Opening Doors London events listings April 2015

london

2015 Opening Doors London April groups and activities New in April!  Wed 1st: Take part in a photo and memorabilia project  Wed 15th: Barnet Roving Lunch  Fri 17th: Daytrip to Kew Gardens  Mon 20th: Exercise and socialise on the Capital Ring walk  Tue 21 : One off Men’s Pub Club in st

Greenwich See inside for details.

Opening Doors London

www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk 020 7239 0400

twitter.com/OpeningDoorsLdn

facebook.com/openingdoorslondon

ODL Signposting and Information Leave a message on 07961 937 621 odlsignposting@ageukcamden.org.uk

Opening Doors London: full listings and activities.

Wednesday 1st Anchor Housing/ODL Mixed Art Group Chigwell Court, 99 Balance Road E9 5SQ The art group will be held in the communal room. Basic materials will be provided for the informal drop-in session.

Volunteer artists on hand.

Contact Kate for more details kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk or 020 7239 0447 2pm 4pm Men’s Pimlico Social Pimlico Room (back of Church), St Saviour’s Church, St George’s Square, SW1V 3QW. Friendly drop-in coffee evening. For more information phone 020 7239 0400. 6pm – 9pm NEW ONE OFF EVENT Archive of Photograph Albums & Memorabilia with Dominic Janes: Tavis House Café, 1-6 Tavistock Square, WC1H 9NA Dominic Janes, Department of History of Art, Birkbeck, University of London writes ‘I have been working with Stefan Dickers at Bishopsgate Institute to set up a digital archive project. This involves asking people from the older lgbt community to talk about their photograph albums and memorabilia. We are particularly interested in things from the 60s, 70s & 80s.

These will be digitalised along with your commentary.’

Dominic will come to speak to us about the project and answer any questions you may have. Contact Kate for more information 020 7239 0447 or

kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk 4:00pm to 6:00pm Thursday 2nd ‘Rainbow Surfers’ older LGBT computer drop-in Computer Suite, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, WC1H 9NA. Our LGBT friendly drop-in session provides you with an opportunity to receive IT assistance and guidance from knowledgeable volunteers and staff. For more information please contact Tony or Kamye on 0207 239 0400.

Every Thursday 10am – 1pm Mixed Newham Dinner Club Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15 1BX. All welcome. You don’t need to book, but if it is your first time at this group please call Kate for details. 020 7239 0447 or email kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk. 6pm – 9pm Men’s “Older, Gay & Positive” Group Tavis A&B Meeting Room, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, WC1H 9NA. Support and social group for gay and bi men aged 50 and over who are living with HIV. For more details contact 020 7239 0400 6pm – 8pm Friday 3rd CANCELLED DUE TO BUILDING BEING CLOSED FOR THE BANK HOLIDAY: Mixed Friday coffee & cake club

www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk

Apr 15

Monday 6th Mixed Group Barnet Diners’ Club and Games meeting in partnership with Age UK Barnet The Queens Arms Public House, Great North Rd. EN5 1AB. (Close to High Barnet Tube station beside Odeon cinema). Meet for a drink with friends or have a meal from the very delicious value 2-4-1 menu (about £5 per person).

Darts and pool available. For more information please ring 020 7239 0400 or Amanda Radonich at Age UK Barnet on 020 8432 1415. 7pm – 9pm CANCELLED DUE TO BANK HOLIDAY: Mixed Tower Hamlets ODL East Drop-in Tuesday 7th ODL Quarterly Group Meeting Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Sq, WC1H 9NA. Open to all interested in contributing to the ODL Quarterly Newsletter. Contact: 020 7239 0400 or e-mail odl.quarterly@ageukcamden.o rg.uk 6pm – 8pm Thursday 9th ‘Rainbow Surfers’ older LGBT computer drop-in See Thursday 2nd for more details.

Every Thursday 10am – 1pm ‘Knit and Natter’, come and craft - MIXED group, for everyone! Second Thursday of each month Join Nickie in the cafe at Tavis Page 1

Opening Doors London: full listings and activities.

House! Nickie says – ‘If you want to learn to knit I will teach you. I will provide knitting needles and yarn and bring a few easy patterns. If you already have a favourite craft and it's portable, bring it along and share your skills.

