Simon Adams, Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Adrian Brown, Suchi Chatterjee, Stella Dickinson, Craig Hanlon-Smith, Samuel Hall, Enzo Marra, 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
Sophie Cook, Ian Courtier, Tyrone Darling, Graham Hobson Photography (Captain Cockroach), James Ledward, Jack Lynn
All work appearing in Gscene Ltd is copyright It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated on the page concerned
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in an electronic or other retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers
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James Ledward savours the flavours of North Africa 23 HORSE & JOCKEY A gay-friendly destination in heart of Peak District 50 IT’S PANTO TIME! Where are the local Drag Queens this Christmas?
MR GAY EUROPE TO HELP KEEP HOMELESS WARM AND FED THIS CHRISTMAS
Help Mr Gay UK make the lives of the homeless who live on the city's streets a little better this Christmas
CHRISTMAS ON THE STREETS WITH MCC
) Metropolitan Community Church Brighton (MCC Brighton), the church that takes its worship onto the Old Steine every Wednesday, is holding its Christmas Eve ser vice this year at the Clock Tower in the hear t of Brighton on Sunday, December 24 from 4pm
Last year, MCC Brighton gave away bags of gifts to the homeless at the Carol Service they hosted This year they will be offering carols, communion and refreshments, and once again will have gift bags to give away
Pastor Andrew R amage, says: “ We believe that the church should have no boundaries, that Christmas is for everyone and so we bring church out of the building to where it was always meant to be, in the heart of the community We believe that church should be accessible to everyone, whatever their situation I’m inviting everyone to come along between 4–6pm by the Clock Tower on Sunday, December 24 Take a break from the frenzy of lastminute shopping and join us ”
For more information about MCC Brighton, view: www.mccbrighton.org.uk/
) Matt R ood, the current Mr Gay Europe, will be helping the homeless and their dogs on the streets of the city this Christmas, and is asking people to offer their suppor t by donating goods they no longer need for him to hand out via the Sussex Homeless Suppor t Project
Matt needs flasks, camping gear, sleeping bags, rolling mats, warm clothing, jumpers, socks, toiletries, dog blankets and dog treats
You can take your donations to the Sunday Kitchen at the Clock Tower every Sunday between 1-3pm, where the 15-20 regular volunteers from the Sussex Homeless Suppor t will distribute them, along with Matt, to those in need, and where the homeless can get something warm to drink and eat
You can also drop off your donations at the project’s offices at Unit 7, 196 Old Shoreham R oad, Hove
For more information check out their Facebook page: Sussex Homeless Suppor t CIO/ Sussex Economic Suppor t
BAR BROADWAY RAISE £300 FOR ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
) Bar Broadway in Steine Street marked Remembrance Sunday last month (November 12), with a fundraising benefit, raising £300 for the R oyal British Legion Jennie Castell hosted the evening, singing standards from the 1930s and 40s from her war time show, to a very appreciative audience Some of the staff and customers were dressed in military costume which added to the ambiance of the evening
Michael McGarrigle, one of the owners of Bar Broadway, has worked as a costume supervisor on the TV show Benidorm for the last five years He raffled off some memorabilia from the show given only to the crew, including a large beach towel with the Benidorm logo on it and a sarong with the Benidorm logo on it, and a limited edition bottle of Cava which staff were given to celebrate the 50th episode of the show Michael, said: “It was a brilliant night and I would like to thank everyone for coming along and supporting such as great cause ”
MINDOUT CELEBRATES 2017 ACHIEVEMENTS
) The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Mo Marsh, joined ser vice users and suppor ters of MindOut, the LGBT+ mental health ser vice, at their annual celebration event on Wednesday, November 15 at Dorset Gardens
Methodist Church
MindOut were celebrating their sixth year being a successful independent charity and their 18th year providing ser vices to LGBT+ people with mental health issues in Brighton & Hove
Director Helen Jones gave a roundup of the charity's achievements and work plan during the previous 12 months highlighting the impor tance of their new counselling ser vice which is funded by Bear-Patrol and the R ainbow Fund
Other ser vices on offer include an Advice & Information ser vice, Advocacy Project, Peer Suppor t Groups, Peer Mentoring Project, Suicide Prevention, Wellbeing Project, Online Chat and Online Suppor t
Ser vice users gave testimonies on what MindOut means to them, leaving no-one present in any doubt of the effectiveness of the ser vices being offered
Following the annual MindOut awards being presented, ever yone tucked into a delicious buffet produced by Lunch Positive, the HIV Lunch Club
MindOut have a couple of free places on the Brighton Marathon for people who want to r un and raise money for them
For more infor mation about the marathon, view: www mindout org uk/brightonmarathon-weekend-2018/
For more infor mation about the ser vices that MindOut provide, view: www mindout org uk
WORLD AIDS DAY
The Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day (WAD) Par tnership are organising a series of events to mark World AIDS Day on Friday December 1 The par tnership includes: Aver t, BHCC Par tnership Community Safety Team, Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, Gscene, Lunch Positive, Sussex Beacon, The Sussex Community Foundation NHS Trust Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy and THT.
WAD EVENTS - FRIDAY DECEMBER 1
COMMUNITY EVENTS
) REFLECT HIV-VIH: What does World Aids Day mean to you?
Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton Drop in anytime from 12 noon–5pm Interact with a variety of reflection stations (alone or with others), to make your own personal World Aids Day journey The HIV Chaplain will be available throughout
) LUNCH POSITIVE COMMUNITY
DROP-IN, Main Hall (1st floor)
Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton Drop in anytime from 3 30–5 30pm Friends, suppor ters, vigil readers, and everyone interested in what Lunch Positive does are invited to drop-in to the HIV lunch club This is an informal community event and Lunch Club volunteers will be on hand to make everyone welcome You’re invited to go along for tea and coffee and something tasty to eat before the World AIDS Day Vigil & Reading of Names There is no charge and Lunch Positive hope to see as many people as possible The building is fully accessible
) MEMORIAL SPACE, New Steine Gardens, Brighton Lunch Positive R efreshment Stall from 4-7pm Lunch Positive will be offering hot drinks to everyone attending the World AIDS Day Vigil & Reading of Names Volunteers will be on hand to answer
questions about the evening’s events, and to take additional names of those we have lost to be read at the vigil
CANDLELIT VIGIL
) BRIGHTON AIDS MEMORIAL CANDLELIT VIGIL, New Steine Gardens, Brighton, from 6–7pm Everyone is welcome to attend the remembrance event for those lost to HIV/AIDS in Brighton & Hove with a Reading of Names and a Candlelit Vigil Space will be available for anyone seeking quiet moments of reflection New names to be read (in addition to those read in previous years) can be emailed to susshivchap@gmail com by November 27, or can be added to the list during the day at the Memorial Space in New Steine Gardens
CHOIRS CONCERT
) WORLD AIDS DAY CONCERT, St Mar y’s Church, St James Street, Brighton, doors open 7pm, concer t at 7.30pm with performances by the Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, Brighton Belles Women’s Chorus, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, R ainbow Chorus, R ebelles Female Voices, R esound Male Voices, Qukelele and Sweet Chilli Singers. Tickets £10, available online from www BrightonWADconcer t info and from Prowler on St James Street All proceeds to Lunch Positive
Follow the Par tnership on Facebook@ World AIDS Day – Brighton & Hove f /worldAIDSdayBH
RAINBOW FUND ‘MEETUP’ INITIATIVE
) Do you know about the world wide proliferation of Meetup groups where people with common interests get together and socialise? The Rainbow Fund has noticed that applications they receive for funding are increasingly targeted toward projects which address social isolation amongst those who identif y as LGBT+ In response to this the R ainbow Fund has launched a new initiative to suppor t local LGBT+Meetup groups and encourage the formation of new ones
The Rainbow Fund recently facilitated a summit for those involved in the LGBT sector in Brighton & Hove There were representatives of many of the longer established groups, such as the R ainbow Chorus, BLAGSS and Sea Serpents, that are formally constituted groups with committees, constitutions etc that continue to act as popular and essential hubs for social interaction through singing and spor t in these instances Projects like GEMS and Older & Out provide ways for LGBT+ elders to meet as well as the LGBT+ specific choirs and professional networks There were also delegates representing Meetup groups, and the Rainbow Fund were surprised at the range of LGBT+ Meetup groups and how many people were members of these groups
THE RAINBOW FUND MEETUP INITIATIVE
Meetups are a brilliant way to encourage more LGBT+ communities to engage with those around them, encourage friendships and facilitate even more community spirit So welcome to the R ainbow Fund Meetups Initiative
) Suppor t for existing Brighton & Hove LGBT+ Meetup com groups
Grants of up to £250 per year to cover the costs of membership of, and a presence on, Meetups com and a little toward establishing a bursary scheme where appropriate, or toward adver tising Criteria: minimum of equivalent of six Meetups per year and minimum average attendance of 10 attendees per Meetup
) Encouragement and practical help to set up new Brighton & Hove LGBT+ groups. If you can identif y an oppor tunity for ‘like-minded’ people to get together you’ll get help to it set up and cover cost of registering with Meetup com
) Identifying and suppor ting meetup groups’ engagement in the wider community An excellent way to empower members of our communities is through volunteering, buddying, mentoring etc, as well as fundraising The Rainbow Fund are well placed to put you in touch with projects providing such oppor tunities, and can distribute any funds you raise The Rainbow Fund main grants programme funds projects suppor ting local LGBT+ and HIV communities
To apply for the Rainbow Fund Meetups Initiative funding, visit www rainbowfund.org and send an email using the ‘contact us’ facility (Don’t use the ‘apply for a grant’ facility as this is specifically for main grants round applications)
To find existing LGBT+ Meet Ups, visit meetup com and search using filters for location and LGBT Here are some examples of the diversity of groups already in existence locally: Brighton Over 35s Lesbian & Queer Women’s Gathering (1,200 lesbian & queer folk); Brighton Lesbian & Gay R eal Ale Drinkers Meetup (104 real ale drinkers); Brighton Gay Girls & Boys Over 35s Fun Nights (199 members); Brighton & Hove LGBTQIAP Geeks (326 geeks); Brighton Queer Books Group (491 members); Bird in the Bush (259 lesbian members); Gaybourhood South East, your gay social network (837 members); Brighton & Hove Femmes for Femmes (206 femmes); Sapphic Sparks Events – Lesbian Socials (465 sapphic ladies); Brighton & Hove Gay & Bi Men Social Group (510 gay socialites); Conscious CoParenting & Single Parenting LGBTQ&S Events (147 potential co-parents); Brighton Trans Meetup (156 peeps); Healthy Living Lesbians in Brighton (218 HLL); the Gay Men’s Dance Company Brighton (99 members); EnterGayMenT in Brighton – Gay Men’s Social & Fun Events (135 members); Yoga for Lesbian, Bisexual & Queer Women (Brighton & Hove) (96 members); Brighton Gay Dads (12 Dads - brand new group) In addition, there are many LGBT+ friendly Meetups, including the GLOW choir, and the Naked Network, and many centred around activities and interests which you may have and where you’ll be welcome
BARRY JOINSON SETS UP NEW NETWORKING GROUP FOR LGBT+ PROFESSIONALS IN SUSSEX
) May 2014 The train jour ney to London had been hellish as nor mal Having r un from Green Park tube, the rain leaving me like a drowned rat, I walked through the cor ridors of the mansion block to where my first networking event, as a business owner, was about to unfold
Years in the corporate world, with an immediately recognisable job title, hadn’t prepared me for this Here I was an unknown, entirely out of my comfor t zone Had it not been for JD, a smiling man wearing a tiny rainbow lapel pin, I may well have r un a mile
Fast for ward to spring 2017, chatting to a colleague I told him how rarely a day goes by without an LGBT+ client telling me they miss the old pub scene and that the club circuit isn't intellectually fulfilling He was surprised that like him, so many of us spend so much time dedicated to our career, we str uggle to meet and meaningfully connect with other people in our communities
Hearing this stor y again and again from so many people, encouraged me to take action - to find a safe space to meet, chat, share ideas and connect with LGBT+ professionals, without being bombarded with sales messages and business cards
In October, I hosted the first Sussex LGBT+ Professionals event in Brighton at the Malmaison Hotel in Brighton Marina Within a month, I had over 100 people wanting to know more The guest list now includes directors of global banks, psychotherapists, film makers and dentists, all wanting to meet, connect and make friends with other career and business minded people like them
My aim is to develop a monthly social network that ser ves our diverse and thriving professional LGBT+ communities in Sussex
The next three meetings are on Januar y 10, Februar y 15 and March 14 all star ting at 7.30pm at Malmaison Hotel If you are interested in joining us, please email: info@barr yjoinson com Barry Joinson
BLUEPRINT 22 CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN SUSSEX
) Blueprint 22 Youth Project held their annual Youth Awards Ceremony on Sunday, October 29 at the East Wor thing Community Centre, professionally hosted by one of their young people, Sergio McKellen aka Myelin Sheath Awards were presented in
recognition of those attending the project as well as individuals businesses and organisations suppor ting the project
Enter tainment was provided by young people at the project and included the per for mance of original poetr y and singing
ONE NUMBER, ONE WEBSITE FOR UNPAID CARERS ACROSS THE CITY
