James Ledward, Graham Robson, Gary Hart, Alice Blezard, Ray A-J
SPORTS EDITOR Paul Gustafson
ARTS EDITOR Michael Hootman
SUB EDITOR Graham Robson
DESIGN Michèle Allardyce
FRONT COVER
MODEL Lascel Wood
PHOTOGRAPHER Daniel llkhan
Photography
CONTRIBUTORS
Simon Adams, Ray A-J, Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Brian Butler, Suchi Chatterjee, Bright Daffodil, Morgan Fabulous, Craig Hanlon-Smith, Samuel Hall, Adam Mallaby, Enzo Marra, Tin Nguyen, Carl Oprey, Eric Page, Del Sharp, Gay Socrates, Brian Stacey, Michael Steinhage, Sugar Swan, Glen Stevens, Duncan Stewart, Craig Storrie, Mike Wall, Netty Wendt, Roger Wheeler, Kate Wildblood
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Matt Brooks, Tyrone Darling, James Ledward, Jack Lynn
Bright
Useful
Craig
Brighton’s
Brian
Eric
Eric
GOLDEN HANDBAG AWARDS 2018
) Drag With No Name, West End lead Lascel Wood and star of Transformation Street Mzz Kimberley join the stars of BBC TV's All Together Now, The Sundaes, to complete the line-up for this years Golden Handbag Awards 2018
The annual celebration of everything fabulous in LGBT+ Brighton will take place in the magnificent surroundings of the Oxford Suite at the Brighton Hilton Metropole on Sunday, July 1 at 7.30pm
Hosted by Lola Lasagne, the Golden Handbag Awards, now in their 22nd year, celebrate everything fabulous and suppor tive about Brighton’s LGBT+ communities while recognising the magnificent work done by volunteers during the year in LGBT+ Brighton
Voting in this year’s awards will open online at midnight on Tuesday, May 15/16 after the Golden Quiz at Charles Street Tap
The deadline for nominations for the community and lifetime achievement awards has been extended to midnight on Monday, May 7 To nominate someone who you think deserves wider community recognition for their contributions to LGBT+ Brighton, email: info@gscene com
There is just one VIP table, costing £240, left for the evening To secure it, email info@gscene.com Prowler at 112 St James’s Street, Brighton have 50 unreserved tickets for the public tables costing £20 each Prowler are not charging a booking fee so you need to buy in person and pay in cash
KEMPTOWN CARNIVAL 2018 CANCELLED
) Organisers of the Kemptown Carnival have made the decision to cancel this year ’s event so that the development of the new governing body of the organisation can be fully established Despite having secured financial confidence to go for ward with the Carnival this year, with Brighton Palace Pier due to be announced as the main sponsor, organisers have decided that more time is needed to ensure that the foundations of the new Kemptown Carnival CIC as an emerging Carnival Ar ts Organisation in the south of England are firmly secure
) The Golden Handbags Quiz to find who has the brainiest team of staff or volunteers in LGBT+ Brighton takes place at Charles Street Tap on Tuesday, May 15 Hosted by Lola Lasagne, the strictest and most formidable quiz mistress in the land, the Golden Quiz is one of the most popular events of the LGBT+ season
Lola says: "The Golden Quiz is one of my favourite gigs of the year and gives us the opportunity to explain any changes to this year’s online voting It is essential you reserve your table as last year teams were just turning up on the night with no reservations and there was no room to accommodate them See you on May 15!"
WHO IS TOP OF THE CLASS IN 2018?
To reserve your table, email: info@gscene.com Registration is from 7pm for a 7.30pm star t
A team of six players cost £20. All money raised will be donated to the R ainbow Fund, a grant giving organisation who make grants to LGBT/HIV organisations delivering effective front line services to LGBT people in the City
Anne Ackord, Chief Executive Officer of The Brighton Pier Group PLC, said: "We’re sorr y that time is against us for 2018 but w e’ll continue to offer suppor t to this great carnival and are sure that 2019 w ill be a y ear to remember ”
As well as establishing the new str uctures for the Kemptown Carnival CIC, the current national UK climate on public safety and the additional operational challenges that face an open access event of the carnival’s size and nature required significantly more time than was anticipated
Mat Cook, Kemptown Carnival Director, said: “It’s massively disappointing to have come so far in the planning to have reached the point w here the carnival is on sure financial footing, to then have to move the event back a y ear, but this is w isest course under the circumstances
“We’ve been w orking on new carnival projects w ith some fantastic ar tists and community groups from across Brighton & Hove and these new ar tistic projects are set to carr y over to 2019
“I’d like to thank the Palace Pier for all of their suppor t and also the dedicated local residents w ho have been giving their time and energy to help get the carnival back on course I’d also like to send a massive thank y ou to all of the ar tists and per formers, and members of the public that have suppor ted us at our fundraising events over the last y ear and continue to share their talent and dedication to the carnival
“I’m ver y sad that w e’ve had to make this decision and I’m sure there w ill be a lot of disappointed people, but as the Kemptow n Carnival has become such a huge event, a new robust organisational structure is absolutely essential if it’s to go for w ard and continue on its w ay to becoming a leading carnival ar ts organisation in the south-east ”
The new carnival organisation will be holding a public meeting in the coming months to get the ball rolling for 2019, and most essentially to continue to build solid foundations for the new carnival CIC If you would like to get involved or know of others that would like to join the team, email: info@kemptowncarnival.com
BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS RAISE OVER £1,000 FOR LOCAL CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE
) Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus’ (BGMC) sell-out Christmas show raised £1,006 42 for Macmillan Horizon Centre, which has been designed with input from people affected by cancer to make it the best place to offer the suppor t and services that people in Sussex need
For each production, BGMC chooses a charity to suppor t, basing its decision on its members’ nominations This time, the Chorus had a special reason for deciding to suppor t the work of the local Macmillan charity - as a thank you for helping a wonderful friend, and long-standing suppor ter, Cath Prenton, win her battle with cancer
Vaughan Leyshon, BGMC Chairman, said: “The Chorus is fortunate to be supported by many volunteers, affectionately known as Chorus Angels, and Cath has been a formidable and tireless supporter for many years It is therefore an enormous pleasure to support Macmillan and its invaluable work in the local community ”
BGMC open the Brighton Fringe Festival 2018 with their new show Gayz Into Space on Friday 4 and Saturday, May 5 at St George’s Church in Kemptown, Brighton This production will help raise funds and awareness for organisations that suppor t older LGBT+ people in the Brighton & Hove area
BRITNEY SPEARS HONOURED WITH PRESTIGIOUS LGBT+ ACCOLADE
MINDOUT SHORTLISTED FOR UK CHARITY GOVERNANCE AWARDS 2018
) Brighton-based charity MindOut has been shor tlisted for the UK-wide Charity Governance Awards 2018. It is in the r unning for the Board Diversity and Inclusivity Award and the prize of a £5,000 unrestricted grant MindOut is one of 20 charities from across the UK that complete the full shor tlist
MindOut joins a shor tlist of charities representing a diverse range of activities, which include mental health care, family suppor t, overseas aid, community spor ts programmes, and post-natal care A 20-strong judging panel have shor tlisted the entries and will select a winner in each of the seven categories The winners will be announced at the official awards reception at the historic Clothworkers Hall in London on Thursday, May 24. Helen Jones, MindOut CEO, said:
“We’re delighted to be shor tlisted for a Gov ernance A w ard for the second y ear running! Our T rustee Board has w orked really hard this y ear and
dev eloped and grow n, I’m so pleased w e hav e national recognition for their w ork ”
MindOut is a ver y successful small charity offering a range of ser vices including advice and infor mation, advocacy, counselling, peer suppor t group work and online suppor t
The Awards are organised by the Clothworkers’ Company, a City of London Liver y company that suppor ts tr usteeship initiatives, in par tnership with not-for-profit consultancy New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), volunteer matching charity R each, and recr uitment specialists Prospectus
Michael Howell, Tr usteeship Committee Chair, said:
“Congratulations to all these successful shor tlisted candidates
Once again, our nominees prov e that there’s exceptional w ork going on behind the scenes in the third sector “R aising the bar in charity gov ernance is the ambition of these A w ards
For full list of nominees, view: www.charitygovernanceawards.co.uk /shor tlist-and-winners/
UNIVERSITY VICE CHANCELLOR HONOURED
) LGBT+ icon, Britney Spears, received the Vanguard Award in Los Angeles last month at the 29th GLA AD Media Awards The Princess of Pop, wearing a revealing creation by Giannina Azar, was presented with the prestigious honour by Latin super star Ricky Mar tin During her acceptance speech, Britney said: “Society has always put such an emphasis on what's normal, and to be different is unusual or seen as strange, but to be accepted unconditionally and to be able to express yourself as an individual through art is such a blessing
"Events like this show the world that we’re not alone We can all join hands together here and know that we’re all beautiful And we can lif t each other up and show our gif ts without hesitation Being a mother has shown me what it means to love unconditionally, and you all in this room have shown me throughout my career what it means to be loved unconditionally It's such an honour to be here Thank you so much to GL AAD Thank you to the LGBT+ communities and all of my friends ”
Britney will perform her complete Las Vegas Show, Piece of Me, on the main stage at Brighton Pride on Saturday, August 4 Tickets are still available from the Sussex Beacon Charity Shop, 129 St James’s Street, Brighton
For more information, view: www brighton-pride org
) Professor Debra Humphris, University of Brighton ViceChancellor, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians She began her career as a student nurse in Chichester, later studying for a Diploma in Nursing and Cer tificate in Education before under taking a Master ’s degree and obtaining a PhD from the University of London.
Her Fellowship citation highlights her contribution to the education and development of health professions, her pioneering role in the development of inter-professional education and curriculum development, and her commitment to enhancing the student experience
It par ticularly highlights her work as Director of the New Generation Project at the University of Southampton, which developed ground-breaking new approaches to developing learning across 10 professional groups, incl: midwives, pharmacists, radiographers and social workers This led to her appointment to a number of national
and international groups and work on a number of influential repor ts, including: the International Healthcare Workforce Collaboration and the World Health Organisation Framework for Action on Inter-collaborative Practice
Her work on championing student engagement and outreach programmes as a senior leader at the University of Southampton and Imperial College London are also commended as is her personal decision to use the bonus she receives at the University of Brighton to set up a fund to suppor t students and staff
Commenting on her election as a Fellow in the year that the College marks its 500th anniversar y, Professor Humphris said: “I w as delighted and humbled to learn of my election as a Fellow of the R oy al College of Phy sicians, especially as it is unusual for this honour to be bestow ed on a professional outside of medicine I am ver y proud to lead a university that play s such an impor tant role in developing a w ide range of health professionals and suppor ts a highly successful medical school alongside all of its other teaching and research ”
BEARS RAISE CRACKING TOTAL FOR RAINBOW FUND
) Brighton Bears’ raised a record-breaking £450.70 at their annual Easter Quiz held at the Camelford Arms The winning team, the topically named Sandpaper Down Under, only just missed out on the £300 cash first prize and won the six bottles of beer The chocolate-filled 18-prize raffle was very popular and suppor ted with kind donations from Choccywoccydoodah, Prowler, Nice ‘N’ Naughty, the Camelford Arms, Chris Sarson and Clive Williams
The Brighton Bear Weekend team would like to thank the Camelford Arms for hosting the event, especially Tom Morris for being the quiz master and all those who donated prizes and came along to join in the fun
Graham Munday, Chair of Brighton Bear Weekend, said: “The pub was fully booked out for the night with many people eating before the quiz There was a great atmosphere and we are all looking forward to doing it again at the start of Brighton Bear Weekend on Thursday, June 14 I suggest you book a table now ”
To reserve a table for the next Brighton Bear Weekend Quiz with or without dinner on Thursday, June 4 at the Camelford Arms, call: 01273 622386 Entry is £2 per person, quiz star ts at 9pm
EASTER BONNET PARADE AND CHARITY DRAG RACES 2018
) The annual Easter Bonnet Parade and Charity Drag R aces, organised between the Bedford Tavern and Grosvenor Bar in Hove, drew a huge crowd to Little Western Street on Easter Sunday An amazing £1,883.66 was raised for the R ainbow Fund to distribute through their independent grants programme to LGBT/HIV groups and organisations providing effective frontline services to LGBT+ people in Brighton & Hove
Adam Brooks, owner of the Bedford Tavern, said: “Thank you to everyone who turned up, especially those who placed bets, bought raffle tickets and put money in the collection buckets The aim of the day is to raise money to help as many local good causes as possible via the Rainbow Fund Huge thanks to everyone who helped and donated prizes for the raffle Congratulations to ‘Chelsea Flower-Show’ for winning the prize for
best bonnet It was an incredible bonnet made of fresh flowers that was illuminated at night – quite stunning! Congratulations also to Scottish Dick for winning the Drag King Race and Dragasaurus for winning the Drag Queen Races
“Finally, thanks to Brighton Sea Serpents, Danny Dwyer and his bucket shakers, Sally and my mate Sue Coleman who was like a machine! Selling bets, raffle tickets, bingo tickets, shaking buckets Sue you are a star! Thank you!”
HAIRDRESSER GETS LIFE
FOR DELIBERATELY INFECTING MEN IN BRIGHTON WITH HIV
Man who set out to deliberately infect men in Brighton with HIV is jailed for life
) Dar yll R owe, 27, was found guilty by a jury at Lewes Crown Cour t on November 15, 2017 of five counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and five counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent by deliberately infecting his victims with HIV in the Sussex area between October 1, 2015 and January 31, 2016 At least four of the men have since contracted HIV Sentencing was adjourned for psychiatric repor ts to be prepared
At Brighton Crown Cour t on Wednesday, April 18, judge Christine Henson told Rowe that he would most probably pose a risk and danger to others for the rest of his life She said: "Af ter considering all the aggravating features and considerable premeditation in this case, I sentence you to life imprisonment "
Rowe was told he would have to serve at least a minimum of 10 years before he would be considered for release
Hairdresser Rowe was arrested in February 2016 after police were contacted by a health clinic in Brighton who noticed similarities in how two of their clients repor ted contracting HIV Police issued warnings to the public about an unnamed man who had been infecting people with HIV in Brighton Ar ticles also appeared in the national press after Rowe was named on social media
Right from his initial interview with police, Rowe denied having HIV and infecting others However, evidence proved that he had been diagnosed with the disease in April 2015 in Edinburgh, where he was
originally from He had refused medication to treat the illness and to make him less contagious
On leaving Brighton in February 2016, Rowe lived in a tent near Edinburgh where he went on to meet more men in the nor th east of England, giving them a false name fearing they would look him up on Google if he gave them his real name
When police tracked him down in a house he was sharing with another man in the Wallsend area of Newcastle, he jumped out of a window and fled
After failing to repor t back on police bail in November 2016, Rowe was arrested a month later by police officers from Nor thumbria and Sussex, after several forces worked to locate him He was then charged and remanded in custody on Christmas Day
The cour t heard that Rowe met his victims on the online dating site Grindr He would persuade them to have unsafe sex, telling them he was clean or negative for HIV, or he would deliberately sabotage condoms that he had used Afterwards he would send vindictive messages or texts to the men he had met, goading them or even telling one victim after they had had sex that he was riddled with the virus
Rowe told the jury that he researched alternative therapies online and believed that drinking his own urine daily, called urine therapy, and taking herbs and oils would cure him
During sentencing, the cour t heard from some of Rowe's victims in their victim impact statements about the devastating impact of contracting HIV had had on their lives
One victim said: “This virus took away my parents, my biological father and mother died of AIDS when I was only a kid This disease is something I never took lightly I did everything to prevent the virus from ever catching me I educated myself on safe sex and always used a condom, but on November 13, 2015, Daryll Rowe decided to take that right away from me “A part of me died that day when I was diagnosed
The old me is no longer The new me is constantly sad, thinking about how my life changed I’ve been devastated by Rowe's actions but I want to make sure that this doesn't happen to anyone else ”
Detective Inspector Andy Wolstenholme, said: “This sentence is hugely important for Rowe’s victims, and the communities that he deliberately targeted It will bring some closure to the victims who have been very strong and supportive through the investigation The victim impact statements, which were heard in court, were incredibly moving and really conveyed the victims' sense of betrayal at Rowe's offences By bravely giving evidence in the trial, it sends a clear message that despite the complex and highly sensitive nature of such a case, the police and prosecutors will not shy away from investigating allegations of deliberate HIV transmission in order to keep people safe It is essential to acknowledge that one individual’s behaviour is in no way representative of any other individual who is living with HIV
“Daryll Rowe was consistent in lying to his victims about having HIV, he was persistent and aggressive in wanting unprotected sex in order to infect people, and when he didn’t get what he wanted, he deliberately damaged condoms to achieve his aim The victims have demonstrated real strength of character in speaking out about this, and because of this strength and the hard work of the detectives, staff and partners working on the case, a dangerous man, who betrayed the trust of many men, is now in prison ”
Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust), added:
“People living with HIV should not be avoided, feared or discriminated against, even when it comes to sex and dating Well over 100,000 people are living with HIV in the UK, and the vast majority of them cannot pass on the virus to others due to effective medication – this is something most people don’t realise, unfortunately The Rowe case is the first of its kind in the UK, and is an exceptionally rare thing to encounter To intentionally transmit HIV is a deplorable crime, one could only commit by avoiding one’s own crucial treatment Our thoughts are with the victims in this case ”
For any questions or concerns in relation to HIV give Terrence Higgins Trust a call on 0808 8021221
CHEMSEX
The white elephant in the room by Bright Daffodil
) Brighton earned the reputation of being the drug death capital of the UK in the 2000s. It was only in 2017 that statistics changed, revealing fewer deaths in the city than any year back to 2001 The spike in deaths was mainly due to opiate overdoses However, these statistics are much more representative of the heterosexual communities, as the house party drug scene we are seeing now in the LGBT+ communities shows a much bleaker picture
Let’s face it, the party scene in our community has changed, my generation would be out every Saturday night necking E’s doing a whirling dervish on a dancefloor topless, whilst scouting out the trade to take home The community was much more social in the 1990s and 2000s because we had a much bigger array of venues to choose from, and the only way to meet people was to go out.
Chemicals and sex have always been part of our social structure. The drugs that we took then have been replaced by much more dangerous and sinister chemicals. Many clubs have closed, and demographics have changed in how we hook up.
Since around 2012 we ’ ve seen a huge increase in people partying at home and hooking up via apps on their phone. Chemicals such as GBL, GHB and the notorious Crystal have replaced happy pills and with it bought in a much more dark and dangerous side to partying.
A typical chemsex party can go on for days and, as people come and go, measuring and using chems safely often becomes an issue. Gamma-butyrolactone, known as GBL, produces a feeling of euphoria while reducing inhibitions Perfect for a party full of strangers
GBL can easily cause accidental overdose, and has been linked to a dramatic rise in deaths in London, where someone died from GBL every 12 days in 2015, according to research by Imperial College London Club DJ Dr Mu (Noel Fuchs) became a victim in 2014 Stories of popular faces on the gay scene passing away at sex parties have become quite normalised and almost everyday happenings
Homeless services have also seen a sharp rise in gay men accessing services due to Crystal and GHB addiction, and its impact on health and stability Drugs have always been a part of our club culture but none with such dire impacts and death tolls have been seen before. What’s different about this epidemic is that we aren’t talking about it as a community.
Michael Burton was a popular face on the Brighton gay scene and died aged just 37 in 2016. His popularity and sudden, but obvious, downward spiral into homelessness and joblessness highlighted that this new gay drug
culture can have devastating effects and those effects happen very quickly It brought into the spotlight an issue that was once seen as a problem which only affected capital cities like New York and London, but is now here unapologetically to stay in Brighton
I interviewed Stephen Morris, an LGBT+ activist and chemsex crime lead at Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service, who has been speaking out about the chemsex epidemic in the south of England for the past five years Along with David Stuart of London’s 56 Dean St, both advocate for the community to start speaking out about the realities of the chemsex party scene and its consequences.
Stephen says: “We’re living in age where there’s a spirit of entitlement, a less politicised community and young gay men still traumatised from growing up different are seeking safe spaces. ”
Nowadays, vulnerable people access sex via apps and as such can fall head over heels into the shadowy world of chemsex and chemsex parties very quickly. The thinking that informs protest, such as the media, have shamed us for showing vulnerability. This in turn allows for the apathy and judgement which are the two main factors for the scene going underground.
Sexual assaults aren’t being reported on the scene because of a blame culture and a lack of transparency and boundaries regarding consent. Antidote is an LGBT+ drug project, currently exploring the dialogue of collusion and permission within the chemsex scene by consulting gay men using the service
Stephen says that ‘Grindr crime’, or innocently committing a sexual crime, is growing because
of the lack of awareness in the community about what constitutes a crime At what point can someone consent when they are high for days with lack of sleep and are out of touch with reality?
Working within the prison service, Stephen has seen a rise in predatory sexual criminals using gay hook ups to groom young victims Because we have a culture, a silence in our community, Stephen says, we forget that abusers talk to other abusers.
Serial killer Stephen Port got away with murdering young gay men via Grindr for months because the police didn’t follow lines of evidence. Never has it been so easy for abusers to access vulnerable people and silence them than in chemsex culture.