Maybe crochet, embroidery or beadwork perhaps?’

Contact Kate for more details kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk or 020 7239 0447.

3pm – 5pm

a new chef who will be serving a three course home made meal for £6. Please note that the meal will be served at 6:30 so our usual pre dinner punch will be available from 6:00pm Pre-booking is essential, please email Nicola.Humberstone@ageukca mden.org.uk or call/ text Nic on 07538 392 104 stating your name and contact number by Monday 9th. 6.00pm – 9.30pm Drinks 6pm & Dinner 6:30pm

Signposting and Information Service

Sunday 12th

If you need help in the home, are confused about tax, have questions about your pension, benefits or housing Contact the team at odlsignposting@ageukcamden .org.uk or, call the ODL Signposting and Information phone line: 07961 937 621.

We will get back to you to discuss your issue further within one working week.

Friday 10th Mixed Friday coffee & cake club Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Sq, WC1H 9NA. Come in for a chat and cake at this peer led social group. Hot drinks can be purchased in the café. Please feel free to bring your own cakes. Every Friday 10am – 12pm Mixed ODL East Dinner Club Positive East, 159 Mile End, Road, London E1 4AQ £6 for delicious meal. We have

Mixed ‘Second Sundays’ Social Group Chelsea Theatre, 7 Worlds End Place, Kings Road, SW10 ODR. Come and join our friendly bunch for a delicious light lunch, £4 per person.

Members will need to RSVP to Fiona by Friday 10th April on fiona.addison@ageukcamden. org.uk or call 07435 356 951.

12.30pm – 3.30pm Monday 13th Line Dancing Mixed Tea Dance Tavis House Café, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, WC1H 9NA. Join us for our tea dances whether you are an experienced dancer, a beginner or have never danced before – there is room for all!

Peter will instruct and lead us in Line Dancing. Drinks and snacks will b e provided but please feel free to bring your own to share. We are hoping to have more tea dances so please bring your ideas along with your dancing

www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk

Apr 15

shoes. Please bring lgbt friends of any age. For further details contact Kate kate.hancock@ageukcamden.o rg.uk or 020 7239 0447.

5.30pm – 7.30pm

Who would have thought exercising and fun could go hand in hand? That’s exactly what happens at the Monthly Opening Doors Line Dancing Class. If you love a bit of heel stamping and coordinated dance routines, then it may well be your thing too. Under the watchful eye and guidance of the wonderful instructor Peter, we are learning to strut our stuff on the dancefloor.

Come and join us!

Paul Webley Tuesday 14th Men’s Group Walk Described as London's Arcadia, our Spring Walk takes us to the beautiful riverside town of Richmond in Surrey. Our circular tour will encompass the delightful alleyways of the historic town centre, explore its fabulous Green and ancient Theatre and re-acquaint ourselves with its Grade I listed bridge and delightful riverside. We might even manage to take in the stunning views of Petersham Meadows and pay a visit to Richmond's 90 year old Poppy Factory.

Fast trains from Waterloo take less than 20 minutes; the District Line about half an hour from Victoria.

If you would like to join the Page 2

Opening Doors London: full listings and activities. walk you can either: - Text or leave a message on the walking group mobile number which is 07804 329 416.

- Email odwalksgroup@gmail.com We need your full name and the name of any other Opening Doors member coming with you. Alan will them confirm meeting point details. There is room for up to 24 people; if you would like to participate please book.

These walks are proving popular so if you find yourself unable to come along, having booked, kindly let us know so that your place can be offered to someone else.

2.15pm for 2.30pm start.

Walk from 2.30pm – 4pm Women’s Walking & Herstory We will be visiting the V&A, Cromwell Road, SW7 2LR Thumbnail for Staying Power: Photographs of Black British Experience 1950s-1990s Staying Power: Photographs of Black British Experience 1950s1990s Free entry This display showcases a variety of photographic responses to Black British experience from the 1950s to the 1990s. All of the photographs are from the V&A Collection and were acquired as part of the project Staying Power: Photographs of Black British Experience 1950s1990s, a collaboration with Black Cultural Archives Contact Kate for more information 0207 239 0447 or kate.hancock@ageukcamden.

org.uk Meet at 11am at the front entrance to the V&A Museum.

