Brunch Bunch: Drag returns to Blue Collar Corner for drag brunch

ON SATURDAY, Reading’s Blue Collar Corner held the latest of its regular drag brunch events as Pride Month gets underway in earnest, writes Jake Clothier

Amber Rose Turner took up hosting duties and brought an abundance of drag talent to the stage, introducing fellow performers Black Mamba and Reading’s own drag phenomenon, Duac.

After numbers from the host, Black Mamba showed their usual flair and affinity for a costume change with fierce lipsyncs for which they have become renowned.

The final part of the show saw Duac bring their usual unpredictability and refreshing humour when they performed a lipsync as Feathers McGraw, the villainous penguin from the Wallace and Gromit Franchise.

A particular highlight saw Duac removing the red rubber glove disguise before escaping up a stairwell with a cardboard revolver and a sack of loot.

Amber Rose Turner closed the show with a live vocal performance, singing a song dedicated to their partner.

The event was brought to Blue Collar by Iota Events’ Big Jay, who was recently announced as the organiser for Reading Pride’s Pride Xtra stage later this year.

Host Amber Rose Turner said events like brunches can often bridge a social divide: “A drag brunch marries two perfect concepts together.

ON SONG: Black Mamba perforing at Blue Collar Corner’s Drag Brunch on Saturday.

“Everyone loves brunch, and drag is such a big part of pride and the LGBT+ community, so to sandwich them together, people will come no matter what, and enjoy it.”

Big Jay added: “Pride Month is a very American concept, and when those concepts influence our scene, we lose a bit of that character of British queerness.

“It’s very influenced by RuPaul and big companies with rainbow logos; small businesses and grassroots queer communities don’t get elevated in the same way.”

Despite this, Amber Rose said: “It has helped a lot of the LGBT+ community in general here, I feel.

“Many places are still really behind the times, and Big Jay is a big part of the picture in Reading.”

They continued: “It can boost our morale, boost our viewership and engagement, and while it can be on the nose, it gives people and excuse to start those conversations.”

Duac explained: “It’s especially so for people who have a really traditional view of drag; nonbinary and trans performers aren’t always expected, but drag is more expansive than that.”

Big Jay added: “British drag is so much more about the personality, the humour, and the individual, rather than how big your wig is.”

Speaking of their plans for

SAT

Reading Pride, they added: “It is going to be a love letter to my journey through drag.

“I’ll be featuring everything that has got me to where I am, and I’m really excited to give everyone who’s helped me the platform they deserve.”

Amber Rose Turner and Duac will be joining Big Jay when they head up the Pride Xtra stage at Reading Pride’s Love Unites Festival in September. n www.readingpride.co.uk

Green light for new hotel complex

PLANS to convert an historic corner of the town centre by creating a new aparthotel and neighbouring hotel have been approved by Reading Borough Council, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter

There are two elements to the plans, from Thackery Estates and its partners, The National Pub Portfolio.

The first, known as QVS1+, covers the area from the corner of Friar Street and Queen Victoria Street.

It has been given the green light after a section 106 levy was agreed. This is how much a developer will pay to the local authority, which is then invested in vital infrastructure.

The plan involves renovation and works to create 104 rooms on upper floors, and new shopfronts and a courtyard at ground level.

Approval of the S106 was granted on May 24, and the applications, numbers 221232 and 221233, can be seen on Reading Borough Council’s planning website.

The National Pub Portfolio has won approval for the demolition of buildings further down Friar Street and replacing them with a 163-bed hotel. The affected area includes The Bugle pub, Revolución de Cuba and the Eyesite Opticians.

The Bugle will become the entry point for the hotel, while the buildings next to it will be demolished.

The project is known as QVS2, and the hotel will be run by Leonardo Hotels, the new name for Jurys Inn. This application, number 221235, can be seen on Reading Borough Council’s planning website.

Glasses raised to local brewers at University’s drinks festival

AROUND 600 people enjoyed the first running of an event which showcased the very best of locallyproduced alcoholic beverages, writes

Ji-Min Lee

The University of Reading’s Neck of the Woods Festival, aka the Park House Local Drinks Festival, saw visitors taste wine, beer, cider, and gin made by businesses which supply the campus.

Makers had their own stalls, where they were able to share insight into the products they had brought with them.

Matt Tebbitt, head of the university’s catering and bars team, said: “It was great to have so many people visit Whiteknights for the drinks festival.

“We know people in the local area love visiting our many outlets, so it was great to share our beautiful campus environment with new people.

“I particularly enjoyed seeing people try something a bit different, and really focusing on the high quality of the many locally produced beers, ciders and other drinks on offer.

“If you missed out, you can always pay us a visit in the oak-panelled comfort of our Park House bar, or sit out at one of the tables overlooking the Whiteknights meadow and lake.

“It’s open to the public including at weekends, so come and have your own tasting session, and make the most of the university bar and food prices.”