2 GSCENE
CONTENTS
OCT 2015 BAR BROADWAY
LEGENDS
GSCENE magazine ) www.gscene.com
t @gscene f GScene.Brighton PUBLISHED BY Peter Storrow TEL 01273 749 947 EDITORIAL info@gscene.com ADS+ARTWORK design@gscene.com
ARTS EDITOR Michael Hootman SUB EDITOR Graham Robson DESIGN Michèle Allardyce
LEGENDS
EDITORIAL TEAM Graham Robson, Sarah Green, Gary Hart, Gus Gustafson, Alice Blezard, Paul Thorn
CAMELFORD ARMS
FRONT COVER MODELS Persia West, Krissie DuCann & George Montague PHOTOGRAPHY Alice Blezard
CONTRIBUTORS Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Suchi Chatterjee, Craig Hanlon Smith, Enzo Marra, Netty, Carl Oprey, Eric Page, Del Sharp, Rory Smith, Gay Socrates, Brian Stacey, Glen Stevens, Craig Storrie, Duncan Stewart, Roger Wheeler, Mike Wall, Morham White, Kate Wildblood
NEWS 6 News
PHOTOGRAPHERS Alice Blezard, Chris Jepson, Graham Hobson, Michael Hootman, James Ledward, Ian Andrew Mager-Playford, Jack Lynn, Mark Nortcliffe
SCENE LISTINGS CHARLES STREET
26 Brighton & Hove 40 Solent
ARTS 42 46 47 48
REGULARS
© GSCENE 2015 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.
FEATURES
19 OLDER & LONELY? Social groups for older LGBT people in Eastbourne and Brighton 19 PLANET RESIDENTIAL Where will we live when we get older? 20 OLDER & ACTIVE James Ledward chats to Krissie DuCann, Persia West and George Montague who have 230 years of life experience between them
51 BEARD EMPORIUM Neil Masey, hirsute purveyor of gentlemen’s products, Mr Masey's Beard Emporium, talks to Eric Page BULLDOG TAVERN
Arts News Classical Notes Art Matters Book Reviews
52 ACCESS CARE Help improve care for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people facing life-limiting illness
41 Dance Music 41 DJ Profile: Toby Lawrence 49 Geek Scene 50 Shopping 53 Jaq’s Monthly 54 Craig’s Thoughts 55 Wall’s Words 55 Gay Socrates 56 Dad & Daddy 57 Charlie Says 58 Sharp Words 59 Twisted Gilded Ghetto 59 LGBT Police Liaison 60 Sam The Trans Man
INFORMATION 61 Advertisers’ Map 62 Service Directory 63 Classifieds
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REECE ROBERTS & LUKE TRITTON FROM LEGENDS WITH PRIDE DIRECTOR PAUL KEMP & DULCIE WEAVER
KATE WILDBLOOD, CURATOR OF PRIDE25 EXHIBITION
IAN TAYLOR, FROM BRIGHTON & HOVE CITY COUNCIL EVENTS TEAM
COLIN BLANCHFLOWER, FROM BRIGHTON & HOVE CITY COUNCIL LGBT WORKERS’ FORUM
LEGENDS CROWNED BEST BUSINESS SUPPORTER OF PRIDE 2015 ) Legends Bar & Hotel were awarded the medal for Best Business Supporter of Pride 2015 at the Pride Business Awards ceremony hosted by comedian Zoe Lyons at the Brighton Hilton Metropole last month. Legends financial support for this years Pride amounted to £6,542.27 which included a £1,000 personal donation from Tony Chapman, sponsorship for the Cabaret tent on Preston Park and money raised at the Sunday Cabaret Extravaganza during the Village Street Party. Individuals honoured by Pride organisers with Pride Legend medals included DCI Paul Betts and Chief Inspector Katy Woolford from Sussex Police who both worked in Silver Control over Pride helping the organisers deliver a safe Pride weekend for locals and visitors alike. Katy also worked alongside colleagues at the council to support issues around young people during the Pride weekend. The contribution of the East Sussex Fire Service to Pride was also acknowledged with Dexter Allen receiving a Pride Legend medal. Dexter has worked on Brighton Pride for many years and is retiring from the fire service this year. A Pride Special Award went to Ian Taylor from the council's events team. Ian works throughout the year supporting the planning of Pride. Alf Le Flohic and Kate Wildblood received special medals for curating the Pride25 Exhibition presenting 25 years of photos from Brighton Pride at the Jubilee Library. The LGBT Workers Forum at Brighton & Hove City Council won the award for Best Float on the 2015 parade. Council employee Colin Blanchflower accepted the medal on behalf of the forum. PAUL KEMP, ZOE LYONS & DULCIE WEAVER
Venue
Sponsorship/ Donations/ Buckets/Fundraising
Contribution to PVP costs
TOTAL
Legends Charles St Patterns
£6,542.27 £1,000.00 £1,000.00
£500.00 £500.00 £500.00
£7,042.27 £1,500.00 £1,500.00
The A Bar New Madeira Hotel R Bar
£500.00 £500.00 £500.00
£500.00 £500.00 £500.00
Brighton Rock Marlborough Marine tavern Bella Café Bar Broadway Bulldog Betty LaLas Camelford Arms Izzy Café Kings Head Latest Music Bar Mucky Duck Neighbourhood Poison Ivy Plotting Parlour Queens Arms St James Tavern Shortts The Zone Griffin Hotel Morris & Jacques
£250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00
£250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £80.89 £70.80
£1,000.00 £1,000.00 £1,000.00
£1,097.38 £1,000.00 £1,000.00
£80.89 £70.80
Tesco Co-op Morrisons
£97.38
Pride Official Parties BLAGGS Football David Hainsworth Kate Wildblood
£3,076.00 £667.73 £250.00 £80.00
£3,076.00 £667.73 £250.00 £80.00 £23,615.07
NEW LOCAL WEEKLY RADIO CHAT SHOW FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV LAUNCHED ) After the successful launch of his book HIV Happy, local writer, Paul Thorn, now has a weekly radio chat show called the HIV Happy Hour which will be broadcast on Radio Reverb for the first time on Thursday October 1 at 7pm and at the same time each week thereafter. Radio Reverb received a grant from The Rainbow Fund to broadcast the HIV Happy Hour for a whole year. It is believed to be the first show of its kind in the UK, and probably the world dedicated to listeners who are HIV-positive. Paul said; “I am absolutely thrilled to have this opportunity to make a weekly show for people who are HIV-positive. I hope that the show will offer a new platform providing information to those living with the virus locally and people with HIV also get involved. It really is very exciting and will be a lot of fun to make the show.” You can tune into the show on Radio Reverb 97.2fm, on digital radio, streaming worldwide via Radio Reverb’s website www.radioreverb.com and podcasting via iTunes and Podomatic.
PAUL THORN
DEXTER ALLEN FROM EAST SUSSEX FIRE SERVICE
CONTRIBUTIONS & FUNDRAISING FOR PRIDE 2015
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) Adam Brooks, the current Golden Handbag Landlord of the Year and Matt Richards the current Golden Handbag Barman of the Year receive their certificates for raising £1,230. for the Rainbow Fund. The Bedford Tavern raised the money during their Christmas in June weekend at the end of June and their Blitz weekend in August.
HEATHER PEACE
) Legends raised £1,542.27 for the Rainbow Fund during this years Pride Cabaret extravaganza on Sunday, August 2. The money raised included a personal donation from Tony Chapman for £1,000.
Heather Peace, a long-time supporter of AKT who regularly attends fundraisers, added: “AKT is a lifeline for the young people it helps. No one should be made homeless because of their sexuality or gender identity but it’s happening all too frequently. AKT offers both emotional and practical support and I've met some of the young people they’ve helped to turn their lives around and they were so inspiring.” Claire Harvey, who is also the Senior Diversity & Inclusion Consultant for KPMG, concluded: “Most of us remember how hard it was being comfortable in our own identity even within a nurturing environment. It saddens me that so many of our young LGBT people, full of potential and promise, face rejection, isolation, fear and danger purely because of being authentic to themselves. Not to mention so many adults who lose the love and connection to family members out of fear or ignorance.” The Albert Kennedy Trust has also added five new members to their board of trustees, which will boost the charity’s ability to take on new challenges, help more young LGBT people facing homelessness because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and work towards meeting the charities aspirations for helping young people nationally.
ALLSORTS SHORTLISTED FOR EUROPEAN AWARD
CHARLES STREET RAISE £759.25 ) Charles Street raised £759.25 for the Rainbow Fund at the annual cabaret extravaganza to celebrate the birthdays of Chris Marshall, the manager, and Rupert Ellick, aka Ruby Roo. The lovely Sam Stephens was on hand on behalf of Charles Street to receive the thank you certificate from the Rainbow Fund.
) Allsorts Youth Project has been shortlisted in the Charity of the Year category in the European Diversity Awards 2015. Allsorts Youth Project was founded in 1999 by Jess Wood and James Newton and is a registered charity with three full-time staff, three part-time staff, a team of volunteers and works with young LGBTU people. It provides a variety of services including weekly drop-ins, a mental health and well-being group and a Trans Kids group. Its youth volunteering hub offers opportunities in campaigning, fund-raising, educating, peer support and works in partnership with a wide range of third-sector organisations, public services, schools, colleges, universities and runs a parent support group. The awards, widely acknowledged as the European Diversity Oscars, celebrate excellence in all aspects of diversity in the areas of gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, race, culture and religion across Europe.
JESS WOOD
The Rainbow Fund make grants to LGBT/HIV organisations delivering effective front line services to LGBT people in Brighton and Hove. Chris Gull, Chair of the Rainbow Fund, said: "These are fantastic amounts of money. I would like to thank all the venues for choosing to raise this money for the Rainbow Fund. We will make sure we get best value for it in the Spring grants round.
RUSSELL TOVEY
Russell Tovey, most recently seen in the hit US show Looking, said: “The AKT helps thousands of young people every year find their footing again. Everyone deserves to live safe and supported and this charity changes lives for the better, daily. I am honoured to be associated with them and if just by being there, I can make any difference at all, then that difference is the most important thing”
LEGENDS RAISE £1,542.27 BEDFORD TAVERN RAISE £1,230
) Russell Tovey, actor, Heather Peace, singer and actress, and Claire Harvey, Paralympian, have become patrons of the Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT), the LGBT youth homelessness charity who provide support to those who may have experienced rejection, abuse or violence. Sir Ian McKellen, a current patron, said: “Welcome to our new patrons. Their commitment will encourage others to contribute in whatever way they can to the essential work that the Albert Kennedy Trust does, on behalf of LGBT young people who desperately need help and protection.”
Jess Wood, Project Director, said: “It’s a tribute to the outstanding work of our staff, volunteers, trustees and the young people we work with that our tiny project should be nominated alongside national organisations like Age UK. This is a big step up from last year when we carried off the award for the best community organisation in the UK National Diversity Awards.” The European Diversity Awards will be announced on Wednesday, September 30 at the Natural History Museum in London.
CLAIRE HARVEY
SIR IAN MCKELLEN
SIR IAN WELCOMES NEW PATRONS TO ALBERT KENNEDY TRUST
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Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner invests in technology to help tackle hate crime. ) A new app that will make it easier to record and report all strands of hate crime in Sussex is being developed by Katy Bourne, Police & Crime Commissioner, with help from partners. The oneyear pan-Sussex pilot is in partnership with Sussex Police, Brighton & Hove City Council Safer City Team, Victim Support and local authorities across Sussex.
The Self-Evident Crime Reporting App is an existing piece of technology developed by the social enterprise, Just Evidence. However, financial investment from the Sussex PCC and her counterpart in London has enabled more bespoke software to be added which will serve a wider purpose.
Sometimes victims of hate crime may want to access help and advice, but not necessarily involve the police. The app will now allow them to send a report to Victim Support who will then direct them to the appropriate support organisation. Victims will also be able to store evidence securely on the app and build a dossier, so they can decide at a later stage if they want to send it to Victim Support or to Sussex Police. Another advantage is that the data
will allow partners to anonymously identify where the hate crime hot spots are in the county and react accordingly. The app also allows witnesses to take a stand against hate crime by reporting what they see. Katy Bourne, Police & Crime Commissioner, said: “No-one should be singled out and victimised because of their sexuality, gender, race, faith or disability. Many minority groups have not always had the same trust in the police. I am determined to improve this for everyone and that is why I fully support any initiative that tackles hate crime, which is a key priority in my Police & Crime Plan. “The app will hopefully empower victims of hate crime by allowing them to choose the kind of support they want to receive. Ultimately, the app puts the victim in the driving seat. “I am delighted that its enhanced development has the full backing of experienced partners like the Brighton & Hove Safe in the City Team and Victim Support and I am looking forward to the launch in October and hope that it goes a long way to bringing an end to hate crime”. Sarah Byrt, manager at Witness Confident, the charity which promotes the app, added: “It’s great news that victims or witnesses of hate crime in Sussex or London will have new and easy ways to report to police and get support with the free SelfEvident App. More than 90% of users already recommend the Self-Evident App for crime reporting and we’re delighted that the new features will help LGBT people and the whole community in the fight against hate crime.” Eric Page from LGBT Safe in the City, said: “We are really pleased to be working with the PCC on this much needed innovation. Report after report shows us how much hate crime LGBT people are actually suffering, but many people
find reporting mechanisms difficult or take up too much time. This easy, direct and quick new way of reporting and contacting police, council and support agencies - via their own smart phone - will give people a sense of control over their reports and make it much, much easier for victims of all forms of hate crime to report what's happened to them, and also to choose who they report to. This app makes reporting hate crime as easy and secure as checking your bank account, flight details or social updates on your phone, with as much control as people expect with their data and digital lives.” Peter Allan, Sussex Police Hate Crime Sergeant, added: “We are working hard with our partners to raise awareness of hate crime and increase trust and confidence within our communities to report it. Although we saw a 37% increase in recorded hate crimes and incidents from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015, we still acknowledge that many such crimes and incidents go unreported.
SERGEANT, PETER ALLAN
NEW APP FOR REPORTING HATE CRIME
KATY BOURNE PCC
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ERIC PAGE
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"Sussex Police is pleased to be involved with the enhanced development of the Self-Evident reporting app; to boost its existing reporting function, to include the option for victims to report to a support service only, rather than the police directly. I understand that there are many reasons why victims choose not to report to the police, but I would encourage them to do so, whether it is by app, telephone or online.” Graham Hill, Victim Support's Lead Manager for Hate Crime Services in Sussex, said: “People affected by hate crime are often reluctant to tell anybody about what is happening to them. As a consequence they internalise this and 'suffer in silence'; also they do not access the support that is available to them. “Together with our partner agencies, we have worked to create an environment in which people have the confidence to tell others they are being targeted. The development of an app to encourage those affected to report this is a very welcome step forward. Having the option to involve the police, if that is their choice or to report to an independent third party is warmly welcomed by Victim Support”. The app will be officially launched on Tuesday, October 13 during National Hate Crime week (October 10-18) at a venue still to be confirmed and also in London, on a date to be confirmed.
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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
BRIGHTON & HOVE
ANTI HATE CRIME VIGIL
SATURDAY 17TH OCT 7-8PM OLD STEINE FOUNTAIN, BRIGHTON • GUEST SPEAKER • MUSIC • REFRESHMENTS • TENTED AREA
For more info visit lgbt-help.com/events/vigils If you have been affected by a Hate Crime or need emotional support from one of our partner listening ear volunteers, call our 24/7 helpline on 01273 855620
LGBT SAFETY FORUM PUBLIC MEETING WED 28TH OCT 7PM • QUEENS HOTEL BRIGHTON Come to our AGM and meet the BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SAFETY FORUM volunteers. See the work undertaken over the past year; our work programme for next year and our recommendations drawn from 2013/14 Trust & Confidence survey. For more information visit www.lgbt-help.com BRIGHTON & HOVE
LGBT COMMUNITY GROUPS NETWORK
Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum is is a member of The LGBT Community Groups Network and funded by the Rainbow Fund and Safer in Sussex. This advert was paid for by a grant from the Safer In Sussex Community Foundation.
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OMBUDSMAN REPORT HIGHLIGHTS HEALTH SERVICE FAILURES IN SOUTH EAST
SIMON DOWE
ROBIN COUSINS & LORRAINE CHASE
) Actress Lorraine Chase and Olympic gold medal figure skater Robin Cousins took a tour and met staff and patients at the Sussex Beacon on Monday, September 7. The pair have recently pledged their support for the HIV charity by offering to host the upcoming Halloween Horror Show fundraising ball. The tour included a look around the centre’s 10-bedded inpatient unit and day service facilities. The charity, which supported over 866 people living with HIV last year, needs to raise £1.6 million to keep services running.
The report contains a snapshot of complaints investigated between December 2014 and January 2015. It includes the cases of three people whose deaths could have been avoided, nine asylum seekers who waited years for a decision on their application, multiple examples of inadequate end of life care and seven cases of poor care during pregnancy and maternity.
Robin Cousins, co-host, said: “The Sussex Beacon are a huge part of the Brighton & Hove landscape, and as a local I am very happy to co-host this year’s Halloween Horror Show with the fabulous Lorraine Chase. The charity does incredible work in and around our community and annual events like this support and celebrate their continuing efforts.”
During the period of the report the Ombudsman made final decisions on a total of 556 complaints, of which 201 were upheld or partially upheld and 300 were not upheld.
Lorraine and Robin will be hosting the Halloween Horror Show together at the Grand Hotel in Brighton on Saturday, October 31. They will narrate the show, which will include live song and dance performances, with a cast from the Brighton Academy. Guests will enjoy a sparkling wine reception, three-course meal, silent auction, main auction and best-‘fancy’dressed competition. Lorraine Chase added: “l was chuffed to be asked to take part in the Halloween Horror Show for the Sussex Beacon. Co-hosting with the amazing Robin Cousins will be a treat indeed! I look forward to seeing you all there. We need your support.”
The investigations into the avoidable deaths that feature in the report found that lives could possibly have been saved if doctors and nurses had taken more time to act in line with guidance and good practice, and if they had provided better care to their patients.
Simon Dowe, CEO at the Sussex Beacon, added: “We were delighted to host Lorraine and Robin’s visit and even more delighted for them to offer to host our fundraising ball. This will be the second year of ‘The Halloween Horror Show’ and after last year’s success, we hope to raise a significant amount of money to support people living with HIV.” Lorraine and Robin were joined today by Andy Cheeseman, Managing Director of City Cabs, who is sponsoring the Halloween Horror Show. He said: “City Cabs is proud to be sponsoring the Halloween Horror Show to raise funds to support people living with HIV. The Sussex Beacon is an important charity for the community of Brighton & Hove and, as a local business, we feel it is important to support charities who support our local community.” The Sussex Beacon is working with leading entertainment design agency the E3 Group who helped produce Brighton Pride in 2013 to produce the ball. To buy tickets, view: www.sussexbeacon.org.uk/halloween
JULIE MELLOR
CHASE AND COUSINS VISIT SUSSEX BEACON
) A new Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report shows the impact of public service failures and poor complaint handling in the NHS in England and UK government departments can have on the public.
respond quickly enough when she was distressed. She suffered unnecessary levels of pain and sickness at the end of her life as a result, which was also very upsetting for her family
Julie Mellor, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, said: “Often people complain to us because they don’t want someone else to go through what they or their loved one went through. This report shows the types of unresolved complaints we receive and the human cost of that poor service and complaint handling. Many of the complaints that come to us should have been resolved by the organisation complained about. Complaints provide an opportunity for learning and improvements and should be embraced at all levels of the organisation from the Board to the frontline.”
Approximately 80% of its investigations are about the NHS in England and 20% are about UK In one example of poor end of life care government departments and their a woman in her twenties had been agencies. Almost half of all diagnosed with terminal cancer, but complaints about the NHS in England her palliative care was badly managed were about or partially about at a hospital in East Sussex. In dissatisfaction in how complaints particular, nursing staff did not were handled.
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BRIGHTON & HOVE READING FESTIVAL CELEBRATES TEN YEARS OF SHARED READING ) The chosen book for the 2015, City Reads Brighton & Hove, the longest running big read in the UK, is Matt Haig’s The Humans, an accessible, funny and inventive book that asks what it means to be human. The festival, now in its tenth year, culminates in events around Brighton & Hove from Oct 10–Nov 1. City Reads is organised by Collected Works CIC and aims to spread a love of books and ideas to the widest possible audience in Brighton & Hove. Each year one book is selected for the whole community to read, discuss, debate and creatively engage with in a series of special events, workshops and performances.
CLEMENCE DANE
) Writer and performer Rose Collis has been awarded funding from Grants for the Arts, supported by Arts Council England, to write and perform in a new one-woman play about the life of Clemence Dane. Clemence Dane (aka Winifred Ashton) was the invisible woman of British 20th century culture: a highly prolific and popular English novelist, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, sculptor, painter, broadcaster, lecturer and pioneering feminist who died 50 years ago. Noel Coward described her as "a wonderful unique mixture of artist, writer, games mistress, poet and egomaniac" yet her name and achievements are almost forgotten today.
Rose says; "In late 2007, I was ‘headhunted’ to write the first biography of Clemence Dane. Although this didn’t transpire, I’ve continued to collect material about Dane’s life and work and, in November 2014, she was featured in my ‘Queer Perspectives’ event at the National Portrait Gallery. The enormous interest in her expressed by the audience on that occasion helped consolidate my long-held belief that she was ideal material for a quirky, witty show as eccentric as its subject." "I am enormously grateful to Arts Council England for this opportunity to realise one of my artistic ambitions, and am looking forward with great pleasure and excitement to working with high-quality partners to bring to life such an important and overlooked cultural female figure, and introducing her to the audience she deserves." Public engagement events will include a ‘Lunchtime Lecture’ at Worthing Library, Tuesday, December 1, followed by three public preview performances in January 2016 at the Marlborough Theatre, Brighton and Arundel Jailhouse. The play will then tour nationally. Collaborative partners and participants for the project include director Keith Drinkel, Pink Fringe/Marlborough Theatre (Brighton), Arundel Jailhouse (West Sussex), West Sussex Libraries, Victoria & Albert Museum and Sussex young people’s organisation, Blueprint 22. Rose has also been named as the new writer in residence at Coleridge Cottage in Somerset as part of the Writing Places project. She will be the first writer in residence at the cottage in 100 years of National Trust Care. The Writing Places project is a partnership between The National Trust, Literature Works and The Poetry Archive. It aims to broaden audiences for literature events and to encourage creative reading and writing allowing wouldbe and more established writers to engage with some of the very places that inspired some of our greatest writers. Rose follows in the footsteps of Samuel Coleridge known for his work in the Romanticism movement. He lived at the cottage which now bears his name, between 1797 – 1798. Rose brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as a writer, performer and alternative historian. Her work covers many genres, including theatre, biography, journalism, short-fiction, radio and literary talks amongst her many talents. She is also a member of the Society of Authors and of Equity and has written a number of books including Death And The City, The New Encyclopaedia Of Brighton and A Trouser Wearing Character: The Life and Times of Nancy Spain. For more information about Rose Collis, view: www.rosecollis.com
MATT HAIG
ROSE COLLIS
Amongst other things, she was the first British woman screenwriter ever to win an Oscar; the inspiration for eccentric medium Madame Arcati in Coward’s Blithe Spirit and a highly-regarded scriptwriter in Hollywood and Britain.
acquaintances, so choosing it for Brighton & Hove’s annual big read seemed like the perfect way to do that. Matt has described the book as ‘a kind of advert for the human race’ - a book he wanted as many people as possible to enjoy. That sentiment sums up the whole ethos of City Reads. Some of the people I’ve recommended it to have interpreted if very differently to me and isn’t that what a good book should do?” Highlights of the festival will include a closing event on November 1 at The Old Market featuring Matt Haig in conversation with Alex Clark, and Human Poetry, with Jackie Kay, Dean Atta and Vanessa Kisuule, which will explore the complexities of identity and what it means to be human. A Sci-Fi Film Weekender, includes the acclaimed Under The Skin, Pinocchi, and Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (Oct 23–24, One Church, Brighton).
