Gscene - April 2013

CONTENTS

APRIL 2013 GSCENE magazine

MINDOUT FUNDRAISER @ BAR REVENGE

www.gscene.org @gscene GScene.Brighton PUBLISHED BY Peter Storrow TEL 01273 722457 EDITORIAL info@gscene.com ADS+ARTWORK design@gscene.com EDITORIAL TEAM James Ledward, Graham Robson ARTS EDITOR Michael Hootman SUB-EDITOR Graham Robson DESIGN Michèle Allardyce

FRONT COVER MODEL DJ Lady Lola PHOTOGRAPHY Sam Milford

MINDOUT EVENT @ COMMUNITY BASE NUS PRIDE @ REVENGE

CONTRIBUTORS AJ, Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Suchi Chatterjee, Nick Douglas, Craig Hanlon Smith, Adam Highway, Enzo Marra, Andrew Modd, Rick Moore, Netty, Charles Nyereyegona, Carl Oprey, Rachel Wood, Eric Page, Marcus Patrick, Steph Scott, Del Sharp, Keith Sharpe, Gay Socrates, Brian Stacey, Glen Stevens, Craig Storrie, Duncan Stewart, Mick Sykes, Vron, Roger Wheeler, Mike Wall, Morham White, Kate Wildblood

NEWS 6 NEWS

SCENE LISTINGS 34 Brighton Listings 52 Solent & Bournemouth Listings

PHOTOGRAPHERS

ARTS

Michael Hootman, Sarah Haddow, James Ledward, Sam Milford, Seffy, Momentcatcher mrmomentcatcher.com

58 60 61 62 63

© GSCENE 2013 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.

REGULARS BLAGSS BOWLING EVENT

FEATURES 26 MAGNIFICENT KEUKENHOF James Ledward visits the Dutch Flower Festival

27 ARE WE A COMMUNITY? Adam Highway looks at the Gay Business Forum

28 STUDENT PRIDE National Student Pride report and pictures

30 SUPPORT NOT STIGMA Craig Hanlon-Smith talks to Jayce Carberry about his blog

31 MY TWO DADS Syd and Kevin tell Gscene what it’s like to be foster dads

SUBLINE

Arts News Art Matters Arts Books Classical Notes Film Reviews

55 55 56 57 64 65 66 67 68 69 69 70 71 71 72 73 73

Dance Music DJ Profile: Lewis Osborne Charlie’s Kitchen Come Dine With James Shopping Geek Scene The Man Who...

Craig’s Thoughts Heart & Sole Wall’s Words Gay Socrates Keith Sharpe Guilded Ghetto Choir Boys Charlie Says Transcribe Addicted

32 BLAGSS BOWLING

INFORMATION

The BLAGSS annual bowling event is a huge success

74 Advertisers’ Map 75 Services Directory 76 Classifieds

60 KAROL MICHALEC Graham Robson interviews the Polish born, Brighton based artist

06_News_0413_:Gscene

14:35

Page 6

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

WWW.GSCENE.ORG

EXCITEMENT BUILDS OVER

BRIGHTON PRIDE 2013 BRIGHTON PRIDE ADDS DOGGY PRIDE, PRIDE AT THE FRINGE AND THE PRIDE ARTS & FILM FESTIVAL TO THEIR SERIES OF EVENTS! A FEW 'EARLY BIRD' TICKETS ARE LEFT AT £8.50 • Work is well underway to stage an exciting Pride Festival on Preston Park as well as the colourful LGBT Community Parade that is eagerly anticipated across the city and further afield.

• Artists wishing to apply to perform at 2013’s Women’s Performance Tent on the big day itself at Preston Park can do so via by emailing: wpta@brighton-pride.org

Excitement is building both in Brighton and across the UK as Brighton Pride announces the return of the much loved Doggy Pride on July 28 at the Hove RFC (Shirley Drive, Hove) plus the addition of the Pride Arts & Film Festival to an already thrilling and growing list of Brighton Pride events this year.

• From May 5–26, Brighton Pride also joins the world famous Brighton Fringe Festival with a series of spectacular and exclusive Pride Gala Shows at the Sabai Pavilion, on Victoria Gardens, home of the Lady Boys of Bangkok. Tickets are proving to be very popular indeed. Check Pride’s website for further details: www.brighton-pride.org • Local artists and photographers are gearing up to exhibit their work during Pride’s very own Arts & Film Festival (July 19–August 4) at various pop-up exhibition spaces throughout the city that will showcase Brighton’s rich LGBT art scene. To register yourself officially as an artist, an exhibition space or art retailer during the Pride Arts & Film Festival and create a profile on Pride's website for a small fee, view: www.brightonpride.org

• This year advance sales of early bird tickets for Pride's ‘Icons On The Park’ event on Preston Park on August 3, have been bigger than ever before. There are still a small number of extremely limited early bird tickets, £8.50, from LGBT venues (subject to availability) or £9 online from brighton-pride.org Get your tickets before prices are set to rise to £12.50 from April 7.

For more information, view: brighton.pride.org

KEY DATES • Pride at the Fringe: May 5, 12, 19, 26 • Pride Arts & Film Festival: July 19–August 4.

• Pride weekend August 3 and 4 • Paul Kemp from Aeon Events, David Hill from E3 Entertainments Group and Dulcie Danger from Sauce FM have formed a Community Interest Company (CIC) to organise a two-week Arts & Film Festival and to stage the Pride Festival & Parade on Saturday, August 3, 2013 and the Brighton Pride Arts & Film Festival from July 19 – August 4, 2013.

• £1 per head for each ticket sold is ring fenced for the Rainbow Fund to distribute through their grants program administered by the Sussex Community Foundation to LGBT organisations, along with any profits after operational costs have been taken.

• The Rainbow Fund is administered by the Sussex Community Foundation, and gives grants to LGBT and HIV organisations who deliver front-line services to the LGBT community in Brighton & Hove.

RAINBOW FUND GRANTS PANEL AGREES PRIDE SEED CORE FUNDING

The Rainbow Fund grants panel has agreed proposed funding of £18,000 for the new Pride organisers to seed fund the 2013 event. This has been made possible by the pre-accounts settlement from last year’s Pride event totalling £40,000. The Rainbow Fund has already made a grant of £6,640 following a request to cover the costs of the staffing period from October 2012 until the council announced its decision of this year’s organiser on January 10, 2013. This provided consistency between the two organising groups, giving confidence and stability for the 2013 event during the transition period. Distribution of the remaining funds is currently being considered.

The Rainbow Fund is committed to full transparency in its work and publishes its decisions in an open and transparent way. Payments relating to this funding are made independently by the Sussex Community Foundation, to provide full scrutiny of the grant-making process.

John Summers, Treasurer of the Rainbow Fund, said: “It is in the LGBT community's best interests that the planning and development stage of this year's event goes as well as possible, and this proposed funding will help ensure a smooth and stable development phase.”

RESIDENTS MEETING HOLD A MINUTES SILENCE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSMAN The resident-led community group for the St James' area held its second open public meeting on March 13. More than 70 local residents attended the meeting at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church to hear the progress made since the inaugural meeting in November 2012. At the start of the meeting a minute’s silence was held for Mike Dalley, a champion for the St James' community who passed away recently.

Local hotelier, Nick Head, gave an update on the pedestrian priority possibilities for St James' and reported back on the positivity the proposals had received from council officers and the current administration. The next stage of work will entail consultation with the whole neighbourhood and this will take place over the next few months.

The policing priorities for the area were also agreed at the public meeting, with the police fully endorsing the group as the new Local Action Team (LAT) for the area.

Endorsements also came from the local MP, the Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), the Partnership Community Safety Team (PCST) and local ward councillors The constitution for the group, to be known as the St James' Community Action Group, was formally ratified at the meeting, as was the interim committee, which will now continue in office until the next AGM. Chris Cooke, newly elected Chair, said: "We've made a great start, now we need to maintain this momentum. Working groups are already delivering excellent results and the community is really showing their support. It's also good to see that our voice is increasingly being listened to at a city wide level. For far too long there has been a lack of investment in the area, and this must change. St James' will not be left out, particularly when we have planned developments right on our doorstep (Edward St, Valley Gardens and the Seafront). A very exciting time for our new group. Most important though, is the fact that local residents are taking charge of their own community" CHRIS COOKE

6

22/3/13

If anyone wishes to get involved then they can contact Chris at: chrismartyncooke@yahoo.co.uk The next public meeting will be held on June 12.

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

WWW.GSCENE.ORG

The cardinal, was due to take retirement in March but was forced to resign by the Pope after The Observer newspaper reported that three serving priests and a former priest had accused him in a formal complaint to the Pope's ambassador to the UK of “inappropriate acts” against them in the 1980s,

RUTH DAVIDSON

In the debate for Equal Marriage in Scotland, Cardinal O'Brien had said marriage for gay couples was "madness" and a “grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right". He said if it were allowed, “further aberrations” would ensue and “society would be degenerating even further than it has already degenerated into immorality”.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien was named Bigot of the Year in the Stonewall Equality Awards 2012. Prior to the awards, sponsors Barclays Bank and Coutts Bank, had threatened to withdraw sponsorship from the event unless the award was withdrawn. Stonewall stood firm. On the night of the awards, Ruth Davidson leader of the Conservative party in Scotland was booed during her acceptance speech for 'Politician of the Year'. She said, Stonewall were wrong to use the term “bigot” and that it was important to “respect people who have a different view”. Ms Davidson, one of the few supporters of Equal Marriage in the Scottish Conservative Party, announced she’d separated from her partner of five years last month.

GOLDEN HANDBAGS MEGA QUIZ

Get your handbags at the ready for this year’s Golden Handbags Big Quiz Challenge at Charles Street on Tuesday, April 30. Grab some friends and book in your team for this year's legendary Quiz Challenge which kicks of the voting for this year’s Golden Handbag Awards on Sunday, June 23 at the Brighton Metropole Hilton at 7.30pm. The lovely Lola Lasagne will be your Quiz Mistress for the evening. Businesses, community organisations and groups of friends are invited to enter teams of up to six players.

This year there is an exclusive opportunity to grab yourself the first Golden Handbag Award of the year for Best Quiz Team 2013 - they're like gold dust!

Enter for the challenge, or enter for the framed Handbag, but do support the event as all money raised will be going to The Rainbow Fund - an organisation that gives grants independently to LGBT/HIV organisations providing front line services to the LGBT community in Brighton & Hove. Be among the first to find out about the 2013 awards which take place on June 23. It's a great opportunity for the LGBT community to get together for some fun and some fundraising.

To book your team's place, email: info@gscene.com The event is supported by Charles Street & Envy and Gscene Magazine.

Doors open: 7.30pm, quiz starts: 8pm, £25 per team (all of which goes to The Rainbow Fund), at Charles Street Bar, 8 Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1TA.

In an article, entitled A Matter of Integrity, featured in January's Christianity Magazine, Rev Chalke argues that the Bible paints a far more inclusive picture than many acknowledge. He uses examples from his personal ministry to illustrate how he has become increasingly aware of the suffering of homosexual people within the Church and alludes to cases where long-term exposure to such negative attitudes have impacted people’s mental and physical health. He also stresses, however, that he has arrived at this view not just through personal opinion and experience, but as part of his growing understanding of the Christian Bible.

Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the new Pope for the Catholic Church by the Conclave of Cardinals in Rome last month. He will take the name Francis I.

POPE FRANCIS 1

In a statement issued through the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland and read out at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, the cardinal said: “In recent days certain allegations which have been made against me have become public. Initially, their anonymous and non-specific nature led me to contest them. However, I wish to take this opportunity to admit that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal. To those I have offended, I apologise and ask forgiveness. To the Catholic Church and people of Scotland, I also apologise. I will now spend the rest of my life in retirement. I will play no further part in the public life of the Catholic Church in Scotland.”

The Reverend Steve Chalke, founder of Christian charity Oasis, has called on the entire Church to re-examine its attitude towards homosexuals.

The UK gay humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) is not at all surprised that the new Pope is as homophobic as the previous incumbents.

When a Cardinal in Argentina, he strongly opposed legislation introduced in 2010 by the Argentine Government to allow samesex marriage, calling it a “real and dire anthropological throwback”.

In a letter to the monasteries of Buenos Aires, he wrote: “Let's not be naive, we're not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God.”

Explaining his thoughts behind the article, Rev Chalke said: “It is my duty to ensure that everyone, gay or straight, knows that I believe God is for them. If the Church in this country wants to be at the forefront of delivering social provisions, we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone knows the services we provide are for them.

However, this commitment to inclusion is not just necessary in order to play a role in today’s society; it is, in my view, the most biblical way of mirroring the life of Jesus Christ.”

For an extended version of the article and to access a new online resource centre offering support to gay people who have been hurt by practices within the Church, view: www.oasisuk.org

GEORGE BROADHEAD

CARDINAL KEITH O’BRIEN

The Vatican are conducting an enquiry into the activities of Cardinal Keith O’Brien who has now acknowledged his sexual conduct had fallen below the standards expected of a priest, archbishop and cardinal.

'MORE OF THE SAME' FROM NEW POPE FOR LGBT PEOPLE

PROMINENT EVANGELIST SPEAKS OUT

REV STEVE CHALKE

STONEWALL ‘BIGOT OF THE YEAR’ APOLOGISES AND ASKS FOR FORGIVENESS

He has also insisted that adoption by homosexuals is a form of discrimination against children. This homophobic outburst received a rebuke from Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who said the Church's tone was reminiscent of “medieval times and the Inquisition”.

Reacting to the appointment, George Broadhead, the PTT Secretary, said: “The Argentine President’s comment couldn’t be more apposite. All rational thinking people must have been sickened by the sycophantic coverage by most of the media of the new Pope’s election in which the iniquities of the Roman Catholic Church - the cover-up of child sex abuse, the opposition to the use of condoms, especially to prevent AIDS, the opposition to voluntary euthanasia for those suffering terminal illness and of course the opposition to LGBT rights – were largely ignored. LGBT people face intensified hostility from this vile, reactionary institution.”

7

8

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

WWW.GSCENE.ORG

THE GOLDEN HANDBAG AWARDS 2013

Brighton’s Gay Oscars return on Sunday, June 23 when the Golden Handbags take place at the Brighton Metropole Hilton starting at 7.30pm. Will Joan Bond reclaim her crown as best door hostess? Who will be voted the best bar man this year? And most importantly who will win the coveted prize of Best Club? This year’s voting promises to be the closest for years.

GALA DINNER RAISES JUST UNDER £10,000 FOR THE SUSSEX BEACON GOLDEN HANDBAGS 2012

A celebrity Gala Dinner to benefit the Sussex Beacon and hosted by EastEnders actress and Beacon Patron, Ann Mitchell, at the Seattle Hotel in December 2012, raised £9,898.65. Eighty guests enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a three course meal and entertainment including performances by Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, Miss Hope Springs and Jennie Castell.

Almost half the money raised came from the auction facilitated by celebrity auctioneer, Mark Stacey (from BBC’s Flog It!). Star prizes included: a holiday in Greece, a weekend at a Scottish Lodge, and Dot Cotton’s Handbag (used by June Brown in the BBC’s EastEnders).

Tickets go on sale from April 1 and cost £20 each. There are a limited number of pre-booked tables of 12 for businesses costing £240 which will be released on a first-come, first-served basis. To book your premier table call 01273 722 457 or email: info@gscene.com If you are not on one of the Premier Tables, unreserved single tickets can be purchased from Prowler, St James’ Street. Prowler do not charge a handling fee for this service and all payment must be in cash.

The event will be hosted once again by Lola Lasagne and the line-up of artists appearing will be announced in next month’s Gscene.

LOLA LASAGNE

All profits from the evening will be donated to the Rainbow Fund for distribution to LGBT organisations through the Sussex Community Foundation grants program.

Online voting commences in May. Once again, this year the categories have been adjusted to include recognition of LGBT voluntary sector organisations, LGBT social groups including choirs and sports groups and individuals who make a contribution to the LGBT scene in Brighton & Hove and behind the scenes working in the voluntary and statutory sector. The top five votes in each category will appear as nominations and the top two in each category will receive framed awards on the night.

STONEWALL SILENT AUCTION

CATHERINE BOSWORTH

Stonewall, the LGB equality charity, has announced the listings of its annual Silent Auction to raise funds for its ongoing work. The online auction will include a total of 19 lots such as a box for 12 at the O2 to see pop star P!nk, VIP tickets to the MTV Europe Awards in Amsterdam, a fashion and massage makeover followed by dinner and a shopping trip to Harvey Nichols with a £500 budget.

Catherine Bosworth, Stonewall Director of Fundraising, said: “Money can’t buy some of these experiences and each bid helps support Stonewall’s vital work to improve equality for LGB people in Britain. Some bids are for groups of people – so you can buddy up with your friends or colleagues and send a group bid.”

Bids close at noon on April 11, with winners informed the following day.

For full details and to bid on a lot, view: www.stonewall-onlineauction.com

Simon Dowe, CEO for the Sussex Beacon, said: “The event was a great success and has raised valuable funds for the services we provide for people living with HIV. I would like to give particular thanks to those who donated their time, gifts or auction items to make this event happen.”

The Sussex Beacon is a clinical care centre for men and women living with HIV/AIDS based in Brighton. They have a ten bedded Inpatient Unit as well as Outpatient Services including, Anxiety Management, Sleep Service, Day Service and Women & Families Service.

10

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

WWW.GSCENE.ORG

DRAG IDOL 2013

The south east region's heats of Drag Idol 2013, the nationwide search to find the next big thing on the cabaret scene, will be hosted by Pat Cruise at Charles Street bar in Brighton on Monday, May 27 at 7.30pm and at The London Hotel in Southampton on Thursday, May 30 at 8pm.

Since its conception by drag artist Titti La Camp in 2005, the competition has been a unique opportunity for cabaret acts to reach a wider audience with past winners including Crystal D'Canter & Kelly Mild (CK), Son of a Tutu, Baga Chipz, Tanya Hyde, Kevin Cruise, Mercedes & the Benders, The Fleurettes and last year's winner, La Voix.

BRIGHTON GAY MEN'S CHORUS: CARRY ON CHORUS SPRING JAMBOREE

The Brighton Gay Men's Chorus are holding their annual Spring Jamboree fundraising event on Saturday, April 6 at the Brighton Tavern, Gloucester Road, starting at 3pm. Go along and join the Chorus for cakes, hot drinks and lots of activities including table top stalls, tombola, face painting and a lucky draw. www.brightonfringe.org

LOCAL COMEDIAN ZOE LYONS TO HOST STONEWALL WALK

Zoe Lyons, one of the UK’s top comedians, will host Stonewall’s 2013 Brighton Equality Walk on Sunday, May 5. Zoe, a Brightonian herself, will be at the start-line to spur on the hundreds of supporters raising money for the LGB equality charity’s work to tackle anti-gay

This year's Winner's Prize Package will be worth over £5,000, including paid bookings at all 21 participating venues, an appearance on The Clapham Street Party cabaret stage and the winner will be signed to Refire Management & Events.

TITTI LA CAMP

Titti La Camp, Drag Idol's founder, said: “It's fantastic that the competition is spreading its net even wider and giving more acts more opportunities to shine. Past competitions have produced some fantastic new performers who are now well established on the cabaret circuit - and we think this year will be no exception.”

The south east heats will culminate in a regional final in Southampton at The London Hotel on Sunday, June 9 at 8pm with host Dolly Partem and entertainment from Topping & Butch, before the Grand Final at Two Brewers Bar & Club in Clapham on Friday, June 21.

Drag Idol is open to all entertainers over the age of 18. Drag is completely optional and nudity is forbidden. Entrants must not have regular bookings at two or more of the participating venues. Competitors can enter the competition at more than one venue to increase the chances of the best act getting through to the Grand Final.

For information on venues and how to enter, view: www.dragidoluk.com

PEER ACTION

Local HIV charity group Peer Action, have a packed month of activities for all those living with or affected by HIV. • Low cost yoga, £3, runs every Tuesday with experienced yoga practitioner, Dan. No need to book, just come along to St Mary’s Church Hall, 61 St James’ Street from 6pm. All abilities welcome, mats provided.

AL START BAND

• Mike’s Movie night is on April 12, from 8pm. Movie to be chosen on the night, bring a bottle and snacks.

Making History Now, a live music event at The Brunswick organised by Brighton singer/songwriter, Al Start, was part of B.Right.On festival and LGBT History Month in February and raised £100 for Women's Performance Tent @ Pride. The night was hosted by jazz songstress Nicky Mitchell and featured some of the best bands from the queer music scene: Kenelis, Ari Scott, Al Start Band and We R Bob.

Zoe said: “It’s 2013 – anti-gay bullying in schools just shouldn’t be happening. It’s shocking that young people in schools still have to go through this – and Stonewall’s work tackling homophobic bullying is absolutely crucial. That’s why I’m proud to be hosting this year’s Brighton Equality Walk and I urge lesbian, gay and bisexual people near and far to support this event."

• From Sunday, April 7 at 11am, Phil will be running a fortnightly meditation group at the THT building in Ship Street.

Cost £3, no need to book.

• Lunchtime swimming club continues at the Brighton Swimming Centre on Eastern Road on April 9 and April 23; £4 for one hour session. Meet outside the building at 12.20pm.

MAKING HISTORY NOW RAISE £100 FOR WOMEN’S PERFORMANCE TENT @ PRIDE

bullying in schools.

• Eyes down for Ian’s Bingo night on April 22. Admission is £10, meet inside the main doors 6.15pm for the early session, 7pm for the main event.

• A wide range of therapies, costing just £5 are on offer on April 27 at THT Building, 61 Ship Street.

For more info, view: www.peeraction.co.uk

Now in its tenth year, the walk has raised nearly £400,000 over the years for Stonewall's Education For All programme.

Last year more than 600 people participated raising in excess of £65,000. This year’s walk is on Sunday, May 5.

Zoe, who has a regular presence on television and the club circuit, took to the stage for Stonewall last September as part of the inaugural all-female comedian line-up benefit gig Girls Night Out. That show also raised funds for Stonewall’s Education For All campaign. More than half of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young people experience homophobic bullying in Britain’s schools – and almost all (99%) hear phrases such as ‘that’s so gay’ or ‘you’re so gay’ in school.

For more information and to register, view: www.equalitywalk.org.uk Or telephone: 020 7593 2294

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

11 11

WWW.GSCENE.COM GHOST WALKER WANTS YOUR STORIES

BRIGHTON GAY CHORUS COME OUT TOPS IN MANCHESTER!

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus were crowned winners of the 2013 Manchester Amateur Choral Competition on Sunday, February 24. The chorus beat 17 other choirs from across the UK in the annual contest which is supported by the Co-operative's Community Fund. It was the choir's first entry into any formal competition since appearing on the BBC’s Last Choir Standing television show in 2008.

Cllr Bill Randall, Mayor of Brighton & Hove, was amongst the first to congratulate the chorus. He tweeted: “Many congratulations for winning choral competition in Manchester. More good news for our extraordinary city.”

The chorus are the first gay choir to ever win the annual contest.

Marc Yarrow, Musical Director for Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, said: “We are delighted to have won the competition, and it’s a real testament to how far the boys have come as a choir. Win or lose, I’m also glad of the chance for the chorus to seek opportunities on a national level; competing in this way and getting to see so many other fantastic choirs is definitely of benefit to us and can only make us even better in the future.”

The chorus also enjoyed the opportunity to establish relationships across the UK, and have received messages of congratulations from event sponsors The Co-operative alongside fellow competing choirs from Bristol, Derbyshire, Warrington and Sheffield, including the joint runners up of the contest Vocal Infinity and Hallmark of Harmony.

Nova Evans of Vocal Infinity, said: “I can’t think of any other choir I would rather be beaten by!”

Mary McGuigan from The Co-operative, who presented the chorus with the trophy, said: “We have supported The Manchester Amateur Choral Competition for the last few years and it’s always a great event. The standard of the choirs is exceptional and they travel from all over the country to take part. Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus are incredibly talented, a joy to watch and were worthy winners.

Congratulations to them all.”

The next opportunity to hear the Chorus in Brighton will be Friday 3 and Saturday, May 4 at 7.30pm for their Brighton Fringe Festival show entitled Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus: Douze Points! at the Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton. They will be asking the audience to imagine what would happen should Brighton stage an alternative to the Eurovision Song Contest.

This will be followed by the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus Pride Special Fringe Show at the Sabai Pavilion, Victoria Gardens, on Sunday, May 12.

For tickets, view: www.brightongmc.org (3rd & 4th performances only), www.brightonfringe.org or buy them in person via either the Brighton Dome or Fringe Box Offices.

ADRIAN J ANDREWS

Adrian J Andrews, the official Ghost Walker of Kemptown, is looking for your ghostly experiences to help him write the most comprehensive guide to the hauntings of Brighton’s East End that has ever been attempted.

Adrian says that existing literature and entries on the internet offer only limited help when it comes to researching the subject, so if you have either worked or lived with a ghost, poltergeist or anything else that goes bump in the night or are aware that something unearthly wanders the immediate vicinity, Adrian needs to hear from you.

He is especially interested if your own experiences can be backed-up by someone else who has had a similar encounter of the spooky kind. Adrian said: “Brighton is the second most haunted city in the country; second only to York. Wherever you stand in Kemptown you are never further than 100 yards from the nearest paranormal activity.”

You must be prepared to be interviewed for the book and for a brief investigation of the premises or area to take place (your address will not appear in print).

It’s only the Kemptown area (both old and new) that Adrian is currently researching, so if your experiences are related to this part of Brighton, email: kreepykemptownghostwalks@yahoo.co.uk Or send it to: Kreepy Kemptown Ghost Walks, c/o The Queens Arms, 7-8 George Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 1RH. Don’t forget to include your name and contact details (which will be kept completely confidential).

You can also meet Adrian personally and join his tour of Kemptown every Saturday at 7.30pm from The Queens Arms. The box office opens at 7pm.

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

WWW.GSCENE.ORG

REVENGE RAISE £1,000 FOR MINDOUT

HELPING ME

Since its inception in 2005, the Brighton-based NHS Sussex Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) Service, has dealt with over 3,000 referrals.

Club and Bar Revenge have donated £1,000 to MindOut, the LGBT Mental Health Charity following an evening of entertainment on Sunday, March 3. The amount includes a donation of £209 from Club Revenge.

With help from the national ME Society, the NHS Sussex CFS/ME Service is staffed by a specialist doctor and a multidisciplinary team of six who offer confirmation diagnosis, symptom control and management courses.

ME can follow a viral infection or trauma and affects over 6,000 people across Sussex including a good number in the LGBT community.

Symptoms include profound physical and mental fatigue, concentration and short term memory difficulties along with pain and sleep disturbance.

Gastric and vision problems are also common.

Cllr Bill Randall, Mayor of Brighton & Hove, paid a visit to the MindOut For Each Other Wellbeing Day event held at Community Base at the end of February. The event was staged to mark MindOut broadening their activities outside of Brighton & Hove. Organisations present with stalls included: Lunch Positive (who also provided hot soup and profiteroles for lunch), Allsorts, Sussex Beacon, THT, BLAGSS, the LGBT Liaison Police Team, Pathways to Heaven, Mindfulness Meditation, LGBT Switchboard, Rise, FTM, Time to Change, Brighton Bothways and the Norwich Dandies.

Colin Barton, Chair of the Brighton based Sussex ME Society, was running a successful hotel business in 1981 when he became ill after contracting a glandular fever type illness that he never fully recovered from.

A selection of over thirty prizes were donated by local businesses for a mega raffle and collection buckets were on the doors of both venues over the fundraising weekend.

ANDREW ROBERTS

MAYOR VISITS MINDOUT WELLBEING DAY

COLIN BARTON

Taster workshops included: • Acupuncture, courtesy of Pathway to Health • Mindfulness taster course delivered by Shelia Roche • Painting and posing delivered by the Norwich Dandies For more info about MindOut, view: www.mindout.org.uk

MINDOUT MINDFULNESS DAY FOR LGBT PEOPLE WITH PRIOR EXPERIENCE OF MEDITATION

MindOut, the LGBT mental health charity, has announced that 2013's LGBT Mindfulness Day will take place on Sunday, April 14 at Community Base, Brighton from 10am. The day is intended for LGBT people who have some prior experience of meditation and will be facilitated by Sheila Roche, who has run a number of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy courses for MindOut, which are proven in their promotion of greater calm and self-understanding. There will also be gentle exercises, mediation and the charity will ask how we manage stress and anxiety.Tickets: £20/£10 (concs) To book, email: info@mindout.org.uk or telephone 01273 234839 For more info, view: www.mindout.org.uk

Colin said: “At one stage I was virtually bed-bound and had to be helped around by our elderly housekeeper. I could not function physically or mentally for any useful period of time and had to give up my business when doctors were not sure what the problem was."

For information, view: www.measussex.org.uk Or telephone: 01273 674828

HELEN JONES

12

Andrew Roberts, General Manager at Club and Bar Revenge, said: “We'd like to extend a special thank you to all the businesses that donated prizes as well as everyone who came down to enjoy the food and entertainment. We're extremely proud of the amount of money raised in such a short space of time. Mental health is an issue that can affect all of us, especially those within the LGBT community, who are often left to face situations alone.”

Helen Jones, Director of MindOut, said: “MindOut are delighted that our marathon fundraiser at Bar Revenge went so well.

Many thanks to everyone who donated raffle prizes, the fantastic performers, the people who came and to the Bar Revenge staff, who couldn’t have been more helpful. It’s so important to us to know that the community is so supportive of our work, accessible mental health support has never been more needed.” www.mindout.org.uk

GSCENE 13

BID TO IMPROVE END OF LIFE CARE FOR LGBT PEOPLE

DR KATHRYN ALMACK

The University of Nottingham’s Last Outing project is looking to turn around the discovery that LGBT people have been identified as the most likely group to face discrimination when it comes to end of life care. This finding from consultation for the English End of Life Care Strategy is why the project, led by researchers at The University of Nottingham, wants to gather the experiences and concerns of LGBT people aged 60 and over regarding end of life care, which will be used to inform and improve policy affecting these groups in the future.

The first step of the project, which is funded by Marie Curie Cancer Care Research Programme and is the first of its kind in the UK, is to recruit participants for a survey regarding both positive and negative experiences of support and access to health and social care, as well as the concerns they have about doing so. The project is particularly important as very little previous research has been done in this area. This is reflected by a lack of awareness that end of life care for LGBT people is even an issue.

Dr Kathryn Almack, who is leading the project, said: “This is a chance for people who’ve felt invisible to have their voice heard.

Our research is grounded in improving policy as well as feeding into academic papers. We’ve often found, talking to care providers, they say ‘oh we don’t have any LGBT clients’. But statistics say 5-7% of the population is LGBT. They must be using care services, that suggests they’re not disclosing sexual orientation or their needs are not being met. It’s been suggested that this generation, (60s and over), will be the only generation to have these struggles. But if you look at the debates about gay marriage, bullying in schools, there’s still a lot of intolerance to address. As you age you become potentially less assertive, confident and able to demand that services meet your needs and it’s an issue that needs to be addressed.”

At first, the project needs to recruit participants to fill out a survey regarding their experiences and concerns about accessing healthcare in the UK, as well as information about their support networks. The researchers are looking for: • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans people aged 60 or over • People under 60 who have LGBT partners aged 60 or over • People who are currently living in the UK

Make your Civil Partnership or special celebration truly memorable • A choice of two hotels • The Courtlands Hotel a few minutes walk from the beach in Hove • The Shelleys, an English country hotel set in the heart of Lewes • Fully licensed for Civil Ceremonies • Packages designed to your own requirements

£500 off price on presentation of this advert

The project will run for two years (until August 2014). Following on from the survey, in-depth interviews with 60 of those surveyed will take place to examine the issues raised. There will then be a public engagement workshop to feedback findings and to collaboratively develop recommendations to contribute to outcomes of the study.

