January 2016 opening doors london events listings 2

Lido lidolondon

2016 Opening Doors London January groups and activities Things to look out for this month…  Thu 7th: Men’s “Older, Gay & Positive” Group welcomes new volunteer leader John with an indoor picnic  Sun 10th: Mixed ‘Second Sundays’ Social Group has a change to the usual agenda  Wed 13th and Wed 27th: The now twice monthly Mixed Islington Older LGBT* Dropin will be on Wednesday afternoons  Fri 15th: Do you want to contribute your thoughts and memories to LGBT* history? If so come along to the Pride of Place ‘Pinning Party’  And the results of our hunt to find a new venue for the Men’s Group Pub Social are in.

Due to two venues being particularly popular with the members, Brian has agreed to run two pub nights each month instead of one.

So in January the dates at the new venues will be Wed 13th at Bloc Bar and Wed 27th at Halfway To Heaven

Opening Doors London: www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk

For information about groups and activities please contact us on: 020 7239 0400 or ODL.Info@ageukcamden.org.uk twitter.com/OpeningDoorsLdn facebook.com/openingdoorslondon

ODL Signposting and Information Phone or email us on 020 7239 0400 or Led by

Opening Doors London is supported by:

ODL.Info@ageukcamden.org.uk

Opening Doors London: full listings and activities.

Friday 1st January Thursday 7 CANCELLED DUE TO BANK HOLIDAY: Mixed Friday Coffee and Cake Club Monday 4th Mixed Tower Hamlets ODL East Drop-in Positive East, 159 Mile End Rd, London E1 4AQ. Come and join our friendly East London afternoon social.

We will include ‘A Voice For Older People’ as a regular slot in the last half hour of our drop-ins. This is an opportunity to give your views on services in Tower Hamlets, whether you live, work, or socialise in the borough and this will be fed back to the Older People’s Reference Group.

Call Nic Humberstone on 07538 392 104 or email: Nicola.Humberstone@ageukca mden.org.uk Drop in any time between 4pm – 6pm Wednesday 6th Anchor Housing/ ODL Mixed Art Group Chigwell Court, 99 Balance Road London 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.

2pm – 4pm Men’s Pimlico Social Pimlico Room, back of St. Saviour’s Church, St George’s Square, London SW1V 3QW. Friendly drop-in coffee evening. 6pm – 9pm

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‘Rainbow Surfers’ older LGBT* computer drop-in Computer Suite, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London 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 on 020 7239 0400.

Every Thursday 10am – 1pm Men’s “Older, Gay & Positive” Group Tavis A&B Meeting Room, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA. This month the group will be an indoor picnic. Please bring in some food to enjoy and share. We’ll be welcoming John as the new volunteer leader too. As ever, there will be the chance to chat at this support and social group for LGBT* men who are living with HIV. 6pm – 8pm Friday 8th Mixed Friday Coffee and Cake Club Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London 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 and biscuits.

Every Friday 10am – 12pm Mixed ODL East Dinner Club

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Jan 2016

Positive East, 159 Mile End, Road, London E1 4AQ. £6 for a delicious meal and great company. 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.

Drinks: 6:00pm Dinner: from 7:00pm Ends: 9.30pm Sunday 10th Mixed ‘Second Sundays’ Social Group Afternoon performance and discussion CHANGE TO USUAL AGENDA We'll be meeting at the Mona Lisa Cafe for lunch at 12.30pm and then at 1:30pm we'll take a short walk to Chelsea Theatre where we will be joined by special guest - Tom Marsden. Tom has worked with local communities in Bristol, East London, Birmingham and Luton to collect older LGBT* peoples' stories to develop into a theatrical monologue. The work is rich with memories sordid, heart-breaking, triumph over adversity, and politically charged. He will perform an element of his show and host a group conversation focusing on memories of the Kings Cross area in the 1980's.

Please RSVP by Friday, 8th January to Fiona: fiona.addison@ageukcamden. org.uk or call/text 07435 356 951 12.30pm – 1.30pm: Lunch at Page 1

Opening Doors London: full listings and activities. the Mona Lisa Cafe Mona Lisa Café, 417 King's Road London, SW10 0LR 1.30pm – 3.30pm: Chelsea Theatre, 7 Worlds End Place, Kings Road, London SW10 0DR Monday 11th Mixed Tea Line 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. Please bring LGBT* friends of any age.

5.30pm – 7.30pm Get yourself fit and enjoy yourself in the process, New Year new start.

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 12th Men’s Group Walk

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Jan 2016

that your place can be offered to someone else.

