penny who introduced idiot), worked with some fabulous a bevy of cabaret artists who had people, made lots of new friends and performed at the Queens Arms over the worked with some of the best acts on last three years. the circuit new and old.
GSCENE 15
16
)
DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON
WWW.GSCENE.COM OPINION: WHY BEING TRANSGENDER WAS IRRELEVANT IN MY GENERAL ELECTION 2017 CAMPAIGN BY SOPHIE COOK ) As I stood on stage, a room full of expectant people looking up at me, I was totally focused on the next words that I would hear. "Sophie Rose Cook, Labour Party, 20,882." In the space of five short weeks we'd achieved the seemingly impossible, taking a previously safe Tory seat and making it a marginal, increasing the Labour vote by 114% with one of the biggest swings in the country at 19.8%.
LIFE BEGINS AT 64 - KATIE YEOMANS COMPLETES HER TRANSITION James Ledward catches up with Katie Yeomans, the former court clerk from Portsmouth, who he last chatted to in January 2016, when she was embarking on the first stages of her transition.
SOPHIE COOK, LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR EAST WORTHING & SHOREHAM
My selection caused a few waves, I was told that "this isn't Brighton" and that the people of the constituency wouldn't warm to a transgender candidate. The press gave my campaign some coverage and despite being one of nine transgender candidates I was the one that got the most attention due to my profile from working in football and TV. "Labour candidate could become first transgender MP," said one headline whilst another mentioned the fight for LGBT+ rights, "Trans activist is fighting to oust anti-LGBT Conservative politician."
) Katie, aged 64, began her transition in 2014. She changed her name in 2014 then began hormone treatment using Everol Patches at The Laurels Gender Clinic in Exeter in 2015 where she says she received, “all the support she needed,” and she maintains her transition had been, “a fantastic journey.” In September 2016 she obtained her gender recognition certificate, her new birth certificate in her acquired gender and finally was referred for gender reassignment surgery.
Being transgender and in the public eye I was already used to abuse, both online and in the real world. I'd been trolled by various groups, including receiving death threats on Twitter, and as I stepped into the political arena I was bracing myself for a renewed onslaught of hatred. But then something unexpected happened. Instead of the abuse, I was greeted with love and support - sure there were still a few transphobic remarks online but nothing like I'd experienced previously. I'd heard first-hand accounts of trans people moving out of the constituency because of abuse and, yet, when I started to talk to people, they responded with warmth and openness. My gender identity that had hit the headlines around the world seemed to mean nothing to the constituents that I met, it was never mentioned on the doorsteps, the street stalls or the hustings. The only people who made it an issue were the press, not the voters. They listened to the policies, my ideas, passion and belief, and they embraced me. SOPHIE & JEREMY CORBYN
KATIE YEOMANS
At the start of the general election campaign no-one gave the Labour Party a chance, both nationally and here in East Worthing & Shoreham. The constituency had always been blue and the Tory incumbent, Tim Loughton, had been the MP for 20 years. He felt safe and secure that no-one could ever challenge him, and I'm sure that the selection of a little known transgender TV presenter as the Labour candidate only added to the feeling that he would increase his 15,000 majority.
On June 8, nearly 21,000 of them chose to put their mark next to my name on the ballot paper. They weren't voting for a trans woman, they were voting for Sophie Cook, they were voting for the Labour Party. They saw beyond the headlines and the things that made us different and in their way struck a massive blow for trans equality. We now have the most diverse parliament ever with 45 LGB MPs, I missed out on adding a T to that by 5,000 votes.
Getting to surgery stage was a very long assessment process to ensure that, at 64, she was medically fit for the surgery. Before surgery, patients have to live in their acquired gender for two years and be diagnosed with gender dysphoria by two gender specialists who write reports for the gender clinic which initially referred them and their surgeon. Katie says: “They need to ensure it’s something you really want as the operation is irreversible and could lead to mental health issues if you're not in the right frame of mind." In December 2016 she visited the Nuffield Hospital in Brighton for a consultation with the internationally renowned surgeon Dr Charles Coker and two clinical nurses. Paperwork was completed and the nurses took Katie through the surgery procedures on offer and answered any questions she had.
We need transgender politicians, after all everyone in society needs to feel represented. But the main reason why I believe that the time is right for a trans MP has nothing to do with equality or diversity, it's down to the constituents who put their faith in me to represent them, regardless of my gender identity.
She was then seen by Dr Coker to discuss the surgery options available. Katie continues: “I chose GRS without vaginoplasty as I was not having gender surgery for sexual reasons but as a final piece in my transition."
Since the election I've spoken to hundreds of people who said that I've given them hope for the first time. That feeling goes both ways, they saw that there is more that unites us than separates us, they saw a person rather than a label, and they too gave me hope for a brighter tomorrow.
In March 2017 she received the date for her surgery and came off HRT for six weeks to decrease the risk of blood clotting or thrombosis.
On Tuesday, April 11 she arrived at the Nuffield Hospital and was greeted by a friendly receptionist, then shown up to a private room. She says throughout her stay she was treated with "kindness, care and dignity" by everyone. “As I got ready for surgery my blood pressure rose dramatically but I think this was 'White Coat Syndrome' as I had never had any misgivings about what I was doing regarding the surgery. I am extremely lucky to have the full support of family and friends which I accept many people don't have.” Surgery went well and was followed by two days of bed rest where she had to lie flat and digest a liquid diet. She says: “The nursing staff were brilliant and if I needed pain relief it was given straightaway.” By Thursday, April 13 she managed to get out of bed and sit in a chair for a couple of hours. By the Friday she was able to take a short walk along the hospital corridor. She was discharged on Saturday, April 15 feeling “sore but not in pain and remarkably well considering I had major surgery only days before.” Katie was discharged with a written care plan, pain killers and a phone number to call 24/7 in case she experienced any problems once she got home. Katie was housebound for two weeks after surgery to allow her body to heal and stop any infections. She concluded our chat saying: “I hope this article will help people understand the transition and surgery process which I appreciate isn’t for everyone who transitions. And remember just be proud and happy of who you are and live the life you want. Good luck and have a great life.”
GSCENE 17
Gone Today, Hair Tomorrow! Let’s face it, most of us go bald and until now the only paths have been: acceptance (tricky) or hair plugs (frightening) or concealers/ hair systems (restrictive). That is, until now. Scalp micro-pigmentation is essentially when you have your head tattooed in the semblance of stubble, which sounds scary but in fact is really effective with only mild discomfort during the process.
BEFORE
Eve Pleavin of Velvet Tattoo Brighton was drawn to SMP to help men with male pattern baldness 3 years ago, her first model was her father! Using specialist equipment and pigments Eve artistically applies micro dots. The resulting ‘buzz cut’ look sculpts the face in a way that easily takes ten years off.
AFTER
This procedure is available as a permanent or semi-permanent treatment. Permanent may require 1 or 2 top ups in a lifetime whereas semi-permanent requires maintenance or it can be left to fade away over a few years.
Velvet Tattoo
48 Norfolk Square, Brighton, BN1 2PA www.velvetpigmentationclinic.com www.facebook.com/velvetscalp/
18
)
DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON
WWW.GSCENE.COM
BRIGHTON BUSINESSMAN BIDS TO TAKE MR GAY EUROPE TITLE
ORGANISERS ANNOUNCE LINE-UP FOR FIRST EASTBOURNE PRIDE
) Matt Rood, has lived in Brighton for the last 15 years, is a dog walker and trainer and has his own company called RoodDog. While his job is his passion, his other serious passion is his fitness and health and he goes to the Underground gym in Brighton five or six times a week.
ABBA MAGIC
The last two years have been an emotional journey for Matt following the breakdown of his marriage. A friend came across the competition for Mr Gay Europe and encouraged him to apply. Matt said: “I’m a very enthusiastic guy and love setting myself new challenges so I went for it. I hired the best personal trainer in town, Sam Bird, to help keep me focused and positive enabling me to be successful and reach my goals.”
Matt's campaign for the competition is called Pride Families. For three years he was a foster carer and helped 10 children. He wants to use his new title as Mr Gay England and his experience as a foster carer as a platform to promote awareness showing that LGBT+ people can adopt and foster children providing them with loving, safe and nurturing homes. In September, Matt will be working with Brighton & Hove City Council to launch a new fostering and adoption campaign and on July 8 will walk on the London Pride march with the fostering and adoption charity, New Family Social. He added: “I've linked up with a local school too, as I believe the only way to combat discrimination in future generations is to work with children and teach them through respect, happiness and love for each other.” Voting for Mr Gay Europe goes live on July 17 and you can vote online until August 4. Matt needs your votes as this counts for 20% of his final marks. Most importantly for Matt you can vote everyday the online voting is live to get a campaign going for him. He concluded: “This has definitely been a whirlwind journey so far. I am loving every minute and I know if I win Mr Gay Europe the hard work starts there. I have the passion, motivation and drive to be a positive role model for our LGBT+ communities. So please vote for me.” To vote for Matt and bring the title of Mr Gay Europe to Brighton, view: www.mrgayeurope.com/delegates/2017delegates/england2017/
The event will be held in Princes Park from 2pm on Saturday, July 22. The parade will start at 12.30pm from Langney Point and the mainstage entertainment runs until 9pm. The day’s celebrations finish with a party on Eastbourne Pier from 9pm until 2am.
BETTY GALLACHER
The Mr Gay Europe competition takes place in Stockholm, Sweden from August 1-6 when Matt will be competing against contestants from 15 other countries. The competition includes different rounds ranging from a formal interview, a written exam on the contestants’ knowledge of LGBT+ law, a social media challenge, a team challenge, a congeniality round, a fitness round and a round on the contestants’ campaigning work.
) The main stage line-up has been announced for the first Eastbourne Pride 2017 with an ABBA tribute act and X Factor finalist headlining.
Organisers are hoping to attract thousands of people from all over Sussex and further afield. Organiser Betty Gallacher, said: “There will be non-stop music and entertainment for seven hours and it's
going to be amazing. We’ve handpicked the acts which will appeal not just to the LGBT community but to families as well. This is an event for everyone.” ABBA Magic are the headline act and will be the first group on stage. Other acts confirmed include: X Factor finalist Charlie Healy, plus Kyle Finn, Georgia Burgess, Luch Stefano and Scarlet Fantastic. Betty Gallacher continued: "It's a great line-up with a mix of local and national acts. We’re getting very excited - and we want as many people as possible to turn up.” For more information about Eastbourne Pride, email: mandysmith007@aol.com
CO-OP RAISES £4,618.85 FOR LUNCH POSITIVE ) Co-operative Local Community Fund raise £4,618.85 for Lunch Positive, the weekly HIV Lunch Club. For seven months, Co-operative Group Members, who are customers at Co-operative food stores on London Road, Lewes Road, North Street and further afield, were given the chance to select their choice of grateful for the kindness and nominated charity to receive a share generosity of members of the Co-op of the Local Community Fund. who shopped and supported us. The Co-operative Group, staff and Using membership cards when customers have been so supportive shopping earned customers 5% off of our charity and we’re immensely their spend for themselves and 1% proud to be associated with for their community. Lunch Positive cooperative values. received tremendous support, resulting in this amazing award. "Thank you everyone, this will make Funds awarded will contribute a big impact on our service and towards the cost of delivering the people who use it this year and lunch club this year. beyond." GARY PARGETER
MATT ROOD PIC BY MANEL ORTEGA
A formal interview with Stuart Hatton, former Mr Gay World 2014, followed, then a CV round, a photo round and two Skype interviews with the board of directors of Mr Gay Europe. He completed each round successfully and was awarded his new title, Mr Gay England. Contrary to common perception, Mr Gay Europe isn't a beauty pageant, it's more about understanding LGBT+ law, LGBT+ rights and being cultured within the LGBT+ communities.
Gary Pargeter, Service Manager, says: "This a truly fantastic award. Everyone at the lunch club is so
For info on Co-op Membership, view: www.coop.co.uk/membership
20
)
DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON
WWW.GSCENE.COM
WHO’S THE BOSS BEHIND THE BAR? ) Tony grew up in Hammersmith, London and arrived in Brighton six years ago via Suffolk where he lived and worked for five years. He took over the Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen in January this year with his two business partners, renaming it the Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen (previously known as A-Bar). The bar is open to everybody and offers a welcoming, friendly environment to relax in whatever the time of day.
BCC & RESOUND
Morgan Fabulous chats to Tony Lupton, one-third of the business trio who now run the Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen on Marine Parade, on Brighton’s seafront.
WATER NIGHT - RESOUND AND BRIGHTON CHAMBER CHOIR
) For the first time, two of the city’s favourite choirs are pooling their vocal talents to create a night flowing with shimmering music. Resound and the Brighton Chamber Choir (BCC) will perform together in Water Night at St Andrew’s Church, on Saturday, July 8. Taking the music of Eric Whitacre’s Water Night as their inspiration, these two very diverse singing groups have collated an evening of music to delight their diverse audiences and provide something totally new.
The BCC is busy rehearsing works by Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Samuel Barber, while Resound has been honing its show-stoppers What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor and the haunting Frobisher Bay; while adding another sea shanty, Haul Away, and others. Jointly, the choirs will sing the show’s soaring title song Water Night by Eric Whitacre and both choirs will be ably supported by the very talented Tim Nail on piano. Water Night featuring Resound and the Brighton Chamber Choir, St Andrews, Waterloo Street, Hove, Saturday, July 8. Doors open 7pm, curtain-up at 7.30pm. Tickets: £12, available online: www.resoundmalevoices.org/
RAINBOW CHORUS - CLASSICS TO CLASSICAL TONY LUPTON @ THE AMSTERDAM BAR 7 KITCHEN
) For one night only on Saturday, July 15, the Rainbow Chorus presents Classics To Classical featuring a spectrum of music from Faure to Freddie Mercury. This unique production will showcase the wide range of talent in this increasingly diverse choir with something for everyone to enjoy in the iconic surroundings of St George's Church, Kemptown. When the management was changed in January so was the decor. They brightened up the interior with new lighting and a fresher feel. Outside they are continuing to do work on the terrace, with new plants and lighting to make it a more inviting place to sit and take in the sun. The large terrace is without a doubt one of the best places on Brighton seafront to spend a summer afternoon, or hot summer night, sipping on a G&T from their gin menu which supports local brands, and ideal if you’re a smoker. Even though the bar has been part of Brighton’s gay scene for a long time, the new refurbishment gives the bar a fresh feel and will continue to be a vibrant and welcoming part of the Brighton scene. With drag acts, karaoke and quiz nights, the bar welcomes all clientele from local glitterati to out-of-town hen parties. They also offer the venue up for charity events and are currently selling fabulous sparkling T-shirts (great for Pride) in aid of the Sussex Beacon and they’re planning charity events for the future. As is the case with many people in the hospitality trade, Tony was drawn in by the social aspect of the job and he loves getting to know his customers and meeting new people. After a career in advertising, he was asked to run the hospitality sector in a studio at Twickenham Film Studios. He went on to run a pub in rural Suffolk before moving to Brighton where he managed the Farm Café in the North Lanes with business partner Chris, who is now also his business partner at the Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen along with Pete, the chef. Tony says his biggest achievement has been losing weight and he now tries to keep as fit and healthy as possible. He enjoys exercise and walking his dogs and he has made sure the Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen is very dog friendly! His favourite drink is G&T (with Tom Cat – my favourite local gin!), and his favourite books are Personal Services with Julie Waters and Cynthia Payne’s autobiography, An English Madam.
Faure created a new kind of church music using dynamic harmony and colour and this will be complimented with fabulous classics from the Rainbow Chorus's repertoire, including: Lady Gaga, Queen, David Bowie, Anthony and the Johnsons and even a Russian Eurovision entry! BSL interpretation provided by Marco Nardi will bring a different dimension to the performance. The Rainbow Chorus, are directed by the
accomplished musical team of Aneesa Chaudhry and accompanist Mojca Monte and is the longest running LGBT choir in the south outside of London. If you’re feeling Under Pressure and in need of a break from your Nine To Five routine, this is the show for you!
Classics To Classical with Rainbow Chorus, St George’s Church, St George’s Road, Kemptown, Saturday, July 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets: £14/£10, children £7. Book tickets online: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/ 2951192
LOVE ACTUALLY - ACTUALLY GAY MEN'S CHORUS ) Join Actually Gay Men’s Chorus (AGMC) on August 4 as they usher in Brighton & Hove Pride’s Summer of Love. Embracing the universal language of ‘love’, Actually will explore loves many aspects through music, from bliss to heartache, and everything in between. Musical Director Samuel Cousins has again worked with the AGMC to develop an eclectic, powerful and thoughtprovoking repertoire; from Sondheim and Schwartz to Puccini and Queen! Actually welcomes back the vocal talent of soprano and Actually patroness Samantha Howard and (back by
popular demand!) glamorous and talented cabaret star Kara Van Park who returns to host her first summer outing with the chorus. AGMC will be raising funds for its members’ chosen charities: Inclusion for All and The Rainbow Fund. Love Actually with Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, St Andrews Church, Waterloo Street, Hove, Friday, August 4, at 7.30pm: Tickets £14/£12 available online: www.actuallygmc.org
22 GSCENE
FAVOURITE HOTEL: LEGENDS
GOLDEN HANDBAGS AWARDS CEREMONY, JUNE 11, 2017 ) Many thanks to the Hilton Brighton Metropole and to duty manager on the night, Martyn Wheeler. To Matt Constable and the team at ALPHABASS Sound & Light, James Tomlinson and the team at J.T.L. Terry Wing and the team from Security & Event Solutions, and Billie Lewis Promotions for dressing the tables. Thanks to all artists appearing: Maisie Trollette, Gabriella Parrish, Myra Dubois and Kara Van Park who donated their services free of charge as did the back stage crew of Billie Lewis and Eric Page. Thanks to the guest presenters: Mayor of Brighton & Hove Cllr Mo Marsh, Dave Lynn, Peter Kyle MP for Hove & Portslade, Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP for Kemptown, Mr Gay England Matt Rood, Andrew Kaye and Mike Mendoza from Latest TV, Romany Mark Bruce, Miss Jason, Davina Sparkle, Carole Todd and Annabel Giles.