For young creatives aged 16–25 there’s a chance to enter the Young, Human & Creative competition, where young people are invited to create works around what it means to be human. The challenge has three categories: Author Matt Haig, said: ”I am overjoyed to photography, writing and illustration, with a development opportunity as the prize in have The Humans chosen as this year’s City Reads title. I originally wrote the book each category. as a kind of advert for the human race, City Reads will also be celebrating and I wanted it to be a story that as many World Mental Health Day (Oct 10) in people as possible could enjoy. It was a partnership with Action for Happiness, very personal book for me, and I really with free events at Jubilee Library hope you like it.” including a Happiness Café, discussions about reading, featured mood Sarah Hutchings, City Read’s Artistic boosting books and a chance to win Director, said: “This book changes lives. As soon as I read the book, I knew copies of The Humans. we’d found our 2015 title. It made me For more information about the festival, laugh, it made me cry, it was a book I view: www.cityreads.co.uk wanted to share with family, friends and
GLOW = GAY LESBIAN OR WHATEVER! ) GLOWchoirBrighton is a Natural Voice Community Choir for LGBTQ people and their straight allies to come together in song. All voices are welcome, from experienced singers to shower divas and absolute beginners! GLOWchoirBrighton is supportive of all sexuality and gender identities, and open to all levels of vocal confidence and experience. They sing a cappella songs of passion, protest and celebration from across the globe. All taught by ear, so you don’t have to be able to read music. Led by renowned Natural Voice leaders Hannah Rose Tristram and
Kirsty Martin. No auditions, no judgement, and no limits! This term runs from Sept 16 to Dec 16 (no session Nov 18th), and it’s fine to just drop in. GLOWchoir meets every Wednesday (except Nov 18) at BHASVIC, 205 Dyke Road, Brighton from 7-9pm. For more information, view: http://glowchoir.weebly.com/
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MARTIN FISHER FOUNDATION LAUNCHED AT BRIGHTON DOME ) Cllr Warren Morgan, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, welcomed delegates from all over the globe to the launch of the Martin Fisher Foundation at the Brighton Dome on September 14 and committed the city to achieving ZERO stigma, ZERO transmission and ZERO deaths from HIV/AIDS by 2020. Cllr Morgan, after welcoming delegates to the city, said: “Brighton & Hove has the highest prevalence of people diagnosed with HIV outside of London. In 2013, nearly 1,700 Brighton & Hove residents attended NHS HIV treatment services.
Katlama, University Pierre and Marie Curie, France; Prof Juergen Rockstroh, University of Bonn, Germany; and Dr Cal Cohen, Gilead Sciences, USA. Subjects covered ranged from understanding the evolution of the HIV epidemic, to the challenges of co-infection, PrEP and treatment. The overriding message from all speakers was the importance of testing early and commencing treatment as soon as possible.
The afternoon session was chaired by Baroness Gould, Chair of the UK Government's Independent Advisory Group for Sexual Health & HIV, and included a moving tribute film to Martin produced by Armadillo, a piano recital by “Over the last 30 years Brighton & Hove has witnessed Neil Georgeson and a call to action to achieve ZERO the incredible progress that has taken place in the infections by 2020 with official tributes from Professor diagnosis and treatment of people living with HIV. Malcolm Reid, Dean, Brighton & Sussex Medical Professor Martin Fisher was at the forefront of these School; Matthew Kershaw, Chief Executive, Brighton & improvements both locally and nationally. With his Sussex University Hospitals; Dr David Asboe, President, colleagues he transformed the care of local people living British HIV Association; Dr Janet Clarke, President, with HIV and built an outstanding unit both in terms of the British Association of Sexual Health & HIV; and Professor care it provides and the contribution it makes to research Trevor Beedham, Dean, The Worshipful Society of and clinical knowledge. Apothecaries of London. “Because of the progress made in preventing The afternoon session was brought to a close by Martin transmission, prompt diagnosis and effective treatments, Fisher Foundation Patron Jane Mezzone, former lead people diagnosed early with HIV can now expect to have commissioner for sexual health, East Sussex Brighton & a near normal life expectancy. The council, with its public Hove Health Authority and presently the Strategic Sexual health role, needs to work together with partners across Health Commissioning Co-ordinator for London ADPH the health sector to support the furtherance of this vital across all 33 local authorities, who called for a strategic work. approach in achieving ZERO and James Ledward, “The Martin Fisher Foundation will continue Professor Fisher’s life-saving work. I look forward to the advances in the care and treatment the Foundation’s work will bring to everyone, including the people of Brighton & Hove. It is down to us all to achieve Martin’s goal: zero stigma, zero transmission and zero deaths from HIV/AIDS.” The morning session included contributions from Dr Valerie Delpech, Public Health England; Prof Deenan Pillay, University KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Simon Collins, HIV-positive Treatment Advocate, UK; Robert Fieldhouse, Body Positive, UK; Dr Duncan Churchill, Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals; Prof Christine
commissioning editor of Gscene Magazine who reflected on the importance of the new Foundation involving LGBT and HIV community organisations in all plans to reduce HIV infections to ZERO. Martin Fisher was honorary consultant physician in sexual health and HIV at Brighton & Sussex University Hospital (BSUH) and was instrumental in the development of the HIV department there since being appointed to the post in 1995. He was one of the world’s leading HIV physicians and specialists and the first professor of HIV medicine at Brighton & Sussex Medical School. Martin died suddenly on April 20 earlier this year.
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LOCAL TENOR TAKES CHARGE AS CHIEF UMPIRE AT SAILING WORLD CUP - ACTUALLY!
) Hervé Guyat, owner of New Steine and Gulliver’s hotels in New Steine, and Georges Amaru, owner of Cup of Joe café in Kemptown, were married on Saturday, September 5 at Stanmer House by Trevor Love, the council's Superintendent Registrar. Friends and family of the couple came from France for the wedding which continued on Sunday, September 6 at the gypsy encampment at Blue Door Barns just outside Lewes.
ALAN BASER IN RIO
) It’s anchors away at the end of October for Alan Baser, Actually Gay Men’s Chorus (AGMC) tenor and international sailing official. Alan is embarking on his most prestigious role to date, taking the helm as Chief Umpire at the ISAF Sailing World Cup final in Abu Dhabi, October 27 to November 1.
The final is the culmination of major sailing events that have taken place around the world over the past year, from Melbourne to Miami, and will bring together the top 20 boats in each of the chosen categories for the 2016 Olympic competition, as well as an Open Kiteboarding event where the World Cup Champions will be crowned. Alan, 36, is no stranger to officiating at international events. As an ISAF International Umpire for six years and International Judge for five years he has been actively involved in all the major sailing
events, World Match Racing Tour, London 2012, numerous World Championships and has recently returned from Rio where he was a member of the International Jury for Rio International Sailing Regatta, a test event in preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Hailing originally from Plymouth, Alan who has sung with AGMC for four years and worked at the University of Brighton since 2003 is understandably very excited and proud about his role as international mainstay. He says: “The Sailing World Cup and the Olympics are the pinnacle events for this discipline of sailing and to be asked to be Chief Umpire at the Sailing World Cup is a great honour and something that I’ve been working towards for a very long time. With the top 20 sailors for each Olympic discipline taking part there will be very tough competition, which for me, leading a group of eight international umpires and having to deliver instant decisions on the water to the world’s best sailors, will be challenging but very exciting.” Following the World Cup, and with his feet back on dry land, although his sights will be firmly set on Rio 2016, Alan is also looking forward to changing tack to rehearse and perform with friends from AGMC for a very exciting tenth anniversary year. For more information about AGMC, view: www.actuallygmc.org
) Anthony Dowsett and Neil McMillan were married at the Brighton Unitarian Church on Thursday, September 10. They met nine years ago when Anthony was running Martha’s Bar in Portsmouth. Neil, a former Licensing Officer in Brighton, is now with City of London Police and Anthony is a Competence Assessor with Govia Rail. Their reception was at the Amsterdam Hotel with entertainment provided by a host of stars including 1980s soul diva, Angie Brown.
) Artist Jerry Sanders and Tony Clout tied the knot at Pangdean Old Barn on Friday, September 11.
) Deborah Price and Kath Tayler will launch their book, LGBT Diversity and Inclusion in Early Years Education, on October 15 at Tarnerland Children’s Centre. Children and families come in all shapes and sizes, as do members of staff. This book will support staff in nurseries, playgroups and other early years settings in thinking about LGBT issues in relation to their early years practice. It examines the history of equalities legislation and the diversity of families with LGBT members alongside pragmatic advice to ensure that all children, families and staff feel welcomed and celebrated in the early years setting. It offers realistic advice and practical guidance, which results from years of firsthand experience in the early years sector. Chapters explore key topics such as a brief history of legislation in the UK in regard to LGBT diversity; good practice with children and families; LGBT diversity in an early years work environment; and resourcing for equality. Including case studies, reading lists and links to useful websites and organisations, it will be valuable reading for all early years
DEBORAH PRICE & KATH TAYLER
LGBT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN EARLY YEARS EDUCATION
practitioners and students that want to promote an inclusive environment for the children in their care. Deborah Price, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Brighton and an Associate Lecturer at The Open University, has worked in early and primary years as a teacher, trainer, inspector and lecturer for over 30 years. Kath Tayler has worked in early years for over 30 years as a nursery nurse, primary teacher and lecturer in early years education and care. Kath is currently a Senior Lecturer at Brighton University and an Associate Lecturer at The Open University.
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ALTERNATIVE PANTO SINDERFELLA LAUNCHED AT QUEENS ARMS ) Sinderfella was officially launched at the Queens Arms last month with the announcement that local drag legends Dave Lynn and Maisie Trollette have joined the company for the panto, written by Andrew Stark and directed by Quintin Young with musical direction by Marc Yarrow. Dave Lynn joins Miss Jason, Lola Lasagne, Davina Sparkle, Jason Lee, Allan Jay, Cassidy Connors and Christopher Howard in the star-studded panto which will run at the Sallis Benney Theatre between February 4-14, 2016 and Maisie will appear each night as if by magic. The launch party doubled as Peter Storrow's champagne birthday party and was hosted by Davina Sparkle with entertainment provided by Maisie Trollette, Christopher Howard, Sally Vate and Wain Kara Douglas. James Ledward received a surprise presentation of a luxury cruise on the Queen Mary 2 with ÂŁ500 onboard spending for him and his husband Besi, from Peter Storrow, Tony Chapman owner of Legends and Paul Gray owner of The Brighton Sauna to thank him for the community work he had done over the last 21 years as Gscene editor. To book tickets for the panto: www.brightonticketshop.com or call: 01273 709709
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HUMANS OF KEMPTOWN - A LIVING ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF PEOPLE ) Brighton is a city long-famed for its vibrant and diverse communities, with Kemptown the jewel in Brighton’s colourful cultural crown. Diversity is something that can often be under-appreciated, when it instead deserves to be celebrated. With record crowds flocking to the 25th Anniversary of Pride in Brighton this year a new photography project is being launched which aims to do just that. ) Bear-Patrol raise £800 for the Sussex Beacon at their Bring & Buy sale at the Queens Arms last month.
VICTORY FOR RVT CAMPAIGNERS
AMY LAMÉ
) Following a community campaign, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT), the UK’s oldest LGBTQ pub, has become a listed building. It’s the first building in the country listed for its significance to LGBTQ heritage. The Department for Culture, Media & Sport confirmed the designation on the advice of Historic England (formerly English Heritage). The news is a victory for RVT Future, a campaign group made up of performers, promoters and punters who cherish the pub. It was set up after the Tavern’s sale last year to Immovate, an Austrian property development company. Immovate has declined to meet the RVT community or reveal its plans for the site and recruited consultants to try to block the listing. Amy Lamé, RVT Future chair, co-founder and host of the long-running RVT night, Duckie, said: “The listing is a fantastic milestone for our community and a victory against the odds for our beloved pub. We look forward to continuing our work to ensure the RVT remains a vibrant space of LGBTQ community and culture for generations to come. The RVT now joins New York’s Stonewall Inn, home of the gay liberation movement, in being officially recognised for its contribution to social history. We thank our many, many supporters from across London and further afield.” Built around 1860, the RVT has been a hub of the LGBTQ community since the 1940s or earlier. Paul O'Grady developed his legendary drag act Lily Savage there in the 1980s, a period during which the pub was also visited by Princess Diana in drag and raided by police in rubber gloves. Emily Gee, Historic England’s Head of Designation, said: “The RVT is an enduring and important venue for the LGBTQ community. Built on the site of the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, it carries on the tradition of alternative and bohemian entertainment which is bound up in this part of London’s history and identity.” Rob Holley, RVT Future campaign manager and promoter of the RVT night, Push The Button, added: “We’re chuffed to bits but our work isn’t finished! We’re now calling on Immovate to finally talk to us, so we can ensure this special venue continues to serve the community. If Immovate don’t think they can make the Tavern work as a listed pub, we invite them to open discussions about a community buy-out. Sell it to a group of people who have faith in the commercial viability of this phenomenal venue. We have the means to do this and exciting ideas about how the RVT could be improved for everybody. Meanwhile, we invite everyone who cherishes the Tavern to join us at the bar to celebrate!” Supporters of the listing application, written by RVT Future’s Ben Walters, included Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Sir Ian McKellen and Paul O’Grady, as well as local residents, charities, architects, historians and politicians.
This new project will combine street photography with human geography, using quotes and snapshots to create a catalogue of stories that showcase the vibrance of everyday life in Kemptown. The collection of stories, past and present, will celebrate the people who come together to make Brighton such a brilliant city. The history of LGBTQ+ culture in Brighton & Hove is both rich and extensive - so lets keep it alive, and celebrate the differences which make each and every one of us unique. By
sharing images and stories, the project aims to celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of Kemptown village and it’s inhabitants. Would you like to be featured as a part of this project? If you have a story to tell, big or small, then get in touch by sending us an email - please include some details about you, your story and ideally a photo. Email: info@gscene.com You can also follow the project on Instagram: @gscenemag
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CHRIS MURPHY
) 2015 has been a record breaking year for the Brighton Bear Weekend (BBW), with more events, more men and more money raised for the Rainbow Fund than ever before. Chris Murphy, who originally had the idea for the BBW, has been appointed as the organisation’s first patron. Chris said: “BBW started in 2009 when the original Kings Arms was around. At that point, it was Brighton's bear bar. I was going to call it BBC, Brighton Bears and Cubs. Unfortunately, the King Arms closed and that put a kibosh on that. It was a transitional time and the Camelford Arms was just opening and establishing itself. I contacted David Silver. Initially, he didn’t take me that seriously. The first one had to happen to prove that it could be done. No money was made that year, but by year two we were able to show that we could bring guys into the city for the weekend which resulted in 2015 with us raising the most money we ever have for the Rainbow Fund: £5,653. In total to date over the six years, £15,000 has been raised for the Rainbow Fund. A spokesman for Brighton Bear Weekend said: “Without the hard work and struggle over the first two years of BBW we wouldn’t be here now with a city wide event that attracts bears from all over Europe to Brighton & Hove. BBW has blossomed into the second biggest weekend on the LGBT community calendar in Brighton after Pride and a major fundraiser for the Rainbow Fund. The committee have been close friends with Chris and we will miss his contributions at committee meetings. We know we have Chris‘s support and look forward to seeing him at events in future and in our promotional photos.”
HEALTH, WEALTH & HAPPINESS DAY ) There is still time to book a free place at Health, Wealth and Happiness Day, which is an opportunity for people aged 50+ living with HIV to find out more about HIV and ageing. The day will be split into two: in the morning there will be three speakers who are all experts in the field of HIV and ageing and in the afternoon there are three workshops that will run twice so everyone gets the chance to go to two of them
TIM PROCTER
Dr Tom Levett will be talking about what it means to age successfully with HIV, Dr Jonathan Underwood will be talking about research currently taking place to investigate fully the implications of ageing with HIV, and Dr Jaime Vera who will be talking about how services locally are gearing up to deal with a growing population of people ageing with HIV.. Tim Proctor, from THT, will be giving an overview of all the changes that are coming in regarding benefits; Jason Warriner from the Sussex Beacon will be talking about the changes they are making to the services they offer; and there will be a workshop on mindfulness. Peer Action, the HIV peer support group, will be providing free therapies for those attending the event and lunch and refreshments will be provided by Lunch Positive, the HIV lunch club. This is the first time THT have run an event of this kind where people living with HIV are given the chance to listen to experts in the field. Registration opens at 9.15am and the conference will be finished by 3.30pm. To book your place, view: www.hwhday.eventbrite.co.uk For more information call Richard Cooper on 01273 764222 or email: Richard.Cooper@tht.org.uk
OLDER AND FABULOUS! ) As we get older we have to come to terms with losing friends and lovers. One friend of mine has lost his complete network of close friends in the last five years to illness and people moving to warmer climes when they retire. He is very lonely. As the LGBT population in Brighton & Hove continues to age, more and more older LGBT people are turning to community social network groups to find companionship and make new friends.
In Brighton there are two established groups for older people that meet in Kemptown each month. Brighton GEMS the Gay Elderly Mens Society, (formerly the Older Lesbian & Gay Men's Forum), has been established for many years now and is the holder of the Queens Award for Voluntary Work to the Community. The other group is Older & Out who welcome all older LGBTQUI people to their socials and activities.
BRIGHTON GEMS ) Brighton GEMS is a social group for mature gay men who aim to help reduce isolation and provide a safe environment for older men to meet and socialise together. The group is run by a team of unpaid volunteers who organise regular walks, trips to the theatre, dinners out, swimming classes and they have a popular cinema group.
Monthly meetings are held on the last Friday of each month at the Dorset Gardens Methodist Church starting at 7pm which are great for making new friends and sometimes include a speaker from a statutory organisation who give a talk and offer advice to members. Brighton GEMS is supported with a grant from the Rainbow Fund. For more information visit: www.brightongems.com or email: Brightongems@aol.com
OLDER & OUT ) Older & Out, started life in September 2013, is organised by LGBT people for LGBT people and provides an open, welcoming space for the older LGBTQUI communities to come together and create new friendships while strengthening old ones. As well as offering monthly social opportunities they also provide a telephone service and signpost to other services in the city.
Older & Out ensures the voices of older people are heard by policy makers. They provide information to other groups or services and organise day trips out, occasional trips to the theatre, conferences and workshops relevant to the Older LGBTQUI communities in Brighton and Hove. The group provides a safe and supportive environment and aims to encourage a greater sense of well being and better health amongst the members. Older & Out gives support and advice on issues that may be presented by members, they signpost to relevant services and are a stepping stone to statutory service providers. They are planning to provide an intergenerational befriending service in the future. If you’re over 50 years of age go along and join in with discussion groups, listen to the talks and enjoy lunch with like minded people. Older & Out meet from 1pm-3pm on the second Friday of the month at Somerset Day Centre, 62 St James's Street, Kemptown, Brighton for networking, lunch, and there’s usually a speaker or entertainment after lunch. Older & Out is supported with a grant from the Rainbow Fund. To contact Older & Out email: info@olderandoutbrighton.org.uk or call: 01273 699000 (Mon–Thur 10–3pm). Find them on Facebook at Older and Out or visit: www.lgbt-groups.org/older-and-out/
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WHERE WILL WE LIVE WHEN WE GET OLDER? As LGBT-focussed residential communities become established in many countries around the world, here in the United Kingdom there is a definite lack of similar resources, despite an extensive and prominent LGBT population. ) Although the younger LGBT community at large faces less prejudice than those who went before them, members of the older LGBT community are still facing discrimination. A publication by the Social Care Institute for Excellence noted that: “Social care commissioners and providers don’t often think about LGBT people when planning and delivering services, but this does not mean that LGBT people are not using services or do not want to use services.” EASTBOURNE RAINBOW MEMBERS ON A RECENT TRIP TO RYE IN SUSSEX
EASTBOURNE RAINBOW For older LGBT people in Eastbourne and the surrounding area ) Eastbourne Rainbow is a group for LGBT people aged 50+ living in Eastbourne and surrounding areas. The purpose of the group is help older LGBT people socialise, make new friends, gain support and obtain up to date information which is of interest to the group. Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month from 2–3.30pm in the Girder Room at AGE Concern Venton Centre which is in Junction Road, Eastbourne BN21 3QY. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided and there is a small charge of £1 entrance per person to cover costs. If you prefer, you can be met at the AGE Concern reception desk by a group member who will be pleased to accompany you to the meeting. Or if you would like to make contact prior to a meeting you can leave a message or text on the Eastbourne Rainbow phoneline: 07516 670654 (for text and voice mail only). The group now have a new additional meeting for coffee mornings on the first Wednesday of each month in the Pantry Cafe at the AGE Concern Venton Centre from 10.30–11.30am. Members old and new are invited to go along for a chat, as sometimes during the more formal meetings the group can be too busy with other matters and the time for social conversation and making new friends is limited.
EASTBOURNE RAINBOW ) For more information, email the group facilitator, Derek,
at: derek@eastbournerainbow.org.uk or the co-organiser, Ken, at: ken@eastbournerainbow.org.uk ) For more information about Eastbourne Rainbow, visit:
http://eastbournerainbow.co.uk
Community living for older LGBT people is not a new concept – far from it. Established LGBT residential communities already exist in the US, as well as in Sweden, Germany, Italy, and France. LBQ community focus organisation Planet Residential have raised the question: where will we live when we get older? Planet Residential have identified that the housing shortage, along with the extensive LGBT community, come together to produce a definite need for similar facilities to be created in the UK as those seen in other countries. In raising this question, Planet Residential is calling out to key players in the housing sector to get involved – and in doing so, they hope to form collaborations which could see the facilitation and development of quality LGBT older residential communities within the UK. “Ninety-one per cent of lesbians and 75 per cent of gay men want to see specific accommodation for lesbians and/or gay men.” (Hubbard & Rossigton, Polari, 2009) In order to create a service which best fits the needs of older LGBT community members, Planet Residential hope to spend some time talking to members of the community to establish what it is they would ideally want and need from such facilities. Planet Residential will then aim to go on to take these ideas to associated partners within the housing sector, who can help them make the vision a reality. Planet Residential is a community organisation, and a part of lesbian, bisexual and queer brand Ultimate Planet, which offers community and social support to LBQ women, with a wide range of services and support being offered through their ‘Planet’ brands. The Planet Residential vision is the creation of a communitydriven, sustainable housing solution that meets the needs of an inclusive older LGBT population in the UK. You can be involved in Planet Residential’s project by heading to their website and signing up to their mailing list, in order to receive updates and news on the concept as it develops. To sign up to their mailing list, view: http://bit.ly/PlanetResi
20 GSCENE money for the school and she used her showbusiness contacts to produce charity shows all over the country and raised money to put a new roof on the school and build a swimming pool. With the arrival of AIDS, she turned her efforts to raising money for London Lighthouse (now a branch of THT) and formed the all-woman band, KDC, to raise money for that charity and the Dysart School. Her show business friends, including Kiki Dee, June Brown, Polly Perkins, Pam St Clement, Randy Crawford and Sting, rallied round to help her and Sir Elton John kindly matched pound for pound from his Elton John Foundation everything that Krissie managed to raise. Since coming to settle in Brighton, Krissie has continued to raise money for good causes and regularly appears in fundraisers for the Sussex Beacon. A few years ago Krissie decided she would like to write a book about her life. Not so much about the stars and her showbiz stories but more about being mother to a mentally disabled and epileptic child and her struggles to keep her family going and together.
James Ledward talks to three of Brighton’s LGBT elders: writer Persia West, singer Krissie DuCann and the ‘Oldest Gay In the Village’ - George Montague
OLDER & STILL PERFORMING:
KRISSIE DUCANN ) Krissie Ducann, the little lady with the huge voice and big heart, has been a professional singer for 51 years. Now, approaching her 71st birthday, she continues to be in demand on the cabaret circuit for her legions of loyal fans. Her show business pedigree is impressive: she started singing in a skiffle band in 1958 when she was just 14; then in 1964 she formed a soul band called Cadillac and toured the country with Pink Floyd, Amen Corner, The Nice and Jimi Hendrix; the legendary guitarist became her lover, as did actor, satirist, writer and comedian Peter Cook.
Krissie remembers life on the road with affection. “Touring in the 1960s was fantastic. Everyone did it because they really loved the music and travelling the country together. There was none of this stardom, ego thing we get today. The camaraderie was totally genuine.”
The book called This Is Me is ghost-written by Maureen Ratcliffe. “Getting it all down in writing was very therapeutic for me. It was something I had to do. Maureen became a psychiatrist to me. At times the process was painful but I feel stronger now. I learnt that I didn’t really like myself, but putting it all down in print helped me see and appreciate the good things I have done in my life as well as the bad. It was a very cathartic process.” Krissie DuCann is a survivor. All her life she has fought to help others, and now, as she reaches her twilight years, she needs the support of her friends and family more than ever.