To complete the survey, view: www.surveymonkey.com/s/thelastouting

SUMMIT TO DISCUSS CITY’S MOST VULNERABLE

The care of thousands of Brighton & Hove's most vulnerable adults is to be address at the first ever City Summit in June. The event, which will help shape how Brighton & Hove City Council and its community and voluntary partners provide services to around 4,000 residents, will coincide with an update on how Adult Social Care services are performing and will identify successes and outline plans for the future the 'local account'.

While the council has modernised care for adults in Brighton & Hove by handing more control to those who receive care themselves as to what care is provided, the city faces real challenges with the numbers of residents aged 90 or over set to rise by more than 40% over the next decade.

Brighton & Hove City Council's goals on tackling inequality and supporting vulnerable adults to live healthy and independent lives are: • For people to be able to live as they wish, confident that services are high quality, safe and serving their need for independence, well-being and dignity.

• To increase efforts to ensure vulnerable adults are safe in all locations. The council will vet and monitor all providers.

• Key initiatives already delivered include a single Access Point for all social care through one phone number, a Carers Card to offer discounts for carers to use the city’s leisure services from theatre tickets to massage and hair and beauty.

We offer Civil Partnerships and events to themed occasions for the more adventurous with our in-house Cake Designer, Florist, Venue Stylist and Events Planner ready to support you on your big day Please ask for Linda on

01273 738222 or visit: www.courtlandshotel.com or: www.the-shelleys.co.uk

14

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

WWW.GSCENE.ORG

The first Gonorrhoea Resistance Action Plan for England and Wales has been published, and recommends a heightened national response to combating the serious threat posed by the emergence of untreatable gonorrhoea.

The Action Plan was developed by the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP), established by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to monitor the growing global problem of emerging resistance over the last decade in the absence of new therapeutic options.

Gonorrhoea is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in England. In 2011, new diagnoses rose to nearly 21,000, jumping 25% in one year. Over a third of cases were in men who have sex with men, up from around a quarter in 2010. GRASP 2011 data suggest that up to third of reported cases were repeat gonorrhoea infections.

HOVE MP MIKE WEATHERLY VISITS FRIENDS FIRST NIGHT SHELTER PROJECT

Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove & Portslade, has praised the work of local homelessness charity Friends First after he visited the Night Shelter project last month.

PR DAME SALLY DAVIES

Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer, said: “We have seen a worrying rise in cases of drug resistant gonorrhoea over the last decade. Antimicrobial resistance to common drugs will increasingly threaten our ability to tackle infections and the HPA's work is vital to addressing this threat.

As Chief Medical Officer, and with the Department of Health, I am supporting the work of the HPA with my forthcoming annual report Volume Two, which focuses on infections and antimicrobial resistance, and the Department's new UK five year Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and Action Plan.”

PAUL WARD

DR GWENDA HUGHES

The GRASP Action Plan supports the public health control of gonorrhoea, and gonorrhoea resistance, by providing guidance on robust and timely data collection, rapid detection of treatment failures, adherence to management guidelines, and actions to reduce gonorrhoea transmission.

Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of STI surveillance at the HPA, said: “We are seriously concerned about continuing high levels of gonorrhoea transmission and repeat infection, suggesting we need to do more to reduce unsafe sexual behaviour. The GRASP Action Plan advocates comprehensive health promotion programmes to encourage safer sexual behaviour, particularly in higher risk groups such as men who have sex with men, alongside maintaining good access to STI screening and sexual health services.”

Paul Ward, Deputy Chief Executive of THT, said: “The emergence of drug-resistant gonorrhoea poses a very real threat to the gay community, which already has a worryingly high level of infection. It is vital that men are aware of the risks and are armed with the knowledge to protect themselves and their partners.

Condoms are the best protection against gonorrhoea. However, men can carry the infection without being aware and even those who believe they have been safe might have been at risk, particularly through oral sex. Having gonorrhoea also makes it far easier to pick up or pass on HIV. This is why we recommend gay and bisexual men go for a sexual health check up at least once every six months if they are having sex with new or casual partners.”

For more info, view: http://tinyurl.com/GRASP-HPA

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), the HIV and sexual health charity, has launched a new course to support people with HIV, which takes place over seven weeks at the East Worthing Community Centre from Friday, April 12 at 10.30am.

In conjunction with Sussex Community NHS Trust, the free course will help local people living with HIV take control of their health with a Positive Self Management Programme delivered by trained tutors and the chance to meet others with HIV from their community, build support mechanisms, and develop self confidence.

Professor Cathy Ison, lead author of the GRASP Action Plan, HPA, said: “Ensuring treatment resistant gonorrhoea strains do not persist and spread remains a major public health concern. The GRASP Action Plan raises awareness of this important issue and sets out practical, measurable actions to extend the useful life of the current recommended therapies in England and Wales.”

In England and Wales, the risk of gonorrhoea resistance developing in current firstline therapies (ceftriaxone and azithromycin) fell slightly for the first time in five years in 2011. However, cases of treatment failure have now been reported globally and, with no new antimicrobial agents in the pipeline, England’s Chief Medical Officer recently advised government to add the threat of infection resistance to frontline antibiotics to the civil emergencies risk register.

NEW COURSE FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV WILL HELP THEM TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR HEALTH

The Night Shelter project is a joint venture between the churches of Brighton & Hove, which was successfully piloted during February and March 2012, when they offered overnight accommodation for up to 15 guests each night who would otherwise have been sleeping rough during the winter months. Mike met with Serena Crisp and Adrian Willard in Hove to discuss details of the scheme.

Mike said: “I was really impressed by the Night Shelter project. Homelessness is a big problem in Brighton & Hove and I am always amazed by the work that volunteers do to help the vulnerable people in our society.

I look forward to working with the shelter in the future to ensure that homeless people in the city are getting the care and services that they need.”

For more info on Friends First, view: www.friendsfirst.org.uk

Course topics will include the importance of taking HIV medication, relaxation techniques, healthy eating, managing fatigue, and planning for the future.

SUE PETERS

EMERGENCE OF UNTREATABLE GONORRHOEA IN ENGLAND AND WALES

Sue Peters, Regional Manager for THT, said: “Getting diagnosed with HIV is a lifechanging event, and we know many people struggle to cope. The Positive Self Management Programme aims to give people the tools and techniques to manage their condition better, by providing information and advice but also simply by putting participants in touch with other people living with HIV. We are really pleased we can now offer this programme in Worthing, and we’d encourage anyone who is living with HIV to sign up.”

Friday, April 12 at 10.30am (then every Friday after for seven weeks) at East Worthing Community Centre, Pages Lane, Worthing, BN11 2NQ. Contact Sue Sargent for more information, or to book a place: telephone 01273 764223/07917 815875; or email sue.sargent@tht.org.uk

16

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

WWW.GSCENE.ORG

Localgiving.com and Sussex Community Foundation are matching monthly donations made to local charities in Sussex! Beginning at 10am on Tuesday, March 5, monthly donations made to eligible Sussex charities will be matched up to £10 a month for a full year. To benefit the Rainbow Fund, view: http://localgiving.com/charity/rainbowfund

PAUL ELGOOD

Pledging to give a small amount each month to your favourite charity makes a huge difference to their ability to continue the great work they do in your community. Knowing that £10 or more is coming in every month means small, local charities can: • Become more financially sustainable • Plan ahead with confidence • Expand their services to the community Localgiving.com have made it easy to set up a monthly donation. Just click on the Give Monthly button on your charity’s webpage and follow directions.

Paul Elgood, Chairman of the Rainbow Fund said: “This is a great way to get extra funding into our community. You can double up the money you donate, simply by making a regular payment online. Last year we were able to help a range of local LGBT groups and societies working in our community – from Allsorts to Lunch Positive. Your donation will help us do it again this year. We are only able to give out what is donated – there is no magic source for funding these days, so without these donations, the LGBT community groups will lose out. Please make sure you play your part to help our local community."

Localgiving.com often runs campaigns to match donations made through the website, helping local charities and groups to raise even more funds online.

Everyone can make a difference: a £10 donation really matters to a small, local charity struggling to survive – particularly when Gift Aid is claimed. And a matched donation boosts the impact local charities can have on our communities.

• Here’s how match funds work: £10 donation + £10 donation matched by Localgiving.com + £2.50 Gift Aid (For UK taxpayers) = £22.50 After a small processing fee, your £10 donation with Gift Aid means the charity of your choice will receive £21.54! A £10 donation without Gift Aid means the charity of your choice will receive £19.16. Since the first match campaign in May 2011, over £3 million has been raised for thousands of local charities across the UK. For more info, view: www.localgiving.com

HOVE MP NEW PATRON OF SAME SKY

MP MIKE WEATHERLY

Same Sky, a charity that organises arts projects in the local community, has announced that Mike Weatherley, Conservative Member of Parliament for Hove & Portslade, has become one of their patrons. Since 1987, Same Sky have been creating magical, out of this world events with luminous night time parades, fantastical puppets and floats, fire shows and imaginative costumes and concepts.

Mike said: “Same Sky is a fantastic arts charity that I am delighted to be able to support. I have been an admirer of their events for years and am a particular fan of the Burning the Clocks parade. I look forward to working with Same Sky in the future to help promote their events.”

For more info, view: www.samesky.co.uk

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN

The University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada has launched a campaign to raise $5 million to benefit sexual and gender minorities by taking the work of its Institute of Sexual Minority Studies and Services (iSMSS) across Canada.

I AM A POEM FILM

Vince Laws, poet, artist and campaigner, brought his solo exhibition I AM A POEM to Brighton in February at the Jubilee Library for LGBT History Month and inspired the month long B.Right.On LGBT Arts Festival in the process. A short film has been made capturing the excitement of the Launch Day with an interview the morning after. To view: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wycAhMyG 2jk&feature=youtu.be

LGBT HIP MOVES FROM THT TO SWITCHBOARD

The LGBT Health and Inclusion Project (LGBT HIP) will be leaving THT and moving in with Brighton & Hove’s LGBT Switchboard from April 1. Running since May 2011, LGBT HIP is a community consultation and engagement project for LGBT people who live, work, socialise or study in Brighton & Hove. The aim of the project is to engage with local LGBT communities about the provision, planning and evaluation of public services and policies in the local area. Its scope is city-wide and it works to provide a voice for LGBT people in order to bring about positive service improvements.

iSMSS operates Camp fYrefly, which since 2003 has helped more than 500 sexual and gender minority youth find the resilience and skills they need to become future leaders.

Donations will help iSMSS: • Expand Camp fYrefly into a national program; • Expand research programs and services; • Train the next generation of researchers and recruiting master, doctoral, and postdoctoral students from across Canada and the world; • Create an endowment to help support core operating funding.

For more info, and to donate: www.ismss.ualberta.ca/index .htm

PIANO RECITAL TO BENEFIT DIABETES UK

The Brighton Voluntary Group of Diabetes UK will be hosting a Piano Recital by Dave Fischer at St Andrew's Church in Hove on Sunday, May 5 at 3pm.

Tickets: £8 for Friends of St Andrew's; full price adult tickets £10, other concessions £8, children £5.

Contact Ian for more info: call 07931 340783; or email: ian.diabetes.btn@btinternet. com

NICK DOUGLAS

DOUBLE YOUR MONEY TO THE RAINBOW FUND NOW!

Nick Douglas, Coordinator of LGBT HIP, said: “I’m delighted to have been welcomed to Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard. As the city’s only dedicated LGBT community consultation and engagement project, it’s vital for us to have our home in the heart of that community. Switchboard’s long-standing history of serving LGBT people and its ethos of getting LGBT people involved via volunteering is the perfect springboard for the activities we want to develop going forward.

Through its helpline and counselling services, Switchboard has been listening to local LGBT people for decades. Now we can add to its vital work by providing a forum for LGBT people in the city to make their views known and work for change.”

Switchboard has taken on LGBT HIP as part of its on going efforts to increase and improve its services for the local LGBT community.

For more info, view: www.lgbt-hip.org

18

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

WWW.GSCENE.ORG

X Factor finalist, Rylan is the latest addition to the line-up of artists performing at As One In The Park 2013, a new LGBT festival for London, in Victoria Park, Hackney on Bank Holiday Sunday, May 26. He joins Brit nominee Rita Ora, Holly Johnson, Katy B, Union J, Offer Nissim and Skin (DJ set).

As One In The Park, a joint production between Orange Nation and Saturn Star, is the the first large-scale gay festival in London for over a decade, putting the capital in line with other major European cities including Barcelona and Madrid. Victoria Park is firmly established as a prime festival site, and plays host to events including Field Day.

RYLAN

BRIT nominee Rita Ora will be headlining on the main stage performing the three No 1 hits from her No 1 album: Hot Right Now, R.I.P., How We Do (Party) and others including her new single Radioactive.

As One In The Park will feature four large indoor arenas and five additional stages, which will be hosted by some of the world’s leading gay party brands. The Circuit Arena will be presented by international circuit parties, Matinee, WE Party and The Week, while the Best Of British Arena will be hosted by Beyond, Orange, and Salvation. Other brands involved in the event include Delooded, Shadow Lounge, Bearracuda, Madame Jojo’s, FNDHRR, Girl Action, L Fest, Mint, Code, Ku Bar, Rupert Street and Comptons with more to be announced.

A limited number of exclusive VIP Tickets are available for the event. VIP ticket benefits include: Fast Track Entry; complimentary glass of champagne; entry to Shadow Lounge’s Exclusive VIP Village (behind the Main Stage); VIP Bar Table Service; Premium Spirits; VIP toilets.

Craig Elder, from Orange Nation, said: “As the UK’s premier gay clubbing group, we felt it was time that London was no longer overlooked when it came to a major gay outdoor entertainment event. Over a year in the planning we transform one of our most successful club brands As One into a massive outdoor event on one of London’s most loved festival sites, Victoria Park. Orange Nation brings together the cream of London’s gay scene, the world’s most internationally renowned gay brands, and some of the world’s biggest stars. We bring you As One In The Park!”

The Orange Nation is the UK’s largest gay promotions company, a collective of LGBT club promoters who operate large internationally renowned parties including Beyond, We Party and Matinee in venues across London including Electric Brixton and The Coronet Theatre. They also own South London-based nightclub venues Fire, The Lightbox, Area, Protocol and Covert. Orange Nation has a strong history within the LGBT London community as the leading nightlife promotions group and has represented London’s dance scene at events including London Pride (host of the Soho Square Dance Stage) and internationally at events including Barcelona Circuit Festival and at cities including Paris, Ibiza and Rome.

As One In The Park, noon–10pm, Sunday, May 26, Victoria Park, Hackney, London, E9 7DB, (nearest Tube/National rail: Mile End). Tickets £35 (early bird), £75 VIP. For more information, view: twitter.com/AsOneInThePark and www.facebook.com/AsOneInThePark?fref=t

EIGHTY AND STILL GOING STRONG!

A community salutes a Legend - David Raven’s 80th Birthday Celebration Show! Mark your diaries for one of the most special and eagerly awaited community events in Brighton & Hove for many years. Friends, fellow artists and just about everyone who is someone in Brighton will be at the Theatre Royal, on August 18, 2013 to celebrate David Raven’s 80th birthday in grand show business style.

Plans are underway to bring you a first class variety show highlighting David's career and achievements in the company of the artists he has worked with and alongside for the last 60 years. It will be a star-studded evening giving the community the opportunity not only to salute someone who has been a constant supporter of LGBT and HIV causes in Brighton but also to recognise the work and fundraising he has done to help orphaned children in Thailand have a better life.

RYLAN

RYLAN JOINS LINE-UP FOR AS ONE IN THE PARK

David is a Brighton institution and deserves no less. His fundraising is legendary and stars are queuing up to be present in Brighton on August 18 to wish him all the very best not only for what he has achieved already but also for the future.

Tickets costing £24.50, £21 & £16 go on sale on April 15 and all profits will be shared between the Sussex Beacon, a charity close to David's heart and the Rainbow Fund for distribution to LGBT organisations through their grant giving programme which is independently administered by the Sussex Community Foundation. To book tickets telephone: 0844 871 7627

NEW DATES FOR BLACKPOOL PRIDE

Blackpool Pride 2013 is being re-launched on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 in an effort to attract more families to the event.

Since 2006, the event has been held as a street party, but this year it’s moving to the Winter Gardens as a free, two day indoor event, with party venues, information services, an LGBT market place, restaurants and cafes.

There will be a variety of entertainment in the Theatre Bar of the Winter Gardens on the Saturday, and an afternoon tea with show tunes at The Pavilion Theatre on the Sunday. Plans are underway to host a parade along the Promenade to the Winter Gardens via the North Pier.

Kath Smith, Chairman of Blackpool Pride Festival, said: “Blackpool Pride Festival will promote inclusion, equality and diversity, enhance education and eliminate discrimination in relation to LGBT people across Blackpool and the surrounding areas. We also want to push the festival further into the public domain, generating tourism, increasing Blackpool’s local economy as well as encouraging local businesses to work with us to complement and support each other. Pride events primarily target an LGBT audience but we also want to engage with their families and people of all ages, giving us a wide spread appeal. Our aim is to target them locally, regionally and nationally, ideally attracting people from major cities as well as neighbouring towns, encouraging them to stay over in Blackpool.”

“We want Blackpool Pride 2013 to be the biggest and best Pride festival Blackpool has seen and we would like to see as many people as possible involved. Our success relies on the wider community engaging with us so we can deliver a fantastic and enjoyable Pride Festival 2013.”

To get involved in Blackpool Pride 2013, contact CEO Tim Allan: tim.allan@blackpoolpridefest.com For more information, view: www.blackpoolpridefest.com or www.facebook.com/blackpoolpridefest; or Twitter: @bpoolpridefest

20

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

WWW.GSCENE.ORG

MIKE DALLEY R.I.P.

SIMON BURGESS

MIKE DALLEY

Mike Dalley the owner of Cardome, the greeting card shop on St James’ Street, passed away last month after a short illness. Mike was passionate about Brighton and especially about living and operating his business in St James’ Street, part of the ‘gay village’. First and foremost Mike believed and supported the concept of community and gave short shrift to those who he felt did not ‘get it’.

James Ledward, editor of Gscene, said: "Mike was old school and told it exactly as he saw it. This would sometimes upset people.

He did not care and that was his most endearing quality. When I went to see him in the hospital, he was clearly losing the will to fight on. When I left him, the last thing he said to me was to make sure that the police stopped cyclists cycling down St James’ Street the wrong way. Something he felt passionately about. Right to the end and when he was in great pain his main concern remained about making the ‘gay village’ and the community where he lived, a better and safer place for people to be. I liked and respected Mike a great deal. He was a great fighter for this community" Simon Burgess, former Leader of the Council and former chair St James' Area Action Group, said: “Mike was an extraordinary character known throughout St James' Street and beyond, he could always cheer up a room with his naughty grin or a caustic remark. He was a real community-minded business person. Few people do so much for those around them, for instance there would never have been Christmas lights in St James' without him. I can't quite imagine life without his Facebook comments - a truly wonderful person."

Johan van der Merwe, local hairdresser and friend, said: “We’ve lost a dear friend and true campaigner for the St James' area. Mike worked seven days a week in his two shops, and then found the time to sit in his favourite chair in the Townhouse restaurant, reading the paper and chatting to all who came in. Many popping in just to see Mike. We would sit and discuss politics, Pride and community issues. Mike's vision was always to make St James' Street a destination rather than a bus thoroughfare. We will continue with his dream and make this the wonderful area what we all believe it can be. As we know Mike's big issue was cyclists on the footpath and cyclists who cycled the wrong way down St James’ Street.

I think we will win this battle in his name. Perhaps we should introduce the ‘Mike Dalley cycle path’, to allow all to travel safely on the streets. Mike, we will always love you."

GREENS SAY NO TO BEDROOM TAX EVICTIONS

CAROLINE LUCAS MP

The Green Party in Brighton & Hove have announced their opposition against the 'bedroom tax' proposed by the Government, which would see those deemed to have one spare bedroom in a council or housing association home face paying £728 extra a year.

Caroline Lucas, Brighton Pavilion MP, has been in the forefront of opposition to the proposals in Parliament. Together with the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru, she has chosen the bedroom tax as the subject of an opposition day debate. Caroline said: "The so-called bedroom tax legislation is not only morally wrong and a cause of great potential hardship, it is also unworkable in a city with a long waiting list for smaller properties. The Council cannot downsize households on the scale required by the Government, nor would we want it to, and we should not be prepared to evict hard-pressed families, the disabled and other vulnerable people purely because they are unable to pay this unjust levy on a home they either cannot or should not have to leave.”

Cllr Liz Wakefield, Chair of the Housing Committee, said she hopes to bring proposals to the next housing committee on May 8. “As Greens, we cannot throw people out onto the streets just because they're unable to pay it. I will therefore be bringing proposals that seek to ensure no household will be evicted from a Brighton & Hove City Council owned home as a result of ‘spare room subsidy’ rent arrears accrued solely from that household's inability to pay this unjust bedroom tax.”

GARY TUCKER 12.02.68 – 28.02.13

Gary Tucker, a Brighton scene regular for more than 20 years, was tragically killed after the car he was driving was struck by an ambulance en route to an emergency call on February 28.

Originally a dispensing optician, Gary then pursued a career in property, buying, renovating and renting flats in the Brighton area. He also ran the two seafront kiosks in Seaford for several years and it was his friendly, outgoing personality that helped transform them into local meeting places for the community.

At weekends he would be a regular face on the Brighton scene with weekly trips to the theatre; he was known by a great many people and could regularly be found in Betty La La’s in St James Street, entertaining friends.

Kevin James, his best friend of 22 years, said: “Gary was really funny with a great sense of humour. He was the type of person who would light up a room when he walked into it. He was so caring and kind and very loyal.”

All who knew him will sorely miss Gary’s colourful, witty personality and the loss is all the more painful due to the tragic circumstances in which he died.

He was devoted to his mum who said: “He was a wonderful, loving, kind and caring person and the best son that anyone could ever wish for. Everyone who knew him will miss him dearly. He was my world and I cannot even contemplate a future without him.”

Gary was cremated on February 15, 2013 and a memorial event will be held in the near future. For condolences and memories, view: www.facebook.com/RememberingGaryTucker

GSCENE 21

We are an independent LGBT Forum working with the Community to address and improve safety issues in Brighton & Hove. We hold quarterly public meetings.

Please sign up for our news letter at: www.lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com/newsletter

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA & TRANSPHOBIA

IDAHOBIT FRIDAY 17 MAY 2013 We invite you to join us on this important day!

For more information please visit our website:

lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

WWW.GSCENE.ORG HOVE CARNIVAL KEMPTOWN MP IS BACK, BIGGER LOBBIES FOR RUGBY AND BETTER WORLD CUP MATCH CLAIM ORGANISERS The Martlets Hospice, a charity providing end of life care to adults with terminal diseases, has been announced as this year's co-organiser of Hove Carnival, which will take place Monday, May 27 at Hove Park from noon.

BEAR WEEKENDER RETURNS TO BRIGHTON

Brighton Bear Weekender is back for its third year, of fun, frolics and raising money for the Rainbow Fund from Friday 28 to Sunday June 30. The Rainbow Fund make grants to LGBT organisations in Brighton & Hove through a grants programme managed by the Sussex Community Foundation.

Last year the Bears raised £1,352.83 for the Rainbow Fund and they had a BEARtastic time raising it.

After the growth in numbers the Brighton Bear Weekender achieved last year, the organisers have been working hard on delivering another action packed weekend with lots of hair and happy times. The program includes the return of Come to Daddy at Envy above Charles Street; A Brighton Bear Weekender Picnic with Lunch Positive; a Welcome Night party with MysTerry at 112 Church St; the Bear Cave at Subline and Bear Shaft Disco at Legends.

Two very different Sunday roasts are on offer: an Alternative Sunday Roasting at The Brighton Sauna or Mark & Jay's Sunday Roast at The Camelford Arms followed by a bit of a Bear Bash on the Sunday afternoon at The Camelford Arms which includes a raffle with faBEARlous prizes, followed by drinks at Legends. The weekend ends with Cum in Your Pants (Underbears) at Subline. For the hardcore people there is a Pie & a Pint Farewell Lunch at The Camelford Arms on the Monday July 1.

On their website, you can buy an optional wristband for great club entry and drink discounts all weekend. They’re also selling Brighton Bears Weekender T-shirts and limited edition Brighton Bear Weekender hoodies, both with this year’s logo.

Alongside Hove Lions, the hospice has organised all your carnival favourites, including a Fair, Punch & Judy shows, swing boats and a Big Top, which will feature a programme of local bands.

The main arena will have a rolling programme of events, including a falconry display and the annual dog show. Visitors will also be able to get up close to other animals including owls, donkeys and a cheeky goat called Ruby.

For younger visitors worried about their own cuddly animals, St John’s Ambulance will be on hand running a Teddy Bears Hospital.

Railway lovers will be spoilt for choice as Hove Park’s miniature locomotive be running. Pick up golfing tips from the experts at Lewes golf club or get your hands dirty planting up pots with Mayberry Garden Centre. For Hove’s bakers there will be a chance to show off in the ‘Bake Off’ tent, and there will be stalls offering crafts, homemade produce, things to see and do, and refreshments.

Brighton Bears Weekender is on June 28-30.

For more information, view: www.brightonbearweekender.com Or visit Facebook: www.facebook.com/brightonbearweekender

KEMPTOWN CARNIVAL

This year's Kemptown Carnival will take over the heart of Kemptown village with exotic rhythm and music on June 1. Last year over 20,000 people attended the carnival, which is funded by local sponsors, the community and is reliant upon teams of dedicated volunteers. Mat Cook, Festival Director, said: “This year's carnival will once again have something for everybody: 4 stages with performances from the best in Brighton; break dancing to children's entertainment; market stalls to a Parade of Flowers. It's going to be a stellar year.”

More info will be released at the Launch Party, tickets can be bought from Concorde 2, or view: www.kemptowncarnival.com

The finale of the carnival will be a memory balloon release. Each balloon will be £2 and you can add your own message.

Tickets for the Big Top are £2 from the Fringe website, or £2.50 on the day. All proceeds will be split between the organisers.

To purchase advanced tickets, view: www.brightonfringe.org For details of all acts, view: www.themartlets.org.uk/home/ index.html

AT AMEX STADIUM

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has written to the International Rugby Board (IRB) in support of Brighton’s bid to be a host city for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Mr Kirby has been a vocal supporter of the bid to host tournament matches at the Amex Stadium in his constituency. The stadium has been chosen on a shortlist of 18 possible venues, which is due to be narrowed down to 12 by the 2015 organising committee in the coming days.

The preferred list of 12 venues will then go forward to the IRB for ratification by the end of March.

Although the preferred list of venues is yet to be announced, Mr Kirby has taken the proactive step of contacting the Chief Executive of the IRB to make the case for Brighton’s bid in the event that it does go before the international body for approval.

Simon said: “I’ve gone to great lengths to make the case for Brighton’s 2015 Rugby World Cup with the organisational bodies in this country.

Although a decision on preferred venues is yet to be made, I am confident that Brighton has made an excellent bid and it will be considered very strongly. In light of that fact I have contacted the IRB in support of the bid, as they will ultimately have the final say on the venues that are selected.

MP SIMON KIRBY

22

“I know that Brighton is up against some strong bids, but I am confident that the appeal of the city and the facilities available at the Amex will present a very strong case to both the RWC organising body and the IRB. We are now very close to final decisions, and I know that my constituents will be joining me in hoping for a successful outcome for Brighton.”

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

GSCENE 2323 23

WWW.GSCENE.COM

GAY CLASSIC CAR GROUP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

The GCCG started informally in 1988 when a few classic car enthusiasts decided to go on a run from London to Brighton. Most of the founding members are still around today. During the 1990s the club grew steadily to a peak of around 150 members, and with the advent of electronic communications, membership has increased at a rate of 10% per year over the last five years.

The GCCG held nearly 40 events around the UK in 2012. Historic properties across the country were visited including Homewood in Surrey, Hughenden Manor in Buckinghamshire and Broughton House in the Midlands. Several weekend-long trips included a weekend in the Lake District, Easter weekend near Paris, and 10 days in northern Spain. Finally, to expand their repertoire, 40 members enjoyed a day out on a 1963 AEC double-decker bus.

GAY CLASSIC CAR GROUP

Over in Wales a visit to the National Botanic Gardens was enjoyed despite poor weather. Way up in Scotland several members went along to a historic vehicle gathering. Twenty members attended both the Austin Morris Day at Brooklands and the Ford National at Beaulieu. In the Midlands, at the annual BMC and BL rally in Peterborough, they had a stand in the winners’ enclosure and displayed 33 cars. A first for the GCCG was the well attended Classic Car Fix-it session held in Essex.

GCCG has a total of 800 members; and while owning a classic car isn’t obligatory, most own one classic car while some own up to 10. The oldest car is a 1905 Berliet, but like their owners, these cars vary in age, condition and performance.

In addition to its program of events it produces a high-quality quarterly magazine, Big End, a monthly email bulletin, All Torque, and maintains a website.

GCCG is run by a committee and also has a number of regional organisers spread across the UK who assist with and host local events and meetings. Internationally, strong links are maintained with sister clubs in France, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, and Australia.

For further information, contact the GCCG at: BM Box 5901, London, WC1N 3XX, email: press@gccg.org.uk or view: www.gccg.org.uk

An event to recognise and thank the volunteers who support Brighton & Hove City Council's Tourism & Leisure Delivery Unit took place on Monday, March 18 at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery at 5.30pm.

The event, which formed part of Brighton & Hove's participation in English Tourism Week, gave thanks to over 200 volunteers who work in a variety of roles, including VisitBrighton Greeters, who welcome the many visitors to the city each year, Royal Pavilion & Museum attendants and gardners, Volks Railway workers and leaders of 'Healthwalks' and fitness sessions.

VISITBRIGHTON TALKS SHOP AT INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOW

VisitBrighton Convention Bureau, an organisation promoting Brighton & Hove as a place to hold meetings, conferences and business events, used the city's independent credentials to theme its exhibition stand at industry trade show International Confex at the London ExCel Centre on March 19–March 21.

Brighton boasts over 500 independent retailers within a half-mile radius, including boutiques and quirky shops.

To reflect the vibrant and innovative nature of the city, the bureau created a conference supplies store as part of their stand, which featured branded goods from some of the city’s independent retailers, giving their stand a real Brighton twist!

Geoffrey Bowden, Brighton & Hove City Council’s Chair of Economic Development and Culture Committee, said: “This is a great concept and a brilliant example of one of the ways VisitBrighton works with partner businesses to promote the best of the city.”

The city's Mayor, Cllr Bill Randall, was in attendance, and guests had the opportunity to see the Barbara Hulanicki Biba & Beyond exhibition, which is on show in the museum until April 14, as well as getting an exclusive preview of the new 'Chilled to the Bone: Ice Age Sussex' display before it opens to the general public.

CLLR GEOFFREY THEOBALD

The Gay Classic Car Group (GCCG) is celebrating its 25th anniversary during 2013, and is planning a bumper year of events. All 14 local areas around the country are planning laying up lunches, and they will staging unique, special surprises to celebrate the anniversary.

The peak of the celebrations will be Eurotour hosted in Wiltshire in May. Bookings for the event opened in October and all 225 places sold out within one week. This event will see members from the UK joined by classic car enthusiasts from Holland, Germany, France, Spain and the USA.

B&H COUNCIL THANKS TOURISM VOLUNTEERS

Geoffrey Bowden, Chair of Economic Development & Culture Committee, said: “This event was to say thank you to the unsung heroes and heroines who play a vital role in delivering tourism in so many different ways across the city.

We’re very lucky to have such a dedicated team and their expertise and passion contribute greatly to the attraction of Brighton & Hove as a destination.”

The Green administration has plans to close the main tourist information centre next to the Royal Pavilion in Brighton to save money.