UK police have recently started a chemsex enquiry and response toolkit. They’re taking the scene seriously since the Grindr serial killer case. However, if you take substances and report an assault, you will be investigated also. The message to victims is not to mention drugs. Therefore, chemsex is often not mentioned, thus acting as a block to addressing Brighton’s problem Galop estimate 97% of chemsex assault victims won’t go to the police
Stephen Morris has suggested a drug amnesty for chemsex victims who report it to police He says that without it our silence is enabling the abusers and the crisis within our communities to grow out of control
Of the 1,128 treatment assessments carried out in 2017 at Pavilions in Brighton, 23 identified as using Crystal Meth as their primary substance, while 2% had methamphetamine cited as one of their top three problem substances
FOR MORE INFO
If you need help, contact: ) CLINIC M: 01273 523388 ) PAVILIONS: 01273 731900 or 07884 476 634 ) or visit: SHAC East (Claude Nicol Centre), Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE
A CUCKOO IN THE NEST!
) What is cuckooing? Cuckooing is where criminal gangs target vulnerable people in their homes to deal drugs from there. The person is intimidated with threats of violence and bullying or enticed through the offer of drugs. The person being cuckooed often won’t want to raise concerns for fear of repercussions or violence. Victims of cuckooing can disengage with support groups or services and be unwilling to talk about what is happening at their home when the subject is raised with them.
) Signs to look out for: More visitors to the property than usual, often visiting for short periods of time, new associates hanging around, bags of clothes, bedding or other unusual signs that people may be staying there, lots of vehicles outside for short times, including taxis, discarded syringes, foil or other evidence of drug use, more local anti-social behaviour than normal, including lots of stolen bikes.
) What to do: If you ’ re worried that someone is being cuckooed, contact Sussex Police by emailing 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk with an email title OPERATION CUCKOO, providing as much detail as possible or for further advice ring the Safer Communities Team on 01273 292735 or community support from the LGBT CSF on 01273 855620.
A-Z OF STREET DRUGS
) ALCOHOL: The most popular drug BY FAR A depressant, makes you sociable; too much and you’ll have a hangover, way too much will put you in a coma or kill you Causes more illness, accidents, violence and death than all the other drugs combined It’s legal and anyone over the age of 18 can buy, the gateway drug to all the others in this list
) BUTANE: Sniffed to get you high Makes you uninhibited, euphoric and dizzy Effects on your heart can cause death, even the first time.
) COCAINE: Snorted, makes you feel on top of the world, confident, alert and awake, but over-confident, arrogant, aggressive and can make you take careless risks. When the effects wear off you get a comedown, feel depressed and run down.
) DEXIES: Speed, Dexedrine, Ritalin: Amphetamine type drugs that have stimulant effects. Keep you awake, energised and alert. Overuse leads to overactive, agitated or psychotic conditions.
) ECSTASY: The original designer drug. Makes you energised, happy to dance for hours, the effects last three to six hours, followed by a gradual comedown. People feel in tune with their surroundings, with sounds and colours more intense. Users develop temporary feelings of love and affection for the strangers around them.
) FAGS: Regular smokers believe that smoking tobacco helps them to relax, handle stress and eat less, but smoking makes you smell. It’s a risk factor for emphysema, heart attacks, strokes and lung cancer Smoking contributes to 100,000 premature deaths in the UK every year
) G: GHB & GBL (gammabutyrolactone): A sedative with anaesthetic effects Produces a feeling of euphoria and reduces inhibitions, make you super horny and causes sleepiness Is particularly dangerous with alcohol
) HEROIN: Made from opium and has been around for hundreds of years Heroin is a strong painkiller A small dose gives a feeling of well-being; bigger doses can make you sleepy and very relaxed Heroin is highly addictive and people quickly get hooked
) INHALANTS: Glue, petrol or gas: Effects depend on what glue, gas or aerosol is sniffed, but includes mood swings, aggressive behaviour, hallucinations, vomiting and blackouts, drunk with dizziness, dreaminess, fits of the giggles, and difficulty thinking straight
) JUICE: Steroids mimic hormones in the body that control how the body develops Anabolic steroids improve endurance and help build muscles They help gym bunnies train harder and longer Can make some users feel paranoid, irritable, aggressive or ‘roid rage ’ violent, and cause dramatic mood swings and horrible skin problems
) KETAMINE: A powerful anaesthetic that reduces sensations and gives a detached feeling as if the mind and body have been separated, with some people incapable of moving This is called a K-Hole You trip for several hours. Can cause agitation, panic attacks and memory loss.
) LSD: Acid: A powerful hallucinogenic drug, distorting view of objects and reality, including seeing and sometimes hearing things that aren’t there, known as a ‘trip’. Trips can be good or bad. Time and movement can appear to speed up and slow down. Colour, sound and objects can get distorted and be unpredictable.
) MEOW MEOW: Mephedrone gives you euphoria, alertness and feelings of affection or anxiety. Can also overstimulate your heart and circulation, and your nervous system, with risk of fits.
) NITROUS OXIDE: Laughing gas makes you feel euphoric and relaxed or experience hallucinations. The gas is transferred to a balloon, then inhaled.
) OPIATES: Painkillers are medicines on prescription; they are sedative painkillers that depress the nervous system, slowing down body functions and reducing physical and psychological pain. They are highly addictive.
) POPPERS: When inhaled they dilate the blood vessels and give a short, sharp headrush like high, enhanced sexual experiences. Feelings of sickness, faintness and weakness, dangerous with heart problems or with Viagra
) QUAALUDE: Was the party drug of the 1970s It was known as ‘disco biscuits’ because it released users ’ sexual inhibitions thus making it a nightlife mainstay
) ROHYPNOL: Makes the user feel calm and relaxed, and helps sleep Has been used in sex crimes, where a victim’s drink is spiked, knocking them out so that they're unable to prevent a sexual assault
) SPICE: Synthetic cannabinoids act like cannabis (THC) but are much stronger The effects - good and bad - are similar Users feel happy and relaxed, get the giggles, feel hunger pangs and become talkative or feel ill or paranoid Sold as a herbal smoking mix
) TINA: Methamphetamine aka crystal meth, powerful rushy stimulant, keeps you awake, alert, energised, abandoned and super horny Too much will tip you into an overactive, agitated or even psychotic state. Very addictive, one of the main drugs driving the chemsex circuit.
) ULTRAM: Tramadol is prescription medicine used to treat moderate pain, with feelings of warmth and well-being, relaxation and sleepiness. Can also cause fatigue, drowsiness, diarrhoea or fainting.
) VIAGRA: Initially used for sex, improving erections, increasingly the drug is mixed with ecstasy to enhance a feeling of euphoria, sexstasy. It’s the most counterfeited drug in the world
) WEED: Cannabis: THC is the ingredient that makes you feel very chilled out and relaxed. It alters your senses. Cannabis effects how your brain works. Makes you feel anxious and even paranoid, it can make it difficult for you to concentrate, make you feel less motivated. The most popular illegal drug in the UK
) XANAX: Tranquillisers that induce calmness, relaxation and are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Prescription only medicines most common are Xanax, Rohypnol, Valium, with nasty withdrawal symptoms, including decreased concentration, tremors, vomiting, panic attacks and depression
) YABA: Methamphetamine makes you feel very up, exhilarated, alert and awake, and can leave you feeling agitated, confused and aggressive Long-term use causes brain damage Crystal form Crystal Meth or Ice is extremely powerful and gives an intense high followed by a very severe comedown Very addictive
) Z-drugs: Zopiclone, Sanofi are a group of non-benzodiazepine drugs used in the treatment of insomnia Overuse causes sleep disruptions, anxiety and depression
MORE INFO
) See www.talktofrank.com/drugs-a-z for a much more in-depth list and plenty of helpful information. It’s non-judgmental, you’ll learn loads, and it may help you save someone ’ s life in an emergency.
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MY SO-CALLED CHEMSEX LIFE
Or when I met Jack, Seb and James. By
Craig Hanlon-Smith
) I had originally tried to write this piece 18 months ago, but rather than an unsophisticated or educated guess along the theme of what has come to be known as ‘ChemSex’, I wanted to hear real and current stories from those who were actually engaged, in some way, with this lifestyle and recreational practice. I had of course read other articles and at various theatrical fringe festivals seen many (largely dreadful) plays on the subject, but I wanted to hear the facts firsthand and fresh. So, I took to the most notable [dating] apps and websites, openly declaring my intentions No-one wanted to talk The online profile I posted included my face, my writer’s interest in the subject, and a promise of anonymity for anyone who wanted to talk I received a limited number of responses, but these were either suggestions that I f-off and get a real job, learn to enjoy myself more (what?) and a handful inviting me to join them for some sexual activity which requires no further description here, but trust me, they were not vague about their tastes. However, when it came to research for this article, no takers. Not one. Almost a year later, and thanks in part to twitter, I spoke to Jack (mid 40s), Seb (mid 30s) and James (mid 20s)
Before we hear from them directly, I’d like to thank all three for sharing their experiences, and for being so candid and honest. I also want to be clear, which makes sense to me if not necessarily to anyone else, that I really liked them and am pleased I had the opportunity to talk to them So, without prejudice, judgement, comment or analysis; ChemSex by those who do or certainly have Jack, Seb and James
JAMES: aged 25, from the Brighton area. “I’m not really a regular on the gay scene in Brighton, certainly not weekly Possibly once a month and occasionally I meet people [for sex] in person, but it’s usually on the apps, Grindr mostly The interest in taking drugs during and for sex actually came from meeting people on Grindr, although I don’t remember the first time I had sex with ‘chems’ - it was a few years ago now. I reckon I have sex with people on chems once sometimes twice a month, there are usually a few people involved, on average around five, sometimes people I already know but often online meets. I prefer sex with ‘chems’ than without, I feel that there’s more of a buzz that way Most of the guys I have sex with are older than me but that’s the age range I’d go for anyway and that’s nothing to do with the drugs My regular drugs are G and Tina, although M-cat and coke do make an appearance and as a result these parties can last between three and four days, although recently more like one or two I work shifts across the week and usually find that whatever the day or time there are people around. I’ve slammed (injected) but that’s not a regular thing for me.
“Bareback sex is my preferred type of sex, it’s just my preference.”
At this point I ask if James is concerned about HIV or other STIs
“There’s always that thought in your head but that’s my decision and I get checked out regularly. One of the reasons I go for older guys is that younger guys appear to be more cautious and their preference would be safer sex – older guys are more interested in bareback. This is also a sober decision, it’s how I want sex and it’s my choice. Chemsex is just part of how things are… I know myself and I’ll know when to stop.”
SEB: aged 34, from London.
“I should say that I no longer take part [in chemsex], about eight months ago was probably the last time and that was a one-off. It started as a cheaper alternative to booze It used to be that you could buy Mephedrone (M-Cat) for £20 and it was absolutely not associated with sex –bags of Mephedrone would come out at your friends and a bag would last a few days
At some point the formula changed and then so did its use It went from being a more more more drug to becoming less potent overnight The problem with that is that the only comparable drug in terms of the high and horniness it gave you is Tina I absolutely wasn’t interested in Tina until Mephedrone changed M-Cat was cheap and nasty but you wouldn’t crave it, it gave you the high when you wanted it, and you wanted more as you took it, but when you stop you don’t crave it. The drug use can escalate quickly and you take the drugs on Friday night and you ’ re still awake on Monday morning.
“It’s difficult to judge or build ‘normal’ relationships when you ’ re doing those drugs. I can remember lots of occasions being at a friend’s house waiting for the dealer to arrive, there’s a delay and another delay and whilst waiting we have nothing to say to one another other than getting frustrated at the dealer, but we couldn’t talk like adults One of these friends I met at a chillout, then became really good friends outside the druggy circle, but ultimately we did fall out over drugs That neither of us was particularly upset about the friendship dissipating is an indication of what kind of relationship it was.
“I have to say though, since stopping the drugs, my sex life has dropped off the earth – which is actually a bigger struggle than giving up drugs I’d say that since my chemsex experiences, normalising sex is difficult. I became HIV positive during that time. I passed out at a party after someone put G in my drink, although I was aware that I’d unprotected sex sometimes. I had a f**k buddy I trusted and we were both negative and I felt the sex was better [unprotected] and so when I was partying, I started taking risks I can think of times when I bare-backed more
“Back then I was in a job that I hated and for a time my professional life wasn’t making sense to me The chemsex gave me escape Then I changed my job, the salary doubled, my responsibilities were different. When my life got better – the drugs went. I’d say that for most people engaging in chemsex, there’s usually something going on causing them to do it. Trying to escape and forget something. When all that gets better, the drugs go away. ”
JACK: aged 46, from the Midlands.
“My drug use started when my relationship ended. He was the love of my life, say no more. I was living alone, no friends, and I just ran into a time of confusing intimacy and making friends with having sex. Someone offered me a line of something and I hit the ‘f***-it’ button and thought OMG this is amazing What no-one tells you is that the problem with drugs is that they do work It was terrible combination for me though; dealing with an HIV positive and personality disorder diagnosis quickly led to self-loathing, abandonment and depression Mix drugs into all that and well
“Predominantly the drug was M-Cat I didn’t like what I saw of Tina, people who took it quickly turned into twats On the occasions when I did take it, I become suicidal later On reflection, the escalation is frightening. Taking one line per night becomes one every couple of hours, one chill session becomes every other week then every week. Sniffing becomes slamming, then one night becomes three days and one gram lasting three weeks becomes five grams a week. You are out of it, it’s fake, it’s chemically induced – once you are out of the door you are blocked on the apps: ‘let’s be bro-friends’ whilst you ’ re taking drugs and having sex and then you ’ re just deleted
“I used to think: ‘I’m middle class, I’m educated, I’ll never become addicted’, but all you need for addiction is a human being with a problem and a slight wobble, then a drug I felt that what I was doing was wrong - there’s always a little voice reminding you: this isn’t what I want to be I eventually lost everything Someone dobbed me in to work, sent information, images, the lot, and I lost the job I took part in the chemsex more than 50 miles away to avoid anyone finding out, deliberately, but still.”
Although I asked, Jack elected not to tell me the nature of his employment
“I’m now off all of the apps, they over promise and under deliver What delivers is the drug I’ve now changed that from M-Cat, which is psychotropic, to coke I don’t do it with anyone else, I do it on my own, every so often for a few hours. That may sound sad, but I feel no sexual desire whatsoever without it. It’s sad, isn’t it?
“This can happen to anyone I’m university trained, I have degrees from two top universities, and yet now I’m working part time in a minimum wage job because it’s all I can cope with. And you know? No one wants to talk about it, I think because it shames them. I’ve tried, but barely go on any form of social media for that reason. These are not real conversations. This is my story and I’m not saying it’s everyone ’ s. Some can survive, but some lives go down the tubes ”
LGBT+ SUPPORT SERVICE
Since 2010, Gar y Smith, the LGBT+ support worker within the Pavilions drug ser vice, has developed positive links with all of the city's LGBT+ ser vices.
) Gary receives a high number of referrals from people wanting to access information and support to address their substance misuse Many people accessing help often present with a number of complex issues. Gary’s role is to support the client to identify the areas of support they need and access appropriate support often linking in with other established LGBT+ services in the city.
Gary works holistically so that the client feels supported and are given the time to explore and identify the issues which underlie and trigger their ongoing drug or alcohol misuse.
• Assess and cut down drug or alcohol use
• Work towards being drug or alcohol free
• How you can use more safely
• Explore what has triggered your drug or alcohol use to become problematic
• Ways to look after your health while you continue to use
• To take control over the sex you have while using drugs or alcohol
) JOEY (Crystal Meth addiction)
“I was referred to the LGBT+ service by my GP after I sought help for addiction to crystal methamphetamine After initial consultation and health tests I was allocated my worker named Gary We met every week at a time and location agreeable with me After a while I became more and more empowered to succeed in reducing my drug usage and I became positive about entering detox unit to fully withdraw under clinical supervision
”Having someone to listen to me without judgment enabled me to discover the pain at the source of my dependency and that was the first step to my recovery ”
) SEBASTIAN (GBL addiction)
“I got in touch with Gary, LGBT Support Worker, via my GP after he had been contacted by A&E as I had been admitted on three or four occasions Being a heavy user of GBL, using approximately 70 to 100 mls through each 24-hour period, both throughout the day and in order to sleep at night
“Gary showed me very kindly how destructive my behaviour was to those around me, and I was swiftly both feeling guilty and more anxious than I had been previously This was an extremely positive voice in an otherwise lonely existence Having been unable or unwilling to leave my studio due to two burglaries and a low selfesteem I really was at rock bottom. It shocked me that at 40 years old I had fallen so far.”
) MICKEY (Mephedrone addiction)
“When I first met Gary I was in the lowest darkest place I had been in my life, it was just after a suicide attempt. I was also self-harming and regularly injecting anything between 10 to 15 times daily. I was provided with many options of support, from one-to-one, to seeing a counsellor, using the things on offer like holistic treatments, and a lunch social space for people living with HIV.
“The LGBT worker’s approach was crucial and at no time did he tell me what to do or what to think. He allowed me to come to the realisation of the things that I need to face and change by myself, which empowered a long lasting self-confidence so that I would be able to
stand on my own when fully recovered Injecting amongst men on the gay scene is seeing a massive explosion of people using I myself have seen this first hand and this is a problem that is only going to increase with tragic circumstances ”
MORE INFO
) Gary Smith attends Clinic M (Drop-in clinic for men who have sex with men) on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at Claude Nichol Centre, Royal Sussex Country Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE.
Gary can be contacted on: 07884 476 634 or 01273 731 900 and is located at Pavilions Drug & Alcohol Services, Richmond House, Richmond Road, Brighton, BN2 3RL.
CLINIC M
Brighton’s Sexual Health Clinic is dedicated to gay, bi and other men who have sex with men.
) Clinic M provides sexual health information and offers easy access to HIV and sexual health testing. It’s open every Wednesday evening from 5–8pm with a mix of walk-in and pre-booked appointments available The clinic is located at the Royal Sussex County Hospital Out Patients’ Department on Eastern Road, within the sexual health department (SHAC) Sexual Health & Contraception service
) Clinic T is Brighton’s sexual health clinic dedicated to Brighton’s trans and non-binary community Clinic T is also located at the Royal Sussex County Hospital Out Patients’ Department on Eastern Road and can be accessed by the Lawson Unit, Abbey Road entrance The clinic runs every last Wednesday of the month and is open from 5–8pm; again with a mixture of walk-in and pre-booked appointments
Each clinic offers a wide range of services, including testing for HIV and STI screening There is also access to Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for people who may have been exposed to HIV infection, as well as monitoring and tests for people taking Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
The clinics also offer appointments with health advisers who can provide advice and support on sexual health issues and drug and alcohol use The clinic can refer patients to other specialised support services available in the city such as Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and Pavilions.
Travis Cox (THT) and Gary Smith (Pavilions’ LGBT worker) both attend the clinics and are able to offer drug and alcohol support for people accessing both Clinic M and Clinic T services.
THT and Pavilions’ workers are able to provide face-to-face assessments with patients, offering a tailor-made support service for people struggling with problematic use of chems/drugs, alcohol as well as sex they’re unhappy about.
) The Face2Face service at THT provides support to people concerned or worried about sexually compulsive behaviour, such as: using hook-up apps obsessively or taking risks they are unhappy about by mixing sex with taking chems/drugs and alcohol The Face2Face service is also about supporting people who want to move away from the chemsex party scene
THT’s Face2Face service offers free weekly structured support sessions at THT in Ship Street, Brighton The service has a non-judgemental attitude so anyone can talk freely and openly in a safe and confidential space The sessions use motivational interviewing techniques which help to bring about changes in behaviours people are unhappy with, helping people to live healthier lives free from substance misuse, sexual compulsion and alcohol dependency It offers practical harm reduction strategies,
such as increasing the number of sober days a person has per week, understanding what is behind compulsion and reducing the use of hook up apps
The partnership working relationship between Clinic M, Clinic T, Pavilions and THT provides the perfect platform for people to talk openly and confidentially about drug and alcohol use and better understand their sexual risk taking and compulsions; refreshing their attitude towards their personal sexual health responsibilities
) Gary Smith (Pavilions’ LGBT worker) is able to provide structured support programmes from the offices of Pavilions’ Drug & Alcohol Services located at Richmond House, Richmond Road, Brighton, BN2 3RL
Their support services include offering Blood Born Virus (BBV) screens to new clients attending for support which provide results for Hepatitis B, C and HIV The tests are conducted by Mag’s O’Sullivan, Pavilions’ on-site Hepatitis Nurse
Pavilions offer a number of other drug and alcohol services, and provide training on safer injection practices, distribution of Slamming Packs (packs containing sterilised needles and sharps boxes), which help users ensure that all needles are disposed of safely via the Brighton needle exchange programme. These slamming packs are available from THT, Pavilions and to people accessing Clinic M and Clinic T.
MORE INFO
) To find the right clinic for you or book an appointment at SHAC, visit: www.brightonsexualhealth.com or call 01273 242091.