) Local MPs Caroline Lucas (Brighton Pavilion) and Peter Kyle (Hove & Por tslade) attended the launch of a new Carers Hub last month (November 24) on Brighton Seafront Carers Hub, a brand new phone line (01273 977 000) and dedicated website (www carershub co uk) for unpaid carers in Brighton & Hove will provide a comprehensive resource of relevant information, advice and access to organisations who can make life a bit easier for carers
The Hub is a par tnership between three prominent local charities (the Carers Centre for Brighton & Hove, Alzheimer ’s Society and Crossroads Care Brighton, Hove and East Sussex) and Local Authority assessment staff, who have joined together to build a focal point for unpaid carers ensuring they receive the right suppor t, at the right time, in the right place Unpaid carers say that having a central point for information, advice and suppor t is one of the most impor tant things they need to navigate the health and social care services for the people they look after
Following the press conference an open top bus sponsored by Brighton & Hove Bus & Coach Company toured the city, visiting Churchill Square, Brighton R ailway Station and Brighton Marina At each stop the Carers Hub team engaged passers-by and distributed information leaflets to generate awareness for the new initiative Information stalls were set up at Brighton R ailway Station, One Stop Travel Shop and Jubilee Librar y
Caroline Lucas MP , the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:
“I’m delighted to celebrate the launch of the ‘Carers Hub’ today, an initiative which will allow The Carers Centre for Brighton & Hove to continue to support the many unpaid carers in the city
The Carers Centre is a vital resource that makes a significant difference to those managing such heavy responsibilities, helping them to access support and guidance when they need it The Carers Hub will be a valuable addition to the city, helping to improve the quality of life for carers and young carers in Brighton & Hove ”
Peter Kyle, MP for Hove & Por tslade, added: “The Carers Centre for Brighton & Hove is a vital local charity supporting unpaid carers, and I'm over-the-moon that this successful bid for funding will allow them to continue their vital work The support both young and adult carers receive from the Centre is something I'm very proud of so I'm honoured to be supporting the celebration which confirms that their work can continue "
Chris Lau, Director, The Carers Centre for Brighton & Hove, said: “ We are delighted to continue our work with unpaid carers and take a lead on this initiative, which aims to make unpaid carers’ life a bit easier by having one phone number and one website to get information and support that they well deserve ”
Peter Field, Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, added: “As Patron of the Carers Centre I am delighted at the launch of this new venture and I would like to enlist your support
The Carers Centre always puts carer satisfaction at the heart of everything they do, no matter what age a carer is they strive to give them outstanding support If you feel there is any way you can help, either financially or by volunteering do please get in touch ”
LGBT CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
) OneBodyOneFaith continue their work challenging homophobia within an inclusive church, with an LGBT Carol Ser vice on Friday, December 22 at 7.30pm at St George's Church, 3 St George’s Rd, Kemptown
The Rev Andrew Woodward, Diocese of Chichester, LGBT Liaison Officer, will be preaching and the service will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies Everyone is welcome to attend For more info, email: nigelnash@me com
LUNCH POSITIVE’S CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR OPENING TIMES
) Lunch Positive, the weekly HIV lunch club, is open throughout December with some special events planned
• Friday 1: A members special World AIDS Day Lunch attended by the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Mo Marsh
• Friday 15: Lunch Club Christmas Lunch and R affle
• Friday 22: Christmas Buffet with food parcels available for people to help them over the Christmas and New Year period
• Friday 29: Early New Year ’s Celebration Lunch
• Friday, Januar y 5: New Year ’s R oast Lunch
Gar y Pargeter, Lunch Positive service manager, said: "We’ve a busy December planned, and are overwhelmed by the generosity of our volunteers and helping members to ensure the service continues to be provided consistently
throughout the winter holidays This month, helping members, volunteers and trustees will work together and give over 400 hours of their time to deliver the lunch club
“At a time of year when social isolation, loneliness, essential spending and financial pressures can be especially challenging we are determined to do everything we can to support our community We’re always ready to meet new people with HIV who would like to join the lunch club So if you or anyone you know is interested then please get in touch and spread the word “ We’re a service for people with HIV, provided by people with lived experience of HIV We have a very friendly group of volunteers who are always available at lunches to help new members settle in We’ve seen a large number of new people join us this year and it’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know each other There is always room for more!”
For more information about Lunch Positive, view: www.lunchpositive.org
TIM AND JOSE TIE THE KNOT
) Theatre producer Tim Anscombe married his par tner of 13 years, Jose Da Silva, at a ceremony in front of friends and family in Brighton Town Hall on Thursday, November 9 After the ceremony the happy couple flew off for a romantic honeymoon in Madeira, where Jose is originally from
OLD SHIP HOTEL CELEBRATE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PAGANINI BALLROOM WITH BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS
)
The Old Ship Hotel on Brighton seafront celebrated the 250th anniversar y of its Paganini Ballroom on Friday, October 27 An impressive invited guest list of business leaders, hoteliers media and politicians were enter tained by the Brighton Gay Men's Chorus
The oldest hotel in the city, over the years the Old Ship has played host to a long list of famous people including Kings, Queens, Winston Churchill and is now home to some annual LGBT+ functions including Bear-Patrol's Hibernation Community Luncheon and one of the Adult Pantomimes
The Cairn Hotel Group purchased the hotel in 2016, and have impressive plans to upgrade the hotel Over the years the original building has been added to and the magnificent Paganini Ballroom which is at the rear of the building has just undergone an extensive refurbishment to marks its 250th bir thday
To celebrate, the Old Ship's head chef Philip Mesquitta creatively devised a menu to take the guests through the eras of the 20th Century
First Course: 1930s–50s: Ships R ations
Served In a sealed tin can, this dish represented war time rations with a modern twist A trio of canned smoked and cured fish, seaweed crispbread, samphire salad, and beetroot cream cheese
Second Course: 1950s–70s: Arrival of Flavour
Throughout this time England’s food star ted to have great influence from Indian and Chinese spices and herbs, most of all Tikka, which became a favourite Chilled and pressed slow braised lamb shoulder
tikka, mango ketchup, burnt onion puree, curr y pickled cucumber, mini cauliflower and spinach bhaji, yogur t
Main Course: 1970s–90s: Nouveaux Cuisine
Par ticularly in the 80s, the British star ted to take on a French influence; with a fine dining approach to food, a more delicate and refined approach Chicken cordon bleu (with Sussex scrumpy cheese, topped with toasted brioche), leg lollypop, sage & onion dauphinoise, crispy skin and baby vegetables, jus
Desser t: 1990s–present: Gresham showcase of the Naughty’s
A spectacular array of miniature desser ts, taking some old ideas and presenting with a fresh new style Featuring cones, macaroons, mini eclairs, cheesecake, and cocktail based miniatures
The impressive food courses were served by lines of waiters in unison (a rarity nowadays outside of big capitol cities) The deser t table was the most unique I’ve been tempted by in a long, time and Brighton Gay Men's Chorus who were at the top of their game, were the icing on the cake
Final little touches including a live string quar tet and a cour t jester all added to a first class experience and job well done from General Manager Paul Wright and his team A first class night out! Here's to the next 250 years
The Old Ship Hotel, King’s R oad, Brighton BN1 1NR For room reservations and banqueting call: 01273 329 001
BRIGHTON BEAR HALLOWEEN PARTY BREAKS THE VAULT FOR RAINBOW FUND