For more info, view: www.visitbrighton.com/conf erences

The Green administration plans to close the city's main tourist information centre by the Royal Pavilion to save money.

24

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

WWW.GSCENE.ORG

CITY CLINICS OPENS A NEW BRANCH IN BRIGHTON City Clinics, the first international sister branch of the highly commended City Klinikka of Helsinki, Finland, has opened at 10-12 Sensor House, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 3HP.

City Clinics have been pioneers in the cosmetic and aesthetic industry for nearly two decades. Their doctors deliver unparalleled standards of work and are your first part of call when considering any form of treatment, including mole removal and teeth whitening, through to toxins and complex surgeries. The City Clinics team is a really approachable, relaxed group of people with a humble, warm, approach when dealing with people, their issues, queries and concerns.

The clinic boasts the top-end use of equipment and have just had delivered from Europe the Zerona laser, which helps shed those love handles, the bits that will not shift no matter how many hours you spend on the treadmill! This non-surgical and pain-free cold laser comes in 1 hour sessions and breaks down the subcutaneous fat tissue with the cold laser light which reduces the fat and contours the body shape. Clinically recognised and proven, the Zerona laser gives similar results to surgical liposuction, but it is non-invasive and there are no side effects. City Clinics is the only place south of London to have this piece of equipment. Be one of the first to benefit from this revolutionary treatment.

Twelve sessions would normally cost £1,499, however for a limited time this will be £399 for six 1 hour sessions.

Having just opened their first international clinic by The Level, City Clinics are there to help and provide the people of Brighton with everything cosmetic at a fair price, and for their first month of trading, they are discounting many of their procedures. To see the full range of services, view: www.city-clinics.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/cityclinicsuk or telephone: 01273 683387 to book a free consultation.

BIG HAIR AND BIG HEARTS RAISE FUNDS FOR DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

BILLIE LEWES

Last month, Musical Director Josh Mills took his production of We Are What We Are (Not Just Men In Tights) to a delighted sell out show at the Underground Theatre, Eastbourne, with the help of some friends. Their aim was to raise funds and awareness for the life-limiting condition that only affects males with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The show featured many of the classic musical and show tunes, all with a twist, many lyrics had been re-written, for this outrageous adult comedy evening. The event was hosted by the divine and statuesque (6'6'' in heels) Billie Lewis, and included plenty of audience participation. Maisie Trollette gave a star performance to much applause and laughter.

Individual numbers varied from Eartha Kitt, Adele, Wicked, A Chorus Line, Annie, Les Miserables and many more, all with the hilarious style of 'Forbidden Broadway'. The ensemble ended the evening with an Abba medley, written especially by Josh Mills, to include a musical overlay of One Singular Sensation.

The performers raised £685 for their chosen charity, and would like to thank everyone for their wonderful support. Let's hope it's not long before we get to see this show in Brighton!

MIAMI BEACH TO STAGE 2017 WORLD OUTGAMES

Miami Beach, Florida, will host the World Outgames in 2017 following a vote off last month with the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik. The decision was made in Antwerp, Belgium by a committee of the Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association (GLISA) in the presence of Mrs Matti Bower, the Mayor of Miami Beach, and Mr Jon Gnarr, the Mayor of Reykjavik. Mayor Bower said: “The selection process required a lot of effort, the visit in Antwerp has been very exhilarating, and we are ready to put on an amazing event in 2017.”

Paul Burmmitt, Chair of GLISA's site committee, said: “Our members had to choose between two fabulous cities this evening. Miami Beach and Reykjavik are very different from each other but each is equally exciting in its own way. By winning the 2017 World Outgames, Miami has beaten fierce and worthy competition from major cities around the world. It is wonderful that such influential cities support our endeavour of raising human rights issues through sports.”

He added: “It was a very inclusive and democratic decision-making process, with members connecting by video conference from as far afield as Australasia, Mexico, and Tonga. We’re thrilled that Miami Beach and the voters are offering us the opportunity to organize the World Outgames in the United States. Miami is a particularly important place for us to be raising gay, lesbian and bisexual human rights issues because of its strong links to Latin America and the on-going political discourse within the US itself.”

The first World Outgames were held in Montreal in 2006 and attracted more than 12,000 participants. The event was based on three components: Sport, Culture and Human Rights. The second World Outgames were held in Copenhagen in 2009. The next Outgames will be held this year in Antwerp, Belgium from July 31 to August 11.

GLISA was established in 2004, and is a democratically governed, international association of sport, culture and human rights organisations that work for LGBT people. Their mandate is to support and grow an international LGBT movement by organising continental associations, continental Outgames, and global World Outgames every four years.

The Crown & Anchor, launch party, February 2013

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

GSCENE 2525 25

KEITH VISITS ALLSORTS

CAROLINE LUCAS, PETER TATCHELL & KEITH AT BRIGHTON PRIDE

WWW.GSCENE.ORG

FROM BRIGHTON TO BELGRADE: GAY RIGHTS IN EUROPE

BY KEITH TAYLOR, MEP FOR THE SOUTH EAST OF ENGLAND

This decision didn’t just happen overnight. It’s easy to forget when we celebrate this victory that we stand on the shoulders of many giants who have fought for equal love over the years. Indeed it was within my lifetime, in 1967, that ‘committing homosexual acts’ was decriminalised. For anyone unlucky enough to be gay in Northern Ireland the law only changed in 1982.

LGBT young people continue to have a tougher time at school than their straight counterparts with 55% of LGB young people experiencing homophobic bullying at school, and 96% saying they hear words like 'poof' or 'lezza' in the classroom.

Allsorts provide an incredible service to young people in Brighton. They have ‘drop-ins’, trans groups, support sessions and more. When I met them earlier this year I couldn’t help but compare the incredible safe space they provide to the lack of legal and cultural acceptance of gay people in other parts of our continent.

Last summer I witnessed first hand a stark example of the difficulties facing LGBT in Europe. I travelled to Serbia to be part of their ‘Pride’ celebrations.

Unfortunately, and in stark contrast to Brighton’s vibrant parade on the city’s streets every August, the Belgrade version was held behind lines of riot police, indoors. This was after the police banned the march following threats of violence from the far right. Being gay in Belgrade isn’t easy.

POLICE GUARD ENTRANCE TO BELGRADE PRIDE

In February, members of the UK’s Parliament took the huge step of passing legislation that will allow two people of the same sex to get married. It shouldn’t have been a radical step, but it was. Indeed it’s a step that, less than a lifetime ago, was utterly inconceivable and, to the next generation – in this country at least – will be seen as coming remarkably late. The moment couldn’t have been better summed up than it was by Gary Dunion, one of the editors of the blog Bright Green Scotland. He tweeted: “Remember when you had to prove to the Government that you and your partner’s genitals were different before you could get married? That was weird.”

BARONESS WOOTON

Perusing the House of Lords debates from 1967 gives an insight into just how far acceptable attitudes have changed. Lord Rowallan, the ex-Governor of Tasmania, feared the worst when it was suggested that gay sex should be decriminalised: He said: “Are we to sit idly by and watch the increase of homosexuality among the young people? Or are we to say: ‘No; the evil-doer must suffer as the innocent must be protected?’”

Baroness Wooton, one of the first women to ever sit in the House of Lords, summed up the attitudes of those opposing the reforms at the time: “I can only suppose that the opponents of this Bill will be afraid that their imagination will be tormented by visions of what will be going on elsewhere.

Surely, if that is so, that is their own private misfortune, and no reason for imposing their personal standards of taste and morality on the minority of their fellow citizens who can find sexual satisfaction only in relations with their own sex.”

Of course times have changed since then. We’ve seen laws passed to ban discrimination against gay people, LGBT people are given protection under hate crime legislation and the abominable Section 28 – which banned the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality in schools – has been scrapped. But, having patted ourselves on the back for our progress, we must remember the struggles still faced by LGBT people, both in the UK and abroad.

On a snowy day in January I visited the amazing Allsorts project in Brighton.

This group, who support and empower LGBT young people across the region, serves as a reminder of both how far we’ve come and the distance we still have to go. Take for example their great work in schools, raising awareness of LGBT issues. Until 2003 this kind of work might have been illegal under the dreadful Section 28. We should, therefore, celebrate the freedom they enjoy in doing their work but also note the constant need for this kind of awareness raising.

Similarly the route to equal love for LGBT people in Poland looks long and thorny. Article 18 of the country’s constitution ominously states that marriage is a union ‘between a man and a woman.’ In January, Polish law makers voted down three proposed laws on civil unions for unmarried couples whether gay or straight. Recent debates in the National Assembly, including a remark from an MP who said homosexual relationships are “hedonistic and auto-destructive for partners and their families”, reinforce the fact that a broad acceptance of gay rights in Poland is still a long way off.

Yet despite the struggle of our LGBT brothers and sisters across Europe, the progress we’ve made in the UK, from changes in the law to the superb work of organisations like Allsorts, should encourage us. We cannot afford to rest on our laurels, or spend our time preaching to ‘bad apples’ abroad while LGBT people in Britain still face prejudice and persecution, but we should celebrate our victories, often forged in long struggles against entrenched power. Indeed if the gay rights movement in the UK has taught us anything it is that bigotry is never set in stone.

bulb flower mosaic showing Big Ben and Tower Bridge.

Last October the last of the 60,000 bulbs creating the mosaic were planted by Paul Arkwright, HM Ambassador to the Netherlands. The mosaic measures 13 x 33 metres. The Juliana Pavilion will house the My Great Garden exhibition, highlighting the best in British gardening and landscaping and produced in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society. In 2012 more than 70,000 British visitors visited the festival.

MAGNIFICENT KEUKENHOF! James Ledward visits the Dutch flower fields

The Keukenhof Flower Festival is staged annually in a small town called Lisse, 21 miles south west of Amsterdam. If you arrive to Schiphol airport there is a regular bus connection (bus No 58) to the festival grounds. You can buy tickets for the bus at the airport.

Keukenhof is set in 32 hectares of beautiful parkland surrounding Castle Keukenhof. The Flower Festival, first organised in 1949, quickly became an annual event, and is today one of Holland’s biggest tourist attractions.

Over the last six months, seven million, yes seven million, bulbs have been planted ready to flower from late March to mid-May. At different times over the next three months you will be able to see magnificent giant

tulips, daffodils, amaryllis, hydrangeas and roses to mention just a few, flowering in the spectacular natural setting of the parklands that make up the festival’s site.

Each year the festival is themed. For the last decade a different country has been chosen each year to be the focus of the festival. In 2012 the theme was Poland, in 2013 the theme is United Kingdom - Land of Great Gardens and the central attraction will be a

BIG BEN & TOWER BRIDGE

When I was young, every spring I promised myself a trip to the Dutch flower fields, but never quite managed to find the time. Last May the opportunity came to visit the Flower Festival at Keukenhof in the south of Holland. For someone who is not a ‘flower queen’ it turned out to be one of the highlights of my travels in 2012.

The festival opened its gates on March 21 and runs till May 20. The bulb fields are open daily, Sunday and Bank Holidays included, from 8am–7.30pm. The ticket office closes each day at 6pm. The best times to visit to avoid the crowds and see the daffodils and hyacinths in bloom is late March to early April. You can see the giant tulips flower in late April and early May but beware, the queues during these prime weeks can be long and uncomfortable.

Entry to the park is 15 euros for adults and seniors and 7.50 euros for children (4-11 years old). An annual pass is available for flower lovers who plan to visit at least three times in the same season, costings 45 euros for adults and seniors or 17.50 euros for children. This buys you unlimited access to the festival site for the entire season. To avoid ticket queues and get a discount, buy an eticket in advance from the Keukenhof website at: www.keukenhof.nl/en/ You can rent a bicycle to cycle round the grounds, take a boat round the flower fields or if you want to really treat yourself take a pleasure flight over the site to witness the flower fields. It is one of the most magnificent views you will ever see, with miles and miles of beautiful flowers blooming in all their glory.

If you happen to be visiting Keukenhof on Saturday, April 20 you will see the annual Flower Parade at 9.30am which travels 40

GSCENE 27 kilometres along the main road from Noordwijk to Haarlem where it arrives at 9pm. The parade consists of 20 large flower floats and more than 30 decorated luxury cars.

On the evening of Friday, April 19 from 7.30pm, there is a parade of the floats in Noordwijkerhout which become illuminated from 9pm. When the parade arrives in Haarlem on the evening of Saturday 20 it will be illuminated from 9pm and will remain on view there till 7pm on Sunday 21. The flower parade is free to watch and visitors to the Keukenhof Festival are allowed to leave the festival site to see the parade and re-enter afterwards to finish their visit.

ARE WE A COMMUNITY? FLOWER PARADE

Adam Highway reports on Brighton’s Gay Business Forum

If you choose to spend a few days on your trip, I would recommend the seaside resort of Noordwijk as an ideal base, as it is just 15 minutes from the festival site. We stayed at the Hotel Zonne a small family-run hotel a three minute walk from the beach which I throughly recommend. www.hotelzonne.nl We had a wonderful evening meal at the Zon & Zeebad restaurant on the sand dunes in Noordwijk. The food was tradition Dutch with spectacular local fish and herring dishes to choose from. www.zonenzeebad.nl For more information about Keukenhof and how to get there, view: www.keukenhof.nl/en/

The Gay Business Forum (GBF), of which I am a member, has been up and running for a while now, and I’ve been a member for a few months. It’s a great idea – a forum for the LGBT community’s business owners to come together, discuss matters which affect us all, and make plans to deal with problems, address issues, and move forward together. What could be better?

Well, sadly at the moment, the involvement is somewhat limited – those who are part and do attend the meetings, put a lot of time, energy and caring into the GBF. But not all ‘sectors’ of the LGBT business community take part.

I believe it could be better if the community actually behaved as such.

Instead, it often comes across as though the smaller business owners put in the time and energy to build something like the GBF, work to build relationships with people who ‘matter’, etc. while it doesn’t always seem to be the same from many in the pub or club trade.

• Are we a community? Or are we ONLY a community for two months of the year in the run up to Pride?

• Are we a community? Or are we ONLY a community when we’re not the strongest?

When we don’t have as much to offer?

• Are we a community?

I think we are, but I think we could do a damned sight better at being a community!

I think any business which is owned by, staffed by, involved in or provides services to or within the LGBT community would benefit from being involved in the GBF. I think the GBF would benefit from having more businesses involved, and especially a

greater range of businesses. I know that both sides would benefit from the synergy of building such a reciprocal relationship!

We should all be working together; the huge clubs, the big destination bars, the boutique hotels, guest houses and B&Bs; the niche shops on St James’s Street and in the environs; the restaurants that make their bread and butter from us; the small businesses who either serve, or employ, or both, the community.

My business partner and I own Brighton Boys Ltd together and, while possibly we don’t draw what many may see as direct benefits from being members of the GBF, we think it’s important; we contribute what we can, and hope to do more.

The GBF could and should be front and centre representing the interests of the LGBT business community in Brighton & Hove. If the GBF moves more speedily and actively to do so, then the question will only remain to be asked of those businesses in the community why they are not joining in.

Better still, pop along to the next GBF social evening at the A-Bar on Monday, March 25 at 6pm.

If you’d like to know more, view: http://gaybusinessforum.org

28 GSCENE

NATIONAL SPORTS STARS SUPPORT STUDENT PRIDE National Student Pride returned to Brighton (March 1-3) with a series of events at the Dome complex. The highlight of an afternoon of events (Saturday, 2) was a debate on Homophobia & Transphobia in Sport. The panel featured international sports stars, including: • NBA basket ball player John Amaechi who came out when he left the sport and is now a psychologist.

• Former England Rugby star Ben Cohen, an equal rights campaigner and director of the Stand Up Foundation which encourages people to stand up to bullying.

• Former Chelsea and England footballer Graeme Le Saux who was the victim of a whispering campaign that he was gay even though he is straight and married. During a Premier League match, Liverpool footballer Robbie Fowler kept inviting him to give him one ‘up the arse’. The tabloids had a field day at the time and Graeme said he had no support or anyone to turn to to help deal with the publicity and pressure he endured.

Other panelists included: Delia Johnston, an anti-transphobia campaigner; Alex Davis, swimmer and chair of the London bid for the

2018 Gay Games; Ed Connell, a barrister, judge, manager of gay friendly football club London Titans and vice chair of the London FA inclusion advisory group; and Danny Lynch, media officer for Kick It Out. The debate was brilliantly chaired by BBC journalist and presenter of Dragons’ Den, Evan Davis, who allowed the panelists plenty of time to get their points across while allowing questions from the floor.

Other events included: a job fair supported by businesses such as Asda, Ernst & Young and Accenture; live music and A Queston Time debate featuring: Matthew Todd, editor of Attitude Magazine; Charlie Condou actor in Coronation Street; Liz Bingham, Ernst & Young Manager Partner for People UK and Ireland; Matthew Cain, culture editor Channel 4 News; Elly Barnes, Independent Pink List No 1 winner 2011; Paris Lees, trans activist; and James Wharton a serving soldier.

The students went on a pub crawl around bars in the gay village on Saturday evening, returning to the Corn Exchange for a club night at 10.30pm which included live performances from Lucy Spraggan, boy band Class A and girl band Vanquish.

GSCENE 29

30 GSCENE discussed my complaint. No action has been taken on the member of staff, and I’m fine with that. I want, and have only ever wanted, the advisor I met and other members of staff to be educated, so that this never happens again. I’ve been told that steps are now being taken to make the ‘optional’ HIV/AIDS awareness training mandatory to all staff across the UK. On the premise that this happens, I’m satisfied with the outcome of this. If the mandatory training is addressed, I feel that, with Job Centre Plus, the issue has been resolved.

“However the fight to end the stigma attached to people living with HIV is far from over, although I can't do it on my own, I will continue to fight to ensure that people don't have to be subjected to the kind of treatment I have experienced.

SUPPORT NOT STIGMA Craig Hanlon-Smith talks to Jayce Carberry about the blog he writes about being HIV+ Jayce Carberry first came to my attention on twitter. His banner read 'Support Not Stigma' and many of his posts related to his personal journey as an HIV+ young man. Twitter can be an uncomfortable experience if you happen to follow people through the trials and tribulations of life as they happen. Within a week or so of my following Jayce, a darker story began to emerge following an experience at his local job centre. I contacted Jayce and asked him to explain what had happened...

“After 'coming out' as HIV+, many of my hairdressing clients no longer felt comfortable having their hair cut by me. I was devastated that I’d gone from being a busy stylist, to having only a handful of clients, and made the decision to stop hairdressing. I used my savings to have some time out to get my head around my diagnosis before completing a claim for Job Seeker’s Allowance.

“On the form, even though I didn't want to, I was asked to disclose any medical treatment lasting more than 26 weeks. Having completed this honestly, I was then told I needed to see a 'disability advisor'. I protested and explained that I was perfectly able to look for, and find work but reluctantly attended this meeting. I explained that I didn’t want to claim any disability benefits and was asked if

it was okay to put the HIV+ diagnosis on my file. When I said ‘no’, the advisor said ‘I'll have to speak to our legal team to see if we have to declare it to any members of staff you come in to contact whilst you're in this building’. At first, my reaction was utter shock. Shock that the advisor had even had that thought. Then as I realised the people around me had heard as this conversation was in earshot of other claimants, I felt humiliated and ashamed. I left the building upset, and angry.”

“This conversation was in earshot of other claimants, I felt humiliated and ashamed. I left upset and angry” How have you addressed your concerns with the job centre in question? And what action have they taken to better support you and the public in future?

I had a meeting with the senior manager, and

Your twitter profile has the heading 'Support not Stigma', why do you feel this is important?

Support Not Stigma is a campaign that I started a few weeks before this happened.

After hearing stories of the way people have been treated because they have the virus, I was determined to raise awareness, educate and make people see that me, and everyone else living with HIV needs support, not stigma. I was diagnosed last summer, and at the moment I’m very healthy (apart from currently suffering from the flu!)

Brighton & Hove has established NHS and support services for HIV patients which are well advertised and highly regarded. How would you describe the HIV services available both NHS and otherwise outside major cities and well known 'gay-centric' areas?

When I was diagnosed I was living in the Medway Towns in Kent. I looked online for any kind of support groups etc, and couldn't find any. In big cities, or gay-centric areas, it seems as though the support for people living with HIV is readily available, but not in small places like where I lived. I’ve since found great support online, and personally, I find it easier to talk online, rather than face-to-face, but equally I see how incredibly beneficial that can be for others.

In addition to your twitter feed, you write a blog on which you’re very open and honest about your life and circumstances.

You clearly hold a good deal of importance to this honesty, why do you consider it to be so key to be so open about your status and experiences?

When I was diagnosed, my friends and family hadn’t really, if at all, had any experience dealing with HIV. I started the blog on Tumblr to speak openly and bluntly about how I was feeling, and how the virus was impacting my life personally. I had no idea that it was actually gaining a large audience, and that it was actually helping people with HIV to talk openly about their status, and also people that aren't positive.

GSCENE 31

MY TWO DADS

It helped people actually understand that, yes there is treatment, but it isn't just a medical issue, but also a mental health one.

What advice would you give to other young men who are recently diagnosed with HIV? I would tell them not to do this alone. By no means am I saying be as open as I am, because it’s not for everyone, but you’re not alone. The greatest help and support I’ve had is from other positive people. www.MyHIV.org.uk can be an incredible help, and you can meet people that understand what you are going through.

“I started the blog on Tumblr to speak openly and bluntly about how I was feeling, and how the virus was impacting my life” In the late 1980s and early 1990s there seemed to be (understandably) much more awareness of HIV/AIDS. There were high profile campaigns, celebrity endorsed charity events/projects. Why do you think HIV has dropped out of the spotlight? And do you think HIV positive people have a responsibility to share their stories?

I think the answer is simple, and one that bothers me and many other positive people.

HIV treatment has advanced incredibly since the 1980s/1990s and far fewer people are dying from an HIV/AIDS related illness.

However, there is a mentality that ‘it’s not the death sentence it used to be’ and this has taken the fear away that was instilled in people then. This lack of fear, and the ‘I can just get treatment’ mentality is, I think, the reason that HIV diagnosis figures are continuing to rise.

I don’t think it’s the responsibility of HIV+ people to share, but the more people that are open about their status, the more they will teach so much to others. There’s a real lack of education about the virus, including the existence of PEP (the only treatment that can stop infection after exposure) and that’s really worrying.

What can be done to better support people with an HIV diagnosis?

The eradication of stigma. That for me has been the hardest part of diagnosis. With the fear of people knowing, judging etc removed, it would have been far easier to come to terms with. It's a massive problem, and one that can't be solved over night, but one that in time, CAN be won!

To read Jayce’s blog, view: http://tinyurl.com/supportnotstigma

Syd and Kevin talk to Gscene about being foster parents We are Syd and Kevin and we are foster parents. In 2011 after much talk and exploration of the impact it would have on our 11 year relationship we decided it was time to take the plunge and apply to be foster carers! We’d talked about it on and off for the last four years and after everything was weighed up and discussed we felt ready to deal with whatever this new path would throw at us, so we made the initial call to Barnardo’s Fostering.

from, be able to ask for support and be willing to attend the very good training that is provided and of course have a spare bedroom.

We were approved in March 2012, in July we were asked to meet a small girl aged seven who was looking for her ‘forever family’. Two weeks later she was living with us and the journey into parenthood had begun.

What impact has it had on us? Our life? Our family and friends? It has been great fun, exhausting, educational, emotional, tiring, The process to become a foster carer or full of love and we wouldn’t change a thing. indeed to adopt is lengthy and intrusive.

There’s no point saying anything different. It She has been accepted by everyone. She is has to be, some of these children have come settled in school, loves our home and more importantly she is happy and she feels safe. from horrific backgrounds of abuse and Being a child, she is not too concerned about neglect. Barnardo’s allocated us a support worker, who visited us at least weekly to pick what she says and to whom she says it to, which can be hilarious at times. through our pasts, question our aims and dreams and talk in depth about our relationship and what we felt we could offer a child in need. The support worker was patient, kind and very understanding and the process was managed in a relaxed professional way.

Kevin would agree that this process was far easier for him as he comes from a large, secure loving family, so talking about where he’d lived as a child and relationships with his family was a pretty smooth ride.

For me it was different. It was difficult but also very therapeutic. I had, from the age of six also been a ‘child in care’. In that time I had had four foster families, lived in three children’s homes, been sent to a boarding school and sadly had ended up living on the streets of Brighton once discharged from the social services with no aftercare package in place. It was an emotional roller coaster to once again explore but it was also a period in my life that I had no control over and Barnardo’s were very aware of this.

In the assessment process you explore your past, your family relationships, your current support network, close friends and family.

Your employment history is looked into as well as your medical history. References are needed from professionals, friends and family. Then once all completed and if you are successful and approved you wait for a child to be matched with you.

People from many walks of life, with many abilities, skills and assets make good foster parents. You don’t have to be married or own your own home but you do need to be aware of what it entails, where these children come

“People from many walks of life, with many abilities, skills and assets make good foster parents” Once, a small excited girl and me, a big hairy man entered the play area of the local park.

The mothers turned in unison, quickly checking out this stranger while also searching for their youngsters around the sand pit. I spotted a bench at the top of the large grassy slope and headed over, seeking comfort and anonymity through my Facebook on my iPhone while our daughter ran to the swings. Five minutes later she was back, pulling at my arm, “Dad, come to the climbing frame with me, please!”

As I watched her climb, one of the mother’s spoke to me. “Hello,” she said. I replied with a “Hello” back. She quickly fired questions at me; “Is this your first time here? Is she your daughter? What is your name?”

I tried my best to keep up with them and then she asked the final question; “Are you like me? A single parent?”

From the top of the frame, before I had a chance to answer, a high pitched voice shouted out across the park, with all the mother’s turning towards us to hear her proudly announce; “No he isn't, he is married to my other Dad!” Please follow our blog: twomenplusalittleone.blogspot.com

32 GSCENE

BLAGSS BOWLING TOURNAMENT ANOTHER HUGE SUCCESS Twenty-four teams competed at the annual Brighton Lesbian & Gay Sports Society (BLAGSS) Ten Pin Bowling Tournament last month at the Bowlplex in Brighton Marina to decide who is this year’s top bowling team. BLAGSS took over the Bowlplex for the night and every lane was filled by an LGBT organisation. The atmosphere was brilliant and it was great to see so many organisations socialising and chatting with each other. The crown was taken by the BLAGSS Badminton Team with BLAGSS Bowling Team second and BLAGSS Tennis Team third.

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus came top of the non-sports groups taking part in the tournament coming in fourth.

The final placings were: BLAGSS Badminton Group (1st), BLAGSS Bowling Group (2nd), BLAGSS Tennis Group (3rd), Brighton Gay Men's Chorus (4th), BLAGSS Football Group (5th), BLAGSS Softball Group (6th), GELtoday.com (7th), Girls in Golf Society (8th), Beardy Boys (9th), BLAGSS Walking Group (10th), BLAGSS Running Group (11th), Outdoor Lads Group (12th), Gscene Magazine (13th), Bear-Patrol (15th), Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard (16th), New Steine Hotel & Bistro (17th), Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) (18th), Bowl-In-One (19th), Bear Patrol Beavers (20th), REALBrighton.com (21st), Stonewall Stars/Walking Group (22nd), Allsorts Youth Project (23rd) and Sussex University LGBTQ (24th).

BLAGSS MONTHLY SOCIAL EVENT BLAGSS meet on the first Wednesday of each month for a drink and a chat. The next one is at The Camelford Arms on Wednesday, April 3, from 8-10pm. The hosts are always generous so expect a sandwich or two! Each month BLAGSS focus on a sports group - this month it's tennis, so you can chat to Raymond & Matt about their activities.

33 GSCENE

34 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM A-BAR, BAR 56, BAR 7 CRAWLEY + BULLDOG

APRIL

LISTINGS

A-BAR

EASTER: Good Friday (29) March is CABARET with Lady James at 9pm.

ONE FOR THE DAIRY: Fri (26) is CABARET with Miss Jason at 9pm.

REGULARS: Fri (5) and (19) is DECADES DISCO with DJ Micklos at 9pm, free entry.

All other Fri & every Sat is Pre-Club with drink promos. Wed is the OPEN MIC Night with Mark Hodge; come and sing your favourite tune with Mark at the piano at 8.30pm.

FOOD: NEW MENU available Mon–Sat noon–7pm; Sunday roasts served noon–5pm, booking recommended, 01273 696691 DRINK DEALS: double-up on spirits for extra £1.50; house white/red/rose wine £10, all day, every day. Wed & Thur are cocktail nights from 9pm; buy one get other half price.

OPEN: Sun noon–midnight; Mon–Thur 11am–midnight; Fri & Sat 11–2am.

Unrivalled sea view, large heated smoking terrace and all big sport events.

DR BRIGHTONS Medication Mon; open 3pm ENVY Easter Special Studio 150: NUS night 10.30pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR Bank Holiday Cabaret: Two’s Company 3.15pm; Miss Jason Does Legends 9pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Easter Cabaret: Davina Sparkle 6pm; karaoke till midnight; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon

JAMIE WATSON (28)

JP CHRISTIAN FRI (19) ROUTE 56

MONDAY 1 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 56 open noon-9pm BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8.30pm; DJ Alex Baker till midnight; pizza 5-9pm; open 12 BEDFORD TAVERN open noon BULLDOG 111 Hour Long Weekend: DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Bank Holiday Cabaret: Glam Jam 7.30pm; Sally Vate’s Rock & Roll Bingo: rolling jackpot; 8.30pm; food 12-8pm; open 12

112 CHURCH ST food 12-late; open 12 DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tue; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open TUESDAY 2 noon A-BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am POISON IVY Bar 150 karaoke 7pm; open BAR 7@CRAWLEY Proud to Party: DJ 11am Magic 9pm; open 6pm BAR 56 open noon QUEEN’S ARMS Lollipop with Ritchii’s BAR REVENGE VIP Tue: Harry’s Karaoke, karaoke & giveaways 9pm; open noon DJs Kelly & Fifi, win drinks/VIP cards/bar tabs REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 8pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon 6-8.30pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open 12 REVENGE VIP Tues: DJ Trick 11pm BULLDOG Poptastic: DJ Lee 10pm; open SUBLINE Club Wickedness: Underground 11am 123 mixed fetish night 8pm CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 6- ZONE Dave Lynn’s Tue Night Take Away: 9pm; open noon games & more 8.30pm; open 10am CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon SUBLINE Club Harness: Underground 123 gay fetish night 8pm ZONE Movie Mon: B-movies, cult classics, hot dogs, free popcorn 7pm; open 10am

BAR 56

ONE FOR THE DAIRY: Fri (19) ROUTE 56, DJ & cabaret with JP Christian and 50s/ 60s music at 8pm. Look out for GLAM FUNK 56 on Fri, May (17) with 70s/80s tunes!

REGULARS: Wed is Davina Sparkle's SCHOOL NIGHT CHALLENGE. Thur is DISCOUNT KARAOKE at 7pm. Fri CABARET at 8.30pm: OMT Showman (5) and Maisie Trollette (26). Sun CABARET at 8.30pm: All Mouth & No Trousers (7), Davina Sparkle (14), OMT Showman (21) and Jamie Watson (28).

DRINK DEALS: Mon–Fri 4–7.30pm with Fosters, John Smiths & Strongbow £2.90; house spirit & mixer £2.50, double-up for £1.

OPEN: Mon/Tue noon–11pm; Wed/Thur noon–m’night; Fri/Sat noon–1am; Sun 1–11pm.

BAR 7 CRAWLEY

EASTER: Good Friday (29) March is the BEACH PARTY with DJ Waynsie-Rude-Boy and cocktail bar. Sat (30) March is CABARET with Tammy Twinkle. Easter Sunday (31) March is karaoke.