Krissie went on to become a solo singer signing to Polydor Records and enjoying success with the single I Wanna Give; however, she became known in the industry as the problem singer. Record executives thought she was a great singer with a fantastic voice, but when it came to marketing her, they thought her looks didn’t stand up to scrutiny at the time. Krissie refused to let the treatment she received get her down and turned to fundraising for charitable causes. “I felt with this voice I had a gift,” she says; “and I wanted to use it to help others.” She had a daughter to the actor Norman Rossington, then in 1972 she gave birth to a son who was mentally disabled and epileptic. When he reached the age of five, he was able to go to the Dysart School in Kingston, where they lived. The school provided for pupils who had a range of severe and complex learning disabilities. At the time, special schools were not high on the agenda to receive government funding, so Krissie threw herself full-time into raising
OLDER & FABULOUS:
PERSIA WEST ) Persia West was born 67 years ago in Liverpool where she spent her childhood and went to the local boys’ school. She says even though she secretly knew she was trans, she had
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OLDER & WISER:
GEORGE MONTAGUE ) George Montague, 'The Oldest Gay in the Village', rose to national and international prominence rather late in life when he took to his mobility scooter and appeared on the Brighton Pride Parade as the ‘Oldest Gay in the Village’. The media took him to their hearts, promoting George to their front covers, while the feature writers recounted to a generation of young readers, George's life story, and about how he lived a double life in his early years. George was born in 1923, and didn’t come out till he was 59. He lived his life against the backdrop of the gay rights movement's campaign for equality. He lived through the bad times in the 1980s, epitomised by the AIDS epidemic and Section 28 and celebrated the good times with the delivery of civil partnerships and finally same-sex marriage in March 2014. George served King and country during WW2, and fathered three children to Vera, who he married and shared the secret of his sexuality with. He remained married to Vera for 22 years and they kept close even after separating. Sadly, Vera died in 2000. George finally came out in 1982. In 1997 he met his partner, Somchai, who he entered into a civil partnership with in 2006 and finally married on the eve of Brighton Pride in 2015. Along the way he found time to put pen to paper and recount his life story. The Oldest Gay In The Village is a riveting and at times brutally honest story about the double life that he led when he lived, like many other gay men at the time, his straight life in public and his gay life in secret.
no words to express what she was. She fled from those hard times as soon as she could, to find herself on the road, a gender outlaw on the run, away for more than 20 years, mostly in Japan but also in India, Canada, Spain, California and many other interesting places. “Now I see those years as the search for myself. Happily, I did find myself in the end, through my spiritual search and practice, and came to settle in Brighton, which is a home for many wanderers; certainly a home for me. “I like being the age I am. I don’t do dramas any more, so life is simpler and sweeter. I’ve done many daft things in my life, but I’ve done smart things too. I’ve been a meditator since 1970, practised yoga for years, swim and walk far. My health is great, my body and mind in good shape. I’m busy writing, giving talks, readings and travelling. I have a loving partner, a fine son, and the best dog in the world.
George was elected one of the four Ambassadors for Brighton Pride in 2013 by readers of Gscene and he used the opportunity to keep issues affecting older gay men in the public eye. Earlier this year he received one of the inaugural Attitude Pride Award and appeared on Pride Parades in Manchester, London and Brighton. Despite being 92 years young George has the stamina of someone half his age and is keeping himself as busy as ever. He is sharp, articulate and for his age his memory is extraordinary and his attention to detail quite remarkable. At the moment he is pressing for people with gross indecency convictions to have the convictions removed from their criminal records. He said: “I’ve lived my life with a conviction for gross indecency hanging over me. I see now they’re giving pardons. I don't want a pardon. I want my conviction to be squashed, struck off. I was advised by council at the time that no jury would find me guilty, but that homophobic magistrates would. To avoid the inevitable national publicity I pleaded not guilty. My council was right, but by arrangement with my friends in the local media my case received no publicity whatsoever, which as a senior commissioner in the Scout Association at the time, would have been bad for the movement. I just want to end the final days of my life having no criminal conviction.” George's other dream and his current passion is to see a top of the range care home for older gay people opened and he is presently working on a self-financing proposal for gay men with finances to commit to the project.
“It’s a good time of life. Although I’m busy, life being full, I always have time to smell the flowers." Persia's most recent book Just be Kind came out of her long years speaking, writing and consulting on Diversity and Human Rights issues, locally in Brighton and the UK, as well as across Europe. In explaining where she finds herself in her life today, at 67-years-old, she points to her quote on the back cover of the book, ‘It took me a lifetime to get this simple‘. For all LGBT people, in fact for anyone at all, Persia maintains the essential approach of kindness has real power. When she took this on board herself, she found that it really was, as the subtitle to the book says, ‘one way to change her world’. “Understanding of others isn’t always possible, nor necessary, I can just be kind anyway, no matter what.” This surprisingly simple, but not
It wouldn’t be cheap. Founders would need one million pounds to invest. No grants or subsidies would be required. A suitable property would be purchased and management team appointed. A waiting list would be created and as each original founder died or wished out, the next on the waiting list would replace him as a founder of the project. Only as many founders would be accepted as would be required to finance the project. They wouldn’t become residents in the home until they needed to, but would have priority when the need arose. Once up and running, and well established, the care home would admit as many people as there were private bedrooms available; however, all potential residents would need to have an annuity to cover the £1,500 per week per person living costs. In the meantime, George and Somchai continue to live in their seafront flat in Brighton during the summer and spend the winter months in Thailand where they also have a home. George is a proud grandfather to three beautiful grandchildren and keeps fit by having a sauna every day. The Oldest Gay In The Village published by John Blake Publishing is available from Amazon.
always easy message is powerfully expounded in the book, and richly illustrated with examples. Her writing is clear and elegant, always interesting, often touching, and very relevant to how all of us from any kind of minority want to be treated, and how we treat others. The book has 15 short chapters, each looking deeply into a different aspect of the power of Just be Kind, for example The Manly Art of Kindness, which comes from Persia’s own trans insights into the nature of men and women. She says: “We always have to begin at home if we want to see change in the way people treat us.” Just be Kind by Persia West, £6.99, is available on Amazon. For more information about Persia, view: http://persiawestwords.net/
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RAINBOW FUND AWARD RECORD GRANTS The Rainbow Fund Awards on Tuesday, September 8, staged at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel, saw more than £78,000 in grants awarded to local LGBT/HIV groups and organisations who deliver effective front-line services to LGBT people in the city. ) The awards were hosted by Zoe Lyons, comedian and Rainbow Fund Patron, and joined by Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, Conservative Group Leader Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, his wife Councillor Carole Theobald and LGBT community leaders to present the grants to LGBT/HIV organisations in Brighton & Hove. The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, who was at another function, sent a message of support congratulating Brighton Pride on their fundraising achievements and the Rainbow Fund for their work supporting LGBT and HIV organisations in the city. She emphasised how important Pride is to the city and highlighted the financial impact the event has on local businesses.
CHRIS GULL
Chris Gull, Chair of the Rainbow Fund, read the Mayor's message out, explaining that the £1 a head donated by Brighton Pride to the Rainbow Fund
GRANTS AWARDS In this funding round £78,304 was awarded to the following organisations: ) GEMS received a £2,500 grant towards core funding costs; presented by Pride Ambassador David Raven. ) PEER ACTION received a £7,500 grant towards core funding costs, and providing complementary therapies and yoga sessions for people affected by HIV; presented by Danny Dwyer from Bear-Patrol. ) OLDER AND OUT received a £5,000 grant towards providing continuing support for social activities, lunches and representation for LGBT elders; presented by Carol Theobald, Conservative Councillor for Patcham. ) MINDOUT received a £4,889 grant towards Suicide Prevention Programme, Out Of The Blue, and continuing support for social group; presented by Christopher Sandland MBE, Rainbow Fund Grants Panel Member. ) BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SWITCHBOARD received a £5,000 grant to pay for external GEMS
was not profit made by Pride but a ringfenced fixed cost. Brighton Pride is a CIC company and any profits have to be ploughed straight back into the company. If it rains one year the Rainbow Fund still gets the £1 a head on any tickets sold while Pride could well struggle to pay its bills and the city would lose it biggest public event. All three local MPs sent apologies for not being able to attend as they were sitting in Parliament. No local Green or Labour councillors responded to the invitation to attend the awards. A total of £100,000 was raised by Brighton Pride in 2015. £90,000 has been donated to the Rainbow Fund, bringing the total raised by Pride over the last two years for good causes to over £200,000. A further £10,000 has been set aside for a new social impact fund for areas in the city affected by the Pride main event and Pride Village Party. clinical supervision for counsellors; presented by Andrew Kay from Latest TV. ) TRANS ALLIANCE received a £5,775 grant towards core funding costs and delivering Trans Awareness training to businesses and employers; presented by Alice Denny, Brighton Pride Ambassador. ) CLARE PROJECT received a £4,910 grant towards core funding costs and continued support for Living Well courses; presented by Alice Denny, Brighton Pride Ambassador. ) SUSSEX BEACON received a £4,350 grant towards equipping the Rainbow Fund Treatment Room for use of nurses and service users of the Sussex Beacon; presented by Alex Matthews, Chair of the Gay Business Forum and St James’s Street Pubwatch. ) LUNCH POSITIVE received a £7,500 grant towards core funding costs and continued support for weekly lunches; presented by Adam Brooks, current holder of the Golden Handbag Award for Favourite Landlord.
PEER ACTION
) BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUM received a £7,485 grant towards core costs, safety training and information sessions to be delivered from a portable trailer in St James’s Street; presented by Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner. ) ACCESSIBILITY MATTERS received a £7,495 grant towards core funding costs, BSL signers at Pride and a Hate Crime Needs Assessment; presented by Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner ) SMALL GROUPS NETWORK received a £2,820 grant towards meeting room hire costs; presented by Chris Gull, Chair of Rainbow Fund. ) RAINBOW FAMILIES received a £2,580 grant towards funding a range of activities and events designed to engage older children within LGBT families to develop friendships; presented by Aneesa Chaudhry, Pride Ambassador. ) RADIO REVERB received a £3,000 grant towards sponsoring 52 one-hour weekly radio shows for the HIV community called The HIV Happy Hour; presented by Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, Leader of the Conservative Group. ) RAINBOW CHORUS received a £2,500 grant to establish a new singing group with more assessable rehearsal times with less pressure of performance, creating greater social inclusion; presented by Chris Steed, star of Gogglebox. ) ALLSORTS received a £5,000 grant towards delivering services to trans children and LGBT young people; presented by members of the Brighton Bear Weekender.
2016 GRANTS AWARDS There will be a second funding round in spring 2016. Details will be announced on the Rainbow Fund website in the new year. All grants have been awarded under condition that small groups attend the quarterly meetings of the LGBT Small Groups Network and all LGBT/HIV groups send a representative to the LGBT Community Safety Forum's four quarterly public meetings.
SAFETY FORUM AGM The next public meeting for the LGBT Community Safety Forum is their AGM on Wednesday, October 28 at the Queens Hotel at 7pm when they will be presenting the findings from the 2014 Police Trust & Confidence Survey. For more information about the Rainbow Fund, visit: http://rainbow-fund.org
OLDER & OUT
MINDOUT
LGBT SWITCHBOARD
TRANS ALLIANCE
CLARE PROJECT
SUSSEX BEACON
LUNCH POSITIVE
LGBT COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUM
ACCESSIBILITY MATTERS
THE SMALL GROUPS NETWORK
RAINBOW FAMILIES
RADIO REVERB
RAINBOW CHORUS
ALLSORTS
GSCENE 23
24 GSCENE
BEAR-PATROL AWARD Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Peter Field, presented Danny Dwyer from Bear-Patrol with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award 2015 for voluntary service by groups in the community last month at the Old Ship Hotel. Patrol, LGBT social group organising leisure, challenge and fundraising events helping to reduce isolation providing a network for the local community. "Greetings! "We being cognisant of the said group's outstanding voluntary work in the community, and being desirous of showing Our Royal Favour do hereby confer upon it The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award for voluntary service by groups in the community 2015 for such period as the group continues to provide its current service and do hereby give permission for the authorised emblem of the said Award to be displayed on the group's letterhead and other public material.
) The Lord Lieutenant, Peter Field, was joined by both Deputy Lieutenants of East Sussex, Mrs Caroline Nicholls and Mrs Margaret Bamford who had assessed the nomination for Bear-Patrol to receive the honour. The citation from Queen Elizabeth II was read by Mrs Caroline Nicholls: “Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories Queen, Defender of Faith, to Bear-
"Given at Our Court of St James's under Our Royal Sign Manual this second day of June in the sixty-fourth year of Our Reign." The event was attended by The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Linda Hydes, and two former Mayors of the city, Conservative Councillor Denise Cobb and Alderman of the City, former Labour Councillor Brian Fitch. Councillor Emma Daniel the Labour Chair of the Neighbourhood, Communities & Equalities Committee was also present representing the administration. Cllr Emma Daniel said; "I am really proud of BearPatrol. This award shows how effective they are. The council recognises
how important volunteers are to our city and this award shows volunteers are the jewel in the crown of Brighton & Hove." Alderman Brian Fitch said: "What a wonderful accolade not just for the LGBT communities in Brighton & Hove, but something for everyone across the city to celebrate. Bear-Patrol do excellent work bringing people together to raise money for good causes and I know from personal experience gained during my year as Mayor how Danny Dwyer's passion drives the organisation forward. Congratulations to everyone at Bear-Patrol and keep up the good work." Jason Sutton and Ant Howells introduced the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Peter Field, to the audience and spoke on behalf of BearPatrol, Tony Mould from My Brighton & Hove photographed the event, Ian Chaplin chaperoned the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Graeme Atack chaperoned the Mayor and the Ship Hotel sponsored the event donating the magnificent Paganini Ballroom and refreshments. Bear-Patrol join the Gay Elderly Men’s Society (GEMS) as the second LGBT organisation in Brighton & Hove to have received this unique honour from the Queen. Bear-Patrol started in late 2008 as a social networking group and did not commence their fundraising activities until 2010. From January 2011 to December 2014 they raised a staggering £88,847.26 mainly for the Sussex Beacon and at Easter this year they passed the magic £100,000 total, a magnificent achievement for a small community group, showing what can be done when people work together in the interests of the wider LGBT/HIV communities to achieve something special and realise their dreams.
GSCENE 25
QUEENS ARMS
LEGENDS
LEGENDS
QUEENS ARMS
BAR BROADWAY
LEGENDS
BAR BROADWAY
LEGENDS
BAR BROADWAY
LEGENDS
26 GSCENE
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
BOUTIQUE
REVENGE
QUEENS ARMS
REVENGE
CHARLES STREET
CAMELFORD ARMS
CAMELFORD ARMS
CHARLES STREET
CAMELFORD ARMS
CHARLES STREET
GSCENE 27
28 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM A BAR + BAR BROADWAY
OCTOBER
LISTINGS
A-BAR
BAR BROADWAY
) 11-12 Marine Parade, BN2 1TL, 01273 696691, www.abarbrighton.co.uk ) OPEN Sun–Thur 12pm–12am; Fri & Sat 12pm–2am. ) FOOD Mon–Sat & Sunday roasts 12–8pm (last orders 7.30pm).
) 10 Steine Street, BN2 1TE, Tel: 01273 609777, www.barbroadway.co.uk ) OPEN Sun-Thur 4pm-1am; Fri 4pm-3am, Sat 2pm–3am ) HALLOWEEN Thur (29)–Sat (31) is ROCKY HORROR – THE CONDENSED VERSION up in The Gods with Spice, Sally Vate and Miss Treated from 8.30pm on Thur & Fri and from 5pm on Sat. ) Sat (31) is the DEAD FAMOUS HALLOWEEN PARTY at 8pm. Come as your favourite dead star and get a free shot! Upstairs is Giggle@The Gods Halloween Special with six comedians from 9.30pm, entry £3.
DJ Mick Fuller spinning a set to get you in the spirit. Dress in your finest Halloween garb and hit the dancefloor for some spooky soul, frightening funk and disturbing disco alongside deep and dark house tunes! Mick's adaptability has been the secret of his success, taking in many different styles of soul music in all of its various forms, from rare groove and disco through to US garage and deep soulful house. He said: “Get on down this Halloween – it’s the one occasion when your scary dance moves are acceptable!”
Information is correct at the time of going to press. Gscene cannot be held responsible for any changes or alterations to the listings
THURSDAY 1
l A-BAR Karaoke with Jai 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Disco Bomb: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha & friends 9pm l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lee Jeffery & Ruby Roo 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thur 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live music: Fleur de Paris 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Don’t Miss Jason 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 11pm l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Big Cash Quiz: £150 jackpot 7.30pm
FRIDAY 2
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7-Upstairs: DJ ALex Baker 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm l BAR REVENGE Pop Tartz warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJs Claire Fuller & Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE i-Candy: DJ Thierrie 10pm l BULLDOG Karaoke with Amy & Sammy 10pm; + DJ Grant 12am l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES ST Fruity Friday Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Friday: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Mysterry’s karaoke 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 9pm l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs on level 1; Clique with DJ Alpha on level 2 10.30pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Kara Van Park 9.30pm l SUBLINE Steam 9pm l ZONE Cabaret: Collusion 10pm
SATURDAY 3
l A-BAR Entertainment 8.30pm
DUNCAN JAMES
MICK FULLER
) HALLOWEEN Sat (31) is the SANFRANDISCO HALLOWEEN SPECIAL with
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (1) Nov is a special FIREPLACE SESSION with the sexiest member of the boyband Blue, DUNCAN JAMES, from 8.30pm. Get there early to guarantee your place! ) REGULARS Mon is The AFTERWORK QUIZ with prizes from 6.30pm. ) Tue is LIP SYNC BATTLES with Sally Vate and prizes from 9pm. ) Wed, upstairs at The Gods, is MOVIE DATE NIGHT from 8pm, with table for two, wine, candles, flowers and popcorn! Settle down, snuggle up, and watch a movie on the big screen with that special person. This month’s movies are: Pride (7), Burlesque (14), Sunshine on Leith (21) and Hocus Pocus (28). Downstairs on Wed is that blast from the past, Blankety Blank, with Spice and prizes from 8.30pm. ) Thur is with Tabitha & friends from 9pm with songs you can sing-along to! Sun is FIREPLACE SESSIONS with top talent from 8.30pm: Sam Chara as Dolly Parton and Carmen Miranda (4), Corrine Williams (11), Joanna Andrews (18) and Jennie Castell (25).
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins: DJ Ben Castle 11pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm l BAR REVENGE Sweet Revenge warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE se-XXY: DJ Klipz 10pm l BULLDOG Main bar: DJ V John 10pm; Lil Alex 3am; upstairs karaoke bar 10pm; l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Saturday: DJ Tony B 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Cabaret: Miss Jason 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Disco 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Jamie Watson 9.30pm l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: DJs Missy B & Patch on level 1; R-Haus: DJs on level 2 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l ZONE Cabaret: Tabitha & Jason 10pm
SUNDAY 4
l A-BAR Lollipops & Glowsticks karaoke with Jai 8pm; roasts 12-8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Karaoke 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions: Sam Chara as Dolly Parton & Carmen Miranda 8.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: Micklos hosts giant board games & karaoke 8.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm l BULLDOG DJ Grant 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, Free Food & Raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone l CHARLES ST Cabaret: Davina Sparkle 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8.30pm; roasts 12–7pm l LEGENDS BAR Cabaret: Dave Lynn 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm
PICS FROM BOUTIQUE + CAMELFORD ARMS
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 29
OCTOBER
LISTINGS
BOUTIQUE
CAMELFORD ARMS
) 2 Boyces St @ West St, BN11AN, 01273 327607 www.boutiqueclubbrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 1pm–very late ) FOOD all day, every day till midnight
) 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 roast & select menu 12pm–till gone; Wed
) HALLOWEEN The Boutique Club’s HALLOWEEN WEEKEND has heaps of
) REGULARS Fri is i-CANDY with DJ Thierrie, cheap drinks and giveaways
galore: Rainbow Paddle Shots (2), Chilly Willy Cocktails (9), £100 Zara voucher (16) and Balloon drop with high street vouchers (23). Free b4 10pm, £3 guest list till 11pm, £5 after. Drink promos: 5 J-Bombs for £5, 2-4-1 select cocktails and 4 shots for £10 on smoking terrace. Sat is se-XXY with different themes, superstar DJs Klipz (3, 10, 17) and Oli (24) and giveaways: Pinch Punch (3 & 17), Cocktail Masterclass (10) and J-Bombs (24). Free till 10pm, £3 guest list till 11pm, £5 after. Drink promos: 5 J-Bombs for £5, 2-4-1 selected cocktails and 4 shots for £10 on smoking terrace. ) Also, don’t miss one of Boutique’s fabulous Christmas packages, designed to start your Festive season with sparkle, starting from £15pp for a tailor-made package! l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 126pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Double cabaret: Cassidy Connors 6pm & 9.30pm l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS The Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm
MONDAY 5
l BAR BROADWAY After Work Showbiz
Quiz 6.30pm l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10pm l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 8pm
TUESDAY 6
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Trollied Dollies 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Lipsync Battles with Sally Vate 9pm
BAR 7 CRAWLEY ) 7 Pegler Way, Crawley, RH11 7AG, Tel: 01293 511177, www.7crawley.co.uk ) OPEN Sun, Tue & Wed 6pm–12.30am, Thur–Sat 6pm–2.30am
DJ COZMO
) HALLOWEEN Sat (31) is a TWISTED FAIRYTALES PARTY for Halloween with DJ Cozmo and guest drag queen, the fantastic Mrs Moore, from 8pm. Halloween is Bar 7’s biggest themed event of the year so do try and make an effort for what promises to be one of the scariest parties around!
DJ Cozmo says: “If last year's Halloween Party is anything to go by not even the dead will be missing this spooky fright fest! With the amazing Queen of Darkness, Mrs Moore, live on stage this is definitely one you do not want to miss!”
seniors' lunch 2–3.30pm, two courses £7.50. ) HALLOWEEN Saturday (31) is a HALLOWEEN PARTY with spooky décor at 7pm with food served till 9pm! QUIZ MASTER MARK
grotesque goings-on and drink specials inc 5 J-Bombs for £5 and 2-4-1 cocktails. Thur (29) is the FRIGHT NIGHT warm-up with VIP package prizes for best dressed from 9pm. ) Fri (30) is SPOOK i-CANDY Titanic: Zombie Experience theme from 10pm with DJ Thierrie, dress to distress! ) Sat (31) Titanic-themed Halloween Party, think ships and sailors, with DJ Oli and free ice shots on arrival from 10pm.
) REGULARS Thur is the £300 BIG CASH QUIZ with Quiz
Master Mark, nibbles, fun rounds and many prizes at 9pm. ) Fri is the Friday Club at 6pm. ) Sun is the BEAR BASH
with free food and a raffle at 5pm.
l BAR REVENGE Karaoke with Liz 8pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Retro Quiz 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Davina Sparkle’s Big Fat Quiz 8.30pm l REVENGE £2UESDAY: DJ Trick 11pm
WEDNESDAY 7
l A-BAR Regency Singers’ Piano Bar 8.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Movie Night@The Gods: Pride 8pm; Downstairs: Blankety Blank with Spice 8.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 2-
3.30pm l CHARLES STREET Myra’s Bingo Balls Up 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Boudoir: trans night 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS An Audience with Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Open mic with hosts The Purple Shoes 8.30pm
THURSDAY 8
l A-BAR Karaoke with Jai 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Disco Bomb: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm l BAR BROADWAY ‘It Is What It Is’@The Gods 8pm; Tabitha & friends 10pm l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm
30 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM CHARLES STREET
OCTOBER
LISTINGS
CHARLES STREET BAR
ENVY @ CHARLES STREET BAR
) 8 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA, Tel: 01273 624091, www.charles-street.com ) OPEN daily from 12pm ) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–8pm; Sunday roasts served 12–7pm, £6.95.