) This year's annual Brighton Bear Halloween par ty raised a record breaking £533 for the R ainbow Fund The Night of The Living Zomibears, held at Subline on Saturday, October 27, was a huge success with many turning out in costume to enjoy the raucous par ty atmosphere Top prizes donated by Brighton Gin, Clone Zone and the Camelford Arms were given to those in the best outfits
Graham Munday, Chair of Brighton Bear Weekend, said: "The party went really well especially as we had so much competition on that night People turned up early and stayed late I must say thank you to Subline staff, Steven Lee, Polly, DJ Screwpulous and the bar staff Craig Warren and John Tovey On the door, Sharon bravely kept all the beautiful freaks in the club Thank you to the companies that donated prizes "
BBW are getting ready for their Ver y Bear y Christmas Weekend star ting on Saturday, December 9 with Bear-a-oke at Bar Broadway from 7-9 30pm
BALLS UP BINGO' FUNDRAISING TOTAL PASSES £1,000 FOR THT
) Mrs Moore receives cer tificate from Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) acknowledging the £1,000 raised during Mrs Moore's Bona Balls Up Bingo at Charles Street Tap £1 from every ticket sold for the wacky bingo sessions, which take place in a plastic swimming pool, is donated to THT The £440 raised during the present season brings the total raised over the last three seasons of bingo by Charles Street Tap for THT to over £1,000
DARON JAMES HOGG
) Daron Hogg entered the world on January 2, 1968 and passed away on October 30 at 12 13am At just 49 years old, Daron had already crammed in several lifetimes wor th of experience I met Daron in the very early 1980s when he was 15 years old I’d never met any other human being quite like him: loud, brash, hyperactive, hilariously funny and bubbling over with ambition and a confidence that was inspiring At a very early age Daron was already one of Brighton's most recognised characters, having made national headlines with his Boy George impersonation To call him a child star would not be far from the truth
Daron put together 'the amazing Liquorice Allsor ts', a motley collection of Brighton's post-punk misfits and freaks who mercilessly lampooned pop stars of the time Nothing like the Allsor ts had been seen before It’s difficult to describe the impact and influence this act had on the cabaret circuit but with Daron's vision, talent and drive they became a top attraction, winning several awards and touring the world - not bad for a teenage misfit! Daron didn't just 'think' outside the box, he didn't even recognise the existence of a box!
By the time I joined the group in the mid 1980s they were already an institution and some of the most exciting times of my life were spent with Daron Tales of the group’s outrageous adventures are the stuff of legend Being chased across Istanbul in drag or being threatened by neo-nazi types in east Germany So many memories that could fill volumes! Living 24 hours a day with Daron was anything but dull
Not one to be pinned down, Daron created a new cabaret show, Debbie Dogg & Sonya Gusset, pushing his love of absurd comedy to the forefront These shows were chaotic and experimental, my memories of our tours are ones of hysterical laughter When we found ourselves without cash after a show in Blackpool one freezing January we were forced to sleep rough in a car park Daron decided that he’d wear a full wedding dress and veil to keep warm In fact he wore it all the way back home, typical behaviour
Later Daron would go on to make an extraordinarily bold move, inventing a live weekly chat show at the Zanzibar An entirely new concept, complex and difficult to plan and stage Every week the show appeared as if from a different country with themed stage decor Daron would be joined by guest 'celebrities', there were videoed interviews and live 'outside broadcasts' as well as vocal performances and competitions Everything was ad libbed with no script whatsoever Only a mad person would create such a challenge each and every week - Daron was that mad person! 'Debbie Dogg' would later star t appearing and touring in the popular plastic show
Away from the stage his larger than life persona and 'f**k it' attitude never left him for a second He dearly loved his friends and family and was devoted to animals Daron's most essential item was the telephone and his calls could come at any time of the day or night, often for no reason When my phone would ring it would mostly be Daron pretending to be Stevie Nicks or Doris Stokes He would hold entire hour-long calls as his favourite characters Sadly all our telephones lie silent these days
Daron's humour and love of life never left him even during illness He was inspiring, wonderful, infuriatingly difficult and utterly spectacular He was like family to me and I loved him Goodnight Dazzle, my 'brother' It's been amazing!
Sean Chapman
HIBERNATION COMMUNITY LUNCH RAISES
£9,193.04 FOR GOOD CAUSES
) Tickets for this year’s Hibernation Community Lunch, organised by BearPatrol at the Old Ship Hotel towards the end of October, sold out months in advance raising a magnificent total of £9,193.04 for local good causes
Danny Dwyer and Bear-Patrol have donated £5,000 for LGBT mental health service MindOut, to help towards the set up costs of their new counselling service, and £4,193.04 to Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, to help with their innovative approach to community development work
Graeme Atack, on behalf of Bear-Patrol, welcomed the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Mo Marsh, to the sixth annual luncheon before inviting everyone to take their seats in the surroundings of the magnificent Paganini Ballroom for community fundraising and a very impressive four-course lunch
Mysterr y Shaw hosted the afternoon’s enter tainment, which included vocal sets from Jennie Castell, Krissie Ducann and a stunning show from headliner
Miss Hope Springs whose performance, of the very highest standard, captivated the room for a full 50 minutes with unique patter and original songs
Excitement reached fever pitch during a bidding war for the main auction prize: an original painting of the pop icon George Michael by local ar tist Lez Ingham, which resulted in life par tners Mark Halloran and Chris Danger field bidding against each other to secure the painting, which had been commissioned and painted especially for the occasion, raising an impressive £3,300!
Specials thanks to professional Toast Master Mr Dan Hale and auctioneer Jennie Castell assisted by Graeme Atack who brilliantly handled the auction, making sure the bidding was clean and fair on all the lots which had been donated by suppor ters and local businesses Special mention for the technical crew of Carole Todd - director, Budge Magraw - lighting, Sam Eddison - sound and Mandie Brame from Fabricate Décor who decorated the room
Next year’s Bear-Patrol Hibernation community lunch will once again be at the Old Ship Hotel on Sunday, October 21 To book your ticket email: info@bearpatrol.org.uk they are already selling very fast
BRIGHTON GEMS CELEBRATE 20 YEARS BRINGING
OLDER
LGBT+ PEOPLE TOGETHER
) Brighton GEMS celebrated their 20th anniversar y in November 2017 with a cabaret dinner at the Queens Hotel in the presence of the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Mo Marsh In her welcoming speech, The Mayor congratulated Brighton GEMS on reaching their 20th Anniversary and mentioned the impor tance of social networking groups to older LGBT+ people
Guest speaker for the evening was Peter Otto, a former chair of GEMS who gave a shor t history of the group since it originally formed in 1997, when it was called the Older Lesbian and Gay Men’s Forum, to the present day Following a delicious three-course meal, the group were enter tained by Katie and Emma aka The Nightingales, a close harmony singing duo who performed many favourites from the 1940s made famous by The Andrews Sisters
2017 had been a par ticularly difficult year for GEMS and at one time it looked like the group might not survive However, following external help facilitated and funded by Community Works, with the assistance of Gar y Pargeter from Lunch Positive, a new committee was elected and the group are once again running a program of activities including 10-pin bowling, walks, swimming sessions, film nights and two social meetings each month at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church (second Monday of each month from 2.30-4.30pm and the final Friday of each month from 7-9pm) They also under take day trips to places of interest and the theatre
In 2011, GEMS received the Queen’s Award for Voluntar y Ser vice to the Community - the first LGBT+ organisation in the country to be honoured with the award
To contact GEMS and for full details of coming social events, view: www.brightongems.com
FRIDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2018
SHOW
SATURDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2018
DOORS 7PM SHOW 7.30PM TICKETS £13 50 /£12 CONCS INCLUDES SPECIAL Q&A SESSION AFTER THE SHOW!