REGULARS: Fri is LUST with a DJ and drink offers. Sat is PARTY with a DJ and drink offers. Sun is KARAOKE or quiz. Tue is PROUD TO PARTY with DJ Magic at 9pm; cocktails £4.95 each or two for £8, 4 shots of Sourz or Sidekick £5, free entry.

Thur is Thursgay with 80s/90s/00s tunes and drink promos.

OPEN: 6pm–12.30am Sun & Tue; 6pm–2.30am Thur–Sat Closed Mon & Wed. www.7crawley.co.uk

PICS FROM THE BULLDOG

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 35

BULLDOG

111 HOUR EASTER WEEKEND: Bulldog will be open for 111 Hours from 11am on Thur (28)–2am on Tue (2) April. Good Friday (29) March is CABARET with Topping & Butch at midnight.

ONE FOR THE DAIRY: Tue (30) is REGGAE NIGHT with DJ Micklos at 10pm.

REGULARS: Mon is DJ Marcia’s GLITTER BALL with 70s/80s tunes at 10pm.

Tue is POPTASTIC with DJ Lee at 10pm. Wed is DIVA RUSH CABARET with host Joe McJoe, DJ Marcia and performers at 10.30pm: La Voix (3), Maisie Trollette & Josh Mills (10); at 10pm: Sally Vate (17), All Mouth & No Trousers (24); all drinks £1.60 when selected artist is played and the traffic light turns to green, 10pm–2am. Thur is RELEASE with DJ Grant Knowles at 10pm. Fri CABARET is in the top bar at midnight: Miss Jason (5), Lady Imelda (12), Titti La Camp (19), Rose Garden (26); DJs Simon Blanch/Grant Knowles are downstairs at 10pm.

Sat with DJ V John at 10pm, DJ Lil Alex at 3am, and Amy's karaoke upstairs at 10pm. Sun with DJ Grant Knowles at 8pm, Micky's karaoke upstairs at 8pm.

DRINK DEALS: Mon–Thur 3–7pm & 10pm–midnight; Fri 3–7pm & drinks £1.60 10pm–midnight; Sat 10pm–midnight; Sun all day. Drinks include: pints from £1.95, double spirit & mixer from £2.30, bottles from £1.85 (Terms & conditions apply).

OPEN: daily from 11am–very late. www.bulldogbrighton.com

WEDNESDAY 3 A-BAR open mic with Mark Hodge 8.30pm; bar food noon-7pm; cocktail night; open 11am BAR 56 Davina Sparkle’s School Night Challenge; open noon BAR REVENGE pizza 5-9pm; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Mash-Up: DJ Lee Harris 10pm BEDFORD TAVERN open noon BRIGHTON SAUNA Bears Night: bears, cubs & their admirers 7pm BULLDOG Diva Rush cabaret: host Joe McJoe & La Voix 10.30pm; DJ Marcia; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 69pm; open noon CHARLES ST J’Lo Cabaret: Miss Jason & Lola Lasagne 9.30pm; food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Cocktail Clinic; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Gloria Hole’s Karaoke: win £100 7pm; open 11am

QUEEN’S ARMS Q Factor 2013: 4 mentors, 12 singers, £1,500 prize 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Backlash: retro night 9pm THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Rockin’ Mark Vis & His Mobile Pub Piano 8pm ZONE Sofa So Good: Wii & more 6pm; open 10am THURSDAY 4 A-BAR food noon-7pm; cocktail night; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY Thursgay 6pm BAR 56 Discount karaoke 7pm; open noon BAR REVENGE Girls On Top warm-up: DJ Kelly L 9pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open noon BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Big Cash Quiz Night 9pm; food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, bar DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy 8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food noon-late; open noon

36 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM THE BRIGHTON SAUNA + CAMELFORD ARMS

APRIL

LISTINGS

BRIGHTON SAUNA

REGULARS: Wed (3) is BEARS NIGHT for bears, cubs and their admirers; drink offers, club music at 7pm. Wed (10 & 24) is NAKED DAY all day, no towels to be worn. Wed (17) is mandatory UNDERWEAR NIGHT, thongs, briefs, speedos, at 7pm.

LICENSED BAR: 7 days a week; Sun–Thur 11–1am and Fri & Sat 11–2am.

OPEN: visit: www.thebrightonsauna.com DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thur; open 3pm ENVY Mad Cow: 2 floors, Ms Joan Bond, bar DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy 8pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY cabaret 9.30pm; karaoke; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Drag With No Name’s Big Spring Clean 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Girls On Top: level 1 DJs Smithy, Fifi, Alpha; level 2 DJ Cheeks Du Rhythm 10.30pm SUBLINE Leathered 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE Adam’s Manic Thur Kamikaze Karaoke 6pm; open 10am FRIDAY 5 A-BAR Decades Disco: DJ Mikalos 9pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY Lust 6pm BAR 56 cabaret: OMT Showman 8.30pm; open noon BAR REVENGE Shameless warm-up 9pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Friday Night Live with Lady La Rue: 2 floor party, DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm

BEDFORD TAVERN Krazy Kamikaze Karaoke 8.30pm; open noon BULLDOG DJs Simon Blanch/Grant Knowles 10pm; cabaret: Miss Jason midnight; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; Friday Club 6pm; open noon CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm; food noon-7.45pm 112 CHURCH ST cabaret: Davina Sparkle 9pm; food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Thank Funk It’s Fri: DJ Anthony 10.30pm LEGENDS BAR Friday Night Live with Lady La Rue, 2 floor party, promo boys, free champers for early birds, free bottle of champers for birthdays 9pm; DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY karaoke: drag host 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Flashback: card games, DJ Andy B/Kamp Kevin, karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm; open 11am REVENGE Shameless: DJs Lee Harris, Alex Baker, Smithy, regular live PAs 10.30pm SUBLINE Steam 9pm

CAMELFORD ARMS

EASTER: Fri (29) March is the GOOD FRIDAY CLUB at 6pm; hot cross buns and the general menu is served noon–3pm & 6–9pm. Sun (31) March is the BUNNY BEAR BASH at 5pm; Easter Sunday roasts, selected menu & free Easter eggs served noon–gone.

REGULARS: Sun (7 & 21) is the BEAR BASH at 5pm. Thur is the BIG CASH QUIZ at 9pm. THE FRIDAY CLUB is at 6pm.

FOOD: home-cooked menu & manager's specials served Mon–Fri noon–3pm & 6–9pm; Sat noon–7pm; Sunday roasts & selected menu served noon–till gone!

OPEN: daily from noon. The Camelford is the most dog-friendly pub in town and has open fires, perfect for those chilly spring evenings.

VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE Weekend warm-up: DJ & singer JP Christian 8pm; open 10am SATURDAY 6 A-BAR Pre-club music; food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ: party night 6pm BAR 56 open noon BAR REVENGE F@#k Me! It’s Free warm-up: DJ Fifilicious 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Lee Harris 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN open noon BRIGHTON TAVERN Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus Spring Jamboree fundraiser: refreshments, stalls, tombola, face-painting 11am BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; Amy’s karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-7pm; open noon CHARLES ST Boys In The Bar: all male DJs Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy on rotation 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon

FUNKYFISH CLUB Old Skool Sat: DJ Sean Quinn 10pm LEGENDS BAR Pre-Club DJs 7pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; open 10am POISON IVY karaoke: drag host till midnight; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Peter Davis 4.30pm; guest host karaoke 6pm; Sissy & Kamp Kevin’s Sin Bin: karaoke/tunes/games 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-6pm; open 11am REVENGE F@#k Me! It’s Still Free: DJs Alex Baker, Trick, King K 10.30pm SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm VAVAVOOM open 6pm ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 8pm; open 10am SUNDAY 7 A-BAR Sunday lunch: bookings 01273 696691 noon-5pm; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke or quiz 6pm BAR 56 cabaret: All Mouth & No Trousers 8.30pm; open 1pm BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: retro games; Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 8pm; open noonn

38 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM CHARLES STREET + ENVY

APRIL

LISTINGS

CHARLES STREET BAR

EASTER: Fri (29) March is GOOD FRUITY FRIDAY FIX with DJ Leeroy spinning funky house/dance, give-aways at 9pm. Sat (30) March is The EASTER BONNET DRAG BALL with DJs Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles & Leeroy, plus give-aways and prizes for those who dare to drag at 9pm, free entry. Sun (31) March is Easter CABARET with Masquerade at 7.30pm. Mon (1) is Bank Holiday CABARET with Glam Jam at 7.30pm.

ONE FOR THE DAIRY: Sat (27) is the SAILORS AHOY sailor themed party with prizes for the best costumes and drink deals at the bar.

REGULARS: Tue (30) is the Annual INTER-PUB SCENE QUIZ Night and Golden Handbag launch with quiz mistress Lola Lasagne at 8pm, £25 per team (all goes to The Rainbow Fund), to book your team's place, email: info@gscene.com Wed is J'LO CABARET, a night of high camp antics, with Miss Jason & Lola Lasagne at 9.30pm.

Wed (24) is IS YOUR BOSS A DRAG? drag competition for bosses in aid of TB Alert with Miss Jason and Lola Lasagne at 8pm. Thur is MAD COW over two floors with hostess Miss Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & Leeroy in the bar playing commercial dance at 8pm, drinks from £1, entry £1 b4 10pm, £2 after. FRUITY FRIDAY FIX with DJ Leeroy spinning dance/funky house at 9pm; plus cocktails from £3.50 for a glass, £8.50 for a jug from 9pm–close, free entry. Sat is THE BOYS IN THE BAR with an all-male DJ line-up including Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles & Leeroy on rotation at 9pm, free entry! Sun CABARET at 7.30pm: Topping & Butch (7), Rose Garden (14), La Voix (21) and Mrs Moore (28); Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo with Sally Vate and rolling jackpot follows at 8.30pm.

FOOD: Two for £7.95 on selected mains and 2-4-1 on all desserts, all day every day; Sunday Lunch: home roast beef, chicken or veggie served noon–7pm, £6.95.

DRINK DEALS: All drinks 1/3rd off Mon–Sat 5–9pm, till 8pm on Thur, Sun after show till close. All deals excl sparkling wine & cocktails, not in conjunction with other offers.

OPEN: daily from noon. www.charles-street.com BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Sunday roasts 12.305pm; Piano Bingo 5pm; open noon BULLDOG DJ Grant Knowles 8pm; Micky’s karaoke 8pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Sunday roasts & selected menu noon-till gone; Bear Bash 5pm; open noon CHARLES ST cabaret: Topping & Butch 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate, roll over jackpot 8.30pm; Sun lunch noon7pm 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sun Roast noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Hangover Therapy; open 1pm LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Lizzy Drip 3.15pm; cabaret: Topping & Butch 9.30pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open 1pm

POISON IVY cabaret 5.30pm; karaoke; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Lola Lasagne 6pm; Candi Rell’s karaoke till midnight; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Sunday roasts noon5pm; Piano Bar 1.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, underwear party 9pm THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live jazz 25pm ZONE live music: Danny Fox 3pm; karaoke; open 10am MONDAY 8 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 56 open noon BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8.30pm; DJ Alex Baker till midnight; pizza 5-9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN open noon

ENVY @ CHARLES ST

EASTER: Mon (1) is an Easter Special STUDIO 150, open extra late!

REGULARS: Mon is the STUDIO 150 student night with singles or bottles for £1.50 all night, entry £1.50. Thur is MAD COW over two floors with hostess Miss Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & Leeroy in the bar at 8pm, drinks from £1, entry £1 b4 10pm, £2 after. www.charles-street.com BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food 12-late; open 12 DR BRIGHTONS Medication Mon; open 3pm ENVY Studio 150: Student night 10.30pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason Does Legends 9.30pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Kev’s Name That Tune: quiz/bingo/snacks/cash prizes 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon ZONE Movie Mon: B-movies, cult classics, hot dogs, free popcorn 7pm; open 10am TUESDAY 9 A-BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY Proud to Party: DJ Magic 9pm; open 6pm BAR 56 open noon BAR REVENGE VIP Tue: Harry’s Karaoke, DJs Kelly & Fifi, win drinks/VIP cards/bar tabs 8pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open noon

BULLDOG Poptastic: DJ Lee 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tue; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open noon POISON IVY Bar 150 karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Lollipop with Ritchii’s karaoke & giveaways 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE VIP Tues: DJ Trick 11pm THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live music: The Pickin’ Circle 8pm ZONE Dave Lynn’s Tue Night Take Away: games & more 8.30pm; open 10am WEDNESDAY 10 A-BAR open mic with Mark Hodge 8.30pm; bar food noon-7pm; cocktail night; open 11am BAR 56 Davina Sparkle’s School Night Challenge; open noon BAR REVENGE pizza 5-9pm; open noo

42 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM CHURCH STREET, DR BRIGHTONS + FUNKY FISH

APRIL

LISTINGS

CHURCH STREET

EASTER: Easter Sunday Lunch served noon–gone, 1st 5 tables get free Easter eggs.

REGULARS: Fri cabaret at 9pm: Davina Sparkle (5), Jason Lee (12), Krissie DuCann (19) and Lady James (26).

FOOD: specials served Mon–Sat noon–late, buy two lunches for £10; Richard's Golden Handbag award winning Sunday lunches served noon–late.

OPEN: Find the secret beer garden for some spring sunshine, the perfect place for a drink and a smoke!

BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Mash-Up: DJ Lee Harris 10pm BEDFORD TAVERN open noon BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day: no towels 10-1am BULLDOG Diva Rush cabaret: host Joe McJoe & Maisie Trollette with Josh Mills 10.30pm; DJ Marcia; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST J’Lo Cabaret: Miss Jason & Lola Lasagne 9.30pm; food 12-8pm; open 12 112 CHURCH ST food 12-late; open 12 DR BRIGHTONS Cocktail Clinic; open 3pm

FUNKY FISH

FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food 12-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Gloria Hole’s Karaoke: win £100 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Q Factor 2013: £1,500 prize 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Backlash: retro night 9pm ZONE Sofa So Good: Wii & more 6pm; open 10am THURSDAY 11 A-BAR food noon-7pm; cocktail night;

ONE FOR THE DAIRY: Fri (12), DIRTY RETRO London club night, comes to Brighton, 60s rock & roll/Motown/funk/soul/electro/80s/90s re-edits, 10.30pm, free entry.

REGULARS: THANK FUNK IT’S FRIDAY with DJ Antony, funk/soul/Motown/disco, 10.30pm, free entry. OLD SKOOL SATURDAY with DJ Sean Quinn playing funky 70s/70s/80s/90s with a splash of recent tunes at 10pm, entry £5.

FUNKY FISH BAR: open from noon every day. www.funkyfishclub.co.uk

DR BRIGHTONS

REGULARS: FUNKY FRIDAY with DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne is at 9pm, free entry.

SEXY SATURDAY with DJ Tony B at 9pm, free entry.

DRINK DEALS: all day from Sun–Thur and Fri & Sat from 1–7pm: small Smirnoff & mixer £2.85, large £3.85, pints of Fosters £3 and large wine £4. Cocktails are two for £11 from Sun–Thur. Free game of pool every day with every round of drinks purchased during happy hour.

OPEN: Mon–Thur 3pm–midnight; Fri & Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 1pm–midnight. www.doctorbrightons.co.uk

open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY Thursgay 6pm BAR 56 Discount karaoke 7pm; open noon BAR REVENGE Girls On Top warm-up: DJ Kelly L 9pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open noon BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Big Cash Quiz Night 9pm; food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy 8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food 12-late; open 12 DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thur; open 3pm ENVY Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy 8pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food 12-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon PARIS HOUSE Django Bop Project: Steve Aston, Jason Henson, Ian Price 9pm; open 10am POISON IVY cabaret 9.30pm; karaoke; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Drag With No Name’s Big Spring Clean 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Girls On Top: level 1 DJs Smithy, Fifi, Alpha; level 2 DJ Cheeks Du Rhythm 10.30pm SUBLINE Leathered 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE Adam’s Manic Thur Kamikaze Karaoke 6pm; open 10am FRIDAY 12 A-BAR Pre-Club; food 12-7pm; open 11am

BAR 7@CRAWLEY Lust 6pm BAR 56 open noon BAR REVENGE Shameless warm-up 9pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Friday Night Live with Lady La Rue: 2 floor party, DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Krazy Kamikaze Karaoke 8.30pm; open noon BULLDOG DJs Simon Blanch/Grant Knowles 10pm; cabaret: Lady Imelda midnight; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 69pm; Friday Club 6pm; open noon CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm; food noon-7.45pm 112 CHURCH ST cabaret: Jason Lee 9pm; food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Dirty Retro 10.30pm LEGENDS BAR Friday Night Live with Lady La Rue, 2 floor party, promo boys, free champers for early birds, free bottle of champers for birthdays 9pm; DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY karaoke: drag host 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Flashback: card games, DJ Andy B/Kamp Kevin, karaoke 9pm; open 12 REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open 11am REVENGE Shameless: DJs Lee Harris, Alex Baker, Smithy + regular live PAs 10.30pm SUBLINE Steam 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE cabaret: Stone & Street 8pm; open 10am

44 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM LEGENDS BAR + BASEMENT CLUB

APRIL

LISTINGS

LEGENDS BAR

EASTER: Easter Sunday (31) March is CABARET with Lady Imelda at 3.15pm.

Mon (1) April is Bank Holiday CABARET with Two's Company at 3.15pm; MISS JASON DOES LEGENDS at 9.30pm.

REGULARS: Mon is MISS JASON DOES LEGENDS at 9.30pm. FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE WITH LARUE over 2 floors with Lady La Rue, DJ Peter Castle, promo boys, £1.50 shots all night, champage promos, bottles of Becks £1.50 b4 1pm, and a free bottle of champers if it’s your birthday from 9pm. Pre-Club DJ sounds every Sat at 7pm.

Sun CABARET at 3.15pm: Lizzy Drip & then Topping & Butch at 9.30pm (7), Drag With No Name (14), Sandra (21) and Dave Lynn (28).

FOOD: new summer menu served noon–7pm Mon–Sat. DRINK DEALS: Mon–Thur till midnight, buy any bottle from the quality wine list and get the second half price.

OPEN: daily from 11am–5am. Heated smoking area, free entry and all day sun-terrace. www.legendsbrighton.com

SATURDAY 13 A-BAR Pre-club music; food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ: party night 6pm BAR 56 open noon BAR REVENGE F@#k Me! It’s Free warm-up: DJ Fifilicious 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN live music: Cellar Doors; open noon BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; Amy’s karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-7pm; open noon CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: allmale DJs Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy on rotation 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Old Skool Sat: DJ Sean Quinn 10pm

LEGENDS BAR Pre-Club DJs 7pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; open 10am POISON IVY karaoke: drag host till midnight; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Misty Lee 4.30pm; guest host karaoke 6pm; Sissy & Kemp Kevin’s Sin Bin: karaoke/tunes/games 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-6pm; open 11am REVENGE F@#k Me! It’s Still Free: DJs Alex Baker, Trick, King K 10.30pm SPELLBOUND@KOMEDIA alt-80s night feat DJs Simon Price & Jenna Allsopp 9pm SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm VAVAVOOM open 6pm ZONE cabaret: Maisie Trollette 8pm; open 10am SUNDAY 14 A-BAR Full Marathon Charity Fundraiser for Samaritans all day; Sunday lunch: bookings 01273 696691 noon-5pm; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke or quiz 6pm

LEGENDS BASEMENT CLUB

FREE ENTRY: to the Basement Club every day.

EASTER: Sun (31) March is the Easter POP!CANDY with DJ Claire Fuller recent & classic pop tracks.

REGULARS: Wed is MASH-UP with DJ Lee Harris spinning a mix of latest chart tracks and anthems, £2 drinks all night, £1.50 shots. FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE with LaRue over 2 floors with Lady La Rue, DJ Peter Castle, promo boys, £1.50 shots all night, champagne promos, bottles of Becks £1.50 b4 1pm, and a free bottle of champers if it’s your birthday from 9pm. Sat is FUSION with DJ Peter Castle house & chart sounds. Sat (6) is with DJ Lee Harris. Sun is POP!CANDY with DJ Claire Fuller recent & classic pop tracks.

DRINK DEALS: drinks from £2 every Sun & Wed. OPEN: Fri–Sun 11pm & Wed 10pm. Closed Mon, Tue & Thur.

Legends will host your party from £150, call Matt on 01273 624462 for more info. www.legendsbrighton.com BAR 56 cabaret: Davina Sparkle 8.30pm; open 1pm BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: retro games; Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 8pm; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Sunday roasts 12.305pm; Piano Bingo 5pm; open noon BULLDOG DJ Grant Knowles 8pm; Micky’s karaoke 8pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Sunday roasts & selected menu noon-till gone; open noon CHARLES ST cabaret: Rose Garden 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate & roll over jackpot 8.30pm; Sunday lunch noon-7pm 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sun Roast noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Hangover Therapy; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon GROSVENOR lounge singer Ronnie Rialto 3pm LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Drag With No Name 3.15pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open 1pm

POISON IVY cabaret 5.30pm; karaoke; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Mary Mac 6pm; Candi Rell’s karaoke till midnight; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Sunday roasts noon5pm; Piano Bar 1.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, underwear party 9pm THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live jazz 25pm ZONE live music: Eva La Diva 3pm; karaoke; open 10am MONDAY 15 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 56 open noon BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8.30pm; DJ Alex Baker till midnight; pizza 5-9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN open noon BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food noon-late; open noon

LEGENDS BAR, BASEMENT CLUB + MARINE TAVERN

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 45

APRIL

LISTINGS

MARINE TAVERN

ONE FOR THE DAIRY: Tue is NAT’S QUIZ at 9pm DRINK DEALS: Wed & Thur 7–11pm: pints of Carlsberg & Stowford Press £3, plus buy a single spirit and get the mixer free.

OPEN: Mon–Sat noon, Sun 1pm.

DR BRIGHTONS Medication Mon; open 3pm ENVY Studio 150: student night 10pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason Does Legends 9.30pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Kev’s Name That Tune: quiz/bingo/snacks/cash prizes 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon ZONE Movie Mon: B-movies, cult classics, hot dogs, free popcorn 7pm; open 10am TUESDAY 16 A-BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY Proud to Party: DJ Magic 9pm; open 6pm BAR 56 open noon BAR REVENGE VIP Tue: Harry’s Karaoke, DJs Kelly & Fifi, win drinks/VIP cards/bar tabs 8pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon

BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open noon BULLDOG Poptastic: DJ Lee 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 69pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food 12-late; open 12 DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tue; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open noon POISON IVY Bar 150 karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Lollipop with Ritchii’s karaoke & giveaways 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Blowout: 90s party with LGBrighTon & Sussex LGBTQ 10.30pm ZONE Dave Lynn’s Tue Night Take Away: games & more 8.30pm; open 10am

WEDNESDAY 17 A-BAR open mic with Mark Hodge 8.30pm; bar food noon-7pm; cocktail night; open 11am BAR 56 Davina Sparkle’s School Night Challenge; open noon BAR REVENGE pizza 5-9pm; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Mash-Up: DJ Lee Harris 10pm BEDFORD TAVERN open noon BRIGHTON SAUNA Underwear Night: licensed bar 7pm BULLDOG Diva Rush cabaret: host Joe McJoe & Sally Vate 10.30pm; DJ Marcia; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST J’Lo Cabaret: Miss Jason & Lola Lasagne 9.30pm; food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Cocktail Clinic; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Gloria Hole’s Karaoke: win £100 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Q Factor 2013: 4 mentors, 12 singers, £1,500 prize 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon

SUBLINE Backlash: retro night 9pm THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Rockin’ Mark Vis & His Mobile Pub Piano 8pm ZONE Sofa So Good: Wii & more 6pm; open 10am THURSDAY 18 A-BAR food noon-7pm; cocktail night; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY Thursgay 6pm BAR 56 Discount karaoke 7pm; open noon BAR REVENGE Girls On Top warm-up: DJ Kelly L 9pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open noon BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Big Cash Quiz Night 9pm; food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy 8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thur; open 3pm ENVY Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy 8pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY cabaret 9.30pm; karaoke; open 11am

46 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM POISON IVY, QUEENS ARMS + PARIS HOUSE

APRIL

LISTINGS

POISON IVY

ONE FOR THE DAIRY: REGULARS: KARAOKE 7 nights a week with Drag hosts every night, including: Spice, Betty Swollocks, Misty Lee & Gloria Hole. Tue is Bar 150 Karaoke. Wed is KARAOKE COMPETITION with Gloria Hole, win £100! Thur CABARET at 9.30pm.

Sun CABARET at 5.30pm.

HAPPY HOURS: 60 a week, including 11am–7pm Tue–Sat; all day Sun & Mon. OPEN: daily from 11am.

QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Drag With No Name’s Big Spring Clean 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Girls On Top feat live PA from Misha B: level 1 DJs Smithy, Fifi, Alpha; level 2 DJ Cheeks Du Rhythm 10.30pm SUBLINE Leathered 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE Adam’s Manic Thur Kamikaze Karaoke 6pm; open 10am FRIDAY 19 A-BAR Decades Disco: DJ Mikalos 9pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY Lust: DJ 6pm BAR 56 Route 56: 50/60s night with JP

PARIS HOUSE

Christian’s cabaret & tunes 8pm; open noon BAR REVENGE Shameless warm-up 9pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Friday Night Live with Lady La Rue: 2 floor party, DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Krazy Kamikaze Karaoke 8.30pm; open noon BULLDOG DJs Simon Blanch/Grant Knowles 10pm; cabaret: Titti La Camp midnight; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 69pm; Friday Club 6pm; open noon CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm; food noon-7.45pm 112 CHURCH ST cabaret: Krissie DuCann 9pm; food noon-late; open noon

ONE FOR THE DAIRY: Thur (11) is Djando Bop Project with The French Hotclub recreated by Steve Aston, Jason Hendon & Ian Price at 9pm.

REGULARS: Sat is live jazz at 4pm, free entry.

FOOD: platter of French food to share & large carafe of wine £15.

OPEN: daily from 10am. www.parishousebrighton.com

QUEENS ARMS

EASTER: Easter Sunday (31) March is DOUBLE CABARET & Karaoke with Sandra at 6pm, Candi Rell's Karaoke at 7.30pm and Trudi Styles & Piano Man at 10pm.

Easter Monday (1) is CABARET with Davina Sparkle at 6pm.

ONE FOR THE DAIRY: Thur is Drag With No Name's BIG SPRING CLEAN at 9pm.

REGULARS: Mon is Kamp Kevin's NAME THAT TUNE with quiz, bingo, cash prizes & free snacks at 9pm. Tue is LOLLIPOP Karaoke party with Ritchii, drink deals, & giveaways at 9pm. Wed is the Q FACTOR 2013 with 4 mentors, 12 contestants, and a £1,500 prize at 9pm. Fri is FLASHBACK with karaoke & DJs Andy B or Kamp Kevin playing 60s/70s/80s/90s/00s tunes, buy a round of drinks, pick a Queen from the deck of cards and the round is free, at 9pm. Sat is non-stop entertainment with CABARET at 4.30pm: Peter Davis (6), Misty Lee (13), Sissy Sucks (20) and Cosmic Brighton to Broadway & West End guest star (27); guest host karaoke is at 6pm; Sissy Sucks & Kamp Kevin's SIN BIN is at 9pm. Sun CABARET at 6pm: Lola Lasagne (7), Mary Mac (14), Dave Lynn (21) and Sandra (28); Candi Rell's karaoke follows till midnight.

OPEN: daily from noon DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Thank Funk It’s Friday: DJ Antony 10.30pm LEGENDS BAR Friday Night Live with Lady La Rue, 2 floor party, promo boys, free champers for early birds, free bottle of champers for birthdays 9pm; DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY karaoke: drag host 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Flashback: card games, DJ Andy B/Kamp Kevin, karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open 11am REVENGE Shameless: DJs Lee Harris, Alex Baker, Smithy + regular live PAs 10.30pm SUBLINE The Big Scrum Btn: sports kit night 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE cabaret: Miss Jason 8pm; open 10am

up: DJ Fifilicious 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN open noon BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; Amy’s karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-7pm; open noon CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: all-male DJs Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy on rotation 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food 12-late; open 12 DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Old Skool Sat: DJ Sean Quinn 10pm LEGENDS BAR Pre-Club DJs 7pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; open 10am POISON IVY karaoke: drag host till midnight; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Sissy Sucks 4.30pm; guest host karaoke 6pm; Sissy & Kamp Kevin’s Sin Bin: karaoke/tunes/games 9pm; open noon SATURDAY 20 REGENCY TAVERN food noon-6pm; open A-BAR Pre-club music; food noon-7pm; 11am open 11am REVENGE F@#k Me! It’s Still Free: DJ BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ: party night 6pm Zach Burns & DJs Alex Baker, Trick, King K BAR 56 open noon BAR REVENGE F@#k Me! It’s Free warm- 10.30pm

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 47

I SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm I VAVAVOOM open 6pm I ZONE cabaret: Collusion 8pm; open 10am SUNDAY 21 I A-BAR Sunday lunch: bookings 01273 696691 noon-5pm; open 11am I BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke or quiz 6pm I BAR 56 cabaret: OMT Showman 8.30pm; open 1pm I BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: retro games; Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 8pm; open noon I BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm I BEDFORD TAVERN Sunday roasts 12.305pm; Piano Bingo 5pm; open noon I BULLDOG DJ Grant Knowles 8pm; Micky’s karaoke 8pm; open 11am I CAMELFORD ARMS Sunday roasts & selected menu noon-till gone; Bear Bash 5pm; open noon I CHARLES ST cabaret: La Voix 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate & roll over jackpot 8.30pm; Sunday lunch noon-7pm I 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sun Roast noon-late; open noon I DR BRIGHTONS Hangover Therapy; open 1pm I FUNKYFISH BAR open noon I LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Sandra 3.15pm; open 11am I MARINE TAVERN open 1pm I POISON IVY cabaret 5.30pm; karaoke; open 11am I QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Dave Lynn 6pm; Candi Rell’s karaoke till midnight; open noon I REGENCY TAVERN Sunday roasts noon5pm; Piano Bar 1.30pm; open noon I SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, underwear party 9pm I THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live jazz 2-5pm I ZONE live music: Back Beat 3pm; karaoke; open 10am

48 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM BAR REVENGE + REVENGE

APRIL

LISTINGS

REVENGE

BAR REVENGE

REGULARS: SUNDAY FUNDAY with retro games at the bar, and KARAOKE QUEENS with LouBag & Smithy at 8pm. Mon is QUIZ WITH LIZ with cash prizes at 8.30pm followed by DJ Alex Baker till midnight. Tue is VIP KARAOKE with Harry & DJs Kelly & Fifi; win drinks, VIP cards and bar tabs in the club. Thur is the Girls on Top Official Warm-Up with DJ Kelly L at 9pm. Fri is the Shameless Warm-Up with DJ Alpha at 9pm. Sat is the F@#ck Me! It’s Free Warm-Up with DJ Fifilicious at 9pm.

FOOD: served Sun–Fri 5–9pm & Fri & Sat midnight–6am; pizzas, sandwiches, burgers & more; buy a pizza & 4 drinks for £9.99 Mon–Fri. DRINK DEALS: shots £1.50 all day & night, every day; 2-4-1 cocktails Sun–Fri 5–9pm; drinks from £1.99 & get half price wines noon till late on Wed; from £1.50 Thur after 7pm; from £2.49 Fri & Sat; Jagerbombs £1.99 on Sat. OPEN: daily from noon–2am & till 6am on Fri & Sat. Free Revenge discount passes on Thur; buy a drink and get free entry into the club on Fri before midnight & Sat before 1am. www.revenge.co.uk

MONDAY 22 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 56 open noon BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8.30pm; DJ Alex Baker till midnight; pizza 5-9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN open noon BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food 12-late; open 12 DR BRIGHTONS Medication Mon; open 3pm

ENVY Studio 150: student night 10pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason Does Legends 9.30pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Kev’s Name That Tune: quiz/bingo/snacks/cash prizes 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon ZONE Movie Mon: B-movies, cult classics, hot dogs, free popcorn 7pm; open 10am

EASTER: Sat (30) March is REVENGE v FIERCE ANGEL Easter Special with Fierce Angel DJs in the box bar with free CDs, live percussion and funky house; resident DJs play pop/dance/r'n'b/bass/indie/mash-ups on level 1, entry free b4 1am with a pass or £5.