Men’s Group Speaker Night Henderson Court Resource Centre, 102 Fitzjohn’s Ave, NW3 6NS (entrance on Prince Arthur Rd).

This month’s talk will be by Reverend Dr. Bernárd J. Lynch. As well as working in Northern Ireland, Zambia and the USA as a priest, Reverend Lynch was at the forefront of the battle against HIV in New York when the virus first spread. He continued his work with HIV/ AIDS in London until 2011.

Since the publication of his 1993 book A Priest on Trial and Reverend Lynch has published many articles and been interviewed and profiled on major news channels.

Tonight’s talk will include readings from Reverend Lynch’s 2012 book If It Wasn't Love, Sex, Death and God and will focus on Sexuality and Spirituality.

Social 6pm – 7pm.

www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk

Apr 15

Talk from 7pm.

(After the talk some members also head to a local pub for a drink.)

Wednesday 15th NEW GROUP Barnet Roving Lunch Club Each month this lunch club will try a new venue and sample the different cuisines available in North London’s largest borough.

This month’s venue is the excellent Toby Carvery, The Red Lion, High Street, Barnet, EN5 5UW. Carvery or vegetarian £5.99.

Tube: High Barnet. Buses: 107, 234, 263, 307, 326, 384. Pub car park free with meal purchase.

12.30pm – 2.30pm Mixed ODL Ealing/ West London Social and Support Group Ground Floor, Lido Centre. 63 Mattock Lane, West Ealing, W13 9LA. www.lidocentre.org.uk Stations: Ealing Broadway, Northfields, West Ealing: 5 to 15 mins walk. Buses E2, E3, 207, 83, 427, E7, E8.

‘Test’. Chris Mason Johnson’s wonderfully evocative period drama explores the telling details of gay life in San Francisco in 1985. This is a sensitive and compelling account of a historical moment leavened with a compulsive soundtrack of ‘80s classics and a series of great dance pieces.

Meetings take place every third Wednesday of the month at 2.30pm at the Lido Centre.

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Opening Doors London: full listings and activities.

All welcome. Refreshments served. For more information call 020 7239 0400. Opening Doors London in partnership with Age UK Ealing & Ealing CVS. 2.30pm – 4.30pm (PLEASE NOTE NOW BACK TO USUAL TIME) Anchor Housing/ ODL Mixed Art Group Chigwell Court, 99 Balance Road E9 5SQ The art group will be held in the communal room. Basic materials will be provided for the informal drop-in session.

Volunteer artists on hand.

Contact Kate for more details kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk or 020 7239 0447 2pm – 4pm Men’s Group Pub Social Upstairs at The Black Cap, 171 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JY. Come along for a chat, a drink and share snacks courtesy of George and staff at The Black Cap at this peer led group.

7pm – late Thursday 16th ‘Rainbow Surfers’ older LGBT computer drop-in See Thursday 2nd for more details.

Every Thursday 10am – 1pm Women’s Film Night PLEASE NOTE Women’s Film Night is now on 3rd Thursday of each month so that we don’t clash with Haringey Independent Cinema G24 Common Room, Foster Court, Malet Place.

Come into UCL from the entrance opposite Waterstone's on Torrington Place. Foster Court is on the right and half way along there is an archway also on the right, with a set of automatic double doors on the right - the Common Room is through those doors and up 3 stairs but also has step-free access.

Apr 15

Mixed Friday coffee & cake club See Friday 10th for more details.

Every Friday 10am – 12noon

Mixed Day Out to Kew Gardens All members welcome and we have free entry.

There will be the opportunity to walk around the gardens or to take the Kew explorer and get on and off at your leisure.

The film will be WADJDA This first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia is the story of a young girl living in a suburb of Riyadh determined to raise enough money to buy a bike in a society that sees bicycles as dangerous to a girl's virtue. Even more impressive, WADJDA is the first feature film made by a female Saudi filmmaker. In a country where cinemas are banned and women cannot drive or vote, writer- director Haifaa Al Mansour has broken many barriers with her film.

Contact Kate: 020 7239 0447 kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk Social 5.30pm Film 7pm -9pm Friday 17th

www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk

This will also be an opportunity for people in Richmond & Kingston who are hoping to start a new ODL group to join us and get to know us.