Cream Tea
MONDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2018
THURSDAY 1ST MARCH 2018 FREE
SOPHIE JOINS RADIO REVERB
) A new weekly radio show was launched in October on R adioR everb addressing local issues and serving up an eclectic mix of music and chat Media personality Sophie Cook has joined the team at RadioReverb with a new talk show - Sophie Cook Talks The show features tunes from Sophie's own record (she refuses to call them vinyl) collection spanning the entire history of popular music, from Gil Scott Heron to Por tishead and Etta James to The Liber tines, alongside her unique brand of insightful comment about the local news stories that affect our lives Each week Sophie will be joined by regular studio guests to educate, inspire and enter tain her listeners
Commenting about the new programme, producer and presenter Sophie Cook, said:
“During my first year at secondary school a friend brought a copy of The Who’s seminal album Quadrophenia into class and said ‘you’ve got to hear this!’ From that moment I was hooked; music, and Brighton, were now my first loves I’ve still got the copy of that album that I bought the following week, along with some 500 or so others that I’ve bought in the intervening decades
“Over the years I’ve been privileged to work in the music industry and have spent the past decade photographing Peter Doherty and The Libertines, and even got to shoot my heroes The Who To be given an opportunity to play my favourite tunes alongside speaking about the issues that really matter is a dream come true I can’t think of a better place to do it than in this amazing city that we call home, and on the city’s most diverse radio station, the wonderful RadioReverb!"
Sophie stood for the Labour par ty in the safe Tory seat of East Wor thing & Shoreham at the 2017 General Election She polled 20,882 votes, slashing the majority of Tim Loughton the sitting Conservative MP in half to just 5,106 votes, while delivering a 19 8 swing to Labour, their biggest in the country
Tracey Allen, Station Director said: “ We’re delighted to welcome Sophie to RadioReverb and looking forward to hearing her on the airwaves every Wednesday at 5pm talking about the issues that matter in Brighton, Hove and beyond! Sophie is well-known by all the movers and shakers in the city and brings with her a huge amount of experience, knowledge of music and even more diversity to the station "
Catch Sophie, her chat and her tunes, every Wednesday at 5pm on DAB+ online and at 97 2FM Check out Sophie’s show page: www radioreverb com
DOCTOR BRIGHTON’S SMILEY SUNDAY
) Smiley Sunday comedy night is about to hit double figures and will be celebrating in fine style at Doctor Brighton’s on December 17! This Smiley Sunday is the closing par t of a charity fun day being held at Doctor Brighton’s to benefit TIA Volunteers - the organisation for volunteers in Africa - and all proceeds will be going to this great cause
On the night there will be a raffle, happy hour prices at the bar all night as well as the buy one get one free cocktails deal! Headliner for the evening is South Coast Comedian of the Year 2015, Joe Foster who will be joined by R ob Dumbrell, Will Preston, Hassan Der vish, Karen Blott, Matt Nicholson and David "Riggs" R egan Compere for the evening is Brodi Snook!
Smiley Sunday No. 9 is at Doctor Brighton’s, 16-17 King’s Rd, Brighton on Sunday, December 17 at 7.30pm, entry £3
BAR PERSON PROFILE: MICHAEL DAVID @ LEGENDS
The first person many LGBT+ folk meet when they arrive in the city is the bar person at their local LGBT+ venue. These gatekeepers to the community provide an impor tant role both befriending and signposting new arrivals to the city Gscene finds out a bit more about them and what makes them tick
) Where are you from? Well I’m half English half Arabic so spent the early par t of my life in Baghdad. Since then I’ve cr uised round Manchester and Brighton
What brought you to Brighton? I heard Madonna lived here.
How long have your worked at Legends? On and off for 132 years now
Oddest request? Why is Madonna playing again? And that’s from my colleagues
Worst kind of punter?
Homophobic, indecisive, racist and those who don’t like Madonna are the worst punters
What do you do when it’s quiet?
Clean If there’s time to lean, there’s time to clean I’m of ten found on my knees scr ubbing I find it ver y therapeutic
Difference between ale and beer? Ale and beer, its to do with the fer menting process isn’t it? Have a lager it’s just easier
Can you pull a pint? Yes Best in town I mean Kemptown maybe
Do you prefer to be shaken or stirred? Stir red all the way babes
Favourite tipple? Champagne, followed by a few G&Ts with Fever Tree tonic
What makes you roll your eyes? Stupid people And those who don’t like Madonna
Are those really your photos on Grindr? NO, I’ve been with my Andy for years so not on it
What makes a per fect bar person? Somebody friendly, proactive and hard working
Where do you like to go out? When I’m not propping up the bar at Legends it’s the other Kemptown Bars or the nice straight bars
Tell us a secret... I’m straight
Favourite Book? Anything based on a tr ue stor y.
Favourite ar tists? Madonna, Cher, George Michael, Whitneybasically all the gay icons. Your nickname behind the bar? Baaaaaaaabes
What gets you swinging your hips? DJ Claire’s Disney treats on a Wednesday night at Legends It’s a blast, ever yone should come!