) HALLOWEEN Fri (30) TRAUMFRAU presents the INNER DEMONS AND OUT THERE BOGEYMEN HALLOWEEN PARTY, a disquieting night of collective exorcism via the medium of disco, from 9.30pm with DJs, performance artists and just the right amount of collective terror! Dress up as your deepest fears, your most shameful secrets, your filthiest fantasies, or your love-to-hate bogyman! Perversions and fears, politicians and Popes, calamities and illnesses, family dinners and the Daily Mail: bring it all to life, face your fear and dance it off! Entry is £6/£7. Roni from Traumfrau says: “We will free you from your nightmares or just give you a night of fearless and filthy queer disco!” www.traumfrau.co.uk
MITZI MACINTOSH
) HALLOWEEN The 5-day HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR (Thur 29–Mon 2 Nov) has five frighteningly fabulous parties! ) Thur (29) is MAD COW SLAUGHTER HOUSE, drink deals, scary décor, pumping tunes with DJs Ruby Roo & Leeroy, with ‘The Mistress of the Dark’ Joan Bond! Entry £1 from 9pm, dressing up is encouraged! ) Fri (30) is FRUITY FRIDAY FIX: MONSTER BALL with DJ Leeroy, 2 for £8 cocktails from 9pm, free entry all night. ) Sat (31) is DAY OF THE DEAD, drink deals, bloody cocktails and some of Brighton’s best DJs! Dress to impress to win a bottle of bubbly for best costumes at midnight. Free entry and dancing till 3am! ) Sun (1) Nov is CABARET with Bitch N’Sync’s (Rose Garden & Mitzi Macintosh) Halloween Special from 7.30pm! Sally Vate rocks up for ROCK & ROLL BINGO with half price drinks from 8.30pm till close. Get there early for one of Charles Street’s delicious roasts, served 12–7pm. Mitzi Macintosh, one half of Bitch N'Sync says; “Rose and I have the ability to scare anyone in a back lane so bringing that to the stage is a natural progression! We always have a lot of fun so if you like your women ballsy, bawdy and beardy then we’re right up your alley.” ) Mon (2) Nov is the HALLOWEEN HORROR STUDIO 150 with one hell of a party designed to blow away the cobwebs with DJ Ruby Roo spinning the best tracks, plus £1.50 drinks from the bar from 10.30pm. Entry is £1.50 on the door. Don’t miss it!
l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lee Jeffery & Ruby Roo 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thur 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live music: Kourosh Kanani 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Miss Jason 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 10.30pm l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Big Cash Quiz: £150 jackpot 7.30pm
FRIDAY 9
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs: DJ DJ
Ben Elliot (Cozmo) 11pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm; Live music: Jessica Wilson & The Trumpet Man 9pm l BAR REVENGE Pop Tartz warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJs Claire Fuller & Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE i-Candy: DJ Thierrie 10pm l BULLDOG Karaoke is back with Amy & Sammy 10pm; + DJ Grant 12am l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES ST Fruity Friday Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Friday: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Mysterry’s karaoke 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Sandra 9.30pm l REVENGE The Powder Room pres RuPaul’s Drag Race star Jinkx Monsoon with HOGP & Joe Black 7.30pm; Pop Tartz DJs on level 1 10.30pm l SUBLINE Steam 9pm l ZONE Cabaret: Gabriella Parrish 10pm
l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: DJs Missy B & Patch on level 1; R-Haus Ministry of Sound Mash-Up on level 2 10.30pm l SUBLINE Leathermen South 9pm l ZONE Cabaret: Sally Vate 10pm
SUNDAY 11
l A-BAR Lollipops & Glowsticks karaoke with Jai 8pm; roasts 12-8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Karaoke 8pm SATURDAY 10 l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions: l A-BAR Entertainment 8.30pm Corinne Williams 8.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins: DJ Lewis l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: Micklos Osborne 11pm hosts giant board games & karaoke 8.30pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm l BAR REVENGE Sweet Revenge warm-up l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm l BULLDOG DJ Grant 10pm DJ Steve Lush 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, Free l BOUTIQUE Live bands on the roof Food & Raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu terrace 1pm; se-XXY: DJ Klipz 10pm 12pm–till gone l BULLDOG Main bar: DJ V John 10pm; l CHARLES ST Cabaret: Dave Lynn Lil Alex 3am; upstairs karaoke bar 10pm l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8.30pm; roasts 12–7pm Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Saturday: DJ Tony l LEGENDS BAR A Celebration and Commemoration for Lady LaRue: Hosted by B 9.30pm Drag With No Name & featuring Patti O’Dors, l GROSVENOR BAR Cabaret: Krissie Du Dave Lynn, Jennie Castell, Mrs Moore, Rose Cann 9.30pm Garden, Cosmic, Coco Verdose, Topsie l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Marine Late: DJ Linda Redfern, West End Star Paul Hazel, Coronation Street’s Beth Tinker (aka Lisa Bacardi, 80s disco 11.30pm-3.30am George) & more raising money for Cancer Is l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s A Drag 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Lola Lasagne l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 126pm 9.30pm
32 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM DOCTOR BRIGHTONS + THE GROSVENOR
OCTOBER
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–Thu; 1pm till close Fri; 1–7pm on Sat. Cocktails
) 16 Western Street, Hove, BN1 2PG, www.thegrosvenorbar.com ) OPEN daily from noon–late.
) HALLOWEEN Fri (30) & Sat (31) is Dr Brighton’s HALLOWEEN WEEKEND with DJ Nick Hirst on Friday and DJ Tony B on Saturday, both from 9.30pm. Dress up for what promises to be a night of spooky tunes, creepy décor and witches brew cocktails, which are BOGOF all day on Friday and till 7pm on Saturday. ) REGULARS Friday is FUNKY FRIDAY with DJ Nick Hirst spinning all your
favourite tunes from 9.30pm. Sat is SEXY SATURDAY with DJ Tony B spinning tunes from 9.30pm. l QUEEN’S ARMS Double cabaret: Topsie Redfern 6pm & 9.30pm l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS The Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm
MONDAY 12
l BAR BROADWAY After Work Showbiz Quiz 6.30pm l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 7.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 8pm
TUESDAY 13
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Trollied Dollies 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Lipsync Battles with Sally Vate 9pm l BAR REVENGE Karaoke with Liz 8pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Retro Quiz 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Davina Sparkle’s Big Fat Quiz 8.30pm l REVENGE £2UESDAY: DJ Trick 11pm
WEDNESDAY 14
l A-BAR Regency Singers’ Piano Bar 8.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Movie Night@The Gods: Burlesque 8pm; Downstairs: Blankety Blank with Spice 8.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
LOLA LASAGNE
BOGOF all day Sun–Fri and till 7pm on Sat. Free pool with every round every day.
) HALLOWEEN Sat (31) is HALLOWEEN with the Brighton Belle, Lola Lasagne, taking you to hell and back from 9.30pm. Dress up for what promises to be an evening of spooky songs, creepy décor and an exorcism or two to really get you into the Halloween spirit! Lola says: “I've frequently been described as a witch, so Halloween is the perfect time of year to me! The Grosvenor is a fabulous venue and well worth a visit. I'll be casting spells, performing an exorcism and making Pooh la May's head spin round. Come along and let's have some spooky fun!” ) REGULARS Fri is KARAOKE with Mysterry at 9pm. Sat is CABARET at 9.30pm: Miss Jason (3), Krissie Du Cann (10), Cassidy Connors (17) and Pooh La May (24).
l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm l CHARLES STREET Myra’s Bingo Balls Up 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Boudoir: trans night 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS An Audience with Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm
THURSDAY 15
l A-BAR Karaoke with Jai 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Disco Bomb: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha & friends 9pm l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lee Jeffery & Ruby Roo 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thur 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live music: Karandash 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Miss Jason 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 11pm l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Big Cash Quiz: £150 jackpot 7.30pm
7 GEORGE STREET BRIGHTON 01273 696873
http://thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms
TUESDAY 9.00PM
DAVINA SPARKLE’S
BIG FAT QUIZ
WEDNESDAY 9.30PM AN AUDIENCE WITH
SALLY VATE
FRIDAY CABARET 9.30PM 2 OCT KARA VAN PARK 9 OCT SANDRA 16 OCT SALLY VATE 23 OCT MYRA DUBOIS 30 OCT LOLA LASAGNE
SUNDAY DOUBLE CABARET 2 SHOWS: 6PM & 9.30PM
THURSDAY 9.30PM
MISS JASON
SATURDAY CABARET 9.30PM 3 OCT JAMIE WATSON 10 OCT LOLA LASAGNE 17 OCT MISS JASON PHILL STARR TRIBUTE
24OCT BAGA CHIPZ 31OCT MARTHA D’ARTHUR
PHIL STARR TRIBUTE WITH
MISS JASON
OCT 9.30PM SATURDAY 17 4 CASSIDY CONNORS 11 OCT TOPSIE REDFERN DAVINA SPARKLE’S OCT 18 DAVINA’S DAVINA SPARKLE BIG BIRTHDAY BASH BIG BIRTHDAY BASH WITH CABARET FROM DAVINA & FRIENDS SUNDAY 18OCT 6PM & 9.30PM CABARET WITH DAVINA PLUS CHRIS HOWARD, OCT LAURA NIXON, PATTI O'DORS, MISS JASON, DAVE LYNN, 25 JASON LEE TOM STEVENS, LUCINDA LASHES & MANY MORE! OCT
34 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM LEGENDS BAR + LEGENDS BASEMENT CLUB
OCTOBER
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 12–4pm; Sunday lunch served 12–3pm
) 31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR Tel: 01273 624462, www.legendsbrighton.com ) OPEN Wed & Fri–Sun from 11pm. Free entry to the club every day. Pride:
open Fri from 8pm & Sat (1) Augfrom 8pm.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Don’t miss the celebration, commemoration and fundraiser for the legendary drag star Lady LaRue featuring a plethora of the scene’s best performers raising money for the charity CANCER IS A DRAG on Sun (11) from 3.30pm. Hosted by Drag With No Name the event will feature Patti O’Dors, Dave Lynn, Jennie Castell, Mrs Moore, Rose Garden, Cosmic, Coco Verdose, Topsie Redfern, West End Star Paul Hazel, Coronation Street’s Beth Tinker (aka Lisa George) and many more celebrating the life of one of the circuit’s best loved drag stars, Lady LaRue! All money raised on the evening will go to Cancer Is A Drag, a charity aimed at helping as many people living with cancer as possible, including those close to those diagnosed, with financial help where needed.
DJ PETER CASTLE
DRAG WITH NO NAME
LISTINGS
Drag With No Name says: “This event was the idea of a couple of Stephen’s closest friends who approached me and asked if I would be willing and able. There was no hesitation to say yes! Cancer is a Drag helped Stephen in the very early stages of diagnosis and I know from conversations that he was eternally grateful to them, so it only seems fitting to have them as a chosen beneficiary of this event. “I didn't know Stephen anywhere near as much as I would have liked to. Sadly we didn't get the time to move the friendship forward beyond the moments when we crossed paths. But it was obvious he was a man with an extremely kind spirit and immensely big heart with a smile and laugh of equal size - he just wanted to live life to its fullest. He was in his element when given the opportunity to perform, with one aim above all else to leave people with a smile on their faces. “I hope this will be a fitting tribute to him, with lots of talented performers agreeing to help who WANT to be there, and we all want to raise lots of money and ultimately celebrate Stephen’s life and the happy memories he has left behind for so many.”
l GROSVENOR BAR Cabaret: Cassidy Connors 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Disco 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS The Phil Starr Tribute Weekend with Miss Jason 9.30pm l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: DJs Missy B & Patch on level 1; R-Haus DJs on level 2 10.30pm l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l ZONE Cabaret: Kara Van Park 10pm
FRIDAY 16
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs: DJ Terry Saunders 11pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm l BAR REVENGE Pop Tartz warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJs Claire Fuller & Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE i-Candy: DJ Thierrie 10pm l BULLDOG Karaoke is back with Amy and Sammy at 10pm; + DJ Grant 12am l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES ST Fruity Friday Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Friday: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Mysterry’s karaoke 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Sally Vate 9.30pm
l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs on level 1; Anthem DJs on level 2 10.30pm l SUBLINE Steam 9pm l ZONE Live music: Gilly B 10pm
SATURDAY 17
l A-BAR Entertainment 8.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins: DJ Ben Castle 11pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm l BAR REVENGE Sweet Revenge warm-up 9.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE se-XXY: DJ Klipz 10pm l BULLDOG Main bar: DJ V John 10pm; Lil Alex 3am; upstairs karaoke bar 10pm; l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Saturday: DJ Tony B 9.30pm
) HALLOWEEN Sat (31) is the ASYLUM HALLOWEEN PARTY with resident ‘lunatic DJ’ Peter Castle spinning the tracks you love from his cell! ) REGULARS Sat is FUSION with DJ Peter Castle
spinning chart and dance. DJ Steve Lush takes the decks (10). ) Sun is POP!CANDY with £2 drinks and DJ Claire Fuller with a mix of recent and classic pop tracks. ) Wed is ICE with DJ Claire Fuller melting the dancefloor with chart/house/r&b – £2 drink deals all night, £1.50 shots. ) Fri is GLITTER with DJ Claire Fuller and Peter Castle spinning dance/chart tracks – drink deals incl £1.50 shots.
SUNDAY 18
l A-BAR Lollipops & Glowsticks karaoke with Jai 8pm; roasts 12-8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Karaoke 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions: Joanna Andrews 8.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: Micklos hosts giant board games & karaoke 8.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm l BULLDOG DJ Grant 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, Free Food & Raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone l CHARLES ST Cabaret: Lady Imelda 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8.30pm: roasts 12–7pm l LEGENDS BAR Cabaret: Lizzy Drip 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 126pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Davina Sparkle’s Big Birthday Bash featuring Chris Howard, Laura Nixon, Patti O'Dors, Miss Jason, Dave Lynn, Tom Stevens, Lucinda Lashes & more 6pm & 9.30pm l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS The Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm
MONDAY 19
l BAR BROADWAY After Work Showbiz Quiz 6.30pm l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 7.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 8pm
TUESDAY 20
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Trollied Dollies 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Lipsync Battles with Sally Vate 9pm l BAR REVENGE Karaoke with Liz 8pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Retro Quiz 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Davina Sparkle’s Big Fat Quiz 8.30pm l REVENGE £2UESDAY: DJ Trick 11pm
WEDNESDAY 21
l A-BAR Regency Singers’ Piano Bar 8.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Movie Night@The Gods: Sunshine on Leith 8pm; Downstairs: Blankety Blank with Spice 8.30pm
36 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM MARINE TAVERN + QUEENS ARMS
OCTOBER
LISTINGS
MARINE TAVERN
QUEENS ARMS
) 13 Broad St, BN2 1TJ, Tel: 01273 905578, www.marinetavern.co.uk ) OPEN daily from 12pm–1am. Open till 3.30am on Sat (8). ) FOOD Daily from 12-9pm; Sunday roasts served 12–6pm
) 7 George St, BN2 1RH, T: 01273 696873, www.thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms ) OPEN 4pm Tue–Fri; 2pm Sat & Sun. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY This month don’t miss the special PHIL STARR TRIBUTE on Sat (17) with cabaret from Miss Jason at 9.30pm and DAVINA SPARKLE’S BIG BIRTHDAY BASH on Sun (18) with Davina plus Chris Howard, Laura Nixon, Patti O'Dors, Miss Jason, Dave Lynn, Tom Stevens, Lucinda Lashes at 6pm & 9.30pm.
) HALLOWEEN Fri (30) is the Marine’s HALLOWEEN PARTY with a DJ, spooky ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (10) MARINE LATE from 11.30pm –3.30am is a 1980s gay bar in the 21st century! DJ Linda Bacardi guarantees to set the dancefloor alight with a poptastic mix of tunes from the best of the 1980s and a smattering of Hi-NRG. To really push the 1980s theme mobile phones are banned and while the drink prices aren’t from the decade of shoulder pads and lycra, drink promos will ensure you won’t break the bank!
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm l CHARLES STREET Myra’s Bingo Balls Up 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Boudoir: trans night 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS An Audience with Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Open mic with hosts The Purple Shoes 8.30pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lee Jeffery & Ruby Roo 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thur 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live music: ‘Nuit de Chanson’ with Fleur de Paris 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Miss Jason 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 11pm l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Big Cash Quiz: £150 jackpot 7.30pm
FRIDAY 23
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs: DJ Kirsty Anderson 11pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm; THURSDAY 22 l BAR REVENGE Pop Tartz warm-up 9pm l A-BAR Karaoke with Jai 8pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Disco Bomb: DJ DJs Claire Fuller & Peter Castle 11pm Jazzy Jane 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha & friends 9pm l BOUTIQUE i-Candy: DJ Thierrie 10pm l BULLDOG Karaoke is back with Amy & l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm Sammy 10pm; + DJ Grant 12am l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 11pm
PARIS HOUSE ) 21 Western Rd, BN3 1AF, Tel: 01273 724195, www.parishousebrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 12pm ) FOOD daily from 12pm–close. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri (30) is party time with DJ Havoxx spinning r&b/
Motown/funk/soul from 9pm. ) REGULARS Thur is LIVE MUSIC at 8pm: Fleur de Paris (1), Kourosh Kanani (8), Karandash (15), ‘Nuit de Chanson’ with Fleur de Paris (22) and Hannah Rose Tristram (29). ) Sat is free LIVE JAZZ at 4pm; TC'S JOYFUL NOISE with DJ Kenny at 9pm, free entry.
Davina Sparkle, ‘The Voice of 1,000 Fags’, hosts the BIG FAT QUIZ NIGHT every Tue from 8.30pm with boozy prizes, free sandwiches and one of the friendliest atmospheres going! Entry is £2 per person (maximum of six people to a team). Questions range from history to celebs and a Jack / King / Queen Round on the first 12 questions in General Knowledge where bonus points are given just for writing a picture card next to your answer! It’s anyone’s game as bonus points are needed and it stops any boffins from coming along and winning every week!
DAVINA SPARKLE
LINDA BACARDI
décor and prizes for the best dressed at 8pm.
Davina says: “It’s great fun! I’m always throwing in one-liners and silly comments,so it’s not your usual boring quiz, but friendly and welcoming where people are encouraged and given clues if stuck! And of course there’s me, taking the micky out of most teams! There’s a top prize every week, which is usually a case of beer and Barry (the landlord) gives out the consolation prize, which was once a ‘meal for two in the country’ that ended up being a tinned pie, a potato and a large carrot! We do have a core of regulars, but it’s lovely when people come in and don’t know we’re doing a quiz and take part – it’s always good to have fresh meat to have a laugh with! We have a saying: ‘I’m always right even if I’m wrong so don’t challenge me or I’ll disqualify you!’ Stops any smart arses in their tracks! Do come along, it’s a few hours out on a Tuesday night, have a few beers and relax! There’s even extra seating…”
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES ST Fruity Friday Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Friday: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Mysterry’s karaoke 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Myra Dubois 9.30pm l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs on level 1; Anthem DJs on level 2 10.30pm l SUBLINE Steam 9pm l ZONE Live music: Back Beat 10pm
SATURDAY 24
l A-BAR Entertainment 8.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins: DJ Lewis Osborne 11pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm l BAR REVENGE Sweet Revenge warm-up 9.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE se-XXY: DJ Oli 10pm l BULLDOG Main bar: DJ V John 10pm; Lil Alex 3am; upstairs karaoke bar 10pm l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Saturday: DJ Tony B 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Cabaret: Pooh La May 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Disco 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Baga Chipz 9.30pm l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: DJs Missy B & Patch on level 1; R-Haus DJs on level 2 10.30pm l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l ZONE Live music: Ricky Zalez 10pm
PICS FROM BAR REVENGE + REVENGE
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 37
OCTOBER
LISTINGS
BAR REVENGE
REVENGE
) 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.
) 32-34 Old Steine, BN1 1EL, Tel: 01273 606064, www.revenge.co.uk ) OPEN Tue from 11pm, Thur, Fri & Sat from 10.30pm
) HALLOWEEN Fri (30) is ZOMBIE POP TARTZ Pre-Party with resident DJs from 9pm. Sat (31) is the HORROR ICONS Pre-Party with DJ Fifilicious from 9pm.
DJs including Toby Lawrence and Missy B, spinning house and dance from 90s–00s at 9pm. Fri and Sat are Warm Up Parties to get you in the mood from 9pm. SUNDAY FUNDAY is hosted by Micklos and features giant board games, DJs and karaoke from 8.30pm. Buy a drink Thur–Sat to get £1 entry passes to the club.
SUNDAY 25
l A-BAR Lollipops & Glowsticks karaoke with Jai 8pm; roasts 12-8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Karaoke 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions: Jennie Castell 8.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: Micklos hosts giant board games & karaoke 8.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm l BULLDOG DJ Grant 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, Free Food & Raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone l CHARLES ST Cabaret: Lola Lasagne 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8.30pm; roasts 12–7pm l LEGENDS BAR Cabaret: Miss Jason
3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roast 12-6pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Double cabaret: Jason Lee 6pm & 9.30pm l SUBLINE Cum in Your Pants 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm
MONDAY 26
l BAR BROADWAY After Work Showbiz Quiz 6.30pm l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10pm l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 8pm
TUESDAY 27
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Trollied Dollies 9pm
JINKX MONSOON
DJ TOBY LAWRENCE
) REGULARS THROWBACK THURSDAY with resident
) ONE FOR THE DIARY On Fri (9) catch the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race season 5, JINKX MONSOON, performing in The Powder Room alongside House of Grand Parade, Prudence Rae and hosted by Joe Black from 9pm. VIP meet & greet tickets include entry and meet & greet with Jinkx after the show and have a professional photograph taken that gets posted on Facebook. Advance tickets available from £12.50 at www.revenge.co.uk
) HALLOWEEN Thur (29) kicks off of Revenge’s HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR with FOMO ROCKY HORROR SHOW featuring rockin’ resident DJs Missy B, Fifilicious, Toby Lawrence and Jonesy. Dust off your corset and squeeze into those laddered stockings for what promises to be a night of Shock Horror! Free b4 11.30pm in Rocky Horror/Halloween fancy dress and there’s £1 drinks b4 midnight! ) Fri (30) is ZOMBIE POP TARTZ on level 1 and the FAT LIP: EMOS V GOTHS PARTY on Level 2 with amazing décor and big beats! Be prepared for an onslaught of the biggest undead pop anthems and dress accordingly for Zombie Popstars on level 1 and get your guy liner out for anthems of the pop-punk/nu-metal/indie and rock variety on level 2! Entry is free in fancy dress b4 11.30pm / £1 b4 midnight with a pass from Bar Revenge / £5 / £4 NUS. ) Sat (31) is the massive HORROR ICONS PARTY with HORRORble messed-up pop on level 1 and vocal house anthems on level 2! Dress as your favourite horror movie character to get free entry b4 midnight / £1 with a pass / £5.
l BAR BROADWAY Lipsync Battles with Sally Vate 9pm l BAR REVENGE Karaoke with Liz 8pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Retro Quiz 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Davina Sparkle’s Big Fat Quiz 8.30pm l REVENGE £2UESDAY: DJ Trick 11pm
WEDNESDAY 28
l A-BAR Regency Singers’ Piano Bar 8.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Movie Night@The Gods: Hocus Pocus 8pm; Downstairs: Blankety Blank with Spice 8.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm l CHARLES STREET Myra’s Bingo Balls Up 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Boudoir: trans night 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS An Audience with Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Open mic with hosts The Purple Shoes 8.30pm
THURSDAY 29
l A-BAR Karaoke with Jai 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Disco Bomb: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha & friends 8pm; Rocky Horror The Condensed Version @ The Gods: Spice, Sally Vate & Miss Treated 9pm l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm l BOUTIQUE Fright Night Warm-Up 10pm l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm l CHARLES ST Halloween: Mad Cow’s Slaughter House: Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lee Jeffery & Ruby Roo 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thur 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live music: Hannah Rose Tristram 8pm
38 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM SUBLINE + ZONE BAR
OCTOBER
LISTINGS
SUBLINE
ZONE BAR
) 129 St James' St, BN2 1TH, Tel: 01273 624100, www.sublinebrighton.co.uk ) OPEN Wed–Sun from 9pm.
) 33 St James’ St, BN2 1RF, Tel: 01273 682249, www.zonebar.co.uk ) OPEN daily from 10am .
) HALLOWEEN Sat (31) is Hairy-oween in assoc with the Brighton Bear Weekend. Entry is £3 in Halloween costume, £5 otherwise; all door money to the Rainbow Fund.