Sun (31) March is GIRLS ON TOP Easter Foam Party with foam & pop/urban/trash from DJs Smithy, Alpha & Fifilicious on level 1; DJ Cheeks Du Rhythm plays bouncy house/bass-line on level 2, entry free/£3/£4.

ONE FOR THE DAIRY: Fri (26) sees Kerry Katona perform a live PA at SHAMELESS with regular DJs and a meet & greet after, entry £5/£6.

REGULARS: VIP TUESDAYS with DJ Trick playing pop, all drinks £2, double up for £1, buy a drink at the bar or the club and receive free entry to the club, otherwise entry £2/£3. Tue (16) is BLOWOUT 90s party with LGBrighTon & Sussex LGBTQ combing forces, entry £3/£4. Thur is GIRLS ON TOP lesbian night, X Factor's Misha B performs (18), with all-girl DJs Smithy, Fifilicious, Alpha & Cheeks Du Rhythm playing chart/urban/old school/house drinks from £1.50, entry free with pass or £3/£4.

Fri is Shameless with live PAs & DJs Lee Harris, Alex Baker & Smithy playing the freshest tunes of 2013 v guilty pleasures; drinks £2.50 b4 midnight, double up for £1, Jagerbombs £2.50 all night, entry free with a pass or £5. Sat is F@#K ME! IT’S STILL FREE with regular DJs, Zach Burns (20) & Lee Harris (27), all drinks £2.50 b4 midnight, Jagerbombs £2.50 all night, double up for £1 all night, free entry b4 1am with a pass, £5 after.

DRINK DEALS: All drink specials exclude champers & doubles (excl doubling up).

OPEN: 10.30pm on Tue/Thur/Fri/Sat. FREE ENTRY PASSES available through the week from Bar Revenge or from www.revenge.co.uk.

TUESDAY 23 A-BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY Proud to Party: DJ Magic 9pm; open 6pm BAR 56 open noon BAR REVENGE VIP Tue: Harry’s Karaoke, DJs Kelly & Fifi, win drinks/VIP cards/bar tabs 8pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open noon BULLDOG Poptastic: DJ Lee 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 69pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food 12-late; open n12 DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tue; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food 12-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open 12 POISON IVY Bar 150 karaoke 7pm; open 11am

QUEEN’S ARMS Lollipop with Ritchii’s karaoke & giveaways 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE VIP Tues: DJ Trick 10.30pm THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live music: The Pickin’ Circle 8pm ZONE Dave Lynn’s Tue Night Take Away: games & more 8.30pm; open 10am WEDNESDAY 24 A-BAR open mic with Mark Hodge 8.30pm; bar food noon-7pm; cocktail night; open 11am BAR 56 Davina Sparkle’s School Night Challenge; open noon BAR REVENGE pizza 5-9pm; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Mash-Up: DJ Lee Harris 10pm BEDFORD TAVERN open noon BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day: no towels 10-1am

PICS FROM REVENGE + SUBLINE

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 49

APRIL

LISTINGS

BULLDOG Diva Rush cabaret: host Joe McJoe & All Mouth & No Trousers 10.30pm; DJ Marcia; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 69pm; open noon CHARLES ST Is Your Boss A Drag?: J’Lo Drag Competition Fundraiser for TB Alter with Miss Jason & Lola Lasagne 8pm; food noon8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Cocktail Clinic; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon KOMEDIA Magnet Same Sex Speed Dating 8pm, 25-45 years, £20 adv, £25 on door, to book call or text 07876 453 210 or email magnetspeeddating@hotmail.co.uk LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Gloria Hole’s Karaoke: win £100 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Q Factor 2013: 4 mentors, 12 singers, £1,500 prize 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Backlash: retro night 9pm ZONE Sofa So Good: Wii & more 6pm; open 10am THURSDAY 25 A-BAR food noon-7pm; cocktail night; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY Thursgay 6pm

BAR 56 Discount karaoke 7pm; open 12 BAR REVENGE Girls On Top warm-up: DJ Kelly L 9pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open noon BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Big Cash Quiz Night 9pm; food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy 8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thur; open 3pm ENVY Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy 8pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY cabaret 9.30pm; karaoke; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Drag With No Name’s Big Spring Clean 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Girls On Top: level 1 DJs Smithy, Fifi, Alpha; level 2 DJ Cheeks Du Rhythm 10.30pm SUBLINE Leathered 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE Adam’s Manic Thur Kamikaze Karaoke 6pm; open 10am

SUBLINE

EASTER: Fri (29) March is BAD FRIDAy. Sun (31) March is SPUME THE RESURRECTION. ONE FOR THE DAIRY: Underground 123: Mon (8) is CLUB HARNESS gay fetish night, 8pm, entry £5 mems b4 10pm, £8 guests b4 10pm, £10 non-members. Tue (9) is CLUB WICKEDNESS mixed fetish night 8pm, entry £8 mems/guests or £15 nonmembers with e-ticket from www.underground123.com. No entry after 11pm both nights.

REGULARS: Fri is STEAM with cheap drinks and free entry for members till 11pm. Fri (19) is THE BIG SCRUM sports kit night at 10.30pm, entry £5 in kit, £7 otherwise.

Sat is The MEN'S ROOM with DJ Screwpulous, members get cheap drinks and free entry till 11pm. Sun is COME IN YOUR PANTS underwear party with DJ N.U.D.E. Wed is BACKLASH retro tunes and prices, including selected drinks £3 all night for members. Thur is LEATHERED with free lockers.

OPEN: Fri & Sat from 9pm–4am, Sun from 8pm–2am, Wed & Thur from 9pm–1.30am. Closed Mon & Tue. www.subline-brighton.com

FRIDAY 26 A-BAR cabaret: Miss Jason 9pm; pre-club music; food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY Lust 6pm BAR 56 cabaret: Maisie Trollette 9pm; open noon BAR REVENGE Shameless warm-up 9pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Friday Night Live with Lady La Rue: 2 floor party, DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Krazy Kamikaze Karaoke 8.30pm; open noon

BULLDOG DJs Simon Blanch/Grant Knowles 10pm; cabaret: Rose Garden midnight; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 69pm; Friday Club 6pm; open noon CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm; food noon-7.45pm 112 CHURCH ST cabaret: Lady James 9pm; food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Thank Funk It’s Friday: DJ Antony 10.30pm

50 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PIC: THE THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS + THE ZONE

APRIL

LISTINGS

THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS

REGULARS: Sunday is live jazz at 2pm, free entry. Tue (9 & 23) is live bluegrass and old-time country with The Pickin' Circle at 8pm, free entry. Wed is with Rockin' Mark Vis and His Mobile Pub Piano at 8pm, free entry.

FOOD: served noon–3pm & 6–9pm; two burger meals £15.

OPEN: 11.30am every day. Private function room available for parties call 01273 608571. www.3jollybutchers.com LEGENDS BAR Friday Night Live with Lady La Rue, 2 floor party, promo boys, free champers for early birds, free bottle of champers for birthdays 9pm; DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY karaoke: drag host 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Flashback: card games, DJ Andy B/Kamp Kevin, karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open 11am REVENGE Shameless feat live PA from Kerry Katona: DJs Lee Harris, Alex Baker, Smithy & Kerry Karona live + meet & greet 10.30pm SUBLINE Steam 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE Adam & Rachel’s Karaoke 6pm; open 10am SATURDAY 27 A-BAR Pre-club music; food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ: party night 6pm BAR 56 open noon BAR REVENGE F@#k Me! It’s Free warm-up: DJ Fifilicious 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN open noon BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; Amy’s karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-7pm; open noon CHARLES ST Sailors Ahoy: sailor-themed party, prizes for the best dressed, DJs 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Old Skool Sat: DJ Sean Quinn 10pm LEGENDS BAR Pre-Club DJs 7pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; open 10am POISON IVY karaoke: drag host till midnight; open 11am

QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Cosmic Brighton to Broadway feat West End star 4.30pm; guest host karaoke 6pm; Sissy & Kamp Kevin’s Sin Bin: karaoke/tunes/games 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-6pm; open 11am REVENGE F@#k Me! It’s Still Free: DJ Lee Harris & DJs Alex Baker, Trick, King K 10.30pm SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm VAVAVOOM open 6pm ZONE Sally Vate’s Wild Wild West: cowboy & Indian-themed party 8pm; open 10am SUNDAY 28 A-BAR Sunday lunch: bookings 01273 696691 noon-5pm; open 11am BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke or quiz 6pm BAR 56 cabaret: Jamie Watson 8.30pm; open 1pm BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: retro games; Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 8pm; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Sunday roasts 12.305pm; Piano Bingo 5pm; open noon BULLDOG DJ Grant Knowles 8pm; Micky’s karaoke 8pm; open 11am

ZONE

EASTER: Good Friday (29) March is CABARET at 9.30pm, open till 1.30am.

Sat (30) March is CABARET with Tammy Twinkle at 9.30pm. Open till 1.30am on Fri (29) & Sun (31).

ONE FOR THE DAIRY: Sat (27) is Sally Vate's WILD WILD WEST cowboy and Indian themed party at 8pm, dress up for a free shot.

REGULARS: Fri is LIVE MUSIC or CABARET at 8pm: DJ & vocalist JP Christian (5), Stone & Street (12) and Miss Jason (19). Fri (26) is Adam & Rachel's karaoke at 6pm. Sat CABARET at 8pm: Sally Vate (6), Maisie Trollette (13) and Collusion (20).

Sun is LIVE MUSIC at 3pm: Danny Fox (7), Eva La Diva (14), Back Beat (21), Mark Burzio (28); karaoke is then immediately after. MOVIE MONDAYS with B-movies, cult classics, hot dogs, choc ices & free popcorn at 8pm. Dave Lynn's TUESDAY NIGHT TAKE-AWAY with games & more at 8.30pm. Wed is SOFA SO GOOD with drink promos, Wii, games and films at 8pm. Thur is Adam's Manic KAMIKAZE KARAOKE is at 6pm with drink deals day and night.

OPEN: daily from 10am.

CAMELFORD ARMS Sunday roasts & selected menu noon-till gone; open noon CHARLES ST cabaret: Mrs Moore 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate, roll over jackpot 8.30pm; Sun lunch noon-7pm 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sun Roast noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Hangover Therapy; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Dave Lynn 3.15pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open 1pm POISON IVY cabaret 5.30pm; karaoke; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Sandra 6pm; Candi Rell’s karaoke till midnight; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Sunday roasts noon5pm; Piano Bar 1.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, underwear party 9pm

THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live jazz 25pm ZONE live music: Danny Fox 3pm; karaoke; open 10am MONDAY 29 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; open 11am BAR 56 open noon BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8.30pm; DJ Alex Baker till midnight; pizza 5-9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN open noon BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST food noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Medication Mon; open 3pm ENVY Studio 150: student night 10pm

PICS FROM THE ZONE

I FUNKYFISH BAR open noon I LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason Does Legends 9.30pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am I MARINE TAVERN open noon I POISON IVY karaoke 7pm; open 11am I QUEEN’S ARMS Kev’s Name That Tune: quiz/bingo/snacks/cash prizes 9pm; open noon I REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon I ZONE Movie Mon: B-movies, cult classics, hot dogs, free popcorn 7pm; open 10am

I CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 69pm; open noon I CHARLES ST Annual Inter-Pub Scene Quiz & Golden Handbags launch, with quiz mistress Lola Lasagne 8pm, £25 per team (all goes to Rainbow Fund), to book team place email: info@gscene.com; food 12-8pm; open 12 I 112 CHURCH ST food 12-late; open 12 I DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tue; open 3pm I FUNKYFISH BAR open noon I LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am I MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open TUESDAY 30 noon I A-BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am I POISON IVY Bar 150 karaoke 7pm; open I BAR 7@CRAWLEY Proud to Party: DJ 11am Magic 9pm; open 6pm I QUEEN’S ARMS Lollipop with Ritchii’s I BAR 56 open noon karaoke & giveaways 9pm; open noon I BAR REVENGE VIP Tue: Harry’s Karaoke, I REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & DJs Kelly & Fifi, win drinks/VIP cards/bar tabs 6-8.30pm; open noon 8pm; pizza 5-9pm; open noon I REVENGE VIP Tues: DJ Trick 11pm I BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open I ZONE Dave Lynn’s Tue Night Take Away: noon I BULLDOG Reggae Night: DJ Micklos 10pm; games & more 8.30pm; Transaction: TV/TS/TG night; open 10am open 11am

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 51

52 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM THE EDGE, SOUTHAMPTON

SOLENT & BOURNEMOUTH BOURNEMOUTH

BAKERS ARMS 77-79 Commercial Rd, BH2 5RT, Tel: 01202 555506 BAR VENTANA at CUMBERLAND HOTEL East Overcliff Dr, BH1 3AF, Tel: 01202 556529 www.cumberlandbournemouth.co.uk BRANKSOME ARMS 152-154 Commercial Rd, BH2 5LU, Tel: 01202 292254 CUMBERLAND HOTEL East Overcliff Drive, BH1 3AF, Tel: 01202 290722 www.cumberlandbournemouth.co.uk DYMK 31 Poole Hill, BH2 5PW, www.dymk-bar.com SAUNABAR 140 Commercial Rd, BH2 5LU, Tel: 01202 552654 www.gaysaunabournemouth.co.uk 2930 THE TRIANGLE CLUB 29-30 The Triangle, BH2 5SE, Tel: 0845 496 2934 www.2930thetriangle.com EASY TIGER 27 The Triangle, BH2 5SE; open: Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Tel: 01202 554195 www.easytigerstore.com XCHANGE 4 The Triangle, BH2 5RY, Tel: 01202 294321

PORTSMOUTH

HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD 1 Hampshire Terr, Southsea, Tel: 02392 297509 www.thehampshireboulevard.co.uk Open: Mon: 3pm-11pm, Tue: noon-1am, Wed-

MONDAY 1 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am OLD VIC food noon-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON LONDON HOTEL Easter Bank Hol chillout; food noon-3pm

Thur: noon-2am, Fri-Sat: noon-3am, Sun: noon-2am, cabaret bar and club OLD VIC 104 St Pauls Rd, Southsea Tel: 02392 297013 www.oldvicportsmouth.co.uk Open: Mon-Fri: 11am till late, Sat: 5pm-late, Sun: noon-12,30am. Regular cabaret, food.

TROPICS SAUNA 2 Market Way Tel: 02380 296100 www.tropics-sauna.com Open: Mon-Wed: 12-8pm, Thur-Sat: 11am-9pm

SOUTHAMPTON

ISOBAR 100c St Mary’s Street Tel: 02380 222028 Open: Sun-Tue: 2pm-11pm, Wed-Sat: 2pmmidnight. Modern bar, decked garden, popular with younger crowd.

LONDON HOTEL 2 Terminus Terrace Tel: 02380 710652 www.the-london.co.uk Open: Mon-Thur: noon-11pm, Fri-Sat: noon12.30am, Sun: noon-11.30am. Friendly cabaret venue, serves food.

EDGE Compton Walk Tel: 02380 366163 www.theedgesouthampton.com Open: Tue-Fri & Sun: 9pm-3am, Sat: 9pm5am. Stylish club on 2 floors with 3 bars. Party till 5am on a Saturday night - last entry at 3am.

PINK BROADWAY SAUNA 797/80 East St Tel: 02380 238804 www.pink-broadway.com/sauna.html Open: Sun-Thur: noon-10pm, Fri-Sat: noon-2am

SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Pure Pop!: DJ Neil Sackley 10pm LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Pat Cruise 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon

FRIDAY 5 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am OLD VIC food noon-5pm; party till 2am TUESDAY 2 SOUTHAMPTON BOURNEMOUTH EDGE Get Some: DJs Lady Bex, Lohands & CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am Rob Davies 9pm LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo DYMK open 2pm 8.30pm; cabaret: Eva La Diva 10pm; food PORTSMOUTH noon-3pm OLD VIC Quiz 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON SATURDAY 6 EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm BOURNEMOUTH LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am WEDNESDAY 3 DYMK open 2pm BOURNEMOUTH PORTSMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am OLD VIC food noon-5pm; DJs all night DYMK open 2pm SOUTHAMPTON PORTSMOUTH EDGE The Big One: DJs, 2 dancefloors, 3 HAMPSHIRE BLVD open till 2am OLD VIC NUS night 7pm; food noon-5pm bars 9pm LONDON HOTEL DJ Pat Cruise’s Guilty SOUTHAMPTON Pleasures 10pm; food noon-3pm; open noon EDGE Bar 150: DJ Lady Bex, Cheeky Pete’s karaoke 9pm LONDON HOTEL Quiz 8.30pm; food noon- SUNDAY 7 BOURNEMOUTH 3pm; open noon CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: Sun Lunch 12.30-2.30pm & 7-9pm; THURSDAY 4 open 9am BOURNEMOUTH DYMK open noon CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am PORTSMOUTH DYMK open 2pm HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am PORTSMOUTH OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am OLD VIC karaoke 8pm; food noon-5pm

EDGE SOUTHAMPTON

EASTER: Fri (29) is GET SOME RODEO with a rodeo sheep, regular DJs, happy hours and entry. Sun (31) DJs Lady Bex & Pete Kendall play back to back. Open till 5am Wed (27) – Sun (31).

ONE FOR THE DAIRY: Wed (17) is the BAR 150 WHERE'S WALLY themed party with DJ Lady Bex & Cheeky Pete's karaoke; all drinks £1.50, entry free–£6, closes extra late at 5am! REGULARS: Fri is GET SOME with DJs Lohands, Lady Bex, Rob Davies, huge give-aways, fishbowl & drink offers, entry £1–£6. Sat is THE BIG ONE with resident DJs & guest Lee Harris (20); 3 bars & 2 dancefloors, entry free–£6. Sun is FUNDAYS with DJ Liam Searle; drink offers, entry £2. Tue is BOMB IT! with 3-4-2 Jagerbombs, free video jukebox & entry. Wed is BAR 150 with DJ Lady Bex & Cheeky Pete’s Karaoke, £1.50 drinks, entry free–£6. Thur is PURE POP! with DJ Neil Sackley playing pop tunes; discounts on cocktails & shooters, free sweets, entry £1.

OPEN: Sun, Tue & Thur 10pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 9pm. Closed Mon www.theedgesouthampton.com

SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Fundays: DJ Liam Searle 10pm LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s Sunday Service 8pm; Davina Sparkle 9.30pm; Sun lunch noon-3.30pm; open noon MONDAY 8 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am OLD VIC food noon-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm TUESDAY 9 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH OLD VIC Quiz 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm WEDNESDAY 10 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm

PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD open till 2am OLD VIC NUS night 7pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Bar 150: DJ Lady Bex & Cheeky Pete’s karaoke 9pm LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm THURSDAY 11 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am OLD VIC karaoke 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Pure Pop!: DJ Neil Sackley 10pm LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Pat Cruise 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon FRIDAY 12 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am OLD VIC food noon-5pm; party till 2am SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Get Some: DJs Lady Bex, Lohands, Rob Davies 9pm

EVA LA DIVA (5)

DOLLY PARTEM’S SUNDAY SERVICE

PICS FROM THE LONDON HOTEL, SOUTHAMPTON

LONDON HOTEL SOUTHAMPTON

I ONE FOR THE DIARY: Dolly Partem’s SUNDAY SERVICE is at 8pm, cabaret follows at 9.30pm: Davina Sparkle (7), La Voix (14), Sally Vate (21) and Titti La Vamp (28). I REGULARS: Wed (3) is monthly QUIZ NIGHT with cash prizes at 8.30pm. I Thur is Pat Cruise’s KARAOKE CRUISING at 9.30pm. I Fri is FAIRYLEA with DJ Ruby Roo at 8.30pm and cabaret at 10pm: Eva La Diva (5), Miss Penny (12), Jamie Watson (19) and Saski (26). I Sat is party time with DJs & cabaret at 8.30pm: Pat Cruise's Guilty Pleasures (6), Tiny's Guilty Pleasures & cabaret with Ruthie T (13), Neil Sackley's Guilty Pleasures & cabaret with Eva La Diva (20) and Dazza's Guilty Pleasures (27). I Chill out in the new lounge areas.

I FOOD: traditional pub food Mon–Sat noon–3pm; Sunday lunch noon–3.30pm.

I OPEN: daily from noon. I www.the-london.co.uk I LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo 8.30pm; cabaret: Miss Penny 10pm; food noon-3pm SATURDAY 13 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE The Big One: DJs, 2 dancefloors, 3 bars 9pm I LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Ruthie T & DJ Tiny’s Guilty Pleasures 10pm; food noon-3pm; open noon SUNDAY 14 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: Sun Lunch 12.30-2.30pm & 7-9pm; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am I OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Fundays: DJ Liam Searle 10pm I LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s Sunday Service 8pm; La Voix 9.30pm; Sun lunch noon-3.30pm; open noon MONDAY 15 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm TUESDAY 16 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am

I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I OLD VIC Quiz 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm I LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm WEDNESDAY 17 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD open till 2am I OLD VIC NUS night 7pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Bar 150: Where’s Wally-themed party, DJ Lady Bex & Cheeky Pete’s karaoke 9pm5am I LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm THURSDAY 18 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am I OLD VIC karaoke 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Pure Pop!: DJ Neil Sackley 10pm I LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Pat Cruise 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon FRIDAY 19 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; party till 2am SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Get Some: DJs Lady Bex, Lohands, Rob Davies 9pm I LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo 8.30pm; cabaret: Jamie Watson 10pm; food noon-3pm

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 53

54 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

SOLENT & BOURNEMOUTH SATURDAY 20 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE The Big One: DJ Lee Harris & regulars, 2 dancefloors, 3 bars 9pm I LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Eva La Diva & DJ Neil Sackley’s Guilty Pleasures 10pm; food noon-3pm; open noon SUNDAY 21 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: Sun Lunch 12.30-2.30pm & 79pm; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am I OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Fundays: DJ Liam Searle 10pm I LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s Sunday Service 8pm; Sally Vate 9.30pm; Sun lunch noon-3.30pm; open noon MONDAY 22 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm

PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm TUESDAY 23 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I OLD VIC Quiz 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm I LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm WEDNESDAY 24 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD open till 2am I OLD VIC NUS night 7pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Bar 150: DJ Lady Bex & Cheeky Pete’s karaoke 9pm I LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm THURSDAY 25 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am

I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am I OLD VIC karaoke 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Pure Pop!: DJ Neil Sackley 10pm I LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Pat Cruise 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon

SUNDAY 28 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: Sun Lunch 12.30-2.30pm & 7-9pm; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am I OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon FRIDAY 26 SOUTHAMPTON BOURNEMOUTH I EDGE Fundays: DJ Liam Searle 10pm I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & I LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s Sunday Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am Service 8pm; Titti La Camp 9.30pm; Sun lunch I DYMK open 2pm noon-3.30pm; open noon PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am MONDAY 29 I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; party till 2am BOURNEMOUTH SOUTHAMPTON I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & I EDGE Get Some: DJs Lady Bex, Lohands, Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am Rob Davies 9pm I DYMK open 2pm I LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo PORTSMOUTH 8.30pm; cabaret: Saski 10pm; food noon-3pm I HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; open noon SATURDAY 27 SOUTHAMPTON BOURNEMOUTH I LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm TUESDAY 30 BOURNEMOUTH PORTSMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & I HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm I DYMK open 2pm SOUTHAMPTON PORTSMOUTH I EDGE The Big One: DJs, 2 dancefloors, 3 I OLD VIC Quiz 8pm; food noon-5pm bars 9pm SOUTHAMPTON I LONDON HOTEL DJ Dazza’s Guilty I EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm Pleasures 10pm; food noon-3pm I LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm

GSCENE 55

DANCE

MUSIC

BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE

REVIEWS We’re done and dusted with frosty mornings and dingy evenings, so let’s trot on with fab April albums.

I It’s cockle-warming time as the Soul Damn Funky boys (Brighton’s Russell Ruckman and Kevin Fernando) team up with the legendary Todd Terry on a rather marvellous compilation of the very finest US house, Soul Damn Funky presents InHouse Volume 1, which is the epitome of all that SDF stand for: deep, credible, soulful gorgeousness from the likes of Bridget Barkan and Toni Touch featuring Soni. Go get it people.

I Cue Queenie excitement as Confidence by SIS on Cocolino rears its pretty head. I was first swayed by the cover which has a horse on it (I love them) and then found out that the German exponent of electronica is also a real life horse whisperer. OMG! Luckily this album, with its occasionally brooding feel, nods beautifully to the dancefloor and is surprisingly passionate (I’d have hated it to be a disappointment after the pony build-up), plus each track is named after a breed of horse! Keeping the German vibe

(this isn’t just thrown together you know), Violet Shaped take their inspiration from 1960s Italian horror films amongst other things.

The resulting vintage/electronic potion is a brilliantly raw and interesting LP on Violet Poison.

I Underground Fables on Underground Audio is on almost constant rewind ‘round ours! From Finnebassen ft Natalie Conway’s opener Show Me How through to Something Essential by Jorge Takei, it’s deep techy deliciousness.

I As is Inner City Records Vol 1, with six glorious tracks showcasing the finest deep-house of the moment from the likes of Giom, Dale Howard and Casey Lee Jones.

I Here’s an unusual one: Sandwell District’s Fabric 69 on Fabric records has a total of 30 tracks yet only lasts 1hr and 15 minutes. I hate to say it, but this really is a musical journey from gentle(ish) beginnings to a dark intriguing conclusion. Recommended!

Catch Wildblood and Queenie on Saucefm, Radio Reverb and DSD. And Kate’s STILL in the library!

DJ PROFILE The Easter bunny is jumping around trying to burn off those chocolate calories, and here’s a man who’ll make sure you’re leaping about too. This month Queen Josephine catches up with the gorgeous DJ Lewis Osborne who’ll certainly keep you moving. Just steer clear of any dodgy Rihanna booties, make sure you’re ready to pipe along to Adele and get ready for plenty of bouncing!

Where can we see/hear you playing?

Every Saturday at Vodka Revolution in Brighton, and I have upcoming gigs at Shooshh, Brighton.

DJing style?

I DJ all types of music to different crowds but I have to say that my favourite style is funky, vocal-influenced house that makes you bounce!

All time favourite song?

Temper Trap’s Sweet Disposition (Axwell & Dirty South Remix) Which tune always fills up/rescues your dancefloor?

Adele v Eurythmics & Steve Angello’s Rolling In The Dreams (Orlow Bootleg). This is a high energy track that always brightens the room.

You can't help but sing along!

Ultimate dream gig?

My ultimate gig would have to be DJing in the Wild Fruit tent at Brighton Pride. As a Brightonian nothing would make me happier than playing to a home-crowd at one of the year’s biggest events!

APRIL’S 12 INCHES I SOUL CLAP The Alezby Inn Remixes Wolf + Lamb Great remixes inc Mel Blatt of All Saints’ late night groove of Ecstasy.

I SEAN BIDDLE Don’t Know What You Got Nocturnal Recordings Maximum disco feel good factor from the fantastic Mr Biddle!

I BLANDER Tracker Ambizi Fine quality dark bouncy electronica from rarely bland Dutch DJ/producer.

I SESA ft ERIN In My Life Run DBN Records Check out the Maze and Masters mix… the girls have done goooood!

I LANA DEL REY Summertime Sadness (Asadino Mixes) RVS Mixes melancholic, nostalgia-tinged vocals into dancefloor pleaser!

I HUGO SLIME Ampige Connection 2 Fairplay Records 3 diverse house tracks from a guy whose name mustn’t put you off.

I JONATHAN MEYER ft BILLIE JEAN Breathe Super Soul Music Grooving and energetic – classic dancefloor stuff!

I ORE State Civil Music High precision techno, and I mean this in a good way.

I AMIRALI Melancholia Crosstown Rebels Spooky disco grooves with some starry eyed vocals. Brilliant!

I PHIL WEEKS Creative Thinking Robsoul Recordings Chopped and looped to perfection!

Tune you wish you’d never played?

There was this really awful Rihanna mash-up that one of friends made.

To cut a long story short it was their birthday and I was guilt tripped into playing it. Let's just say we're no longer friends…

Guilty pleasure?

Bodyrox feat Luciana’s Yeah Yeah. What an amazing party tune!

Best ever gig?

Me and the Brightonshakers team hosted a fabulous Christmas party with great tunes, brilliant crowd and everyone got a present from ‘Santa's sack’. Certainly a night to remember!

Tell us a secret!

Up until two years ago I used to get mistaken for a lesbian. Seriously...

CURRENT TOP FIVE

I Swedish House Mafia Don't You Worry Child (eSQUIRE remix) EMI Capitol I ZEDD ft FOXES Clarity (extended mix) Interscope Records I NORTHBROOK Move Your Body (Tommie Sunshine remix) Sweat It Out I RICHARD GREY v ERICK MORILLO Life Goes On (2009 remix) Subliminal I DAVE AUDE ft ISHA COCO Something For The Weekend (Crazibiza

remix) Audacious Records

56 GSCENE

CHARLIE’S

KITCHEN

BY CHARLIE NYEREYEGONA

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH O'FISHLY HEALTHY, 109 St James’ Street, Brighton, BN2 1TH. Tel: 01273 958260 www.ofishlyhealthy.co.uk The old pharmacy site at 109 St James’ Street has had a wonderful makeover from owners Kelly and builder boyfriend, Mark, into a sexy, eye-catching fish and seafood emporium.

Why a fishmongers?

Kelly: My father is a fishmonger in Lowestoft and I have always had the trade in my blood.

I’ve been working with my father on his market stall and also helping to start a wholesale business selling to pubs and restaurants. I’ve also been in the catering business. Combining the two is what I’m trying to achieve.

Was it a big project to convert?

Mark: A lot of investment has gone into this.

The banks aren’t lending, so we’ve had to pull funds from all sorts of areas. If it hadn’t been for the fact that I’m a builder and so able to do the conversion myself with five solid weeks of hard graft, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve it financially. You should have seen it mate when I started!

RECIPES FROM CHARLIE’S KITCHEN This spicy tomato fish curry is a lovely warming dish that I’m sure you will enjoy!

What do you sell?

K: All your usual fish and seafood: cod, haddock, prawns and scallops; but I like the quirky fish, so I try to get them in as often as I can. At the moment I’ve got fresh bacalao (salt cod) hanging in my window as I’ve heard the Spanish are mad on it!

M: Before I met Kelly my idea of fish was with batter! Now we try all sorts and I can even tell you how long to cook scallops. We try everything ourselves so we know the best advice to give.

Where do you stand on sustainable fishing?

K: I’m very passionate about it. Wherever possible my fish and seafood are locally and sustainably caught and the same philosophy applies to my imports. I also want to educate people about the different types of fish and their versatility.

What's your objective with this business?

K: I want to bring fishmongers into the 21st century. I cater for all budgets from fresh dab at £3 per kilo to turbot at £22 per kilo.