THE BLUE MAN
Flavours of Nor th Africa in Manchester Street by James Ledward
) I first dined at The Blue Man in the late 1990s when it was located on Edward Street in Brighton Since then the restaurant has popped up at various locations around the city, including Queens Road and next door to Doctor Brighton’s in Little East Street It’s now in Manchester Street, Kemptown, at the hear t of the gay village
The name, The Blue Man, comes from the Saharan deser t nomads called Tuaregs The indigo dye used on their robes literally stains their skin blue - as a result, they are called ‘L’homme bleu’
What hasn’t changed during the intervening years is who does the cooking Majik Benslimane is the chef and proprietor - his passion for acquainting people with the flavours of Nor th African cuisine and soul food remains as strong today as when he first opened the restaurant in 1997 Majik is a flavours man - his dishes are a reflection of his personality and his menus are a kaleidescope of flavours, colours, tender sweet meat and flavoursome fish
We star ted with Aghroum Ftir (£5 50) served with the most wonderful homemade flatbread and dips Highly recommended and a great way to get the feasting star ted
For star ters we chose a vegetarian option, Halloumi Kaswila bel R omman (grilled apple and halloumi topped with honey and pomegranate on caramelised onion served with carrot and rosewater) (£7), and a gluten free option, Merguez A Dar bel Bisbas (spicy lamb sausages with steamed fennel, spinach and harissa - a house speciality) (£8.50) To make harissa, chillies are blended into a thick paste with garlic, olive oil, aromatic spices, and a squeeze of lemon and mint to spice the lamb up perfectly, and it most cer tainly did! The fusion of honey, pomegranate and grilled apple created the perfect foil to the halloumi which can sometimes be bland This halloumi cer tainly wasn’t bland and both star ters were spot on
I couldn’t visit a Nor th African restaurant without trying a tagine I chose the Khrouf bel Barkok wal Loz (lamb tagine with homemade bread, couscous and harissa) (£14) The slow cooked lamb was tender with the most wonderful taste and the couscous possibly the best I’ve sampled in a very long time - light and flaky Our second main course choice was Houta bel R ox wal Zaafran (baked fillet of sea bass with orange and sumac served on a bed of saffron couscous) (£15) The lemon and orange teased out the flavour of the fish to perfection
We finished off our meal with homemade Baklava bel Lous (a traditional almond and rosewater pastr y with honey and mixed nuts) (£6) and Baghrir (Nor th African pancakes served with seasonal fruits and ginger and rosewater ice cream) Both desser ts were truly spectacular
The Blue Man carry a good selection of wines from all over the world with bottles of the house wine costing just £18 However, make sure you don’t leave without trying the fresh mint tea
Along with the main a la car te menu there’s a twocourse express menu at £14.50 and a Lunchtime Special of Kemia tagine with salad and bread at £10 per head
The restaurant, which is on three floors, is beautifully decorated and the ethnic ornaments create an authentic Nor th African ambiance
THE BLUE MAN
) 10 Manchester St, Brighton, Tel: 01273 605 885 www bluemanrestaurant com
BRIGHTON COUPLE ACQUIRE FREEHOUSE IN THE PEAK DISTRICT
A gay-friendly LGBT+ destination in the hear t of the Peak District
) In early September, Lee Cockshott and husband Joe Wain, who own the Marine Tavern in Broad Street, Brighton, acquired The Horse & Jockey, a beautiful Derbyshire stone freehouse with restaurant and Bed & Breakfast in Tideswell, Buxton
A traditional country inn, The Horse & Jockey nestles in the hear t of the Peak District in a picture postcard village called Tideswell, where Joe was born and spent his life before moving to Brighton three years ago
It's a small village with a population of just 800 There is a post office, green grocers, family butchers and farm shops All food on their menu comes from within or very close to the village, except for the fish which they source direct from the trawlers in Grimsby
Regular theme nights with live singers have recently featured enter tainment from both Gabriella Parrish and Jacquii Cann
There is a choice of six en-suite bedrooms, including a twin room, a family room, and a four-poster bedroom During the winter months the public areas boast open fires and they are dog-friendly
The journey by car from Brighton up the M1 takes around four and a half hours and it’s wor th every minute as on arrival you’ll find yourself in one of the most beautiful par ts of the country
Local attractions wor th checking out include; Chatswor th House stately home, the picturesque village of Matlock Bath, the small market town of Bakewell (home of the Bakewell Tar t), Bolsover Castle, and the spa town of Buxton with its beautiful opera house, along with countless walking routes and bike rides
Bed and breakfast costs from £69 per room per night and the restaurant boasts a fine menu of hear ty country dishes
For more information, view: http://thehorseandjockeytideswell co uk
DANCE MUSIC
BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE & KATE WILDBLOOD
WILDBLOOD & QUEENIE’S 2017 WONDERS
) It’s been a year of glorious sounding distractions from reality, ensuring our lives are feel good and stay fabulous So do yourself a favour this December as we bid farewell to 2017 and budget for a blowout on the below. Your butt will love the wiggle and your loved ones love you. Enjoy.
Catch The Queenie and Wildblood Show on 1BTN, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, at 8pm. perfectdistractions.com
W&Q LONG PL AYERS OF THE YEAR
) SAMPHA Process Young Turks
) JOE GODDARD Electric Lines Domino Recording Company
) HONEY DIJON Best Of Both Worlds Classic Music Company
) HORSE MEAT DISCO Meat Me Down The Disco (various) Z Records
) HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR Omnion Mr.Intl
) JOEY NEGRO Produced With Love Z Records
) HIFI SEAN Ft. Plastique Recordings
) MIDLAND FabricLive 94 : Midland Fabric Records
) BADBADNOTGOOD Late Night Tales (various) Late Night Tales
) GLITTERBOX Love Is The Message Defected Records
W&Q 2017 12” OF GLORY
) JOE GODDARD Home (Morgan Geist remix) Domino Recording Co
) HORSE MEAT DISCO Waiting for You To Call HMD Bandcamp
) BUTCH LE BUTCH Better Watch Out/Superman Camp Stick Records
) THE BLACK MADONNA He Is the Voice I Hear We Still Believe
) SEVERINO ft Princess Magnifique Smoking Classic Music Company
) JAD & THE STRINGS That Never Win Toy Tonics
) MADONNA Borderline (Butch le Butch 5am Garage rework) White
) BICEP Glue Ninja Tune
) COEO Mydonna Toy Tonics
) GERD JANSON & SHAN Surrender ReGraded
) LES INFERNO Everything I Do Samosa Records
) PBR STREETGANG Late Night Party Line Skint / BMG
) GOSHAWK DOWN In Brooklyn Press For Time Records
) DETROIT SWINDLE Can’t Hold It Heist Recordings
) JUSTIN CUDMORE Forget It The Bunker New York
) LATELIER Helene Francoise Roots For Bloom
) HATTERMAN Makes You Trouble Maker
) BEARCUBS Underwaterfall All Points
) BRETT GOULD I'm Feelin' Good Right Now Solid Grooves Records
) NOSTALGIA OF MOTHERSHIP G&T (Luke Solomon mix) G&T Records
DJ PROFILE: MORGAN FABULOUS
With Xmas round the corner, we all need some glittering gorgeousness on the dancefloor And who better to soundtrack the season than the magnificent Morgan Fabulous?!
Are you feeling fabulously festive? Yes, I love the Christmas holidays! Any excuse to gay up my house with sparkly tinsel and lights
Where can we hear you DJing in December? I’ll be continuing my residency in Charles Street Tap after a short break for the refurbishment and slipping back into my heels for the fabulous VIP launch weekend from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 December
It’s an exciting month for Charles Street Tap – what’s happening? We’re having a huge re-fit It’s going to be amazing and will freshen up the LGBT scene in Brighton I can’t wait!
Fave Xmas song of all time? I absolutely love Mariah Carey’s All I want For Christmas Is You and I adore RuPaul’s album Slay Belles You’re The Star (On My Christmas Tree) is my favourite track
What’s so good about DJing in Brighton over Yuletide? The festivities always bring out the best in people and Brighton is such a magical place anyway so it’ll be wonderful to spend the run up to Christmas with everyone who visits the bar, and I’ll make sure I have the mistletoe ready Let’s make this Yuletide even gayer than ever!