FAVOURITE WOMEN’S VENUE: VELVET JACKS
Thanks to Nick Wade from www.candyflossandbowties.com and Hugo Michiels for taking photos during the evening and Joan Bond for hosting the front door. A very special thank you to Stephen Richards aka Lola Lasagne for hosting the evening and Besmir Dema Ledward for producing the Powerpoint display on the big screens. MindOut will receive a Gscene bursary of £5,000 for the Counselling Project and the Clare Project and Working Together, LGBT Small Groups Network will receive a £2,000 bursary each. James Ledward FAVOURITE CLUB: LEGENDS
FAVOURITE CLUB NIGHT: FOMO @ REVENGE
FAVOURITE BIG BAR: LEGENDS
FAVOURITE MIXED VENUE: DOCTOR BRIGHTON’S
FAVOURITE SMALL BAR: BAR BROADWAY
FAVOURITE MUSIC GROUP: BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS
FAVOURITE SUNDAY LUNCH: CAMELFORD ARMS
FAVOURITE CABARET VENUE: CHARLES STREET
GSCENE GSCENE 23
FAVOURITE DOOR SECURITY: LIZ BLYTH, @ BAR REVENGE
LOLA LASAGNE
FAVOURITE DRAG ENTERTAINER: MISS JASON
FAVOURITE LOCAL SINGER/ENTERTAINER: GABRIELLA PARRISH
FAVOURITE LOCAL DJ: CLAIRE FULLER
FAVOURITE LOCAL BUSINESS: THE BRIGHTON SAUNA
FAVOURITE TRANS VENUE/EVENT: TRANS PRIDE
FAVOURITE BAR BOY: DEAMAN O’FIRGHIL O’CORRAIDHIN @ BAR BROADWAY
FAVOURITE BAR GIRL: PRUDENCE SNELLGROVE @ REVENGE
FAVOURITE HOSTESS/SCENE PERSONALITY: LYDIA L’SCABIES
FAVOURITE SPORTS GROUP: BRIGHTON & HOVE SEA SERPENTS RFC
FAVOURITE LANDLORD: ADAM BROOKS @ BEDFORD TAVERN
FAVOURITE OUT OF TOWN VENUE: THE EDGE, SOUTHAMPTON
FAVOURITE LGBT SOCIAL/LEISURE/NETWORKING ORGANISATION: BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKEND
MAISIE TROLLETTE
GOLDEN HANDBAGS GOLDEN QUIZ 2017 WINNERS: SUBLINE
MYRA DUBOIS
FAVOURITE LGBT VOLUNTARY SECTOR ORGANISATION: MINDOUT
GSCENE VOLUNTEERS AWARD: LUNCH POSITIVE
FAVOURITE HIV ORGANISATION: SUSSEX BEACON
GSCENE COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS AWARD: BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SAFETY FORUM
GSCENE 25
GABRIELLA PARRISH
GOLDEN HANDBAG AWARDS 2017 WINNERS & RUNNERS UP IN ORDER
KARA VAN PARK
SUNDAY LUNCH VENUE 1 Camelford Arms 2 Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen 3 Bedford Tavern 4 Marine Tavern 5 Black Horse (Rottingdean)
SPORTS GROUP 1 Sea Serpents RFC 2 BLAGSS 3 Positive Walks 4 Trans Can Sport 5 Outdoor Lads Brighton
BAR BOY 1 Deamán O’Firghil (Bar Broadway) 2 Matt Richards (Bedford Tavern) 3 Sam Stephens (Charles Street) 4 Ed Stocker (Charles Street) 5 Kai Gittos (Doctor Brighton’s)
BRIGHTON HOTEL 1 Legends Hotel 2 New Steine Hotel 3 Amsterdam Hotel 4 Hilton Brighton Metropole 5 Queens Hotel
CHOIR 1 Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus 2 Rainbow Chorus 3 Actually Gay Men’s Chorus 4 Brighton Belles 5 Resound
BRIGHTON DJ 1 Claire Fuller (Legends) 2 Ruby Roo (Charles Street) 3 Tony B (Doctor Brighton’s) 4 Toby Lawrence (Revenge) 5 Morgan Fabulous (Charles Street)
COMMUNITY SOCIAL/LEISURE NETWORKING ORGANISATION 1 Brighton Bear Weekend 2 Bear Patrol 3 Rainbow Families 4 Brighton GEMS 5 Village MCC
GAY CLUB NIGHT 1 FOMO (Revenge) 2 Powder Room (Revenge) 3 Silencio (Subline) 4 Big Scrum (Subline) 5 Fusion (Legends)
DOOR SECURITY 1 Liz Blyth (Bar Revenge) 2 Carl Dival (Subline) 3 Souleymane Diarra (Legends) 4 Kally Johnson (The Edge) BUSINESS (Non-licensed) 1 Brighton Sauna 2 Prowler 3 Bone Idol 4 Cup of Joe Trading Post 5 Barber Blacksheep Hairdressers
GSCENE COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING AWARD: AARON LAWRENCE
GSCENE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: FINOLA BROPHY
OUT OF TOWN VENUE 1 The Edge (Southampton) 2 London Hotel (Southampton) 3 Bar 7 (Crawley) 4 Hampshire Blvd (Portsmouth) 5 Two Brewers (London)
VENUE FOR WOMEN 1 Velvet Jacks 2 Bar Revenge 3 Marlborough 4 Club Revenge 5 Legends
TRANS VENUE/EVENT 1 Trans Pride 2 Bar Revenge 3 Traumfrau 4 Club Revenge PERSONALITY/DOOR HOST 1 Lydia L’ Scabies (Powder Room) 5 Legends 2 Joan Bond (Charles Street) 3 Paul ‘Polly’ Thompson (Subline) SMALL BAR 1 Bar Broadway 4 Morgan Fabulous 2 Queens Arms 5 Candi Rell 3 Camelford Arms 4 Bedford Tavern MIXED BAR 5 Velvet Jacks 1 Dr Brighton’s 2 Boutique LARGE BAR 3 Revenge 1 Legends 4 Bar Broadway 2 Bar Revenge ENTERTAINER/SINGER 3 Charles Street 1 Gabriella Parrish 4 Doctor Brighton’s 2 Jason Lee 5 Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen 3 JB Jeff Fordham BAR GIRL 4 Jason Thorpe 1 Prunella Snellgrove (Revenge) 5 Krissie DuCann 2 Rachel Hogg (Bedford Tavern) VOLUNTARY SECTOR 3 Courtney Downey (The Edge) ORGANISATION 4 Lou Foley (Bar Revenge) 1 MindOut 5 Daniella Luco (Charles Street) 2 LGBT Community Safety Forum 3 Allsorts 4 LGBT Switchboard 5 Rainbow Families HIV ORGANISATION 1 Sussex Beacon 2 Lunch Positive 3 Terrence Higgins Trust 4 Peer Action
GAY CLUB 1 Basement Club@Legends 2 Revenge 3 Subline 4 Boutique 5 The Edge (Southampton) CABARET VENUE 1 Charles Street 2 Queens Arms 3 Bar Broadway 4 Legends 5 Marine Tavern LANDLORD/MANAGER 1 Adam Brooks (Bedford Tavern) 2 Barry Nelson (Queens Arms) 3 Charles Childs (Doctor Brighton’s) 4 Andrew Roberts (Revenge) 5 Steven Lee (Subline) LOCAL DRAG ENTERTAINER 1 Miss Jason 2 Sally Vate 3 Drag With No Name 4 Davina Sparkle 5 Lola Lasagne GOLDEN QUIZ TEAM CHAMPIONS 1 Subline 2 Charles Street joint runner up 2 Bedford Tavern joint runner up
GSCENE COMMUNITY/SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS • Finola Brophy - Lifetime Achievement Award • Lunch Positive - Volunteers’ Award • Brighton & Hove LGBT Safety Forum - Community Champions • Aaron Lawrence - Community Fundraising Award
LEGENDS & BASEMENT CLUB
LEGENDS & BASEMENT CLUB
QUEENS ARMS
LEGENDS & BASEMENT CLUB
BOUTIQUE
LEGENDS & BASEMENT CLUB
BOUTIQUE
LEGENDS & BASEMENT CLUB
BOUTIQUE
LEGENDS & BASEMENT CLUB
26 GSCENE
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
REVENGE @ GOLDEN HANDBAG AWARDS
QUEENS ARMS
POLLY’S BIRTHDY
QUEENS ARMS CAMELFORD ARMS
CHARLES STREET
CHARLES STREET
CAMELFORD ARMS
CAMELFORD ARMS
CHARLES STREET
GSCENE 27
28 GSCENE
BEARS! BEARS! AND SOME MORE BEARS! KEMPTOWN WELCOMES BEARS FROM BATH TO BUENOS AIRES ) Hundreds of Bears and their admirers descended on Dorset Gardens in Brighton Kemptown on the hottest Saturday of the year (June 17) for the annual Brighton Bear Weekend Bear-B-Q. This year’s picnic, the busiest yet, featured for the first time a main stage with entertainment provided by Dave Lynn, Jason Thorpe, Mysterry, Spice, Wain Kara Douglas and Brighton’s only LGBT+ choir, the Rainbow Chorus. Volunteers from Lunch Positive, the HIV lunch club, prepared delicious burgers and salads for the hungry Bears raising £1,247.50 for their funds. Volunteers from The LGBT Community Safety Forum ran the bar and raised £1,558 towards their funds. Other events during the weekend included the Bears Quiz at the Camelford won by the team from Brighton & Hove Sea Serpent Rugby Football Club; a welcome and registration party at Bar Revenge hosted by the lovely Spice with London DJ Alex B banging out the tunes and after parties at Envy, Latest Bar and Subline. All monies raised by Brighton Bear Weekend are donated to the Rainbow Fund, who make grants to LGBT+/HIV organisations in Brighton and Hove, who provide effective front line services to LGBT+ people in the city. The final total raised for the Rainbow Fund during Brighton Bear Weekend will be announced on July 10. Brighton Bear Weekend is a volunteer led organisation. For more information, view: http://brightonbearweekend.com To check out the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BrightonBearWeekend/
30 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM AMSTERDAM BAR & KITCHEN + BOUTIQUE
JULY
LISTINGS
AMSTERDAM BAR & KITCHEN
BOUTIQUE
) 11-12 Marine Parade, BN2 1TL, T: 01273 688826, www.amsterdambrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 10.30am–late ) FOOD Mon–Fri 11am–8pm; Sat & Sun 10.30am–8pm; Sunday roasts from
) 2 Boyces St, West St, BN11AN, 01273 327607 www.boutiqueclubbrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 4pm–very late. ) FOOD All day till 10pm. ) DRINK PROMOS Mon–Fri: bottles of Moet £50 & Veuve £60. Five J-Bombs for
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Wednesday is QUIZ NIGHT with
MARK FLOOD
Mark Flood at 9pm, general knowledge, picture round and multiple-choice questions, £2 to play, rolling cash jackpot and other prizes. ) REGULARS Friday is LIVE ENTERTAINMENT alternating
between Jason Thorpe’s KARAOKE and Sally Vate’s FUN FRIDAY FROLICS, both at 9pm sharp. ) Saturday is SANFRANDISCO with DJ Mick Fuller (Radio Reverb) chilled out soul at 8pm.
Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE Summer Roof Terrace Party: live bands 1pm; Open Cocktail Masterclass 8pm; Pinch Punch Party: DJ & giveaways 10pm l CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs on rotation SATURDAY 1 9pm l AMSTERDAM SanFranDisco: DJ Mick l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ Fuller 8pm Tony B 9.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Sally Vate l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm 9.30pm l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJ 7pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Kayne & Gloria Hole 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Jason 9.30pm l REVENGE WTF!: DJs over 2 floors 11.30pm l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l ZONE cabaret: TBA 10pm
Information is correct at the time of going to press. Gscene cannot be held responsible for any changes or alterations to the listings
SUNDAY 2
l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pmtill gone l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s karaoke 8pm
£5 and 2-4-1 selected cocktails. For all Churchill Square workers, Mon–Fri. For all discounts, ask at the bar. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (22) is TRANS PRIDE with
canapés, bubbly, tiaras, giveaways and live acts all day from 1pm. Boutique say: “Come join in the celebrations at our colourful, jewel-encrusted roof terrace! We’ll be celebrating all day in the sunshine.“ ) REGULARS Start the weekend with a bang every Fri with DJ Oli, Thierre (21), shot drops and giveaways from 10pm. Giveaways/themes: KARAOKE MADNESS with private hire giveaway for the best singers (7) and discounts/free entry for NHS workers (14). ) Sat: Learn how to make your favourite cocktail at the OPEN COCKTAIL MASTER CLASS in Bar 2 from 8pm. Join renowned DJ Prynesh, DJ Thierre (15), for tunes/ themes/ specials/ giveaways from 10pm. Afternoon entertainment: Sat (1 & 29) are ROOF TERRACE PARTIES with live bands from 1pm. Quote Gscene for free entry before midnight on Sat (8).
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions presents Live Music 8.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club DJs 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone l CHARLES ST cabaret: Miss Jason 7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8.30pm l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Topsy Redfern 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Area Code 6pm l PRISCILLA’S All Day Karaoke: Betty Swollocks & Princess C*nty 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Kara Van Park 6.30pm & 9.30pm l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast: Quaver Behaviour 2pm; Sunday roasts 12-5pm
MONDAY 3
l BAR BROADWAY Classics 7pm l CHARLES STREET Bang Bang: DJ Rupert Ellick 10pm l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad Mondays 9.30pm l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Andy Woon & guests 2pm; Abi Flynn 8pm
TUESDAY 4
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Showstopper Singalong: open mic 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke: Marilyn Manswoon 7pm l REVENGE Bangers & Trash: DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm
DJ THIERRE
12pm–sold out. SPECIALS: Mon–Wed, 5–8pm: main course from specials menu and a pint or medium glass of house wine £10. ) DRINK PROMOS House wine, £10.90 a bottle. Double-up on a premium G&T: £2. ) Get your Brighton Pride T-Shirts (£12.50): profits donated to Sussex Beacon.
PICS FROM BAR 7 CRAWLEY
BAR 7 CRAWLEY ) 7 Pegler Way, Crawley, RH11 7AG, Tel: 01293 511177, www.7crawley.co.uk ) OPEN 6pm daily. ) DRINK PROMOS Tue, Fri & Sat drink deals all night
DJ LEWIS OSBOURNE
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri is 7-UPSTAIRS with all-star DJs playing pop/dance /guilty pleasures at 8pm, free entry till 11pm. Bar 7 say: “Got that Friday feeling? No? Well what the hell are you playing at? Get ya backside down to Bar 7, the biggest, best and gayest nightclub between London and Brighton, and we’ll be more than happy to help you find it!” ) REGULARS Tue is CREWSDAY with DJ Lewis Osborne spinning the tunes. ) Sat is 7-SINS with allstar DJs spinning tunes at 8pm, free entry till 11pm. ) Sun is KARAOKE with DJ Bullard at 8.30pm.
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday: 80s Jukebox 8pm l AMSTERDAM Quiz: Mark Flood 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live world music: Fleur l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy de Paris 8pm Jane 9pm l PRISCILLA’S Pete Bennett’s Big l BAR BROADWAY Starry-oke 9pm Bender 8pm l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync For Your Life l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Jason 9pm 9.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l SUBLINE Club Silencio’s All-American l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch Apocalypse 8pm 2-3.30pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz: cash l CHARLES ST Mrs Moore’s Bingo jackpot 7.30pm Bonanza 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Sam Carlese 8pm FRIDAY 7 l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke Competition: l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s Karaoke Linda Bacardi, £50 prize 7pm or Sally Vate’s Fun Friday Frolics 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm l VELVET JACKS Quiz: cash prize 8pm l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tartz warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS THURSDAY 6 Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request l BOUTIQUE DJ Oli, shot drops & Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm karaoke 10pm l BAR BROADWAY Big Thursday Quiz: l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm Ross Cameron, prizes 8pm l CHARLES ST Fabulous Fridays: DJ l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-party 9pm Morgan Fabulous 9pm l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash l DR BRIGHTONS House Rules: DJ Quiz 9pm Nick Hirst 9.30pm l CHARLES ST Throwback Thursday: DJ l GROSVENOR BAR Open Mic: Krissie Ruby Roo & hostess Ms Joan Bond 9pm du Cann 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie Bingo 8.30pm Von Clitz 9.30pm
WEDNESDAY 5
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 31
32 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM CAMELFORD ARMS + CHARLES STREET & ENVY
JULY
LISTINGS
CAMELFORD ARMS
CHARLES STREET BAR
) 30-31 Camelford St, BN2 1TQ, Tel: 01273 622386, www.camelfordarms.com ) OPEN daily from 12pm. The most dog-friendly pub in town. ) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–9pm; Sunday roasts and select menu served 12pm–till
) 8 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA, Tel: 01273 624091, www.charles-street.com ) OPEN daily from 12pm ) FOOD served Mon–Sat 12–8pm. Tue deals include: 2 for £7.99 on selected mains
gone; seniors’ lunch Wed 2–3.30pm, two courses £9.50.
and 2-4-1 on full size pizzas. Bottomless Pizza & Prosecco every Sat & Sun from 1–5pm with two 90-minute sittings, 1pm and 2.30pm, £20 per person. Pre-booking required: 01273 624091 or email: charlesstreet.brighton@stonegatepubs.com. ) DRINK PROMOS Half price 5–9pm Mon–Sat and all night on Sun from 8.30pm, right after the cabaret. Some exceptions apply.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sunday (16) is the Wimbledon Men’s Final with free strawberries & cream from 12pm. ) REGULARS Sunday is the BEAR BASH with free food and a raffle at 5pm. ) Thursday is the BIG CASH QUIZ at 9pm with a £300 cash prize, free sarnies and great atmosphere.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Mon is new BANG BANG with DJ Rupert Ellick spinning
the tunes to beat those Monday blues from 10pm, free entry.
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE Roof Terrace Party: live bands 1pm; Open Cocktail Masterclass 8pm; DJ Prynesh 10pm l CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ Tony B 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Pooh La May 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJ 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club SATURDAY 8 8pm l AMSTERDAM SanFranDisco: DJ Mick l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Fuller 8pm Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Kayne l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm & Gloria Hole 2pm l BAR REVENGE WTF! pre-party 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Lucinda Lashes 9.30pm l REVENGE WTF!: DJs over 2 floors 11pm l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 10pm
SUNDAY 9
l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pmtill gone l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s karaoke 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions pres Live Music 8.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club DJs 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
BINGO BONANZA with prizes from 9pm. Mrs Moore says: “Mrs Moore is a camp extension of myself - a child of the seventies brought up on light entertainment and the throwback of vaudeville. I’m known as Mrs Moore: The Voice… of a Thousand Fags, as it takes a lot of work to sound this husky!” ) Sunday has some of the most exciting live performers on the circuit at 7.30pm: Miss Jason (2), Miss Penny (9), Lucinda Lashes (16), Drag With No Name (23) and Lady Imelda (30). Every Sunday after the CABARET is Sally Vate’s ROCK & ROLL BINGO with big cash prizes. Lady Imelda (30) was born in the Philippines and came to England with a suitcase of dreams and a handbag of nightmares. She’s performed in London’s West End in musicals Miss Saigon and The King And I and is known for her pure, powerful voice and for being an all-round entertainer with a love for butterfly sleeves! She says: “There are two Imeldas. One is corrupt and the other one is corrupted. I am the corrupted one!. My jokes are based on everyday life or from the news, they’re politically correct and self-deprecating. I’m not putting myself down but I have to base it from my point of view.”
l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone l CHARLES ST cabaret: Miss Penny 7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8.30pm l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Martha D’Arthur 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Gemma 6.30pm l PRISCILLA’S All Day Karaoke: Betty Swollocks & Princess C*nty 2pm l REVENGE The Powder Room pres Sharon Needles & Willam of RuPaul’s Drag
Race + support from Crystal Lubrikunt, Lydia L'Scabies, Rococo Chanel & more 7.30pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Davina Sparkle 6.30pm & 9.30pm l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast 2pm; Sunday roasts 12-5pm
MONDAY 10
l BAR BROADWAY Classics 7pm l CHARLES STREET Bang Bang: DJ Rupert Ellick 10pm l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad Mondays 9.30pm
LADY IMELDA
l MARINE TAVERN Friday Night Live: Something Groovy with Krystal Ball 9pm l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Betty Swollocks & Linda Bacardi 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Baga Chipz 9.30pm l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs 10.30pm l SUBLINE Steam 9pm l ZONE cabaret: Collusion 10pm
MRS MOORE
) REGULARS It’s back! Every Wed is Mrs Moore’s BONZA
34 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM DOCTOR BRIGHTONS + GROSVENOR
JULY
LISTINGS
DOCTOR BRIGHTONS
GROSVENOR
) 16-17 Kings Rd, BN1 1NE, Tel: 01273 208113 www.doctorbrightons.co.uk ) OPEN Mon–Thur 3pm–midnight; Fri & Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 1pm–midnight. ) HAPPY HOURS all day Sun–Thur; 1pm–close on Fri; 1–7pm on Sat. BOGOF
) 16 Western Street, Hove, BN1 2PG, www.thegrosvenorbar.com ) OPEN daily from noon–late. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri (7 & 21) OPEN MIC with Krissie DuCann at 9.30pm.
Cocktails all day Sun–Fri and till 7pm on Sat. Free pool with every round every day.
) REGULARS Thur is Abel Mabel’s BINGO at 8.30pm. ) Fri (28) is a Fundraiser for the Sussex Beacon at 9pm. ) Sat is top CABARET with stars of the cabaret
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Friday (21) is new night SOUL
) REGULARS Fri (7) HOUSE RULES with DJ Nick Hirst
playing decadent classic house at 9.30pm. Doctor Brighton’s say: “House Rules returns for a night of delicious decadence with DJ Nick Hirst spinning the best classic house tracks. With fabulous surroundings, beautiful bar staff and comfy sofas, what more could you want?” ) Fri (14) is DOCTORS PARTY with tunes that traverse the decades from 9.30pm. Doctor Brighton’s say: “The Doctor’s Party gets a repeat prescription on Doctor’s Orders with tunes from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s. Anything goes!” ) The SATURDAY SESSIONS are with DJ Tony B at 9.30pm. l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Andy Woon & l REVENGE Bangers & Trash: DJs Toby guests 2pm; Sara Oschlag 8pm Lawrence & Trick 11pm
TUESDAY 11
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Showstopper Singalong: open mic 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke: Marilyn Manswoon 7pm
WEDNESDAY 12
l AMSTERDAM Quiz: Mark Flood 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Starry-oke 9pm l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync For Your Life 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice:
DAVINA SPAKLE
DJ TONY B
SOLUTION with DJ Tony B spinning soul/disco/r&b classics from 9.30pm.
scene at 9.30pm: Sally Vate (1), Pooh La May (8), Jason Thorpe (15), Miss Jason (22) and Davina Sparkle (29). Davina has show business running through her veins and has been a professional Drag Queen Comedian working on the cabaret circuit for many years. She says: “Come and join her for a gay old time after all no one should dull your sparkle. There'll be naughty anecdotes, camp comedy and some tunes from the prettiest, ahem, drag queen in Brighton!”
DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 2-3.30pm l CHARLES ST Mrs Moore’s Bingo Bonanza 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Eddie Myer Quartet 8pm l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke Competition: Linda Bacardi, £50 prize 7pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm l VELVET JACKS Quiz: cash prize 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Maisie Trollette 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz: cash jackpot 7.30pm
FRIDAY 14
l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s Karaoke or Sally Vate’s Fun Friday Frolics 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tartz warm-up 9pm THURSDAY 13 l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Big Thursday Quiz: l BOUTIQUE DJ Oli & shot drops 10pm Ross Cameron, prizes 8pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-party 9pm l CHARLES ST Fabulous Fridays: DJ l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Morgan Fabulous 9pm Quiz 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS The Doctor’s Party: l CHARLES ST Throwback Thursday: DJ DJ 9.30pm Ruby Roo & hostess Ms Joan Bond 9pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Von Clitz 9.30pm Bingo 8.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Pre-Big Scrum l MARINE TAVERN Throwback 9pm Thursday: 80s Jukebox 8pm l PARIS HOUSE DJ Miss Meryl 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live world music: SOn l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Betty Guarachando 8pm Swollocks & Linda Bacardi 2pm l PRISCILLA’S Pete Bennett’s Big l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Martha Bender 8pm D’Arthur 9.30pm
PICS FROM LEGENDS BAR + LEGENDS BASEMENT CLUB
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 35
JULY
LISTINGS
LEGENDS BAR
LEGENDS BASEMENT CLUB
) 31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR Tel: 01273 624462, www.legendsbrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 11am–5am ) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–5pm; Sunday lunch 12–3pm with beef, pork, chicken or
) 31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR, Tel: 01273 624462, www.legendsbrighton.com ) OPEN Wed, Fri–Sun from 11pm. ) DRINK PROMOS £2.50 drinks all night on Sunday, various promos on Friday.
DJ DAVID NOAKES
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sunday is CABARET at 3.30pm with top acts: Topsy Redfern (2), Martha D’Arthur (9), Dave Lynn (16), Lucinda Lashes (23) and Davina Sparkle (30). Star of stage and screen Dave Lynn (16) is the drag queen of drag queens! Dave has appeared in many TV shows, from EastEnders, Coronation Street, Silent Witness, The Weakest Link, Faking It and Doctors and has extensive, film and theatre credits as well as appearances in clubs, parties and dinners across the UK. Dave has been bringing his distinctive cabaret shows to audiences in Brighton and around the UK for more years than he cares to remember. Dave says: “Expect glamour, a fun evening out, more glamour and perfect, perfect make-up. If it’s not perfect I’ll take it off and start over. I love the audience, working with them, through them, getting to know them. I’m like a drag queen welcome mat. Dave Lynn the welcome mat.”
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri is GLITTER with DJ David Noakes sparkling up the start of your weekend with chart & dance tracks. Legends say: “Join DJ/Producer David Noakes, as heard on Kiss FM, Gaydio and Capital to name a few, for some serious dance floor tuneage! Expect remixes galore, new music and classic dance tunes. Get ready to make shapes, sing-along and parrrrty!”
) REGULARS Sat is FUSION at 11pm with DJ Peter Castle spinning chart /club remixes to blow your mind. ) Sun is POP!CANDY with Golden Handbag Award winner DJ Claire Fuller sweetening you up with a sugary mix of new and retro pop. ) Wed is Ice with DJ Claire Fuller melting the dancefloor with a hot mix of chart/house/r&b.
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club DJs 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Wimbledon ) REGULARS Miss Jason’s MAD MONDAYS at 9.30pm. Men’s Final 12pm; Bear Bash, free food & ) Fri is PRE-GLITTER at 9pm with the ever-fabulous raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu Stephanie Von Clitz sprinkling a bit of glitter and performing 12pm–till gone songs to get you ready for the party downstairs. l CHARLES ST cabaret: Lucinda Lashes 7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8.30pm Thorpe 9.30pm l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs 10.30pm l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Dave Lynn l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJ 7pm l SUBLINE The Big Scrum sportskit 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 8pm l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 12night 10pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS DJ Havoxx l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s 5pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm 6.45pm Clitz 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Kayne l PARIS HOUSE live music: Area Code l ZONE cabaret: Tabitha Wild8 10pm & Gloria Hole 2pm 6pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Dr Bev l PRISCILLA’S All Day Karaoke: Betty SATURDAY 15 9.30pm Swollocks & Princess C*nty 2pm l AMSTERDAM SanFranDisco: DJ Mick l REVENGE WTF!: DJs over 2 floors l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Mrs Moore Fuller 8pm 11pm 6.30pm & 9.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm 9pm Screwpulous 9pm l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm l ZONE cabaret: Kara Van Park 10pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Wimbledon Men’s Final 12pm; Jazz Roast: Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm SUNDAY 16 Quaver Behaviour 2pm; roasts 12-5pm l BOUTIQUE Open Cocktail Masterclass l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pml VELVET JACKS Live music: Mike 8pm; DJ Thierre 10pm till gone Newsham 4pm l CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ karaoke 8pm Tony B 9.30pm l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions MONDAY 17 l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Jason l BAR BROADWAY Classics 7pm pres Live Music 8.30pm MISS JASON
DAVE LYNN
wholesome nut roast, served with seasonal veg, crisp roast potatoes, homemade Yorkshire pudding and real stock gravy. ) DRINK PROMOS Mon–Fri 12–11pm buy one bottle of wine get 2nd half price.
l CHARLES STREET Bang Bang: DJ Rupert Ellick 10pm l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad Mondays 9.30pm l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Andy Woon & guests 2pm; Chris Coull 8pm
TUESDAY 18
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Showstopper Singalong: open mic 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke: Marilyn Manswoon 7pm l REVENGE Bangers & Trash: DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm
WEDNESDAY 19
l AMSTERDAM Quiz: Mark Flood 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Starry-oke 9pm l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync For Your Life 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm l CHARLES ST Mrs Moore’s Bingo Bonanza 9pm
36 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM MARINE TAVERN + PRISCILLAS
JULY
LISTINGS
MARINE TAVERN
PRISCILLAS
) 13 Broad St, BN2 1TJ, Tel: 01273 905578, www.marinetavern.co.uk ) OPEN daily from 12pm. ) FOOD daily from 12–9pm; Curry Night on Tue with curry for £1 served
) 129 St James’ Street, Brighton, BN2 1TH ) OPEN Tue–Thur 6pm–midnight, Fri, Sat & Sun 2pm–midnight, closed Mon. ) DRINK PROMOS daily promos; ask at the venue for more info.
7.30–8.30pm, Sunday roasts served 12–5pm.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri is All Day Karaoke with
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Every Sunday Bee serves up
) REGULARS Fri entertainment at 9pm: FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE: Something Groovy with Krystal Ball (7) and BIG SCRUM DRINKS (14). All other Fridays are JUKEBOX at 8pm.
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Andy Panayi 8pm l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke Competition: Linda Bacardi, £50 prize 7pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm l VELVET JACKS Quiz: cash prize 8pm
THURSDAY 20
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Big Thursday Quiz: Ross Cameron, prizes 8pm l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-party 9pm l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm l CHARLES ST Throwback Thursday: DJ Ruby Roo & hostess Ms Joan Bond 9pm l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Bingo 8.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday: 80s Jukebox 8pm
Betty Swollocks & Linda Bacardi at 2pm. ) REGULARS Sat is ALL DAY KARAOKE with Kayne & Gloria Hole at 2pm. ) Sun is ALL DAY KARAOKE with Betty Swollocks & Princess C*nty at 2pm. ) Tue is KARAOKE with Marilyn Manswoon from 7pm. ) Wed is
LINDA BACARDI
delicious roasts from 12–5pm, booking advised. All food is fresh and cooked to order, with locally sourced lamb, beef, chicken or nut roast served with carrots, broccoli, creamy leaks, mashed potatoes, crisp roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. Roasts are great value at £6.95 each or two for £13 and if you like to mix it up, two meats are £1 per head extra. If you have a big appetite starters for £3.95 include: fish cakes, deep-fried Brie and soup of the day; deserts for £2.95 each include cheesecake, fruit salad, pavlova or ice cream. If you’re still standing after all of that, then Stephanie Von Clitz will be hosting DRAG OPEN MIC from 9pm.
Linda Barcardi’s KARAOKE COMPETITION with £50 cash prize. ) Thur is Pete Bennett’s BIG BENDER from 8pm.
l PARIS HOUSE live world music: Pollito Boogaloo 8pm l PRISCILLA’S Pete Bennett’s Big Bender 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Dave Lynn 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz: cash jackpot 7.30pm
FRIDAY 21
l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s Karaoke or Sally Vate’s Fun Friday Frolics 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm
l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tartz warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm l BOUTIQUE DJ Thierre & shot drops 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES ST Fabulous Fridays: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Soul Solution: DJ 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Open Mic: Krissie du Cann 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie Von Clitz 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox 8pm l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm
PARIS HOUSE 129 ST JAMES STREET • OPEN TUE-THUR 6PM-MIDNIGHT FRI-SUN 2PM-MIDNIGHT 1/2 PRICE BAR TUE-THUR from 6-8PM
TUESDAY: KARAOKE with MARILYN MANSWOON • 7PM WEDNESDAY: KARAOKE COMPETITION with LINDA BACARDI • £50 prize • 7PM THURSDAY: PETE BENNETT’S BIG BENDER • 8PM
ALL DAY KARAOKE FROM 2PM FRIDAY with BETTY SWOLLOCKS & LINDA BACARDI SATURDAY with KAYN & GLORIA HOLE SUNDAYwith BETTY SWOLLOCKS & PRINCESS C*NTY
) 21 Western Rd, BN3 1AF, T: 01273 724195, www.parishousebrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 12pm. ) FOOD daily from 12pm–close. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Monday is free LIVE JAZZ: Andy Woon & guests at 2pm; then at 8pm: Abi Flynn (3), Sara Oschlag (10), Chris Coull (17), Simon Roth & guests (24) and Stacey Dawson & guests (31). ) REGULARS Sun is LIVE MUSIC: Area Code (2, 16 & 30) at 6pm, Gemma (9) at 6.30pm and Simon Studd (23) at 6pm. ) Wed is free LIVE MUSIC at 8pm: Sam Carlese (5), Eddie Mayer Quartet (12), Andy Panayi & guests (19) and Oli Howe Trio (26). ) Thur free WORLD MUSIC night at 8pm: Fleur de Paris (6), Son Guarachando (13), Pollito Boogaloo (20) and Tudo Bem (27). ) Fri is PARTY TIME with guest DJs at 9pm: Havoxx (7 & 21) and Miss Meryl (14 & 28). ) Sat AND ALL THAT JAZZ with live jazz at 4pm; TC'S JOYFUL NOISE with DJ Kenny at 9pm, free entry.
7 GEORGE STREET BRIGHTON 01273 696873
http://thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms
WEDNESDAY AT 9.30PM chase away the midweek blues with
SALLY VATE
AT 9.30PM THURSDAY ALL THE LOCAL LADIES
6JUL MISS JASON 13JUL MAISIE TROLLETTE 20JUL DAVE LYNN 27JUL DAVINA SPARKLE
FRIDAY 9.30 AT
PM
7JUL BAGA CHIPZ 14JUL MARTHA D’ARTHUR 21JUL MYRA DUBOIS 28JUL DRAG WITH NO NAME PARTY NIGHT DISCO
ONE FOR THE DIARY!
PRIDE WEEKEND
NOW OPEN 12 TILL LATE FRIDAY/SATURDAY/SUNDAY FREE BAR SNACKS ON SUNDAY
SATURDAY AT 9.30PM
1JUL MISS JASON 8JUL LUCINDA LASHES 15JUL DR BEV BALLCRUSHER 22JUL KARA VAN PARK 29JUL SON OF A TUTU
SUNDAY
DOUBLE CABARET
6 9.30PM 2JUL KARA VAN PARK 9JUL DAVINA SPARKLE 16JUL MRS MOORE 23JUL GABRIELLA PARISH 30JUL MISS PENNY AT PM &
QUEENS ARMS STREET PARTY WITH ON & AUG
THE
CABARET SAT 5 SUN 6
38 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM QUEENS ARMS + BAR REVENGE
JULY
LISTINGS
QUEENS ARMS
BAR REVENGE
) 7 George St, BN2 1RH, T: 01273 696873, thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms ) NEW HOURS 5pm-late Tue-Thur, 12pm-late Fri, Sat & Sun. Closed Mon.
) 5-7 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA, Tel: 01273 606064, www.revenge.co.uk ) OPEN Sun-Wed 12pm-1am, Thur 12pm-2am, Fri & Sat 12pm-6am. Buy a
drink on Thur, Fri & Sat to pick up discounted entry passes for Club Revenge.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Chase away those midweek blues with Sally Vate from
) DRINK PROMOS 50% off all drinks Sun–Fri 5–9pm, from £2.50 every Sat.
9.30pm.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Wed (26) is the LIP SYNC FOR YOUR LIFE GRAND FINALE with hosts Lydia L’Scabies & Rose Gould from 9pm. Revenge say: “All of our finalists from the heats will be competing to win a £100 paid gig at our next Powder Room show alongside Drag Race alumni.”
LYDIA L’SCABIES
CABARET at 9.30pm: Baga Chipz (7), Martha D’Arthur (14), Myra Dubois (21) and Drag With No Name’s PARTY NIGHT (28). Drag With No Name says: “It's party party party time all the way! I’ll be bringing a little of the 'norf' down south with drag DJing, songs and requests all night! I’ll be playing all the songs that the crowd want to hear - a modern interactive jukebox if you will, with free shots and silly games interspersed throughout the night. It's best explained with the words my mum once used to describe me - something different and something very camp!” ) Sat CABARET at 9.30pm: Miss Jason (1), Lucinda Lashes (8), Dr Bev (15), Kara Van Park (22) and Son of a Tutu (29). ) Sun is a double helping of top CABARET with nibbles at the bar at 6.30pm and 9.30pm: Kara Van Park (2), Davina Sparkle (9), Mrs Moore (16), Gabriella Parish (23) and Miss Penny (30). No evening is complete without Miss Penny, “lover of vodka and gorger of Greggs”, who is an award winning, international cabaret artist with fast wit, top comedy patter and amazing vocals. She says: “Penny is a massive flirt, who usually causes riots. If it’s got a pulse she'll try and get it! Miss Penny comes from the dark recesses of my mind and she’s a loveable rogue who loves the crowd but also judges them by her standards. My show is a mixture of serious songs, informative comedic songs, piss taking songs and I love a good power ballad! All this wrapped with juicy 'gossip' and a few cheeky gags (not leather ones).”
) REGULARS Thur is the FOMO Pre-Party with all-star DJs warming you up with chart bangers from 9pm. ) Fri is the POP TARTZ warmup with DJs at 9pm. ) Sat is the WTF warm-up with DJs from 9pm. Keep the party going at Sunday Club with DJs spinning top notch tunes from 9pm.
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs onn 2 floors 11pm l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 10pm
l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast 2pm; Sunday roasts 12-5pm
SUNDAY 23
MONDAY 24
l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pmtill gone l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s karaoke 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions pres Live Music 8.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club: DJs 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Betty l BOUTIQUE Trans Pride Roof Terrace food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu Swollocks & Linda Bacardi 2pm Party: DJ Prynesh & giveaways 1pm; 12pm–till gone l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Myra Open Cocktail Masterclass 8pm l CHARLES ST cabaret: Drag With No l CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs 9pm Dubois 9.30pm l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs 10.30pm l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ Name 7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8.30pm l SUBLINE Filth: full-fetish 9pm Tony B 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Lucinda l ZONE cabaret: Davina Sparkle 10pm l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Miss Lashes 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm Jason 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 12l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJ 7pm SATURDAY 22 l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 8pm 5pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von l AMSTERDAM SanFranDisco: DJ Mick Clitz 9pm l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Fuller 8pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Simon Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Kayne Studd 6pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm l PRISCILLA’S All Day Karaoke: Betty & Gloria Hole 2pm l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm Swollocks & Princess C*nty 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Kara Van l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Gabriella Park 9.30pm Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm Parish 6.30pm & 9.30pm MISS PENNY
DRAG WITH NO NAME
) REGULARS Thur is LOCAL LADIES CABARET at 9.30pm: Miss Jason (6), Maisie Trollette (13), Dave Lynn (20) and Davina Sparkle (27). ) Fri
l BAR BROADWAY Classics 7pm l CHARLES STREET Bang Bang: DJ Rupert Ellick 10pm l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad Mondays 9.30pm l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Andy Woon & guests 2pm; Simon Roth 8pm
TUESDAY 25
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Showstopper Singalong: open mic 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke: Marilyn Manswoon 7pm l REVENGE Bangers & Trash: DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm
WEDNESDAY 26
l AMSTERDAM Quiz: Mark Flood 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Starry-oke 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm
PICS FROM CLUB REVENGE + SUBLINE
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 39
JULY
LISTINGS
REVENGE
SUBLINE
) 32-34 Old Steine, BN1 1EL, Tel: 01273 606064, www.revenge.co.uk ) OPEN Tue from 11pm, Thur, Fri & Sat from 10.30pm. ) DRINK PROMOS all drinks £2.50 and double up for £1.50 on Tue; £1 drinks
) 129 St James' St, BN2 1TH, Tel: 01273 624100, www.sublinebrighton.co.uk ) OPEN Wed–Sun from 9pm. ) DRINK PROMOS draught pints £1 off all night Wed.
before midnight on Wed & Thur.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thursday (6) is CLUB SILENCIO’S
ROOM Present two of the most notorious artists from RuPaul's Race: megastar Sharon Needles (winner of series 4) and infamous party princess Willam (TV personality and American Apparel Girl). Doors at 7.30pm, tickets, incl VIP meet & greet, from www.revenge.co.uk. Revenge say: “Stand out stars of Season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Sharon Needles and Willam, are coming to The Powder Room for their first show in Brighton as a dual headliner. These iconic and controversial stars will be supported by Crystal Lubrikunt, Lydia L'Scabies, Rococo Chanel & more!” ) REGULARS Sat is WTF with DJs spinning tunes to get you moving and special guests over 2 floors. ) Tue is BANGERS & TRASH with DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick celebrating the biggest chart bangers and the trashiest pop. ) Thur is FOMO
with Revenge’s all-star DJs spinning an eclectic mix of pop/chart/house/pop-punk, bass/hip-hop. ) Fri is POP TARTZ with resident DJs sweetening up the dancefloor on level 1 with pop anthems. ) Fri (28) is FAT LIP with DJ Fifi spinning rock/ indie/nu-metal /pop-punk all night long! Fifi says: “Fat Lip is a really fun night for everyone, whether you are a hardcore rock fan or just like a sing-along to Blur or The Killers. If you want to let your hair down on a Friday night and are looking for a change, come give us a go! We love requests too. Apologies in advance if your ears are ringing in the morning!” l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync For Your Life Grand Finale: hosts Lydia L’Scabies & Rose Gould + £100 paid gig @ Powder Room 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 2-3.30pm l CHARLES ST Mrs Moore’s Bingo Bonanza 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Oli Howe Trio 8pm l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke Competition: Linda Bacardi, £50 prize 7pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm l VELVET JACKS Quiz: cash prize 8pm
THURSDAY 27
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request
Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Big Thursday Quiz: Ross Cameron, prizes 8pm l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-party 9pm l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm l CHARLES ST Throwback Thursday: DJ Ruby Roo & hostess Ms Joan Bond 9pm l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Bingo 8.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday: 80s Jukebox 8pm l PARIS HOUSE live world music: Tudo Bem 8pm l PRISCILLA’S Pete Bennett’s Big Bender 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Davina Sparkle 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm
CLUB SILENCIO
SHARON NEEDLES
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (9) sees THE POWDER
ALL-AMERICAN APOCALYPSE with an all-new stage show featuring Big Mama Krispy and her mutant babies plus cabaret, music and more from 8pm, prizes for the best costumes, tickets on the door £6. Club Silencio say: “Yee-haw y'all! In the not-too distant future, nuclear war has turned the good ol' US of A into a toxic wasteland. Not to worry, we're throwing an apocalypse party anyway! It's basically Independence Day, so why not? Costumes: trailer park mutant zombie white trash post-Trump Americana toxic avenger truckstop realness!” ) REGULARS Fri (14) is THE BIG SCRUM sportskit night, entry £5 in kit or £7. ) Fri (21) is FILTH, the ticketed full-fetish party from 9pm. ) Sat is MEN’S ROOM with DJ Screwpulous from 9pm, entry free before 11pm, £3 after, guests £5. ) Sat (29) LEATHERMEN SOUTH’s 3rd Birthday at 10pm, entry free in leather or £5. ) Sun (30) is CUM IN YOUR PANTS at 9pm, entry free for members or £5.
l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz: cash jackpot 7.30pm
FRIDAY 28
l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s Karaoke or Sally Vate’s Fun Friday Frolics 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tartz warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm l BOUTIQUE DJ Oli & shot drops 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES ST Fabulous Fridays: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Vinyl Friday: DJs playing vinyl only 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Charity Fundraiser for Sussex Beacon 9pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie Von Clitz 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox 8pm l PARIS HOUSE DJ Miss Meryl 9pm
l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Betty Swollocks & Linda Bacardi 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Drag With No Name’s Party Time 9.30pm l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs on level 1; Fat Lip: DJ Fifi on level 2 10.30pm l SUBLINE Steam 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS DJ Havoxx 6.45pm l ZONE cabaret: Topsie Redfern 10pm
40 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM VELVET JACKS + ZONE
JULY
VELVET JACKS
ZONE
) 50 Norfolk Sq, BN1 2PA, Tel: 07720 661290 tinyurl.com/VelvetJacks ) OPEN Tue–Thur 4–11.30pm, Fri & Sat 12–11.30pm, Sun 1–11pm. ) FOOD Meat & cheese boards and wood-fired pizzas served all day. ) DRINK PROMOS Gin bowls served every day.