Customers come here not only to buy their fresh fish and seafood but also to have it prepared their way. I have one customer at the moment that comes in regularly for squid

SPICY TOMATO FISH CURRY Ingredients (serves 2) • 500g firm white fish cut into large chunks (you could also use fish fillets) • 1 tsp garam masala powder • Juice of ½ lime • Juice of ½ an orange • ½kg large vine ripened tomatoes (quartered) • 1 large onion (peeled and chopped finely) • 3 cloves garlic (crushed) • Bunch fresh coriander (finely chopped) • ½ tsp brown mustard seeds • ½ tsp cumin seeds • 1 tsp turmeric • 4 fresh curry leaves (or dried) • 1 tsp chilli powder • 2 tbsp runny honey • 1 tbsp cider vinegar • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • ½ tsp salt • Water

marinated in chilli, lime and ginger. We also have a ready prepared counter selling hot roast salmon, crayfish tails, anchovy tapas, dressed crabs and Irish oysters among other things. Our small frozen section is very carefully selected with whole tail scampi, Leigh On Sea cockles and in the summer we’re planning to have a breakfast bar in the window where you can eat fresh seafood and also cool bags with lovely fishy treats that you can take away for a picnic on the beach and then bring back to be refilled. I’m also hoping to start cooking my fabulous fishcakes!

What are your best sellers?

K: Razor clams (people can't seem to get enough of them), line caught sea bass, clams and our giant king prawns.

What about the competition?

K: Mike Watts is retiring this year and he’s a very good traditional fishmonger and we’re not a supermarket like Morrisons, so our ideals and business dynamics are totally different. I think we compete very well with places like the famous Moxon’s in London. Although our fish is even fresher as we’re right by the sea!

If you had a dinner party who would you invite and what would you cook?

K: Mark of course and Frankie Boyle, Michael Mcintyre, Dara O’Briain. I like comedians and it would be a laugh. I’d also invite my best friend and other friends. I’d cook scallops with garlic, ginger soy and sesame seed oil and my Smoked Fish Gratin (with smoked and fresh haddock) or a Gurnard Curry.

The array of fish and seafood here is amazing and Kelly and Mark are a very dynamic and likeable couple seriously passionate about their business. They have a home delivery service and early commuters can call into the shop on their way to work, select their fish and collect it in the evening. It’s exciting and heart-warming to see businesses like this opening in Kemptown so why not go along and support them! A loyalty card is also available.

10% DISCOUNT OFFER Until the end of April O'Fishly Healthy is offering Gscene customers a 10% discount.

Mention my name and Gscene for your discount.

Method: Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat add the onions and colour.

Add the dried spices and garam masala and sizzle. Stir and add the tomatoes, garlic, chilli, honey, vinegar and salt. Turn down the heat and add the fish and gently mix through. Add the citrus juice and the curry leaves, cover the fish with water. Turn heat down to a simmer and allow to cook for around 25 minutes.

To serve: Spoon some of the tomato fish curry onto each plate. Sprinkle over some of the fresh coriander and serve with plain or pilau rice. Simply delicious! Perfect with an ice-cold Kingfisher beer or two!

GSCENE 57

COME DINE

WITH JAMES

BY JAMES LEDWARD

A mixed grill came next which included a selection of chicken shish kebab, lamb shish kebab and Adana kofte with light fluffy rice, a grilled tomato and fresh crispy salad. The secret of great Turkish cooking is in how the meat is marinated. I’ve sampled some top end restaurants in Istanbul in my time but the meat served here is among the best and tastiest I’ve experienced anywhere.

Baklava with ice cream rounded off the meal and everything was helped down with a bottle of Italian red.

Two people need to share the set menu which costs £21.95 per person and includes a bottle of red, white or rose wine to share between two people. 60% of the diners in the restaurant each time we dined were clearly Turkish, always a good sign. They drank plenty of Raki and weren’t embarrassed to get up and show us some traditional Turkish folk dances late into the evening.

ANATOLIA CUISINE 51 St James’ Street, Brighton, Tel. 01273 693467 Turkish food cooked to perfection!

When choosing where to eat out, the ambiance a restaurant generates has become as important to me as the food they serve. Anatolia Cuisine combines traditional Turkish food with warm Turkish hospitality and great service. You’ll find Anatolia Cuisine at the top of St James’ Street just past the AIDS Memorial in New Steine Gardens.

It’s a traditional restaurant serving Turkish cuisine from the Anatolia region, which is cooked on an open barbecue grill in the restaurant and is quite simply delicious.

I’ve been a couple of times now and have to admit I took the special set menu both times, costing £21.95 per person. We started with balloon bread, which is baked freshly for you and is served while still inflated like a balloon. Delicious, but go steady because there’s a great deal of food to get through during the evening. A meze followed with hot and cold dishes including Turkish sausage, falafel, hummus, patrician ezme (pureed aubergine prepared with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and yogurt) and cacik (yogurt with diced cucumber, mint and seasoning). The meze changes from day to day but ask the waiter for patrician ezme to be included - I can highly recommend it. It’s also served with delicious Turkish bread and once again go easy or you’ll struggle to get through the complete meal.

If you want a great lunch deal, the Anatolia have one for £5.99 available daily. You can choose a starter from the following: corba, yaprak sarma, patlican soslu, falafel, icli kofte and sigara boregi; and a main course from the following: adana kebab, lamb kebab, chicken kebab, imam bayildi (v), veg moussaka (v) and incik kebab.

If you don't understand the dishes ask the waiter to explain them they’re very helpful and attentive.

Apart from the set meal which we enjoyed, there’s also a complete a la carte menu to choose from. Watch out for the cocktails, they are only £3.95 a time and great value.

A takeaway service is also available: 01273 693467.

58 GSCENE

Kings Rd, Brighton, Box office: 0844 847 1515 www.brightoncentre.co.uk IL DIVO & KATHERINE JENKINS (Sat 6). The world's foremost classical crossover quartet and mezzo soprano unite for the first time to perform with a full orchestra their own unique classical interpretations of popular songs, whilst also dueting together.

AIDAN GOATLEY

Iron Duke, 3 Waterloo St, Hove www.wegottickets.com/thedukeb oxtheatre 10 FILMS WITH MY DAD (Fri 12) is the story of the relationship between Aidan Goatley and his father from childhood to now.

They didn't talk and just watched films instead. The show also features Kimble the dog who helps to re-create some key scenes from the movies featured. “Delightful...

A charming odyssey through cinema.” **** Latest7

MAE MARTIN

DUKEBOX THEATRE

Brighton Fringe 2012) previews her new show - gleefully reliving the traumas of puberty and adolescence. Now that the 2012 apocalypse has been and gone, she has to navigate an adulthood that she was fairly convinced would be obliterated by an asteroid. “A very accomplished stage presence… It’s not often you’re sad at the end of a show because you remember that you don’t actually know the performer” **** Fringe Guru

DUKES AT KOMEDIA ID GOES ACOUSTIC (Thu 18).

Local musicians play for your vote in this monthly event. 8pm, free.

STANZA AND DELIVER (Fri 19).

Bring your own poem to perform, or watch and listen.

CHINESE WHISPERS (Wed 24).

Bedtime stories for grown-ups.

Short stories from the audience are welcome in the first half.

HELLO BOYS (Fri 26). Mae Martin (Best International Act,

Gardner St, Brighton Box office: 0845 293 8480 www.komedia.co.uk EYES WIDE OPEN is a regular series of film screenings that explore the past, present and

KOMEDIA Gardner St, Brighton Box office: 0845 293 8480 www.komedia.co.uk BENT DOUBLE (Sun 7). An irreverent night of fun and frolics hosted by Zoe Lyons and with guest Barbara Nice - Stockport’s

THEATRE ROYAL New Rd, Brighton Box office: 08448 717 650 ABIGAIL'S PARTY (Mon 1–Sat 6). Mike Leigh's classic comedy which revolves around Beverly, one of the campest creations that theatre has to offer: a sex-crazed suburban housewife who loves Demis Roussos and cheese and pineapple on sticks in equal measure. Stars Hannah Waterman (EastEnders) and Martin Marquez (Hotel Babylon).

MOUNTAIN FIREWORK CO

BRIGHTON CENTRE

favourite housewife. "As hilarious as it is possible to get" The Scotsman; Rosie Wilby "Talented performer with a winning selfdeprecating personality" Evening Standard and Meryl O'Rouke “Fabulous and edgy” Time Out. HANNAH WATERMAN ABIGAIL’S PARTY

IL DIVO & KATHERINE JENKINS

BY MICHAEL HOOTMAN

BARBARA NICE

ARTS

future of queer cinema. Films are presented with introduction and post-film discussion. Sometimes with director/cast, academics or simply great fans of the work.

Feedback and suggestions for programming are encouraged: eyeswideopencinema@gmail.com FLAMING CREATURES & CITY OF LOST SOULS + talk from Juliet Jacques (11am Sun 14 Apr). Made twenty years and an ocean apart, Jack Smith’s short Flaming Creatures (USA, 1963) and Rosa von Praunheim’s musical City of Lost Souls (West Germany, 1983) are classics of queer cinema.

Flaming Creatures, which inspired Susan Sontag’s seminal essay Notes on Camp, scandalised US censors with its frank exploration of sexual expression; City of Lost Souls pulled no punches in its exposure of the difficulties for those whose race, nationality, gender and sexuality kept them on the margins of ‘democratic’ West Berlin, just before the onset of AIDS. Importantly, Smith and von Praunheim cast transgender women and allowed them to improvise lines in their colourful, controversial narratives, providing a level of insight into cross-gender living that works scripted by outsiders could never achieve.

With memorable ensemble casts and fast, funny dialogue, these films anticipated the transgender liberation of the late 20th century and yet remain fascinating records of their rapidly changing times.

Juliet Jacques writes for The Guardian, The New Statesman and elsewhere on gender, sexuality, literature, film, art and sport. www.twitter.com/Eyes_Wide_Open_ eyeswideopencinema@gmail.com

ST GEORGE’S CHURCH St George's Rd, Kemptown The Kemptown Carnival fundraiser (7pm, Thurs 18) presents a night of wonderful loved up country folk from five piece acoustic roots Brighton band, THE MOUNTAIN FIREWORK COMPANY “Alternative bluegrass with a dark treacle folk centre”, and the avant garde stylings of singer/songwriter, SHONA FOSTER “Like Portishead ditching the drum machines or Kate Bush holidaying in the Balkans” Source Magazine Tickets from Resident Records (Kensington Gardens), Art Trading Post Café (St George’s Rd) or: www.wegottickets.com/event/21 3368 All funds raised are in aid of the Kemptown Carnival 2013 (Saturday, June 1). www.kemptowncarnival.com

BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS

GSCENE 59

CARRY ON CHORUS SPRING JAMBOREE Brighton Tavern, Gloucester Rd The BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS are holding their annual Carry On Chorus Spring Jamboree fundraising event (11am-3pm, Sat 6) at the Brighton Tavern. Go along and join the Chorus for cakes, hot drinks and lots of activities including table top stalls, a tombola, face-painting and a lucky draw.

Also look out for their forthcoming Brighton Fringe show Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus Douze Points (7.30pm, Fri 3 & Sat 4 May) at The Brighthelm Centre, BN1 1YD. They will be asking the audience to imagine what would happen should Brighton stage an alternative to the Eurovision Song Contest? Tickets: £12/£10 concessions from www.brightongmc.org The Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus Pride Special Fringe Show at the Sabai Pavilion, Victoria Gardens, (Sun 12 May). Tickets from: www.brightonfringe.org or the Brighton Dome or Fringe Box Offices.

4 POOFS & A PIANO BRING THEIR NEW LINE-UP TO OLD MARKET IN HOVE 4 POOFS & A PIANO, the former house band from The Jonathan Ross Show, perform their new show Bigger, Louder, Harder, Longer! at The Old Market, Brighton (7.30pm, Sat 13). Camp and naughty, the show features original comedy songs, musical parodies, pop standards, dance, physical comedy and light-hearted banter.

Original member Big Dave Wickenden, who is Brighton born and bred and now sings in the Brighton Gay Men's Choir joins a new line-up including fellow Brightonian, Graeme Clark, whose alter-ego Connie Conway is renowned on the Brighton drag circuit and two other 'poofs' the legendary pianist, Bobby Crush and Ian Lilley for this highoctane show, which promises to be Bigger, Louder, Harder & Longer!

Tickets: £15/£12 concs A group booking deal is available: buy 10 tickets and get them for £12 rather than £15! To book tickets view: www.theoldmarket.com For more info about the Poofs view: www.4poofsandapiano.com

60 GSCENE

ART

KAROL MICHALEC

M AT T E R S

BY ENZO MARRA

The Polish-born, Brighton-based artist talks art and influences with Graham Robson

This April I have sourced three opportunities from two venues to view; be challenged and be inspired by the visual arts.

What is your background?

I was born and raised in western Poland and was 18 when I came to UK in 2006. The UK is gay friendly compared to my birthplace, so I moved to Brighton three months later. I’m currently finishing Fine Art Sculpture at Brighton Uni. It’s been 7 years in the most wonderful place there is.

DEREK DAVIS

29 Tarrant St, Arundel, West Sussex, www.zimmerstewart.co.uk I Beginning with the Zimmer Stewart Gallery where KATHARINE LE HARDY – South Africa brings us a new body of work by the artist (until Sat 6), a series of canvasses and framed oil on board paintings inspired by her recent visit to South America. Having gone to South America for a month to gather source material, visiting Brazil and Argentina, she took in the huge diversity of dramatic landscapes that the countries had to offer. Working from sketches and photographs, developing them into larger scale drawings and paintings in her studio, the strength of colour presented in these landscapes has had a direct effect on her palette with muted tones being replaced by rich greens, vibrant pinks and blues. Using gestural marks and loose impasto brushwork to engage the viewer and charge the composition with movement and dynamism, building up the paint and alternating transparent and opaque layers, dripping, washing, splashing, she allows the images to gain a life of their own.

I Also at Zimmer Stewart, DEREK DAVIS - Special Anniversary Exhibition (Sat 13 Apr–Sat 4 May) is a celebration of one of Britain’s leading post-war potters (1926-2008).

Internationally known as a ceramicist and chosen by Dr Roy Strong as one of the two ceramicists most representative of the spirit of the 1970s, his work can be found in museums, galleries and private collections worldwide, including the V&A. In the post-war period and into the 1950s and 60s he pushed the boundaries of clay. His practice stemming from his imaginative and inquisitive use of materials, concepts and ideas not usually associated with clay, but more clearly aligned with fine art. From 1994 he concentrated on painting in both abstract and figurative styles, the latter often being on the subject of love and relationships.

‘HOMOSEXUALNY’ (FEB 2013)

KATHARINE LE HARDY

ZIMMER STEWART GALLERY

Is your work a reflection on growing up in a strictly conservative country?

A large body of my work is a response to my roots. In Poland the situation is difficult; it’s still a very homophobic place with angry attitudes, even in parliament. England has not only allowed me to live as an openly gay person, but has also allowed me to create a vast amount of work true to myself. I’m very lucky to invite homo-erotic language into my work.

Homosexualny (Feb 2013), was created using a photocopier and a Polish magazine found in Kemptown. It’s a propaganda-style poster with propaganda-style colours and although in the Polish language, the message is simple. In a way, those homoerotic images become political, since perhaps they would never be created back home.

What influences or inspires you and your work?

Impulses, memories and experiences. The feeling I try to portray is often intentionally uncomfortable.

What do you hope to convey?

Vulnerability of humans, and our faults and anxieties. I often look at conflicts and politics (both universal and personal) to portray the world seen with my eyes. There’s a bit of nostalgia, sometimes sexual tension. All with a level of emotion.

FIONA RAE

TOWNER

How do you achieve that?

I find that objects, just as images, have a certain energy about them, such as a disabled person’s harness. A level of selection goes into my practice to try to build the same feeling I had whilst creating a piece of work, or even visually spark the opposite, which happens often. I feel good behind a camera lens just as much as setting up a space with hundreds of knives and forks pinned to the wall (Echoes, Feb 2012). At this stage of my practice it’s still hard to distinguish a single medium I’d like to operate with.

‘NEIL’ - MARCH 2013

Devonshire Park, College Rd, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4JJ www.townereastbourne.org.uk I FIONA RAE: Maybe You Can Live On The Moon In The Next Century (Sat 27 Apr–Sun 23 Jun), will be an opportunity to see works by an artist who has established herself as one of the leading painters of her generation. The exhibition brings together paintings executed since 2000, when the artist began to make dramatic changes to her practice, incorporating the visual conventions of the post-Photoshop generation. She first came to public attention in 1988 at Freeze, the group show in London’s Docklands organised by Damien Hirst, which launched the new generation of young British artists (YBA). She quickly gained international acclaim, participating in the Venice Biennial in 1990 and being shortlisted for the Tate’s Turner Prize in 1991. In 2011 she was made Professor of Painting at the Royal Academy Schools, the first woman ever to be granted the role. She is also the Tate Members’ Commissioned Artist for 2011 -2013.

Karol's work will be exhibited at the Painting Pottery Cafe in Brighton (April 15) and the big Degree Show at Brighton University, Grand Parade Campus (May 31).

For more info: www.karolmichalec.blogspot.com

GSCENE 61

ARTS

BOOKS B Y E R I C PAG E

I THE GOLDEN AGE OF DC COMICS

by Paul Levitz (Taschen, £34.99).

This book chronicles the first decades of the DC Comic book publisher, which has brought the world Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. This excellent comprehensive compendium of DC Comics’ early years should be on your gift list for any LGBT comic fan geek you might know. Taschen’s ongoing series covering the DC Comic world follows the development of the creators of these well-loved superheroes year by year. This is an updated and slightly smaller version of the extra large Eisner Awardwinning 75 Years of DC, packed with thousands of illustrations, covers, film stills, photographs, tie-ins and collectables, some you’ll know and love, some you’ll covert to. The editor, Paul Levitz, is a comic book fan who has worked as editor/publisher of The Comic Reader, editor of the Batman titles and others, writer of more than 300 stories, including an acclaimed run on Legion of Super-Heroes, and a DC Comics executive.

He finished his 38-year stint with the company as President and Publisher and his warm expertise shines through in a series of accompanying essays. There is also an interview with legendary artist Joe Kubert of Sgt Rock and Hawkman fame.

the American dream by moving into a trailer park? Milton Stern tells you all about it. Based on his popular funny blog, he threads together his trailer park adventures with Esmeralda, the rescue beagle.

You'll love his quirky family, his neurotic dog, his colourful neighbours, and really appreciate Milton as you live the trailer park trash life through his eyes. Known for his engaging stories, unfiltered comments, dark and selfdeprecating humour, constant encounters with crazies, and slightly warped view of life, Milton Stern, once again shows you that I SANTA OLIVIA by Jacqueline Jews, even gay Jews, can thrive in Carey (Grand Central Publishing, any world, even one with trailers £10.99). and pick-up trucks.

Jacqueline Carey is the best-selling www.starbookspress.com author of the critically acclaimed Legacy series of historical fantasy novels and now she’s entered the rather topical lesbian werewolf supernatural fantasy world with this oddly endearing and gripping new novel, the first in a series.

Her heroine, Loup Garron, a champion boxer of sorts, is a female version of Wolverine but much better with the ladies than those XY-men. It’s a tension-filled post apocalyptic romp based in a disturbing neo-fascist future America (aren’t’ they all) but she examines some very interesting territory and writes some decent lesbian love action too. Carey weaves a believable world threaded through with love, revenge and the age-old story of a wronged women I WHAT’S STOPPING YOU BEING writing wrongs by focusing her MORE CONFIDENT? by Robert righteous wrath to become a true Kelsey (Capstone, £10.99). This is hero and winning the heart of her a cool new best-selling self-help girl. Great fun. book of the finer sort from I THE GAY JEW IN THE TRAILER

There was a collective ‘ohhh’ in the office when I opened this and it’s one of those coffee table books which will never gather dust, being as much fun to open at random as it is to sit down for a cosy afternoon and slowly work your way though its evocative and informative pages.

There’s a huge LGBT interest in comic books, and they speak to us in deep metaphorical ways of being ‘other’ and having a secret, apart from the high camp of it all. This is a pleasure to read and one of the best books I’ve come across about DC Comics. This volume traces DC’s first decades, from its pulp origins up to the comic book burnings of the McCarthy 1950s, and tells the stories of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and hundreds of other DC Comics’ characters.

There’s a huge amount of extra cool stuff too from comic covers to related films, some I’d never seen before. Taschen’s commitment to high quality publishing and well researched content make this one of the definitive works on this era of comic development with more than 400 full colour pages of informative and delightfully presented historical artwork.

Follow-up volumes covering the Silver Age, Bronze Age, Dark Age and Modern Age will be released later in 2013. www.taschen.com

PARK by Milton Stern (Starbooks Press, £12.99). A real story about a gefilte fish out of water! What happens when a gay Jew realises

established and well-respected author Robert Kelsey. He writes from his own experience and struggle and only shares stuff that has worked for him. Many books like this can be trite and obvious, laden with jargon and silly time wasting exercises. But not Kelsey, he’s not up for that sort of twaddle and carefully explores the roots of poor confidence while reminding us, in a myriad of ways, that we are (or can be) in control of our lives.

Broken down into five main themes, it’s focused on careers but there are plenty of other useful ideas. The book looks at what causes doubt, how to put it into perspective, overcome it and how to develop confidence and seek the things that will make you happy.

This cynical reader was pleasantly surprised by this book, and learned a few things along the way too.

62 GSCENE

CLASSICAL

Symphonic Etudes are more overtly material, there is some virtuosic pieces, the ‘Forest Scenes’ characteristically deft writing for are of a more intimate nature, and wind instruments, particularly for are perfect examples of Schumann’s the oboe and bassoon in the

BY NICK BOSTON ability to convey character and Allegro of the second symphony. imagery in such simple forms. on offer are by Sir Charles Villiers The Bassoon Concerto deserves to Helmchen’s playing is incredibly be as well known as the clarinet Stanford (1852-1924), Gerald precise, and no detail is left out. concertos, and Geoghegan Finzi (1901-1956) and Sir JACQUES IBERT’s (1890-1962) The same applies to the Symphonic certainly argues its case well. As Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006).

The musical style was highly eclectic, Etudes, which exist in a few ever, she manages to bring out a works span 72 years, from 1902 with a tendency for lightness and different forms, as Schumann remarkable lyrical line from an (Stanford) to 1974 (Arnold), with humour, so he is perhaps not reviewed the work, deleted some instrument perhaps sometimes the Finzi smack in the middle remembered as one of the ‘greats’, variations, and then Brahms added stereotyped as a little (1948).

There are some beautiful despite a vast catalogue of ballets, cumbersome. The Invitation To The five variations that Schumann had operas and film music. The Bridge melodies in the Stanford, deleted back in after his death – Dance is a great showpiece, and particularly in the central slow String Quartet Helmchen includes these here.

Berlioz’s lively orchestration movement, the legacy of Brahms is have joined There are myriad coded references popularised the work beyond its very evident – but it receives a friends to record solo piano beginnings. The playing to a young woman, Ernestine, who a selection of his top-notch performance here, with Schumann took a shine to, even throughout is lively and sprightly, Collins executing the not chamber works, though he had by now begun with particularly tight wind inconsiderable demands with including a seeing the love of his life, Clara. playing. Chandos CHAN10748 panache.

The Finzi concerto has premiere recording of the Souvenir The work is more extrovert in feel, more individuality for me, and is for Quartet and Double Bass. Ibert and Helmchen responds to this

Pianist Martin full of mournful lyricism, but the often collaborated, and this brief with more energy in his playing.

Helmchen has interest is in the contrast between single movement work is a case in He closes the disc with a recorded a the purely string orchestra and the point, possibly based on music by selection of solo beautifully light and delicate solo clarinet, with surprising August Gay. The disc opens with works by Robert Arabeske. Pentatone PTC5186452 variety and richness in the string his most substantial chamber Schumann writing.

Arnold’s Second Clarinet work, the String Quartet. Composed For more reviews, comments and (1810-1856). The two collections Concerto was commissioned by the during WWII when his music was events: nicks-classicalhere are the Waldszenen, and the great Benny Goodman, and banned by the Vichy government notes.blogspot.co.uk Symphonische Etüden, and he unsurprisingly contains many jazz and he was exiled to Switzerland, Email: nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk finishes the disc off with the whilst not explicitly reflecting the influences, with a Cadenza in the Arabeske in C. Whilst the first movement where the soloist is times, there is a restless anxiety in instructed to improvise ‘as jazzy this often turbulent music. Other gems include the brief but striking and way-out as you please’. Here, Collins plays the version by Sir Ghirlarzana for solo cello, Richard Rodney Bennett, who died BRIGHTON DOME sensitively played by Lucy recently. Three highly contrasting Church Rd, Brighton, 01273 709709, www.brightondome.org Wilding, and a delightful Trio for works, all expertly played by the MICHAEL MAINE (3pm, Tue 2) gives an organ Violin, Cello & Harp (with Bryn BBC Symphony Orchestra, Collins recital, with an Easter programme of classical works.

Lewis on harp). Ibert’s daughter conducting from the clarinet.

Popular pianist LUDOVICO EINAUDI (8pm, Thurs was a celebrated harpist, and he Chandos CHAN10739 25), brings his atmospheric, crossover piano style to wrote a number of works for the Brighton. instrument – also included here is the well-known Entr’acte, which ST LUKE’S CHURCH exists in a number of forms, played Queen’s Park Rd, Brighton. here by violin and harp. If Ibert is www.stlukesconcerts.webeden.co.uk new to you, or if you only know MONTPELLIER CELLO QUARTET (Fri his familiar orchestral 5) perform a quartet by local composer Divertissement, then this is Barry Mills, and will be joined by jazz definitely worth exploration. singer CLAIRE MARTIN. Somm SOMMCD0122 Violinist MADELEINE MITCHELL with soprano MARIE VASSILIOU and pianist NIGEL FOSTER (7.30pm, Fri 19) perform music by Handel, Mozart, Strauss, Vaughan Williams, and Ireland.

NOTES REVIEWS

MONTPELLIER CELLO QUARTET

LUDOVICO EINAUDI

CONCERTS

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL

PAUL LEWIS

Clarinettist MICHAEL COLLINS seems to be recording at a phenomenal rate, always interesting repertoire and to an incredibly high standard. His new disc of British Clarinet Concertos is no exception. The three works

Juanjo Mena and the BBC Philharmonic have recorded a selection of orchestral works by CARL MARIA VON WEBER (17861826), and are joined by bassoonist Karen Geoghegan for his Bassoon Concerto. The orchestra play his two Symphonies, and the programme opens with Berlioz’s orchestration of Weber’s piano waltz, Invitation To The Dance. There are some great musical ideas in the symphonies, and whilst both works lack a sense of real development of the

www.brightonfestival.org www.brightonfringe.org More on the Brighton Festival next month, but some highlights to look out for and book early I FAGIOLINI join with CIRCA to combine Renaissance polyphony with contemporary circus, Pianist PAUL LEWIS plays Schubert THE ELIAS QUARTET begin a two year Beethoven string quartet cycle Director Neil Bartlett stages Britten’s Canticles BRIGHTON FESTIVAL CHORUS join the BRITTEN SINFONIA for a performance of Mozart’s Mass in C Minor And look out in the Fringe Festival for BREMF CONSORT OF VOICES performing music by Gesualdo – ‘Genius and Murderer!’

GSCENE 63

FILM

BY MICHAEL HOOTMAN

IN THE HOUSE Dir: François Ozon Stars: Fabrice Luchini, Ernst Umhauer, Kristin Scott Thomas Plot: A 16-year-old boy insinuates himself into the house of a fellow student from his literature class and writes about it in essays that perversely blur the lines between reality and fiction for his jaded literature teacher.

Word on net: “A script with razor sharp wit, effective and unobtrusive direction and fine performances... perhaps Ozon's finest to date.” I “A smart and fascinating drama that ingeniously dissolves the barrier that separates fiction from reality.” I “Effortlessly shifts between genres, tones and styles, thus becoming an inquiry into this gifted if erratic filmmaker's whole career.”

DRAGON Dir: Peter Chan Stars: Donnie Yen, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Kara Hui Plot: A criminal martial arts expert wants to start a new tranquil life, only to be hunted by a determined detective and his former master.

Word on net: “Has enough interesting left turns in style, mood and psychodrama to make it stand out.” I “It's an adept genre exercise with rare primal depths.”

I “Doesn’t quite work, especially at the end when Mr Chan tries for a Shakespearean climax of filial rebellion and paternal rage.” I “Hurtles along at a pitch of sentiment and melodrama that would make MGM blush.”

FIRST POSITION Dir: Bess Kargman Stars: Aran Bell, Rebecca Houseknecht, Joan Sebastian Plot: A documentary that follows six young dancers from around the world as they prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world.

Word on net: “Never puts a foot wrong, touching and enormously satisfying.” I “Look at individuals of uncommon skill, self-knowledge, maturity and drive.” I “All the dollars and expertise that produced this summer's blockbusters could never make a spectacle as wondrous as 11-year-old Aran Bell dancing his heart out.”

A LATE QUARTET Dir: Yaron Zilberman Stars: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener Plot: Members of a world-renowned string quartet struggle to stay together in the face of competing egos, death and insuppressible lust.

Word on net: “It would be shortsighted to dismiss this deeply felt, musically savvy film, set in a refined cultural precinct of Manhattan, as sudsy melodrama.”

I “Builds toward a nicely crafted emotional crescendo, and delivers with it a rich and satisfying payoff.” I “Works its way into your heart with insinuating potency of music. Walken's performance is heartbreaking, and a master class in the craft of acting.”

THE GATEKEEPERS Dir: Dror Moreh Plot: Documentary featuring interviews with all surviving former heads of Shin Bet, the Israeli

security agency whose activities and membership are closely held state secrets.

Word on net: “Cuts deeper than any political thriller. It's a powerhouse.” I “Documentary potent enough to alter how you see the world.” I “Hard to imagine a movie about the Middle East that could be more timely, more

painfully urgent, more challenging to conventional wisdom on all sides of the conflict.” I “More intellectually engaging than Hollywood's Zero Dark Thirty, and at least as unsettling.”

SPRING BREAKERS Dir: Harmony Korine Stars: Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson Plot: Four college girls who land in jail after robbing a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation find themselves bailed out by a drug dealer who wants them to do some dirty work.

Word on net: “Hypnotic visual style and driving soundscape but too monotonous and thematically empty to be seriously provocative.”

I “Korine bounces back like a man possessed, rekitted as some 21st century Russ Meyer, playing disreputable paterfamilias to a fresh breed of supervixens.” I “Maybe it’s supposed to be ironic.”

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES Dir: Derek Cianfrance Stars: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes Plot: A motorcycle stunt rider turns to robbing banks as a way to

provide for his lover and their newborn baby, a decision that puts him on a collision course with an ambitious rookie cop.

Word on net: “Ambitious and epic, perhaps to a fault.” I “Lengthy and dense film packed with a handful of great performances... has great ambition but not nearly enough accomplishment.” I “Epic crime sage that constantly subverts audience expectations.”

ALSO OUT...

I Toby Stephens, Rufus Sewell and Gabriel Byrne star in ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN in which a thief is caught up in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse between a maverick cop and London crime boss. I SNITCH has the odd star pairing of Dwayne Johnson and Susan Sarandon. The former plays a father who goes undercover for the DEA to free his son who was

imprisoned after being set up in drug deal. I Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman and Andrea Riseborough star in sci-fi thriller OBLIVION. A court martial sends a veteran soldier to a distant planet, where he has to destroy the remains of an alien race. I Remake of EVIL DEAD has five unknowns going to a remote cabin where they find a demon-summoning Book of the Dead.

FILM C O M P E T I T I O N I Danny Boyle's latest film, TRANCE, stars James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson and Vincent Cassel in the story of art auctioneer who becomes mixed up with a group of criminals in order to recover a lost painting.

To win two tickets to the Odeon Brighton send the answer to the following question to Gscene Competition, 111 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1DD: This year McAvoy also stars in an adaptation of which Irvine Welsh novel?