Places are limited so please contact Kate or Liam to book: 020 7239 0446/7 or kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk or Liam.ODriscoll@ageukcamde n.org.uk This month Outings in Art is combined within the trip to Kew Gardens. As Chris notes: “Kew is the perfect Spring “Outings in Art” as it combines Art, Architecture and Nature in all its glory set within the world’s largest collection of living plants. Kew is a “Unesco World Heritage site” and The Page 4

Opening Doors London: full listings and activities.

Palm House by Decimus Burton and The Pagoda, along with Kew Palace, are all well worth a visit. Also Marianne North Gallery and Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanic Art. So let Opening Doors and Kew put a spring in your step.”

You do not need to book separately to join this Outings in Art group. Simply follow the instructions above to book onto the Kew trip instead.

Monday 20th

NEW GROUP Walking The Capital Ring: Highgate to Stoke Newington Join Liam for a 5.4 mile walk starting in Highgate, winding through a disused train track, take in a canal and water reservoirs before finishing in the historic Abney Park Cemetery.

The Capital Ring is an urban walk in 17 stages that circles inner London. A great way to see more of the Capital on foot and walk around the whole of London!

This event will be a good way to exercise and socialise whilst navigating slopes, steps, pavements and muddy patches too. Bring water, energy snacks for the journey, rainproof gear/ sunglasses (or both!), walking footwear you don’t mind getting muddy and some money for a welldeserved lunch at the end.

Meeting point: The ticket office inside Highgate station.

Meet at 10.45am Walk starts at 11am prompt.

Walk ends 1pm or 2pm (depending on our speed) followed by a café lunch for those who want it.

For more information contact Liam.ODriscoll@ageukcamden. org.uk /020 7239 0446 Redbridge Mixed Social Meeting at Age UK Redbridge Allan Burgess Centre, 2 Grove Park, London Ell 2DL Delicious home-made lunch is available at the centre at 12.30pm and costs £5 for two courses. Book with Chryssy by Friday 17th. Contact Chryssy on 07563 904 214 for details Lunch 12.30pm Group 2pm – 3.30pm Bi Visibility Group Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square WC1H 9NA. Open social and discussion group for anyone who would like to think about the question "What does bisexuality mean to you?"

Contact Kate for more details kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk or 020 7239 0447.

6pm – 8pm Tuesday 21st Intergenerational Feminist Reading Group Tavis House, 16 Tavistock Square, WC1H 9NA. An informal space for discussion of feminist ideas & texts. Chaired by Elsa Richardson, an historian based in Queen Mary’s Centre for the History of Emotions, with the aim of encouraging a dialogue

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between different generations of feminist thinkers, activists and supporters.

We will be looking at the theme of American feminism in the 1970s and the text we are looking at is the second chapter of Shulamith Firestone’s The Dialectic of Sex ‘Freudianism: The Misguided Feminism’. Contact Kate if you would like a copy. However, the text is simply a springboard for discussion as discussion and our own live experience will be the main focus of the group. So it is not essential to read the text beforehand and if you want to come along for interesting discussion that is absolutely fine too. Contact Kate for more information 020 7239 0447 or kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk. 6pm to 7.30pm NEW ONE OFF EVENT Men’s Pub Club Ye Olde Rose & Crown 1 Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ER. (Ten minutes walk from Greenwich station.)

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Opening Doors London: full listings and activities.

Social group for older gay men to meet in a lovely gay pub in the heart of Greenwich village.

For more details contact 020 7239 0400 6pm – 10pm Wednesday 22nd ODL Quarterly Group Meeting Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Sq, WC1H 9NA. Open to all interested in contributing to the ODL Quarterly Newsletter. Contact: 020 7239 0400 or e-mail odl.quarterly@ageukcamden.o rg.uk 6pm – 8pm Thursday 23rd ‘Rainbow Surfers’ older LGBT computer drop-in See Thursday 2nd for more details.

Every Thursday 10am – 1pm Mixed Islington Older LGBT Drop-in London Friend, 86 Caledonian Road, N1 9DN. In partnership with London Friend, this social group is a place to meet friends for a coffee, chat and optional board games!