) 33 St James’ St, BN2 1RF, Tel: 01273 682249, www.zonebrighton.co.uk ) OPEN 11am Sun–Fri; 10am Sat. ) HAPPY HOUR all day Sun–Thur, till 7pm on Fri & Sat; select cocktails are 2-4-
£10 5–8pm everyday.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (16) is an intimate afternoon of LIVE chilled out tunes with Mike Newsham and his guests at 4pm. If you’re interested in performing then message Mike on Facebook. ) REGULARS Wed is QUIZ NIGHT with a cash prize at 7.45pm for an 8pm start.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat is CABARET at 10pm: TBA
SPICE
MIKE NEWSHAM
LISTINGS
(1), Sally Vate (8 & 22), Spice (15) and Kara Van Park (29). Golden Handbag Special Award winner Spice (15) says: “I’ll be bringing a combination of sparkle and showbiz to the Zone stage with show-stopping songs, camp sing-a-longs and loads of laughs along the way!” ) REGULARS Fri is LIVE ENTERTAINMENT at 10pm: Collusion (7), Tabitha
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Son of a SATURDAY 29 Tutu 9.30pm l AMSTERDAM SanFranDisco: DJ Mick l REVENGE WTF!: DJs over 2 floors Fuller 8pm 11pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm l SUBLINE Leathermen South: 3rd l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm Birthday 10pm l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm l ZONE cabaret: Kara Van Park 10pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE Roof Terrace Party: live SUNDAY 30 bands 1pm; Open Cocktail Masterclass l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pm8pm; DJ Prynesh 10pm till gone l CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ karaoke 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions Tony B 9.30pm pres Live Music 8.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Davina l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club DJs 9pm Sparkle 9.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJ 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 8pm Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Kayne 12pm–till gone l CHARLES ST cabaret: Lady Imelda & Gloria Hole 2pm
THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS ) 59 North Rd, BN1 1YD, Tel: 01273 608571, www.3jollybutchers.com ) OPEN 12pm on Mon–Sat, 1pm on Sun. Private function room available. ) FOOD Thur & Fri 12–8pm, Sat 12–7.30pm, Sunday roasts 12–5pm.
Meal Deal: two specials for £15 Mon–Wed, 12–7.30pm. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sunday (16) is the WIMBLEDON Men’s Final with free strawberries & cream from 12pm. Stay put for the JAZZ ROAST with Quaver Behaviour from 2pm. ) REGULARS Thur is QUIZ NIGHT at 7.30pm with £50 cash prize. ) Fri (14 & 28) is with DJ Havoxx at 6.45pm. ) Sun is the JAZZ ROAST with chilled jazz, incl Quaver Behaviour (2), at 3pm, free entry.
Wild (14), Davina Sparkle (21) and Topsie Redfern (28). Singer and dancer Tabitha Wild (14) comes from a background of live entertainment and has a real love for sequins, cheesy music and parties! She says: “I’ll be performing cheesy pop, heavy on the 80s, songs that drunk people will sing and dance along to!” ) Selected Wimbledon matches shown on the big screen in July.
7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8.30pm l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Davina Sparkle 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Area Code 6pm l PRISCILLA’S All Day Karaoke: Betty Swollocks & Princess C*nty 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Penny 6.30pm & 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Cum In Your Pants: underwear night 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast 2pm; Sunday roasts 12-5pm
MONDAY 31
l BAR BROADWAY Classics 7pm l CHARLES STREET Bang Bang: DJ Rupert Ellick 10pm l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad Mondays 9.30pm l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Andy Woon & guests 2pm; Stacey Dawson & guests 8pm
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 41
42 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
SOLENT
l HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD 1 Hampshire Terrace, Southsea TEL: 02392 297509 OPEN: Sun & Mon 9pm-2.30am, Wed & Thurs 7pm-2.30am, Fri & Sat 7pm-3am HAPPY HOURS: Sun all night, Wed & Thur 7pm-12am, Fri & Sat 7-10pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Compton Walk, SO14 0BH TEL: 023 8036 6163 www.theedgesouthampton.com OPEN: daily at 4pm HAPPY HOURS: 4–6pm & 6-10pm daily
SATURDAY 1 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Saturday Sessions: host Danii Dior & DJ Rupert Ellick till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; The Big One: DJs 10pm l EDGE The Big One: DJs 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Tiny 9pm
SUNDAY 2 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sunday Funday: DJ Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Sunday Social: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Drag With No Name’s Birthday & Silly Willy Sunday 8pm; roasts 12-3.30pm
FOOD: 4–10pm daily l EDGE Compton Walk, SO14 0BH TEL: 023 8036 6163 www.theedgesouthampton.com OPEN: Sun, Tue & Thurs 11pm-4am: Wed 10.30pm-4am: Fri & Sat 11pm-5am l LONDON HOTEL 2 Terminus Terrace, SO14 3DT TEL: 02380 710652, www.the-london.co.uk OPEN: Mon-Wed 12-11pm, Thu 1212.30am, Fri & Sat 12-1.30am, Sun 1211.30pm. FOOD: Mon-Sat 12-3pm; Sunday roasts 12-3.30pm
l LONDON HOTEL Mellow Martha’s Music Box: karaoke 9pm
FRIDAY 7 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD That Friday Feeling: host Cherry Liquor & DJs on rotation till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; Get Some: DJs 10pm l EDGE Get Some ‘Fresh’: DJs Darcy Buckland, Audio K9 & Lady Bex 10.30pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ Rupert 9pm; cabaret: Rose Garden 10pm
SATURDAY 8
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Saturday Sessions: host Danii Dior & DJ Rupert Ellick till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; The Big One: DJs 10pm MONDAY 3 l EDGE The Big One: DJs 11pm PORTSMOUTH l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs Dazza 9pm Lee Harris & Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON SUNDAY 9 l BOX BAR opens 4pm PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sunday Funday: TUESDAY 4 DJ Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Open Mic 8pm l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Sunday Social: l EDGE S.M.U.T: DJ Audio K9 11pm DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm l LONDON HOTEL London Podium: Mrs WEDNESDAY 5 Moore + Lola Lasagne 8pm; roasts 12PORTSMOUTH 3.30pm l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Alfie Ordinary’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm MONDAY 10 SOUTHAMPTON PORTSMOUTH l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Bar 150: DJs & l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs karaoke 10pm Lee Harris & Luke Ennor till 2.30am l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Lee Harris & Liam SOUTHAMPTON Searle + Cheeky Pete’s Karaoke 11pm l BOX BAR opens 4pm
THURSDAY 6 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Aura-J’s karaoke, games & show 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Quiz On Your Face: £100 bar tab to be won 8pm l EDGE Pop!: video DJ Neil Sackley 11pm
TUESDAY 11
LOLA LASAGNE (SUN 9)
PORTSMOUTH
MARTHA D’ARTHUR EVERY THURSDAY
LISTINGS
LONDON HOTEL
SOUTHAMPTON
) 2 Terminus Terr, SO14 3DT, Tel: 02380 710652, www.the-london.co.uk ) OPEN daily from 12pm. ) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–3pm; Sunday lunch 12–3.30pm. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur (27) is a night to celebrate 50 Years since the Decriminalisation of Homosexuality with Martha D’Arthur, the Southampton Gay Men’s Choir and many surprises from 7pm. ) REGULARS Thur is Mellow Martha’s MUSIC BOX KARAOKE with Martha D’Arthur at 9pm. ) Fri is FAIRYLEA at 9pm with DJ Rupert; CABARET at 10pm:
Rose Garden (7), Son of a Tutu (14), Miss Jason (21) and Mary Mac (28). ) Sat is GUILTY PLEASURES at 9pm with DJs: Tiny (1), Dazza (8), Neil Sackley
(15), Lucinda & guest vocalist Sam Soalce for Fran’s 50th (22) and Claire Fuller (29). ) SUNDAY NIGHT ON THE LONDON PODIUM at 8pm with a double-dose of many of the UK’s top live performers: Drag With No Name’s Birthday & SILLY WILLY SUNDAY (2), Mrs Moore & Lola Lasagne (9), Miss Penny (16), Tanya Hyde & Nan (23) and Lucinda Lashes & Vicki Vivacious (30).
WEDNESDAY 12 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Alfie Ordinary’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm;Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle + Cheeky Pete’s Karaoke 11pm
THURSDAY 13 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Aura-J’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Quiz On Your Face: £100 bar tab to be won 8pm l EDGE Pop! Video DJ Neil Sackley 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Mellow Martha’s Music Box: karaoke 9pm
FRIDAY 14 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD That Friday Feeling: host Cherry Liquor & DJs till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; Get Some: DJs 10pm l EDGE Get Some: DJs Darcy Buckland, Audio K9 & Lady Bex 10.30pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ Rupert 9pm; cabaret: Son of a Tutu 10pm
SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; The Big One: DJs 10pm l EDGE The Big One: DJs 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Neil Sackley 9pm
SUNDAY 16 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sunday Funday: DJ Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Sunday Social: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm l LONDON HOTEL London Podium: Mrs Moore 8pm; roasts 12-3.30pm
MONDAY 17 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm
TUESDAY 18 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Portsmouth Drag Race Heat 2: drag queen comp 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Open Mic 8pm l EDGE S.M.U.T: DJ Audio K9 11pm
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Portsmouth Drag WEDNESDAY 19 Race Heat 1: drag queen comp 7pm PORTSMOUTH SATURDAY 15 SOUTHAMPTON l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Alfie Ordinary’s l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Open Mic 8pm PORTSMOUTH karaoke & mid-week party 7pm l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Saturday Sessions: l EDGE S.M.U.T: DJ Audio K9 11pm host Danii Dior & DJ Rupert Ellick till 3am
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 43
44 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM EDGE SOUTHAMPTON + HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD PORTSMOUTH
SOLENT
DANII DIOR EVERY SAT: www.eleanorcarverphotography.co.uk
LISTINGS
THE EDGE & BOX BAR
HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD
) Compton Walk, SO14 0BH, Tel: 023 8036 6163, www.theedgesouthampton.com ) OPEN The Box Bar: 4pm daily. ) Edge: 11pm Tue–Sun. ) FOOD Box Bar: 4–10pm daily ) HAPPY HOURS The Box Bar: £3 offers 4–6pm daily, 2-4-1 cocktails 6–10pm
) Hampshire Terrace, Southsea, PO1 2QN, Tel: 02392 297509 ) OPEN Sun & Mon 9pm–2.30am, Wed & Thurs 7pm–2.30am, Fri & Sat 7pm–3am. ) HAPPY HOURS Sun all night; Mon select drinks £1.50; Wed & Thu
SOUTHAMPTON
daily (till 8pm on Sat); The Edge: £2.50 bombs on Tues, £1.50 drinks on Wed. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Wednesday is BAR 150 at 10pm in The Edge with DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle plus Cheeky Pete’s KARAOKE, free b4 10pm. ) REGULARS Thur is QUIZ ON YOUR FACE at 8pm in The Box Bar with £100 bar
tab to be won. Then POP in The Edge at 11pm with video DJ Neil Sackley, pop videos, £2 entry. ) Fri is GET SOME at 10pm with DJs Darcy Buckland, Audio K9 & Lady Bex, free b4 11pm, £3–£6 after. Themes: Fresh (7) and 90s Party (28). ) Sat is THE BIG ONE at 10pm with 4 bars, 2 dancefloors & guest/resident DJs; free b4 10pm, £1–£6 after. ) SUNDAY SOCIAL in The Box Bar at 10pm with DJ Darcy Buckland, free b4 11pm, £1 b4 12am, £2 after. ) Tue is OPEN MIC SESSIONS at 8pm in The Box Bar; then S.M.U.T at 11pm in The Edge with DJ Audio K9 spinning mash-ups; £1 b4 12am, £2 after.
SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle + Cheeky Pete’s Karaoke 11pm
DJs 10pm l EDGE The Big One: DJs 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures & Fran’s 50th: DJ Lucinda Lashes & vocalist Sam Solace 9pm
THURSDAY 20
SUNDAY 23
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Aura-J’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Quiz On Your Face: win £100 bar tab 8pm l EDGE Pop!: video DJ Neil Sackley 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Mellow Martha’s Music Box: karaoke 9pm
FRIDAY 21
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Summer Xmas Party 9pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Sunday Social: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm l LONDON HOTEL London Podium: Tanya Hyde & Nan 8pm; roasts 123.30pm
MONDAY 24
PORTSMOUTH PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Summer Xmas l HAMPSHIRE BLVD That Friday Party 9pm Feeling: host Cherry Liquor & DJs till 3am SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm l BOX BAR open 4pm; Get Some: DJs 10pm TUESDAY 25 l EDGE Get Some: DJs Darcy Buckland, PORTSMOUTH Audio K9 & Lady Bex 10.30pm l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Portsmouth Drag l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ Race Grand Final 7pm Rupert 9pm; cabaret: Miss Jason 10pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Open Mic 8pm SATURDAY 22 l EDGE S.M.U.T: DJ Audio K9 11pm PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Saturday Sessions: WEDNESDAY 26 host Danii Dior & DJ Rupert Ellick till 3am PORTSMOUTH SOUTHAMPTON l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Alfie Ordinary’s l BOX BAR open 4pm; The Big One:
PORTSMOUTH
7pm–midnight; Fri & Sat 7–10pm. ) HB GAY CARD Sign up for a HB Gay Card for £10, valid for one year. Perks include: points to spend at the bar, free VIP booth on your birthday, priority entrance, Q jump and you can use it as ID to enter the club! Ask staff for more details. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sharpen those stilettos and iron out that wig for the Heats of the PORTSMOUTH DRAG RACE on Tue (11 & 18) at 7pm, message HB on Facebook to enter. The Grand Final is on Tue (25) from 7pm. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (23) & Mon (24) SUMMER XMAS PARTIES at 9pm. ) REGULARS The SATURDAY SESSIONS with host Danii Dior & DJ Rupert Ellick playing chart/party anthems, free till 11pm/£3 till midnight/£5 after. Danii says: “I’m fem and glamorous, your hostess with the mostess. I aim to take my drag mainstream into the modelling and fashion world. Not only can I give a good look, but I can turn it out on the dance floor and will forever be a queen for the people.” f @thedaniidior or Instagram: @daniidior ) SUNDAY FUNDAY with DJ Luke Ennor, free entry. ) Mon is 20SOMETHING with DJ Lee Harris & Luke Ennor, free till 10pm/£3 till midnight/£5 after. ) Wed is Alfie Ordinary’s KARAOKE midweek party. ) Thur is Aura-J’s KARAOKE with games & a show.
karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle + Cheeky Pete’s Karaoke 11pm
THURSDAY 27 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Aura-J’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Quiz On Your Face: win £100 bar tab 8pm l EDGE Pop!: video DJ Neil Sackley 11pm l LONDON HOTEL 50 Years of the Decriminalisation of Homosexuality: Martha D’Arthur, the Southampton Gay Men’s Choir & surprises 7pm
FRIDAY 28 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD That Friday Feeling: host Cherry Liquor & DJs till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; Get Some: DJs 10pm l EDGE Get Some 90s: DJs Darcy Buckland, Audio K9 & Lady Bex 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ
Rupert 9pm; cabaret: Mary Mac 10pm
SATURDAY 29 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Saturday Sessions: host Danii Dior & DJ Rupert Ellick till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; The Big One: DJs 10pm l EDGE The Big One: DJs 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
SUNDAY 30 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sunday Funday: DJ Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Sunday Social: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm l LONDON HOTEL London Podium: Lucinda Lashes + Vicki Vivacious 8pm; roasts 12-3.30pm
MONDAY 31 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm
DANCE MUSIC BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE & KATE WILDBLOOD
ALBUMS
melodies of International Feel introduces ) Summer brings with it a fine Scott Gilmore selection of tunes to get you and Subtle wiggling in the sunshine. Just how Vertigo; the we like it. dreamy textured sounds of SW’s If you do one Untitled on Sued Records; or thing this Berlin wonder month make Dauwd’s Theory sure you buy of Colours on the Manchester Technicolour. With Love July must plays compilation, a fundraiser with real are the right heart delivering a sound tasty Dimensions Recordings: An outpouring of love from Introduction with artists Manchester’s famous music scene, showcasing names foundational to including Byron The Aquarius and Obsolete Music Technology and its modern incarnation and a Brighton Pride plethora of industrious new artists. teaser that is Make a difference by heading to the Pet Shop bandcamp.com. Boys And make sure Catalogue: you grab some 1985-2012, a fine July action very special series of reissues of courtesy of any all their studio albums released on of these fine Parlophone. A peerless PSB players: the rework genius of discography, the purchase of Balance presents Natura Sonoris which will never be a sin. Enjoy. mixed by Henry Saiz on Balance Catch Wildblood & Queenie’s Music; the blissful Balearic Home Service on RadioReverb 3 mixed by Jim July 1, 15 & 29 at 7pm and Wildblood’s new 1BrightonFM Breese on Balearic Records; show July 12 & 26 at 8-10pm. perfectdistractions.com the hypnotic
DJ PROFILE: AUDIO K9 As July is upon us, a trip along the coast seems in order! This month Queenie sashays over to Southampton to have a chat with the gorgeous Audio K9. Hello, how are you? Hello Queen Jo, I’m very well thanks and excited to take part in this interview! Where do you DJ? You can see me playing at The Edge & The Box Bar, Southampton on Fridays, Tuesdays and some Saturdays. I also put up mixes regularly to my MixCloud and SoundCloud. Check out: www.mixcloud.com/audiok9 and www.soundcloud.com/audiok9 What music do you play/make? I play a wide range of mainstream and underground music depending on the venue or event I’m playing at. My preferred genres are house, deep house, future house, bass, and garage. I produce mash-ups and edits for my DJ sets, some of which are available to download. I’m also looking to get some original tracks out there in the near future. Fave song ever? I’m torn between so many classic club anthems! Rui Da Silva featuring Cassandra’s Touch Me has to be my favourite. What’s so good about playing to your home crowd? I’ve really got to know a lot of the punters in Southampton - usually through socialising before/after a set or on a night off - so when I play to my home crowd I really feel the love and support from them… it’s brilliant!
WILDBLOOD & QUEENIE’S JOYFUL JULY 12”s ) DUSKY Cold Heart 17 Steps Falling for this wonder down deep in our heart. ) LATELIER Helene Francoise Roots For Bloom Shag Edits deliver another class session for us house lovers. ) SAM SKILZ & Terri B Reach Out (Terrace Mix) Gaga Records Hands in the air summer anthem destined to make you sizzle. ) HATTERMAN Makes You Troublemaker Making us happy over and over and over. ) MODERNA Y THEUS MAGO Tecno Misógino La Dame Noir Records Techno to open your eyes and ears. ) NICKODEMUS ft Lisa Shaw/Carol C/BAM In My House Wonderwheel Mary Jane Girls gets a house reboot and all is good. ) BEN STERLING ft Jacquie Smith Besides Me Origins Rcrds Blooming lovely house music of the authentic kind. ) INLAND KNIGHTS Walk On Drop Music Subway EP magic from the knights of pure house music. ) LOOKY LOOKY Flamingo Boots/Crotch Rocket Dark Entires Just as kooky as you’d expect. An electronic enchanter. ) BRIAN RING He's A Part-Time Playa She’s... Berlin Bass Collective It’s not over till the diva is sampled to perfection.
Ultimate place to DJ and favourite ever gig? Definitely Ministry of Sound in London. I’ve always been a huge fan of MOS so this really would be the ultimate place to make an appearance or have a residency at. My favourite gig ever is a tough one as I’ve had so many. When I played at Gabefest 2015 (my first festival) on the Twisted Stage it was the first silent disco I’d done and I really didn’t know what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised, it was great fun and with such a lovely crowd! I’ll be making an appearance at Gabefest in Durley, Hampshire again this year on the Twisted Stage, July 28–29. Guilty pleasure? I’d have to say the old clubland music by the likes of Cascada, N-Trance, Darren Styles and Sak Noel. Describe yourself in three words! Committed, funny and creative!