) If you ’ re looking for support around drug or alcohol use, or would like advice on accessing one-to-one sexual health support, please contact Travis Cox at Travis.cox@tht.org.uk or call 01273 764200 or Gary Smith at gsmith@pavillions.org.uk or call 01273 731900.
If you have been subjected to any form of Hate Crime, Harassment, Verbal or Physical Abuse we can assist you in reporting it Don't be put off from REPORTING a CRIME
We can suppor t you in the following way: ) Third Party Reporting ) Assisting you at the Police Station ) Advocating on your behalf to ensure your case is processed appropriately by the Police/Council ) Advice on Personal Safety
) 24/ 7 emotional support (via our helpline)
If you need our support contact us on 01273 855620 or email us at info@lgbt-help.com The LGBT Community Safety Forum is an independent group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) volunteers in Brighton & Hove For more info: lgbt-help com
AMSTERDAM BAR & KITCHEN
l 11-12 Marine Parade, BN2 1TL, T: 01273 670976, www amsterdambrighton com
l OPEN daily from 11am–late, closed for Private Par ty on Sat (19)
l FOOD Mon–Fri 11am–8pm; Sat 10 30am–8pm; l Sunday roasts from 12.30pm till they run out, booking recommended: 01273 670 976 l Full tea and coffee menu available
l ONE FOR THE DIARY CABARET Fridays with top enter tainers sparkling up the Amsterdam stage from 9pm: Dave Lynn (4), Sally Vate (11 & 25) and Miss Jason (18)
l REGUL ARS Sat (5, 12 & 26) is KARAOKE with Jason Thorpe at 9pm l Sunday ENTERTAINMENT with some of Brighton’s best singers serenading you after lunch from 5pm: Aaron aka Spice (6), Jason Lee (13), Gabriella Parrish (20) and Jamie Watson (27)
Information is correct at the time of going to press Gscene cannot be held responsible for any changes or alterations to the listings
TUESDAY 1
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY The Regency Singers pres Piano Singalong 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live blues: Mike ‘Dr Blue’ Blues 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Daddy or Chipz: Baga Chipz 9.30pm
l REVENGE DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm
WEDNESDAY 2
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha’s Blankety Blank: cash prize 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 2-3.30pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Silly Willy
Wednesdays with Drag With No Name & cash prizes 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Sara Oschlag & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9.30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Quiz Night 8pm
l SUBLINE Hump Day 9pm
l ZONE Salsa Night 9pm
THURSDAY 3
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Big Thursday Quiz: Ross Cameron & prizes 8pm
BAR BROADWAY
l 10 Steine Street, BN2 1TE, Tel: 01273 609777, www.barbroadway.co.uk
l OPEN Mon–Thu 6pm–1am, Fri 5pm–3am, Sat 4pm–3am, Sun 4pm–1am
l DRINK PROMOS Download the Bar Broadway app for exclusive drink deals
l EUROVISION WEEK Sunday (6): THE FIREPLACE SESSIONS PRESENT legendary vocalist and UK’s 2000 entrant Nicki French performing her hits and fave Eurovision songs at 8 30pm Nikki French says:
“Representing the UK was an absolute DREAM! I love my country and I love Eurovision and to sing for the UK was just amazing and I’d do it again in a shot! You can be guaranteed two songs from me - Total Eclipse Of The Heart and my Eurovision song, Don't Play That Song Again! I’ll also be performing other songs and because it is a special Eurovision evening, I’ll be doing a few faves of yesteryear from the great Contest ” Head upstairs to the Broadway Lounge at 10pm for EUROVISION REMIXED ON BROADWAY till 3am! l Tue (8) is SEMI FINAL 1 at 8pm l Thur (10) is SEMI FINAL 2 at 8pm l Sat (12) is the EUROVISION FINAL with Sally Vate and Chris Hannam from 8pm Bar Broadway say: “All Aboard for this year’s final with our hosts creating the perfect ‘Storm’ to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest ”
l BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Sun (27) is SHOWTUNE KARAOKE with Sally Vate & R oss Cameron at 8 30pm
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Tue (15) is SING-A-LONG A GREATEST SHOWMAN with Kara Van Park and the latest musical release at 9pm
l REGUL ARS l Wed is Tabitha’s BLANKETY BLANK with a cash prize at 9pm Bar Broadway say: “It’s the most fun you can have without getting you blank(s) out!” l Wed (30) is OPEN MIC – STUDENT WARS from 9pm l Thur is BROADWAY’S BIG QUIZ with R oss Cameron and prizes at 8pm l Fri & Sat: BROADWAY JUKEBOX all night Download the app, pick, click and the bar will play! l Sun: THE FIREPLACE SESSIONS acts at 8 30pm: Chris Howard (13) and Nicole Faraday (20)
l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-par ty 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Now
That’s What I Call Legends: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Throwback
Thursday: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Games Night: bring your board games 6pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Balmy Bingo 8.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday 80s Jukebox 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE World Music: Tudo Bem 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Jason 9 30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Open mic with Jason Thorpe 8pm
l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Mitch’s Quiz 7.30pm
FRIDAY 4
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Dave Lynn 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm
BOUTIQUE
l 2 Boyces St, West St, BN11AN, 01273 327607 www boutiqueclubbrighton com
l OPEN 5pm–late Sat, 8pm–late Mon, Wed & Fri, closed Tue, Thur & Sun (excluding Bank Holidays)
l DRINK PROMOS daily specials including 5 J Bombs £5, 2 vodka mixers & 2 shots £5, 2 beers & 2 shots £5 l Mon & Wed: Bottles of Moet £50 l Mon, Wed & Sat: 2-4-1 cocktails
l DRINK PROMOS Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat drink deals all night
l BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Sun (6 & 27): KARAOKE and extended bank holiday AF TER PARTY till 3am
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur (31) is ADONIS UNZIPPED, high-energy evening of enter tainment and guaranteed fun with DJ and drag host from 8pm
D
l BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Sunday (6) is Bank
Holiday SUMMER SESSION with a roof terrace par ty from 3pm l Sunday (27) is the Bank Holiday ROOF
TERRACE PARTY with superstar DJ Franco & guests, shots on arrival and festival vibes from 3pm Boutique say:
“ We have your Bank Holidays covered We’ll be kicking off both long weekends with a bang!”
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Every Saturday, hit the dancefloor with renowned DJs/themes/giveaways from 8pm: Franco (5 & 19) and Klipz (12 & 26) Take the par ty home with a free CD of the tunes from the evening!
l REGUL ARS T G I F every Friday with superstar DJ Thierre, competitions, giveaways and lots of antics!
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm
l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tar tz warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm
l BOUTIQUE T G I F: DJ Thierre/ competitions/CD giveaways 8pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fabulous Friday: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Funky Friday 7pm
l DR BRIGHTONS House Rules: DJ
Nick Hirst 9 30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Jason Thorpe 9 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Friday Night Live:
Gabriella Parrish 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Cosmic 9 30pm
l REVENGE Pop Tar tz DJs on level 1;
Fat Lip with DJ Fifi on level 2 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Steam 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Tabitha Wild 10pm
SATURDAY 5
l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s karaoke 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE DJ Franco, free CDs & competitions 8pm
l CHARLES ST TAP 8th Annual Drag Ball: trophies for best drag 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ Tony B 9.30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Pooh La May 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJ 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 4pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s
Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Lucinda Lashes 9.30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN cabaret: Drag With No Name 9pm
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs over 2 floors 11pm
l REGUL ARS Fri is 7-UPSTAIRS with all-star DJs pop/dance/guilty pleasures at 8pm, free b4 11pm l Sat is 7-SINS with DJ Jazzy Jane at 8pm, free b4 11pm
l Sat (19) the ROYAL TEA PARTY is at 10pm l Wed is CREWSDAY with resident DJ Lewis Osborne from 7pm
I S T I N G S
BRIGHTON SAUNA
l 75 Grand Parade, BN2 9JA, Tel: 01273 689966 www.thebrightonsauna.com
l OPEN Mon–Thur 10–1am, Fri 10am through till 1am on Mon If it’s your first visit and you’re nervous, the Brighton Sauna boys will show you round, and there’s also the Brighton Sauna Chat Room where you can chat to guys before visiting! See: www.thebrightonsauna.com/sauna-chat-room/
l TBS is clean and modern with a steam room, 12-man jacuzzi, cinema, free hot drinks, smoking area, private cabins, filtered water, towels, lockers, computers, super-fast Wi-Fi, large lounge, 70” TV, masseurs, café and a licensed bar You’ll be safe at all times, and not pushed into anything you don't want to do Some people just come for the facilities and nothing more
l New Discreet R ear Entrance: If you wish to be discreet entering and leaving the sauna you can use the back door located in Grand Parade Mews directly by Parking Bay Number 5 Once there just call the staff on 01273 689966 to be let in Brighton Sauna say: “ We promise you won't regret a visit to a sauna for men, and you can't start at a better place than ours Be brave, take the plunge and come and see us You won't regret it! Call to speak to one of our friendly staff for further advice ”
l REGUL ARS Every Monday themed events from 6pm: YOU TAKIN’ THE PISS wastespor ts night (7), BEARS’ NIGHT (14), FETISH NIGHT: spor tswear, underwear, rubber or leather (21) and TRANSGENDER EVENING (28) l TBS NAKED DAYS every Wed from 11–1am and every Sun 12pm–close You'll get a small towel for drips and a regular towel to shower with before you leave, but NO towels can be worn at all on these days TBS say: “It's all about letting it all hang out, and feeling free! What better way to chill out at the end of the weekend than having everything on show, and letting it all hang out, so to speak Give it a try - it's a fantastic day ”
l SUBLINE The Men’s Room: DJ
Screwpulous 10pm
l ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 10pm
SUNDAY 6
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Aaron (Spice) 5pm; Sunday roasts 12pm-till gone
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Bank Holiday
Karaoke & Extended After Par ty 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions pres: Nikki French 8 30pm; Eurovision Remixed on Broadway@Broadway Lounge 10pm
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Shuffle: Alfie
Ordinary & special guest 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Bank Holiday Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Bank Holiday Summer Session roof terrace party 3pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone
l CHARLES ST TAP cabaret: Kara Van Park 7.30pm; roasts 12pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Bank Holiday Reflex 80s Night: DJ Adam Rice 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Drag With No
Name 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm
l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm; Drag Open Mic Bank Holiday
Special with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Fleur de Paris 6pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Double cabaret:
Miss Terry Tour 6 30pm & 9pm
l REGENCY TAVERN roasts 12-5pm
l REVENGE May Day Bank Holiday Special 10 30pm
l SUBLINE Bank Holiday: Dragged
Under with DJ Screwpulous 9pm
CAMELFORD ARMS
l 30-31 Camelford St, BN2 1TQ, Tel: 01273 622386, www.camelfordarms.com
l OPEN daily from 12pm The Camelford is dog friendly
l FOOD Mon–Sat 12–9pm; Sunday roasts and select menu served 12pm–till gone; seniors’ lunch Wed 2–3.30pm, two courses £9.50
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun is the BEAR BASH with free food and a raffle at 5pm
l REGUL ARS Thur is the BIG CASH QUIZ at 9pm with a £300 cash prize, free sarnies and great atmosphere
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Sunday roasts, jazz & raffle 12pm
l ZONE Bank Holiday cabaret: JP Christian 6pm
MONDAY 7
l BRIGHTON SAUNA You Takin’ the Piss? waterspor ts night 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Bank Holiday cabaret: Mary Mac 7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8 30pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Bank Holiday Recovery 3pm
l LEGENDS BAR Bank Holiday cabaret: Dave & Maisie 3 30pm; Miss Jason’s Mad Mondays 9.30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Al Nicholls Trio 2pm; Simon Spillet & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Bank Holiday
Double Cabaret: Kara Van Park 6 30pm; Rocky Horror Picture Show with Christopher Howard 9pm
l ROT TINGDEAN CLUB Quiz 7pm
l SUBLINE Cocktails ‘n’ Cruising: launch of new cocktail menu 3pm
TUESDAY 8
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Eurovision Semi Final 1 8pm
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live blues: Harry Hornsey & Alfie Bernardi 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Daddy or Chipz: Baga Chipz 9.30pm
l REVENGE DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm
CHARLES STREET TAP
l 8 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA, Tel: 01273 624091, www.charles-street.com
l OPEN daily from 10am
l FOOD daily from 10am–10pm, inc: breakfasts from 10am; Meat Free Mondays with a free smoothie with veggie & vegan meals; fresh homemade Sunday roasts from 12pm: hand carved roast beef/turkey £8.75, roast lamb shank £10.75
l DRINK PROMOS 2-4-1 cocktails Mon–Thur 5–8pm; half price drinks Fri 5–9pm & bottles of Prosecco £15 all night; 2 for £6 craft cans/bottles Sun from 5pm
l BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Monday (7) CABARET with Mar y Mac at 7 30pm; Sally Vate’s ROCK & ROLL BINGO follows l Mon (28) is DRAG IDOL 2018 with Mar y Mac and the salacious Sally Vate hosting the Brighton Heat to find the best new (Miss) Thing at 7.30pm
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (5) the 8th ANNUAL DRAG
BALL, a night of high (heels) camp with DJs, glittery giveaways and fabulous prizes for those who dare to drag at 9pm, free entry! Charles Street Tap say: “This annual event just gets bigger and bigger! Polish your tiaras, drag out those boas, shine your sequins and get those jewels sparkling as we throw our weaves to the wind The boys will be getting wigilicious in heels while the girls will be manning it up in beards, boots and bulges! W ill it be lipsticks at Dawn? W ill you be Dragzilla or the Belle of the Ball?”
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Tuesday (15) is the annual GOLDEN HANDBAGS QUIZ with registration from 7pm for a 7 30pm star t A team of six players cost £20 To reserve your table, email: info@gscene com
l REGUL ARS Monday is GAYMERS night at 8 30pm l SILLY WILLY WEDNESDAYS is with Drag With No Name, hilarious antics and prizes galore at 9pm l THROWBACK THURSDAY with DJ R uby R oo 00s guilty pleasures/90s retro anthems at 9pm l Sunday CABARET at 7.30pm: Kara Van Park (6), Jennie Castell (13), Titti La Camp (20) and Hear t & Soul (27) Stick around for Sally’s ROCK & ROLL BINGO right after the cabaret, excluding Sun (6) when it moves to the Bank Holiday Mon (7) and Sun (27) due to Drag Idol on Mon (28)
ENVY @ CHARLES STREET TAP
l 8 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA, Tel: 01273 624091, www charles-street com
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (26) is QUEER BASH, par t club night, par t drag show and par t bir thday par ty, with acts Alpha Bites, Anchovy, Daphne the 10 Year Old, Fuchsia Von Steel and Hans Euff from 11pm, £4 in advance, £5 on the door Envy say: “This is the Drag Birthday Party you never asked for!”
l OPEN Tue–Fri 4pm–late, Sat–Sun 1pm–late, closed every Mon The Crown Kemptown is a dog-friendly pub
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Thursday is GAMES NIGHT at 6pm Bring your board games for an evening of competitive fun!
l REGUL ARS Friday is the OLD SKOOL DISCO with funk tunes all night from 7pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Paul Richards & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9 30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Quiz Night 8pm
l SUBLINE Hump Day 9pm
l ZONE Salsa Night 9pm
THURSDAY 10
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Eurovision Semi Final 2 8pm
l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-par ty 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Now That’s What I Call Legends: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Throwback Thursday: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm
WEDNESDAY 9
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha’s Blankety Blank: cash prize 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 2-3 30pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Silly Willy Wednesdays with Drag With No Name & cash prizes 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Games Night: bring your board games 6pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Balmy Bingo 8.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday 80s Jukebox 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE World Music: Pollito Boogaloo 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Cherry Liquor 9.30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Open mic with Jason Thorpe 8pm
l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Mitch’s Quiz 7 30pm
FRIDAY 11
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Sally Vate 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm
l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tar tz warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm
l BOUTIQUE T G I F: DJ Thierre/ competitions/CD giveaways 8pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fabulous Friday: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Funky Friday 7pm
l DR BRIGHTONS The Doctor’s Par ty: DJ Tony B 9 30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Keris Lea 9 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter 9 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN The Big Office Par ty 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Thunderpussy 9.30pm
l REVENGE Pop Tar tz DJs on level 1 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Dir ty Tackle: spor tskit night 10pm
l ZONE cabaret: Marsha Mallow 10pm
SATURDAY 12
l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s karaoke 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm
DOCTOR BRIGHTONS
l 16-17 Kings Rd, BN1 1NE, Tel: 01273 208113 www.doctorbrightons.co.uk
l OPEN Mon–Thur 3pm–midnight; Fri & Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 1pm–midnight
Free entr y every day and night
l DRINK PROMOS all day Sun–Thur; 1pm–close on Fri; 1–7pm on Sat BOGOF cocktails all day Sun–Fri & till 7pm on Sat Free pool with every round every day
l BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Sun (6 & 27): Bank Holiday REFLEX 1970s/80s night with DJ Adam Rice camp cheese tunes at 9 30pm l Mon (7 & 28): Bank Holiday Weekend RECOVERY at 3pm
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (26) is the CURIOSITY CLUB with DJ Lizzie Curious at 9 30pm
l REGUL ARS Fri (4) HOUSE RULES with DJ Nick Hirst decadent classic house at 9.30pm l Fri (11) DOCTOR’S PARTY with DJ Tony B 70s–00s tunes at 9 30pm l Fri (18) is SOUL SOLUTION with DJ Tony B at 9 30pm l VINYL FRIDAY (25) with DJs playing vinyl at 9.30pm l SATURDAY SESSIONS with DJs Tony B (5 & 12) and Nick Hirst (19) at 9 30pm
l BAR BROADWAY Eurovision Final:
hosts Sally Vate & Chris Hannan 8pm
l BAR REVENGE Eurovision Viewing
Par ty: Miss Jason & Euro decor 8pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE DJ Klipz, free CDs & competitions 8pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fierce: DJs 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ
Tony B 9 30pm
INFINITY BAR
l GROSVENOR BAR Eurovision Par ty with host Mysterry 8pm
l LEGENDS BAR Eurovision Par ty 8pm
l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 4pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s
Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Eurovision Par ty with Allan Jay 8pm
l REGENCY TAVERN cabaret: Lucinda
Lashes 9pm
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs on 2 floors 11pm
l 129 St James’s Street, Brighton, BN2 1TH, www
InfinityGayBar com
l OPEN Infinity Bar is the latest addition to the commercial gay scene in Brighton Located at 129 St James’s Street, in the hear t of the gay village, the Infinity Bar will offer a unique twist of fun with great enter tainment for the gay community and their friends in stylish, contemporary surroundings Customers will be put at the hear t of everything as the new owners provide a modern, safe environment where their guests are welcomed as friends
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Go along and check out the new bar before the official grand opening There are daily previews star ting Mon (14) from noon–midnight with the GRAND OPENING PARTY on Sat (26) Follow social media for announcements about the opening par ty and Gscene website for daily listings and updates following the opening night
G R O S V E N O R
l 16 Western Street, Hove, BN1 2PG, www.thegrosvenorbar.com
l OPEN daily from 12 noon–late
l DRINK PROMOS all pints £3 50 Mon–Fri 3–5pm
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Lisbon calling! Sat (12) is the EUROVISION PARTY with host Mysterr y from 8pm Mysterry says: “I love Eurovision and we always have such a knees up Come along and join us for a good laugh and great party atmosphere!”
l REGUL ARS Thur is ABEL MABEL’S BINGO at 8 30pm
l Fri CABARET with local and national stars on stage at 9.30pm: Jason Thorpe (4), Keris Lea (11), Trudi Styles & the Piano Man (18) and Dave Lynn (25) Expect powerhouse vocals from Keris Lea (11), one third of larger than life girl group The Sundaes, as she takes you on a journey through disco and par ty classics! From Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Tina Turner and many more, it’s a nonstop, dance floor-filling act, sprinkled with cheeky banter to keep you enter tained all night l Sat is top CABARET at 9 30pm: Pooh La May (5), Davina Sparkle (19) and Sally Vate (26)
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ
Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Kara Van Park 10pm
SUNDAY 13
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Jason Lee 5pm; Sunday roasts 12pm-till gone
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s karaoke 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions
pres Chris Howard 8 30pm
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Shuffle: Alfie
Ordinary & special guest 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone
l CHARLES ST TAP cabaret: Jennie Castell 7 30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8.30pm; roasts 12pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Mary Mac 3.30pm; roasts 12–4pm
L E G E N D S B A R
l 31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR, T: 01273 624462, www legendsbrighton com
l OPEN daily 11–5am
l FOOD Mon–Sat 12–5pm Sunday lunch served 12–4pm: choose from beef, belly pork, chicken supreme or wholesome nut roast served with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, homemade Yorkshire pudding and real stock gravy Make sure you leave some space for one of the moreish desser ts
l DRINK PROMOS Buy one bottle of wine and get the 2nd half price, Mon–Fri 12–11pm
l BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Mon (7) CABARET with Dave Lynn & Maisie Trollette at 3 30pm l Mon (28) is CABARET with J-LO (Miss Jason & Lola Lasagne) at 3 30pm Miss Jason says: “ Working with Lola is great fun, although she is slightly more politically correct than me so I try to make her say naughty things! It works some times and she gets really cross with herself; that makes me giggle You can expect glamour from the two of us and the night itself depends on how much I’ve had to drink! The more raucous the crowd the more I like it! Lola is the disciplinarian, so I’ill leave the crowd control to her as she has the experience - you see she used to be a cattle herder when she was a girl Come along and see what happens It’s a battle of wills all the time with us Tell me dear, which one of us would you put your money on?” Miss Jason’s MAD MONDAYS follows as usual on both days from 9.30pm
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (12) is Legends’ BIG EUROVISION PARTY live from Lisbon from 8pm l ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur (31) at 9pm is the BIRTHDAY BASH of Drag Queen of Drag Queens Dave Lynn, who has been a star of the stage and screen for more years than we, and he, can remember A raucous night of celebration, music and banter, fit for this Queen!