MARCH COMPETITION: YENTL

64 GSCENE ONIBABA (Eureka blu ray). This film, a delirious horror melodrama set in medieval Japan, is one of the most striking and compelling movies I've seen in ages. An older woman and her daughter-in-law live in a hut amongst the reeds, ambushing soldiers who they murder in order to sell their effects. A friend of the older woman's son comes back from the war with news of the son's death, but both woman find themselves attracted to the man and soon he's enlisted in their diabolical profession. What follows in an absolute powerhouse of lust, murder, terror and madness. It has a suitably frenzied soundtrack featuring discordant jazz, ritualised drumming and weird electronic noises recalling Hitchcock's The Birds.

A genuine one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

SHOPPING WITH MICHAEL HOOTMAN

Spartacus 2013/12 (£19.99); Falcon Gentlemen's Glass Ring (£7.99); the Falcon "Romance" Egg (£29.99); Andrew Christian Underwear from £15.99; Jackboot Paddle (£44.99)

Never have a book borrowed permanently with these beautiful bookplates, £4.95 (Pen to Paper, 4 Sydney St, Brighton, 01273 676670)

Inspired by Banksy Rude Policeman from £10 (This Is Not a Butcher's, 28 Bond St, Brighton, 01273 327796)

BARCODE JOCKS COMPETITION It’s time to hit the gym and lose that winter spare tyre - think gym, working out, getting hot and sweaty - think jockstraps! Barcode is a top choice and Prowler Brighton (112-113 St James’s Street, 01273 683 680) has a fantastic range to choose from: Swim Anton Jock £17.99 (black or white); Sergey Jock £18.99 (black/white/black & white/white & green); Boris Cross Jock £20.99 (black/white/white & green) and Alexander Lace Jock £25.99 (black or white). All Barcode jocks are available in small to extra large.

Prowler are giving away two pairs of Barcode jocks: your choice of style, colour and size. To win just answer this question: name one colour in which the Sergey Jock is available.

Send your answer (and state your preferred jock) on a postcard including your email and postal address contact details to: Barcode Jocks Competition, Gscene Magazine, 111 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1DD.

Dr Who Teapot also available in Tardis design, £42.50 (Pussy, 3a Kensington Gardens, Brighton, 01273 604861)

Travel in style with the Birdy Suitcase, £9.99 (England at Home, 59 Ship St, 01273 738270)

Cubebot is at the cutting edge of cubebased puzzlement, £9.99 (Junkfunk, 27 Gloucester Road, Brighton, 01273 680555)

GSCENE 65

GEEK

SCENE

BY CRAIG STORRIE

COMICS With Marvel still riding the wave of cash that has been pouring in since The Avengers was released and the films grouped into being part of ‘Phase 1’ an overwhelming success, Marvel is looking ahead towards its second phase, starting with IRON MAN 3 released this month.

As this film will draw heavily from the Extremis storyline written by comic’s genius Warren Ellis back in 2005–2006, I’d like to highlight other awesome Iron Man story arcs that will help not only enrich the character but also give you some great stories to add to your list.

Beginning with what nearly every comic book geek regards as the definitive Tony Stark story, Demon in a Bottle (Iron Man #120–128) revolves around Stark’s addictions finally getting the better of him as he retreats further and further into the bottom of a bottle. Not only does it feature hard-hitting topics like alcoholism, unheard of in the 1970s, it also helps to replace the cheerful 1960s playboy with someone who has given into his selfish desires and is much more flawed as a result. It’s one hell of a character study and helps to break down Stark so much that he comes back the much better man because of it; it’s truly a defining story of the Bronze Age of comics.

The first Iron Man film was a commercial and critical success that literally came out of nowhere. Whilst the first film took bits from different stories (such as the origin from his first appearance in Tales of Suspense) and combined them to create a workable movie mythology; the most referred to of these stories comes from the many issue Iron Man Vs Iron Monger story (Iron Man #160 –200). Easily still one of the best runs, writer Denny O’Neil injected so much energy and brilliance into the foundations of the character of Tony Stark that some are still around to this day. These 40 issues dealt with his alcoholism and personal failings in a much more extended fashion than Demon In A Bottle ever could. His battle with Iron Monger is wrought and powerful with fierce repercussions. This is the best story to show Iron Man’s loss and redemption but also his battle and drive to take back what is rightfully his.

What if someone gained the power of Iron Man and used it as a weapon? This is the question asked by the Armor Wars saga (Iron Man #215–232). Stark’s designs are stolen and sold on the black market to the highest bidder. Faced with no other choice, Iron Man sets out to forcibly reclaim his property whilst pushing away those he cares for most. Armor Wars is brutal, with Stark’s using sometimes questionable means to fulfil his righteous quest. Alongside the previous two, it remains one the most influential Iron Man tales ever told.

STEAM GAMES Downloadable games are a big business these days. Whilst most console gamers only know about the Xbox Live or Playstation Network services, nearly every PC gamer has heard of or used Steam. Since its inception in 2003, Steam has grown to include not just games but other related media from the biggest software houses right down to indie programmers slaving away in their bedrooms. It is this huge variety of software that has helped make Steam the go-to platform for PC gamers searching for their next gaming fix. With so many various titles and genres there at your fingertips it can be easy to get lost or confused.

With this in mind I have listed below my personal favourite games from the past 12 months and I am sure everyone can find something to get their gaming juices flowing!

CIVILISATION V

I The latest in the always popular CIVILISATION series, Civ 5 aims to reinvent the series with an all new tile system featuring hexagons instead of the usual squares. Add to this a beautiful new interface, a hugely overhauled combat system and independent states with which to trade and you have yourselves a game that can get addictive fast!

Download the expansion pack, Gods & Kings, to add even more content such as religion and espionage to shape your world. The modding community is also huge and chock full of add-ons and all new features ripe for the taking. There are even some countries or places based on books, TV or film such as Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings.

AMNESIA: THE DARK DECENT

I For a game that is literally shit your pants scary look no further than AMNESIA. Riding high on my list of scary games last year it holds the trophy for the title I still cant play with the lights off! This will keep you occupied till the sequel, A Machine for Pigs, is due later this year

THE WALKING DEAD

I I know I’ve spoken about the WALKING DEAD before but it really is one of those games you have to play or you’ll regret it for the rest of your gaming life.

There is a reason it’s won tons of awards and came out top of most critics’ lists for the best games of 2012. It really is that good!

SUPER MEAT BOY

I SUPER MEAT BOY is a love letter to all those people who love platforming games and a challenge. A successor to the popular flash game Meat Boy, this finds you battling against fiendish levels to rescue your girlfriend, Bandage Girl. With a superb soundtrack, retro-inspired graphics and precise control it’s a true indie delight. If you don’t have a PC it’s available to download from Xbox Live for you console gamers.

More reviews on Craig’s blog: www.redbarrels.net

ALSO OUT THIS MONTH...

ALSO OUT THIS MONTH:

MINATURE JESUS, JUPITER’S LEGACY, DC's CONSTANTINE (All the above are available from Dave’s Comics, Sydney St, Brighton)

INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US (review to follow in June), DEAD ISLAND: RIPTIDE and DRAGON’S DOGMA: DARK ARISEN.

66 GSCENE

GSCENE 66

MONTHLY SERIAL BY CARL OPREY: EPISODE 7 For the umpteenth time that morning Michael made his way to Andy’s workstation, to deliver yet another pile of ‘urgent’ paperwork. He squatted down so that his head wasn’t visible above the workstation wall.

“Okay. Be quick,” he said. Andy reopened a window on his desktop. A badly pasted-up photo montage with a host of pan-racial, pancultural children burst onto the screen. A cloying stock jingle sang out in the background: We are the children of the world…

A banner bearing the title Donor Families Reunited danced across the screen in a rainbow font.

“It all seems a bit, well, cheap,” Michael said.

“It does everything you need.” Andy hit the red ‘Enter’ button and bypassed the ‘Go Live’ screen. “You can all blog each other, swap addresses, pay each other off on PayPal, jack each other off on webcam...”

Andy clicked another link. An enlarged photo of Sean’s face filled the screen. Dr Sean David Matthews. Donor. London, England, UK. In a side bar, Michael saw a box titled MY KIDS. He leant closer to the monitor and saw his own name on a list of ten.

“Is that all there is?”

“That’s all there is at the moment. Once this shit hits the Twittersphere…”

Andy clicked on Michael’s name and his Bracewell photo ID popped onto the screen followed by a text box with his date of birth, city of residence and an old photograph.

“And you, my friend, are numero uno,” Andy said. The photograph was old. Michael hadn’t had a crop like that for years. He would have been about fifteen. For a second Michael wanted to scream and press the ‘Go Live’ button and just fuck it all. Then he thought about the baby, the result of another hasty moment.

“Have you got the moolah?” Andy said.

Michael pulled out the envelope he’d hidden in the urgent paperwork and passed it to Andy. “I hate to blow my own trumpet, Michael, but this is my best work yet...”

Andy counted the money, flicking through it in the envelope. “…And if it weren’t so illegal, I’d use it all the time. You know, throw in a bit of advertising… I’d make a bloody fortune.’

“OK, close it now, Andy.”

Andy shoved the envelope into his pocket and passed Michael a slip of paper.

“Here’s the link and the password. If you change or lose it, you’re fucked.”

Andy closed the window with a two-finger shortcut. “Once it’s live, it searches for all the relations of the people in the list and databases and emails them too. Then it emails their relations, if it finds them. You just sit back.”

“What relations?”

“Relations. You know, family tree sites and all that crap.”

Michael stood up and looked around as if someone might be eavesdropping.

“What if I ever wanted to kill it?”

“I’d be fucking devastated if you did.” Andy opened his Bracewell repossession data sheet on his screen. “But once that mail drop’s gone, it’s gone. You got that?”

Michael read the http address on his way back to his desk: donorfamiliesreunited Password: Michael 1 He returned home that night and watched Tracy for a while from behind a gap in the living room door. She was lying across the couch, eating supermarket ice cream from the tub and watching an Australian soap opera. He imagined teetering on the edge of hell and that everything around him, and the baby, was suddenly gone. Even the idea of the baby itself was diminishing. He thought he should perhaps force Tracy to make the baby decision for him and be free of a future controlled only by her. It became all fuzzy again as he felt like when they’d first met and held a promise of him finally belonging somewhere. Apparently, there‘d only been a few weeks between any of her long term relationships and she’d told Michael that she couldn’t bear to be alone.

Ginger Billy, the guy before Michael, had up and left, without giving her any notice. Now Michael was beginning to realise why.

Michael burst in as if he’d just arrived. “Come and look at this, Tracy.” He turned the television off and booted up the computer. In one swoop, Tracy rolled from the couch, onto her knees and up to standing.

“This better be worth it.” Tracy sat down.

Michael leaned over her shoulders and copied Andy’s information into the web browser. The

donor families site opened with a loud swirl of children singing. “So this how you and Andy spend your time at work.”

“Just watch.”

Bypassing the Go Live Now window, Michael opened up the page containing Sean’s details.

“But this is crap, Michael.”

“It’s a bribe, remember? Watch this.” Michael hit another key and his own profile jumped up onto the screen.

“Wow, look at your hair.” Tracy leaned forward; now she was interested. “Go on, open another one.”

Michael scrolled through the files. Tracy counted them.

“So there are eleven, including you?” she said.

“That’s just the tip of the iceberg.”

“What iceberg?”

“Listen, one look at this and he’ll be throwing money at us.” Michael lay on the couch and turned on the TV. He flicked over to the nature channel. “This way it’s all anonymous.”

“You’re a coward,” Tracy said. “Why don’t you just confront him?”

“He’ll never find me this way. I could be any one of… ten.”

Tracy began tapping on the keypad then opened a drawer in the desk. “I don’t want you to be one of ten. This is your inheritance.”

Tracy took the envelope from the desk and scribbled a new address onto the front.

“Let’s stick with Plan A, shall we? Except, this time we’ll use his London address, where we can keep a proper eye on him.”

Michael sat up on the couch. “He’s got a London address?”

“Clerkenwell. Very nice it is, too. I took a walk over there today.” She looked at her watch.

“You could be there by eight. If you run.”

“I’ll get arrested, Tracy. Do you even care about that? What about me in all of this?”

“It’s about the baby, Michael. How much longer do you need to think about that?”

Tracy waited for the flat door to slam before she pulled up the website from the browser history and logged on with the password on Andy’s note. As the children began to sing again, she heard Michael's key rattle in the flat door. At first she tried to cut the volume by pressing a selection of random keys. When that failed, she banged the side of the monitor with her hand and, as files cascaded down the screen, she saw the red Go Live Now button was now flashing with the single word Live. She pulled the cord on the monitor and she saw it die, leaving a lingering white point of light at its centre.

Michael entered the room.

“Forget something?” Tracy said, holding up Andy’s note without turning around. Michael walked to her and snatched the note from her hand.

“This is last time I’ll put myself in danger for you,” he said. “Have you got that?” He wrote the web address for the site onto the envelope.

“What you doing that for?” Tracy said, a panic rising into her voice. “He doesn’t need to know about that.”

“This is my part of the deal, Tracy. Mine.” © Carl Oprey

GSCENE 67

CRAIG’S THOUGHTS HAPPY CAMPER SHUT THAT DOOR... OR: THERE’S NOWT AS QUEER AS FOLK

BY CRAIG HANLON-SMITH As Gay Icons is the theme for Brighton & Hove Pride 2013, the publicity for the two-day event and accompanied festivities celebrates a host of faces who have graced our screens, airwaves and dinner party conversations over the past century. Whilst the roll-call of a 'who's in' runs as broad as it is tall, in a Sergeant Pepper homage from Oscar Wilde to Peter Tatchell through Diana Dors to Divine (everyone under 25: "who?") there is an inevitable party game of 'who's out' and to make the case for the inclusion of a forgotten favourite trailblazer or two.

During recent news coverage of the ongoing gay marriage debacle, (what is left to debate? hurry the **** up!), there have been innumerable reports of the progress of social change in respect of the gay agenda across the years. On several occasions these have been accompanied by highly critical observations of how gay men were depicted in the media during the 1970s and early 1980s, particularly at the hands of the great British sit-com or prime-time Saturday night TV spot. Gay ladies, you will no doubt be pleased to discover that you were either not yet walking the earth in the latter part of the 20th century, or you are just not part of the gay debate.

and 80s drew from an unpleasant series of cartoonesque stereotypes that were not reflective of gay society and hindered our progress for equality. Wrong. John Inman, Larry Grayson, Barry the Ballroom dancer, Lieutenant Gruber and many besides infiltrated the British living room like the French resistance crawling through a Normandy undergrowth in stolen Nazi Uniforms.

They were trailblazers taking the normalisation of homosexuality as a 'pretended family relationship' to the core of the British home right under the turned up noses of Section 28 and a (then) homophobic House of Lords. What is remarkable about their achievements, is that against a backdrop of intolerance and later the hysteria surrounding HIV/AIDS, is that they succeeded in their living room landings with style, panache and humour whilst immaculately dressed, and the masses loved them in their television adoring millions.

As a gay community however, particularly the male, we have unfortunately marginalised their role in our improving status through an unpleasant fear of the camp. Dating (or shag shopping) websites request 'no camp queens' and as gay men we jostle for acceptance in the quest for a new hirsute or East End thug-u-like stereotype of what a 'real man' is, neglecting to appreciate the irrefutable role of the camp queen in our journey towards equality.

In the 21st Century, whilst their contribution to the TV schedules is of a different content to those outlined above, some of our current successful chat show hosts and presenters are leaning towards the camper end of the spectrum; Graham Norton, Paul O'Grady and Alan Carr to name but three who have also dominated the airwaves of national radio, Alan Carr going on to sell out an arena tour of stand-up shows.

“What is it about the camper gentleman that the wider community are so happy to take to their heart that makes many of us who should be championing their success wince with embarrassment?”

These serious news item observations are usually accompanied by excerpts from Are You Being Served? and a maternally obsessed Mr Humphries whipping an equally fey tape measure around his neck whilst lending a sympathetic ear to Mrs Slocombe's ‘pussy problems’.

In the absence of camp antics from a sit-com menswear department store, we are reminded of the Saturday night television anchor Larry Grayson, whose achievements include managing to make Dale Winton resemble Jean Claude Van Dame, and whom television producers appeared to persuade to permanently attach his left wrist to his left ankle whilst resting spectacles upon his collar bone, attached, a chain borrowed from Miss Jean Brodie. As a consequence Saturday night catchphrases in living rooms and pubs up and down the country included the shrill calls of "I'm free" or "shut that door" and a jolly gay time was had by us all.

In the 1980s as John Inman's Mr Humphries and Grayson's Generation Game skipped off into a camp graveyard, how we used to roar at Hi-DeHi's sour-faced caustic commentary from the repressed homosexual Barry the ballroom dancer, or hold onto our helmets as Renee the French café owner was perpetually pursued by the less than subtle wander-lusts of Lieutenant Gruber.

What is truly sad about these characters in the shadow of our contemporary political and social progress, albeit at a snail's pace, is our now deeming their existence in the first place to have been offensive. The portrayal of gay men on British television in the 1970s

Can it just be an accidental coincidence that Julian Clary and Rylan Clark win consecutive series' of Celebrity Big Brother, with the former then packing them in on his national Position Vacant tour, recently extended following its initial sell-out run. So what is it about the camper gentleman that the wider community are so happy to take to their heart that makes many of us who should be championing their success wince with embarrassment or #face-palm?

As we lurch towards our Gay Icons-themed Pride season, it’s time for a camp revolution and a refreshing appreciation of what makes a man a man. To borrow Mr Clary's recent tour banner; Position Vacant applications only please from all those who would classify themselves as Camp Queens, who talk overtly and expressively with their hands and hips, whose lingering 'S's and 'T's challenge the very fabric of our linguistic disciplines, or even better, are happy to answer in public to the name Mary. We salute you and without you the rest of us would still be skulking in the shadows.

The King is dead, long live the Queens.

68 GSCENE

HEART & SOLE TICKED OFF!

The Sky Fairies are one thing, but it’s the people who proclaim to be their mouthpieces, who are the real villains because it’s these religious leaders ‘in the know’, who think they can tell us what to do and how to live, all based on, let’s not forget, stuff OTHER MEN scribbled down, thousands of years ago.

And in 2013 these ringleaders STILL seem to get away with it.

WHAT REALLY GETS MY GOAT

BY DARREN SOLE Anyone who knows me, knows that my glass is, more often than not, half empty. The reason? It could be that I’ve a chemical imbalance, maybe I’m oversensitive, or perhaps I’m just a miserable cow. As Dame Morrissey puts it; ‘I bear more grudges than lonely high court judges’.

But hey, I’m British, I like a good moan. Which of us doesn’t, right?!

I could easily fill Room 101 with 99 problems, and at 200 degrees I’m like an atom bomb, ready to explode so Don’t Stop Me Now, as here are just some of the random things that get my goat, cheese me off and rub me up the wrong way.

FASHION PHOTO EDITORIALS IN MAGAZINES What’s that, this season’s all about lace shorts under hot pants over lycra meggings? And I should be ‘mixing it up’ with suedette boleros, two-tone harem pants and a choppy bob? Well, I’ll certainly give it a go. If I want people to throw stones at me, that is. Ridiculous.

FORCED CIRCUMCISION How are parents, the world over, allowed willy-nilly, to plan soirees around the mutilation of their sons’ genitals? Much like the recipients’ penis, I’m at a total loss. I’ve never heard a valid reason as to why this barbarism is tolerated. Cleanliness? I don’t think so. ‘Tradition’? Don’t make me laugh. But still the cutting goes on, all so much as without a blink of an er, eye.

The outgoing Pope, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger for example, has left us with some corking Greatest Homophobic Hits, all in the name of ‘God’ like “Gay couples threaten families to the core” and “gay marriage is a threat to justice, world peace and the future of humanity itself”. Lovely stuff.

Among the favourites to take over his top non-job of Pope, is 64-yearold Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the ‘Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace’ (ha ha, what?!), whose anti-gay quotes certainly make him appear as someone who sings from the same hymn sheet.

But what with the Pope ‘retiring’ and news of Cardinal Keith O’Brien (AKA Stonewall’s ‘Bigot of the Year’) who recently dubbed same-sex couples ‘grotesque’ resigning, there must be panic on the streets of the Vatican as it dawns on the puppet masters that their religion is a sinking ship, as their institution’s figureheads go down right, right and centre. And by the way Sky Fairy fans, why so angry?! Lighten up!

You've guaranteed your place in ‘Heaven’ right? What with the clouds, harps, streets of gold and everything, it’s going to be brilliant!

“There must be panic on the streets of the Vatican as it dawns on the puppet masters that their religion is a sinking ship, as their institution’s figureheads go down right, right and centre”

CELERY Quite obviously, evil.

THE CULT OF 'STRAIGHT ACTING' The obsession of gay men desperate to be, seek out and pass as ‘Straight Acting’. How has this fetish become viewed as such a Badge of Honour? It’s not something to aspire to be. It doesn’t make you more attractive and it certainly doesn’t validate you. But hang on, maybe self-loathing gay boys have a point; why would they want to ‘act gay’ like accomplished individuals Frank Ocean, Alan Carr or Gareth Thomas when you could ‘behave’ like the average straight bloke; a monosyllabic, badly dressed, emotionally inarticulate, sports bore, whose pulse is raised only when faced with a Real Ale. (And I’m not heterophobic, some of my best friends are straight).

LULU Weeeeeeeeeeeellll... Hands up who likes Lulu. Like, really? This dead horse has been well and truly flogged. You had a hit, we get it.

Seriously love, it’s time to give it up.

THE SKY FAIRY I know that all these things like Mamma Mia: The Movie, are inexplicable irritants that if I have to, I can live with. But topping my list of derision is the ultimate annoyance, the one thing that REALLY makes our lives needlessly tougher and that is, of course, the INVENTION OF THE SKY FAIRY. I wonder whether if ‘God’, in his/her/its many guises HADN'T been invented, what different kind of deal us gay folk would've got. Well, there’d be, no ‘abominations’, no ‘God Hates Fags’, no equal wedding rows, no homophobic hangings, no ‘Adam & Steve’, no chemical castrations, no ‘Kill The Gays’ laws and certainly no eternal damnations.

I can’t comprehend how these men, and they usually are men, weald SO much influence and power and why SO many people choose to believe their bi(b)le. I guess because death is scary and life is even scarier but being taught to hate isn’t the way to go.

I am one truly confused ‘atheist’, but only confused because such a word exists. I've not 'opted out' of believing in God, I never 'opted in'!

But even when faced with this latest nasty rise in religious intolerance, this miserable cow’s half empty glass is, surprisingly, getting fuller and fuller. Because as I mince towards 40, I’m slowly learning how to appreciate life more; what I like, what I don’t and what just doesn’t matter. Because the only person who can REALLY stand in the way of your happiness and destiny, is yourself.

And you certainly can’t blame Lulu for that.

GSCENE 69

WALL’S

WORDS

GAY

WISDOM

BY MIKE WALL

BY GAY SOCRATES

ALWAYS CHOSEN LAST!

THE GOOD-BAD FAERIES ARE IN BRIGHTON!

I had forgotten that feeling, standing there in the middle of a football pitch, with two large groups of children standing looking at me with a range of expressions on their faces. Some looked embarrassed, some sad, but mostly all I could see was grinning teeth yet again. Yes, I was the one that was always chosen last. I am not alone, I am sure there are a lot of gay men and women that can sympathise with me. I always felt a little bit like a scared puppy, left alone at home for the very first time, while its owners went out to the exciting world outside.

When I was an infant my first experiences were very primitively categorised into ‘good’ and ‘bad’. When I was warm, dry, fragrant, comfortable, satiated and soothed, life was good. When I was cold, wet, smelly, uncomfortable, hungry and abandoned, life was bad. The fact that mummy was the source of both of these states hadn’t occurred to me. As I grew and developed I continued to build on this binary foundation and continued to categorise people and experiences into various shades of good and bad. This formed the basis of my basic ego-based morality.

I don’t know what it is, but even though a person can fit in, there are often times when you don’t really ‘fit in’. I had one of those situations recently and all those emotions of a lonely six-year-old came flooding back. I was surprised at how strong these feelings were. Yet again, I was the one not chosen, and one of the only reasons I could find was that I just didn’t quite fit in with the straight crowd. In this group that I am speaking about, I am very much liked and I am told quite often that I offer a lot to the group. I am known to be a positive force, a motivator and quite charismatic. But then why is it that when there is a decision to be made about a leadership situation, the straight guy wins? We are talking about the kid in school that makes fun of the others, acts the clown, is inappropriate in so many ways – yet this is the chosen leader!

As time went by parents, teachers and priests contributed to my understanding of what was ‘good’ and what was ‘bad’. My super-ego developed and helped me to understand that what was ‘good’ for my ego didn’t necessarily make for a ‘good’ experience for everyone.

So far so good! The trouble kicked off when I started to realise that a really important aspect of my nature was viewed by the moralists around me as being not just bad but totally f***ing evil!

We live in a straight world; don’t fool yourselves by thinking anything else. It will be decades before an openly gay man or woman will be elected as Prime Minister. The reason is that something deep inside the psyche of straight people will not allow it. You hear people saying all the right things; ‘Gay people should be allowed to marry like everyone else’ etc, etc. However I think I respect the bigots and the homophobes more as they will actually say what a lot of society is thinking: gay people make others feel a little uncomfortable. Although we are nice to have around, you don’t really want of us telling you what to do, do you?

“We live in a straight world; don’t fool yourselves by thinking anything else. It will be decades before an openly gay man or woman will be elected as Prime Minister” I often think that I should change my name to Token. Straight people often point out to me, when they find out I am gay, that they have ‘loads of gay friends’, or ‘I love Alan Carr’ or some other pointless piece of trivial garbage to try and convince me that they are accepting members of society.

Reality is that we are gay and we are expected to be funny and camp. We are invited to dinner to be the light entertainment. We are not often taken seriously. It makes me feel sad that so many people had to hide their sexuality until they had become successful, because they knew deep down that they would have been the last one chosen.

“We support each other in developing spiritual practices, which will sustain us and help us grow into an understanding of the purpose of our unique queerness” The only sane response to this creepy development was to critically appraise the moral framework, which had been painstakingly hardwired into my personality and carefully dismantle the faulty bits.

Once I’d established that queer sexuality was OK after all I was left with an uncertainty about all this ‘good-bad’ stuff. Is there any sexually-based behaviour that was unethical? Of course there was but how did I confidently discern? Maybe if it doesn’t hurt anyone... but then how would I know what might hurt? Did moral frameworks evolve as ways of anticipating how best to avoid pain to others?

I would imagine that in ancient times a tribe might have turned to its elders and ancestors as a source of ethical wisdom and that an elder would have based moral advice on memories and stories of how past behaviours had impacted on the tribe and its environment.

We live in fractured society. These simple ways have been lost to us and we have lost our trust in church, authority and science to answer our ethical dilemmas.

Faeries have started to find their moral compass in nature and in the company of like-natured beings. We meet up and find ways to behave ethically towards each other and the worlds we live in. We try to move away from identifying ‘otherness’ in those who make us feel uncomfortable. We locate source energy in ourselves, our neighbours, and our surroundings. We support each other in developing spiritual practices, which will sustain us and help us grow into an understanding of the purpose of our unique queerness.

Is there anyone out there who thinks they might be a faerie and would like to talk from the heart about the fire of spirit, how to feed and sustain it, and how to grow in love for ourselves and each other?

Does anyone want to develop a loving, caring, intimate community of faeries in Brighton?

Drop me an email gaysocrates@gmail.com and I’ll put you on the Brighton Faerie email group.

I look forward to meeting up!

70 GSCENE

KEITH SHARPE FOUL PRACTICE ROMAN HYPOCRISIES

BY DR KEITH SHARPE, CHANGING ATTITUDE SUSSEX I have just come back from a week in Rome, staying in a hotel overlooking St Peter’s basilica and the Vatican City. The trip was planned months in advance but it turns out to have coincided with two significant events: the resignation of Joseph Ratzinger as pope and the Italian general election. As regards the latter, the main impact on us was being constantly pestered by leafleteers keen to secure the votes we did not have. A secondary trauma was having the artificially constructed and beamingly insincere face of Silvio Berlosconi peering down at you seemingly from every hoarding in the city.

As for Ratzinger, however, I personally felt much more directly implicated in what is, by anybody’s standards, a historic development. It is not every day a pope resigns, not even every century, scarcely once in a millennium. And as anyone who has read this column before will know, Ratzinger has been for me a real bugbear. He is the reason I left the Roman Catholic Church. And so I could not avoid the feeling it was fitting that my one glimpse of him in the flesh should be the moment at which he left the papacy.

Ratzinger, then a German academic theologian, was brought to Rome by the Polish pope who preceded him and who wanted a conservative to take charge of the Vatican department which enforces orthodoxy and clerical discipline. That department is now called the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, but it used to be called the Holy Inquisition.

“Ratzinger embodied the self-defeating principle too often adopted of protecting the institution at all costs” Ratzinger set about his task with vigour. Liberation theologians and other creative thinkers were summoned to Rome and silenced. Everyone always said Ratzinger was personally charming as he undertook this work, but then that was what they used to say also about another German leader bent on a mission in the previous generation, who apparently loved children and dogs. From the mid-1980s onwards the new Inquisitor began issuing formal condemnations of lesbian and gay people. Homosexuals were ‘intrinsically disordered’ with ‘a tendency to evil’.

I decided it was not possible to remain in a church which officially defined me as evil and disordered in my very being, not least because I could not imagine the founder of the religion saying any such thing and thus therefore concluded that a supposedly infallible church was no such thing.

Another of Ratzinger’s roles was to take charge of the Roman Catholic Church’s response to the emerging child abuse scandal. His was the desk in the Vatican where the buck stopped. His stewardship in this role has been nothing short of catastrophic for almost everybody involved: the victims, their families, but also for the perpetrators who should have been stopped and weren’t and for the reputation of the

Christian Church which has been irreparably damaged. Ratzinger embodied the self-defeating principle too often adopted of protecting the institution at all costs.

Joanna Moorhead, deputy editor of The Catholic Herald (1988–1992), wrote recently in The Guardian about the disillusion these shocking revelations have wrought. The online version is headlined The Crimes Of The Catholic Church: Not In Our Names.

In the course of the article she says: “The last thing anyone would ask a bishop or cardinal about right now is prayer, or Christian witness, or how to live an upright, moral, Godtrusting life.

All they seem to know about is covering up sex crimes, inappropriate behaviour among prelates, political infighting at the Vatican, and the existence of a clandestine gay cabal at the highest levels in Rome.

It now seems a power-crazed, untrustworthy and corrupt institution, out to save its own skin at almost any cost.

I am angry; very angry indeed. Because my church has, quite simply, failed to give witness, at an institutional level, to the gospel message with which it was entrusted by Christ.

All around me I increasingly hear these words from my fellow Catholics: not in my name. These crimes that have been committed, this power that has been abused, this trust that has been betrayed: not in our name, Your Holiness, has it happened.

This is the guilt of the hierarchy, the guilt of the priests, the guilt of the ordained men who run my church and who have been determined for centuries that they would not share the running of the church with anyone who was not one of them.

Lay women, the biggest group within the church, are the most silent of all silent majorities. They are also its wisdom, its common sense and its conscience.

This church isn’t the church I want to belong to. If the Catholic church is going to pick itself up it needs to make some very big changes indeed.”

Coming from a leading Catholic commentator this denunciation is devastating. Many others have said similar things. When I was in Rome the Italian press was full of stories of secretly gay cardinals cavorting in Roman saunas. The Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica published an article claiming that his decision to resign was influenced by a Vatican report showing that the Holy See was affected by outside influences, including a ‘gay lobby’.