AUDIO K9’S CURRENT TOP FIVE ) LA ROUX In For The Kill (Hannah Wants Edit) Dirtybird Records ) BIZARRE INC Playin’ With Knives (Low Steppa Edit) Vinyl Solution ) SOULSEARCHER Can't Get Enough (Joshrox 2017 Re-Fix) Defected ) THE SHAPESHIFTERS Lola’s Theme 2017 Recut (original) Glitterbox ) DUKE DUMONT & Gorgon City Real Life (original) Black Butter
46 GSCENE
BY M I C H A E L H O O T M A N
MARLBOROUGH THEATRE RAINBOW CHORUS St Georges Church, St George’s Rd www.brownpapertickets.com/eve nt/2951192 ) RAINBOW CHORUS: CLASSICS TO CLASSICAL (7.30pm, Sat 15). The Rainbow Chorus present a spectrum of music from Faure to Freddie Mercury, directed by Aneesa Chaudhry, accompanied by Mojca Monte and with BSL interpretor Marco Nardi. Faure created a new kind of church music using dynamic harmony and colour and this will be complimented with classics from Rainbow's repertoire including Lady Gaga, Queen, David Bowie, Anthony & The Johnsons and a Russian Eurovision entry! Tickets: £14/£10, children £7.
TORI SCOTT
TRAVIS ALABANZA
JAK SOROKA
4 Princes St, Brighton, www.brownpapertickets.com ) TRANS PRIDE HISTORY CLUB SPECIAL (Sun 16). Working with artist Jak Soroka this event looks at how we build the representations of trans and non-binary lives in archives and museums. It will focus on creative ways to document trans and nonbinary lives and how to mark places of significance in our city. Free but ticketed. ) TRANS PRIDE ART NIGHT (Thu 20). Travis Alabanza is a black, genderf***ing, non-binary performance artist, currently 2016/17 Artist in Residence at the Tate. Their work combines live performance, poetry, soundscapes and projection to scream about their survival. Jak Soroka’s We Will Remember is an exploration of the Marlborough’s queer history, a call to remember in the face of historic and current erasure of trans and queer histories. We exist. We are not new, we are not a trend. We have always been here. Hester Chillingworth’s Shorty is a deconstructed drag-child of indeterminate gender, who frays at the edges and plays at the edges. Neither here nor there, neither this nor that, Shorty brings a spare change of clothes to most places, and usually has to use them. This show champions the not-quite, the slight and the awkward. It’s about the importance of grey areas. ) TORI SCOT: THIRSTY! (Wed 26). Named one of Time Out New York’s Top 10 Cabaret Artists, Tori Scott makes her hilarious UK Debut with Thirsty! – a shameless musical journey of slurred autobiographical stories (and songs written by other people). Join this 'soul baring singer and sharp comedian' (Huffington Post), direct from sell-out performances at The Public Theater, New York, for a celebration of poor life choices and an unconditional love of vodka set to the music of Aretha Franklin, Judy Garland, Miley Cyrus and more.
EYES WIDE OPEN eyeswideopencinema.co.uk The queer cinema collective presents: ) THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (Fri 14). A newly engaged couple’s car breaks down in an isolated area and they must call at a bizarre residence. A camp classic featuring Tim Curry as Dr Frank-NFurter, the brilliantly bisexual 'transvestite from Transylvania'. Dressing up is encouraged, quoting along is welcome, and singing and dancing a must. Outdoor screening in the grounds of Preston Manor. ) TRANS PRIDE SHORTS (Fri 21). For the fifth year running, Trans Pride, My Genderation and Eyes Wide Open Cinema team up to curate a selection of short films exploring a variety of trans lives and experiences worldwide. This eclectic selection, featuring both fact and fiction, is testament to the heterogeneity of trans lives
and a celebration of resilience in the face of oppression. This showing at Duke’s@Komedia, Gardner St, Brighton will also be repeated at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill (Mon 31).
EDDIE IZZARD The Dome, New Road, Brighton Box office: 01273 709709 ) EDDIE IZZARD: BELIEVE ME (Sat 8). An intimate evening with Eddie reading extracts from his new memoir and sharing personal family moments and photographs with the audience. A Q&A follows the conversation.
KOMEDIA Gardner Street, Brighton ) BENT DOUBLE (Sun 2). A gayfriendly, irreverent night of fun and frolics hosted by Zoe Lyons (Mock The Week and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow). Featuring headliner Sarah Kendall, with Joe Wells and Sam Savage.
THEATRE ROYAL New Road, Brighton, Box office: 08448 717650 ) BEYOND THE BARRICADE (Sun 9). The show features West End/Broadway musical hit songs
BEYOND THE BARRICADE
ARTS
perform works by Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Samuel Barber and Resound will perform showstoppers What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor, the haunting Frobisher Bay, sea shanty Haul Away and others. Jointly the choirs will sing Water Night supported by pianist Tim Nail. Tickets £12 available online.
performed by former principal cast members of Les Misérables. Other hit shows include The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Blood Brothers and Miss Saigon.
COMING SOON...
RESOUND St Andrews, Waterloo St, Hove www.resoundmalevoices.org/ ) RESOUND & BRIGHTON CHAMBER CHOIR WATER NIGHT (7.30pm, Sat 8). These two very diverse singing groups have collated an evening of music which will appeal to land-lubbers and seafarers alike taking the music of Eric Whitacre’s Water Night as their inspiration. The BCC will
) Your next opportunity to hear Actually Gay Men’s Chorus in concert will be at Love Actually (7.30m, Fri, August 4) with soprano Samantha Howard and Kara Van Park at St Andrews Church, Waterloo Street, Hove. Tickets available online at: www.actuallygmc.org
BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS St George’s Church, Kemptown, Box office: Prowler St James’s Street Box office: tickets.brightongmc.org ) BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS: SHOWTIME (Fri 28–Sat 29). For this year’s Pride concert, the chorus turns its attention to that much-neglected genre… show tunes! Musical Director Marc Yarrow said: “I’m so excited about Showtime. Musical Theatre is my true passion. When the music team and I selected the repertoire we decided to bring together numbers from classic shows like Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, South Pacific, Hair and Into The Woods. But we also wanted to feature music from newer, West End and Broadway productions like Finding Neverland and Sister Act, and recognise less well-known gems like Lazarus. And of course, for a Pride Show, we couldn’t exclude crowd-pleasers from La Cage aux Folles, Sound of Music and Hairspray.” £1 from each ticket sold will go to The Rainbow Fund.
GSCENE 47
SUNDAY NIGHT AT... THE THEATRE ROYAL Stars of stage and screen celebrate 50 years of Rockinghorse charity.
SAM CALLAHAN
) For one night only, on Sunday, September 24, Brighton’s Theatre Royal plays host to stars of stage and TV for a very special gala variety performance, in the presence of the Mayor of Brighton & Hove and the High Sheriff of East Sussex. Sunday Night at the Theatre Royal will be celebrating 50 years of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity while raising money for Sussex Giving for Sussex-based charities. Starring the UK’s leading female impersonator, the fabulous and multi-talented Ceri Dupree, X Factor heart-throb, singer and model, Sam Callahan, recording artist and Latest LGBT+ TV presenter Allan Jay and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Eva Iglesias, this traditional variety show has something for everyone including a live band.
Sam Callahan, who had the girls and boys swooning on the 2013 series of X Factor, has been carefully carving a career in music for himself since leaving the show. Still only 22, Sam has been writing his own music since he was 14. He worked with Geri Halliwell at 19 Management before his big break on X Factor, now has his own record label and is presently working on his new music video. He says X Factor was “an essential part of his growth as an artist” and would recommend the experience to everyone. His musical influences are Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes and in his set he sings everything from Ben E King to Stevie Wonder. Outside of music, Sam has his own health and fitness business and takes his own personal fitness very seriously. He has a ripped body to die for, is always happy to get his kit off and has appeared naked on the front cover of GT. He loves dogs, supports Celtic and West Ham and while his romances with the ladies have kept him in the tabloids, this ex-barman from Essex is essentially an old head on sensible young shoulders. ) Sunday Night at the Theatre Royal will be directed by Carole Todd, West End and touring theatre director and choreographer, and produced by Rob Reaks and David Bell. The show on Sunday, September 24 is sponsored by locally-based businesses, including: Brighton & Hove Buses, Reveries Events, Lloyds Banking Group, SkyFall Hove, Marketing Actually and The Best of Brighton & Hove. Tickets priced from £15 to £55 are available at the box office on: 0844 871 7615 or online: atgtickets com/brighton
48 GSCENE
) I first heard Timothy Ridout (viola) perform in the Brighton Festival with the Teyber Trio in ) The first volume of conductor 2015. This year he was back at the Rumon Gamba’s latest recording festival, this time with pianist project of British Tone Poems, with John Reid, and he gave another the BBC National Orchestra of impressive performance. For his Wales opens with Spring, A debut recording, he has recorded, together with pianist Ke Ma, the complete works for viola by Henri Vieuxtemps (1820-1881). Vieuxtemps was a violin virtuoso hailed as ‘the next Paganini’. Yet he also frequently played the viola, and wrote a number of works for the instrument. The opening Allegro of the unfinished second Viola Sonata is full of melodic invention, and the playful Scherzo that follows is a delight, to which Ridout gives Symphonic Rhapsody, by Frederic great character. A transcription Austin (1872-1952). This is a lush, entitled La Nuit, follows – a sweet, filmic work, sounding perhaps more summery than spring-like, but nevertheless infectiously positive in outlook. William Alwyn’s (19051985) brief Blackdown - Tone Poem From The Surrey Hills follows, and is subtler in its pastoral hues, despite being written when he was just 21. Sir Granville Bantock (1868-1946) drew on a poem by Shelley for his tone poem, The Witch of Atlas, a work full of salon piece, exploiting the viola’s atmosphere and delicate rich tone. Next an Etude, with its orchestration and frequent solo perpetual rhythmic flow supported passages, detail which Gamba and by delicate chords from the piano. the BBC NOW exploit beautifully. The first Viola Sonata opens with a Troubled composer and poet Ivor beautiful lyrical tune in the viola’s Gurney (1890-1937) ended his lower register before launching into days in a mental hospital, an energetic allegro. The equally destroyed by his experiences in lyrical central Barcarolle is WW1. Editors have worked on his followed by an animated finale, in sketches for A Gloucestershire which there is more of an exchange Rhapsody, creating a performable between the piano and viola, work, darker and more wistful in giving Ma the chance to join tone, given a sensitive and Ridout in the foreground a bit touching performance here. Henry more. In the Capriccio for solo Balfour Gardiner’s (1877-1950) A viola, Vieuxtemps underpins a Berkshire Idyll also contains darker lyrical melody with spread chords, moments within its ostensibly building to a highly virtuosic sunny outer frame, and again there conclusion, and Ridout’s command are plenty of opportunities for here is impressive. Once again, it is individual members and sections of a lyrical melody that’s central to the orchestra to shine, which they the yearning Elégie, perhaps the certainly do here. The disc concludes most passionate piece here, and with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Ridout’s performance is highly (1872-1958) early sea-inspired work, engaging. The disc closes with a The Solent, with its hints of his perfect encore piece, Souvenir Sea Symphony to come. With richly d’Amérique, a set of variations on warm and delicate performances Yankee Doodle, full of dazzling from Gamba and the orchestra, this virtuosic display, and once again is a great start to what will surely Ridout is in complete command of prove to be a fascinating series. its demands. An impressive debut Chandos CHAN10939 recording by any standards, and
CINEMA ) Brett Dean’s new opera Hamlet, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski is live in cinemas (Thur 6). Directed by Neil Armfield, cast includes Sarah Connolly, Allan Clayton and Barbara Hannigan. In local cinemas, including: Duke’s @ Komedia Brighton, Cineworld Eastbourne and Connaught Cinema, Worthing.
CONCERTS BRIGHTON DOME www.brightondome.org, 01273 709709 ) The United Nations Orchestra (7.30pm, Sat 1) performs Elgar, Delius, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 21 with Freddy Kempf, and Vaughan Williams’ Tuba Concerto with Ben Thomson. Profits to UNICEF.
ACCA, UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX www.attenboroughcentre.com 01273 678822 ) Brighton Festival Chorus and Youth Choir (Sat 8), conducted by James Morgan, are joined by the Chamber Domaine for a concert of Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Barber and Gjeilo.
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH Waterloo St, Hove, www.reoundmalevoices.org ) Resound Male Voices join forces with the Brighton Chamber Choir (7.30pm, Sat 8) for a concert including music by Barber, Elgar, Stenhammar and Whitacre.
WORTHING ASSEMBLY HALL www.worthingtheatres.co.uk 01903 206206 ) The Worthing Symphony Orchestra (7.30pm, Mon 10) performs Alwyn, Saint-Saëns, and Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with Nicola Benedetti (violin).
FREDDY KEMPF
REVIEWS
SARAH CONNOLLY
BY NICK BOSTON
RESOUND
CLASSICAL NOTES
Fantasia del primo by Valente, also great to hear lesser-known repertoire for the Cinderella of the they are mostly fleeting miniatures. string family. Champs Hill CHRCD130 The dance-like movements, such as Valente’s Gagliarda Napolitana, ) Finally, an intriguing release and the lively Calata Ala Spagnola from harpsichordist Catalina by Joan Ambrosio Dalza (fl 1508) Vicens, inspired by performing on add bursts of energy amongst the what is possibly the oldest playable more reflective love songs and harpsichord in existence, made in Naples in around 1525. While deciding on repertoire to perform on the instrument, Vicens was inspired by the instrument’s possible history, old maps of Naples and writings from the time, as well as her own musings, and as a result she wrote a short story to accompany the disc, titled Il Cembalo di Partenope (Partenope’s Harpsichord – Queen Partenope was poetic numbers. There is Italian the founder of Naples). It is an and Spanish music, and music atmospheric and dreamlike tale, I written for the lute and the voice think best experienced in the free too. The harpsichord has a bright download audiobook (available at tone, and Vicens plays with great partenope.carpediem-records.com) delicacy and poise, making this a read by Vicens, accompanied with delightful collection. All in all, a music from the CD. The music is by fascinating and absorbing project, a range of composers from the 16th beautifully performed and century, starting with Antonio presented. Carpe Diem CD-16312 Valente’s (fl.1564-1580) publication of harpsichord works in Reviews, comments and events: v nicks-classical-notes.blogspot.co.uk 1576 and working backwards. t @nickb86uk There’s a surprising variety here, ) nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk although apart from the opening
GSCENE 49
ALL THAT JAZZ
ART MATTERS
BY S I M O N A DA M S
BY E N Z O M A R R A
For July I’ve sourced two exhibitions which open this month, as well as an update on an international group show that I’m involved in.
) RALPH TOWNER My Foolish Heart ECM. American guitarist Ralph Towner could almost be described as a classical rather than a jazz guitarist, such is his studied technical precision and elegant poise. Imagine listening to a jazz version of, say, Julian Bream or Andrés Segovia, and that is what this set sounds like. On this new release, his first solo outing for a decade, Towner plays both classical and 12-string guitars, the latter lending two pieces a mysterious, ethereal sound full of resonant, echoing strings. The title track is a fine version of a fine standard, the other 10 tracks his own compositions, each one developing in a naturally organic way. Throughout, Towner plays with light and space, every note properly illuminated while never overshadowing its successor. Nothing is rushed, and nothing is other than perfect. Quite, quite beautiful.
CONTEMPORARY BRITISH PAINTING www.contemporarybritishpainting.com/wordpress ) As part of the contemporary British painting group I’m involved in, CONTEMPORARY MASTERS FROM BRITAIN: 80 BRITISH PAINTERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY (Jul 7–Dec 30) will have 80 contemporary British paintings on display in four Chinese art museums for the first time, at the Yantai Art Museum, Artall Gallery, Nanjing, Jiangsu Art Gallery, Nanjing and the Tianjin Academy of Fine Art, Tianjin. Along with the exhibition, six of the exhibiting artists will give a talk on the subject of British painting in light of the digital revolution and explore why the hand-made work of art is more relevant today than it has ever been, connecting directly as it does with the profound human need to touch, feel and mediate emotion. Contemporary Masters From Britain draws 80 works from the Priseman Seabrook Collection of 21st Century British Painting which is housed in North Essex. It’s the only art collection in the United Kingdom dedicated to painting produced in Britain after the year 2000.
PALLANT HOUSE GALLERY 9 North Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1TJ pallant.org.uk ) The Pallant are marking the centenary of the birth of British artist, JOHN MINTON (1917–1957), with a major exhibition (Jul 1–Oct 1). A charismatic and complex artist, Minton was a Bohemian figure in London during the 1940s and 50s and a close friend of artists and writers including Michael Ayrton, Robert Colquhoun and Robert MacBryde, Lucian Freud, WS Graham and Keith Vaughan. The exhibition spans Minton’s achievements as a painter of highly evocative landscapes, including his moving depictions of bomb-damaged London; his focus on more exotic subject matter during the late 1940s and 50s inspired by
JOHNMINTON JAMAICANVILLAGE
) DOMINIC MILLER Silent Light ECM. Another acoustic guitarist on the same label, this time the renowned rock session player, Dominic Miller, best known recently for his work with Sting. For his debut jazz recording, Miller has put together a series of folk- and Latin-influenced pieces – Miller was brought up in Argentina and America – that groove along gently, percussion and drums from Miles Bould providing some basic rhythmic accompaniment. Like Towner, his technique is perfect, every note counting without ever shouting its presence. All 11 tracks are his, apart from a wistful version of Sting’s ‘Fields of Gold’. This might be a one-off set, but it is well worth checking out.
ENZO MARRA OBSERVERS
REVIEWS
LIVE ) SAFEHOUSE. Jazz is essentially an improvised art, its musicians often using the standards of show tunes and more recent pop songs from the likes of the Beatles, Joni Mitchell and Radiohead as a basis to improvise on. Then there are those musicians who operate on the freer end of the improvisatory spectrum, improvising from scratch while staying in the general area of jazz. Saxophonist Evan Parker comes to mind here. But beyond them, away in the outer reaches, are those who operate in the area best called free improv, or just improv. Theirs is a music of total improvisation, where performers with no premeditated ideas respond instantly to what their partners are doing, collectively organizing sound as they go along. Their instruments can be the mainstays of any jazz band, or treated and prepared guitars, or whatever sound-making objects they might bring along to the party, many of which are then sampled and treated through electronics. Improv is an instant art, and mesmeric when it goes well. The improv scene is alive and well in Brighton thanks to Safehouse. This admirable organisation holds an open session on the first Wednesday of each month, which is open to performers of all levels. They then hold a gig on the last Wednesday of the month, assembling a Wild Card Quartet from that month’s open session to perform together for the first time. Guest performers are also invited. None of this is for the faint-hearted, but if you have an open musical mind, check them out at: http://safehousebrighton.co.uk
extensive travels to countries such as Corsica, Spain and Jamaica, his remarkable sensitive portraits of young men referencing his own homosexuality, and the ambitious work produced in the late 1950s exploring historical and current events. The exhibition is curated by Simon Martin, Artistic Director at Pallant House Gallery, and Frances Spalding, art historian and biographer of Minton.
TOWNER ART GALLERY IN EASTBOURNE Devonshire Park, College Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4JJ www.townereastbourne.org.uk ) The Towner have re-launched their annual open exhibition as SUSSEX OPEN 2017 (Jul 22–Oct 1) with emerging and established artists from across Sussex invited to participate. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to present and view works by artists at every level of their career. Artists who have previously exhibited work in this open exhibition have gone on to be selected for John Moore’s Painting Prize, the Jerwood Drawing Prize, the BFI Film Festival in the experimental film category and have been shortlisted for the Mark Tanner Sculpture Prize.
50 GSCENE
PAGE’S PAGES BOOK REVIEWS BY ERIC PAGE ) ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE: CELEBRATING FAMILIES OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES by Shanni Collins (Jessica Kingsley, £10.99). Updated with new chapters on trans kids, non-binary families, twins and a fascinating chapter from a child psychologist about younger LGBTQ people having literature that reflects their own lives, this is Collins’ new look book in hardback. Collins’ upbeat, colourful and fun attitude to diversity is not only informative, inclusive and educational (as all good kids book should be) but it’s fun. The perfect book for any queers in your life with kids, or queer kids in your life! No worthy nonsense here, just great illustrations, entertaining stories, easy to read together chapters and a cheeky sassy style that lifts the heart.