Arrive: 2.15pm for 2.30pm Walk from: 2.30pm – 4.30pm Our first walk of the New Year offers some of London's most iconic views by returning to where it all began and nearly ended 350 years ago. We shall be walking along the River Thames from the Monument, past the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, to St Catherine's Dock. With its remarkable history dating back to the 10th century, this world famous Marina attracts an incredible range of boats, with its luxury hotel, housing, fine restaurants and shops, historic pub and world class trade centres. Even if you've been here before, prepare to be surprised and delighted by an old friend, and if you've never visited, don't dare to miss this month's visit to one of London's hidden gems.

If you would like to join the walk you can either: If you would like more info or to join the walk you can either: Text or leave a message on: 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 then confirm meeting point details. There is room for up to 24 people.

These walks are proving popular so if you find yourself unable to come along, having booked, kindly let us know so

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

Justin Bengry talks about "How to meet men in 1910, and other adventures from the queer archive".

Justin Bengry is an experienced researcher, editor and author of numerous articles and chapters in journals, international edited collections and mainstream newspapers. He has more than a decade of experience writing and speaking about social and cultural history, gender and sexuality, capitalism and consumer culture, media and travel.

Social 6pm – 7pm Talk from 7pm (After the talk some members also head to a local pub for a drink.)

Wednesday 13th 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 NEW VENUE Men’s Group Pub Social: Bloc Bar Bloc Bar, 18 Kentish Town Page 2

Opening Doors London: full listings and activities.

Road, London NW1 9NX Come along to Bloc Bar this month and let us know if you’d like this to be our new monthly meeting spot. Come along for a chat over drinks.

7pm – late Thursday 14th ‘Rainbow Surfers’ older LGBT* computer drop-in See the first Thursday of the month for more details.

Every Thursday 10am – 1pm Friday 15th Mixed Friday Coffee and Cake Club See Friday 8th for more details.

Every Friday 10am – 12pm Pride of Place ‘Pinning Party’ London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, EC1R 0HB

LGBTQ history is everywhere.

But we still need to preserve it! Help document England’s LGBTQ history by joining us at a ‘Pinning Party’, part of Historic England’s Pride of Place project to record and celebrate our history.

Share your memories with us and each other, and add places you remember to our national online LGBTQ history map.

Pride of Place would love to learn more about: clubs and pubs we used to go to; where we met friends and lovers; places where our group has met over the years; locations

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associated with historic LGBTQ figures; important places for older LGBTQ people; and much more. See what’s already been mapped at mapme.com/prideofplace You don’t need to be a computer whizz to attend this event! The Pride of Place team will be providing volunteers to help all of members including those who are complete beginners on computers. But if you have a laptop feel free to bring it.

Registration essential here: http://tinyurl.com/jz9zuu9 or by calling the office on 020 7239 0400.

Refreshments: Tea, Coffee and biscuits provided Time: Talk explaining the project will start at 1pm, but feel free to drop in any time between 1pm – 4pm Monday 18th Bi Visibility Group Woburn Room, Tavis House, 16 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA Open social and discussion group for anyone who would like to think about the question "What does bisexuality mean to you?"

This free event is open to bi people over 50 and their guests, and open to any ODL members. Light refreshments provided but please also feel free to bring and share. No need to book.

6pm – 8pm Tuesday 19th

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Jan 2016

Mixed Exercise Walk (or gentle stroll if the weather is bad)

Join Clive to “enjoy a riverside walk. Or if the weather is wet and cold we will stick to the shops and museums around Greenwich town centre. We’ll decide as a group on the day what we might like to do depending on the weather. We will stop for lunch in Greenwich town centre and some may choose to have a steak at JD Wetherspoons “The Gate Clock”. Others could also enjoy their packed lunch sitting in the town centre or by the river. After lunch we will reassemble at the Cutty Sark DLR at 2.30pm where the walk will proceed up the hill to enjoy the vista across London near The Royal Observatory and work off some of the Christmas weight gain. (If you’d like to join us at 2.30pm instead of earlier in the day you’d be welcome to.)”

Miles: Indeterminate. Either nearby stroll around lower Greenwich or stroll above to Maritime Museum or onward to the Greenwich Observatory depending on the weather.

Meeting time: Noon prompt Meeting point: Ticket Hall of Cutty Sark DLR Lunch plans: JD Wetherspoons ‘The Gate Clock’ pub lunch or you could take your own packed lunch to eat elsewhere.

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Opening Doors London: full listings and activities.