) HALLOWEEN Don’t miss the Zone’s spooktacular HALLOWEEN PARTY with
l QUEEN’S ARMS Miss Jason 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO Rocky Horror: DJs 11pm l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Big Cash Quiz: £150 jackpot 7.30pm
performance artists 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Mysterry’s karaoke 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Halloween Fancy Dress Party: DJ & prizes 8pm l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Lola Lasagne 9.30pm FRIDAY 30 l REVENGE Zombie Pop Tartz on level 1; l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs: DJ Alex Fat Lip - Goths v Emos on level 2 10.30pm Baker 11pm l SUBLINE Big Scrum: DJ Screwpulous l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm; Rocky 9pm Horror - The Condensed Version@The Gods: l ZONE Cabaret: Miss Jason 10pm Spice, Sally Vate & Miss Treated 9pm l BAR REVENGE Pop Tartz warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: SATURDAY 31 l A-BAR Halloween SanFranDisco: DJ DJs Claire Fuller & Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE Halloween: Spook Boutique: Mick Fuller 8.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Halloween Twisted DJ F-Co, Titanic Zombie-theme 10pm Fairytales Party: DJ Cozmo & cabaret from l BULLDOG Karaoke is back with Amy & Mrs Moore 8pm Sammy from 10pm; + DJ Grant 12am l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l BAR BROADWAY Halloween: Rocky Horror - The Condensed Version@The Gods: l CHARLES ST Halloween Fruity Friday Spice, Sally Vate & Miss Treated 5pm; Dead Fix: The Monster Ball: DJ Leeroy 9pm Famous Halloween Party 8pm; Giggle@The l DR BRIGHTONS Halloween Ball: DJ Gods Halloween Special 9pm Nick Hirst 9.30pm l ENVY Traumfrau pres Inner Demons and l BAR REVENGE Halloween warm-up: DJ Out There Bogeymen Halloween Party: DJs & Fifilicious 9.30pm
THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS ) 59 North Rd, Brighton, BN1 1YD, Tel: 01273 608571, www.3jollybutchers.com ) OPEN Mon–Sat from 12pm, Sun from 1pm. Private function room available. ) FOOD Mon–Fri 12–9pm; Sat 12–8pm; Sunday roasts 1–6pm. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur is LET'S GET QUIZZY with £150 cash prize at
7.30pm. ) REGULARS Wed (9 & 23) OPEN MIC with The Purple Shoes at 8.30pm. ) Sun is the JAZZ ROAST at 3pm, free entry.
SALLY VATE
) REGULARS Sat (10) is LEATHERMEN SOUTH, a night for those who love leather! Entry is free in leather, regular prices otherwise. ) Sun (25) is the CUM IN YOUR PANTS underwear party. Entry is free for members, £5 otherwise. Underwear is compulsory after 10pm! ) Wed (28) is FAG MACHINE with live performers, DJs spinning alternative tunes you won’t hear anywhere else and free entry. ) Fri (30) is the BIG SCRUM sportskit night with DJ Screwpulous. Entry is £5 in kit or £7.
creepy décor and the sinister Sally Vate scaring the bejesus out of you on Sat (31) from 10pm. Dressing up is encouraged – the creepier the better! Sally says: “It's that time of year again, and this time Rachel & Sally’s Annual Halloween Party falls on All Hallows’ Eve! This year in the Zone Bar Lab, with Dr Jekyll & Mz Vate, a terrible accident has occurred - but that won't stop the Spooky Party going ahead! Remember to get in early as last year some poor Spooks couldn't get in! So join in on this very special (Rachel’s so giddy about this, she could pee!) party night - it's BIGGER than Christmas!”
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Asylum Halloween Party: DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE Halloween Titanic Zombie Experience: DJ Oli 10pm l BULLDOG Main bar: DJ V John 10pm; Lil Alex 3am; upstairs karaoke bar 10pm; l CAMELFORD ARMS Halloween 7pm l CHARLES ST Halloween: Day of the Dead: DJs & prizes for best dressed 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Halloween Ball: DJ Tony B 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Halloween cabaret & Party with Lola Lasagne 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Disco 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Halloween live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Halloween cabaret: Martha D’Arthur 9.30pm l REVENGE Halloween Horror Icons Party over 2 floors 10.30pm l SUBLINE Hairy-oween Rainbow Fund Fundraiser in assoc with Brighton Bear Weekend 9pm l ZONE Halloween Party: Sally Vate 10pm
SUNDAY 1 NOV
l CHARLES ST Halloween cabaret: Bitch N’Sync 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8.30pm; roasts 12–7pm l BAR BROADWAY Special Sunday Session with Duncan James from Blue 8.30pm
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 39
40 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM LONDON HOTEL SOUTHAMPTON
SOLENT
LISTINGS
SOUTHAMPTON
l ISOBAR 100c St Mary’s St TEL: 02380 222028 l LONDON HOTEL 2 Terminus Terr, SO14 3DT TEL: 02380 710652, www.the-london.co.uk Friendly bar with regular cabaret, DJs & food OPEN: Mon-Wed 12-11pm, Thur 12-12.30am, Fri & Sat 12-1.30am, Sun 12-11.30pm FOOD: Mon-Sat 12-3pm; Sun roasts 12-3pm DRINK PROMOS: Mon-Wed all day l TITANIC Simnel St, SO14 2BE TEL: 023 8021 1879, www.thetitanicpub.co.uk l EDGE Compton Walk, SO14 0BH TEL: 02380 366163, www.theedgesouthampton.com l PINK BROADWAY SAUNA 797/80 East St TEL: 02380 238804, www.pink-broadway.com
THURSDAY 1
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Martha D’Arthur 8.30pm
FRIDAY 2
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo + Miss Jason 9pm
SATURDAY 3
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am l OLD VIC DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Neil Sackley + Sam Solace 8.30pm
SUNDAY 4
l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Kara Van Park 8.30pm
FRIDAY 9
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo + Sally Vate 10pm; food 12-3pm
SATURDAY 10
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am l OLD VIC DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Tiny 8.30pm; food 12-3pm
SUNDAY 11
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL The London Podium: Mary Mac 8pm; Kara Van Park 9pm; roasts 12-3pm
MONDAY 12
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
TUESDAY 13
PORTSMOUTH l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
WEDNESDAY 14
SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 15
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Kara Van Park 8.30pm
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL The Pink Party Charity Fundraiser: host Mary Mac + Martha D’Arthur, Sam Solace, Rose Garden, Karen Dalton, Kara Van Park & surprises 6.30pm; roasts 12-3pm
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo + Dave Lynn 10pm
MONDAY 5
SATURDAY 17
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
TUESDAY 6
PORTSMOUTH l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
WEDNESDAY 7
SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 8
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
ROSE GARDEN FRI 30
l HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD 1 Hampshire Terrace, Southsea TEL: 2392 297509 l OLD VIC 104 St Paul’s Rd, Southsea TEL: 02392 297013, www.oldvicportsmouth.co.uk l TROPICS SAUNA 2 Market Way, PO1 4BX TEL: 02380 296100, www.tropics-sauna.com
FRIDAY 16
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am l OLD VIC DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Dazza 8.30pm
SUNDAY 18
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL The London Podium: Mary Mac 8pm; ‘Nan’ 9pm; roasts 12-3pm
MONDAY 19
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
MARY MAC SUN 4
PORTSMOUTH
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 12–3pm. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (4) is annual PINK PARTY FUNDRAISER with Mary Mac hosting an evening of duets with Martha D’Arthur, Sam Solace, Rose Garden, Karen Dalton & Kara Van Park at 6.30pm. £10 entry goes to the Ben Cohen Stand Up Foundation and the Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity. ) HALLOWEEN Fri (30) is HALLOWEEN FAIRYLEA with DJ Ruby Roo and ‘Halloween Queen’ Rose Garden at 9pm. Sat (31) is HALLOWEEN GUILTY PLEASURES with DJ Claire Fuller, great décor and spooky tracks from 8.30pm. ) REGULARS Thur is KARAOKE CRUISE with hosts Martha D’Arthur (1) and Kara
Van Park (8, 15, 22 & 29) at 8.30pm. Fri is FAIRYLEA with DJ Ruby Roo, high camp/pure cheese & CABARET at 9pm: Miss Jason (2), Sally Vate (9), Dave Lynn (16) and Kevin Cruise (23). Sat is GUILTY PLEASURES with DJs from 8.30pm and CABARET from 10pm: Neil Sackley with guest Sam Solace (3), Tiny (10), Dazza (17) and Lucinda with guest Eva Iglesias (24). SUNDAY NIGHT ON THE LONDON PODIUM features Mary Mac at 8pm then CABARET at 9pm: Kara Van Park (11), ‘Nan’ (18) and Martha D’Arthur (25).
TUESDAY 20
MONDAY 26
WEDNESDAY 21
TUESDAY 27
PORTSMOUTH l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 22
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Kara Van Park 8.30pm
FRIDAY 23
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo + Kevin Cruise 10pm
SATURDAY 24
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am l OLD VIC DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Lucinda + Eva Iglesias 8.30pm
SUNDAY 25
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL The London Podium: Mary Mac 8pm; Martha D’Arthur 9pm; roasts 12-3pm
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE DJs 11pm
PORTSMOUTH l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
WEDNESDAY 28
SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 29
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Halloween Karaoke Cruising: Kara Van Park 8.30pm
FRIDAY 30
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Halloween Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo + Rose Garden 10pm
SATURDAY 31
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am l OLD VIC DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Halloween Guilty Pleasures: DJ Claire Fuller 8.30pm
GSCENE 41
DANCE MUSIC BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE & KATE WILDBLOOD
ALBUMS
Annual Fundraiser – War Child on Craigie Knowes.
As we wind our way towards an autumn of cosy soundtracks and very warm dancefloors there’s loads to raise the temperature this October. Check out the brilliantly sharp tech and house of Arno Gonzalez’s The Delivery Boy on Timid Records, the techno twirl that is Aphrohead’s impressive Resurrection on Crosstown Records, Kito Jempere Objects remixed by HNNY, Jacques Renault, OOFT! and more on Fata Morgana and the sublime beats of Toby Tobias Rising Son on Delusions of Grandeur. Never has seduction been so ably assisted.
For our must hear wonders for October check out just one and you’ll be grinning from ear to ear. Be it the unique live techno set that is Mathew Jonson on Fabric 84, the too, too good grooves of Madhouse Amsterdam 2015 on Madhouse Records, the pleasure to treasure that is Mano Le Tough’s Trails on Permanent Vacation, the utterly charming grooves of Kyodai’s Reworks on Local Talk, the night beats of VIVa Warriors Season 4 mixed by Detlef & Denney on VIVa Music, or the exquisite selection that is Seth Troxler’s DJ Kicks on !K7. All stylish like. Enjoy.
For music with very decent intentions you can’t go wrong with the various artists including Move D, dynamic duo Bicep, Amir Alexander and Neville Watson as they deliver the goods for First
Catch Wildblood & Queenie on Radio Reverb’s Home Service on Sunday, October 11. perfectdistractions.com
DJ PROFILE: TOBY LAWRENCE As October shows her autumnal face, and those clocks get confused and push themselves back an hour, please don’t despair. As the leaves start to fall surely you can hear the dancefloor call? It’s the wiggling season, so Queenie catches up with a fresh-faced young man who gets people to dance wherever he goes. Ladies and gentlemen – here’s Toby Lawrence! Where do you DJ? Currently you can see me in Brighton at Revenge for FOMO, R-Haus, Hampshire Boulevard and Bar 38 in Portsmouth and The Edge in Southampton. DJ style? I’d like to say my sets are quite mash-upy and all over the place (in a good way!). I like to switch things up, keep people on their toes, try to mix tracks together in pretty unique ways and make sure that the crowd is happy and responding well to what I play. Favourite tune ever? If I had to pick it’d be Superstylin’ by Groove Armada or Turn Me Out by Russ Chimes. Tune that always fills your dancefloor? If I’m playing commercial a good pop-punk song always goes down well when people need a pick me up. Teenage Dirtbag is an anthem at FOMO and people are always ready to damage their vocal chords screaming along to it! Ultimate dream gig? I’d love to do festivals! I’ve always wanted to play the Pride dance stages since I’ve started DJing. I think that’s when I’ll be able to look back and realise that this weird dream of playing music to drunk people was all worth it.
WILDBLOOD & QUEENIE’S OCT 12” OF JOY ) BUTCH Dope Play It Say It When the beats are this infectious all you can do is dance. ) JAMMHOT Look To The Skies RFBCOLOURS A Home Service favourite that is keeping the sun shining. ) BENOIT & SERGIO House With 500 Rooms Leftroom Limited Hypnotic, heavenly grooves that insist on a sexy wiggle. ) DOORLY & HAUSWERKS Swamp Donkey Hot Creations A dancefloor bomb - no animals were harmed while making this record. ) JOSEF K & WINTER SON ft Flora Cruz Tribal Rhythm Firehouse The White Isle wonder with more sass than is decent. ) BICEP & HAMMER Dahlia Feel My Bicep The boys flex their muscle with this house delight. ) KAREN RUIMY & YOUTH Los Entres Karais Feel that piano and fall in love with Rivera. Yet again! ) FUNKYLOCO Mango House (Original) So Sound Recordings We love it when life gets fruity. One of your five a month. ) ALEXIS RAPHAEL Chicken MadTech The food theme continues with this lip-smacking taste thriller. ) HESS IS MORE Youarenotaprimate Gomma Disco. Disco. Disco. We were all made to disco.
Tune you wish you’d never played? Oh I’ve done it countless times! I don’t think there’s any shame in that. Part of becoming a DJ is testing the waters and seeing what works and what doesn’t, it doesn’t make anybody a bad DJ; it’s all a learning experience, which I really enjoy to be honest. Guilty pleasure? Oh definitely the Vengaboys. I am not cool in any way so I have no shame in admitting that I listen to the megamix on a lot of long train journeys. Best ever gig? This year was my first ever Brighton Pride! I had an amazing time DJing at Revenge and the Village Street Party. It was a weekend I will remember for the rest of my life and really validated quitting my job earlier this year to pursue music full-time. Tell us a secret? I still often get ID’d walking into a lot of the clubs I work in. Oh well, can’t fault security for doing their job, can you?!
TOBY LAWRENCE’S CURRENT TOP FIVE ) UMEK Jingo (original) 1605 ) MIDNIGHT CITY Sexy Lady (Piano Lesson) (original) Unsigned ) PHILIP GEORGE Alone No More (Original) 3Beat Productions ) RYAN BLYTH Special (original) Cuff Records ) HERVÉ You Give Me Something (original) Love & Other
42 GSCENE
B Y MIC HA E L HO O TMA N
BRIGHTON CENTRE Kings Rd, Brighton Box office: 0844 847 1515 ) HARRY ENFIELD & PAUL WHITEHOUSE: LEGENDS (Fri 23). Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse have been working together for 25 years. Now, for the first time ever, they will appear live in a UK tour that promises to revive and revitalise a quarter of a century of classic comedy characters. Loadsamoney, the Old Gits, Smashie and Nicey, Kevin the Teenager, Julio Geordio, The Scousers, The Writer and The Landlady, The Surgeons, to name but a few… ) YEARS & YEARS (Sat 24). 2015 has seen Olly, Emre and Mikey burst into the spotlight as one of the year's most exciting prospects with their most recent single, King, topping the charts and the release of a new single, Shine, ahead of the band’s hotly anticipated debut album, Communion. ) JOE BONAMASSA (Fri 30). Bonamassa will perform songs from his classic albums including Sloe Gin, Dust Bowl, The Ballad of John Henry, Driving Towards The Daylight, and his critically acclaimed 2013 album, Different Shades of Blue.
ONCE UPON A WONDERLAND
ARTS
accessible, this is a collision of fiercely energetic dance and comedic theatre, taking audiences on the bitter sweet ride of romance. A provocative, playful and gritty insight into our romantic disillusionment; it swings wildly between hilarious truths and intimate vulnerability.
) DIAL 'M' FOR MURDER (Oct 28–Nov 21). Tony Wendice has married his wife, Margot, for her money and now plans to murder her for the same reason. He arranges the perfect murder: he blackmails a scoundrel he used to know into strangling her for a fee, and arranges a brilliant alibi for himself.
ZOE LYONS
) ONCE UPON A WONDERLAND (Tue 13–Sun 18). A magical evening of musical fun. Join the talented cast as they conjure up swashbuckling pirates, giant storms, mermaids, magical creatures and a battle on Big Ben! With limitless possibilities let your imagination take flight! An eclectic mix of songs and dance from classic and contemporary West End and Broadway musicals, featuring a cast of enormously talented singers, BAR BROADWAY dancers and musicians. 10 Steine St, Brighton ) AND NOW:THE WORLD! (Mon ) ROCKY HORROR – THE 19–Thu 22). We want to be CONDENSED VERSION (Thur 29–Sat supermodels or get on TV, because 31) is up in The Gods with Spice, otherwise we'll just sit at our Sally Vate and Miss Treated as The computers, anonymously hating Narrator from 9pm on Thur & Fri each other. and from 5pm on Sat. This is a story about being young in ) GIGGLE @ THE GODS (9.30pm, a digital world; about being a Sat 31). Head upstairs at Bar superhero caught in a web; about Broadway for an hilarious being able to spend more time with halloween special of late night your friends online than face to stand-up comedy, £3. face. If your whole life is online, devilishly good rockabilly! Expect can you start a revolution and stay to hear throat-tearin', footstompin', rockabilly & rockin' blues #ontrend? ) MR TIGER GOES WILD (Fri played at a pleasantly loud volume... Free entry, wear what you 23–Sat 24). Meet the tiger who came to party! A show for ages 3+ like, dance how you like, kiss who that’s a little bit rock & roll, you like. You can also hear adapted from the bestselling Lonesome M on Radio Reverb's picture book by Peter Brown. Mr weekly Frockabilly Radio Show. Tiger lived a perfectly proper life in a perfectly proper city and EMPORIUM everything was perfectly fine... 88 London Road, Brighton until the day he had a wonderfully Box office: BENT DOUBLE thelittleboxoffice.com/emporium WILD idea! Join Mr Tiger on a Komedia, Gardner St, Brighton ) MAY-WE-GO-ROUND? (Tue 6–Sat ) BENT DOUBLE (Sun 4) is an 10). Uncompromising yet utterly irreverent night of fun and frolics hosted by Zoe Lyons (Mock The Week and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow).
musical adventure full of fun and laughter as he journeys from the city to the jungle. "An unmissable musical delight… makes the kids in the packed audience scream with incredulous laughter" Time Out. ) CARRADINE'S COCKNEY SINGALONG (Mon 26). Tom Carradine, pianist with Champagne Charlie and the Bubbly Boys and regular accompanist on the London cabaret circuit, decided that he wanted to bring the atmosphere and joyous community singing of the Twinwood sing-alongs to London, and so created this monthly event.
MR TIGER GOES WILD
Bee's Mouth, 10 Western Rd, Hove ) FROCKABILLY presents DIABLO (9pm-2am, Sat 3). Join DJ Lonesome M (Frockabilly/Honey Hush/Dixie Fried) for a night of
MAY WE GO ROUND
DIABLO
FRIDA FRIDAYS The Catch, 10 Lower Promenade, Brighton, BN2 1TB ) FRIDA FRIDAYS (8pm till late, Sat 10) present DJ RITU of London's Club Kali with her famous mix of world music and disco, for gay women, with gay boyfriends very welcome. The Catch is pebble level by the Brighton Wheel. Advance tickets £7 via www.ticketsource.co.uk/fridafrida ys
GSCENE 43
44 GSCENE From Other Windows) and Sophie J Burton. Tickets £5 should be bought in advance from Merlin & Ellis shop in Manchester Street.
ARTS
B Y MIC HA E L HO O TMA N
THE OLD MARKET Upper Market St, Hove Box office: 01273 201801 ) HORSE (Sun 4). Award-winning Horse McDonald is iconic. Her
RITA LYNCH & THE GIDDY AUNTS Marlborough Theatre, 4 Princes St, Brighton. Tickets: http://m.bpt.me/event/2245741 ) RITA LYNCH and THE GIDDY AUNTS (7.30pm, Sat 3). Bristolbased punk legend, Rita Lynch’s songs are wonderfully crafted, brutally honest, soul-searching, thought-provoking and delivered in a totally unique and passionate way. Supporting her are the Giddy Aunts (formerly known as Clarkie),
FRISKY AND MANNISH The Dome, New Rd, Brighton Box office: 01273 709709 ) FRISKY AND MANNISH (Sat 10). Since 2008, Frisky and Mannish have been peddling their peculiar brand of popmusicyseriocomic-mashparodicvaudevillian-sketchcabaretinfotainment all over the world, appearing at places diverse as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Sydney Opera House.
Merlin & Ellis, Manchester St, BN2 1TF Tickets: 01273 623560 ) HAVE A WORD (6.30pm, Sat 3). Host Ellis Collins presents authors Michael Harwood (The Manservant), John Roman Baker (Brighton Darkness, No Fixed Ground), Chris Chalmers (Light JOHN ROMAN BAKER
FRISKY & MANNISH
HAVE A WORD
HORSE
PINK FRINGE Marlborough Theatre, 4 Princes St, Brighton. Box office: www.brownpapertickets.com ) POLARI WORKSHOP: FROM PAGE TO PERFORMANCE (Fri 16). As part of the Polari Tour, Paul Burston (author, journalist) and VG Lee (author, comedian) offer a free twohour workshop for writers who want to share their work with an audience. There will be a warm-up creative writing exercise but participants are also asked to bring along a piece of work (800-1000 words) that they would like to read in public. In a safe and supportive environment, the event will concentrate on the performing side of an author’s life: editing and adapting work to read aloud, timing, voice control and connecting with the audience. At the end of the workshop one writer will be offered the chance to read at the Polari event in the evening.
bluesy, rocky, soaring vocals from Sarah Clarke-Kent and Sue Tyhurst with Michele Allardyce on percussion. Advance tickets are £8 (plus booking fee). This is a night not to be missed, so book early!
THEATRE ROYAL New Rd, Brighton Box office: 08448 717650 ) DIE FLEDERMAUS (Tue 6). Strauss’ light-hearted opera set in late 19th-century Vienna combines a cast of colourful characters with some of opera’s most popular musical moments in a story of love, laughter and sweet revenge. Based on Herbert von Karajan’s famous version, with snatches of spoken DIE FLEDERMAUS
With fiendish arrangements from Musical Director, Jason Pimblett, the evening will feature a thriller selection of music from stage and screen, including classics from shows as diverse as American Werewolf in London, The Omen and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Audiences are encouraged (though it is not essential) to enter into the spirit of the occasion and arrive dressed to thrill and there will be a prize for the best costume. There are only 100 eerie tickets available for this intimate event priced at £20 or £18 concessions, so head to www.actuallygmc.org to make sure you get one before they sell out. Guests can enjoy a welcome glass of fizz and canapes from 7.30pm, with a professional tarot reader on hand to add to the occasion. The event will be raising money for Inclusion For All an awardwinning training strategy working across the UK to prevent homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools.
music has stood the test of time, enjoying European chart topping success. Since her studio debut in 1989 with the single You Could Be Forgiven on Capitol Records, Horse’s power to reinvent and advance her musical style and prowess has been unshakable. Horse has toured extensively in her own right but has also performed alongside artists as diverse as Tina Turner, Robbie Williams, Burt Bacharach, Bryan Ferry and BB King.
VG LEE
Latest Music Bar, Manchester Street, Brighton, BN2 1TF Box Office: www.actuallygmc.org ) DEMONS ARE A GHOUL’S BEST FRIEND (8pm, Sat 31) sees Dave Lynn team up with the Actually Gay Men's Chorus for a devilish evening of cabaret, song and fun with a distinctly mysterious feel. Special guests in the bewitching line-up include soprano Samantha Howard and members of the recently formed Isle Of Wight Gay Men’s Chorus (IOWGMC), taking to the stage for their first public performance. Matthew Bundy, co-founder of IOWGMC, said; “We are over the moon to be making our debut performance with the Actually GMC and Dave Lynn in Brighton. The boys have been working incredibly hard with a great repertoire and are very excited to be celebrating a rather spooky Halloween.”
THE GIDDY AUNTS
DEMONS ARE A GHOUL’S BEST FRIEND
dialogue. Features two champagne fountains, two bats, a mystery guest and an introduction of some scenes from the Russian Die Fledermaus which are unique to this production. ) CARMEN (Wed 7). One of the most famous and seductive operas of all time, Bizet’s irresistibly emotional Carmen guarantees an evening of passion and romance. The production also includes a replica of Seville’s main square with fountains, flowers and orange trees and features a rescue donkey. "Hotblooded, a joy” The Independent.