l REGUL ARS Fri is PRE- GLIT TER at 9 30pm with hosts warming you up with tracks and giggles before the big one downstairs l Pre-Club sounds every Saturday from 7pm l Sun is CABARET at 3 30pm with top acts: Drag With No Name (6), Mar y Mac (13), Dave Lynn (20) and Davina Sparkle (27) l Miss Jason’s MAD MONDAYS from 9 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Edith Piaf Tribute 6pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Double cabaret: Davina Sparkle 6.30pm & 9pm
l REGENCY TAVERN roasts 12-5pm
l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Sunday roasts, jazz & raffle 12pm
MONDAY 14
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Bears’ Night 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Gaymers Night: consoles, board/card games 8 30pm
l INFINITY BAR pre-grand opening
preview noon–midnight
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad
Mondays 9.30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Hot Club Trio 2pm; Chris Coull & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Monday Madness: Kara Van Park 8.30pm
L E G E N D S B A S E M E N T C L U B
l 31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR, T: 01273 624462, www legendsbrighton com
l OPEN Wed–Sun 11pm
l DRINK PROMOS £2 50 drink deals Wed & Thur, various promos Fri & Sun
l BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Sun (6 & 27): POP!CANDY with Claire Fuller sweeting your bank holidays weekends with recent and classic pop tracks
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat is FUSION at 11pm with DJ Peter Castle spinning char t /club remixes
l REGUL ARS Thur is NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL LEGENDS with DJ Claire Fuller taking you on a journey through the 70s/80s/90s! Basement Club say: “Join our resident DJ for all the best tunes from Madonna, Steps, Wham, BeeGees, Shania, Whitney, ABBA , Gloria, Donna, MJ, Spice Girls, Vengaboys and man more!” l Fri is GLIT TER with DJ David Noakes’ char t & dance tracks
l Sun is POP!CANDY with DJ Claire Fuller’s pick & mix of new and retro pop tunes Wed is ICE with DJ Claire Fuller melting the dancefloor with char t/house/r&b
l ROT TINGDEAN CLUB Quiz 7pm
TUESDAY 15
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Sing-A-Long-A Greatest Showman: Kara Van Park 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Annual Golden Handbag Quiz 7pm for 7 30pm start
l INFINITY BAR pre-grand opening preview noon–midnight
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live blues: Smokestack 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Daddy or Chipz: Baga Chipz 9.30pm
l REVENGE DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm
WEDNESDAY 16
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha’s Blankety
Blank: cash prize 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch
2-3 30pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Silly Willy
Wednesdays with Drag With No Name & cash prizes 9pm
l INFINITY BAR pre-grand opening preview noon–midnight
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Riley Stone-Loneran & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9 30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Quiz Night 8pm
l SUBLINE Hump Day 9pm
l ZONE Salsa Night 9pm
THURSDAY 17
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Big Quiz: Ross Cameron & prizes 8pm
l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-par ty 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Now
That’s What I Call Legends: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Throwback
Thursday: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Games Night: bring your board games 6pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Balmy Bingo 8.30pm
l INFINITY BAR pre-grand opening preview noon–midnight
G S
M A R I N E T A V E R N
l 13 Broad St, BN2 1TJ, Tel: 01273 905578, www.marinetavern.co.uk
l OPEN daily from 12pm
l FOOD daily from 12–9pm; Curr y & Quiz on Tue for £1 from 8pm; Sunday roasts 12–5pm, booking advised
l BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Sun (6 & 27): DRAG OPEN MIC BANK HOLIDAY SPECIALS with Stephanie Von Clitz at 9pm
l TWO FOR THE DIARY FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE with top acts singing top tunes at 9pm This month: Gabriella Parrish (4) and Jade Justine (18)
l REGUL ARS THROWBACK THURSDAY 80s disco at 8pm l Fri is JUKEBOX DISCO at 8pm l Sun is DRAG OPEN MIC with host Stephanie Von Clitz at 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday 80s Jukebox 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE World Music: Son Guaranchando 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Kara Van Park 9.30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Open mic with Jason Thorpe 8pm
l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Mitch’s Quiz 7 30pm
FRIDAY 18
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Miss Jason 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm
l BAR REVENGE Pre-Pop-Tar tz 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm
l BOUTIQUE T G I F: DJ Franco/ competitions/CD giveaways 8pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fabulous Friday: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Funky Friday 7pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Soul Solution: DJ Tony B 9.30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Trudi Styles & the Piano Man 9.30pm
P A R I S H O U S E
l 21 Western Rd, BN3 1AF, T: 01273 724195, www.parishousebrighton.com
l OPEN daily from 12pm l FOOD daily from 12pm–close
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Mon is free LIVE JAZZ at 2pm: Al Nicholls Trio (7), Hot Club Trio (14), Nils Solberg-Mick Hamer Trio (21 & 28); acts with live bands at 8pm: Simon Spillet (7), Chris Coull (14), Jack Kendon (21) and Darren Becket (28)
l REGUL ARS Sun is LIVE MUSIC at 6pm: Fleur de Paris (6), an Edith Piaf Tribute (13), Dave Williams & band (20) and Marilyn Du Sax & band (27) l Tue LIVE MUSIC at 8pm: Mike ‘Dr Blue’ Blues (1), Harr y Hornsey & Alfie Bernardi (8), Smokestack (15), Banned Sauce (22) and Sam Chara & band (29) l Wed is free LIVE MUSIC with band at 8pm: Sara Oschlag (2), Paul Richards (9), Riley Stone-Loneran (16), Oli Howe (23) and Gabriel Garrick (30) l Thur is free WORLD MUSIC night at 8pm: Tudo Bem (3), Pollito Boogaloo (10 & 31), Son Guaranchando (17) and Abraham De Vega (24) l Fri is PARTY TIME with DJ Havoxx at 9pm l Sat is AND ALL THAT JAZZ with live jazz at 4pm; TC'S JOYFUL NOISE with DJ Kenny at 9pm, free entry
l INFINITY BAR pre-grand opening preview noon–midnight
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter 9 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Friday Night Live: Jade Justine 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: KY Kelly 9 30pm
l REVENGE Pop Tar tz DJs 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Filth: mixed full-fetish 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Topsie Redfern 10pm
SATURDAY 19
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Royal Tea Par ty 10pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE DJ Franco, free CDs & competitions 8pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fierce: DJs 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm
MAY BANK HOLIDAYS
DOUBLE CABARET 6.30PM & 9.30PM
MON 7MAY KARA VAN PARK & ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW WITH CHRISTOPHER HOWARD
MON 28MAY KARA VAN PARK
MONDAY 14 & 28MAY 8.30PM MONDAY MADNESS WITH KARA VAN PARK
TUESDAY AT 9.30PM
DADDY OR CHIPZ? WITH BAGA CHIPZ
WEDNESDAY AT 9.30PM SALLY VATE SHOW
THURSDAY AT 9.30PM
3MAY MISS JASON
10MAY CHERRY LIQUOR
17MAY KARA VAN PARK
24MAY DAVE LYNN
31MAY ROSE GARDEN
FRIDAY AT 9.30PM
4MAY COSMIC
11MAY THUNDERPUSSY
18MAY KY KELLY
25MAY DRAG WITH NO NAME
SATURDAY AT 9.30PM
5MAY LUCINDA LASHES
12MAY EUROVISION PARTY WITH ALLAN JAY
19MAY LOLA LASAGNE
26MAY SON OF A TUTU
SUNDAY CABARET
DOUBLE CABARET 6.30PM & 9.30PM
6MAY MISS TERRY TOUR
13MAY DAVINA SPARKLE
20MAY MARTHA D’ARTHUR
27MAY TOPSIE REDFERN
HAPPY HOURS MON-THUR 5-9PM FRI-SUN 12PM-6PM
SPIRITS + MIXER £2.50 DOUBLE UP FOR EXTRA £1 OPEN MON-FRI 5PM-LATE • SAT & SUN 12PM-LATE
Q U E E N S A R M S
l 7 George St, BN2 1RH, T: 01273 696873, www.theqabrighton.com
l OPEN 5pm Mon–Fri, 12pm Sat & Sun
l DRINK PROMOS Mon–Fri 5–9pm, Sat & Sun 12–6pm
l BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Mon (7) is DOUBLE CABARET with Kara Van Park at 6 30pm; the Rocky Horror Picture Show with West End theatre star Christopher Howard at 9pm l Mon (28) is DOUBLE CABARET with Kara Van Park at 6.30pm and 9pm Pitch up with Kara Van Park, a disco diva, glitzy bombshell and glamour puss whose hear t is in all things theatrical Known for performing showtunes and camp songs, this is one cabaret act you don’t want to miss! She says: “I have a blast seeing everyone having a good time and belting out some tunes Anyone who comes to see my show can expect a night of camp showtunes, big ballads and standards all performed with huge vocals A great night for all!”
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (12) is the EUROVISION PARTY with Allan Jay at 8pm
l REGUL ARS MONDAY MADNESS is with Kara Van Park on stage at 8 30pm l Tue is DADDY & CHIPZ with the sensational Baga Chipz live on stage at 9 30pm l Wed is the Sally Vate Show at 9.30pm l Thur CABARET at 9 30pm: Miss Jason (3), Cherr y Liquor (10), Kara Van Park (17), Dave Lynn (24) and R ose Garden (31) l Fri CABARET at 9.30pm: Cosmic (4), Thunderpussy (11), KY Kelly (18) and Drag With No Name (25) l Sat CABARET at 9.30pm: Lucinda Lashes (5), Lola Lasagne (19) and Son of a Tutu (26) Brighton belle Lola Lasagne (19) performs glam gems from days gone by and tickles with amusing and hilarious anecdotes and repar tee Charming and witty, Lola, just like a Lasagne, has many layers A truly great Drag Superstar! l Sun is DOUBLE CABARET at 6.30pm and at 9pm: Miss Terr y Tour (6), Davina Sparkle (13), Mar tha D’Ar thur (20) and Topsie R edfern (27)
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Davina
Sparkle 9 30pm
l INFINITY BAR pre-grand opening
preview noon–midnight
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJ 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN MindOut
Fundraising Day with cabaret 12pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s
Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Lola Lasagne 9 30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN cabaret: Jason
Thorpe takes on the West End 9pm
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs over 2 floors 11pm
R E G E N C Y T A V E R N
l 32-34 Russell Square, Brighton BN1 2EF Tel: 01273 325 652
l OPEN Sun–Wed 12–11pm, Thur 12pm–12am, Fri & Sat 12pm–1am
l FOOD Tue–Sat 12–8pm, Sunday roasts 12–5pm – two for £19.95, booking recommended The Regency Tavern offers great enter tainment, warm and friendly staff and delicious food, including hear ty Sunday roasts, served all day, every day
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat with top enter tainment at 9pm, free entry all night This month’s line-up: Drag With No Name (5), Lucinda Lashes (12), Jason Thorpe takes on the West End (19) and Maisie Trollette (26) With 40 years’ experience, Doyenne of Drag Maisie Trollette (26) is a legend on the cabaret scene and still has the sharpest wit, and some of the most powerful pipes in the business Expect glamour, fabulous songs, camp repar tee and a raft of filthy jokes from this incredible octogenarian!
l REGUL ARS Wed is QUIZ NIGHT with free food for the teams at 8pm, entry £1 per person with free food for each team l Thur is OPEN MIC night with Jason Thorpe from 8pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone
l CHARLES ST TAP cabaret: Titti La Camp 7 30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8.30pm; roasts 12pm
l INFINITY BAR pre-grand opening preview noon–midnight
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Dave Lynn 3.30pm; roasts 12–4pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Gaymers Night: consoles, board/card games 8 30pm
l INFINITY BAR pre-grand opening preview noon–midnight
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad Mondays 9 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Nils SolbergMick Hamer Trio 2pm; Jack Kendon & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Monday Madness: Kara Van Park 8.30pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 10pm
SUNDAY 20
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Gabriella Parrish 5pm; Sunday roasts 12pm-till gone
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s karaoke 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions pres Nicole Faraday 8.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Shuffle: Alfie
Ordinary & special guest 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Dave Williams & band 6pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Double cabaret: Mar thur D’Ar thur 6.30pm & 9pm
l REGENCY TAVERN roasts 12-5pm
l SUBLINE Cum in Your Pants underwear night 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Sunday roasts, jazz & raffle 12pm
l VELVET JACKS Live acoustic music: Mike Newsham 4pm
MONDAY 21
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Fetish Night 6pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Games Night 7pm
l ROT TINGDEAN CLUB Quiz 7pm
TUESDAY 22
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Piano Singalong with The Regency Singers 9pm
l INFINITY BAR pre-grand opening preview noon–midnight
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Banned Sauce 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Daddy or Chipz: Baga Chipz 9 30pm
l REVENGE DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm
R O T T I N G D E A N C L U B
l 89 High St, Rottingdean, BN2 7HE, Tel: 01273 309529 f therottingdeanclub
l FOOD served daily; ask at the bar for full menu
l MEMBERS CLUB The Rottingdean Club, a members’ bar in the hear t of the village, is the perfect place to meet with friends and clients, work remotely with a coffee or mix and mingle with other likeminded members With regular enter tainment, a large suntrap garden with lager and cider on draught and free WiFi, the Rottingdean Club is a unique venue so pop in and ask at the bar for membership details The Rottingdean Club says: "We’re a private members’ bar where there’s always a warm welcome We offer the comforts of a traditional pub with modern standards of service and superb food!”
l MEMBERSHIP If you’re interested in joining the Rottingdean Club, please email bar@therottingdeanclub.co.uk
l REGUL ARS Monday is the QUIZ NIGHT at 8pm
WEDNESDAY 23
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha’s Blankety Blank: cash prize 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch
2-3.30pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Silly Willy
Wednesdays: Drag With No Name & cash prizes 9pm
l INFINITY BAR pre-grand opening
preview noon–midnight
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Oli Howe & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9.30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Quiz Night 8pm
l SUBLINE Hump Day 9pm
l ZONE Salsa Night 9pm
THURSDAY 24
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request
Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Big Quiz: Ross
Cameron & prizes 8pm
l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-par ty 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Now
That’s What I Call Legends: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Throwback
Thursday: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Games Night: bring your board games 6pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Balmy Bingo 8.30pm
l INFINITY BAR pre-grand opening
preview noon–midnight
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback
Thursday 80s Night 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE World Music: Babou & Abraham De Vega 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Dave Lynn 9 30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Open mic with Jason Thorpe 8pm
l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Mitch’s Quiz 7.30pm
FRIDAY 25
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Sally Vate 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm
l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tar tz warm-up 9pm
B A R R E V E N G E
l 5-7 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA, Tel: 01273 606064, www.revenge.co.uk
l OPEN Sun 12pm-2am, Mon–Wed 12pm-1am, Thur 12pm-2am, Fri & Sat 12pm-6am
l DRINK PROMOS Sun 5pm–close & Mon–Fri 5–8pm is 10 @ £2 50 with the most popular drinks priced at £2 50; all bombs & shots (house spirits) £1 on Thur 10pm–close; selected drinks £2 50 every Sat l Buy a drink on Thur, Fri & Sat to pick up discounted entry passes for Club R evenge
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (12) is the EUROVISION VIEWING PARTY with host Miss Jason and the whole contest live from Lisbon on the giant screen from 8pm, free entry Bar Revenge say: “Join us upstairs at Bar Revenge for the campest, tackiest, drunkest Eurovision Party EVER! Cabaret legend Miss Jason will be hosting the entire nightexpect her to bring you the campest Eurovision party in Brighton complete with Eurovision drinks specials, Euro decor, a Eurovision jackpot sweepstake, and Eurovision drinking games!”
l REGUL ARS Thur is FOMO Pre-Par ty with all-star DJs warming you up with char t bangers from 9pm l Fri is Pop Tar tz warm-up with DJs at 9pm l Sat get warmed up for WTF! with DJs from 9pm l SUNDAY SHUFFLE is with Alfie Ordinar y and special guest lip-syncing, singing or dancing their hear t out on the brand new Bar Revenge stage from 9pm!
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm
l BOUTIQUE T G I F: DJ Thierre/ competitions/CD giveaways 8pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fabulous Friday: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Funky Friday 7pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Vinyl Friday: DJs play vinyl records only 9.30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Dave Lynn 9.30pm
l INFINITY BAR pre-grand opening preview noon–midnight
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter 9 30pm
R E V E N G E
l 32-34 Old Steine, BN1 1EL, Tel: 01273 606064, www.revenge.co.uk
l OPEN Tue 11pm, Thur, Fri, Sat & Sun (6) 10 30pm
l DRINK PROMOS drinks £2 50 on Tue; £1 drinks b4 midnight on Thur
l BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Sun (6) is THE MAY DAY BANK HOLIDAY SPECIAL with DJs bringing huge beats!
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat is WTF with Brighton’s best DJs and a range of guests over two floors! Get moving to char t/popr&b/cheese/requests on level 1 and vocal anthems bringing the house down on level 2
l REGUL ARS Tues with DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick spinning pop/house/r&b/ requests all night l Thurs is FOMO with Revenge all-star DJs spinning an eclectic mix of pop/char t/house/pop-punk/ bass/hip-hop l Fri is POP TARTZ with resident DJs sweetening up the dancefloor on level 1 with pop anthems l Fri (4) is FAT LIP with DJ Fifi playing big pop-punk/indie/nu-metal and rock anthems on level 2
l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Drag With No Name 9 30pm
l REVENGE Pop Tar tz DJs 10 30pm
l SUBLINE Steam 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Davina Sparkle 10pm
SATURDAY 26
l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s karaoke 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE DJ Klipz, free CDs & competitions 8pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fierce: DJs 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Curiosity Club: DJ
Lizzie Curious 9 30pm
l ENVY Queer Bash: live acts Alpha
Bites, Anchovy, Daphne the 10 Year Old, Fuchsia Von Steel & Hans Euff 11pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Sally Vate 9.30pm
l INFINITY BAR Grand opening par ty, check social media for details
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJ 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 4pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Son of a Tutu 9 30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN cabaret: Maisie Trollette 9pm
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Spice 10pm
SUNDAY 27
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Jamie Watson 5pm; Sunday roasts 12pm-till gone
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Bank Holiday Karaoke & Extended After Par ty 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Showtune Karaoke: Sally Vate & Ross Cameron 8 30pm
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Shuffle: Alfie Ordinary & special guest 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS op!Candy DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
l BOUTIQUE Bank Holiday Roof Terrace Party: DJ Franco & guests 3pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone
l CHARLES ST TAP cabaret: Heart & Soul 7.30pm; roasts 12pm
S U B L I N E
l 129 St James' St, BN2 1TH, T: 01273 624100, www.sublinebrighton.co.uk
l OPEN Sun, Wed & Thur from 9pm, 10pm Fri & Sat
l DRINK PROMOS £1 off draught pints all night Wed
l BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Sun (6) is DRAGGED UNDER with DJ Screwpulous at 9pm, £3/£5 Subline say: “The Sunday cabaret circuit is quite the Brighton tradition, but sometimes you just want to rise above (or descend below) it, and enjoy the company of men Subline is here to scratch that itch this Bank Holiday weekend ”
l Mon (7) is COCKTAILS 'N' CRUISING, launch of Subline’s new cocktail list with promo prices from 3pm l Sun (27) is DRAGGED OUT SCREAMING at 9pm, £3/£5 l Mon (28) is Bir thday- Cum-Bank-Holiday Bash with Steve’s bir thday buffet and afternoon cruise at 3pm, free Steve from Subline says: “ Well, it's (roughly) my birthday again Not a big one this year, so it’s relatively low-key, but I'll be throwing a bit of cake and some nibbles out on the Bank Holiday, as part of an af ternoon session! We’re also having a big clearout of Barcode Berlin stock with lots of bargains, so pop down and peruse our wares ”
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (20) is CUM IN YOUR PANTS Underwear Par ty from 9pm, free for members, £5 for guests
l REGUL ARS Wed is HUMP DAY with 80s/90s alternative music, all welcome!
l Thur is BRACE YOURSELF Men’s Night, free entry l Fri (11) is the DIRTY TACKLE spor tskit night, £3 in spor tskit or £5 l Fri (18) is FILTH mixed fetish Par ty, advance tickets only l Sat is THE MEN'S ROOM with DJ Screwpulous at 9pm, free b4 11pm, £3 after, guests £5
l DR BRIGHTONS Bank Holiday Reflex 80s Night: DJ Adam Rice 9 30pm
l INFINITY BAR check social media for details
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Davina Sparkle 3 30pm; roasts 12–4pm
l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm; Drag Open Mic Bank Holiday Special with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Marilyn Du Sax & band 6pm
l SUBLINE Bank Holiday Weekend: Dragged Out Screaming 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Sunday roasts, jazz & raffle 12pm
l ZONE Bank Holiday cabaret: JP Christian 9pm
MONDAY 28
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Transgender Night 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Drag Idol 2018Brighton Heat: Sally Vate & Mary Mac 7 30pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Bank Holiday Recovery 3pm
l INFINITY BAR check social media for details
l LEGENDS BAR Bank Holiday cabaret: J -LO (Miss Jason & Lola Lasagne) 3 30pm; Miss Jason’s Mad Mondays 9.30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Nils SolbergMick Hamer Trio 2pm; Darren Beckett & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Bank Holiday Double Cabaret: Kara Van Park 6 30pm & 9pm
l ROT TINGDEAN CLUB Quiz 7pm
V E L V E T J A C K S
l 50 Norfolk Sq, BN1 2PA, Tel: 07720 661290 tinyurl.com/VelvetJacks
l OPEN Tue–Thur 4–11 30pm, Fri & Sat 12–11 30pm, Sun 1–11pm
l FOOD pizzas served every day
l COCK TAIL PROMOS New cocktail menu: two for £12 Sun–Fri 4–7pm Jackie from Velvet Jacks says: “ We’re now one of the top cocktail bars in Brighton so come see what all the fuss is about!”