) QUEER CITY by Peter Ackroyd (Chatto & Windus, £16.99). Ackroyd delivers an excellent queer read about London, this time ‘our’ London - queer, gay, lesbian and all the wondrous different types of sexuality and fluid genders that this city has thrown up protected, hidden, suppressed, cultured, twisted and then celebrated. Endless facts delight and amuse in this celebration and investigation of queer life from Celtic times to the present day. Not always centred on London, he gives background, understanding and a lot of saucy detail of various sub cultures, people, types, fashions, habits and secret groups of queers and gay men throughout the last 2,000 years. Chapters are laid out chronologically and dance across politics, sex, religion, sex, monarchy, sex, wars and empire
with enough subtext (and sex) to chew on and lays things out in the context of their times, giving a deep understanding of the why’s, where’s and how’s of queer life in our glorious capital city. The types we see on the streets of Soho and Vauxhall have been there, one way or another, since the dawn of the metropolis, forming it, being part of it and being part of its vibrant culture. Ackroyd connects us modern day queers with our Celtic, Saxon and Roman forbearers and all the benders, faggots, dykes, trannies, queers, inverts, perverts, queens, Ganymedes, sapphos, crossdressers, gender twisters, baroque non-binary beauties and run of the mill gay boys. All after the same things: same-sex love and sex, and going about it in surprisingly familiar ways. Validating, interesting and endlessly fascinating. ) THE HOPKINS CONUNDRUM by Simon Edge (Lightning Books, £8.99). Tim Cleverley inherits a failing pub in Wales. The only thing of interest is its location, where Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote his masterpiece, The Wreck, about some nuns fleeing Germany on board a doomed ship. The opaque religious poetry is incomprehensible to Tim – almost as if it’s written in code. This gives him an idea; he contacts an American author, famous as a purveyor of Holy Grail hokum, suggesting he write a book about the poet and fabricates a ‘mystery’. The author, in a period of writer's block, latches on to his
) NIGHT SKY WITH EXIT WOUNDS by Ocean Vuong (Jonathan Cape, £10). Vuong’s words writhe and spin - his use of English is astonishing. He’s a smelter at his poetry, making words transform into something other than letters and meaning. He takes us across his life and experience, taking in huge themes of life, death, war, loss, sexuality, queerness, outsider, student, teacher and leaves small gifts of glowing hope that float to the surface of these crafted works. His gay love poems are stark, beautiful and utterly unnerving in their uncompromising adoration, wrapped in layers of metaphor, idea; but will Tim's new relationship more spells than sentences. A with a genuine Hopkins fan scupper magical journey into Vuong’s the plan? Blending the real stories imagination and talents and an astonishing debut collection. of Hopkins and the shipwrecked nuns while casting a wry eye on The Da Vinci Code industry, it’s an original mix of fiction, literary biography and satirical commentary. New gay author Edge bring us a lovely story of poems, nuns, persecution, the Welsh countryside and romantic intrigue. It’s a delicious read with insights into the homoerotic experiences and suppressed gay life of Hopkins and the poetry itself washes though the book in the whirls and eddies of Edge’s great prose. It delivers more than expected and Edge’s dedication to his partner (also in the book) brought a tear to my eye.
) MORPHOSIS by Salem Beiruti (£39.99). "When I was a kid, I had a dream to become a conceptual artist and illustrator, this book is a part of my dream to become true." So opens this stunning book from illustrator Beiruti, who crafts male beauty and mystery into a seductive erotic story. Inspired by myths and masculinity of the hot and sexy sort, his artist’s journey is reflected directly in his art. This is about the journey of a man coming from Arabic culture and traditions becoming an artist who expresses his admiration for the human body in a mysterious yet obvious way. Beiruti has a beguiling style that is a pleasure to pour over. Bruno Gmunder’s usual high production values reflect the outstanding artwork of this sensual exploration of Arabic masculinity and fantasy men.
GSCENE 51
GEEK SCENE BY CRAIG STORRIE
COMICS ) This month sees the worldwide release of the latest Spider-Man reboot, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and it looks to be a fantastic comic book movie in its own right. This is also the first standalone film to feature Spidey since Marvel and Sony reached an agreement to share the rights to the character. This deal allowed Spider-Man to be integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe starting with Captain America: Civil War where he was taken under Tony Stark’s wing and who continues to be his mentor in this new film. After the events of Civil War, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is trying to balance his life as a superhero and a normal teenager. This balance is thrown into disarray when a new enemy, the Vulture (Michael Keaton), emerges and threatens everything that Peter holds dear. In celebration of the new movie, here’s some of the greatest Spider-Man stories that you should take time to read that might be unfamiliar to you. ) The Death of Jean DeWolff is a fourpart story arc from 1985 which sees Spider-Man dealing with the death of one of his closest friends. Written by one of the comic’s greatest writers, Peter David, the story was considered to be groundbreaking the second the first part hit the shelves. It perfectly captures both the flaws evident within the criminal justice system and the feelings of rage and vengeance when we lose someone close to us, especially when they’re taken from us before their time. One of the highlights of the arc is Spider-Man’s battle with Daredevil as both are right in their desire to capture the culprit but whilst Daredevil is more mature and in a sense ‘selfish’ Spider-Man is just a ball of revenge-driven bloodlust. It perfectly shows the difference in how different superheroes deal with fighting crime. ) Kraven’s Last Hunt, also known as Fearful Symmetry, depicts what was to be the final battle between SpiderMan and Kraven the Hunter (until he recently returned!). Desiring to prove himself the better of Spider-Man in every way, Kraven hunts down Spidey and seemingly murders him. After burying Peter, Kraven dons a copy of Spider-Man’s black costume and starts to roam New York hunting down criminals beating them all senseless. This continues until Spider-Man wakes up from the tranquiliser that Kraven injected him with and desperately digs his way out of his own grave. When Spider-Man finally confronts Kraven, the villain doesn’t fight back, considering himself the superior of Spider-Man and that he has made his point. When Spidey swings off to capture a new threat Kraven retires to his home and blows his brains out with a rifle. The story is a fantastic exploration of Spidey’s character and helps to show how others perceive him. It helps to highlight how human Peter is; a passionate, kind and caring guy which helps to influence how he battles his enemies.
GAMES ) As you can imagine with such a popular superhero like Spider-Man, it’s hard to pick just a few videogames that need to be played featuring our favourite web head. There are a slew of videogames out there on all kinds of consoles starring or even just featuring Spidey so it can be difficult to pick out the brightest and best titles and which ones deserve your attention. ) Let’s kick off with a classic fighting game that still stands strong the fantastic Spider-Man: Maximum Carnage. Based on the epic 1993 14-part storyline, (yes, 14-part!) this video game sees you take control of either Spider-Man or Venom as you battle through waves and waves of enemies on the streets of New York until you reach the deadly supervillain, Carnage. Maximum Carnage is notable for being one of the first videogames based on a comic book story with much of the game’s cut scenes using art and dialogue taken directly from the comics. This helped to further immerse you within the storyline of the game and made you feel like you were part of the comic book, which helped push you on through the stages to see how it all ends. Other Marvel heroes, such as Captain America, Iron Fist, Black Cat and Firestar, can also be summoned to help you progress through the levels with various effects. Whilst the game was released on both the SNES and the Mega Drive, both versions are virtually identical and originally came on blood red cartridges, which is very 1990s! The sequel, Separation Anxiety, is also worth a look as it further details the fight between Venom and his offspring, Carnage, as well as his battle against his other five children. ) There have been many games called just Spider-Man but it’s the one released in 2000 that really stands out from the crowd. Using the Tony Hawks engine, developers Neversoft made the first Spider-Man game to actually feel like you were swinging high above the streets of Manhattan; something that most future games would use as a template. The storyline is truly fantastic and features so many of Spidey’s enemies that it’s easier to say who isn’t in the game than who is. The audio was also top notch with most of the characters voiced by their counterparts from the 1990s’ Spider-Man cartoons, such as Rino Romano reprising his role as Spider-Man. The main song to the game is even a rock & roll remix of the 1960s cartoon! Sheer brilliance. Other games worth checking out are the official Spider-Man movie videogames, especially the adaptation of Spider-Man 2, which is quite possibly the greatest Spider-Man game ever made. Everything from the storyline, the web-swinging control system, to taking place within a fully realised version of Manhattan is perfect. Highest praise indeed! ) Notable mentions: Shattered Dimensions, Ultimate Spider-Man, Spider-Man (1991) and Spider-Man / X-Men
52 GSCENE
SHOPPING WITH MICHAEL HOOTMAN
) THE SALESMAN (Artificial Eye blu-ray). Asghar Farhadi’s follow-up to his masterful A Separation is another tense drama focussing on an Iranian couple whose marriage is tested by a sudden, violent event. A teacher (Shahab Hosseini) and his wife, Rana (Taraneh Alidoosti), are forced to move apartments when the walls of the one they’re living in, perhaps prophetically, begins to fracture. Their new home, which belongs to a fellow actor appearing with them in a Persian-language version of Death of A Salesman, was formerly inhabited by a prostitute; a fact which indirectly leads to Rana being violently assaulted. What follows is a gripping account of a man seeking revenge and a woman discovering more about the man she married. A worthy winner of this year’s Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
) Festival/Pride flower crown, £22; White straw Panama hat, £26; men's braces, £22.99 (Barbary Lane, 95 St George’s Road, Brighton, www.barbarylane.co.uk and Facebook)
) FILM (BFI blu-ray). Samuel Beckett’s only foray into cinema is this 1965 short starring Buster Keaton. Apart from one exclamation it’s completely silent - there’s no music or even background sounds of characters moving plus Keaton keeps his back to the camera for most of the film. And, as the genius of Beckett lies in his use of language, what remains seems something of an academic exercise. The presentation is packed with extras including a 1979 remake starring Max Wall; NOTFILM, a two-hour ‘Kino-essay’ which might help you understand what the film is about (evidently it’s a commentary on the writings of a 17th-Century Irish philosopher), outtakes and interviews. ) ‘Moorland’ Staffordshire Pottery Bowl, Beckett’s assessment of it as an ‘interesting failure’ is basically accurate, though £90 (The Barber’s Arms Vintage Shop, 9 I’d perhaps quibble about the ‘interesting’. Manchester St, Brighton 01273 628241) ) Exclusive T shirt and vest celebrating Pride £12.50 each. All profits to Sussex Beacon. Available only from Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen, 11-12 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TL
) Sci-fi Postcards, £14.99 (Junkfunk, 27 Gloucester Road, Brighton, 01273 680555) ) Feather-filled Kenneth Williams Cushion, £39 (Pussy, 3a Kensington Gardens, Brighton, 01273 604861) ) Superfood for super dogs. Dogroom in Hove stock NaturesMenu, raw superfood products recommended by Coastway Vets. Wholesome food, free of artificial colours, flavouring, meat derivatives and other nasties. Raw dog and cat food made with quality meats and fish, blended vegetables, fruit and healthy carbohydrates. Grain and gluten free raw food, ideal for dogs with sensitive tummies and allergies. Rich in antioxidants and made with ground bone for calcium, phosphate and magnesium. Claim your 10% discount on all NaturesMenu products. Vet recommended. Take the opportunity while you’re there to book the most important person in your life a shampoo, set and cut. (Dogroom, 98 Boundary Road, Hove, 01273 424 777, www.dogroomhove.co.uk)
GSCENE 53 platform as public as Attitude, problematic. One of the most controversial gender-related stories in the media over the past few years is that of children identifying as a gender other than that assigned at birth. Children as young as seven, six, five and as I’m neither trans nor a parent it’s a subject I’ve left alone. That is, until now. The Gender Games by Juno Dawson, which was released in early June, is subtitled The Problem With Men And Women From Someone Who Has Been Both. Well in that case, allow me to present the case that we shall call ‘the problem with encouraging young children to choose their own gender aged six, from someone who wanted to be a little girl but is very happy that he is now a 40-something homosexual man’.
CRAIG’S THOUGHTS A Transcendent Consolation Prize. Or my own trans-misdiagnosis. By Craig Hanlon-Smith @craigscontinuum ) I’m uncomfortable with some of the conversations I hear gay men having about the trans community. It’s not all gay men, and it’s not all of the time, but it’s more than enough to get me to shift in my seat. I also don’t believe any of it to be malicious. More often than not the jests and giggles remind me of the majority of comments I silently endured at family gatherings on Boxing Day in the late 1980s, when the subject of homosexuals inevitably came up. Even these were not nasty or unkind in the main, excessive eye-rolling and ‘Bloody-Hell’ were common place smattered with an occasional “let’s not talk about this in front of the children”. But as I longed to talk to someone about homosexuals by the time I was both a withdrawn and yet angry 17-year-old, even a refusal to discuss the matter felt like a social ball and chain. And so I try to support the trans community in my own pedestrian way. I’m not trans and I will never know what it means to be so, but I can be kind. I can remember what it felt like to not fit in and then to take tentative steps into what I felt was my own community, only to find I might not fit in there either. In short, I can understand the level of exclusion and dismissal and ensure that I don’t contribute to it. Be nice. So imagine my disappointment at the feature interview in Attitude magazine with local trans author Juno Dawson. Of course a not untypical alarmist headline grabber on the front cover doesn’t help: Lots Of Gay Men Are Really Trans Women it reads, ironically stamped next to a muscly half-naked Adam Peaty in his high cut swimming briefs. He is neither gay nor trans but actual gay and trans folk half-naked on the cover of a gay lifestyle magazine possibly wouldn’t sell, as we apparently all have a
inherent desire to want to f**k straight people, which is of course LGBT progress. I digress. Dawson is promoting a book and this fact should not be lost on the Attitude readers, there is, after all, no such thing as bad publicity when one is trying to flog one’s wares. To be fair to Juno Dawson our life experiences are our own and until a couple of years ago, Dawson identified as a gay man, but now as a trans woman. That is this particular story and this particular experience. It may well also be the case, as stated in the interview, that some individuals have approached Juno Dawson and, inspired by the story shared, have said they too have felt they were and I quote “selfmisdiagnosed” as homosexuals. But the epidemic Dawson suggests is anecdotal and the idea that “there are a lot of gay men out there who are gay men as a consolation prize because they couldn’t be women” both dangerous and (Attitude magazine, I’m talking to you) trouble making. Not to mention the confusion now set racing around the 13-yearold provinces, currently reading Attitude magazine under the midnight duvet, by torchlight. “I thought I was gay. F**k. I might actually be a woman”. This is clearly Dawson’s experience but the misguided assumption that this is the case with lots of gay men, well I find it an uneducated guess at best and, certainly on a
Aged five, six, seven, possibly older and certainly younger, I thought I was a little girl. I certainly aspired to dress like one, act like one, and hang out with all of the other little girls on my street and in my class at school. I longed for a Sindy doll, Girls World, wanted to be a ballet-dancer in a tutu, and when I was given a toy machine gun for a Christmas present, grabbed it by the barrel and vacuumed the living room carpet with the blasted thing, much to the horror of my paternal grandfather. My superhero of choice was Wonder Woman. I was delighted to collect her cartoon hero mask from the back of a Weetabix box and build myself a whole outfit around it. This included my mum’s knee high boots, a self-designed cardboard painted basque and KitKat wrappers for the wristband weapons. I promptly took on all the boys in the street with my high kicks and fierce leaps and was bullied mercilessly for years as a result. I was both Agnetha and Frida in school disco dancing competitions and when asked by my teachers; “What do you want to be when you grow up?” regularly responded: “The Three Degrees”. Leap forward 40 years and I couldn’t be happier. I’m an out and proud gay man and thoroughly enjoy the benefits and experiences afforded to me by being both. Under 10, I was not a trans girl, and despite my feminine under-10 self, nor have I ever aspired to be anything other than a man, a gay man. I’m also genuinely thrilled for Juno Dawson, for living life finally exactly as Juno Dawson wants to, and by that token we are a true LGBT family. We both live in a world that despite many hurdles for both of us, has ultimately supplied us with the opportunities and freedoms to be who we want to be. Let us, therefore, not twist our own life stories to suggest that one another’s may be the consolation prize, or misdiagnosis.
“I longed for a Sindy doll, Girls World, wanted to be a ballet-dancer in a tutu, and when I was given a toy machine gun for a Christmas present, grabbed it by the barrel and vacuumed the living room carpet...”
look at the lazy sods on the other side. Along the way they built ‘mile castles’ and placed a Roman guard in each one to keep an eye out so none of those lazy Picts entered or tried to emigrate to the Empire, with all its sunny resorts, illegally.
CHARLIE SAYS Borders without frontiers by Charlie Bauer Phd http://charliebauerphd.blogspot.co.uk ) Okay, all of you put down your two for one vodka shandies at Revenge and listen up. For ‘The Yoof’ has spoken and May is on the wane. Granted, it took a slide into uber-Toryism with a Brexit biscuit on the side to force everyone out of the ghetto and into the poling booth – but at least we got somewhere. This was another ‘almost’ the modern world. And this isn’t a loss for Labour either, don’t forget that. This gives Mr Corbyn time to destroy the disastrous policies of this Tory administration from across the bench and do some job training at the same time. The price to pay for this is those desperate Tories hooking up with the DUP party in Northern Ireland who, as we know, are antigay, anti-pro-choice and a whole load of other Ian Paisleyian shenanigans. However - it’s important for us to remember our loved ones over there who are crushed along that sad wall, the political fault line of Brexit middle England and the adjoining continent of Eire. North of the border, the DUP will be pushing a homophobic agenda right up against the wall, while south… what can I say here? Is the Pope Catholic? Spare a thought for those caught in the crossfire. It brings to mind another wall, not unlike the soon to be, apparently, Mexican version – borders to keep the so-called ‘scum’ out. It took historians a while to figure out how Hadrian’s Wall actually came about, effectively dividing Albion (Britanniae) and Caledonia – home of those god awful, trouble causing Picts (or Scots, as they were renamed in English later). The Romans, who were running European holiday resorts from Magaluf to Eilat, wanted to spread north and grab some skiing land with their eye keenly on what is now the site
of the Argyle ASDA. They arrived and lovingly showed the Picts their latest showy-offy invention called ‘The fortified Wheel’. The Picts weren’t impressed. So they built a stretch of road into their land, continuing from across the border, stating that that was what the wheels travelled on. The Picts said that they were very happy for them and their inventions, and got on with their day, tilling the fields and hanging out. More than pissed off with the lack of enthusiasm for the new lifestyle they were bringing to them for free, the poor Romans had two options: destroy every tribe from here to Shetland or build a bloody wall and keep the lazy bastards out. The former required armies, so build a wall they did. A year later the Romans arrived with wheels and carts and bricks and a straight line to stretch the 80 Roman miles from coast to coast – then told them to get digging. When they returned 10 years later to inspect the wall they found the wheels and carts and bricks exactly where they left them. And the Picts shrugged, ‘What?’, and carried on hanging out and getting drunk. This was the first time (in Latin) the phrase “If you want something done…” was uttered. And the Romans built their glorious wall, that was to be the northernmost part of the Roman Empire, high enough so they wouldn’t have to
In the absence of any trade treaties – because they broke away from the Empire and since everyone can ultimately be bought and these soldiers were often lonesome, communication across the wall, oiled by copious amounts of Pisky or Pict Whiskey, lead eventually to a ‘black market’. For a case of grog you could get your entire family either way without a visa or even a passport stamp. Grain, apples, golf clubs, you name it – it got sold across Hadrian’s Wall and the centurions worked their three-month shifts before coming home laden. Soldiers in Rome were eventually fighting to get up to ‘the wall’, despite the winters. I’m not saying this will happen on the ideological wall separating an already volatile border between Northern Ireland and Europa, neither am I suggesting that Trumpumpy has illusions of being a Roman emperor (Nero perhaps?) I’m just saying that walls always lead to trouble. Good walls make good neighbours, the American poet Robert Frost once said. But I beg to differ. Walls and battlements can always come tumbling down around you and then you’ll be exposed and ultimately at war all over again. Walls only divide land, remember. ‘Ideological walls’ are something else; battlements against other illegal alien nations. Invisible ones that we ourselves created only recently against Britannia’s own version of the Roman Empire – Europa. But we aren’t defiant and self reliant like the Picts were. Britain can no longer rely on the support of Americanus who have their own Syphilitic Tiberius to deal with. Now, Albion swirls like a turd in a vortex between two empires because of its own choosing. Unsupported and alone. We shouldn’t be celebrating a hung parliament. We should be celebrating, for once, the considered opinion that we live in a world full of ‘almosts’. ‘Almost staying in Europe,’ ‘Trumpy almost losing the Election’, ‘Corbyn ‘almost’ getting in’. We only live in a world of ‘almosts’ and ‘not-quites’. Until recently, bored, waiting for someone, somewhere to make a decision for us. But then, like a phoenix from nowhere, came ‘The Yoof’ who changed everything all over again. We need to break a bottle against the wall in their honour.
“Britain can no longer rely on the support of Americanus who have their own Syphilitic Tiberius to deal with. Now, Albion swirls like a turd in a vortex between two empires because of its own choosing. Unsupported and alone”
GSCENE 55
HYDES’ HOPES
DUNCAN’S DOMAIN
BY REV MICHAEL HYDES
BY DUNCAN STEWART
MY CHURCH
COMMON SENSELESSNESS
) Why a gay church? Why a church rooted in the LGBTQ community that specifically affirms LGBTQ people? Seriously, aren't there churches out there already that are welcoming and affirming for us? And isn't church attendance declining anyway? Isn't it just completely irrelevant to many people now, especially LGBTQ people who have traditionally been treated so badly by the church?