The day I returned from Rome The Observer published the news that three priests and a former priest in Scotland have reported Cardinal Keith O’Brien to nuncio Antonio Mennini, the Vatican’s ambassador to Britain over allegations of inappropriate behaviour stretching back 30 years. The Cardinal fails to turn up to mass and the next day resigns with immediate effect. Later he admits that Ratzinger told him to resign. The inappropriate behaviour has to be homosexual behaviour and the allegations must presumably therefore imply that the Cardinal is gay. And yet this man was named ‘bigot of the year’ by Stonewall because of his odious comments about gay marriage. He has a history of condemning gay people in the most lurid language. His hypocrisy beggars belief.

OPEN AND WELCOMING CHURCHES All churches are involved in this kind of hypocrisy about LGBT people.

This is why it is important to fight alongside organisations exposing and contesting it. Do come along to the Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement annual conference which this year is being held in Brighton at the United Reformed Church in North Street, Friday, April 19–21.

For information and registration (all welcome), view: www.lgcm.org.uk Changing Attitude Sussex is committed to telling the truth about Christian teaching on homosexuality, and works for the full inclusion of LGBT people in every province of the Anglican Communion and more widely in all Christian Churches. For more information, view: www.changingattitudesussex.com and www.thegaygospels.com

GSCENE 71

CHOIR

TWISTED

GILDED GHETTO

BOYS

BY ERIC PAGE

BY JONATHAN TAYLOR

THE DRAGON’S CWTCH

HAVING A GOOD OLD MOAN

Powf the magic dragon lived by the sea and frolicked in the autumn mist in a town called Aberdyth. One day when he woke he scratched his tail and thought of hopping over the waves and recalled all the wonderful relationships from his long life and all the mistakes he’d made. He smiled and thought of Douru, the Mirandese dragon whose love kept him warm and whose cwtch was the best in the world. A cwtch – by the way, for those who don’t speak dragonwelsh is a deep comforting cuddle in the arms of one you love, when two hearts meld into one and sleep drifts in like the mists under a summer mood, but we digress…

Preaching from a soapbox. Getting if off your chest. Having a good old moan. We are, as a nation, rather excellent at ‘having a good old moan’. The weather only seems to have to be, well the weather, for us to start on about it. There are, of course, many more important and world changing issues for us to support and proclaim the virtues of.

So why do I find myself looking to get on my soapbox about the trivial and irritating things?

So, what gets my goat? (I've never understood that phrase... why would I want a goat?) Well, quite a few things. Why, for example, does commercial radio play the same bloomin' songs day in day out and have a playlist that seems to contain whatever the X Factor finalists are butchering that week? Why would I want to follow Andrex on Facebook?

He recalled Quetzalcoatl, the glorious winged serpent from Mexico, all glimmering, glistening golden scales and huge taught gilded muscles, tattooed with the names of glorious battles he had won, whose sensuous sensual swagger and flamboyant flame has so transfixed him. He was magnificent, well to look at he was; he was also coldly arrogant and demanding, vain and ultimately selfish and Powf remembered the last night he had been held in those vast inked arms and felt alone, more alone that if he had been on his own. It had been awful; Quetza’s said that his love was magic, but it was just an illusion…

The soft unexpected fury of Douru caught him off guard, he’d been closed to any opportunity of romance, had given up on love, had even stopped blowing smoke rings on the off chance of catching some passing dragon’s eye, but Douru, sweet sexy Douru had been brave, open, uninhibited. Strong enough to be gentle. He was quiet and quirky, a wonderful water dragon who lived in a great cleft in the Iberian peninsula, he had given up violence and had a new career designing new Dungeons and Dragons games and sometimes posed for heraldic calendars. Bruised Powf was more careful this time but slowly, inexorably fell in love.

Powf and Douru became bonded, loved each other with a tender grace and had a wonderful time together, but one day Douru came home quietly. “It was his time”, he said; dragons are born with a set number of heartbeats and he was down to his final few thousand, the irony was not lost on him, in fact he looked it directly in the eye and smiled as his old friendly foe. A few perfect nights or a long life of loneliness. He wrapped his arms around Powf and felt their hearts entwine, it was perfect, just right, he held on tight and they gently, softly fell asleep on the great golden bed.

Only Powf woke up.

Powf sighed and leaned over to gently kiss the pictures he kept next to his golden bed, it was the last one taken of Douru before he died, then went out into the day, sighed and smiled sadly, closed the door and decided to be exquisite and never explain.

And there's the thing. It's therapeutic to speak out our frustrations, our irritations, our proclamations. What could be better than sitting down with your friends and talking through whatever has ‘got your goat’ that day? Sitting down with them in a pub to do so, of course!

“One of our key values is support and talking things out over a pint or two does hit the spot. We all need a place to vent” CELEBRATING AFTER THE RECENT MANCHESTER CHOIR WIN

Borealis was next, the Ice Dragon from Svalbard who he’d met on Mykonos when they’d both been there for Dragon Pride in the Middle Ages. He was a tall Valkyrien, all crepuscular clanging armored scales and wreathed in smoke, occasionally with a menthol edge if he was trying to give up his 20-a-day damsel habit. To look at he was superb but Powf learned too late, too deep, that his heart was all crystalline, cold and fractured as the ice that formed his northern minimalist lair.

Borealis was only in love with his own reflection. Powf realised that unrequited love was the only type of love that lasted forever.

The Americanisation of our language is an encroaching beast. Why would I want to say I'm at home 'chilling' when I can use the much more satisfying English phrase of 'putting my feet up'? Why do people walk soooooo slowly down the high street? Or anywhere for that matter? 24-hour news channels with no new news to report so try to make the most mundane item Earth shatteringly important.

Each Tuesday after rehearsal us Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus chaps all head off to The Brighton Tavern for a natter over a pint and to talk about our day. A lot of us don't have partners and live alone so the opportunity to do this is gratefully received. One of our key values is support and talking about things over a pint or two does hit the spot. We all need a place to vent.

As for the minor but seemingly never ending stream of irritants in day to day life, all will be well. When I next receive emails from companies I've bought stuff from saying that they 'miss me' sounding like a long-lost friend, or when Dancing On Ice tries to become tense and important and fails, I know what to do with my frustrations!

And another thing...

If you'd like more information about the BRIGHTON GAY MEN'S CHORUS, please visit www.brightongmc.org.

72 GSCENE

CHARLIE SAYS GOLDEN GIRL NO PLACE FOR SISSIES?

BY CHARLIE BAUER PhD

“Old age is no place for sissies” Bette Davis I always head over to Hollywood for Oscar season, and although I have never been discovered myself, I find that I always discover something else along the way. In the past it’s been anything from crabs to hidden debt. Occasionally, I’ve even discovered (fleeting) true love in the most unlikeliest of places.

Since no-one has offered to make me a star yet, I’ve resorted to doing the local political scene in District 13. What used to be the hellhole of Los Angeles, the area has finally become gentrified, and as a result – you guessed it – a bit more ‘white’. Yes, a bit like Notting Hill without the stucco. This used to be the place of Charles Bukowski and gangland crime. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been hanging around with the soon to be elected of Hollywood and Los Feliz whist eating free canapés and drinking vats of complimentary Mai Tai in the hope of finding what’s the real scoop in the local political spectrum – not just the personal politics of the entertainment industry.

Not surprisingly I ended up at an event organised by the openly gay candidate, Mitch O’Farrell. And even though I couldn’t possibly vote yay or nay for him because I’m a Brit, he welcomed me to his fundraiser with open arms. He honestly wanted to know what a Brit makes of it all. The man never stopped researching and he actually cared what I had to say. I was stumped – I’m not used to this in British politics. He’s not just going after the popular vote – as I said he can get no vote from me, yet he still wanted to know my opinions.

So, I searched around for my soap box and stood firmly on it. Forever being the activist, I demanded to know what was going down for the local gay community. I posed the question as I would in Blighty, almost as an accusation before I’d even started. And Mitch O’Farrell said nothing, in return and without wincing for one second at my belligerence, he tapped a nearby guest on the shoulder and introduced me to Eric Harrison the Executive Director of the Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing initiative (GLEH).

this is supposed to be our time to become exalted, to celebrate what it all meant, to rejoice in the greater narratives of our lives.

I’ve had a dialogue over the years with queer friends, both gay and straight, about how we are going to live when we all get old. We’ve always fantasised about selling up and buying a huge house all to ourselves or, if we could afford it, a tract of land some place warm so that we could all move onto it and live in yurts. Then, of course, we realise that we’d just be building yet another ghetto for ourselves. I think what we really fear most is not being around a community anymore – a home in the country is probably not what we need. And let’s face it, who would want to be the last gal standing in the middle of the country…

This is why organisations such as GLEH are set to become invaluable.

Our old age won’t be spent romanticising about putting on shows for each other, or playing Baby Jane in our own wheelchairs, it’ll be something much more real. Of course this scheme is aimed at lowincome elders, but the real issue being addressed is the real crux of an emergency within the community.

Lots of people, for a whole host of reasons, (some of us know about all too well) have become estranged from their birth families - mostly as a result of their sexuality, and as with The Harvey Milk School in New York, which was set up all those years ago for young people, these elder initiatives attract the double disenfranchised within a predominantly white society. Yet again it’s not just issues of race that come into play here, but the predominant religious beliefs still upheld within those communities, and you can fight all this stuff when you’re young – it’s just not that easy when you’re older.

“Our old age won’t be spent romanticising about putting on shows for each other, or playing Baby Jane in our own wheelchairs, it’ll be something much more real”

It was here that I realised I was finally over the rainbow and that I had found the Hollywood of my dreams.

“These veterans of the queer wars are now more often than not being forced back into the closet (sometimes on their deathbeds) in order to get the care they require” As you know, I’ve previously covered issues of gay and lesbian elders facing horrific struggles in their later years. These veterans of the queer wars are now more often than not being forced back into the closet (sometimes on their deathbeds) in order to get the care they require. Usually, in the States at least, it comes at the hands of Christian caregivers. I have to say, after a lifetime of sashaying around, I’d hate to be pushed back into the closet when I’m dying -

I’ve never been one for the ghetto and I steadfastly backtrack from living in this Streetcar Named Desire fantasy about gay old age. What it really means to the likes of me, if I’m lucky, will be a tower block with a drug dealer on one side and a wife-beater on the other.

Yes, of course we need true integration, but until that actually happens, I’d like to see something a bit more substantial for the hardfought, hard-won elders of the community. http://gleh.org

GSCENE 73

TRANS

SCRIBE

ADDICTED

BY NICK DOUGLAS

BY GRAHAM HAMILTON

INVISIBILITY KILLS

LAY ALL YOUR PROBLEMS ON ME

Having seen the publicity generated by the trans equality scrutiny panel, I have been thinking about trans people in the mainstream media. Was I surprised by the hysterical and inaccurate reporting of the press? No. It is exactly what I expected. I have long held the view that the British media is incapable of reporting stories about trans people fairly and accurately. As someone involved in supporting the scrutiny through my work, I saw at first hand the distorted misinformation being presented. Fortunately, there is a fine organisation called Trans Media Watch that tries to respond to such excesses.

I learnt in rehab that there are many reasons why people resort to filling their bodies with alcohol, cock, cocaine or even too many hours at work or the gym. It’s to fill the void that lives there every day and we notice when we dare sit still on our own. Somehow we just don’t feel happy being in the present without some form of distraction or self-medication.

But even when the media try to get it right, the note is somehow just, off. To them, we are still exotic creatures, whose very existence is noteworthy. For example, I recently read an article in The Sun about trans teenager Jackie Green and the fact that she has a boyfriend.

Not vicious or spiteful, actually very sympathetic, but so what! Hardly news is it? One of the spectres that often haunts trans people is the idea that if they transition, they will never find love in their new gender. It's almost always not true, but it's often one of the irrational fears that has to be faced.

So, perhaps it's a good thing to show a happy teenager and her new boyfriend. After all, our partners are often ignored as the focus switches to the exotic creatures that we are! But I can't help thinking it also sends a subtle message of ‘Look, a trans woman in a relationship with a nice young fella, what a shocker! And ‘ah, isn't he a good boy for taking her on?’ The article reports that people even offensively say as much to the young chap. Does this suggest to young trans women that a happy relationship with a cisgendered bloke is so unusual as to be newsworthy? But when we look around, we see lots of trans and cisgendered people in healthy relationships (and a good few trans people in relationships together).

“But even when the media try to get it right, the note is somehow just, off. To them, we are still exotic creatures, whose very existence is noteworthy” So would I rather the mainstream media just ignore us, as they do for the vast majority of the time? Not exactly. You see, I'm of the opinion that trans invisibility kills. Literally. My own transition was delayed by many years because I simply didn't know that trans men existed. This was before My Transsexual Summer. I had simply never seen a trans man before. The only (rare) representations were of trans women, so I thought that this was the only option, and that perhaps the medical technology didn't exist for female-to-male transitions.

Why do I say this kills? Because I think there are many people who experience the pain of what the psychiatrists call 'gender dysphoria' without knowing that there are options. Seeing real live human beings who have made the transition and not only lived to tell the tale but thrived gives hope. Do I think the mainstream media can ever be relied upon to do justice to the reality of our lives? Sadly not. Which is why I applaud all those trans artists, film-makers, novelists, playwrights and other culture producers. It is only by telling our own stories that we have some hope of seeing the truth.

Nick Douglas writes here in a personal capacity.

Where does the feeling come from? According to my therapist, Brian, who had an appalling stutter, “It cu..cu..cum…cumma… starts from roles that were unconsciously given to us by adults when we were children.” Maybe we were ‘The Scapegoat’, always blamed for unhappy domestic situations or perhaps we were ‘The Clown’, always trying to make the family happy laugh and get any, much needed attention.

My role was ‘The Martyr’. It sounds grand, but it isn’t. It involves always trying to sort other people’s problems out instead of looking at your own. It started when we were made homeless as children and I had to fight with one of our landlords to get our deposit back. I was always trying to sort out our financial problems since the age of eight.

Also, if my mother had an argument with our stepfather I often took the role of counsellor and helped them get back together.

“This suppressed anger doesn’t go away. I used to push it down with gallons of beer but that doesn’t work anymore” I still do this now. If someone is unhappy I listen to their story, try to help and don’t even mention about the shit I’ve been going through.

Bloody annoying really. Trouble is, this suppressed anger doesn’t go away. I used to push it down with gallons of beer but that doesn’t work anymore. I have to learn to say, ‘Sorry can’t deal with that now,’ or, ‘Actually I’m having a really tough time too.’

I never call my friends up and say what’s going wrong in my life. Who needs that shit? Who wants a call from someone complaining about their partner or work? But, apparently, that is what people do.

So this is the year to stand up on my soapbox and shout, ‘What about me and my problems? Sort your own shit out and stop putting it on me! (Even if I ask or encourage you to) It’s not my fault! I’m alcoholic!’

So the lodger who has pissed us off by trying to take over our house with her boyfriend and complained about every little thing wrong with this crumbling Victorian house has been told to pack her bags and leave. My brother in Australia who constantly judges me, saying that my partner is disgusting and that he is a better gay person than I am, because he has got married, has been told to bugger off.

I’m getting on with my own life, so I suggest you all do the same. But before I go, just need to know, ‘How are you?’, ‘Is everything alright?’, ‘Anything I can do?’

ADVERTISERS MAP HORE

HAM

RD

HOVE STTATION N

43 K DY T

G ESTATE AGENTS

G FOOD

RD LEW ES EDWAR

D ST

ST JAM ES STR

EET

MARIN

30 26

E PAR

25

27 FISHERMAN’S REST 123-125 Kings Rd, 323888 12 IRON DUKE 3 Waterloo St, Hove, 734806 13 LEGENDS BAR 31-34 Marine Parade, 624462 29 NEW STEINE BISTRO 12a New Steine, 681546 18 REGENCY TAVERN 32-34 Russell Sq, 325652

38 JUSTIN LLOYD (Kemp Town) 118 St James’ St, 315612 39 JUSTIN LLOYD (City) 111 Western Rd, Hove, 315613 40 JUSTIN LLOYD (Hove) 176 Church Rd, Hove, 315614

42

ADE

BRIGHTON ON PIER O

G COMMUNITY

45 BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE 72 High St, 698036 www.womenscentre.org.uk G SAUNAS 46 LUNCH POSITIVE Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, 42 BRIGHTON SAUNA 07846 464384 www.lunchpositive.org 75 Grand Parade, 689966 47 MINDOUT 43 TBS2 SAUNA Community Base, 113 Queens Rd 84-86 Denmark Villas, Hove, 723733 234839 www.mindout.org.uk G LEGAL & FINANCE 47 SWITCHBOARD Community Base, 113 Queens Rd 44 ENGLEHARTS 204050 (5–11pm) 49 Vallance Hall, Hove St, Hove, 204411

EDWAR

NO

ST

T GAR DENS

E ST 2

ST

45

MARINE PARADE

MADEIRA DRIVE

22

MES

’ AVE

7

13

30 31

ST JA

CE

1

E

8

33 14

ROCK PLA

24

3

46

21

RD ST

20

5

34 MADEIRA PL

OLD STEINE

ES STRE ET

38 41

BROAD ST

36 16 19

ST JAM

CHARLES ST

RTH

D ST

DORS E

PRI

17

GEOR G

NCE S

ST

15

HIGH

GRAN

D PA

RADE

1 A-BAR 11–12 Marine Parade, 688825 3 BAR REVENGE 7 Marine Parade, 606064 41 CAFÉ TIERE 117 St James’ St, 965985 7 CAMELFORD ARMS 30-31Camelford St, 622386 8 CHARLES ST BAR 8-9 Marine Parade, 624091

NEW STEIN

1 AMSTERDAM 11–12 Marine Parade, 688825 26 AVALON HOTEL 7 Upper Rock Gardens, 692344 27 GRANVILLE HOTEL 124 Kings Rd, 326302 28 GULLIVERS HOTEL 12a New Steine, 695415

T

CAMELFO

G HOTELS

33 CARDOME 47a St James’ St, 692916 34 PROWLER 112 St James’ St, 683680 35 SPECS 22 Kensington Gardens, 676796 36 SUSSEX BEACON Charity Shop 130 St James’ St, 682992 37 SUSSEX BEACON Charity Shop 83 George St, Hove

HS

23

WEST ST PIER

MANCHESTER ST

13 BASEMENT CLUB (below Legends) 31-34 Marine Parade, 624462 8 ENVY (above Charles St Bar) 8-9 Marine Parade, 624091 22 FUNKY FISH @ New Madeira Hotel 19-23 Marine Parade, 01273 698331 23 REBEL @ DIGITAL 187-193 Kings Road Arches www.aeonevents.co.uk 24 REVENGE 32-34 Old Steine, 606064 25 WILD FRUIT @ HONEY CLUB 214 Kings Road Arches www.aeonevents.co.uk

G SHOPS

27

9

RD

10 32

STEINE ST

G CLUBS

29 COURTLANDS HOTEL 19-27 The Drive, Hove, 731055 30 COWARDS HOTEL 12 Upper Rock Gardens, 692677 13 LEGENDS HOTEL 31-34 Marine Parade, 624462 31 NEW STEINE HOTEL 10/11 New Steine, 681546 32 QUEENS HOTEL 1/3 Kings Rd, 321222 20 VAVAVOOM 31 Old Steine, 603010

PAVROYAL ILLI ON

1 A-BAR 11–12 Marine Parade, 688825 2 BAR 56 56 George St, 623399 3 BAR REVENGE 7 Marine Parade, 606064 4 BEDFORD TAVERN 30 Western St, 739495 5 BULLDOG TAVERN 31 St James’ St, 696996 6 BRIGHTON TAVERN 99-100 Gloucester Rd, 680365 7 CAMELFORD ARMS 30-31Camelford St, 622386 8 CHARLES STREET BAR 8-9 Marine Parade, 624091 9 CHURCH STREET 112 Church St, 606864 10 DR BRIGHTONS 16 Kings Rd, 208113 11 GROSVENOR 16 Western St, 770712 12 IRON DUKE 3 Waterloo St, Hove, 734806 13 LEGENDS BAR 31-34 Marine Parade, 624462 14 MARINE TAVERN 13 Broad St, 681284 15 MARLBOROUGH 4 Princes St, 570028 16 POISON IVY 129 St James St 17 QUEENS ARMS 7 George St, 696873 18 REGENCY TAVERN 32-34 Russell Sq, 325652 19 SUBLINE 129 St James St, 01273 624100 20 VAVAVOOM 31 Old Steine, 603010 21 ZONE 33 St James’ St, 682249

KINGS R D

RCH

CLOCK C TOWER NO RT

18

G PUBS & BARS

ARADE

NS RD QUEE

N RD

OLD STEIN E

TPEL

CHU

WESTER

MON

11 4

12

KINGSWAY

47

IER R D

HOLLA ND RD

1ST AVE

39

RD

GRAND P

GE ST

THE DRIVE

35 NORTH

WEST S

SACKVILLE RD

GEOR

40

D

6 PALME R SQUAR IA E

RD

NGW ORD

NR

TRAFALGAR ST

29 CHURCH

44

BRIGHTON STATION

SEVEN DIALS

DO

37

RD

LON

GOLDSMID

NEW CHURCH RD HOVE ST

E M GRO EL OVE ISLI

D ER

PORTLAND RD

RD

GSCENE 75

SERVICES

DIRECTORY LGBT SERVICES ACCESS 4 ALL

LGBT disabled people’s forum. Safe, welcoming, support, activities, awareness.

Tel: 07981 170071 or access4all@fsmail.net

ANYTHING BUT…

Youth social support group for LGB or unsure under 26, every other Wed. Tel: 01424 724150 or 01424 447033

ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT

Drop in for LGBT or unsure young people under 26, Tues 5.30-8.30pm. Tel: 01273 721211 or info@allsortsyouth.org.uk, www.allsortsyouth.org.uk

BRIGHTON & HOVE POLICE

Report all homophobic and transphobic incidents to: • The Police 0845 6070999 (for emergencies 999) email: LGBT@sussex.pnn.police.uk tweet: @policeLGBT • Civilian LGBT caseworker Clare Brisco on 101 ext 50427 or 07769 162594 • or use True Vision self reporting pack

BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SAFETY FORUM Independent LGBT forum working with the Community to address and improve safety issues throughout Brighton & Hove. info@lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com www.lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com

BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SWITCHBOARD Tel Helpline, Hate Crime reporting, Counselling service, Proud2connect (relationship counselling in partnership with Brighton Relate). www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton • Helpline from 5pm daily: Tel: 01273 204050 • Services info 01273 234009 • email brighton.manager@switchboard.org.uk • or brighton.admin@switchboard.org.uk

BRIGHTON OURSTORY PROJECT

Oral history projects including shows, exhibitions, books, support to researchers Tel: 01273 207757 or 01273 328592 or www.brightonourstory.co.uk

BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE

Info, counselling, drop-in space, support groups.

Tel: 01273 698036 or www.womenscentre.org.uk

FTM BRIGHTON

Social/support group for all female-to-male trans people.

Every 3rd Sat of month, 6–8pm, THT Office, 61 Ship St, Brighton, BN1 1AE. Tel: 07504 652129 or FTMBrighton@hotmail.co.uk

GEMS (GAY ELDERLY MEN’S SOCIETY)

Twice monthly meeting for over 50s Tel: 01273 884285 or peterotto337@btinternet.com www.gems-bh.org.uk

LESBIAN LINK BRIGHTON

Local social group offers friendship, social events, meets 1st Thursday at The Regency Tavern 7.30pm Tel: 07594 578035 (eve) 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: NA Helpline 604604

LGBT MEDITATION GROUP

Meditation & discussion, every 2nd & 4th Thur, 5.30–7pm, Anahata Clinic, 119 Edward St, Tel: 07789 861367 www.bodhitreebrighton.org.uk

LUNCH POSITIVE Lunch club for people with HIV to meet, make friends, find peer support in safe environment. Every Fri, 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: Tel: o1273 234839 or info@mindout.org.uk www.mindout.org.uk

RAINBOW FAMILIES

Support group for lesbian and/or gay parents Tel: 07951 082013 or info@rainbowfamilies.org.uk www.rainbowfamilies.org.uk

VICTIM SUPPORT

Practical, emotional support for victims of crime.

Tel: Brighton 01273 234009 or Hove 01273 439942

HIV PREVENTION TREATMENT & CARE SERVICES AVERT

Sussex HIV & AIDS info service, available by phone Tel: 01403 210202 or email confidential@avert.org

BRIGHTON & HOVE CAB HIV PROJECT

Money, benefits, employment, housing, info, advocacy.

Appointments: Tue-Thur 9am-4pm, Wed 9am-12.30pm Brighton & Hove Citizens Advice Bureau, 1 Tisbury Rd, Hove, Tel: 0845 1203710 www.brightonhovecab.org.uk

CLAUDE NICOL CENTRE/ WILDE CLINIC

Free confidential testing & treatment for STIs including HIV. Hep A & B vaccinations. Out Patients Dept of Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Rd. Tel: 01273 664721 www.brightonsexualhealth.com

LAWSON UNIT

Medical advice, treatment for HIV+, specialist clinics, diet & welfare advice, drug trials. Tel: 01273 664722

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

• 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 1–4pm, 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 & West 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: 6.30–8.30pm (waiting room open: 6pm)

• 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 • HIV Health Trainer: Face-2-face/phone/email support to help understand diagnosis & meds, manage side effects, sex & relationships, talk to doctor, diet & nutrition.

• Informed Passions: Expert Volunteers project to identify & support sexual health needs of local men who have sex with men and carry out wide-ranging 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 diagnosed with HIV for at least 1 year, on HIV medication or not.

• What Next? Thurs eve, 6 week peer support group work programme for newly diagnosed HIV+ gay men.

• Co Infection group: 6 week peer support group work programme for gay men with HIV & HEP C. • Telling it Straight: monthly Tues eve support group for straight HIV+ men/women. Guest speakers.

• 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: help & advice line Wed: 10am–1pm 01273 764205. 1-2-1/group support to claim DLA. Guidance on return to work & in-work benefits For more info about these FREE services go to the THT office, 61 Ship St, Btn, Mon–Fri, 9.30am–5.30pm Tel: 01273 764200 or info.brighton@tht.org.uk

TERRENCE HIGGINS EASTBOURNE

Covering East Sussex, Services: Health Promotion Outreach, free condoms, lube, sexual health info & advice; HIV Health Coach, short term support for people living with HIV; counselling; Positive Grants; Face-2-Face 1-2-1 support & advice on sexual health, HIV; Condom Male: free condoms by post; Fastest: 1 hour HIV tests; Positively Social: group for people living with HIV; Volunteering.

Dyke House, 110 South St, Eastbourne, BN21 4LZ, Tel: 01323 649927 or info.eastbourne@tht.org.uk

WARREN BROWNE UNIT

Free confidential tests & treatment for STIs inc HIV. Hep A & B vaccinations. Shoreham based. Tel: 01273 461453

WILDE CLINIC

Gay men’s sexual health clinic. Wed 5-6.30pm. Opposite Royal Sussex County Hospital entrance Abbey Rd. Tel: 01273 664721

NATIONAL HELPLINES BROKEN RAINBOW

LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline, Mon 2-8pm, Wed 101pm, 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

76 GSCENE

APR 2013

CLASSIFIEDS

CALL 01273 722457 BY 12TH APR TO GUARANTEE ADVERT PLACEMENT

BUILDERS, CARPENTERS, ELECTRICIANS, PAINTERS & DECORATORS, TILES, RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES

E L E Brighton C T Rbased ICAN For all your electrical requirements No jobs too small, rewire, phone points etc.

paint works G AY P A I N T E R & D E C O R AT O R * * * *

Call Barry for free advice on

01273 624610 / 07889 730640 barry.butcher2@ntlworld.com

Electrical Mechanical Services

Competitive Rates Interior / Exterior Artexing / Coving Quality & Reliability Guaranteed

HOME 01273 589329 MOBILE 07973 839214 over 15 years experience

MT CARPENTRY & BUILDING

• LOFT CONVERSIONS • EXTENSIONS • BRICKWORK • PAINTWORK • DECORATING • INSURANCE REPAIRS

FREE ESTIMATES

CALL MICK: 01273

383 767 MOBILE: 07939 581 791

Est 1990

RAINBOW DECOR

07749 471497

CITB Qualifie d

Guaranteed Work carried out by Gay Professional Man •Painting & Decorating •Tiling •Kitchens/ Bathrooms fitted •General plumbing MOST OTHER TRADES UNDERTAKEN

GSCENE 77

APR 2013 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

CLASSIFIEDS

COUNSELLING, TREATMENTS, SUGARING, SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES GSCENE SUGGESTS READERS VERIFY THERAPISTS QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Smooth Operator

Sugaring: male body hair removal All areas of the body treated

Steve: 07818 235 658 www.smoothop.co.uk Gaydar username: smoothoperator. slw2761@yahoo.co.uk

GAY LIFE MODEL KENT BASED Types of Modelling: Nude Figure, Fully Clothed, Portrait Head

Call Harry 07587 282856

AN AD THIS SIZE COSTS £35 + VAT

SUSSEX DIVE CLUB

01273 722457

TRY DIVE

CALL

CALL 01273 722457 BY 12TH APR TO GUARANTEE ADVERT PLACEMENT

£15

training courses & Gift certificates available

www.sussexdiving.co.uk

CHAT LINES TO ADVERTISE IN GSCENE

CALL 01273 722457

WHILST EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF STATEMENTS IN THIS MAGAZINE WE CANNOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VIEWS OF CONTRIBUTORS, ERRORS, OR OMMISIONS, OR FOR MATTERS ARISING FROM CLERICAL OR PRINTERS ERRORS, OR AN ADVERTISER NOT COMPLETING A CONTRACT

AN AD THIS SIZE COSTS £35 + VAT CALL

01273 722457

1

Marine Parade, Brighton

£ 475,000 A substantial three double bedroom apartment, situated on the third floor of a Grade II listed house, with lift, on Brighton seafront with panoramic sea views. Comprising: elegant double aspect living room with large marble fire place, fully equipped kitchen, three double bedrooms, family bathroom and one en-suite.

3

2

1

Buy&sell with the experts.

Six of our favourite properties this week. Visit our website at justinlloyd.co.uk to view all our properties.

Brunswick Square, Hove

£ 395,000 A delightful two double bedroom second floor apartment situated on Brunswick Square which lies in the Brunswick Town Conservation Area and is well located for the amenities of Church Road and Western Road.

The property boasts a passenger lift and enviable west facing roof terrace.

2

2

23

1

“The way in which you go about your business should be the bar that every other estate agent aspires to” Vendor Comment

23

Marine Parade, Brighton

£ 195,000

Superb one bedroom apartment situated on the raised ground floor of a Grade II listed seafront building.

The accommodation comprises: hallway, living room with stunning views of the sea and Brighton Pier, kitchen, double bedroom with westerly views and built-in storage, and bathroom.

1

1

1

Kemp Town 118 St James’s Street, Brighton BN2 1TH City 111 Western Road, Hove BN3 1DD Hove 176 Church Road, Hove BN3 2DJ

4

Seymour Square, Brighton

£ 499,950 Modern three double bedroom, three bathroom end of terrace house, with garage and parking, in a prestigious mews development off Marine Parade. The house is presented in good condition throughout with a lovely enclosed west facing garden to the rear.

3

3

1

“The only disappointment is the knowledge that I probably won't get this type of service anywhere else” Vendor comment

Connaught Road, Hove

£ 390,000

5

Contemporary triplex apartment in the heart of Hove, arranged over three floors with 'loft style' features.

Stunning dual aspect living room and open plan kitchen/dining room with double height ceiling. Master bedroom with en-suite plus a second double bedroom and further bathroom.

2

2

2

6 Arundel Street, Brighton

£ 350,000 Stunning, newly refurbished two double bedroom, two bathroom second floor apartment with glorious panoramic sea views from all major rooms. This superb property boasts a spacious living/dining room with a west facing balcony and is in a fantastic location on the seafront in Kemp Town, close to Brighton Marina.

2

2

1

Call us now 01273 692424 Email info@justinlloyd.co.uk

Visit justinlloyd.co.uk