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (20) is LIVE MUSIC with Mike Newsham from 4pm
l SUBLINE Bank Holiday Weekend:
Bir thday-Cum-Bank-Holiday Bash: Steve’s bir thday buffet & an afternoon cruise 3pm
TUESDAY 29
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Piano Singalong with The Regency Singers 9pm
l INFINITY BAR check social media for details
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Sam Chara & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Daddy or Chipz: Baga Chipz 9 30pm
l REVENGE DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm
WEDNESDAY 30
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Open Mic Student Wars 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch
2-3 30pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Silly Willy Wednesdays with Drag With No Name & cash prizes 9pm
l INFINITY BAR check social media for details
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Gabriel Garrick & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9 30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Quiz Night 8pm
l SUBLINE Hump Day 9pm
l ZONE Salsa Night 9pm
THURSDAY 31
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Adonis Unzipped: strip night with drag host 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Big Quiz: Ross Cameron & prizes 8pm
l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-par ty 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Now That’s What I Call Legends: DJ Claire
T H R E E J O L L Y B U T C H E R S
l 59 Nor th Rd, BN1 1YD, Tel: 01273 608571, www.3jollybutchers.com
l OPEN from 12pm on Mon–Sun Private function room available
l FOOD Mon–Fri 12–7.30pm, Sat 12–6pm, Sunday roasts 12–6pm Mon–Thur Meal Deal: two for £15, 12–7 30pm
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sunday Jazz & R affle at the JAZZ ROAST with chilled jazz at 12pm, free entry
l REGUL ARS Thur is MITCH’S QUIZ NIGHT at 7.30pm, all welcome
T H E Z O N E
l 33 St James’ St, BN2 1RF, Tel: 01273 682249, www.zonebrighton.co.uk
l OPEN 11am Sun–Thur, 10am Fri & Sat
l DRINK PROMOS all day, every day
l BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND Sun (6 & 27): Bank Holiday CABARET with JP Christian at 6pm
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Wed: learn to heat up the dancefloor at the new SALSA NIGHT from 9pm
l REGUL ARS Fri top CABARET on stage at 10pm: Tabitha Wild (4), Marsha Mallow (11), Topsie R edfern (18) and Davina Sparkle (25) l Sat CABARET with sensational acts at 10pm: Sally Vate (5 & 19), Kara Van Park (12) and Spice (26) The fabulous Spice (26) has been performing for a good few years (more than he’d care to admit!) and you can expect a relaxed and eclectic performance with music across the spectrum! Spice says: “It’s important to listen to the audience and see where they want to go during a show – showtunes, disco, big band, whatever Sometimes we end up in some unusual places, but that keeps things fresh and keeps me on my toes!”
Fuller 11pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Throwback Thursday: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Games Night: bring your board games 6pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Balmy Bingo 8 30pm
l INFINITY BAR check social media for details
l LEGENDS BAR Dave Lynn’s Bir thday
Bash 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday 80s Night 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE World Music: Pollito Boogaloo 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Rose Garden 9 30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Open mic with Jason Thorpe 8pm
l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Mitch’s Quiz 7.30pm
HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD
PORTSMOUTH
l Hampshire Terrace, Southsea, PO1 2QN, Tel: 02392 297509
l OPEN Sun & Mon 9pm, Tue–Sat 7pm Bank Holidays: open till 6am on Sat (5 & 26) and Sun (6 & 27)
l HAPPY HOURS select drinks £1 50 on Mon, 2-4-1 select drinks on Tue, till midnight on Wed (incl select doubles £3), 7–10pm on Fri, all night on Sun
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Tue is DRAG SHOW with host Cherr y Liquor, guests and INNUENDO BINGO with cash prize at 8 30pm This month’s CABARET: Lucinda Lashes (1), Topsie R edfern (8), Stephanie Von Clitz (15), Fanny Burns (22) and Mar y Golds (29)
l BANK HOLIDAYS Sat (5) is BANK HOLIDAY PARTY; Sun (6) is SEXY SERVICES NIGHT l Sat (26) & Sun (27): BEACH & HOT TUB PARTIES
l REGUL ARS Thur is A NIGHT ON THE LASHES with Lucinda Lashes, banter, karaoke & tunes! l Fri is with DJ Toby Lawrence, free b4 10pm, £3 b4 11pm, £5 after l Sat with DJ R uper t Ellick & char t/par ty anthems, free b4 10pm /£3 b4 11pm/£5 after l Sun is REWIND with 80s/90s dance classics l Mon is 20SOMETHING with DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor, free till 10pm/£3 b4 12am/£5 after l Wed is BIG NAVY NIGHT OUT with Aura- Jay’s KARAOKE
TUESDAY 1
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Drag Show: host Cherry Liqour & special guest Lucinda Lashes + Innuendo Bingo 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Winner Takes It All Quiz with prizes 7pm
l EDGE Time Out: DJ KT 11pm
WEDNESDAY 2
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night: karaoke with host Aura Jay 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bar 150 10pm
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Liam Searle & Missy B + karaoke v cabaret with Cassidy Connors 10pm
THURSDAY 3
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD A Night on the Lashes: Lucinda Lashes, karaoke/DJ 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bingo Balls: Misty Lee & prizes 7pm
l EDGE Smart: DJ Liam Searle 10pm
FRIDAY 4
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ Toby Lawrence 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR GLOW: DJs 11pm
l EDGE GLOW: DJ Darcy Buckland,
guests & UV lights 11pm
SATURDAY 5
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Bank Holiday Par ty 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Big One: DJs 10pm
l EDGE The Big One: DJs Alex Baker, Claire Fuller & Neil Sackley 10pm
SUNDAY 6
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Bank Holiday Weekend: Sexy Services Night 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Sing Your Hear t Out Karaoke: DJ Mikey G 10pm
MONDAY 7
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Reboot Reloaded: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm
TUESDAY 8
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Drag Show: host Cherry Liqour, special guest Topsie Redfern & Innuendo Bingo 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Winner Takes It All Quiz with prizes 7pm
l EDGE Time Out: DJ KT 11pm
THE
& BOX BAR SOUTHAMPTON
for SMART, a night dedicated to you being you, with DJ Liam Searle l Fri is GLOW with DJ Darcy Buckland, guest DJs & UV lights! l Sun SING YOUR HEART OUT KARAOKE with DJ Mikey G l Mon is REBOOT RELOADED with DJ Darcy Buckland char t/house
WEDNESDAY 9
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night: karaoke with host Aura Jay 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bar 150 10pm
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Liam Searle & Missy B + karaoke v cabaret with Cassidy Connors 10pm
THURSDAY 10
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD A Night on the Lashes: Lucinda Lashes, karaoke/DJ 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bingo Balls: Misty Lee & prizes 7pm
l EDGE Smart: DJ Liam Searle 10pm
FRIDAY 11
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ Toby Lawrence 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR GLOW: DJs 11pm
l EDGE GLOW: DJ Darcy Buckland & guests + UV lights 10pm
SATURDAY 12
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ Ruper t Ellick 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Big One: DJs 10pm
l EDGE The Big One: DJs Claire Fuller & KT 10pm
SUNDAY 13
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD ReWind 80s/90s night 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Sing Your Hear t Out Karaoke: DJ Mikey G 10pm
MONDAY 14
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor 9pm SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Reboot Reloaded: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm
TUESDAY 15
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Drag Show: host Cherry Liqour & special guest Stephanie Von Clitz & Innuendo Bingo 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Winner Takes It All Quiz with prizes 7pm
l EDGE Time Out: DJ KT 11pm
WEDNESDAY 16
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night: karaoke with host Aura Jay 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bar 150 10pm
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Liam Searle & Missy B + karaoke v cabaret with Cassidy Connors 10pm
THURSDAY 17
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD A Night on the Lashes: Lucinda Lashes, karaoke/DJ 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bingo Balls: Misty Lee & prizes 7pm
l EDGE Smart: DJ Liam Searle 10pm
FRIDAY 18
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ Toby Lawrence 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR GLOW: DJs 11pm
l EDGE GLOW: DJ Darcy Buckland & guests + UV lights 11pm
SATURDAY 19
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ Ruper t Ellick 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Big One: DJs 10pm
l EDGE The Big One: DJs Craig Law & Darcy Buckland 10pm
SUNDAY 20
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD ReWind 80s/90s night 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Sing Your Hear t Out Karaoke: DJ Mikey G 10pm
MONDAY 21
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs
Lee Harris & Luke Ennor 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Reboot Reloaded: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm
TUESDAY 22
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Drag Show: host Cherry Liqour & special guest Fanny Burns & Innuendo Bingo 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Winner Takes It All Quiz with prizes 7pm
l EDGE Time Out: DJ KT 11pm
WEDNESDAY 23
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night: karaoke with host Aura Jay 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bar 150 10pm
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Liam Searle & Missy B + karaoke v cabaret with Cassidy Connors 10pm
THURSDAY 24
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD A Night on the Lashes: Lucinda Lashes, karaoke/DJ 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bingo Balls: Misty Lee & prizes 7pm
l EDGE Smart: DJ Liam Searle 10pm
FRIDAY 25
PORTSMOUTH
S O L E N T
L I S T I N G S
Lee Harris & Luke Ennor 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Reboot Reloaded: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm
TUESDAY 29
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ Toby Lawrence 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR GLOW: DJs 11pm
l EDGE GLOW: DJ Darcy Buckland & guests + UV lights 11pm
SATURDAY 26
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Bank Holiday Weekend: Beach & Hot Tub Par ty 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Big One: DJs 10pm
l EDGE The Big One: DJs Claire Fuller & Phil Marriott 10pm
SUNDAY 27
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Bank Holiday Weekend: Beach & Hot Tub Par ty 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Sing Your Hear t Out Karaoke: DJ Mikey G 10pm
MONDAY 28
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Drag Show: host Cherry Liqour & special guest Mary Golds & Innuendo Bingo 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Winner Takes It All Quiz with prizes 7pm
l EDGE Time Out: DJ KT 11pm
WEDNESDAY 30
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night: karaoke with host Aura Jay 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bar 150 10pm
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Liam Searle & Missy B + karaoke v cabaret with Cassidy Connors 10pm
THURSDAY 31
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD A Night on the Lashes: Lucinda Lashes, karaoke/DJ 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bingo Balls: Misty Lee & prizes 7pm
l EDGE Smart: DJ Liam Searle 10pm
DANCE MUSIC
BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE & KATE WILDBLOOD
ALBUMS
) After a month off we ’ re thrilled to announce normal Wildblood + Queenie service has resumed as we continue our regal mission to keep your life’s soundtrack just right
Be it the spring wonders that are Fierce Angel presents Bonnie Bailey’s Song Book Volume 1 filled with tunes from house music’s head girl, SCNTST’ s cinematic soundscapes sweetheart that is Scenes and Sketches from the Lab on Boysnoize Records, the intriguing sounds of Forest Swords DJ-Kicks on !K7, the underground tech house of America Gets Physical Vol 1, mixed and compiled by m.O.N.R.O.E on Get Physical or the sublime standout electronica of Max Cooper’ s Balance 030 on Balance Music, you’ll be sure of life sounding good with these wonders in your ears.
Must-have May wonders include the outstanding compilation 4 To The Floor presents Classic Music Company Vol 2, reflecting with style the seminal label’s near 25 years of making the right moves on the dancefloor, the stunning journey into second wave Detroit techno that is Detroit Love, mixed by Stacey Pullen on, you guessed it, Detroit Love, or the utterly glorious stay with you forever sounds of Detroit Swindle’ s High Life on Heist, and you have enough musical moments to ensure a memorable May. Which is just how we like it. Enjoy.
) Catch Wildblood and Queenie on 1BTN 101.4FM DAB+ and 1btn.fm 2nd & 4th Wednesday 8-10pm and 2nd Friday 1-4pm, and the Tempest Terrace on sunny afternoons and at Wild Family on June 9. perfectdistractions.com
WILDBLOOD & QUEENIE’S MAJESTIC MAY 12”
) SOPHIE LLOYD ft Dames Brown Calling Out Classic Music Company
The tune that’s destined to soundtrack the summer of 2018 End of
) RON BASEJAM After The Sun Futureboogie Recordings
The king of fine disco groves returns with the epic After the Rain EP
) DE GAMA Star-Buk Samosa Records
Spicy percussion perfection Funktastic EP you need in your life.
) CHANNEL Tres Controller Godmode
Absolutely disgraceful filthy house music Just how we like it
) FINEST WEAR Bear Witness (main mix) Nordic Tax
Another slice of perfection from one of our favourite labels
) DAJAE Brighter Days (Angelo Ferrari remix) Big Love
Nothing bigger than this Honey Dijon and TBM approved rework.
) DJ SNEAK & Blakkat Guttah Bucket Kaluki Music
The big man is Still Hustlin' with this monster from Manchester.
) CHRIS COCO'S HONEY The Acid Test Classic Music Company
When Queenie does her Honey thing Coco style you have test it out
) JARRED GALLO You're In My House Salted Music
Wipe your feet and get down. Yep them are my house rules.
) EASY TO REMEMBER C'est Nul (Black Loops remix) Unclear Records
Berlin brilliance delivers a remix to sashay those spring days away.
DJ PROFILE: DARCY BUCKLAND
Well the merry month of May is upon us little spring chickens, so who better to spend a bit of glorious time with than the lovely Darcy Buckland, queen of the Revenge decks and a proud mover and bum shaker on the Southampton scene
How are you? Hey QJ! I’m fab thank you!
Where can we hear you? Every Thursday you can find me on Level One at Revenge for FOMO with chart, pop and r&b tunes! Then on Mondays I’m on my home turf at The Edge in Southampton and back to The Edge on Friday nights for Glow Since Southampton Pride launched a couple of years ago I have been DJing on the mainstage, so I’m really excited that I’ll be back again this year!
What are you playing these days? I tend to generally play chart, pop and R&B in my sets though I have a secret love for deep/techno house you won’t tell anyone will you QJ!? (Whoops, just did – QJ)
Any other projects going on? I’m currently in the middle of producing a few tracks of my own as we speak and I produce a monthly podcast called Bum Shakers which features tunes that are very, ahem, bum shaky! Plus Southampton Pride has a fundraising boat party event coming up on May 6 that I’ll be DJing at
Fave song of all time? That’s always a hard question! Whenever I get asked this I give a different answer every time! So today’s choice is Pure Shores by All Saints It’s got those good summer vibes to it!
Best ever gig? My favourite gig that I have ever done would 100% be Glastonbury festival in 2013! It was one of the first ever gigs I had ever done and it was a seven-hour set on one of the main stages with a few famous faces in the crowd It was insane and scary all at once!
Dream gig? You know, I would love the chance to DJ on a lesbian cruise, proper L-Word style, I mean, that’s the real dream isn’t it?
Tune you wish you’d never played! One time I played the Cha Cha Slide and felt the entire building move with the crowd It was terrifying Never again
Guilty pleasure? I have every Kanye West song ever made, I’m not even ashamed I feel like I should be, but I’m not!
Describe yourself in three words... Courageous, fun-loving and chilled!
DARCY BUCKL AND’S CURRENT TOP FIVE
) NAKALA Enough Time White
) FREEJAK Sway Sony Records
) RUDIMENTAL, Glynn, Macklemore & Caplen These Days Spinnin
) ZEDD The Middle (Alphalove remix) Interscope
) LIL DICKY & Chris Brown Freaky Friday (ITK remix) White
) Your Royal Gayness computer game, £11.39, focusses on a gay prince in a fairytale kingdom as he tries to avoid marriage Developer Salli Loikkanen says: "Even though Your Royal Gayness is ‘just a game ’ , I hope that in some small way it can spread awareness about gay issues ” steampowered.com
) BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY (Sat 5) The iconic sounds of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, authentically recreated by a phenomenal cast and live band
) TEARS FOR FEARS (Sat 12). Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith are joined by Alison Moyet. ) GARY BARLOW (Mon 14). Take That frontman sings his solo hits. ) MICHAEL MCINTYRE (Fri 25–Wed 30). 'Britain's biggest comedian’ 'The man is quite simply top-to-toe hilarious' The Telegraph
BRIGHTON FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Box office: brightonfestival.org
BRIGHTHELM CENTRE
North Road, Brighton ) BEFORE I STEP OUTSIDE (YOU LOVE ME) (Sat 12) An evening of black trans poetics with Travis Albanza, one of the UK’s leading trans voices Combining spoken word with soundscapes, projections and animation in collaboration with Daniel Braithwaite Shirley, Travis presents a feature performance from their acclaimed debut book of poetry. Through diary entries, images, poems and essays, Travis reveals their experience as a trans person
navigating public spaces: being on the street, being on public transport, being harassed, stared at, and surviving.
BRIGHTON DOME
Church Street, Brighton
) BROWNTON ABBEY (Fri 25). For this pastoral performance party,
celestial beings from queer dimensions will transform the Dome into a kaleidoscopic offworld temple. Headlining will be New Orleans ‘Queen of Bounce’ Big Freedia, who you’ll know from Beyonce’s Formation, her collaborations with Diplo and RuPaul, and her own Netflix series. Plus performance interventions throughout the evening by a heavenly constellation of Queer
Artists of Colour.
) EZRA FURMAN (Sat 26). Fans of Chicago’s gender fluid rock & roll hero will testify as to the electric energy of his live shows that teeter on the edge of hysteria His onstage presence, hook-laden garage-punk (Jonathan Richman meets Spector-era Ramones meets the E Street Band), and confessional lyrics about sexuality, depression, faith and politics, have all earned him a legion of followers on both sides of the Atlantic. Back with his newly re-christened band, The Visions, Furman will perform tracks from his latest album, Transangelic Exodus
SALLIS BENNEY THEATRE
Grand Parade, Brighton ) PENGUINS (Sat 12–Sun 13). Roy and Silo are just like other penguin pairs at Central Park Zoo - they walk, swim and dance together But Roy and Silo are both boys, so when the zookeeper finds them trying to hatch a stone, he thinks there may be a chance for them to
become parents for real Based on the true story that touched hearts worldwide, and inspired the bestselling picture book, And Tango Makes Three, it's a delightful show for young audiences aged 3+ about fun, friendship and the changing nature of family.
THEATRE ROYAL
New Road, Brighton ) ADAM (Wed 9–Sat 12). National Theatre of Scotland’s remarkable production is about one trans man ’ s powerful true story. If you ’ re born in a country where being yourself can get you killed, exile is your only choice Adam is the true story of a young transgender man having to make that choice and begin his
journey From Egypt to Scotland, this powerful, award-winning production charts Adam’s fight across borders and genders to find a place to call home Features a stunning score composed by Olivier Award-winner Jocelyn Pook ‘An unforgettable thunderbolt of feeling’ The Telegraph.
) MEDEA, WRITTEN IN RAGE (Sat 26). Directed by Festival regular Neil Bartlett and featuring extraordinary performer and vocalist François Testory, this powerful new vision of ancient myth features live music by Phil Von to create a searing statement about marginalisation and exile
Jean-René Lemoine’ s reimagining of the classic tale of passion and revenge casts Medea as the ultimate outsider This dramatic monologue – half witness statement, half incantation – takes us from ancient Greece to modern Europe and back again in a provocative, blood-soaked collage of performance, opera and sexual confession.
BRIGHTON FRINGE HIGHLIGHTS
Box office: brightonfringe.org
BROADWAY LOUNGE
Bar Broadway, 10 Steine St, Brighton f /barbroadwayuk/ ) THE FIVE O'CLOCK SHOW (Fri 4–Jun 3) A different show daily with the best of Brighton cabaret, opera and comedy
) BOMB SEX (Fri 4, Wed 9 & Fri 11). A dark comedy written and performed by Fintan Shevlin. It's the 1980s, 'the troubles' in Northern Ireland are at their height, but many just want to get their leg over.