) You might be lucky and be born with a brain particularly well equipped to store memories and compute information but none of us are born with common sense, not even an ounce of it. We only increase our stock of this desirable quality by experiencing the wisdom, practicality and thoughtfulness of people usually older than ourselves. Our first human contacts as children are our parents, siblings, friends and teachers. These people are all influential and usually supportive but they don’t compensate for the experience derived from confronting the world at large with its amazing cast of good, bad, distrustful and occasionally hostile individuals. To that list must be added the institutions we encounter: schools, religious organisations, the media, advertisers and all the other distorters of the truth.
When I was a kid I read John Wyndham's The Chrysalids. It's about a post-apocalyptic world where a group of people, cut off from civilisation, had adopted a draconian religious life where anything different was feared and destroyed. There's a group of kids that are different, but for many years manage to hide their uniqueness. Eventually though they are discovered, have to flee for their lives, and people from the 'civilised' world rescue them and take them to a new homeland where they are affirmed instead of feared. I so wanted to be one of those kids. I wanted 'civilised' people to come and rescue me and take me to a new homeland where I could belong. Everything in my world seemed to sneer at me. Everything around me was heterosexual. My peer group. My teachers. My family. TV and movie heroes. Even God was a straight man, with a son. Every Bible story, advert on TV, all heterosexual, and if homosexuality was mentioned at all it was always in negative terms. I was a prisoner in my own life. I spent all my life hiding, pretending to be someone I wasn't. And when I did come out it felt like I spent all my time defending myself, explaining myself, coming out, again and again and again. I turned my back on religion completely.
“I discovered a faith that stood up for human rights, LGBTQ rights, all around the world. MCC became the bridge between where I was to where I am now” I know there are lots of churches where I would be welcome, but I so needed more than that. I needed a world where I belonged, completely. I needed a world where I was safe. Then I came to MCC. I met a God who was neither male, or female, and both. I discovered positive gay stories in the Bible, LGBTQ faith heroes, and spiritual leaders I admired who were out and proud. I discovered a faith that stood up for human rights, LGBTQ rights, all around the world. MCC became the bridge between where I was to where I am now. I believe we need more than a heterosexual patriarchal space where we are welcomed. We need a homosexual multi-gendered space in which we are affirmed. I found a space where some find a Jesus who says “I'm more like you than you could ever have imagined”, and where others find a faith community in which they can explore their spiritual identity as LGBTQ people, whatever faith path they may choose to walk. Church has become irrelevant to many people, a caricature of itself. But if church is a part of your culture where do you turn? And if you have a spiritual awakening, where can you safely explore that – even if you don't identify as Christian? When I read The Chrysalids I related so strongly to the story, and I ached to be rescued too. I so wanted a world full of LGBTQ people, LGBTQ affirming stories, a place where LGBTQ was normal, where I was normal. I yearned to be free. I never expected for a moment that I’d be rescued, or that I’d find the home that I'd always yearned for. I really, really never dreamed that it would be, of all things, a church.
I’m not a Luddite who derides the spectacular benefits bestowed by computers and the power of the internet, but, if, as a developing human being you only ever interact with supportive people and spend your leisure time closeted in your room tweeting, sending endless photos of your daily life via Instagram or WhatsApp and immersing yourself in the faux community of Facebook, your development must be stunted. Kids need protection but not isolation from the harsher realities of the world. Steer them away from contact with all that is potentially harmful, hurtful or horrid and they cannot be blamed for choosing to live in a bubble of their own design devoid of human challenges. Children are delivered to and collected from school because parents are fearful of public transport; students live together on vast campuses and seem to be increasingly distrustful and dismissive of members of any generation but their own because they don’t want or need to have much contact with them. Unfair? I don’t think so. In fact, I suspect we’ve already created a population largely lacking in common sense, evidence of which can be seen in the collective idiocy that led to the pro-Brexit vote on June 23 last year. This decision was about as clever as a sailor wanting to change his course choosing to do so without the aid of chart compass or SatNav. What a ridiculously short-sighted, irrational and hazardous act. We are about to become nationally adrift.
“We need more politicians with common sense and a vision of how to maintain harmony not the divisive foreigner-phobic bunch we have now” History is not ‘bunk’ (Henry Ford), it tells us what can happen if states become powerless and don’t keep an eye on what’s going on around them. Woody Allen got it right with his aphorism; “90% of success is being there” - and social media doesn’t count but meeting unfamiliar people does. The human race may eventually be wiped out by a viral pandemic or climate change but the immediate fear is that we revert to a world of warring mini-states. We need more politicians with common sense and a vision of how to maintain harmony not the divisive foreigner-phobic bunch we have now. I’m off to have a cold shower but will leave you with an encouraging Italian proverb: “Even a blind pig finds a truffle occasionally”. It may be the best we can hope for from our inexperienced Brexit negotiators.
56 GSCENE leads me to my current conundrum where I’m by nature very feminine but I carry over some of those masculine traits I picked up to try and protect myself when young, like being loud and standing out. This confuses people as they see a very feminine woman with some very masculine traits and they somehow think that it’s their place to correct my behaviour and 'help' me 'act' (I'm getting angrier every time I type it) more like a woman. I’m all the woman I always have been and always will be, I’ve absolutely no interest in modifying my behaviour to suit other people’s ideals of what a woman is. I’m a woman, a proud woman, and I’m enough.
PICS BY ALICE BLEZARD
As we enter Trans Pride month I want to remind all of my trans family, men, women, non-binary, genderqueer siblings that we’re ALL enough. None of us have to modify our behaviour to fit what we think is expected of us. We don't have to change the way we 'act', the way we walk, the way we talk, the way we dress, or have to try and fit in.
TRANSITIONING WITH SUGAR You need to be more ladylike, by Ms Sugar Swan ) Those six words. Those six words that I’ve heard over and over again in many different guises since I began transition feed into a cis narrative in which I neither belong, nor wish to. The Oxford English Dictionary defines 'lady' as 'a polite or formal way of referring to a woman'. Well, I’m a woman, so therefore, I’m a lady, and I’m ladylike. Of course, this isn’t what people mean when they tell me I should be more 'ladylike'. What they mean is that I should modify my behaviour to fit their blinkered ideas of what it means to be a woman, and I’m done modifying my behaviour to suit society. Herein lies the problem. The whole ridiculous idea that I should act more ladylike is fed to me by the same people who told me that I was too camp when I was read by society as a man. I used to be told that when I walked, I 'minced’. Now that exact same walk is read as feminine, which, of course, it always was as I’m female. It's just people’s perspectives that have changed, nothing else. At the other end of the spectrum, flatulence was acceptable when read as male but now frowned upon when read as female. The whole premise is a completely toxic one and I, along with everyone else in society both cis and trans, are free to express themselves as they feel fit. I will not police my characteristics to fit into people’s neat boxes and neither should anyone else. It’s an outdated cisnormative
narrative that tells us that men should act one way and women act another - and that’s the very heart of the problem. It is acting. As children, girls and boys have historically been encouraged to 'act' differently to each other. Girls are told to modify their behaviour, to be quieter, to not stand out so much, whereas boys are given a free pass to act boisterously. This is unhealthy right from the start and only feeds into the gap between gender behaviour expectations. I was raised to be a boy, but I wasn't one. I was certainly never boisterous, noisy, loud nor bouncy and highly excited as a child. I was the opposite. I behaved naturally how the girls were told to behave. I was quiet, shy, and preferred to play quietly with the girls. This, in turn, lead to bullying which then taught me to try and 'act' (there's that word again) like a boy to minimise the bullying. This acting that I’ve had to do all my life is deeply ingrained in me and naturally became part of the complex fabric of who I am. It
All our individual gender identities and presentations within the trans umbrella are valid and none of us have to explain ourselves, not to anyone. There is a huge amount of pressure on trans people to conform to what society thinks trans is. Cis people understand us better when we transition from one gender binary to another and we, as the trans community, need to be giving a huge 'screw you' to that mentality. There’s no right or wrong way to be trans, trans is who we are, not how we present. Medical transition isn’t for every trans person, and nor should it be. Hormonal and surgical binary transition is the goal for many and that's great. But for those of us who, like myself, may have a different starting point or may have a different end goal are not to be shamed. Trans women don’t have to wear make up or dresses and trans men don’t have to take on those qualities that boys were encouraged to at school. For the cisnarrative to police what the trans experience should be and look like is absolutely absurd. As we approach both Trans and Brighton Pride I ask you, the LGB cis community, not to judge us by your standards. As you start to see more of us out and about celebrating with you over the summer, remember, we’re not cis like you. We’re not here to be held to your beauty standards, your social norms, your upbringing. We are trans. We are beautiful. We are powerful. We are unique.
“For the cisnarrative to police what the trans experience should be and look like is absolutely absurd”
GSCENE 57
NETTY’S WORLD BY NETTY WENDT DIVERSE CITY ) I love Brighton. Only in Brighton can I even think of holding my partner’s hand in public. Only in Brighton would I feel safe to report hate crime against the LGBT community with confidence and impunity. Because here’s the thing… the rest of the world is still a truly dangerous place for us queers. We are all freaks to the haters, but I feel none are more ridiculed and misunderstood than those of us who are transgender. It’s shocking when one is rudely reminded just how lucky we are to live in a beautiful and inclusive city like ours. The other day I caught a bit of This Morning on TV. I had to sit on the edge of the bed in disbelief, as I was exposed to the awfulness of Eamonn Holmes attempting to interview a female to male transgender person and his partner. They had previously been in a lesbian relationship but it was obvious that poor old Eamonn couldn’t get his head around it at all. He was so uncomfortable with them they may as well have been from outer space. When his own wife made later comments that she would probably leave him if he transgendered, I couldn’t help thinking, “Why wait?” Unfortunately, that old fart’s inane questions were probably what the majority of middle England wanted to hear. A proportion of visitors to our city sometimes bring similar bad attitudes with them. Last summer we stopped two odious women from Kent who were verbally abusing a M/F transsexual in our street for no reason, just pure ignorant hatred of someone different. It doesn’t matter if you look like The Danish Girl or a tattooed trucker in a wig, nobody has the right to even sneer at your appearance. You are a child of the universe and you deserve to be here. Their appalling vitriol was a hate crime in action, and yet, when we offered our support, the victim refused to report the incident saying she was “used to it”. Some trans people don’t expect anything other than ridicule. In Brighton we have a dedicated LGBT officer, let’s make use of this. One of the main barriers to successful conviction and ultimate justice is lack of evidence. My advice to anyone witnessing or experiencing abuse is to record the incident (smart phones are invaluable) and keep a copy of it should the authorities “lose” it later. We Brightonians are a queer tribe and we must protect ourselves and others from any knuckle-dragging morons who come here to have fun laughing and pointing at ‘the freaks’.
“We Brightonians are a queer tribe and we must protect ourselves and others from any knuckle-dragging morons who come here to have fun laughing and pointing at ‘the freaks’” Being a person whose brain does not match the body they are assigned to live in is as natural a mishap as being born with a club foot, it happens, and there’s now a lot the medical profession can do to help. Personally, I love living in a city where trans people should expect to use a public loo without objection - we are one, but we are not all the same, and that’s what makes Brighton so bloody fabulous.
STRIP SERVICE BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE
58 GSCENE
SAM TRANS MAN
limits on their exposure. And we do, on a daily basis. We have to because if we don’t we can literally see them spiralling into the addiction.
Dr Samuel Hall on the dangers of too much screen time and why kids would rather die than go without their tech.
Getting them off can be really hard; causes tantrums, weeping and gnashing of teeth. Once off, however, they can be found doing all manner of creative things from origami to loving long lost lego. From sticking their heads in a book, to hours on the trampoline with water bombs, to quiet cartoon-drawing. These kids are having their imaginations stifled by the limitless forms of media in their lives, and we are duty bound to find ways that allow them to flourish as individuals away from the scrutiny of the World Wide Web.
) Yay! Trans issue! We have a trans issue every year although I know I manage to bring the conversation around to talk about trans life in just about every column I write - so nothing new here except the musings of a late-blooming teenager on the mysteries of transition, parenthood or life as a doctor. It’s been a busy month, as ever, in the beautifully blended oh-so-straight-looking household that I live in. To the outside world we look like a large and chaotic heteronormative family until you peek below the surface. Our marriage last year brought together five children from very different backgrounds: children who have risen amazingly to the challenge of creating a single family where there were previously two; children who have two parents, each in love and committed to one another, who have plucked them from their previous lives and deposited them into a new one, at no bidding of their own. We, on the other hand, have immersed ourselves in co-parenting (oh, the relief after so many years alone) these wildly different and mostly teenaged young people with a zeal that I hardly knew I had in me. They are so vulnerable, these kids. Their mental health is at greater risk than ours ever was, their safety, both in real life and in cyberspace, is far more compromised. (ref: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/m ay/19/popular-social-media-sites-harm-youngpeoples-mentalhealth?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other) They are growing up in a world of information and rapidly expanding technology, with more bewildering and conflicting ‘facts’ being thrown at them on a daily basis than we would have consumed in a year back in the 1980s when I was a teenager. On top of which they are by choice (they would say necessity) in
constant contact with their peers, and beyond who they really know with potentially millions and millions of individuals. All reaching out across the world to one another through the tiny screen in front of them. This is the biggest addiction the world has ever seen. Literally billions of us are slaves to our phones. It’s also the most dangerous dependency that humanity faces. This is worse than alcohol, gambling, sex and heroin addiction all rolled together. I know that sounds dramatic, but I am putting my money where my mouth is. I truly believe that we have/are raising a generation of young people who are completely hooked on their tech, which is giving them mental health problems, but without which they would rather die. Have you had a day without your phone? Do you do it consciously to preserve your sanity? Digital detox is the buzz word, people. To preserve a sense of reality, to boost your mental health, to remember the time when we didn’t, couldn't use wifi or cellular data everywhere at any time, get off your phone for a day or longer if you can. It’s horrendous. I’ve done it once by accident (for three days following a theft), and once deliberately (a four day retreat). On both occasions I felt amputated from the world. Paralysed by my lack of contact. Terrified by how vulnerable I felt; I didn’t know anyone’s address or phone number by heart. There are barely any pay phones out there, I had no way of checking my emails or texting my kids. It was truly extraordinary. I felt as though I was walking around in an alternative reality - I was. Over half-term my wife took our youngest three (boys) away to the countryside for a few days off screens. No phones. No Playstation, just one TV show in the evening. They are young enough for us to still be able to enforce
Their sense of self away from the screen is the thing most at threat here. This is why they would rather die than go without their tech because it reflects who they are. In the same way we, their parents, saw ourselves in a mirror, so these kids see themselves on their screens. I want my kids to know who they are without the aid of their tech, but this may well prove impossible. There is so much more to fear for our children. The future of our planet, the imminent nationalist danger to this country, the state of their inheritance both in financial terms and otherwise. I want them to know how to survive if things all go badly wrong. Cyber terrorism is clearly only just beginning, these young people need to know how to function without the internet. These past weeks I have been buffeted by waves of guilt after relief, at the news of young lives lost in Manchester, thanking the universe it wasn’t my kid. I’ve been exposed to an incomprehensible number of suicide attempts in the course of my work, which leaves me bewildered and powerless in the face of poor mental health resources. One of them a trans kid who couldn’t take the wait for treatment any longer, and then an actual suicide within my trans community, prompting grief that again gives way to relief that this wasn’t my life. It could have been, but it wasn’t. How can I not feel obligated to give my kids the best chance I can in light of this insidious erosion of their capacity to discern reality?
GSCENE 59
POLICE LGBT
LIAISON TEAM BY PC SARAH LAKER UNITED IN PRIDE ) As we enter the summer period of sunshine by the sea and the odd ice cream on the beach, exciting dates in the LGBT calendar are just around the corner. As you will be aware, Saturday, July 22 marks the 5th anniversary of Trans Pride. Over the past three years that I’ve held the LGBT liaison role, I’ve seen this event go from strength to strength promoting awareness and inspiring change. On Saturday, August 5, I will again be working the Pride weekend as part of the community team. I’ll be in the Parade walking side by side with my police family in solidarity with the community and I’ll be out on the ground. In the build up to both events, look out for the Pride car! Give us a wave, say hi and even take a selfie. As always there will be a police presence and, in light of recent events, we ask that you remain vigilant. If you see or hear anything suspicious that raises your concern come and speak to us. But most importantly, enjoy, have fun and be united in our pride. We have been genuinely touched by the support and positivity that we have been receiving, re-iterating that behind the uniform, we are humans too.
WHAT IS A HATE CRIME? At recent engagement events I have been asked to clarify what constitutes a hate crime? The definition of a hate crime is as follows: A hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a personal characteristic. The definition currently covers five main strands which are: • Sexual orientation • Race • Religion or faith • Gender-identity • Disability Hate crime can take many forms including: • Physical attacks - such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbour disputes and arson • Threat of attack - including offensive letters, abusive or obscene phone calls, unfounded or malicious complaints, groups hanging around to intimidate, dirty looks and intimidating stares • Verbal abuse or insults and abusive gestures - this can include offensive leaflets and posters, the dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes, theft or fraud, bullying at home, online, at school or in the workplace.
REPORT IT! If you have been a victim of hate crime we urge you to report it. This can be done through 999 in an emergency, 101 non-emergency, or online through the Sussex Police website.
CONTACT INFORMATION ) Follow me on Twitter t @PCLAKER and Facebook: f PC Sarah Laker Social media should not be used for reporting incidents – please call us on 101, or if it’s an emergency, 999.
60 GSCENE
MINDOUT Going through a break up is never easy and debt, homelessness and no work adds even more pressure. www.mindout.org.uk ) Maria had moved in with Mandy two years ago, and so when their relationship ended she was the one who had to move out of the flat. Maria was not working at the time, getting work as an ‘’out’ transwoman was really hard. While she was living with Mandy, they had run up a huge mutual debt, which meant that she was living on next to nothing. They had some possessions, which they needed to split, and they also had a cat. Maria and Mandy really tried to make the split as amicable as possible, and on the whole they were doing okay. But then Mandy’s family got involved and started blaming Maria for the debts and for the break up. Her Mum and Dad became more and more abusive to Maria. The abuse became transphobic, which hurt Maria terribly as she felt she’d known them quite well. Maria got an offer to stay with some friends and decided to leave the flat, where she felt increasingly unwanted. She started couch surfing, which was okay in the short term but got harder as it went on - she was never certain how long she was welcome. Going through a break up is never an easy thing to do but with the added pressures of debt, homelessness and no work, Maria was starting to feel pretty hopeless. She felt increasingly fragile, anxious in the day and was not sleeping. Looking for work and for somewhere to live seemed so hard, she just didn’t know where to begin. It reminded her of how she’d felt in the past, how quickly she could lose confidence in herself, how quickly life could become just too hard. She was scared she would become suicidal, again. Maria talked to friends, and to her ex who was still friendly. She had some support, some good people in her life, but still she could feel herself sinking. At a low point, Maria realised she needed something else and looked for support online. She found her way to MindOut’s online support service and contacted them one evening. They suggested she contact the Trans Advocate at MindOut who could go through her problems with her and see if there was anything they could help with.