Ultimate dream gig for Xmas? I’ve spent some Christmases in the sun, but even though it was marvellous to be on the beach it just wasn’t the same without snow If I could DJ anywhere over Christmas it would HAVE to be snowing (you can still look fabulous in cold weather) so DJing at the Rockefeller Centre NYC, on the top of the Christmas tree would be extraordinary I’ve no idea how they’d get me up there but I’m a firm believer that anything is possible! The energy of New York is something I enjoyed when I visited; it was just like visiting a movie set.
Xmas tune you wish you’d never played? Well they serve a purposesome people like them and some don’t Music is a powerful thing, it can change people’s mood and inspire them I don’t regret playing any song as every song deserves respect to its creators (even the Cheeky Girls).
Xmas guilty pleasure? Seasonal sweet treats! I love trifle, Christmas pudding, mince pies Generally I try to eat healthily but a little of what you fancy never hurt anyone so I’ll just do a couple of extra hours at the gym to make up for the extra sugar.
MORGAN FABULOUS’ CURRENT TOP FIVE
) CAMELPHAT Cola (original) Defected
) MASSIVEDRUM The Bomb 2k17 (original) New Light Records
) FEDDE LE GRAND, Coco Star I need A Miracle (extended) Spinnin’
) JAMES HYPE feat Kelly Leigh More Than Friends One More Tune
) SIGALA feat Ella Eyre Came Here For Love (extended) MOS
) OPEN daily from 10 30am–late; from 7pm on Xmas Day, Mon (25)
) FOOD Mon–Fri 11am–8pm; Sat & Sun 10 30am–8pm; Sunday roasts from 12pm, booking recommended: 01273 670 976 ) Specials: Mon–Wed, 5–8pm: specials menu main course & pint or medium glass of house wine for £10
) DRINK PROMOS House wine, £10 90 a bottle Explore their single malt collection by doubling up for £2 50!
) ONE FOR THE DIARY FRIDAY CABARET with top enter tainers at 9pm: Sally Vate (1, 15 & 29), Spice (8) and Mrs Moore (22)
) REGUL ARS SAT ENTERTAINMENT at 9pm: KARAOKE with Jason Thorpe (2, 16, 23 & 30) and DJ Tony B (9) house/funky house/techno/r&b
) XMAS Mon (25) Xmas Day bar open from 7pm with festive CABARET from the fabulous Sally Vate and songs from the lovely Jason Thorpe Sally says: “'Tis the season to be jolly, and what better place to be jolly than The Amsterdam on Xmas Day? I’ll be bringing festive frolics and humour to get you in the party mood See you there!”
) NYE Sun (31) see in the New Year with a DJ from 9pm, free entry Amsterdam say: “Join us for the countdown with Big Ben at midnight There’ll be Hogmanay cocktails and shots available Space is limited so come early!”
Information is correct at the time of going to press Gscene cannot be held responsible for any changes or alterations to the listings
FRIDAY 1
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Sally Vate 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 5th Bir thday & WAD Fundraiser for GO West Sussex: cabaret from Cosmic 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY WAD Annual Charity Cabaret Fundraiser for THT South in assoc with Charles Street Tap: host Drag With No
BAR 7 CRAWLEY
Name & Jason Thorpe, Kara Van Park, Lucinda Lashes, Mrs Moore, Rose Garden, Sally Vate, Stephanie Von Klitz & Spice 7 30pm l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tar tz warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Fundraiser for International AIDS Alliance: DJ Thierre & Rainbow shots 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Free hot drinks for those attending the Memorial Service 12pm; Friday Club 6pm
) OPEN 6pm daily; closed Xmas Day, Mon (25), and Boxing Day, Tue (26) ) DRINK PROMOS Tue, Fri & Sat drink deals all night
) WORLD AIDS DAY Fri (1) Bar 7 5th BIRTHDAY PARTY & WAD Fundraiser with cabaret from Cosmic at 7pm, £5 entry donated to Go: West Sussex
) REGUL ARS Fri is 7-UPSTAIRS with all-star DJs pop/dance /guilty pleasures 8pm, free till 11pm Sat is 7SINS with DJ Jazzy Jane at 8pm, free till 11pm
) XMAS Sat (16) XMAS PARTY with DJ Lewis Osborne festive tunes at 8pm ) NYE Sun (31) is the NYE SUPERHERO PARTY with guest performer Gabriella Parish from 7pm, dress code Superhero/Supergay, entry £10
BAR BROADWAY
) 10 Steine Street, BN2 1TE, Tel: 01273 609777, www barbroadway co uk
) OPEN Mon–Thu 6pm – 1am, Fri 5pm–3am, Sat 4pm–3am, Sun 4pm–1am Xmas: open from 6pm–1am on Xmas Day, Mon (25)
) DRINK PROMOS Download the Bar Broadway app for exclusive drink deals
) WORLD AIDS DAY Fri (1) Charles Street Tap Annual WAD Fundraiser for THT is at Bar Broadway due to refurb at 7.30pm, £2 suggested donation Hosted by Drag With No Name with Jason Thorpe, Kara Van Park, Lucinda Lashes, Mrs Moore, R ose Garden, Sally Vate, Stephanie Von Klitz and Spice
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Tue: R egency Singers pres PIANO SING-ALONG at 9pm
) REGUL ARS Mon is Tabitha Wild’s BLANKETY BLANK at 9pm win boozy prizes/£25 bar tab ) BIG THURSDAY NIGHT QUIZ with R oss Cameron at 8pm ) Sun at 8 30pm the FIREPLACE SESSIONS present Black is Back (3) with Denise Black (Queer as Folk and Coronation Street) and Jason Lee (17)
) XMAS Sat (9) is BEAR -A- OKE with the Brighton Bears raising funds for R ainbow Fund at 7pm Brighton Bears say: “Come on stage and sing your favourite song If you're shy our host will be there for you and will be happy to be your Bing to your Bowie or your Yoko to your John ” ) Sun (10): Miss Disney’s XMAS PARTY at 9pm Bar Broadway say: “She’s back with festive tinsel and a sprinkling of fairy dust!” ) Sun (24) Xmas Eve FIREPLACE SESSIONS with Sophie Causbrook singing festive classics at 9pm ) Mon (25): Tania R odd performs on Xmas Day at 6pm Tania has performed in musicals: Return to The Forbidden Planet, Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Patsy Cline Story ) Tue (26) Boxing Day PIANO SING-ALONG: R egency Singers, 9pm ) NYE Sun (31) is NYE HOGMANAY from 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Funky Friday 7pm
l DR BRIGHTONS House Rules Fundraiser for National AIDS Trust: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Trudi Styles & Piano Man 9 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie Von Clitz, Cosmic & guests 9 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN WAD Fundraiser for THT: Stephanie Von Clitz, Candi Rell & 10 cabaret acts 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS WAD cabaret: Thunderpussy 9 30pm
l REVENGE Pop Tar tz DJs 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Steam 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Spice 10pm
SATURDAY 2
l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s karaoke 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm
l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Open Cocktail Masterclass 8pm; DJ Franco 10pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ Tony B 9pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Topsie Redfern 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: Fanny Burns
9.30pm
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Mr Subline 2017: host Sally Vate, raising funds for THT 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Sophie Causbrook 10pm
BRIGHTON SAUNA