) CAN YOU PUT THIS IN THE BIN FOR ME? (Fri 4-Fri 25). Charmaine Davies and Michael Mooney bring you an hour of fun-packed, straight-talking stand-up
) STEPHEN CARLIN: RISE OF THE AUTISTIC (Sat 5–Mon 7) Move over losers, and enter Stephen Carlin with his over-rationalisation, under-emoting and his optimum attention to detail. Autism has never been such fun. ‘Unsettlingly funny’ (The List)
) MICHAEL MOONEY: WAVE MACHINE (May 5, 19, 26, Jun 2). Join Michael on a wavey adventure exploring Brighton hedonism, southern wetness, colourful relationships, love, and his attempt to graduate from being a scared wee boy under the facade of masculinity
) BAG OF SWEDES (Mon 7–Thu 10) Stand-up showcase with upand-coming comedy stars: Therese Sandin, Josefin Johansson and Pernilla Hammargren
) THE FIELD STREET MONOLOGUES (Mon 14) Eight witty, dark and sinister monologues Have you ever walked down a street and wondered what goes on behind the drawn curtains and closed doors of the residents’ houses?
) FRANK SANAZI: STUCK IN ZE BUNKER WITH YOU (Wed 16–Thu 17). Along with his faithful partner Diva Braun, Frank shares his last few hours in the bunker with songs and hilarious anecdotes “He will leave you in stitches The jokes are relentless” **** (EdFest Mag)
) ANOTHER FINE MESS (Tue 22Thu 24) Stephen and Phil dream of being 'Laurel and Hardy', but the closest they can get is their tribute act to the screen stars
) MAGGIE MACALL (Mon 21 & Fri 25) Back to Broadway! Come and meet those dancing feet (there will be very little dancing) and sing All That Jazz (no saxophones feature in this show) as Maggie regales you with stories of her glittering career.
) FELIX & SAM: THE DRESS REHEARSAL (Tue 22-Wed 23) More camp than a row of pink tents! This on-screen/off-screen couple fight for the limelight as well as deciding who wears the trousers Delve into the lives of this dazzling duo at a show full of sparkling stupidity, music, comedy and costumes galore! ‘A proper, classic cabaret show’ (Buzz Mag)
) MISS DISNEY'S MAGIC SONGBOOK (Thu 24, Mon 28 & Thu 31) Love Disney? Love singalongs? Feel the magic with Miss Disney's very own fairy-tale show With her magic songbook, Miss Disney will take you from the forests of Snow White through the frosty mountains of Frozen to the tropical beaches of Moana in a world of make believe which will thrill and inspire Disney fanatics of all ages
) VIBRANTLY LIEU: WELCOME TO THE PVC SHOPPING CHANNEL (Fri 25–Sun 27). A short comedy play based on the realities of modern dating and the less-than-glamorous truth of the beauty industry.
) AGM COMEDY (May 30 & 31, Jun 1–2). Steve Adams, Colin Galletly and Johnny Murph return with silliness, good humour and laughs
BENT DOUBLE
Komedia, Gardner St, Brighton ) BENT DOUBLE (May 6, Jun 3) A gay-friendly, irreverent night of fun and frolics, hosted by Zoe Lyons (Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow and Mock The Week)
May’s headliner is Allyson June Smith with support from Russ Peers and Chloe Petts In June the headliner is Angela Barnes
BIG FAT GAY
The Caxton Arms, North Gdns, Brighton ) BIG FAT GAY (Sun 6–Wed 9)
Martin J Dixon's comedy is about being gay and fat and totally fine as well In his usual candid and heinous style, Martin is vicious and foul but desperate to be liked. His unfiltered internal monologue is liked by adults of all ages and persuasions, so long as up-the-butt stuff doesn’t offend you.
BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS
St George’s Church, St George’s Rd, Kemptown ) BRIGHTON GAY MEN'S CHORUS: GAYZ INTO SPACE (Fri 4–Sat 5) A long time ago in a venue far, far away Brighton Gay Men's Chorus started preparing for Gayz Into Space, a musical intergalactic adventure like no other Join the boys of the Starship BGMC on their mission to probe the darkest corners of the universe in search of
excitement and adventure Led by their captain, Marc Yarrow, they’ll fill deep space with new arrangements and rousing harmonies Their ultimate goal - to reach the fabled Pink Planet To boldly gay where no-one has gayed before.
EPICENE
The Brunswick, Holland Rd, Hove ) EPICENE (Sat 26–Sun 27). Paul Diello interweaves his journey of childhood out-castings and social
misfittery into well-loved female compositions by artists such as Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Björk and Annie Lennox, to name a few
EYES WIDE OPEN
Fabrica Gallery, Duke St, Brighton ) The queer cinema collective presents: HOPE ALONG THE WIND: THE LIFE OF HARRY HAY (Tue 8). Harry Hay, one of the founders of the landmark homophile movement, was born in Worthing in 1912 but spent most of his life in the USA. A co-founder of both the 1950s Mattachine Society and the 1970s Radical Faeries, Hay is a criminally figure in queer history
The Old Market, Upper Market St, Hove
) JAKE SHEARS IN CONVERSATION (Fri 4). Scissor Sisters’ lead singer and one of the world’s most famous LGBT+ icons discusses his comingof-age memoir, Boys Keep Swinging,
with award-winning journalist and author, Matthew Todd
SPIEGELTENT
Old Steine Gardens, Brighton ) HELP! I THINK I MIGHT BE FABULOUS (Sun 6, 27 & Tue 29) Alfie Ordinary, ‘dazzlingly sequinned from head to toe', son of a drag queen, identifies as fabulous and proud. In this show, Alfie tells us of a magical queer utopia. With confetti cannons, LGBT anthems and puppetry, Alfie challenges the norm, questions what it really means to be a man, and presents a world where equality truly exists
) THE SUNDAES DIVA LAS VEGAS (Mon 7). The Sundaes pay homage to their favourite divas from Vegas with stunning vocals, a generous scoop of comedy and outrageous costumes. Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla Sundae serve up a delightful dish of pure joy in this unmissable show It’s like being in Vegas but without the jet lag!
JAKE SHEARS
SPIEGELTENT
Old Steine Gardens, Brighton ) BRIGHTON BIG DRAG PAGEANT (Wed 30–Thu 31). Kings, Queens, Club Kids and Exhibitionists share the stage for a night of talent, innovative acts, wigs styled for the gods, and entertainment. Expect famous and infamous judges, special guests, press and prizes, and, of course, the best performers on Brighton’s exploding scene ) LA VOIX (Thur 31), internationally renowned and critically acclaimed diva, presents her sensational variety show Fresh from wowing critics and audiences worldwide, the Britain’s Got Talent finalist has announced her Hello La Voix! Tour, a night filled with live
DOPPEL DIETRICH
musicians, hilarious comedy, incredible live singing, vocal impersonations and glamorous costumes From Cher to Shirley Bassey, La Voix spares no Diva! Winner Best Act at the London Cabaret Awards, Drag Idol and Gold Award-winner at the Boyz Awards
MARLBOROUGH THEATRE
4 Princes St, Brighton
) A GAY & A NONGAY (Wed 2) In a time when we ’ re all threatened by a rhetoric of hate from the people in power, this show challenges many of our differences head on and promises that no matter who you are, or what you ’ re into, love is love and gays and nongays can be friends. Based on James Barr and Dan Hudson’ s podcast that the Radio Times called ‘ one of the most fundamentally kind and funny podcasts in Britain’
) SIREN (Sat 5–Sun 6) Half woman, half fish, it’s like nothing you ’ ve seen before A grotesque, mermaid-like creature is found washed up on the seashore and put to work in a travelling side-show A dark musical-comedy inspired by the mythology of the mermaid and the silencing of women. Performer Katy-Anne Bellis uses an ethereal mix of singing, grotesque physical theatre and electronic music, and is accompanied with Barry Han.
New Steine Hotel New Steine, Brighton
) DOPPEL DIETRICH (every weekend May 4–Jun 3, Fri & Sat 8.30pm, Sun 5.30pm). The late and legendary Marlene Dietrich last appeared in Brighton at the Theatre Royal in 1973 and 45 years later, she's on her way back! Award-winning performer and writer Patricia Hartshorne returns to the Brighton Fringe bringing Miss Dietrich with her “Last year I was in Brighton with my show about Adolf Hitler, but this time I'll be playing the woman who dared to defy him in my solo cabaret Doppel Dietrich Come and meet her – she might even give you a carnation!”
This much-travelled show is a humorous and haunting look at the colourful life, loves and songs of Marlene Dietrich. With her “eerily accurate representation”, Patricia engages her audience with anecdotes, a few surprises and Dietrich classics such as Lili Marleen, Boys in the Backroom, La Vie En Rose and Falling in Love Again “It was a life of glamour and talent with a penchant for men's clothing,” says Patricia, who invites you to discover an eventful life that spanned the 20th century from bi-sexual cross-dresser to Hollywood icon, wartime entertainer to international cabaret star, outrageous self-publicist to uncompromising recluse Are you up for some 'doppel strength' Dietrich? ‘Gets under the skin of Marlene Dietrich’ The Stage Tickets: £10 available online: brightonfringe.org/whats-on/doppeldietrich-123874, or call: 01273 681546 or from the New Steine Hotel: 9am–10pm
) GENDER EUPHORIA (Tue 8–Wed
9) James Lorien MacDonald's second solo stand-up show takes on as many aspects of gender as will fit in his chaotic, mesmerising brain From the joys of fake-it-tilyou-make-it masculinity, to the things you can (or should never) do with a detachable penis, expect a load of stories so hilarious they simply must be true.
) GYPSY QUEEN (Tue 8–Thu 10). Can two men raised to fight ever learn to love? The story of ‘Gorgeous’ George O’Connell: traveller, bare-knuckle fighter, hero to his people and Gypsy King
George leaves this life behind and enters the world of professional boxing, which puts him on a collision course with his roots, his identity and his greatest fear In the opposite corner, gay boxer Dane ‘The Pain’ Samson, the young pretender and son of a boxing legend But Dane is fighting his own battles and they will ultimately lead to a tragedy that neither man could predict ) SEXXES (Sat 19–Sun 20). Fancy a rollercoaster, time-travel ride about sex and gender? From the ancient past, where our hermaphrodite ancestors enjoyed
the amazing, gender-free life, to the present, where harsh binary sometimes seems to be dominating Mamoru Iriguchi helps teenagers (literally and figuratively) swim in the fluid ocean of gender
PIERS & QUEERS
Meet: Regency Square, Brighton ) PIERS & QUEERS (Sat 5, Sun 6, Sun 13, Sat 19) Over 200 years of history from a LGBT+ perspective, including Regency Dandies, 1950s lesbian and gay life, and political
activism We encounter prominent historical figures as well as extraordinary unsung heroes: a pioneering doctor who passed as a man decades before women were allowed to practice medicine, a 19th century lesbian diarist, an Edwardian 'drag king' and an early 'same-sex' marriage.
PURPLE PL AYHOUSE THEATRE
Montefiore Rd, Brighton ) BOXES (Thur 31, Jun 1-2) Are you black or white? Girl or boy? Straight or gay? Does it matter? This show drops you energetically into the world of two people who, faced with the task of organising a loved one ’ s affairs after their death, discover a wealth of information about their family and themselves. Featuring music,
movement and sharp dialogue, the two polar personalities clash as they realise they are very different and exactly the same
) VANESSA (Thur 31, Jun 1-2). No one talks about the parents. Your only child is getting married to someone of the same sex. Oh God, what will Grandad say? A beautiful and tender examination of one mother’s thoughts as she approaches her gay son ’ s wedding
RESOUND MALE VOICES
The Old Courtroom, 118 Church St, Brighton ) RESOUND - EXCESS BAGGAGE! (7 30pm, Fri 11 & Sat 12). The Soundtrek Boys are back Last year they sang around the world in
eight languages, now they're going on tour. Just like life, things never go to plan at an airport. Join them as they sing for their own amusement songs that resonate when you are travelling or just sitting around due to delays, lost passports and excess baggage
Tickets: £10
SWEET WERKS 2
15-17 Middle St, Brighton ) THE INVENTION OF LESBIANISM (Mon 14–Thu 17) A one-hour solo
AN INDECENT ACT
MANY TRUMP REFUGEES IN ONE BODY
The Warren, St Peter’s Church, York Pl, Brighton
) MANY TRUMP REFUGEES IN ONE BODY (Tue 8-Thur 10). A panicked run to Canada A partner who only wants to keep her job at Harvard And a secret you never wanted to tell What could possibly go wrong? Written and performed by Lyralen Kay, this is the hilarious story of her reluctant and surprising prescience about Trump and her absolute ignorance about what it takes to emigrate to Canada. Combining storytelling, physical theatre and stand-up comedy, this all-too-true story is a rollercoaster of immigration challenges, longterm marriage comedy, and coming face-to-face with the need to accept yourself... while you wait to see if you get in.
show about the history of LGBT+ language, written and performed by Cerys Bradley. It is a frank and funny history of lesbianism through the ages, looking at the evolution of language and how it has been weaponised, both by and against the community.
) BREAKUP ARTIST (Fri 25–Sun 27) Share the highs, lows and downright hilarity of the eternal scramble to seek, find and inevitably lose, the woman of your dreams Annabelszki explores the contemporary minefield of lesbian love, lust, dating, and break-ups An energetic, comedic and poetic voyage.
THE WARREN
St Peter’s Church, York Pl, Brighton ) IRIS PRIZE: A CELEBRATION OF LGBT FILM (Thu 3–Sun 6). Celebrating LGBT+ film, Iris awards the largest LGBT+ short film prize in the world. These winning short films from Iris 2017 are the best of the best, telling fascinating LGBT+ stories from the UK and beyond.
) A BERLIN KABARET (Thur 17–Sun 20) Four travellers singing
Sweet Werks 1, 15-17 Middle St, Brighton
) STEVE LEE PERFORMS AN INDECENT ACT (Fri 11–Sat 12) Following Steve Lee’ s Fringe debut, Sit Down Stand Up, last year, his new show promises more lurid tales of a life well-lived from his 48 years in showbiz, his alcohol, sex and drug addictions, with possible nudity, naughty words, and cabaret with a live musician (if he can sober one up in time). With two TV scripts for Disney under his belt, a dozen shows written for family audiences, who can live on an old age pension when one has so much bile to share?
Parental Guidance advised
powerful songs, rediscovering long lost gay rights anthems and American propaganda songs; Lady Gaga meets Brecht in this walk on the wild side of the 20th century avant-garde A vibrant presentation of lyrical anti-war songs reflecting
on the current refugee crisis in the search for sanctuary and solidarity ) WILL DALRYMPLE: MAN TO MAN (Thur 17, Mon 21, Wed 23)
Nothing interesting has ever happened to gay comedian Will Dalrymple. So, he's made up a fictional gay life for his debut stand-up show instead. The result is an outrageous, explicit, and acclaimed parody gay literotica novel ’The clear highlight is Dalrymple's reading some of the most depraved disgusting filth I've heard in my life hysterical’
ThreeWeeks
) MARK BITTLESTONE: PITY
LAUGHS (Fri 18, Tue 22, Thur 24)
As if being an orphan wasn't funny enough, in 2014 Mark came out as gay! Losing both your parents in awful circumstances or being gay? Sadly, Mark doesn't have the luxury of choice. An hour of laughs based on a lifetime of horrible tears. ‘The first true gem of the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe’ Broadway Baby ) THE SOFT SUBJECT (A LOVE STORY) (Tue 29–Thu 31) Chris Woodley’ s autobiographical solo show invites us back into the classroom to learn about love, loss and The Little Mermaid A highlyenergetic, pop-fuelled, heart-onthe-sleeve account, which playfully explores the peaks and troughs of wanting it all in the modern world.
CHARLESTON
Firle, Lewes, Box office: charleston.org.uk
CHARLESTON FESTIVAL (Fri 18–Mon 28). The book festival, inspired by the spirit of the Bloomsbury Group, this year looks at Forbidden Sex and its Aftermath
) CHANCE ENCOUNTERS (Fri 25) focuses on two books about sex at the White House Amy Bloom’ s book, White Houses, throws a light on the secret love affair between Eleanor Roosevelt and top American female journalist Lorena Hickok Sylvia Brownrigg’ s book, Pages For Her, centres around an unexpected reunion between the two women many years later, which reignites the attraction
) THE SPARSHOLT AFFAIR (Fri 18). Prize-winning author Alan Hollinghurst discusses his latest novel with writer and literary critic Charlotte Mendelson. The book evokes the intimate relationships between a group of friends across three generations, from WW2 to contemporary London.
) HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE (Fri 25). David France will discuss his book, How to Survive a Plague, with human rights activist Peter Tatchell
The book, which won the Baillie Gifford Prize for nonfiction, is the deeply moving account of the AIDS epidemic and how gay activists came together with doctors, public health officials and research scientists in a campaign which led to the development of drugs which transformed HIV from a mostly fatal infection to a manageable disease.
CL ASSICAL NOTES
REVIEWS
) OSLO PHILHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA & PETRENKO
Scriabin’s Symphony No 2 / Piano
Concerto LAWO Classics LWC1139
Russian conductor, Vasily Petrenko has already recorded two of Alexander Scriabin’s (1872-1915) five symphonies with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, and he now turns to the Symphony No 2,
which dates from 1902 This is paired with Scriabin’ s Piano Concerto, also an early work, from 1896. The Symphony’ s lush, dark opening movement with its lyrical clarinet solo moves straight into the quicker second movement, which develops through very Wagnerian sweeps and surges into some full-on romantic writing The third movement’s opening, with its exquisite violin solo, supported by twittering birdcalls from the flute, is played here with precision and delicacy – a pity that neither the leader nor flautist gets a name check on the disc This movement is the highlight of the symphony, and also of this performance, with its simplicity and heart-on-sleeve idyllic beauty sincerely captured by the OPO and Petrenko. This is swept away by the nervy urgency of a stormy scherzo, which then leads to a rather bizarrely simplistic, triumphant finale This movement has lead to the most criticism of the symphony and as a result, its somewhat infrequent performance This is a shame, as the earlier movements, particularly that slow movement, contain some beautifully imaginative and subtly orchestrated music. However, Petrenko and the OPO do the finale justice, and almost convince of its merits. The even earlier Piano Concerto, from 1896, when Scriabin was just 24, is a full-blooded affair, straight out of the Chopin-Liszt
tradition, and it is surprising that it hasn’t established a stronger footing in the repertoire, given its evident appeal Russian pianist Kirill Gerstein gives an impressive performance here, balancing the weighty heft of the first movement with lightness of touch in the more expressive moments of the delightful central theme and variations. The finale is a great crowd pleaser, but not without invention, and Gerstein, Petrenko and OPO bring their performance here to a fine, spirited conclusion.
) ADAM GOLKA Schumann Piano Sonata No. 1 First Hand Records
FHR62 Polish-American pianist
Adam Golka has released a pleasing programme of Schumann (1810-1856) With the Piano Sonata No 1, ‘Grosse Sonate’ as the centrepiece, he is joined by soprano Lauren Eberwein in two short songs as part of the programme The first of these songs, An Anna II, a setting Schumann composed when he was just 18, opens the disc. It wasn’t
published in his lifetime, and only saw the light of day when Brahms published his collected works in 1893. It’s a nostalgic, calmly passionate miniature, and Eberwein’s rich, full-bodied voice, combined with Golka’s sensitive accompaniment provides a great opener. Schumann took the melody as the basis for the following Sonata’ s second movement Aria The Sonata opens with a brooding song without words, and the full recording sound combined with Golka’s warmth of tone make for a striking beginning As the first movement moves into the second allegro vivace section, Golka’s tempo feels slightly controlled –the turbulent wanderings could perhaps do with a little more sense of frenzy, although this does build, and Golka’s formidable technique
comes to the fore as the drama builds towards the movement’s conclusion His Aria is delicate and sensitive, with full pedalling, lyrically sweet without being overindulgent. A bouncy, quirky scherzo follows, and the Finale ranges through fleeting mood changes, and here Golka exploits to the full the extremes of texture and emotion, leading to a swirling turbulent conclusion, leaving the instrument almost rattling at the end For the remainder of the disc, we move into Abend (Evening), with the nostalgic and tender Des Abends from the Fantasiestücke This is followed by Der schwere Abend (The Oppressive Evening) from 6 Gedichte und Requiem, with Eberwein joining Golka again for this brief dramatic mood piece. The disc ends with Golka’s own arrangement for solo piano of Abendlied from the 12 Klavierstücke, originally for four hands. Golka’s version is very successful, and he captures the almost Mahlerian sense of stasis in a touchingly introspective reading
CINEMA
) BRIGHTON FESTIVAL CHORUS
Elgar Music For Chorus & Orchestra
Somm SOMMCD267 No review of this next disc, as I have to declare a personal interest here Last year, Brighton Festival Chorus (with whom I sing), had the pleasure to record a disc of lesser-known choral works by Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934), with the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Barry Wordsworth (well known to us locally as the conductor of the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra) The disc is now out, and includes the Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands, the Te Deum & Benedictus, and the motet Ecce Sacerdos Magnus, which gives the disc its title. Do check it out!