She met the Advocate, talked through everything and together they made a plan. This really helped Maria to feel more in control. As a priority, Maria contacted a money advice service about her debt and asked the Advocate to come with her for the first appointment – she was finding it hard to deal with her debts, she felt so ashamed of how the debt had risen. They also made a plan for Maria to look for work, she started to apply for jobs and was soon offered an interview and then a job. She was still staying with friends but her life felt a lot more manageable. The transphobia continued, with her ex partner’s parents harassing her verbally and making threats. Maria felt like she may never be free of it. To begin with, she didn’t want to report it, and talked it over with the Advocate. Talking through the reporting process, how it might help, what the outcomes could be, really helped. After some time, Maria decided that reporting the abuse could be helpful and she felt confident enough to discuss it with the LGBT Police Liaison Officer. This isn’t where the story ends. Maria’s life is complicated, the issues she is dealing with won’t all go away. She’s working but still effectively homeless; she’s still being harassed; she’s still dealing with historic debt; she’s still grieving for a lost relationship. But she does feel more on top of all those issues. She knows where to find some support when she needs to and she’s able to ask. Her mental health has definitely improved. According to recent figures published on the Huffington Post website, being transgender in the UK is still a fairly challenging experience. Sixty-two per cent of trans people have experienced harassment from strangers in public places, 84% have considered taking their own lives and 33% have attempted to do so at least once. A look at statistics around drug and alcohol usage within the trans community reveals high levels of dependence on substances which is hardly surprising given the levels of stress and emotional instability inherent in the experience of being transgender. At MindOut we have one of the few Trans Advocacy Workers in the UK. Since the Trans Advocacy Service was started in April 2016,
MindOut Trans Advocates don’t tell you what you should do but they will provide you with options and support you to make decisions
trans and non-binary people in Brighton & Hove have received help and support relating to: transphobia, biphobia, racism, welfare and benefits, sexual health, gender issues, housing and homelessness, food poverty, neighbour harassment, anxiety, depression, employment, unemployment, issues with GPs and NHS services, gender clinics, asylum and immigration, drug and alcohol use, sex work, isolation, loneliness and suicidal distress. The service exists to help to empower trans people to get the things that they want and need themselves, to provide information and advice on human and civil rights and on health and social care and treatment. Advocates work alongside their clients, always maintaining confidentiality, and always working to the instructions of their client. They don’t tell you what you should do but they will provide you with options and support you to make decisions. “From the moment someone comes out as trans or gender variant they’re required to explain. Whether they’re a sports star, a soldier, or a lorry driver, whether their story is transcribed in broadsheets or tabloids, all are required to explain. This requirement to explain, to detail even the most private parts of our bodies for mass audiences, is a burden borne by almost all trans people that is seldom acknowledged, an obstacle that lies in the way of communication between those who are gender variant and those who aren’t. “At MindOut this problem has been overcome by engaging Trans Advocates to support trans people, a solution which seems so obvious but is so seldom implemented. “When I take my own problems to MindOut, I know that I won't have to explain the who, what, and why of my gender variant existence, and can get down to talking about my actual problems without either explanation or justification.” Trans Advocacy Service User MindOut provides advice, information and advocacy services, online instant chat, peer support group work, peer mentoring, wellbeing courses and workshops. We have specific trans advocacy, housing advocacy and urgent need advocacy. See our website, www.mindout.org.uk, for our latest groups, workshops and events.
MINDOUT INFO All our services are run by and for LGBTQ people with lived experience of mental health issues. All our services are free, independent, person-centred, confidential and non-judgemental. If you would like to know more about what we do, if you need support for yourself or someone else then please do get in touch. ) Email us at info@mindout.org.uk ) Call us on 01273 234839 (or via our out of hours online service) ) See our website www.mindout.org.uk Our online service is open most evenings and at weekends.
GSCENE 61
SERVICES DIRECTORY LGBT SERVICES
) MINDOUT Independent, impartial info, guidance for LGBT people with mental health problems. 24 hr confidential answerphone: 01273 234839 or info@mindout.org.uk www.mindout.org.uk
) NAVIGATE
LGBT disabled people’s forum. Safe, welcoming, support, activities, awareness 07981 170071 or email stevenwithn@talktalk.net
Social/peer support group for FTM, transmasculine & gender queer people. Every 1st Wed 7-9pm & 3rd Sat of month 1-3pm at Space for Change, Windlesham Venue, BN1 3AH. For info see https://navigatebrighton.wordpress.com/
) ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT
) PEER ACTION
Drop-in for LGBT or unsure young people under 26, Tues 5.30-8.30pm 01273 721211 or email info@allsortsyouth.org.uk, www.allsortsyouth.org.uk
Regular low cost yoga, therapies, swimming, meditation & social groups for people with HIV. peeractionemail@gmail.com or www.peeraction.co.uk
) BRIGHTON & HOVE POLICE
) RAINBOW FAMILIES
Report all homophobic, biphobic or transphobic incidents to: 24/7 assistance call Police on 101 (for emergencies 999) Report online at: www.sussex.police.uk LGBT team (not 24/7) email: LGBT@sussex.pnn.police.uk • LGBT Officer PC Sarah Laker on 07912 893557 f Brighton LGBT Police t@policeLGBT t@PCLaker
Support group for lesbian and/or gay parents 07951 082013 or info@rainbowfamilies.org.uk www.rainbowfamilies.org.uk
) ACCESS 4 ALL
) BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SAFETY FORUM Independent LGBT forum working with the community to address and improve safety issues in Brighton & Hove. info@lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com www.lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com
) BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SWITCHBOARD
) SOME PEOPLE Social/support group for LGB or questioning aged 14-19, Tue, 6-8pm, Hastings. Call/text Nicola 07974 579865 or email Neil or Nicola: somepeople@eastsussex.gov.uk
) VICTIM SUPPORT Practical, emotional support for victims of crime 08453 899 528
) THE VILLAGE MCC
Help-line with email & webchat facility from 5pm daily on 01273 204 050. • LGBT specialist face to face low cost counselling service, • LGBT Older peoples' project, • LGBT HIP engagement project. • Volunteering opportunities 01273 234 009. www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton
Christian church serving the LGBTQ community. Sundays 6pm, Somerset Day Centre, Kemptown 07476 667353, www.thevillagemcc.org
) BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE
Sussex HIV & AIDS info service 01403 210202 or email confidential@avert.org
Info, counselling, drop-in space, support groups. 01273 698036 or visit www.womenscentre.org.uk
) BRIGHTON GEMS Social group for gay men over 50 with several events every month inc meeting at Dorset Gardens last Fri of month 7-9pm. For info email info@brightongems.com www.brightongems.com
) LESBIAN LINK BRIGHTON
HIV PREVENTION, CARE & TREATMENT SERVICES ) AVERT
) BRIGHTON & HOVE CAB HIV PROJECT Money, benefits, employment, housing, info, advocacy. Appointments: Tue-Thur 9am-4pm, Wed 9am-12.30pm Brighton & Hove Citizens Advice Bureau, Brighton Town Hall. 01273 733390 ext 520 or www.brightonhovecab.org.uk
) CLINIC M
Local social group offers friendship, social events, meet 1st Thur at Regency Tavern, 7.30pm. 07594 578 035 www.lesbianlinkbrighton.co.uk
Free confidential testing & treatment for STIs including HIV, plus Hep A & B vaccinations. Claude Nicol Centre, Sussex County Hospital, on Weds from 5-8pm. 01273 664 721 or www.brightonsexualhealth.com
) LESBIAN & GAY AA
) LAWSON UNIT
12-step self-help programme for alcohol addictions. Sun 7.30pm, Chapel Royal, North St, Btn (side entrance). 01273 203 343 (general AA line)
) LGBT NA GROUP Brighton-based LGBT (welcomes others) Narcotics Anonymous group every Tue 6.30–8pm, Millwood Centre, Nelson Row, Kingswood St. 0300 999 1212
) LGBT MEDITATION GROUP Meditation & discussion, every 2nd & 4th Thur, 5.30–7pm, Anahata Clinic, 119 Edward St, Brighton 07789 861 367 or www.bodhitreebrighton.org.uk
) LUNCH POSITIVE
Medical advice, treatment for HIV+, specialist clinics, diet & welfare advice, drug trials. 01273 664 722
) SUBSTANCE MISUSE SERVICE Pavillions Partnership. Info, advice, appointments & referrals 01273 731 900. Drop-in: Richmond House, Richmond Rd, Brighton, MonWed & Fri 10am-4pm, Thur 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-1pm; 9 The Drive, Hove 01273 680714 Mon & Wed 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm, Tue & Thu 10am-4pm, info & advice only (no assessments), Fri 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm. • Gary Smith (LGBT* Support) 07884 476634 or email gsmith@pavilions.org.uk For more info visit weblink: pavilions.org.uk/services/treatment-recovery-options/
Lunch club for people with HIV. Meet/make friends, find peer support in safe space. Every Fri, noon–2.30pm, Community Room, Dorset Gdns Methodist Church, Dorset Gdns, Brighton. Lunch £1.50. 07846 464 384 or www.lunchpositive.org
24 hour nursing & medical care, day care 01273 694222 or www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
) MCC BRIGHTON
) TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST SERVICES
Inclusive, affirming space where all are invited to come as they are to explore their spirituality without judgement. 01273 515572 or info@mccbrighton.org.uk www.mccbrighton.org.uk
) SUSSEX BEACON
For more info about these free services go to the THT office, 61 Ship St, Brighton, Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm 01273 764200 or info.brighton@tht.org.uk • Venue Outreach: info on HIV, sexual health, personal safety, safer drug/alcohol use, free condoms/lubricant for men who have sex with men.
• The Bushes Outreach Service @ Dukes Mound: advice, support, info on HIV and sexual health, and free condoms and lube. • Netreach (online/Mobile App Outreach in Brighton & Hove): info/advice on HIV/sexual health/local services. THT Brighton Outreach workers online on Grindr, Scruff, & Squirt. • Condom Male: discreet, confidential service posts free condoms/lube/sexual health info to men who have sex with men without access to East Sussex commercial gay scene • Positive Voices: volunteers who go to organisations to talk about personal experiences of living with HIV. • Fastest (HIV Testing): walk-in, (no appointment) rapid HIV testing service for men who have sex with men. Results in 20 minutes. Mon 10am-8pm, Tues-Fri 10am-5pm. (STI Testing available) • Sauna Fastest at The Brighton Sauna (HIV Testing): walk-in, (no appointment) rapid HIV testing service for men who have sex with men. Results in 20 minutes. Wed: 6–8pm. (STI Testing available). • Face2Face: confidential info & advice on sexual health & HIV for men who have sex with men. Up to 6 one hour appointments. • Specialist Training: wide range of courses for groups/ individuals. Specific courses to suit needs. • Counselling: from qualified counsellors for up to 12 sessions for people living with/affected by HIV. • Informed Passions: Expert Volunteers project to identify & support sexual health needs of local men who have sex with men and carry out field research in B&H on issues affecting men’s sexual health. Extensive training provided. • What Next? Thurs eve, 6 week peer support group work programme for newly diagnosed HIV+ gay men. • HIV Support Services: info, support & practical advice for people living with/affected by HIV. • Volunteer Support Services: 1-2-1 community support for people living with or affected by HIV. • HIV Welfare Rights Advice: Find out about benefits or benefit changes. Advice line: Mon–Thur 1:30-2:30pm. 1-2-1 appts for advice & workshops on key benefits.
) TERRENCE HIGGINS EASTBOURNE Dyke House, 110 South St, Eastbourne, BN21 4LZ, 01323 649927 or info.eastbourne@tht.org.uk • HIV Services support for HIV diagnosis, managing side effects, sex and relationships, understanding medication, talking to your doctor, finding healthier lifestyle. Assessment of support needs and signposting on to relevant services. Support in person, by phone or email. • Support for people at risk of HIV confidential info and advice on sexual health and HIV for men who have sex with men. Up to 3 one hour appointments depending on need. Sessions in person or on phone. • Web support & info on HIV, sexual health & local services via netreach and myhiv.org.uk • Positive Voices: volunteers who go to organisations to talk about personal experiences of living with HIV.
) SEXUAL HEALTH WORTHING Free confidential tests & treatment for STIs inc HIV. Hep A & B vaccinations. Worthing based 0845 111345645
NATIONAL HELPLINES ) NATIONAL LGBT DOMESTIC ABUSE
HELPLINE AT GALOP.ORG.UK 0800 999 5428 ) LONDON LESBIAN & GAY SWITCHBOARD 02078 377324 ) POSITIVELINE (EDDIE SURMAN TRUST) Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat & Sun 4-10pm 0800 1696806 ) MAINLINERS 02075 825226 ) NATIONAL AIDS HELPLINE 08005 67123 ) NATIONAL DRUGS HELPLINE 08007 76600 ) THT AIDS Treatment phoneline 08459 470047 ) THT direct 0845 1221200
62 GSCENE
CLASSIFIEDS
JUL 2016
ELECTRICIANS / PAINTERS & DECORATORS / EVENT SOLUTIONS/DOG GROOMING
JOBS/ SITUATIONS CARE ASSISTANT REQUIRED
Est 1990
RAINBOW DECOR
07749 471497
CITB Qualifie d
Guaranteed Work carried out by Gay Professional Man
Middle-aged gay guy in Kemptown requires guy aged 25-45 to assist me at home at least 6 hours per week on various days, normally afternoons. Help would include:
• General Cleaning & Laundry • Help with Letters & Calls • Accompany me to Cinema/Pub during working hours
Painting & Decorating Interior / Exterior
£62 approx. weekly wages made direct from DWP. Please contact Michael to arrange an interview:
HANDY MAN & ODD JOBS
07711000391 or mpb@ntlworld.com
CALL 01273 749947 BY 12TH JUL TO GUARANTEE ADVERT PLACEMENT
LGBTQ CHURCH THE VILLAGE METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH
Rooted in and serving LGBTQ communities
Meeting at The Somerset Day Centre 62 St James St, Brighton BN2 1PR
Sundays at 6pm
Tel: 07476 667 353 • thevillagemcc.org
LEGAL SERVICES
TERE! Estonian Graduate Teacher Wanted Able to explain basic language & grammar to a beginner.
AITÄH! Peter: 07811 166846
MASSAGE & TREATMENTS WEBSITE MAINTENANCE
WEBSITE UPDATE AND MAINTENANCE
CHAT LINES
Looking after your Website • Content Update • Backup • Security • SEO
FROM
29
£
per month
www.bessi.co.uk
WHILST EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF STATEMENTS IN THIS MAGAZINE WE CANNOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VIEWS OF CONTRIBUTORS, ERRORS, OR OMMISIONS, OR FOR MATTERS ARISING FROM CLERICAL OR PRINTERS ERRORS, OR AN ADVERTISER NOT COMPLETING A CONTRACT
ADVERTISERS’ MAP OLD HOV OVEE ST STATI TIO ON
SHOR EHAM
RD
36
K DY
SACKVVILLLE RD D
ISLI NGW ORD
D
CHU
WESTER N
13 PARIS HOUSE 21 Western Rod, 01273 724195 www.parishouse.com 14 PRISCILLA’S 129 St James St, 604076 15 QUEEN’S ARMS 7 George St, 01273 696873 thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms 16 SUBLINE 129 St James St, 01273 624100 www.sublinebrighton.co.uk 17 THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS 59 North Rd, 01273 608571 www.three-jolly-butchers.co.uk 18 VELVET JACKS 50 Norfolk Square, 07720 661290 http://tinyurl.com/VelvetJacks 19 ZONE 33 St James’ St, 01273 682249 www.zonebrighton.co.uk
C CLOCK TOW TOWER
RCH
RD
NOR TH S T
5
30
MARIN E
AVILL
28 CLINIC M Claude Nicol Abbey Rd, 01273 664721 www.brightonsexualhealth.com/node/11 29 DENTAL HEALTH SPA 14–15 Queens Rd, 01273 710831 www.dentalhealthspa.co.uk 30 THT BRIGHTON 61 Ship St, 01273 764200 31 VELVET TATTOO 50 Norfolk Square, 07720 661290 http://tinyurl.com/VelvetJacks 32 BARBARY LANE 95 St George’s Rd, Kemptown 33 LITTLE BEAR HOME DECOR 56 Sillwood St, Hove, BN1 2PS 34 PROWLER 112 St James’ St, 01273 683680
ST
MADEIRA DRIVE
PARA DE
K GARDENS LOWER ROC
11
AIDS MEMORIAL
ROCK PLAC E
2
MARIN A>
35 SUSSEX BEACON Charity Shop 130 St James’ St, 01273 682992 www.sussexbeacon.org.uk 36 SUSSEX BEACON Home Store 72-73 London Rd, 01273 680264 www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
) ESTATE AGENTS 37 JUSTIN LLOYD (Kemptown) 118 St James’ St, 01273 692424 www.justinlloyd.co.uk 38 JUSTIN LLOYD (Brunswick) 111 Western Rd, 01273 692424 www.justinlloyd.co.uk
S
1 AMSTERDAM 11-12 Marine Parade, 01273 688 826 www.amsterdambrighton.com 7 CAMELFORD ARMS 30-31 Camelford St, 01273 622386 www.camelford-arms.co.uk 8 CHARLES STREET BAR 8-9 Marine Parade, 01273 624091 www.charles-street.com 39 CUP OF JOE 28 St George’s Rd, 01273 698873 www.cupofjoebrighton.co.uk 11 LEGENDS BAR 31-34 Marine Parade, 01273 624462 www.legendsbrighton.com 12 MARINE TAVERN 13 Broad St, 01273 681284 www.marinetavern.co.uk 25 NEW STEINE BISTRO 12a New Steine, 01273 681546 www.newsteinehotel.com 13 PARIS HOUSE 21 Western Road, 01273 724195 www.parishouse.com 17 THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS 59 North Rd, 01273 608571 www.three-jolly-butchers.co.uk 18 VELVET JACKS 50 Norfolk Square, 07720 661290 http://tinyurl.com/VelvetJacks
) LEGAL & FINANCE
25 22
NEW STEIN E
7
NEW STEIN E
CAMELF O
RD STRE ET
MADEIRA PLACE
UPPER
21
1
RADE
ROCK GARD EN
ST JA M
DEVO NSHIR E
41
19
ES’ AV ENUE
PLAC E
TREE T HIGH S
GEOR GE
12
BROAD STREET
CHARLES STREET
8
MARINE PA
BRIGHTON PIER
6
T
28
) FOOD
) SHOPS
34
MANCHESTER STREET
STEINE STREET
3
42
39
32
BRIGHT ON
24
DORS ET GA
STRE ET
STR PRI NCE S
20
RDEN S
EET
ROYA LP
OLD STEINE
37
16 2
ST JAM ES’ STR EE
EASTER N RD
REET
BRIGHTON PIER
) HOTELS
ST
ST
ST JAM ES ST
WEST PIER
EDWARD
35 14
RD EDWAR D
9 26
21 AVALON HOTEL 7 Upper Rock Gdns, 01273 692344 22 GULLIVERS HOTEL 12a New Steine, 01273 695415 www.gullivershotel.com 23 HOTEL PELIROCCO 10 Regency Sq, 01273 327055 24 HUDSONS 22 Devonshire Place, 01273 683642 11 LEGENDS HOTEL 31-34 Marine Parade, 01273 624462 ) CLUBS www.legendsbrighton.com 25 NEW STEINE HOTEL 11 BASEMENT CLUB (below Legends) 10/11 New Steine, 01273 681546 31-34 Marine Parade, 01273 624462 www.newsteinehotel.com www.legendsbrighton.com 26 QUEENS HOTEL 5 BOUTIQUE CLUB 1/3 Kings Rd, 01273 321222 2 Boyces St @ West St, 01273 327607 www.queenshotelbrighton.com www.boutiqueclubbrighton.com 8 ENVY (above Charles St Bar) ) HEALTH 8-9 Marine Parade, 01273 624091 www.charles-street.com 27 BRIGHTON STATION HEALTH CENTRE Aspect House, 84-87 20 REVENGE Queens Rd, 0333 3210946 32-34 Old Steine, 01273 606064 www.brightonstationhealthcentre.nhs.uk www.revenge.co.uk
15
LEW ES
RD
ION
1 AMSTERDAM 11-12 Marine Parade, 01273 688 826 www.amsterdambrighton.com 2 BAR BROADWAY 10 Steine Street, 01273 609777 www.barbroadway.co.uk 3 BAR REVENGE 7 Marine Parade, 01273 606064 www.revenge.co.uk 4 BEDFORD TAVERN 30 Western Street, 01273 739495 5 BOUTIQUE BAR 2 Boyces St @ West St, 01273 327607 www.boutiqueclubbrighton.com 6 BULLDOG TAVERN 31 St James’ St, 01273 696996 www.bulldogbrighton.com 7 CAMELFORD ARMS 30-31 Camelford St, 01273 622386 www.camelford-arms.co.uk 8 CHARLES STREET BAR 8-9 Marine Parade, 01273 624091 www.charles-street.com 9 DOCTOR BRIGHTON’S 16 Kings Rd, 01273 208113 www.doctorbrightons.co.uk 10 GROSVENOR BAR 16 Western Street, 01273 438587 11 LEGENDS BAR 31-34 Marine Parade, 01273 624462 www.legendsbrighton.com 12 MARINE TAVERN 13 Broad St, 01273 681284 www.marinetavern.co.uk
RD
23
KINGS R D
) PUBS & BARS
NORTH
ST
13 10 4
WEST
33 KINGSWAY
RD
38 31 18
SOUTH OVER
17
29
ELIER
PALME R SQUAR IA E
MON TP
HOLLA ND
1ST AVE
RD
TRAFALGAR ST
27
ADE
RD
E RD
CHURCH
40
RD
GRAND P AR
DYK
QUEE NS
RD
THE DRIV I E
EN SEVEN S N DIALS ALS
GEOR
GE ST
BRIGHTON STATION
OLD STEIN E
RD
D NR DO LON
GOLDSMID
H RD HOVE ST
ELM GROVE
ER
RD
40 ENGLEHARTS 49 Vallance Hall, Hove St, 01273 204411
) COMMUNITY 41 BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE 72 High St, 01273 698036 www.womenscentre.org.uk 42 LUNCH POSITIVE Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, 07846 464384 www.lunchpositive.org