GSCENE 45 MONTE CARLO 2015 (Nov 3–Nov 4). The Trocks return… in size 12 pointe shoes. This company of professional male dancers presents an inspired blend of their loving TRAUMFRAU knowledge of dance, their brilliant Envy, Marine Parade, Brighton comic approach, and the ) TRAUMFRAU presents INNER astounding fact that men can, DEMONS & OUT THERE BOGEYMEN indeed, dance en pointe without (Fri 30). This Halloween, Traumfrau falling flat on their faces! Hurtling invites you to a disquieting night through the classical ballet of collective exorcism via the repertoire with their inimitable medium of disco. Dress up as your blend of skill, grace and a wit as deepest fears, your most shameful sharp as scissors en pointe, The secrets, your filthiest fantasies, or Trocks have been a global your love-to-hate bogeyman. phenomenon since they formed in Perversions and fears, politicians New York in 1974. Dancers, and Popes, calamities and illnesses, including Ida Nevasyneva and Olga family dinners and the Daily Mail: Supphozova, present two bring it all to life, face your fear programmes which effortlessly and dance it off. A night of fearless display their startling technical and filthy queer disco. Expect: prowess and their no-less fierce DJs, out of this world tunes, extraordinary make-up skills. Enjoy shameless queers, lots of dancing, show-stopping Swan Lake (Act II), performance and the right amount Merce Cunningham-inspired of collective terror. Patterns in Space, Go For Barocco, a satire on Balanchine’s COMING SOON... choreography, and the UK premiere LES BALLETS TROCKADERO of Don Quixote. “The Trocks deliver a kick from a steel toe-cap in a silky DE MONTE CARLO 2015 pointe shoe” Daily Telegraph; "The The Dome, New Road, Brighton funniest night you'll ever have at Box office: 01273 709709 ) LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE the ballet” Sunday Times.
TOWNER ART GALLERY Devonshire Park, College Rd, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4JJ www.townereastbourne.org.uk ) JULIAN GERMAIN: THE FUTURE IS OURS, CLASSROOM PORTRAITS 2004-2015 (10 Oct - 10 Jan 2016). The UK Premiere of British photographer and artist Julian Germain’s exhibition, The Future is Ours explores the universal themes of school and childhood through film and photograph, showing portraits of school children from 19 countries around the world. Germain spent eight years documenting 461 school classrooms throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, South East Asia, Middle East and South America. Using his own photography technique, he captured the students in the natural environment of their classrooms and also canvassed some of the pupils about their lives. His work resulted in the publication Classroom Portraits 2004-2012 and an exhibition at Nederlands Fotomuseum, Rotterdam. This major exhibition displays 200 objects including framed photographs, films, prints, Polaroids, customised books and specially created portraits of four Eastbourne schools that Germain visited and photographed in July.
46 GSCENE
CLASSICAL NOTES
virtuosic solo parts in its fast movements.
B Y NIC K B O STO N
These concerti are real gems, and the performances here bristle with energy and spirit. The balance achieved between the solo and fuller passages is spot on – this is so clearly a small ensemble of dedicated musicians who are able to communicate their obvious enthusiasm for this wonderful music. Another hit from Pramsohler and friends. Audax ADX13704
REVIEWS
) Johannes Pramsohler and the Ensemble Diderot are back with a beautifully packaged disc of concertos by ANTONIO MARIA MONTANARI (1676-1737). Not heard of him? Neither had I – perhaps because not much of his music has survived, and little was published in his lifetime. Yet as a successor in Rome to Corelli, he was a significant violinist composer, also giving lessons to Pisendel, the Dresden composer, whose works Pramsohler has also been bringing to new audiences of late. In fact, some of the concertos only exist in copies Pisendel had following his visit to Rome. This disc brings us six of Montanari’s Violin Concertos, only
one of which has ever been recorded previously. The concertos are written in seven parts, for two solo violins and a solo cello, two further violin parts, a viola part and basso continuo. However, Montanari makes flexible use of these parts, not always simply contrasting the solo ‘concertino’ and the full ‘ripieno’ grouping, as in the classic concerto grosso, but sometimes mixing and matching and doubling parts. The Ensemble Diderot also varies the basso continuo combining harpsichord (Philippe Grisvard) with violone (Youen Cadiou), theorbo or guitar (Jadran Duncumb). Pramsohler takes the lead solo violin part and directs proceedings. Concerto No. 6 has a wonderfully mysterious slow central movement, followed by a halting yet jauntily leisurely Allegro, the longest movement of any of the concerti. Concerto No. 5 opens with a bristling Allegro, with wonderful tit-for-tat solo violin and cello exchanges. Concerto No. 7 has solo violin parts that sing, and the interchange between the two instruments is contrasted expertly with the full ensemble, and Concerto 8 has real fire in the
) You can see David McVicar’s production of Verdi’s Il Trovatore live from the Met (3 Oct), with Anna Netrebko, Younhoon Lee and Dimitri Hvorostovsky. ) Then Verdi’s Otello (17 Oct) with Aleksandrs Antonenko and Sonya Yoncheva, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. ) The Met trio this month ends with Wagner’s Tannhäuser with Eva-Maria Westbroek and Johan Botha (31 Oct). If you miss the live broadcasts, many cinemas have repeat showings. ) The Royal Opera House bring us Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro in another David McVicar production, with Erwin Schrott and Anita Hartig (live 5 Oct).
BREMF CONSORT OF VOICES
) In Brighton and Uckfield you can catch Glyndebourne’s production of Britten’s Billy Budd with John Mark Ainsley, and Jacques Imbrailo as Budd (check for dates). In a range of local cinemas, including: Duke’s at the Komedia, Brighton, the Odeon Cinema, Brighton, Cineworld Eastbourne, and the Connaught Cinema, Worthing. Check for times and dates.
IL TROVATORE
CINEMA
Dvorak are most evident, this is nevertheless a work that didn’t deserve such out and out rejection.
The String Quartet No. 1 is in a happy A major, and is perhaps the least troubled of the four mature works. The slow movement begins in a rather stately fashion, but relaxes into a more lyrical mood, and the finale is uncomplicatedly positive. The String Quartet No. 2 is a long, single movement work, and the Brodsky Quartet take some of the tempi quite slow here, the whole quartet coming in at over 43 minutes. In contrast to the first quartet, this is a turbulent, almost tormented piece – hardly surprising given that it expressed the traumatic personal period of his life described above. There are lots of symbols here such as the ‘cross’ of the F sharp minor key signature, associated with pain, grief and guilt, and coded references to himself, Mathilde and ) ALEXANDER ZEMLINSKY (1871Schoenberg. It is a complex piece, 1942) was a Viennese composer, with real virtuosic writing, and the who, like his friend and one-time Brodskys maintain the intensity pupil, Arnold Schoenberg, and coherence despite not rushing emigrated to the US in later life. things. However, unlike Schoenberg, he The tormented yet Romantic was largely neglected in the US, language is somewhat reminiscent and his music has never taken a of Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht – foothold in the repertoire. String Quartet No. 3 moves into Supported by Brahms, he harsher, more neo-classical developed an individual voice perhaps more influenced by Wagner territory, and is perhaps initially the least accessible. Yet it rewards and Mahler – he never went down patient listening, and it actually the atonal route that Schoenberg contains surprisingly melodic followed. writing, particularly for viola and Zemlinsky fell in love with Alma cello, within its modernist Schindler, who initially construction. He opens String reciprocated his feelings, but Quartet No. 4 with a Präludium dumped him for Mahler. In the that contains motifs from the intense and somewhat incestuous second and third quartets, and environment of turn of the century another reference to Mathilde, Vienna, Schoenberg married creating a sense of mournful Zemlinsky’s sister, Mathilde, who nostalgia perhaps. Zemlinsky then had an affair with the artist combines the urgency and passion Richard Gerstl. She returned to of the second quartet’s late Schoenberg, and Gerstl Romanticism with the brittle subsequently committed suicide. virtuosity of the third quartet, and The affair had a deep impact on this is surely a masterpiece of Schoenberg and Zemlinsky’s string quartet writing. friendship, with Schoenberg also The Brodskys seem to shift across contemplating suicide. the varied styles of all of these So to the music – the Brodsky quartets with ease, and make one Quartet have recorded his four wonder why these quartets are so numbered String Quartets, as well seldom performed. A great as a premiere recording of an early collection, well worth exploration. String Quartet in E minor, which Chandos CHAN10845(2) failed to pass muster with the allReviews, comments and events: powerful Tonkünstlerverein in v nicks-classicalVienna, and was thus abandoned by the composer. Whilst he clearly notes.blogspot.co.uk t @nickb86uk hadn’t mastered writing for the ) nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk string quartet here, and the influences of Brahms and also
GSCENE 47
ART MATTERS B Y E NZO MA RRA
BRIGHTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2015
For October I’ve sourced a trio of creative offerings within easy reach of Brighton for those willing to travel beyond their usual environment.
Women: Enquirers, Muses, Enchanters, (23 Oct–8 Nov) For more info and tickets: www.bremf.org.uk or 01273 709709
ST ANNE'S GALLERIES
JOGLARESA
) This year’s festival will probably be the largest celebration of historical female composers this country has ever seen. To kick things off, you can attend a day of free talks, taster and open discussions, Rediscovering Women (11am-5pm, 17 Oct), stay for the whole day or drop in.
medieval abbess, Hildegard of Bingen.
111 High St, Lewes, BN7 1XY, www.stannesgalleries.com ) FERGUS HARE is having a solo exhibition at St Anne's Galleries (Sat 10–Sun 25). Fergus was born in 1977 and graduated from Norwich School of Art in 1999, where he studied Illustration but used this opportunity to create projects that were relevant to the type of work he wanted to make, namely figurative and landscape painting and drawing. After working for a short time as an illustrator he chose to work as a fine artist, soon finding himself painting the landscape he is familiar with, predominantly Suffolk and Cornwall scenes. Since moving to Sussex from London in 2010 he spend much more time working outside, enjoying the spontaneity it can achieve, a freshness that sometimes can be easily lost working in the studio.
) The centrepiece of the festival will undoubtedly be four performances of the first surviving opera by a woman, Francesca Caccini’s La Liberazione di Ruggiero Dall’isola Di Alcina (5, 7 & 8 Nov). After a successful crowdfunding campaign with additional Arts Council funding, this production by Susannah Waters and directed by Deborah Roberts, Co-Artistic Director,
NIAMH CUSACK
) Clare Norburn, Festival CoArtistic Director, has written an atmospheric dramatic performance for her group, The Telling, joined by actress Niamh Cusack, and the Celestial Sirens, about the extraordinary life of the visionary
KATHARINE LE HARDY
) Musica Secreta are joined by the Celestial Sirens and Brighton Festival Youth Choir for Lucrezia Borgia’s Daughter, an exploration of music potentially by Leonora d’Este, daughter of Borgia, who entered a convent aged eight and devoted her life to music as an organist and composer.
) Emma Kirkby performs lute songs by Dowland, Byrd, Blow and Purcell, with lutenist Jakob Lindberg (4 Nov). ) The festival closes with a performance of Handel’s Acis and Galatea by the BREMF Singers and Players, conducted by John Hancorn (7 Nov).
PIERS OTTEY
) The Orlando Consort perform a specially devised soundtrack of 15th century music by Binchois and Dufay, along with haunting plainsong, with a screening of the silent film masterpiece, La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc (30 Oct) – not to be missed!
ZIMMER STEWART GALLERY
KIRKBY & LINDBERG
THE ORLANDO CONSORT
BREMF CONSORT OF VOICES
ANNA DEVIN
) A workshop for female singers of all levels, Songs of Abraham (18 Oct) is led by Belinda Sykes and members of the lively early music group Joglaresa and you can even then take part in Joglaresa’s concert, Daughters of Abraham promises much, with a great cast (23 Oct). including Anna Devin, Denis ) Harpsichordist Carole Cerasi Lakey and Nick Pritchard. plays late 17th and 18th century ) BREMF Consort of Voices music by Jacques Duphly & perform music by Chiara Margarita Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre Cozzolani, Francesca Caccini & (24 Oct) and the London Handel Players with soprano Ruby Hughes Barbara Strozzi in Convert, Court & Salon (1 Nov). perform two of Jacquet de La Guerre’s cantatas.
29 Tarrant St, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9DG, www.zimmerstewart.co.uk ) KATHARINE LE HARDY: SUSSEX LANDSCAPES (Sat 3–Sat 24). In 2005 Katharine was Highly Commended Young Artist of the Year at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and was awarded the NADFAS young artist prize at the Guggleton Gallery in Dorset. In 2006 she was runner-up of the Royal Bath and West Art Scholarship prize. In January 2008 she was awarded runner-up in the biennial Gilchrist Fisher prize, hosted at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in London. Katharine is known for her contemporary beach scenes with surfers and people enjoying the seaside, based on experience of the South West and Scotland. Working from sketches and photographs, Katharine endeavours to create a window on an imaginary space. The absence of obvious landmarks and identifiable features enables the images to exist as timeless other places, inviting the viewer into a restorative space where you can reflect. ) Also at the Zimmer Stewart Gallery, PIERS OTTEY: NEW PAINTINGS is an exhibition of urban and Sussex landscape paintings (Sat 31 Oct–21 Nov). Originally based in London, Piers moved to West Sussex in 1980 and set up the Mill Studio Art School in 1994. Piers, who won the University of Bath painting prize in 2007, paints mostly in oils, his subject matter often influenced by his travels to The Alps and Europe. But he always returns to painting the human form, as well as London and local Sussex landscapes. The paintings are also a record of their own making, with a code of colours often seen around the edge of his canvasses. These form a diary, an almost analytical selection of all the colours used to make the image and in the order they were made and used.
48 GSCENE
PAGE’S PAGES B O O KS B Y E RIC PAG E
) BRIGHTON DARKNESS by John Roman Baker (£12.99) These stories are as diverse as this city. From gay first love in St Ann’s Well and the Astoria cinema in the 1950s, to reminiscences of an elderly woman in Regency Square as she looks back on her turbulent past relationships and faces her current reality. An ex-hustler meets a famous male movie star, long since thought to be dead. A birthday party doesn’t quite turn out as planned, but has its own unexpected present of truth. There is an encounter in the city between two Russians who try to come to terms with the tragic death of a young man they both loved. The stories span the decades from 1950s to the present and explore the many contradictions and quirks that define the city’s unique character. Gay life in the city runs as a theme along with returning to places of meaning through many of the stories, while the author’s experiences of other cities, Amsterdam, Paris and New York, add a global context to the book (he recently returned to the city after 17 years in the Netherlands). Roman Baker always keeps the narrative tension taught and keeps these short snappy stories in the mind long after they’ve been read. ) BEARDS: AN UNSHAVED HISTORY by Kevin Clarke (Bruno Gmuender, £44.99) In his new book, Kevin Clarke, author of Porn: from Andy Warhol to X-Tube, shows us beards from the gay perspective and highlights how the beard has been eroticised, fetishised and fashioned to suit gay men’s desires and ideas of what masculinity is and should be. This is hair as fetish, lust object and peacock’s accessory. The photos are stunning, the men wondrously sexy and the beards a perfect example of hirsute hipsterness. Clarke shows how the beard is the greatest male accessory of all time. In addition to his view on the clones of the 1970s and their recent return, there are interviews and facts about beards as well as photos showing how erotic a man's beard can be. The essays examine facial hair from a queer perspective and the photos range from great historical ones and hot men kissing to a solo happy ending with a man snatch. History fans will enjoy seeing the beards of Jesus, Henry VIII, Abraham Lincoln, Vincent van Gogh and Walt Whitman, while pop culture aficionados will appreciate
modern bearded celebrities like George Michael, Hugh Jackman, Tom Selleck and the Village People. A great coffee table/bedside book if you like something with style, quality content and interesting commentary. I suspect your barber may like a peek at it too.
prying judgmental eyes. Stroke rediscovers these treasures and puts them with vividly told stories and previously unpublished material. This comprehensive collection of illustrations, graphic design and good old-fashioned male erotica showcases the development of this art form and the way if offered a shame-free, celebrated, often joyless and sexually liberated and fulfilling fantasy to men who often had empty public lives lived in fear of exposure. Stroke reminds me of the first time I saw a Tom of Finland drawing, the breathlessly sexual trio of men up to athletic sexual shenanigans thrilled me, but what I recall most was the huge smiles this was sex as fun, natural, normal and loving. It features works of over 30 artists such as Tom of Finland, Harry Bush, Michael Kirwan, and George Quaintance. A great coffee table book with as much seriously detailed research as the 144 pages of raunchy art. I loved every page.
enthusiastically pursued combination of passion and perversion is what makes him such fun to read. Recommended. ) PEACOCK PUNKS by Dale Lazarov, Mauro Mariotti and Janos Janecki (£19.99) This is great fun and I really enjoyed its fun, erotic innovative engagement with the reader, if that’s what this immersive experience makes me. Lazarov, Mariotti and Janecki all conspire to make this book a playground for the imagination. There’s no dialogue balloons, it’s a wordless comic. It’s like a graphic orgy story and you can insert yourself into it in any number of exciting combinations. Silly, sexy and seriously fun I enjoyed my foray into group sex via the conduit of this sticky graphic novel. With a key message of safer sex this is excellent sex, all the men are realistically portrayed from across the gay spectrum and all (like good old Tom of Finland) seem to be enjoying sex with the other men, with huge smiles. If a picture can say a thousand words then this is a fun and positive million-word book about the kind of recreational wild and exhilarating sexual activities we fantasise about. Recommended.
) PLAY WITH ME: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SEXUAL ROLE-PLAYING by Axel Neustaedter. This is a ) STROKE: FROM UNDER THE comprehensive book, aimed MATTRESS TO OUT IN THE OPEN by primarily at gay men (although Robert Richards & Hunter there’s no reason why two ladies or ) DR MAKUMAKURAN AND OTHER O’Hanian (Bruno Gmünder, other combinations of identities STORIES by Takeshi Matsu £40.15) This is a seriously welland genders couldn’t take up the (£19.99). Takeshi Matsu has been researched and in-depth historic ideas and tweak them to fit…). widely published in gay Japanese retrospective of male and mostly Neustaedter's gay erotic illustrations published in magazines and books. This manga new book dives features the sci-fi-themed cover US magazines from the 1950s to into the world story Dr Makumakuran and various 1990s. Although freely available, of erotic roleother stories. Matsu is one of the readers put them under their playing. What mattresses to hide the pictures and least known (in the West) gay happens when manga artists and is rated very their queer man-loving lives from all varieties of highly by Gengoroh Tagame. This gay sexuality second collection of his stories in get harnessed for the purposes of English is as seriously sexually transformation to lift you out of charged as all of his works and is your familiar routine? Whether it's slightly disturbing and challenging the classic scenario of playing too. Never one to shy away from doctor or cyber-techno games, pet what really makes a good fantasy play or the adventures of an office stir the loins, Matsu uses his stud, there are no limits to where combination of imagination, fantasy can take you. This richly originality and artistic flair to give illustrated guidebook, with its large these stories an engaging, hot and selection of colour photos, personal steamy kick, certainly one to add testimonies, and interviews with to your collection of graphic filth. experts, answers all the important Matsu’s work is as romantic and as questions about role-playing. it is brutally erotic and this
GSCENE 49
GEEK SCENE
COMICS
COMICS & GAMES BY CRAIG STORRIE
) As I have gone on a nostalgia trip and revealed what is one of my personal favourite scary video games, let’s have a look at some creepy comics that will get you in the mood for All Hallow's Eve. Just don’t read them in bed!
GAMES ) Back in the day of 8-bit consoles, when I was about six-years-old, I was dying to get a NES for Christmas one year. When Christmas rolled around I ripped open the huge box under the tree with childish glee expecting a shiny new NES console to be revealed; but what I got instead made me very disappointed, at least until I learnt to appreciate the new console I now owned: the Sega Master System! Now after being sad at not getting a NES it didn’t take long for my feelings to change and to start loving the games this console could run. From Alex the Kidd to Psycho Fox, the Master System had a cool library of games but none did I enjoy more than the topic of this month’s column: Master of Darkness. As it’s Halloween this month, I thought I’d revisit one of my favourite 8-bit games as it used to scare the crap out of me and I’d love more people to know about this fantastic game which hardly anyone but me seems to remember. Released way back in 1993 (a year after the release of the next generation Super Nintendo) Master of Darkness has many similarities to the original Nintendo Castlevania games. The game takes the form of a platform game where the player controls a psychologist called Dr Social (original name there guys) who must traverse through five levels broken down into three stages per level. The plot revolves around the Master of Darkness himself, Dracula, who has been killing several people in 19th century London. Rather cleverly the game attributes the Jack the Ripper killings to Dracula himself, neatly placing the story around that infamous era of London history. Unlike Castlevania, where the Belmont families only use the legendary Vampire Killer whip as a primary weapon, Dr Social can collect and use various different weapons to defeat the legions of Dracula. Primary weapons range from axes, daggers and rapiers with each having different stats and range, whilst secondary weapons such as pistols and bombs are much more powerful but only have limited ammunition. The good Doctor can only hold one of each weapon at a time so it helps to choose a weapon you like and stick with it as accidently picking up a dagger just before a boss fight can severely lower your chances of success. The best thing about this game is its level design and attention to detail. You will visit many varied locations from cemeteries and castles to laboratories and sewers with my favourite being a House of Wax with possessed wax works attacking you throughout the level. The bosses themselves are unique and look great with each one being fun to fight, especially Dracula himself. Add to this a rocking and catchy soundtrack and you have yourself a truly classic Sega game. If you ever get the chance to try it out make sure you do, you won’t regret it.
Of all the conniving bastards in fiction, John Constantine could possibly be the worst to have on your side. Created by visionary writer Alan Moore for his run on Swamp Thing, Constantine is a powerful mage and someone you don’t want as an enemy or a friend, as anyone who gets close to him usually ends up dead: something John has used to save his own hide many a time claiming to sacrifice people for the greater good. When the time came in 1988 for Constantine to get his own comic book, the macabre World of Hellblazer was born. Despite its tenuous links to the larger DC Universe and John even meeting Batman at one point, Hellblazer is much more its own beast with closer ties to fringe mystical characters like Zatanna and more so the characters under the Vertigo imprint such as his old friend Swamp Thing and the Lord of Dreams himself, The Sandman. Constantine’s stories consist of a vast array of scary situations, powerful, terrifying demons, gods turned crazy and even mental health and suicidal issues that resonate more today than they did when they were first published. Sadly Hellblazer came to an end in February 2013 with its landmark 300th issue. These days Constantine is now part of the main DC Universe and has recently had a new series revolving around him called Constantine: The Hellblazer start in June of this year. If vampires are more your thing, and not the lame sparkling kind, then you should really be reading another Vertigo title: American Vampire. Written by current Batman writer Scott Snyder and wonderfully drawn by Rafael Albuquerque the focus of the series is on a new American bloodline of vampires, born in the late 19th century. One of these is Skinner Sweet, a man who wakes from death, after being infected, to find he has become a new kind of vampire! He is now something stronger and faster than any other vampire and who is impervious to sunlight. The series goes on to track his movements through various decades of American history. Each arc takes place in different eras of American history, from the first being set in the 1920s to the most recent being set in the 1950s after the events of WW2. The series is full of shocks and surprises as well as bringing a new brilliant twisted representation of vampires into the world of horror fiction. In fact the series is so good it won an Eisner Award for Best New Series back in 2011, something only the most fantastic of comics receive, which goes to show why you should be reading this series right now and adding it to your collection!
50 GSCENE
SHOPPING
WITH MICHAEL HOOTMAN
) Barcode Vests, £25; Barcode Shorts, £25 (Prowler, 112-113 St James's St, Brighton, 01273 683680)
) Bottle Stoppers, £20 (Pussy, 3a Kensington Gardens, Brighton, 01273 604861) ) Dinosaur Centrepiece, £89.99 (England at Home, 22b Ship St, Brighton, 01273 205544)
) Norman Wall Clock, £35 (Edited, 3 Gardner St, Brighton, 01273 604006, editedbrighton.com)
) RASHOMON (BFI blu-ray). Akira Kurosawa’s early masterpiece is a haunting meditation on the ambiguous nature of truth and memory. A bandit (Toshirô Mifune) rapes a woman and kills her husband yet all three protagonists (the husband speaking through a medium) and the crime’s one witness all tell different versions of the same event. Set mostly in the medieval forests of Japan the film is visually and atmospherically breathtaking. Mifune delivers an astounding performance as a deranged giggling psychopath and Minoru Chiaki gives the film its moral heart playing the priest wrestling with the problem of man’s capacity for evil.