Reviews, comments and events: v nicks-classical-notes.blogspot.co.uk t @nickb86uk ) nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk
) Kenneth MacMillan’ s ballet, Manon, to music by Massenet, (Thur 3) performed by the Royal Ballet comes live from the Royal Opera House In a range of local cinemas, including: Dukes at the Komedia, Brighton, Cineworld Eastbourne, and the Connaught Cinema, Worthing Check for times
CONCERTS
Check last month’s column (or my blog) for a full preview of the Brighton Festival and Fringe concerts, but here are a few highlights to look out for.
BRIGHTON FESTIVAL
www.brightonfestival.org, 01273 709709
) Belgian early music group Vox Luminis perform Bach, Scarlatti and Handel (Sun 6, Glyndebourne). Tenor Mark Padmore and baritone Roderick Williams, accompanied by Julius Drake (piano), are joined by actor Rory Kinnear for Songs of the Sea (Sun 13, Glyndebourne), a programme of music and poetry
) Brighton Festival Chorus is joined by the Brighton Festival Youth Choir in Britten’s War Requiem, with the Britten Sinfonia and the Orchestre de Picardie Arie van Beek conducts, with soloists Ian Bostridge, Gerald Finley and Claire Booth (Sat 12, Brighton Dome) They then perform Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Sun 27, Brighton Dome).
BRIGHTON FRINGE
www.brightonfringe.org 01273 917272
) Check out the Fringe for many lunchtime and evening concerts, including Bach, Gabrieli and Shostakovich at St Michael and All Angels, and Bernstein, Copland, Messiaen and Britten in MOOT’s Bernstein at 100 season at St Paul’s Church
ART MATTERS
For May's creative offering, I’ve sourced three exhibitions to excite and challenge you, all within walking distance or just a short bus/train ride away.
PHOENIX GALLERY
Brighton, www.phoenixbrighton.org
) BRETT GOODROAD (Sat 5–Sun 27) grew up in Montana, and lives and works in San Francisco painting in his backyard Much of his work mimics nature Growing, accumulating content such as sexuality, violence and love, like a plant or a tree Mould seems like a good analogy for what is incomprehensible in his work That he grew up in a farming family, he says, seems important. He has driven combine harvesters through the breadbasket, wrangled buffalo in the Gallatin Valley, and delivered organic vegetables through America’s south west. Gallery open Wed–Sun, 11am-5pm.
TOWNER GALLERY
Eastbourne, www.townereastbourne.org.uk
) EDWARD STOTT: A MASTER OF COLOUR AND ATMOSPHERE (May 25–Sep 16). 2018 marks the centenary of the death of Edward Stott (1855-1918), an artist described as ‘the poet-painter of the twilight’ To mark this occasion and celebrate his work, Towner is presenting a long overdue exhibition of paintings from across Stott’s lengthy career The exhibition, which brings together a large body of Stott’s paintings for the first time in over 40 years, includes a number of works from Towner’s own permanent collection, as well as a selection of loans from national institutions, including: the Royal Academy, Manchester Art Gallery, Touchstones in Rochdale, and the National Trust. Whilst he did not paint his canvases outdoors in true plein-air fashion, he did sketch in pencil, chalk and pastels in the open air, making written notes on the weather, light and colour, which he would then use to produce paintings in his studio. A Master of Colour and Atmosphere includes a selection of these sketches as well as the paintings themselves, giving visitors an insight into Stott’s process and working methods Free for Towner members and under 18s, check website for other entry fees
PALL ANT HOUSE GALLERY
Chichester, pallant.org.uk
) VIRGINIA WOOLF (May 26–Sep 16)
An exhibition of works by over 80 modern and contemporary artists inspired by the writings of celebrated author Virginia Woolf Including works by international artists, ranging from 1854 to contemporary commissions, the exhibition will act as an inclusive study of writers and artists alike, highlighting the many connections between Woolf, her contemporaries and those who share an affinity with her work.
ALL THAT JAZZ
) THOMAS STRONEN – TIME IS A BLIND GUIDE Lucus (ECM) Time Is A Blind Guide is both the name of this group and the title of its eponymous ECM debut released in 2015. What was once a septet has now been paired down to a quintet, an all-acoustic outfit in comparison to drummer Thomas Strønen’ s amplified and electronically treated work with the likes of Food and other groups. The ensemble operates in two parts, a basic piano-led trio overlapped with a string trio whose ethereal lines dominates proceedings Although led by a drummer, this music is remarkably drum-free, the sound of the cello and violin dominating most themes The music is mostly pastoral, with touches of exuberance thrown in to lighten the mix. All in all, it’s a beguiling mix that presents the best of modern, Nordic jazz.
Author of classic novels such as To the Lighthouse and the pioneering feminist text A Room of One's Own, Woolf spent much of her childhood in St Ives, and later made her home in Sussex
This major exhibition has been organised by Tate St Ives in association with Pallant House Gallery and the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge
) SONS OF KEMET Your Queen Is A Reptile (Impulse!) After two albums, saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings and the Sons of Kemet hit the big time with an Impulse! contract. As before, their music retools the music of the Caribbean, with its elements of marching bands and carnival, and presents it from a new angle. Hutchings says that he thinks of Caribbean rhythms and tunes but then tries not to play them, filtering them instead through his modernist London outlook The album itself addresses the British monarchy, rejecting the idea that some people are born to rule by right of blood and inheritance In her place, Hutchings proposes a list of different queens, notably Harriet Tubman, Angela Davis and Doreen Laurence, each one an admirable woman who has made a big difference to her society. That makes this set sound overly polemical, but its strength lies not just in its message but in its musical medium, a high-powered surge propelled by numerous drummers and of course the flame-throwing sax of leader Hutchings. As ever, a group to watch and admire.
LIVE JAZZ
The Brighton Fringe features some interesting live jazz this year.
) The ROUND GEORGES JAZZ FESTIVAL takes place every Saturday (5–26 May) at 14–15 Sutherland Rd.
) HERBIE’S Jazz Breakfast is every Sunday (6 May-3 June) in the Spiegeltent, Old Steine Gardens. The same venue also has a big band special (19 May)
) Those with long memories will recall SARAH JANE MORRIS with the Communards, and now paired with the wonderfully versatile guitarist Antonio Forcione (6 May), in the Old Market, 11a Upper Market St, Hove.
) The EDANA MINGHELLA
QUARTET presents From Ella to Elvis (12–13 May), at the Brunswick, 1 Holland Rd, Hove, while the same venue also hosts the BLUES CORPORATION live (19 May) and MATTHEW GEST’S Boogie Troop (24 May).
) Finally, JULIA ROBERTS and MICHAEL HINTON present Jazz For Lunch, (18 May) at the Friends’ Meeting House on Ship St, Brighton Something, surely, for everyone
REBEL WITH A CAUSE
Sussex-born actor, writer, director and translator Neil Bartlett directs the explosive one-man show Medea - Written in Rage at this month’s Brighton Festival. Brian Butler talks to him about his sexuality, gay politics and Greek tragedy.
) “I knew by the age of 13, in the early 1970s, that I was gay I grew up in Chichester where being gay didn’t exist I twigged in that strange way you do that this wasn’t something I could talk about,“ says Neil adding: “It was a secret life – a terrible way for a child to grow up. Because of the incredible work done on gay rights I now live in a country where young queer kids don’t have to go through that.“
Talking to Neil is like clinging on to a very speedy rollercoaster. His energy, passion, commitment and clarity of thought shine through his conversation He is surely one of the most prolific creative minds of his generation – equally at home he says at Bethnal Green Workingmen’s Club and on stage at the Royal Shakespeare Company
His escape route from adolescence was, he says, a combination of cottaging and the hidden world of books in libraries
Arriving in London in 1982 he had what he calls “ an amazing time It was the era of Betty Bourne’s Bloolips theatre company, Leigh Bowery, the films of Derek Jarman – and I stayed an enfant terrible till I was 55,” he jokes
His overriding aim has always been to say that queer art has its place “All I ever wanted to do was make my work and for it to be in the mainstream “ He is probably the only person to have his work onstage at both the Royal Vauxhall Tavern and the National Theatre in the same week.
His output has been enormous – five novels, dozens of plays and work for film and television as well as a searing six-hour reading of Oscar Wilde’s De Profundis. His latest novel
The Disappearance Boy is a strange and tender take on queer courage set in the tatty backstage world of a 1950s variety theatre On stage he has ranged from Shakespeare, through Wilde to Somerset Maugham and Albert Camus.
He is looking forward to having his production of Medea on at Brighton Festival later this month It’s a show he has adapted, translated and directed – a sure-fire success everywhere it has been seen. It’s a highly charged solo performance and a modern take on the Greek tragedy, starring French actor, singer and dancer Francois Testory.
“He is a great and extraordinary performer. He found a modern French version by Jean Renee Lemoine and asked me to translate it into English and direct with the author’s blessing.“
“Francois trained as a dancer with Bejart and performed with Lindsay Kemp. He has an extraordinarily powerful singing voice with a big range. He’s a stunning looking man but amazing as the female murderer Medea. Name your worst fear – Medea is it. She’s an outsider, a foreigner, a Barbarian “
Neil sees a read-across to the Brexiting UK today, and attitudes to immigrants.
“Medea is a sexual outlaw; she’s incestuous, the murderer of her own children - beyond the rule of law – and she gets away with it A woman who does what she wants and ends in triumph It’s a dangerous piece “
But then that’s Neil’s signature – the controversial, direct approach to sexuality and freedom
Returning to the subject of gay rights and freedom, Neil accepts that many strides have been made in his lifetime “Now you can call the police and they will take action about homophobic behaviour but it’s too simple to say that it’s all over. It’s only yesterday that we got our civil rights – adjusting our lives will take a very long time.”
And he says that public gay behaviour, like he and his long-term partner holding hands, would be acceptable in Soho but not so in rural Lincolnshire. “Reported violence against trans people is up by 80%, and lots of Commonwealth countries, former British colonies, have anti-gay laws on the statute book. We have to do something about that.“
With an OBE, honorary doctorates, and acclaimed work at both the National and RSC, is he now an establishment figure?
“That’s a laughable suggestion. The National is no more important to me than Bethnal Green Workingmen’s Club I’m not respectable, or growing old gracefully – Medea is not a sign of respectability ”
MEDEA INFO
) MEDEA - WRITTEN IN RAGE is at The Theatre Royal, Brighton on Saturday, May 26 at 8pm Tickets available online: https://brightonfestival.org
NOFIT STATE CIRCUS
From rural Wales to the fantastic NoFit State CircusEric Page catches up with fellow Welshman Lyndall Merr y who is a world-renowned trapeze artist and also chief rigger.
) Hi Lyndall, where’s the circus taken you?
“I ran away to join the circus to escape from university and the confines of rural Wales, school was full of farmers and rugby players and I craved adventure, thrill and the possibility of flying After touring some incredibly beautiful places, I’m now set on returning home to Wales Wherever I go I’m always saddened to see the effect of humanity To see so much greed, waste and pollution.”
Being gay in a circus, is there a link between sexuality and creative expression?
“Being gay in contemporary circus is fully accepted and totally mellow. There are different types of queer in life, sexual preference, personal identity, mental state, physical ability. What counts is the individual’s capacity to share, in and out of the big top. It’s about working and living together and being generous as a performer.
“There’s a link between personal identity and creative expression, which for many people
does involve sexual identity. Specifically to do with an individual who has explored their own identity and experienced the freedom of expression, leading to the realisation that a career in creative expression is possible.”
Is NoFit State your home?
“It’s one of my homes, and when on tour home is wherever we are. I’ve had many homes with different circuses. The circus always creates a safe haven - I lived in east London, had gun and knife crime on one side of the gates and open doors and kids running free on the other My real home is still the Welsh hills and this is where I retreat to ”
Who inspired you?
“As a child I watched the outdoor circus shows at Glastonbury Festival Tout Fou to Fly, Archaos and Turbo Zone had impact on me
Many artists and teachers continue to inspire me to train hard, there are many generous people in the circus who share their experiences to better the art form ”
What would you love to stage which is still waiting for the tech to catch up?
“Anything is possible with time and money
There are ideas we ’ ve left behind because they weren’t finessed enough for a slick and punchy show. Rather than the tech catching up with our ideas it would be more us catching up with the tech. We’ve only just started on rigging practices that have been used in film and sailing for 20 years. Working with projections, we need to explore the potential this technology can deliver ”
Any words of encouragement for younger LGBT+ people?
“My absolute goal is to inspire people, to see what’s possible through sacrifice and commitment To become a circus performer start training as much as you can as soon as
you can. Keep the horizons broad and look as far away as necessary for the best people to help you achieve your goals and channel a ‘know everything there is to know’ attitude
“Nothing is black and white, everybody has a different life experience and some people struggle harder than others Try not to be confined by the journey and discovery of identity Be compassionate and kind to others and learn how to exist and share the world with people of all spectrums, and above all think carefully about the planet, we only have one ”
Where’s your favourite gay bar?
“My best is the NYC Downlow, which travels between UK festivals, open and obscene, excellent music and good people The other is Tubesteak at Aunt Charlies, San Francisco, tiny, old school, narrow gay bar, brilliant genuine characters, great music and welcome atmosphere.”
MORE INFO
) See Lyndall fly along with the rest of the NoFit State Circus performers in Lexicon on Hove Lawns from May 3-14 To book tickets online, view: https://brightonfestival.org
BIRD L A BIRD’S TRAVELLING QUEER PEOPLE’S HISTORY SHOW
To mark IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia), the Brighton & Hove City Council LGBT Workers ’ Forum (BHCC LGBT WF) and Jubilee Librar y present this innovative and entertaining rereading of queer histor y. Eric Page catches up with Bird La Bird.
) Bird la Bird is a queer femme performance artist whose work on reclaiming working class queer history has been created for and performed in some of the highest cultural institutions in the land Bird exposes museum foundations and founders in some raucous, provocative, intersectional, highly entertaining performances Her show is somewhere between a comedy show and a lecture You’re not likely to ever see history like this on the television This is a chronicle of queer history with a rock & roll punk sensibility.
Film maker Campbell X is a big fan of Birdie’s work, tweeting: “(Bird) shows us how we ’ ve all been duped by elite colonisers: their only project was gaining wealth, breaking our ancestral queer, working class, and global POC minds.”
Bird, the po-mo homo historiographer par excellence, has broken free of the museums and brought some of the best material together to tour around the UK and beyond Bird’s aim is to educate herself about the interlocking histories of homophobia, the British Empire, discrimination and class exploitation, then share what she’s learnt with her audience in a fun, relevant and engaging way.
Birdie, how do you keep an audience’s attention on history?
“Ha! I use laugh out loud comedy, high femme glamour and a working class point of view, it’s griping and entertaining. I take the usually stuffy format of a history lecture and transform it into relevant, informative and inclusive entertainment. With joyful panache I fling the doors of the queer past wide open, bringing important historical information, which is often glaringly overlooked, into the open for all audiences, not just academics
“It’s gripping, dark, shady, shocking, thrilling and raw emotional stories of queer people, our stories, hidden away. My shows change the way audiences think about queer history and inspire curiosity to find out more People love stories that talk to them about themselves, and these are hidden in plain sight, our queer history, literally buried under our feet ”
We saw Going Down - Queer Convicts at Tate Britain and loved it, where did that come from?
“I used the decriminalisation of male homosexuality as a starting point, and Millbank Prison which once stood on the site of Tate Britain, and uncovered stories of the queer
dispossessed working class I also looked at the lives of queer convicts of the past and included present day LGBTQI asylum seekers being held by the British state in Victorian gaols once used to house convicts. I’m passionate about highlighting the interlocking forces of colonialism and homophobia. For example, last year we celebrated partial decriminalisation in the UK, but homophobic laws instated by the British Empire are still law in 32 countries.”
You’re bringing your stunning show down to Brighton, what can folk expect to see?
“My Travelling Queer People’s History Show is the history show you ’ ve always dreamed of. I take the audience on a startling journey underneath the foundations of some of Britain’s biggest galleries to uncover a history of queer prisoners, prisons and penal colonies The story then follows the route of prisoners transported to Australia to trace the global and colonial story of convicts and transportation Then, for balance, I flip the focus and attention to the elite white colonialists responsible for anti-gay laws cutting them down to size using humour and historical material.”
And I hear there’s an after tea party?
“Yes there is! After a performance I want people to stay and talk, discuss and connect, to explore my ideas and enjoy the space. I’m delighted that our wonderful organisers will be treating us to the finest cakes in the city being served up to them, for free, with a nice cuppa too. We will indeed have our cake and eat it!”
Bird la Bird’s Travelling Queer People’s History Show will celebrate IDAHOBIT in a positive way, bringing the focus back on to queer working class people telling our loud and proud stories, but also showing how we ’ ve been, and often still are, silenced, hidden away and erased from our own cultural spaces and histories The library is fully accessible and recognised for its excellent work on being LGBT+ friendly and inclusive to all The show will have live speech to text for deaf and hard of hearing people
MORE INFO
) Bird La Bird’s Travelling Queer People’s History Show, Jubilee Library, Jubilee St, Brighton BN1 1GE, Saturday May 19 at 2pm. Thanks to the generous support of the BHCC LGBT WF the event is free and everyone is welcome. The performance lasts 75 minutes, and is followed by free tea and cake and an opportunity to discuss, debate and connect The Jubilee Library is wheelchair accessible Tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/bird-labirds-travelling-queer-peoples-historyshow-tickets-45103070498
t @birdlabird
HOMELY HOMILY
BY GLENN STEVENS
LIQUID GOLD
) Back in the day, my drug of choice on the gay scene was a bottle of poppers. I was first introduce to their magical ability by a guy called Bona Clone (later named Bona Moan as he had a habit of being a bit Eeyore-ish). With this little brown bottle being readily available and at just £5, what was there not to like? A quick sniff would turn any Hi-NRG tune into something special and a double sniff in a back room would guarantee to take sex (and the bit of trade) up to the next level.
However, with all drugs there is a down side. Yes, after a while they can smell of old socks, and if you kept them too long you would get the inevitable ‘ popper burn’ on your nostril, which really was a warning to say, ‘Go on, treat yourself to a new bottle. You’re worth it’.
Beyond their lack of fresh odour, there was the inevitable ‘ popper hounds’. My mate Tom would quip, ‘You’re never alone with a bottle of poppers ’ , and it was true! It was guaranteed that as soon as you whipped out that little brown bottle on the dancefloor, three or four blokes you had never spoken a word to before would suddenly appear and ask for a quick sniff, smile and be gone
“A quick sniff would turn any Hi-NRG tune into something special and a double sniff in a back room would guarantee to take sex (and the bit of trade) up to the next level”
On some occasions, which could feel like the beginning of a Greek Tragedy, a similar random stranger would let out a cry of, ‘Oh no! I’ve dropped the lid!’ Then would begin the rather (un)health and safety procedure of looking for the black lid on a black dancefloor in a strobe-light environment, poppers in one hand, thumb (yellowing fast) holding the (literal) liquid gold in place, while waving a lighter flame round a stash of stomping Doctor Martin boots.
Whatever poppers are made of, there is an uncanny quality to them. As well as making dancing and sex more fun, they can also bring much laughter to a room. At many a house party, a bottle of poppers would magically make an appearance, particularly if there was a straight ‘girlfriend’ who had joined the group Egged on by the popper pros, the popper novice would take an inquisitive sniff, go bright red, laugh hysterically and then swear they would never be doing that again!
And then there are the popper myths One of my favourites was when a mate had us all sit in a circle, poured a splash of poppers in a near empty can of cola, then told us to inhale the vapours (apparently the fizz of the cola would make the popper vapours stronger) Somehow, by the time the can had reached my mate again, she had forgotten all about the poppers and took a swig Although I think she was wrong about the potency, it really did make us laugh a hell of lot more!
Ahhh, the pure magic of that little brown bottle
DUNCAN’S DOMAIN
BY D U N C A N S T E WA R T
DEGREES OF DOUBT
) When King Henry II muttered, ‘Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?’ four ambitious knights promptly rushed off to Canterbury and murdered Archbishop Thomas Becket The King may actually have said something more regal, like ‘What miserable drones and traitors have I nourished and brought up in my household who let their Lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a low born clerk?’ Either way the Archbishop’s fate was sealed.
The knights were excommunicated but the King seems to have been given the benefit of doubt over whether or not he had actually ordered the death of his archbishop.
Are you sensing the approach of Putin analogy? A different cathedral city and separated by 900 years but the political motives look identical. There appears not to be much international doubt that the all-powerful President has been personally ordering the elimination of enemies of the state.