End location point: Cutty Sark DLR station

ODL visits The Posh Club

Mixed Outings in Art Sir John Soane’s Museum 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP “Welcome to the historic house, museum and library of distinguished 19th century architect Sir John Soane. At Soane’s request, the house has been left untouched since his death – almost 180 years ago.

It’s an intimate, atmospheric place, designed by Soane himself, and filled with his exceptional collection of famous artworks, sculptures, furniture and artefacts. You will be amazed by the endlessly fascinating collection that the great man left behind and displayed so beautifully in this delightful museum, definitely a case of “More is More”!” **As the museum is rather compact we will enter in small groups** Coffee & Cake afterwards at “Fields Cafe” opposite the museum in Lincoln Inn’s Fields. Download a discount voucher for cafe from museum website

St Paul's Church Hall, corner of Stoke Newington Road and Amhurst Road, London N16 7UE The Posh club is an elegant event for all older folks in their 90s, 80s, 70s and 60s - aka swanky senior citizens, elegant elders and glamorous golden girls. On this day, ODL will be visiting.

The Posh Club features classic high tea and fabulous entertainment and the strict dress code is very ‘posh’. The cabaret includes Bass-Baritone & Composer Franz Hepburn, Josephine Shaker with her ‘Hot Feet! Killer Rhythm!’, and The Victory Singers.

Tickets: £4 Book in advance on: 07930 395 188 (let Simon know you’re from ODL when you book) Noon – 3pm

www.soane.org

Entry: Admission is Free Tube: Holborn Buses: 1, 59, 68, 91, 168, 171, 188, 243, 521, and X68 stop on Kingsway. Buses 8, 25, and 242 stop on High Holborn.

Please text Chris for booking: 07958 257 541 Meet: 2.30pm Meeting point: Main Entrance

Anchor Housing/ODL Mixed Art Group See first Wednesday of the month for more info.

2pm – 4pm Mixed ODL Ealing/ West London Social and Support Group run in partnership with Age UK Ealing & Outwest.

ECIL (Ealing Centre for Independent Living Management Centre), 1 Bayham Road, West Ealing, London W13 0TQ

Wednesday 20th

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www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk

Jan 2016

A lifeguard at Brazil’s Futuro Beach, Donato, rescues a German tourist, Konrad, and the pair find solace in each other’s company. Their attraction soon evolves into something more serious.

All welcome. Refreshments served. For more details please contact: Derek.Freeman@ageukcamde n.org.uk 2.30pm – 4.30pm Thursday 21st ‘Rainbow Surfers’ older LGBT* computer drop-in See the first Thursday of the month for more details.

Every Thursday 10am – 1pm Women’s Film Night G24 Common Room. UCL Foster Court, Malet Place, (off Torrington Place), London WC1E 7JG

We will be showing Paris was a Woman: A film portrait by Greta Schiller of the creative community of women writers, artists, photographers and editors (including Colette, Djuna Barnes, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas) who flocked to the Left Bank of Page 4

Opening Doors London: full listings and activities.

Paris in the early decades of the 20th century. Music by Janette Mason.

HOW TO GET THERE: Come into UCL from the entrance opposite Waterstones 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.

Social: 5.30pm – 9pm Film: 7.00pm Friday 22nd Mixed Friday Coffee and Cake Club See Friday 8th for more details.

Every Friday 10am – 12pm Informal Art Group Tavis House 1-6 Tavistock Square, WC1H 9NA Join Angie 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.

12.30pm – 3pm Saturday 23rd

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The Hackney Players Present their 2016 Pantomime ‘Robinson Crusoe and the Pyrate’ Morland Community Hall, Gayhurst Road, London E8 3EY The Hackney Players are delighted to be supporting Opening Doors London by donating proceeds from ticket and programme sales to ODL. So come along for a great night of panto!

Tickets can be paid for on the door on the night of the production. However, please reserve a space for yourself on odl.info@ageukcamden.org.uk or 020 7239 0400.

Tickets: £5 for over 60’s, full price £7 Overground stations: London Fields (0.3 miles), Hackney Central (0.6 miles) Buses around Hackney Central: 30, 38, 48, 55, 106, 236, 242, 253, 254, 276, 277, 394, W15 Meet in theatre foyer: 7pm Play starts: 7.30pm Sunday 24th Sunday Lunch & Film Club Henderson Court Resource Centre, 102 Fitzjohn’s Ave, London NW3 6NS (entrance on Prince Arthur Road).

Blithe Spirit (1945) 96 min “Adapted from a play by Noel Coward, Charles and his

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Jan 2016

second wife Ruth, are haunted by the ghost of his first wife, Elvira. Medium Madame Arcati tries to help things out by contacting the ghost.”