) Early 20th Century Novel Greeting Cards, £2.10 (Pen To Paper, 4 Sydney Street, Brighton, 01273 676670) ) Batman Mug, £10 (Present In The Laine, 34 Gardner Street, Brighton, 01273 607695)
GSCENE 51 temperature. Get it wrong and you lose all the benefits of the essential oils. All the products have been tested for stability, longevity and sensitivity on skin. It takes months for any new product to be tested, as there are very few firms who carry out the test. It can cost hundreds of pounds to test so there is quite a bit of investment involved. Why do you use therapeutic grade oils? My sister told me to! She's been an aromatherapist for over 20 years and the grade of oil you use is vital. I use the best oils mainly because the aroma seems to last longer. Do your products work for all hair types? Yes. Although the Beard Wash and Serum are designed for dry, course hair they can be used on any type to great effect, and all the combs and brushes of course. I sell the best handmade ones from a company who've been making them since 1777.
BEARD EMPORIUM Neil Masey, hirsute purveyor of gentlemen’s products, Mr Masey's Beard Emporium, talks to Eric Page ) When did you grow your first beard? I've had a shortish beard for yonks, but my bushiest was at Christmas. It was very big and unmanageable. For the last 15 years I've had fuzz. My head is egg-shaped so the disguise of beard and glasses is needed for safety. Are men with beards more sensual, intelligent and stylish? No, men with beards are lazy. Most men started growing the bush because they can’t be bothered to shave. However, in Ancient Greece philosophers grew their beards big, so there is some history behind brainy beards. Have we reached peak beard? The younger men were always going to shave their beards off once the fad has fizzled away. Bearded men are increasingly buying beard products and taking more care. What is it about a well-groomed beard? A well-groomed beard shapes the face and
“Mr Masey’s attention “His hand-crafted beard wax is to detail makes his sensational, feels male range my goand smells as good to product, it keeps as it looks” my man bush on Jay of Brighton fire!” Ze of Hove
hides a multitude of sins (nobody loves a weak chin!). And an already handsome man with a beard, well that's another story, but it’s got to be groomed. Tramp chic doesn't do it for me. Why do you think gay men lead the trend back into thick luxurious beards? Gay men generally know how to make the best of their looks. Beards can make a man look much more handsome. Although not in the case of Noel Edmunds, who isn't gay obviously.
Are there any new products in the pipeline? My men's cologne is finally ready. It takes a long time to hand produce; it has to sit for months to allow everything to integrate. I'll be bottling soon and it'll be available this month. Where is your favourite shave? All the Turkish barbers in Brighton do a wonderful shave, but by far and beyond, the best barbers for beards is Teddy Edwards at Seven Dials. Perfection every time. Any final historical tit-bits to share from your delve in the world of the man snatch? King Henry VIII introduced a tax on beards. The tax was a graduated tax, varying with the wearer's social position. Elizabeth I reintroduced the beard tax, taxing every beard of more than two weeks' growth. There was even a token produced in the 1500s that you were given as proof you'd paid your beard tax.
Who’s your dream beard threesome? Noel Edmunds, the Yorkshire Ripper and Nicholas Parson's wife. She's got to be a beard, surely? Why become a purveyor of gentlemen’s grooming products? I got fed up with paying so much for beard products and having to buy them, un-tested, online. So I made my own. Purely selfish and self-centred!
MR MASEY'S BEARD EMPORIUM
What does your Love Potion No.9 do? All the oils in my range help moisturise the skin beneath the beard, they make the beard soft and shiny and they smell nice. But Love Potion No.9 contains essential oils which are known for their aphrodisiac properties. A customer told me it was well received by his boyfriend.
COMPETITION
Do you have a laboratory and how difficult is the process of making beard wax? Yes, in New England House where I have a proper facility to bottle the oils and washes. It’s tricky, there are several ingredients involved which have to be melted at the right
) Infinity Foods, North Road ) Crowns Barbers, Kensington Gardens ) Merlin & Ellis, Manchester Street ) Snoopers’ Attic, upstairs at Snoopers, Kensington Gardens with full range available from stall outside Snoopers 10-6pm daily. ) www.mr-masey.co.uk
) For a complete beard kit comprising Beard Wash, Beard Conditioner, Beard Oil and Beard & Moustache Wax just name one ingredient in Mr Masey's Magnificent Moustache Wax. Email your answer to info@gscene.com with 'Masey's Beard Competition' in the subject bar.
52 GSCENE described feelings of exclusion, and a lack of thought about his specific care needs. “With the COPD [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease] I’ve felt very, very excluded... they don’t get patients like me... So when I’ve had pulmonary rehab, it’s me and a class of 80-yearold women... I can’t be the only 44-year-old out there with bad lungs.”
“The consultant even, on the 10th or 20th time of being told I was his partner, still referred to me as his brother” Participants have also shared challenges in bereavement, with experiences of isolation and a lack of sensitivity for their loss, as described by Rebecca who recently lost her partner to breast cancer.
ACCESS CARE Improving care for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* people facing life-limiting illness ) ACCESSCare: what is the study about? Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans* (LGBT) people do not receive the support they need when facing a life-limiting illness. A project is currently being carried by out researchers at the Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College London, to find out why this may be, and what can be done to improve the care that LGBT people receive. The ACCESSCare study, which is funded by Marie Curie and being carried out by in collaboration with GMFA (www.GMFA.org.uk), is currently interviewing LGBT people facing advanced illness to try to understand what their challenges are, and what could be done to improve their care. We are interviewing people living with the illness themselves, their partner or chosen family, as well as those who have recently lost a partner, friend or relative to a life-limiting illness. The experiences people are sharing will be used to develop supportive materials for LGBT people facing a life-limiting illness, and their partners, friends, and family, as well as training and education for healthcare professionals. ACCESSCare: What have we found so far? The research is progressing really well, and currently the team have talked with over 30
LGBT people who have shared their experiences in interviews. Some participants have shared positive experiences, feeling comfortable to share their sexual identity or gender history with the healthcare team, and being treated with respect and understanding. However, other participants have described more challenging experiences, healthcare professionals refusing to acknowledge a samesex partner, making visitors feel unwelcome, or assuming heterosexuality, as described by James. “There was complete lack of recognition. The consultant even, on the 10th or 20th time of being told I was his partner, still referred to me as his brother. There’s no official next of kin because it’s same-sex, and there’s a lot less desire to be flexible.”
“It feels that society doesn’t validate the loss of a civil partner quite as much as they would understand and validate the loss of a husband. It’s more complicated, and a lot of people don’t have the imagination to understand that it’s the same kind of relationship.” Currently, the majority of those who have volunteered to share their experiences have been gay men and lesbian women. However, we want to ensure that this research is also representative of the views of the bisexual and trans* communities. ACCESSCare: want to share your experiences? If you’re facing the later stages of a lifelimiting illness (such as cancer, neurological conditions, heart, lung or liver disease), and identify as LGBT, and would be willing to share your care experiences, please get in touch with the King’s College London ACCESSCare research team (see below). Alternatively, if you’re the partner, friend or relative of someone who identifies as LGBT, and is approaching the later stages of a lifelimiting illness, we would like to hear your experiences of the care they, and you, have received. We are also looking to hear experiences from people who have recently lost an LGBT partner, friend or relative to a life-limiting illness.
Similar experiences were also shared by trans* participants, with healthcare professionals refusing to acknowledge their gender identity, and using the wrong pronoun (for example ‘he’ rather than ‘she’).
ACCESS Care
Many participants also shared feelings of isolation, as they became less well and therefore less able to socialise. Colin, who lives with a chronic lung condition, also
Or contact the dedicated research team: ) accesscare@kcl.ac.uk ) 020 7848 5521
For more information about the project, and the research team visit: ) www.csi.kcl.ac.uk/accesscare
GSCENE 53 All this may sounds positively stone-age, but it’s not even really that long ago. Up until the 1990s the only computers were kept in warehouses the size of the Nevada desert – technology has galloped through the past couple of decades with the wind in its hair. Certainly life is more comfortable now (see the aforementioned reference to central heating) – and sophisticated. Fancy a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape? Your local supermarket will be happy to oblige. When I passed the age limit you were lucky if you could find a sweet Blue Nun Riesling in the local corner shop. Mind you, you don’t have to go far out of Brighton for that still to be the case – same with pubs that only open from 12-2pm and 6-11pm. Fast food? That would have been a bag of crisps rather than a juicy burger and fries, and eating in a restaurant was only in the domain of those with far more expendable income than I could have hoped to aspire to.
JAQ’S MONTHLY
THE WAY WE WERE
Can it be that it was all so simple then asks Jaq Bayles? ) Having said I’d write this article then promptly forgetting all about it (twice – I was sent a reminder), I wondered if I might not be the right person for the job. But, as everyone tells you, forgetfulness is a sign you’re getting older.
Who wants to remember the school summer holidays when it was constantly lashing down with rain and there was nothing on TV to cuddle up to? Hard to believe now with the gazillions of stations offering everything from movies and music to arts to ‘reality’ to comedy to cartoons, but there used to just be the four terrestrial stations – and they ran far from 24/7. Stop sniggering kids!
Nevertheless, I definitely remember that all summers were hotter, sunnier and longer when I was younger; the seasons fell when they were supposed to rather than in some random pattern; and the police weren’t all 16.
And we had to make our own entertainment – no Xboxes or video games – which was sometimes great. I had a friend who kept horses and I’d love to think that I spent every day cantering around the countryside with the wind in my hair. In reality I probably spent more time bundled up in layers with a hot water bottle (no central heating) reading comics and writing angsty poetry. Health and safety didn’t exist – it’s a wonder any of my generation are still alive when we were expected to play on concrete unsupervised.
Can it be that it was all so simple then, or has time rewritten every line? Couldn’t have put it better myself, Babs. The way we were definitely isn’t the way we are now. (Some of you won’t get that reference – possibly anyone under 30.) And I appear to have turned into my mother – again, this an oft-predicted event that will absolutely occur no matter what steps you take to ensure otherwise. God knows I try not to say things like: “It wasn’t like that in our day”, or “Turn that bloody racket down”, but apparently, we are all programmed for these things to come out eventually. Just this morning, I heard the song Native New Yorker on the radio, with its line ‘Where did all our yesterdays go?’ and it struck me how popular culture is littered with nostalgic references. The past is a powerful pull and it’s no wonder we give it all a good wash in perfection so it comes out shiny and clean and smelling delicious.
“The past is a powerful pull and it’s no wonder we give it all a good wash in perfection so it comes out shiny and clean and smelling delicious”
I love that now I can pop round the corner to my local and get a good meal for less than it costs to buy a couple of pints, or can choose to eat a cuisine from pretty much any part of the world within a three-mile radius. And I love the convenience that technology brings, not to mention the decluttering it allows. But there’s stuff I miss. Endless hours making mixed music cassettes from the 12” EPs I used when DJing; the clatter of typewriters (Google it) in the office; interviewing people over the phone or – just imagine it! – in person, rather than via email; the anticipation built up by waiting a whole week for the next episode of a good TV thriller rather than binging on six episodes in a go – although, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being able to do that; and knowing all my friends’ home phone numbers off by heart – now I don’t even know the missus’s. Seeing the world change and open up is a thing of both beauty and terror. Now that travel is so easy, we have the privilege of being able to visit places that not so long ago were inaccessible to all but the most intrepid or privileged. But we also have access to images that we might rather not see and the constant bombardment of news which is distressing and which we would previously may not have been party to. Social media makes it possible for us to easily stay connected to friends in far-flung places – but it also means we can get mired in trivia. Technology, generally, has made us lazy – when was the last time you hand-wrote a birthday card rather than sending a Facebook post? So maybe it really was ‘so simple then’ – ignorance was bliss and we no longer have that excuse. Nostalgia itself is mutable – maybe it’s one of the few things in our lives we actually have complete control over. As Babs sang, ‘What’s too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget’. So I’ll do it that way, while I still have the choice… Now, what did I come in here for?
54 GSCENE
CRAIG’S THOUGHTS WE’RE ALL INSANE OR/ DON’T TRIP UP OVER WHAT YOU’VE LEFT BEHIND BY CRAIG HANLON-SMITH @craigscontinuum ) Otto Frank said: “To build up a future, you have to know the past”. How he must be sobbing in his grave to see that as millions of Syrians are fleeing war, those of us in Europe too young to have lived through the last one dither about whether or not to accept refugees into our own countries, as young children are washed up dead on a holiday beach. Factor 50 won’t protect you from that. We appear to have learnt little from our recent history despite the current international celebrations marking 70 years since the end of WW2, or is the war in the Middle East a good old-fashioned dose of if it’s not hurting me, then it’s not really hurting?
Of course, nostalgia was at one time classified as a mental illness and one need not have been awarded a PhD in neuroscience to understand why. For that reason it shares a common historical base with homosexuality. Largely ignored until the 12th century, homosexuality began to be noticed by the Church around the Middle Ages who were quite vocal in their non-appreciation of such behaviours. During Victorian times, and through much of the 20th century, homosexual behaviours were at worst an abomination and at best a social subversion, which could be corrected or institutionalised, and was only declassified as a mental illness in the United States as recent as 1973. Sigmund Freud studied homosexuality in great detail believing all human beings were born inherently bisexual, and that given the social liberation to do so, many more people would engage in homosexual behaviours as many times as their sexual desires led them to. How’s about that then bi folk – you’re the status flaming quo after all, tell the L, G &Ts to shove that in their subversive pipes and smoke it. He also believed the root of homosexuality to come from self-interest and a love for oneself, hence the desire to remain within a same-sex relationship. I am not sure he ever used the words ‘go f**k yourself’ but he was well on the way.
War rages in Syria less than a year since British forces pulled out of Afghanistan, 12 years since the start of war in Iraq, 20 years since war in the Balkans (and like Britain, also in Europe in case you’re interested), 25 years since the first Gulf War, over 30 years since the Falklands War, and 40 years since America abandoned the Vietnamese campaign in Saigon - although Britain played no active role in this event, at least we have a West End musical to remind us of it. Children burned alive whilst soaked in Napalm, and now ladies and gentlemen, a showtune. It was Albert Einstein who remarked that the definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result, in which case we must all belong to the criminally insane. In what kind of a world can we find the brass nerve to congratulate ourselves on the technological advances of a contemporary society or marvel at the engineering wonder of a 200-metre-tall observation tower, when we are not able or willing to offer room and shelter to families fleeing instability in a region we helped to create? That we are psychologically unwell can possibly be the only honest explanation. We’re the full ticket at looking back, at remembering how wonderful it was when our own wars ended, when Britain was still great. The teadances, the all-night celebrations in Piccadilly Circus, as legend has it even the Queen (at the time a Princess) sneaked out amongst the masses to soak in the camaraderie, and how we all cuddle ourselves at the nostalgic ideal of 70 years ago, when songs were songs and stockings had a seam. But remembrance only has validity if it accompanies reflection, and with reflection comes analysis, evaluation and, hopefully, improvement. Perhaps nostalgia is part of the issue. Nostalgia wraps us in warm memories, like a foil blanket at the end of a marathon, and we forget the crippling pain in the backs of our calve muscles at mile 22. We stand on the banks of the River Thames arms linked for a thousand-strong sway to We’ll Meet Again, as an ancient and barely alive Vera Lynn is pushed onto the deck of HMS Belfast in a wheelchair to a collective “ahhhhhh”, and we all revel in the warm false memory of a moment we never shared, and in that one second, conveniently forget the millions of people who died in the most horrific of circumstances. Shot through the head in a battlefield, or blown to bits whilst huddled in a cellar during an air raid. Sounds mad doesn’t it?
“Nostalgia was at one time classified as a mental illness and one need not have been awarded a PhD in neuroscience to understand why” Freud was a quiet supporter of sorts in letting the homosexuals just get on with it, believing all the queer therapies would never work as homosexuals would continue to indulge their desires as this resulted in pleasure much like nostalgia. We return to the music of our youth for it gives us pleasure, we look wistfully through our old diaries to remind ourselves of happier times, we post an ancient photograph of ourselves online alongside the hashtag #throwbackthursday to yes, poke fun at our silly hair and to allow others to do the same, but more importantly to buy into a collective behaviour that is currently en vogue. We are after all, quite nice people at heart with a desire to join in with others and not just go f**k ourselves at all. We can do nothing for three-year-old Aylan Kurdi, his five-year-old brother or mother, like thousands before them in this year alone, they are dead, they lost their lives fleeing war-torn Syria for shelter in Europe. We can however buy into a different collective response for the millions who still need us. To do nothing? Now that would be madness.
GSCENE 55
WALL’S WORDS
GAY WISDOM
BY MIKE WALL
BY GAY SOCRATES
LIFE BEGINS AT...
THE GOOD OLD DAYS?
) I turned 40 a few months ago and my husband took me on a surprise holiday to Venice. Well it was a surprise up to 24 hours before we took off! We had a fantastic trip and as I had just been promoted it was a double celebration. During the whole lead up to my birthday I never once really worried about getting older. It just didn’t bother me. However, on our return I got back to work and realised that I had slipped into a bit of a safe routine. I had been with the same employer for almost eight years and commuting 50 miles a day. The weekends had become housework weekends, spending most of our time on house maintenance, sorting bills, or going to the allotment.
) 1980: I’m sitting nervously with a handful of guys at the back of a newly opened gay bookshop in central London. It’s the first of its kind. Its very existence is a political act of defiance. My presence there represents a giant step out from the suffocating safety of a closeted lifetime. I know the shop has been regularly raided by the police for ‘obscene’ publications. Maliciously thrown bricks have recently shattered the windows at the front.
I suddenly felt I wanted more, more time. I guess somewhere in my psyche the clock started to feel like it was probably speeding up. The weeks and months certainly had started to blend seamlessly from one into the other. So, like all great changes in life, I thought that even though I had just achieved a senior position at work, perhaps it was actually time to get out of my comfort zone and change the biggest thing that impacted my time, my job. I think that if you are going to do something, do it properly. So when the right job came up in Brighton, which was only a few weeks later, I went for it, and I got it.
“I think that if this could be considered a midlife crisis, then this was a fantastic result” So now that I have stopped commuting two hours every day, I have calculated that I have actually gained almost 19 days a year. That is 19 days not spent sitting in a car, 19 days that I can spend in a totally different way. At the time of writing this I have only been in my job for two weeks. Already my whole regime is more about me and my husband. We have met for lunch every day. I get to walk around Brighton at lunch time and feel like I actually live in this city. For the first time in eight years I don’t feel like a weekend tourist. We get to snuggle in bed for about an hour more each morning, and in the evenings we can even go for a drink after work and still get home to have dinner quite early.
John is the manager and Charlie is the owner. They are the conveners of this meeting, a Gay Icebreakers Group, offering support to men like me. I’m 20 years old and the law says it’s illegal for me to have sex with a man until I’m 21. My parents, my teachers, my church and my friends have made it clear to me that sexual attraction to men at any age is shamefully unacceptable. Years of conditioning have trained me to fear and stifle the public expression of my authentic self. Here, for the first time in my life, I’m in the presence of men bravely bearing witness to another way of being. They talk about the political importance of ‘coming out’ by making my sexual self visible. I’m full of arguments about why that would be impossible for me. My parents would disown me. My friends would shun me. I’m a medical student, what would my colleagues say? How would my patients react? They chide me from my intellectual defences by appealing to my hungrily aching animal urges: “Well maybe what you need to do is just have lots and lots and lots of sex with men” A few months later I will bump into one of the men in the lift lobby at the hospital. He’s visiting his boyfriend who is seriously ill in the Intensive Care Unit. It turns out that this is the first identified case of AIDS in the UK. A few months later he’s dead and I’m in a lecture theatre hearing from his doctor about this new disease spreading like wild-fire among gay men.
“I didn’t realise at the time that what I perceived as my misfortune was, in fact, a blessing in disguise”
I wouldn’t say that what I did was a brave move, but it was an essential one. I can already feel like my life is more my own. Even if, when I have settled in to my new role, I find that it is not perfect, I don’t care, I have more life. I think that if this could be considered a midlife crisis, then this was a fantastic result. If you are reading this and you feel that you can also make a drastic change in your life, my advice is do it, you have nothing to lose and so much to gain.
It was tough back then. I was marginalised by my differentness and felt isolated and alone. I didn’t realise at the time that what I perceived as my misfortune was, in fact, a blessing in disguise. The blessing of meta-positioning. The gift of a powerful drive to question and confront the received wisdom of my culture. The recognition of my unique purpose. The chance to become consciously aware of how powerful influences could operate within my secular consumer society to veer me away from my true nature, not just with regard to my sexuality but also in respect of my gender identity, my animalistic self and even the sense of my spiritual self. With gay emancipation and hetero-normative assimilation comes a loss of the social criminal’s unifying ‘outsider’ perspective. As a gay man maybe I have a twinge of nostalgia for this but then again as a Queer Faerie Spirit Warrior maybe not!
56 GSCENE
DAD & DADDY UP & DOWN SYD SPENCER ON RIDING THE ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS ) The whole subject of emotions is very tricky and it is something that challenges us quite often. Emotions are unpredictable, tricky and slippery little critters, changing without much warning and creating chaos as they do. We have tried to do a lot of work with our two about feelings, anger, fear, anxiety and love and it’s probably the most complicated thing to explain to them, put boundaries around and manage as the same emotion can arise for a different reason each time and indeed, at times, the emotion that was wrong last time can be justified the next time around. Our daughter carries a lot of anxiety inside her and has a mistrust of adults. Even now, over three years living with us, there is an emotional wall surrounding her. She loves us and we love her but it is still difficult for her to fully believe that we will always have her back. She seems to finds it difficult to emotionally relax. She will enjoy herself, soak up attention, work hard at school and make friendships but she is always on guard, ready to be let down, prepared to fight when she becomes unsure of the situation she is in and then, at times, she will lash out in a totally inappropriate way, mainly towards herself with a heart-breaking amount of self-loathing.
Katy is keen to grow up, at almost 11-years-old she will tell me she is a teenager now and I have to remind her that no she isn’t quite there yet and therefore she can’t have the freedom that some of her older friends do. During these difficult times she will usually start acting in a way that she thinks is adult, trying to control the house and everyone in it. This makes it worse for her because of course we then have to step in and tell her it is inappropriate behaviour and end it. And then the drama she creates when she doesn’t get her way is worthy of a British Soap Award for sure. Bradley still needs to be nurtured at times as if he is at a younger age, due to the neglect in his early years. But with that, we have to teach him that at school he can’t expect a teacher to cuddle him when he is down or help him to get dressed sometimes after swimming or PE. The sense of rejection Bradley will feel from the word ‘No’ will be out of portion to his age but understandable when you know his past. The effect of their early years on their emotions and their understanding of emotions can be still quite staggering for us. It can feel like it is two steps forward and two years backwards sometimes.
“Parenting two kids with such different needs hasn’t been easy at times. With two different parenting skills running simultaneously, I have felt torn in two directions mentally and emotionally”
We reassure and tell her that she is safe, that we will never give up on her and she can relax and start investing in herself and her future. But getting her to relax, behave like a child and allow us to parent her has been a very exhausting experience.
So how do we manage it? Sometimes I have no idea! On some days there doesn’t seem to be a plan that works, so then we climb on board that rollercoaster and ‘oooh’ and aaah’ our way through the twists and turns, at times hoping that we won’t vomit somewhere along the journey of the day until we finally arrive at bed time.
For our son it is totally different. I think, because of the severe emotional neglect and lack of interaction he had in his early life, he is still a little emotionally behind for his age group and it is plain to see at times that he is not too keen to catch up.
Other days they hit the nail on the head and we have a simple day. On these days we can say ‘No’ about something and they accept it, they will fall out and make up and I won’t hear my daughter tell me that she hates me.
Although there isn’t any doubt in how hard he has worked since he came to us two years ago with his speech and his ‘everyday’ skills we can clearly see that he is a little scared to grow up.
Every day we tell our two kids that they are loved, every night, even if they are sent to bed early, we will go up and kiss them goodnight and tell them they are loved. Every time I hear ‘I hate you’ I tell them that’s okay and that I love them, and then, when they are sound asleep I will check on them and remind myself just how completely amazing they truly are.
Both of our two came to us with polar opposite care needs. One we had to help to regress to being a child while the other one had a lot of catching up to do. Parenting two kids with such different needs hasn’t been easy at times. With two different parenting skills running simultaneously, I have felt torn in two directions mentally and emotionally. It has been hard work and I think also confusing for all of us.
With the teenage years looming, bringing with it puberty, first loves and the complication of friendships and many other obstacles I will gladly take these moments of drama and innocence and cherish them while I can.