2pm – 4pm LGBT Death Café Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, WC1H 9NA. Nigel Dodds from Saint Joseph’s Hospice will facilitate the group. Gather over tea and cake to talk about death and dying in an informal and relaxed environment. For further information contact n.dodds@stjh.org.uk or phone Kate 020 7239 0447 4.30pm – 6pm

Apr 15

Friday 24th Mixed Friday coffee & cake club See Friday 10th for more details.

Every Friday 10am – 12noon Informal Art Group Tavis House 1-6 Tavistock Square, WC1H 9NA New for 2015: Join Angie & Lesley for an informal art group for all abilities - come and do your own creative thing, or improve and expand your drawing skills with gentle guidance from an experienced volunteer teacher. Whether you are a traditional sketcher or an outrageous avant gardist this group will supply encouragement, support, plenty of dialogue....and maybe an exhibition.

Basic materials provided, but feel free to bring your own sketchbooks and non-messy kit. Contact Kate for more details. 12.30pm – 3pm Sunday 26th Sunday Lunch & Film Club Henderson Court Resource Centre, 102 Fitzjohn’s Ave, NW3 6NS (entrance on Prince Arthur Road).

www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk

This month’s film is Cabaret (1972). Liza Minnelli an early peak in a film career which would never scale such heights again. Based on the autobiographical stories of Christopher Isherwood, the film has long since been acknowledged a classic. The songs, augmented by some new numbers in the film, are ageless. Joel Grey from the original Broadway production is the Emcee, the master of ceremonies who, with his Kit Kat Klub girls, provides a depraved Greek chorus satirising the rise of the Nazi regime and the lazy complacency of the 1930s Berlin cabaret-goers. The "divine decadence" tag is only part of the story, though.

Cabaret still works a sinister, uncomfortable magic which sets it apart as a uniquely powerful film musical.

Lunch available for £4, this month’s lunch will and roast chicken with veg, vegetarian or fish option: please advise when booking. Booking for lunch essential, please call Chryssy on 020 7239 0400, Page 6

Opening Doors London: full listings and activities.

07585 741856 before Friday 20th.

Social from 12pm Lunch from 12.30pm Film at 2.00pm Tuesday 28th Men’s Film Night: Henderson Court Resource Centre, 102 Fitzjohn’s Ave, NW3 6NS. (entrance on Prince Arthur Road).

The Way He Looks (2014) Leonardo is a blind teenager searching for independence.

His everyday life, the relationship with his best friend, Giovana, and the way he sees the world change completely with the arrival of Gabriel.

Writer and Director: Daniel Ribeiro. Stars: Ghilherme Lobo, Fabio Audi, Tess Amorim. 96 min. Country: Brazil. Language: Portuguese with English subtitles.

For information please call 020 7239 0400 6pm social.

Film starts at 7pm

Apr 15

Thursday 30th

CANCELLED IN APRIL:

‘Rainbow Surfers’ older LGBT computer drop-in See Thursday 2nd for more details.

Every Thursday 10am – 1pm

Mixed Coffee Evening Unfortunately due to a clash of events the Mixed Coffee Evening won’t be taking place in April. The event will be back in May though.

Future dates for your diary: Wednesday 13th May Goldman Sachs Kew Gardens outing The team from Goldman Sachs are leading another trip to Kew Gardens this year and all are welcome to go with them.

Please note, priority for this trip will go to those with access and mobility needs as there will be many Goldman Sachs volunteers to offer support on the day. More details to follow next month but please note, places are limited so please contact Kate or Liam to book: 020 7239 0446/7 or kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk or Liam.ODriscoll@ageukcamden. org.uk Saturday 27th June London Pride

www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk

The Women's Social Group at Chelsea Theatre will not be meeting this month. This is a women's only group that meet the fourth Sunday of the month at Chelsea Theatre for a variety of activities. We are considering an alternative arrangement for this group such as less frequent day trips to places of interest in and outside of London. If you would like to get involved or have any suggestions of how this group could develop please contact Fiona: fiona.addison@ageukcamden. org.uk Coming soon…

The Opening Doors London member’s survey will be sent to you in April. Please make sure to fill it in and send it back to us asap. As always our funders want to know what you think about the project.

It’s also particularly important for you to let us know your thoughts on the future of ODL. Taking part in the survey is the best way to influence the future of the project, so please take part and let us know what you think!

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