Director: David Lean Stars: Rex Harrison, Constance Cummings, Kay Hammond Delicious lunch to be served on the day costs £5.

Booking for lunch essential, please call email odl.info@ageukcamden.org.uk or call the office on 020 7239 0400, before Friday.

Social: 12pm Lunch: 1pm Film starts: 2pm Questions about groups, events and activities?

If there’s contact details next to the specific event you’re looking at, please use those to find out more information.

Otherwise please contact us on 020 7239 0400 or ODL.Info@ageukcamden.org.uk Tuesday 26th Men’s gentle exercise class Henderson Court Resource Centre, 102 Fitzjohn’s Ave, London NW3 6NS. (Entrance on Prince Arthur Road).

Exercise is free medicine!

Come and join a class to stretch, energise and have fun.

You don’t need to bring any kit (you won’t be getting sweaty), just come along and give it a go. Suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness.

Free to attend in January and February 2016.

6pm – 6.30pm Page 5

Opening Doors London: full listings and activities.

Men’s Film Night Henderson Court Resource Centre, 102 Fitzjohn’s Ave, London NW3 6NS. (Entrance on Prince Arthur Road).

Halfway To Heaven, 7 Duncannon Street, London WC2N 4JF Come along to Halfway To Heaven this month and let us know if you’d like this to be our new monthly meeting spot. Come along for a chat over drinks.

7pm – late

La cage aux folles II (1980) 102 min Sequel to La Cage aux folles has homosexual nightclub owner Renato and his transvesitite companion/lover Albin becoming involved with the local cops and foreign spies when Albin unwittingly gets his hands on a role of stolen microfilm. The gay couple then hide out in Renato's native Italy, but find little peace there with their frequent bickering among themselves.

Director: Édouard Molinaro Stars: Michel Serrault, Ugo Tognazzi, Marcel Bozzuffi Social: 6pm Film starts: 7pm

Signposting and Information Service

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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 NEW VENUE Men’s Group Pub Social: Halfway To Heaven

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Jan 2016

would like to discuss include internet and phone banking, branch closures and security.

The event will include some group activities. Refreshments will be provided and participants will receive a £15 gift voucher.”

Contact Kate to book a place kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk or 020 7239 0400 3:00pm to 6:00pm Friday 29th

Do you want advice? If you need help in the home, or you are confused about tax, have questions about your pension, benefits or housing etc contact our ODL signposting team at odlsignposting@ageukcamden .org.uk or 07961 937 621.

Thursday 28th ‘Rainbow Surfers’ older LGBT* computer drop-in See the first Thursday of the month for more details.

Every Thursday 10am – 1pm FCA Focus Group about Access to Financial Services.

Tavis House. 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H9NA Joe Lee from the Financial Conduct Authority is launching a community project seeking to raise awareness of access to financial services amongst older members of the community. Joe writes: “We are holding a focus group to ask people aged 65 and over about how they access financial services, and any barriers they face. Topics we

www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk

Mixed Friday Coffee and Cake Club See Friday 8th for more details.

Every Friday 10am – 12pm Sunday 31st ODL visits The Food Cycle for a free meal for those living with HIV Acorn House Kitchen, 314 – 320 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8DP Food Cycle run a weekly Sunday lunch for anybody who is HIV positive and their friends. They do this in partnership with The Food Chain which exists to ensure people living with HIV in London can access the nutrition they need to get well, stay well and lead healthy, independent lives. We are delighted to have been invited along as a group on 31st January. Opening Doors London will be attending to enjoy the delicious 3 course vegetarian meal and socialise Page 6

Opening Doors London: full listings and activities. with Food Cycle regulars and volunteers.

Who can attend? Anybody who is HIV positive – and you can bring a guest too.

Cost: Free Arrive: 4.30pm prompt Ends: 6pm approx.

Closest transport hub: Kings Cross (0.3 miles)

There will be no LGBT* Death Café this month. As soon as

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dates for 2016 are arranged we will put those in the listings.

Feminist Reading Group Regrettably we have had to close the Feminist Reading group as we could not find a volunteer to coordinate the group and numbers of attendees at the group were very low. If you are interested in running a group please contact Kate: kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk or 0207 239 0400

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Jan 2016

Women’s Walking and Herstory: Taylor will run this group once every two months so the next one will be in February. We would very much like volunteers for the alternate months so if you are interested please contact Kate: kate.hancock@ageukcamden. org.uk or 0207 239 0400

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