GSCENE 57
CHARLIE SAYS YOUR PARTY! SOBRIETY SUCKS SAYS CHARLIE BAUER PhD http://charliebauerphd.blogspot.co.uk
) During a bored period, I had to tell people that I didn’t drink anymore. I then had to add that it gave up on me, rather me giving up on it. Just as amphetamines did when I was 22. They just stopped working. I needed something else. I could live with a speed hangover but you have to at least go up first. I mean, I love a party or sex drug, who doesn’t, but since the sex is a bit sparse these days, so are the drugs. However, when I tell people I’m not drinking they automatically assume I’m in some sort of recovery programme, or worse - a 12-step, quickstep along with God (as I know her). I’m going to Hell anyway so make mine a 13-step, I’m sticking with Judas.
It’s here that they are told that they will always be addicts. Then they return back to the world, no longer anxious, just cold to the feelings of anyone else they fall into contact with. Especially those who they sometimes con into a ‘wholesome relationship’. A perfect example is one step which is where you get a random phone call or visit from the past, by someone whose effect on your own life you may still be dealing with - monetary and emotionally. But part of their recovery is to confront people from the past that they have wronged, and make amends. What is built into this is that, when the recipient of this approach tells the recoverer that they hoped they were dead, the recoverer has already been programmed to take any emotion or guilt away from the reaction to any wrongdoing they have done - in order for them to survive.
“Recovery is only about narcissism whereas, when you’re off your swede, you’re the life and soul of the party” So, when one of them says; “I’m really sorry that I burned down the house and killed one of your children and got off with manslaughter because I was, am, a sad alcoholic…” you of course respond, having been newly reminded of the horror you’ve been trying to suppress for all these years with venom and fury. Thus, making you a victim of their recovery. But then the recoverer shrugs, ticks a box that amends have been sought, that they did try and apologise with ‘love’ and that now they can now continue with their life and put it all behind them. Perhaps making a donation to a children’s charity - to make them feel a bit better. I have many friends who have had spectacular drinking and drug careers and continue to do so. I get calls that they’re hungover and if I fancy a sofa and film day. This is what it is, but either way I would never make a judgement on their usage.
Why I prefer addicts to recoverers is quite simple. Recovery is only about narcissism whereas, when you’re off your swede, you’re the life and soul of the party. It may not last but we all appreciate it on your behalf. Recovery only becomes about the self. Twelve-step meetings in church halls are a shared experience but are really only about the individual. The aim of the programme is to keep an individual alive at all costs. I know some recoverers who I’m indifferent to, staying alive because of the havoc they’ve caused. But everything goes on hold for everyone until the addict is ‘better’. This is great, lives are saved, which is what it is all about. I like it when people live. But the real damage happens when, once recovered, these people are let back out into their emotional worlds with a new joie de vivre. There they plod along until they go for their nightly meetings where they are kept in check. Believe me, this is a great thing. People who are damaged (say 98% of us – let’s save the richest 2% for another time) because of the shit that’s thrown at us throughout a lifetime - survival is nothing short of miraculous. The sad part is that the cost of this to their relationships is often worse than if they were still using. Taught to be an uber-narcissist in order to survive leaves their emotional compass spinning. When confronted with difficult real-life issues regarding personal relationships, the recoverer defaults to their new inner programming which is then backed up by a group of anonymous fellow narcissists in a nightly meeting.
It seems that I can only have relationships and friendships with users. If they get out of line, they’ll get a subtle reminder if their behaviour was a bit dangerous, but I would never judge or shame them. That can only come from within. I would certainly never suggest they get their arse into recovery. It all reminds me of one of my favourite quotes from an alltime genius - Marilyn (not Monroe but Boy George’s fellow chanteuse). “Billy Idol’s manager said to me ‘the great thing about you is that you’ve never turned around to the public and said – I’m really, really sorry for being a drug addict’. I’m not. Mind your own business…” I don’t begrudge anyone their recovery but I have to say that my life has been more screwed up by people in recovery than it has by users. Emotionally I’ve been sucked in with their zeal for life only to be met one day by the falling of the emotional iron curtain as they grasp some inner reinterpretation of their life actions. This leaves you reeling. But then, if you are distraught and start wondering yourself what you’ve done to screw it all up, then you’re on the very same page as them. Narcissism as a means to survival. Primal, Darwinian and often fatal.
58 GSCENE
SHARP WORDS SICKLY SWEET DEL SHARP TAKES A TRIP ON THE MERRY-GO-ROUND OF NOSTALGIA ) Sharp Words had a treat today, a Sherbet Fountain! I hadn't seen this pleasurable confection from my childhood for years. It was something of a shock to discover that it didn't cost two pence anymore and the packaging was rigid plastic rather than the soft card tube so that the hard lumps at the bottom could be squeezed. The liquorice was shorter and the sherbet just not as claggy on the back of the throat. There was no delicious fizz on the tongue and certainly not the same taste; however my inner five-year-old still managed to get a powdery face and clothes!
Later I was always peering in the mirror at spots and must have constantly smelt of TCP. I didn't realise that being seven stone wasn't actually fat and I spent too many hours worrying about how I looked in order to be attractive to someone. I'm not sure what I was thinking of - making legwarmers from old jumper sleeves and tying studded belts around my ankles thinking that I looked pretty cool. I cringe at the thought of my teenage self clomping around the streets of the Midlands complete with bleached hair courtesy of Dettol. I thought that bleach for the toilet was the same as for hair, and short-sighted as I am, it's a wonder I have any vision left at all considering how I sat on the edge of the bath waiting to see a change in colour! Duly coiffured and in my rather hideous ensemble it was the biggest thrill of my week to go to the local Women's Centre and try to understand the latest politics around radical feminism and then spend my pocket money on a whole pint in the pub - though I did embarrass myself by once ordering a vodka and orange and expecting there to be two separate glasses! Now I'm more aware that the mere glimpse of Kirsty Wark on Newsnight means I should be in bed and my glass of white should be drained. But on a typical evening when I watch television I could see Morecombe & Wise, The Good Life and of course Dad's Army, which I don't remember ever being off the air, not to mention the 'cheap clips of various decades' type programmes interspersed with comedians I've never heard of commenting on them. I see retro décor, food, music, fashion all the time. I recently had builders in who (loudly) played music on their phones that I was dancing to before they were even teenagers. It's pretty hard to be nostalgic about anything when what we're trying to reminisce about is actually still with us constantly recycled and omnipresent.
“I remember the smell of my nan’s kitchen I would sit in when I was five and how she showed me how to fill in betting slips” Looking back on the things we used to enjoy should be perhaps just that, expecting it to feel, well, just not the same. I also spotted some Parma Violets recently which brought back memories of a sweet shop I used to go to complete with a kind old man and rows of glass jars and white paper bags. He would weigh out a few pence worth of Cherry Lips, Milk Teeth and Flying Saucers while telling me what I had left to spend from my outstretched hand.
“It's pretty hard to be nostalgic about anything when what we're trying to reminisce about is actually still with us constantly recycled and omnipresent” Getting older happens, and is inevitable, but knowing my past is rather longer than my time left alive is actually more than a little sobering. If I sat on my sofa night after night dwelling on the future and wondering why on earth I didn't start a pension and have a career I'd probably get quite depressed - but of course I never do that. Actually being young was pretty fraught anyway, without preparing for the successful life I never quite managed. Look at the time I had my pea shooter when I couldn't work out why the peas got stuck, however hard I blew. It took quite some time to realise there were smaller ones available and I'm sure it was the cause of my respiratory problems!
I may not have the appetite for sweets anymore and no stomach for the offensive stand-up and sit-com fed into the three TV channels we had. Sliced bananas and tinned mandarins in jelly with the top of the milk bottle, whether or not the birds had pecked into it first - or evaporated milk - were the high points of my week. But now I don't eat gelatine and we all know cream is very evil and bad. I don't even like bananas that much really. But we all know Clangers rule. My nostalgia is what wasn't videoed, digitised or captured and indeed much of it I wouldn't want back. On occasion I remember the smell of my nan’s kitchen I would sit in when I was five and how she showed me how to fill in betting slips. My favourite treat was to be trusted with tidying her cupboard full of shoe polish, yellow dusters, laces, turpentine, Duraglit and cloves. I'm not sure how my infantile insistence on how a cupboard should be ordered pleased her but the smell stays with me still. Carrying back shopping with my mum and knocking at the mottled window by my dad’s factory workbench would elicit a swiftly drawn cartoon animal pressed against the glass and can still make me smile. I don't see these images often but when they for no reason pop into my mind they're welcome visits from the past.
GSCENE 59
TWISTED
GILDED GHETTO BY ERIC PAGE
POLICE LGBT
LIAISON TEAM BY PC SARAH LAKER & RORY SMITH
AH NOSTALGIA
WHAT’S CHANGED?
) How from saudade to hiraeth I love to make it up, I manufacture it to the highest grade, my nostalgia is low-fat skinny full colour chromomeric retro-filtered saccharine full-strength caffeine-saturated Thatcherite blissed out, the kind that makes you shudder when you realise that the thin gruel of memories aren’t quite enough and you want the vomit-induced shtick of the old-new-new-old to make you feel lucky that you’ve got some super cheap piece of retro classic plastic trash that’s worth more than your kidneys.
) It seems to me that policemen and women seem to be getting younger every year. I never used to understand what that meant, but I’ve clearly crossed the threshold and I now understand entirely.
They don’t make ‘em like they used to, but I do. I still make ‘em as hard, mean, dangerous, politically incorrect and shockingly additive as they were when you were young, before facepoke corrupted you with an endless diet of nasty flashbacks and emotionally sodden pseudo memories. What you want, what you really really want is that shiver of nauseating Spice Girl period style flashback which makes you grab your sequinned boob tube, third time round drainpipe trousers and over stitched inside out evocative limited production one-off just for one short hallmarked crappy smile. They could see you coming Poppet, and your desperate synthesized need to eat your past and vomit it up as a passé, sideswipe at ironic malfunctioned references and arch undignified grabs at originality stuffed into the donut-shaped hole where your mind used to be. It’s obsessive this sentimental and regretful desire to remould the past from the smug pulpit of experienced present. Why are you homesick for a place you ran away from? Why the yearning and longing for the things which stole your meaning in the first place?
“How can you create your tomorrow when all you want is yesterday’s twaddle? While you are pumped by the out of the control advertising maniacs and their schmaltzy tear-jerking sentimentality, Real Life with its rude, brutal originality goes past you with a shrug. You’ve given up on life, on its hard edges and refreshing challenges, you want the wistful reminiscence of McMemories, pre-masticated, churned up boluses of bathos choking you with the meaningless cud they make you chew. You ain’t no cash cow, where is the bull I hear creaking within the trite cyber labyrinth of reworked, re-imagined, rehashed hash tags? Roar kiddo or they will come for you next! How can you create your tomorrow when all you want is yesterday’s twaddle? When the past is all the present is, where does that leave the future? Nostalgia is the Jimmy Savile of memories, it wasn’t that good, it’s a sleazy liar praying on our star struck dreams. Let’s reject this massproduced nostalgia and get on with the now, the here, the awfulness of now, the drowned children washing up on our shores and breath in passion to make change in our world. Don’t be retro, vinyl or throwback. Stop copying and emulating. Everything is retro these days apart from the prices, and that Dear Reader is the point. So stop manufacturing nostalgia, it ain’t what it used to be – it never even was - just be exquisite and never explain.
As generations come to pass, attitudes and experiences around the police change. It still staggers me to think that the relationship between the LGBT community and the police in Brighton was at rock-bottom as recently as the turn of the 21st century. Less than 15 years ago, Sussex Police were policing against, not with, the community. It is therefore no surprise that some of those who remember this regard the police with such suspicion. Even in this decade, where we now have established liaison posts (like ours), staff associations and reference groups to engage with the LGBT community, not everything is perfect and there is still much work to be done. We still make mistakes and the actions of policing outside of our city affect the perceptions of policing inside the city. I have no nostalgia for the bad old days of policing. I do have hope for the future and the new generation of police officers who have grown up in a society much more accepting of LGBT people and difference.
“I have no nostalgia for the bad old days of policing. I do have hope for the future and the new generation of police officers who have grown up in a society much more accepting of LGBT people and difference” I’ve not yet had the chance to watch the recent ITV mini-series, The Nick, which follows officers and staff based at our station, John Street, Brighton. Hopefully that has helped shed some light on who we are and how we go about our business.
AUGUST STATS ) There were 24 LGBT-related hate crimes and incidents in August. Crimes included malicious communications, criminal damage, stones thrown at people on the beach, neighbour disputes and online hate. There were nine instances of homophobic verbal abuse and comments. There were three ABH and two common assaults/battery recorded. We received a report via the True Vision reporting website and one incident was recorded after we were made aware of it via Twitter.
CONTACT INFORMATION ) We both have Facebook profiles and a page – our usernames are: PC Sarah Laker and LGBT Caseworker Rory Smith, and Brighton & Hove LGBT Police Team. We tweet @PoliceLGBT. Social media should not be used for reporting incidents – please call us on 101, or if it’s an emergency, 999.
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SAM TRANS MAN STEP TO IT! THERE’S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO DO BY DR SAMUEL JAMES HALL ) I’d like to think I’m not old enough to comment on the theme this month. At 45 I feel as though there’s still a lot of wisdom and life experience evading me. On the other hand, I’m definitely more than half way… From a transgender perspective, especially those of us who conform to the gender binary and transition fully from male to female or vice versa, the pairing of ageing and nostalgia can bring up some acutely painful memories and feelings. I think it depends a great deal on the age you are at transition, but the difficulty of integrating one’s past ‘self’ with one’s present or indeed future self is a tricky one. Of course we all have a past, and we all have things we would rather forget about ourselves; things we’ve done, people we’ve hurt, words we long to reclaim and erase from our spoken history. And of course we all have memories we cling to; places we’ve been, people we’ve loved, times we would give anything to go back to. But for a trans person, all of these things, forgotten and remembered, can be tinged with a haze of unreality. I can only speak for myself of course, as everyone’s experience is unique, but I often describe transition like this: I knew myself as a boy in childhood, right up to the moment puberty derailed me and ripped that cosy cloak of denial away, leaving me bewildered and ashamed enough to put myself in a box for a long long time. I feel now, having made the hero’s journey, that I’ve taken off one of those thick rubber masks that look like parodies of Margaret Thatcher. I feel naked; a suit that I wore for years, a clever disguise as a woman, is being slowly removed and I’m being seen as the man I am. I feel settled and comfortable in my skin in a way that I never knew was even possible, and recently, for the first time since childhood, I’m looking in the mirror and recognising myself. I don’t know if this is a shared experience amongst people who are cisgendered, or whether this is a peculiar consequence of transition, but I suspect it is the latter. We all have a job integrating ourselves. We go through different phases of emotional, spiritual, psychological and physical development as we grow older. Some of us have deeply traumatic memories that have caused us to split and partition parts of ourselves away - these parts can be deeply buried and inaccessible except through the deep work of healing that comes with good psychotherapy and/or a healthy spiritual life. To integrate is essential if we are to live full and functional lives, and if we
desire to free ourselves from bondage of our pasts and sometimes the pasts of our forebears. I believe that a ‘good’ transition, by which I mean one that allows a person to achieve inner peace, demands that this work is done. For me personally, it’s meant refusing to shut the door on my past. I’ve found this incredibly difficult at times. There are days and weeks when I cannot bear to be reminded of who I was and how I allowed myself to live, and be hurt, during those years in the closet. I relish being met as a man, not having to worry about people’s inbuilt judgment or prejudice, and it’s tempting to stay in that place. Doing so, however, eventually erodes my sense of integrity. I’m not a man, I’m a transman. I can’t eradicate or ignore my past, and it’s ultimately healthier to acknowledge and embrace my past just as I do my future. I’m blessed to have three beautiful children, and I can’t deny my ‘motherhood’ to them.
“I can’t eradicate or ignore my past, and it’s ultimately healthier to acknowledge and embrace my past just as I do my future” Nor can I deny my friends and family the ‘person’ they knew. Although I’ve a deep and abiding sense of myself, which has been cemented by transitioning to live as male, I’m aware that my loved ones have experienced this change as the emerging of a new and different person. I think this is because so much of who we are is relational. We experience one another in the context of the gender binary. So friends who are female relate to me differently now. It’s more obvious with men though. I’ve been admitted into a privileged place and find myself marvelling at how much more seriously I’m taken. This is a sad indictment of society, that we still have a marked privilege gap, but maybe people like me can use it for good and help to turn this around, even if it’s just in our own environments. I will grow old as a man, and gradually forget what the world looks like from a woman’s perspective. These spaces we occupy are very much embedded in societal values and behaviours, and I’m far more aware of inequalities than I ever was before I transitioned. For trans people, as with others in the LGBT community, there are special considerations and concerns around ageing and infirmity that are perhaps not so obvious to those occupying a heteronormative space. What happens when I grow old? I may be single, I may need medical care or care in my home. Will I be safe? Who will look after me? Of course everyone grapples with these dilemmas, but I would suggest that for trans people there are bigger concerns that run deeper, especially around incongruity of the body. That private space that we only allow our most intimate partners access to, which may or may not be congruous with how we present to the outside world, holds terror for many of us. The sooner we educate the world, and importantly the growing numbers of people who are carers, the safer we’ll all feel. There is, as always, lots of work to do…
WEEKLY MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING meets every SUPPORT GROUP TUESDAY 2.30–5.30PM at For transwomen and DORSET GARDENS female-identified people METHODIST CHURCH Starting September 2015 Dorset Gardens (off St James Street)
CLARE PROJECT
Based in central Brighton, the
CLARE PROJECT WEEKLY DROP-IN is a safe and confidential space to explore issues around gender identity. Facilitated peer support is an important element, as well as providing access to low-cost psychotherapy and speech therapy.
Brighton BN2 1RL
Please see website for further details
Except 1st Tues when there’s an optional meal out preceded by the drop-in from 5–7.30PM
www.clareproject.org.uk f Clare Project clareprojectinfo@gmail.com
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SERVICES
DIRECTORY LGBT SERVICES ) ACCESS 4 ALL LGBT disabled people’s forum. Safe, welcoming, support, activities, awareness. Tel: 07981 170071 or email stevenwithn@talktalk.net
) ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT Drop-in for LGBT or unsure young people under 26, Tues 5.30-8.30pm. Tel: 01273 721211 or email info@allsortsyouth.org.uk, www.allsortsyouth.org.uk
) BRIGHTON & HOVE POLICE Report all homophobic and transphobic incidents to: • The Sussex Police 101 (for emergencies 999) email: LGBT@sussex.pnn.police.uk tweet: @policeLGBT and @pclaker • LGBT Officer PC Sarah Laker on 101 ext 550727 • LGBT Caseworker Rory Smith on 101 ext 550217 or 07775 546548 • Facebook: Brighton LGBT Police
) 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 Phone helpline, hate crime reporting, counselling service, Proud2connect (relationship counselling in partnership with Brighton Relate). www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton • Helpline from 5pm daily: 01273 204050 • Services info: 01273 234009 • email: brighton.manager@switchboard.org.uk • or brighton.admin@switchboard.org.uk
noon–2.30pm, Community Room, Dorset Gdns Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton. Lunch £1.50. Tel: 07846 464384 or www.lunchpositive.org
) 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
) PEER ACTION Regular low cost yoga, therapies, swimming, meditation & social groups for people with HIV. peeractionemail@gmail.com or www.peeraction.co.uk
) RAINBOW FAMILIES Support group for lesbian and/or gay parents. Tel: 07951 082013 or info@rainbowfamilies.org.uk www.rainbowfamilies.org.uk
) SOME PEOPLE Social/support group for LGB or questioning aged 14-19, Tue, 6-8pm, Hastings. Call/text Nicola Tel: 07974 579865 or email Neil or Nicola: somepeople@eastsussex.gov.uk
) VICTIM SUPPORT Practical, emotional support for victims of crime. Tel: 08453 899 528
) THE VILLAGE MCC Christian church serving the LGBTQ community. Sundays 6pm, Somerset Day Centre, Kemptown Tel: 07476 667353, www.thevillagemcc.org
HIV PREVENTION, CARE & TREATMENT SERVICES ) AVERT Sussex HIV & AIDS info service, available by phone Tel: 01403 210202 or email confidential@avert.org
) BRIGHTON & HOVE CAB HIV PROJECT
Info, counselling, drop-in space, support groups. Tel: 01273 698036 or visit www.womenscentre.org.uk
Money, benefits, employment, housing, info, advocacy. Appointments: Tue-Thur 9am-4pm, Wed 9am-12.30pm Brighton & Hove Citizens Advice Bureau, Brighton Town Hall. Tel: 01273 733390 ext 520 or www.brightonhovecab.org.uk
) FTM BRIGHTON
) CLINIC M
Social/peer support group for FTM, transmasculine & gender-queer people. Every 3rd Fri of month, 7-9pm at Space for Change, Windlesham Venue, BN1 3AH. For info email info@ftmbrighton.org.uk or visit www.ftmbrighton.org.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. Tel: 01273 664721 or www.brightonsexualhealth.com
) BRIGHTON GEMS (GAY ELDERLY MEN’S SOCIETY)
Medical advice, treatment for HIV+, specialist clinics, diet & welfare advice, drug trials. Tel: 01273 664722
) BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE
Social group for mature gay men, meet 7–10pm every last Fri of month at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church Hall. Tel: 01273 385000 or info@gems-bh.org.uk www.brightongems.com
) LESBIAN LINK BRIGHTON Local social group offers friendship, social events, meets 1st Thurs at Regency Tavern, 7.30pm. Tel: 07594 578035 www.lesbianlinkbrighton.co.uk
) LESBIAN & GAY AA 12-step self-help programme for alcohol addictions. Sun 7.30pm, Chapel Royal, North St, Btn (side entrance). Tel: 01273 203343 (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. Tel: 0300 999 1212
) LGBT MEDITATION GROUP Meditation & discussion, every 2nd & 4th Thur, 5.30–7pm, Anahata Clinic, 119 Edward St, Brighton. Tel: 07789 861367 or www.bodhitreebrighton.org.uk
) LUNCH POSITIVE Lunch club for people with HIV to meet/make friends, find peer support in a safe environment. Every Fri,
) LAWSON UNIT
) SUBSTANCE MISUSE SERVICE CRI / Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust. Open access drop-in, assessment, support, advice, info on drug & alcohol issues. Tel 01273 607575. LGB&T worker provides confidential, non-judgemental outreach service. Support for people over 18 wishing to address substance misuse. Tel 07717 774 658
) SUSSEX BEACON 24 hour nursing & medical care, day care. Tel: 01273 694222 or www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
) TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST SERVICES For more info about these free services go to the THT office, 61 Ship St, Brighton, Mon–Fri, 9.30am–5.30pm. Tel: 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, sexual health, personal safety. Free condoms, lube, tea/coffee from Outreach van parked next to ‘The Patio’ at the Bushes. • Netreach (online Outreach in Brighton & Hove): info/advice on HIV/sexual health/local services. THT Brighton Outreach workers online @ Gaydar:
Thur 7–10pm, Sat 6pm-12am, chatroom HEALTH INFO THT. • Condom Male: discreet, confidential service posts free condoms/lube/sexual health info to men who have sex with men without access to commercial gay scene in East Sussex. • 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. Pre & post test discussion with clinical staff. Results in an hour. 10 men max tested per session. Mon: 6–8pm. (Full sexual health screen available) • Sauna Fastest at The Brighton Sauna (HIV Testing): walk-in, (no appointment) rapid HIV testing service for men who have sex with men. Pre & post test discussion with clinical staff. Results in 30 minutes. Wed: 6–8pm. (STI Testing available). • Face2Face: confidential info & advice on sexual health & HIV for men who have sex with men. Face-2-face or phone. Up to 3 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. • Lounge (Group for Gay Men Living with HIV): fortnightly peer support group for gay men. • 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, Tel: 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. • Positively Social Informal peer support groups for people living with HIV, monthly meets in Eastbourne & Hastings.
) WARREN BROWNE UNIT Free confidential tests & treatment for STIs inc HIV. Hep A & B vaccinations. Shoreham based. Tel: 01273 461453
NATIONAL HELPLINES ) BROKEN RAINBOW LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline, Mon 2-8pm, Wed 10-1pm, Thur 2-8pm Tel: 08452 604460
) LONDON LESBIAN & GAY SWITCHBOARD Tel: 02078 377324
) POSITIVELINE (EDDIE SURMAN TRUST) Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat & Sun 4-10pm Tel: 0800 1696806
) MAINLINERS Tel: 02075 825226 ) NATIONAL AIDS HELPLINE 08005 67123 ) NATIONAL DRUGS HELPLINE 08007 76600 ) THT AIDS TREATMENT PHONELINE Tel: 08459 470047
) THT DIRECT Tel: 0845 1221200
GSCENE 63
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