It’s possible that in the giant garage sale, held when the USSR disintegrated, at which the billionaire oligarchs now living in Knightsbridge bought national assets for a song, a few cans of nerve destroying agents also changed hands. Also bought by these mafiosi? Probably not, as they tend to strangle their enemies whereas Russia has a long history of murdering dissidents in more adventurous ways: by shooting them in KGB prisons, administering radioactive poisoning or simply starving millions to death
The secret services of all nations are almost certainly guilty of assassination, but as Russia has been particularly keen on it we can’t be blamed for feeling that these acts do not meet with much disapproval on home territory
I am, in general, thoroughly in favour of giving people the benefit of my doubt in the hope that their irritating behaviour is the consequence of their being distracted rather than simply thoughtless In pursuit of this charitable approach I’ve forgiven aggressive drivers in case they had just been sacked, rude waitresses in case their husband had just received a terminal diagnosis and those groups of teenagers who don’t move to let you pass in case they really are all deaf and partially sighted
This may sound a bit saintly but the alternative reaction, getting angry, harms me more than my antagonist This was certainly the case with John Hunter, an 18th century doctor often credited with being the father of modern surgery, who suffered from angina and died from a heart attack after a furious row with his colleagues Not long after he stated, ‘My life is in the hands of any scoundrel who chooses to put me in a passion’.
“ This may sound a bit saintly but the alternative reaction, getting angr y, harms me more than my antagonist”
King Henry later apologised for the misunderstanding and eventually demonstrated his remorse by a public act of repentance and allowing himself to be beaten by 80 monks and a few bishops
It would be comforting to think that V Putin might choose to come clean about the murderous activities he has encouraged, apologise and receive for a good beating from his electorate But I doubt it
CHARLIE SAYS
Chem-ex by Charlie Bauer Phd
http://charliebauerphd.blogspot.co.uk
) Okay, this month I’ll remain on-topic when it comes to sex and drugs – two things I love in equal measure They’re not inseparable for me I can have sex without drugs – usually a quickie in an alleyway on the way back from The Bulldog. I can take drugs independently of sex as in the lecture I gave on Surrealism last week at Falmer, (I think) which I shouted from a K-hole in the corner of the room as the slides played. Easy.
Sex and drugs when you ’ re a youngster are easier because you ’ re invincible, you can overcome anything and can go like the clappers for hours then you can sleep it off and start again. The issue with drugs and sex is when later on, when you feel no longer young, and therefore invalidated on the gay scene, so you take a shed load to give the courage to approach someone who will eventually turn your pancake butt down As always happens on the silly gay scene Heading to a sauna without the ability to walk effectively, or even sense a pulse, is never a good idea but I’ve done it plenty, and lived
The fact is, most people these days, gay and straight, have taken drugs but with the advent of online porn, not all have had sex This is a bigger problem and just as ‘addictive’ as anything else on the table. There are young men who have had minimal sexual contact because they prefer to head a screen for a bash with a few lines. This is the more sadder, silent epidemic of drugs.
Gay bars were not only for sex, they were for the social. The competition in these places if you ’ re not 18 and springy is fierce. And again, that same issue of taking PrEP with a handful of other drugs remains an issue. We fought for gay rights, we fought to recognise and treat
AIDS and we sure as hell will fight to keep our drugs
And because straight men tend to follow gay men in all things, fashion, beauty products, her-cuts, facial hair, body morphism, they’ve followed us into drugs Not our fault We’ve policed ourselves for long enough from within.
When I was a chicken (yes me, back in the old days), if I ever got into strung out in the gay club, which basically looked like someone ’ s living room, I could always rely on a group of older lesbians to sober me up and get me home on a bus. I’ve never forgotten this.
Over the years I’ve come across so many drug-f***ed youngsters, myself usually, whose mates have abandoned them because they’ve taken all their drugs at once. I’ve sobered them up and got them into a taxi. In the confines of a gay club I think as an elder to have these points of care in place. We have to look after our vulnerables
Every generation of queers will take drugs at some point, but saying Angel Dust leads to AIDS is both ridiculous and untrue – it’s a construct of the heteronorm The best queer art would not have been created without
drugs We have our martyrs: the German film director Rainer Werner Fassbinder made a film for every year of his life He died in his 30s To make these films he ingested more cocaine than food and of course it killed him. But, he, the creative, burned brightly until the very end. Would he have made the films without the drugs? No way, and we would have been spared his genius. Pasolini, Alexander McQueen, Jean Genet and a host more died in the shadow of their own incandesce.
I quote Nietzsche, the way of the creative: “You must be ready to burn yourself in your own flame. How could you rise anew if you have not first become ashes?”
Yes, we too must burn with the ashes of the creativity of our sex if we are to be defined by it. We aim to reach the highest highs we can. We have fellow travellers to help us. And we will always break through
What is at stake here is choice and the ability to have it. Once this is thrown into the mix it becomes an issue. We had the choice over HIV and still do We have the choice to call ourselves whatever we are and we have the choice to take drugs How many times in my youth did I stare into the afternoon sky on my back and off my face at Pride somewhere? I can’t ever remember feeling that free I certainly haven’t felt it recently It’s a fact of life, of youth, of belonging If it gets assessed by strangers and freaky politicians (than means all, and any of them), and then plonked back as a rule of law, then we ’ ve lost a huge part of our culture. This is because they are not saving us from our destruction because we constantly create it.
I’m not advocating anything but my own choice. And I never moralise unless I’ve had a few lines and am basically talking to myself anyway. But we ’ ve earned our right to crack open a bottle (of poppers) or have a (small) bump of something on the big night we might get a shag to heighten everything up PrEPedup, bareback or not - it’s our choice how we conduct ourselves I’ve had countless friends who’ve wrestled with Tina and eventually won and they still recall the times they had as joyous Some have not made it and some are yet to try Choice everywhere
If the government were to make an investment they should corral mental health completely and offer them drugs But when you start policing drugs with the gay community you impose set rules contrary to its existence and otherness.
“There are young men who have had minimal sexual contact because they prefer to head a screen for a bash with a few lines. This is the more sadder, silent epidemic of drugs”
NETTY ’S WORLD
WELCOME TO THE MEPHEDRONE
) As 50-year-old lesbian in a 25-year relationship, there are certain practices and activities in life that have now passed me by. I no longer know (nor care) who is number one in the ‘hit parade’ as my mother used to call it. I don’t do ‘Snapchat’, or send pictures of my bottom to prospective suitors, huge sigh of relief there. As for chemsex, I had to Google it to make sure I knew what it was. Turns out I have never had ‘chem’ sex, nor for that matter ‘cyber’ sex. I had ‘cider’ sex on a bench in 1981, but that’s another thing entirely. Seems I’ve been missing out on a whole subculture within my community. In case anyone reading this is like me and has been sat indoors watching Miss Marple whilst the rest of Brighton engages in casual sex with multiple partners, I’ll briefly outline what chemsex entails It’s more than merely using alcohol or regular recreational bits and bobs to make one less shy, give one a little livener, or keep things going a tad longer The scene is driven by the use of highoctane stimulants like GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate), Crystal Meth, and mephedrone, aka miaow miaow Whilst I know these drugs are snorted, I now learn they are also injected for greater intensity The resultant intercourse is termed ‘slamsex’
“I had ‘cider ’ sex on a bench in 1981, but that’s another thing entirely”
Extreme danger has been brought to the fore with the trial of Stephen Port who utilised his knowledge of the chemsex scene to rape and kill four young men in London. The general effect of chemsex on our community is potentially devastating. Guys engaging in it can spend days ‘off their nuts’. In this time a great deal of damage can be done. Jobs are lost. Relationships ruined. Less inhibition can lead to unprotected sex and a forgetting to take meds for HIV. If you didn’t have HIV before, you could well acquire it from use of needles in the case of ‘slamsex’, which doesn’t sound particularly gentle, and we all know HIV loves a bit of rupture Thanks, I’ll just have a cup of tea
I realised I was totally out of touch with the gay male sex scene when I thought it was lovely that a friend of mine gave his boyfriend a ‘ rose ’ . When he explained what that was I was nearly sick. You can call me a judgy old dyke, but I’m being honest here, I think hedonism is a nice idea, but what’s left when the party’s over? It’s not just me Tackling chemsex has been identified by the NHS as a health priority In the last 10 years, an underworld of gay male chemsex has sprung up aided by the advent of dating apps I don’t think there’s anything I can say that would stop this runaway train Maybe it has to happen, but I don’t have to pretend it’s good It’s like a circus out there, so to quote Jerry Springer, ‘Take care of yourselves, and each other’.
TRANSITIONING WITH SUGAR
Ms Sugar Swan looks at drug use and asks if trans people are overlooked as an at-risk group within the LGBT+ community.
) Party drugs are a problem, they always have been, and whilst I think some members of our umbrella community are well looked after and catered to when it comes to party drugs and picking up the pieces when things go wrong, I fear that, as with many things in the community, trans people are often overlooked
It’s impossible to walk into an LGBT+ venue which caters primarily or exclusively (through discrimination) to cis people without seeing posters advocating for services designed to help those who need support surrounding drug habits that may be becoming or which have already become out of control.
There is very little stigma left within the cis gay community when it comes to chems. It’s something that’s quite openly spoken of amongst my cis gay friends and there’s little taboo left around chems with people even stating their drug preferences on dating apps.
This cumulatively has never made it easier to turn for help I’m aware that help surrounding chems for cis people is not always easy to ask for, if wanted I myself have felt the tight grip and despair after losing someone I had loved dearly for 17 years when their addictions got the better of them 18 months ago.
Although I recognise it’s not easy for my cis gay siblings to ask for help, the help is there, and it’s something that can be accessed without judgement or question through charities, organisations and peer to peer support groups. Trans people are not so well catered to in the same way and we have a need for these kinds of services too
I used to be a fairly heavy user of chems and party drugs as well as alcohol, tobacco and marijuana when presenting as a cis man. It was quite usual to use drugs when socialising and as a physical relaxant and mental stimulus when engaging in sexual activity
Since transitioning, and finding my trans community, chem use seems and feels much more of a taboo subject Many trans people aren't as open about their chem use as their cis counterparts and I’m struggling to work out why
Maybe it’s because paraphernalia around support aimed at trans people isn’t so prevalent? Maybe it’s because trans people are held under a higher degree of scrutiny and we therefore feel that we have to present our censored selves to the outside world?
I don’t interact with drugs like I used to some years ago, I don't feel that I need to I’m so much happier in myself now and I no longer feel like I need drugs (or alcohol) to engage sexually I’m comfortable with how I look now and I don’t have that need to alter
my mental state to have sex or to let my metaphoric guard down as I once did I’m one of the lucky ones and I never became addicted to chems and for that I am truely grateful.
After the drug-related death of a loved one (mentioned earlier) I was asked to sit on the steering committee of a forum that created a safe space where all people could come together to talk about their relationships with drugs and sex.
I’ve spoken about this with other trans, nonbinary and gender non-conforming people in doing prep for this article, and while I’ve heard from many different points of viewfrom the person who loves to go to sex parties with strangers and indulge in chems to someone who can’t bear to be around those under the influence in any circumstance and all sorts of people in between One common theme seems to occur - trans people have often taken some form of chems and often as a way to help them cope with their gender dysphoria
Pre-transition, people seem to have taken drugs as a release, in a similar way that we have high percentage rates of self-harm It can be most hard to socialise with others when you ’ re presenting as, and assumed to be, a gender that you are not, and taking drugs is one way to make this a little more bearable.
Another trend seems to be that the use of chems amongst trans people pre-transition helps with sex when you ’ re not having the kind of sex you want, in the ways you want, with the people that you want it with.
During transition, which lasts up to 10 years or more for some of us, we are at a vulnerable point in our lives where we may be getting used to changes within ourselves and within our bodies, and again any kind of drugs can offer a temporary relief for us.
Another trend, within myself and others, is that at whatever point in transition we are, we face oppression, and again drugs help us forget that for a short spell.
Finally, of course, why should we, as trans people, not use drugs in the ways that our counterparts do, should we see fit, and why is it more underground?
If trans people are as likely to partake in drugs as cis people then why are we not being supported in the same way?
“It can be most hard to socialise with others when you’re presenting as, and assumed to be, a gender that you are not, and taking drugs is one way to make this a little more bearable”
SAM TRANS MAN
Dr Samuel Hall on the drugs he’s dependent on and how his brain is rewiring itself in his second puber ty.
) Please forgive my indulgence, since I’ve little to say about chemsex as per this month’s theme, instead I’m exploring the influence of a drug that I’m totally dependent on for both my physical and mental health, and wellbeing. Testosterone
As I write I’m on enforced convalescence. Who knew that I’d have to be dragged away on holiday? That I’d be reluctant to travel or seek the sun… I was initially reticent because we had to book this break prior to my surgery in February, and I was nervous that I wouldn’t be healed enough to travel, or that some complication would hold me back But my beloved, who always knows best, persevered, riding roughshod over my protestations to drag me away from gloomy England to a tranquil spot in the mountains nestling above the Costa del Sol, eating local food and dipping my toes and still healing arm into the freezing Mediterranean. What bliss. I know that I’m both extremely lucky and singularly ungrateful - I really don’t deserve to have someone so very much on my side! I’m increasingly becoming a grumpy old man in the eyes of my family and the tide is seemingly unstoppable And yet I’m blissfully happy I’m not sure what it is that makes this juxtaposition possible, but some insight has come over the past few months from my wife She thinks I have Asperger syndrome Somewhere on the spectrum of autistic disorders, people with Asperger’s are often very difficult to interact with, being lost in their own intellectual worlds and missing normal social cues, they can be frustratingly literal in speech and interpretation, and find it difficult to express or understand the nuances of relationships. The terminology around the autism spectrum is rapidly changing as neurodiversity is explored and increasingly understood. There is a long way to go, and I’m certainly no expert. However, reading around
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the subject a little more, and thinking about my childhood behaviours, as well as questioning my parents, has helped both my long-suffering wife and I to understand why we often miscommunicate, sometimes with great detriment Of note here is that there’s a welldocumented association of autism with gender identity issues There’s no hint or supposition of causation, but there’s an association which is suspicious Way more people who identify as trans are on the autism spectrum than one might be led to expect given the prevalence of ASD in the cisgender (non-trans) population. This isn’t a medical journal, so I’m not going to expound theories or present you with statistical evidence here, this is merely an assertion of the little we already know.
What I will say is that this is revelatory to me on a personal level. It’s increasingly recognised that children assigned female at birth (ie, put in the pink box) are harder to diagnose than those assigned male (blue box). But we also know that girls and boys are socialised very differently, and that some of the social skills that girls learn allow them to hide their autistic traits more easily Much in the same way that adults with autism have often learned to mitigate the impact of their differentlywired brains so that they can and do function effectively in society. Nevertheless, it’s a sad and little known fact that adults with ASD are less likely to be in long-term successful relationships (amongst other things) than those without (so-called ‘neurotypicals’).
Whilst I’m aware that some of the language and expressions I’m using may be outmoded or considered inappropriate to others, this is very much a personal journey, an exploration of my own internal wiring, and a search for answers about my experiences as I have transitioned. You see all this has become far, far more obvious since I started medical treatment. I
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believe it’s the testosterone that’s changing my brain and the way I perceive and interact with others Each stage of my transition (including surgeries to masculinise my body) has been accompanied by an alarming sense of ‘skills lost’, rendering me incapable of doing things I could previously accomplish easily, or even excel at. Over time I’ve been able to regain these lost skills, as I’ve adjusted to the new reality of seeing and being seen as male - but this doesn’t really make sense. Why would a change of fuel, a different hormonal milieu, have such a deleterious effect on my ability to function? The studies haven’t been done of course, but the gender clinicians did warn me that I would enter puberty (admittedly for the second time around, only this time the ‘right’ puberty for me)
Prior to transition I was seen as someone who had empathy, and was able to comfort those in need and provide emotional support to those around me On testosterone I gradually found myself losing these skills, which, I think, must therefore have been learned, rather than innate. My brain is rewiring itself in this second puberty, and I’m having to relearn how to be with people.
This reinforces the idea that gender is a construct, adhered to by parents, teachers, peers and society in general. The acquisition of empathy and the capacity to relate emotionally is nurtured into us, it’s not ‘nature’. No wonder then, that boys and men are considered less emotionally intelligent (please note these are generalised statements and really not applicable to individuals) Those in the blue box simply don’t stand a chance and cannot compete with those in the pink box, who’ve been carefully tutored into emotional intelligence and caregiving since birth
Again I generalise here - I appreciate fully that there are many men/boys who are sensitive and gentle with others’ emotions, and plenty of girls /women who are tougher by far Broadly speaking, what I’m getting at is the notion that neither gender identity nor autism spectrum traits are innate. It’s entirely possible that we ’ re socialising these problems into our children by placing constraints on them that are both prohibitive and restrictive, and that only a massive change in outlook can alter this state of affairs… Food for thought at least.
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BRIGHTON & HOVE MAYOR S CHARITY
I HAVE A PHOBIA
You’re in a room. It’s small, it’s warm, it’s grey. You’re terrified. The one thing that scares you most in the whole world is just centimetres away from you. What do you do? Asks Ray A- J.
) I was in therapy, about to go through emotional freedom technique (EFT), and I’d just been exposed to my trigger. Peter Pettigrew - that awful creature from the Harry Potter series - was glaring at me from my phone screen I had to see him I had to look upon the one thing that made my whole body shake in panic in order for my emotional reaction to trigger, and for the therapist to gauge it Of course I cried, but I was determined to get through this feeling
I felt a burning sensation under my eyes, which drew out an eruption of tears My throat clogged with a knotted lump that made it difficult to speak It was at this point that the EFT truly began We discussed what the actual feeling I was experiencing was; the actual reaction that happens in my body. The shaking and sweating was normal, but it wasn't an emotional reaction. I really had to focus on the ice-cold turquoise block in my chest, and amber teardrop of fire under my eyes, as these were the shrapnel from the energy bomb that blew up the first time I ever encountered Pettigrew With those feelings firmly in mind, the therapist walked me through the ‘tapping method’
It sounds ridiculous, or at least to me it did, but in EFT you have to tap specific points in your body in order to release the negative feelings It wasn’t dissimilar to acupunctureminus the needles of course Holding up my hand like its own little island, I had to tap across the affectionately labelled ‘karate chop’ section, repeating the phrase: "Even though I have this phobia, this burning feeling under my eyes and ice block in my stomach, I still love and accept myself.” That felt weird. It’s not exactly something you say to yourself
everyday, and I couldn’t help but laugh at how awkward a statement it was. But, as the therapist explained, you have to say it in order for you to process the fact that you have this phobia, and it’s ok
The tapping continued, each time changing the phrase used and meridian lines. I had to tap the crown of my head, collarbone, rib, septum and forehead, repeating little phrases I had come up with to explain what I felt when I saw him My brain automatically said "oh crap" and "I need to look away", so these were the things we used when tapping
Each time a round of this tapping finished, I had to evaluate how intense my reaction was Where was it on a scale of zero to 10? And, sure enough, each time the number decreased until, finally after four rounds, it hit zero It was done. It was over.
Walking home, I felt relieved - maybe this crazy treatment had worked, and just maybe I’d finally be free? The prospect of beating the constant downpour of worry and anxiety my phobia had given me generated some confidence. Perhaps too much.
Practically prancing home, spring in my step, I was eager to test this new found ability out It was like this EFT had given me a superpower,
and I wanted to know how much I could do So, naturally I went right into the deep end; I watched the very scene from the film that bothered me the most Risky choice
Trawling through YouTube video upon YouTube video, the confidence grew I was staring at each thumbnail, each picture of Peter Pettigrew, without so much as a flinch Countless video clips later, I found my foe. That one scene that had dug into my subconscious for 13 years was finally in-front of me. ‘Watch now ’ , the button on the screen pleaded. So I clicked.
Anxiety racing through me with the full force of an overblown volcano, my mind took over. “What if you're scared again? What if this didn't work?” But this was just my brain trying to protect me; it didn't know that the emotional twinge that had been trapped inside my nerves was finally gone. I pushed past it, desperate to find some closure and flip the bird at my demon The picture was dark, Harry was standing beside Ron and that rat Scabbers was in his hands As soon as the picture had appeared on the screen, the rat flew out of his hands It scurried its way to the corner of the room, and with that began to grow Twisted with the magic of CGI, this creature gradually crafted itself into that of a man. The very man that terrified me. But this time the growth from the rat figure to human, complete with expanding nose and rodent like grimace, had nothing on my new powers.
“I can do this,” I repeated to myself, out loud like a crazed maniac. “I’m not scared, he can’t hurt me anymore. ” The words circulated the air around me, providing their own little bubble of safety. I was in charge this time, not my phobia.
Later that night, Pettigrew visited me again. It was dark, and the light from my window pushed itself into every crevice of the room, illuminating each shadowy figure until they looked like him. The open doorway infront of me hugged the darkness, drawing in images of that rat character He was in the doorway I knew he was
Suddenly I was back to being five years old, and terrified All the progress and confidence from before had been drained from me, left in a puddle of pity But the phrases from the session returned Once again they circled around my head: “You can do this You’re not afraid ” And this time, I was ok
The shadows faded until the room was just black Peter Pettigrew had disappeared For good this time And with that, I could finally sleep in the dark
“‘I can do this, I’m not scared’ The words circulated the air around me, providing their own little bubble of safety. I was in charge this time, not my phobia”
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