) 75 Grand Parade, BN2 9JA, Tel: 01273 689966 www thebrightonsauna com ) OPEN Mon–Thur 10–1am, Fri 10am through till 1am on Mon Xmas: Open 10am Fri (22)–7pm on Xmas Eve, Sun (24); closed Xmas Day, Mon (25); reopen 10am Boxing Day, Tue (26) New Year: 10am on Fri (29)–1am on Tue
2 Jan If it’s your first visit and you’re nervous, then the Brighton Sauna boys are on hand to show you around, and there’s also the Brighton Sauna Chat Room where you can chat to guys before visiting! See: www.thebrightonsauna.com/sauna-chatroom/Brighton TBS is modern, clean and well presented, with new 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 and a café & 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
) REGUL ARS Monday (excluding Xmas Day) theme nights from 6pm: YOU TAKING THE P*SS waterspor ts night (4), BEARS NIGHT (11) and FETISH NIGHT (18) ) Wed NAKED DAYS from 11–1am and Sun 12pm–close You'll get a small towel for drips and a regular towel to shower before you leave, but NO towels can be worn on these days The Brighton Sauna boys say: “Let it all hang out and feel free! What better way to chill out at the end of the weekend than having everything on show Give it a try - it's a fantastic day ”
SUNDAY 3
l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pm–till gone
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s karaoke 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Black is Back: Denise Black live 8.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club DJs 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 LEGENDS BAR WAD Cabaret Fundraiser for Sussex Beacon: Maisie Trollette 3 30pm; roasts 12-3pm
l MARINE TAVERN Xmas Sunday roasts 12-5pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Area Code 6pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Double Feature: Mrs Moore 6pm & 9 30pm
l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Sunday roasts, jazz & raffle 12pm
l VELVET JACKS Sunday roasts 1pm
MONDAY 4
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha Wild’s
Blankety Blank 9pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA You Takin the P*ss Waterspor ts NIght 6pm
l LEGENDS BAR Drag With No Name’s A Minute to Win It: games & £100 cash prize 9 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Mick Hamer, Gerry Higgins & guests 2pm; Simon Spillett & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Ruper t’s Cabaret: Kara Van Park 12am
BOUTIQUE
) 2 Boyces St, West St, BN11AN, 01273 327607 www.boutiqueclubbrighton.com
) OPEN 8pm–late Sun–Fri, 1pm–late Sat
) FOOD All day till 10pm Pizza & selected drink £9.99 every Saturday
) DRINK PROMOS Mon–Fri: bottle of Moet £50 & Veuve £60; 5 J -Bombs for £5; 2-4-1 selected cocktails; £15 for 2 Pornstar Mar tinis
) WORLD AIDS DAY Fri (1) WAD with DJ Franco from 8pm, Rainbow shot drop giveaway on arrival and donation buckets and 50p of every cocktail going to the International AIDS Alliance in Brighton
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Tue (5) Brighton Fashion Student Special at 9pm, entry £5 with shots on arrival! Boutique say: “Help the fashion students raise funds for showcasing their work with a fun filled crazy night full of twists & turns!”
) REGUL ARS Star t the weekend with a bang every Fri with DJs, Thierre (1, 22 & 29) and Franco (8 & 15), shot drops and giveaways from 10pm ) Learn how to make your favourite cocktail every Saturday at the OPEN COCKTAIL MASTER CLASS in Bar 2 from 8pm, then hit the dancefloor with renowned DJs from 10pm: Franco (2), Pr ynesh (9 & 23) and Oli (16)
) XMAS Last minute Christmas bookings 30% when quoting GSCENE Festive COCKTAIL MASTER CLASSES are £30pp with 30% off when booking and quoting Call 07572867585
) NYE Sun (31) NYE with DJ Franco playing the best 2017 tunes back to back from 8pm onwards! Boutique say: “Just because it’s NYE doesn’t mean we change our prices! Set door prices all night and same Saturday night prices! So don’t think NYE is going to be expensive, step out and see in the new year in style with a NYE Boutique Special!”
TUESDAY 5
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY The Regency Singers pres Piano Singalong 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync For Your Life Grand Finale 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live blues: Blue Wolf 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS QA’s Got Talent: host Stephanie Von Clitz, £500 prize 8pm
l REVENGE Bangers & Trash: DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz 7 30pm
WEDNESDAY 6
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy
Jane 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Open Mic: Jason Thorpe 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23 30pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Spanish Night: tunes & treats 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN Xmas Lights Switch
On & Xmas Par ty: Stephanie Von Clitz & cabaret 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Sam Carlese 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Spice 9 30pm
l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm
l VELVET JACKS Quiz: cash prize 8pm
THURSDAY 7
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
) OPEN daily from 12pm, closed Xmas Day, Mon (25) The most dog-friendly pub in town
) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–9pm; Sunday roasts and select menu served 12pm–till gone; seniors’ lunch Wed 2–3.30pm, two courses £9 50
) WORLD AIDS DAY Fri (1) : Free hot drink for those attending the Memorial Ser vice from 12pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur (21) is the Brighton Bears’ Annual XMAS QUIZ and Fundraiser for the Rainbow Fund with a raffle; tables from 7pm, quiz at 9pm
) REGUL ARS Thur is BIG CASH QUIZ at 9pm with £300 cash prize, free sarnies and great atmosphere ) Sun is the BEAR BASH with free food and raffle at 5pm
) XMAS Sun (24) is Xmas Eve with roasts from 12pm; the BEAR BASH with free food and Xmas raffle at 5pm Tue (26) is XMAS AF TER PARTY from 12pm
) NYE Sun (31) NYE LATE NIGHT PARTY from 8pm, free ) Mon (1) Jan New Year’s Day HANGOVER PARTY from 12pm with bloody Marys to set you up for the day
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Now That’s What I Call Legends: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Games Night: board/card games 7pm
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: Davina Sparkle 9.30pm
l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Mitch’s Quiz 7 30pm
FRIDAY 8
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Spice 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm;
Broadway Remixed@Broadway Lounge: DJ Ross Cameron 10pm
l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tar tz warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm
l BOUTIQUE DJ Franco & shot drops 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Funky Friday 7pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Doctor’s Par ty: DJ 9 30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Stephanie Von Clitz 9 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie Von Clitz, Cosmic & guests 9 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE TC’s Joyful Noise Soul Night 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Rose Garden 9 30pm
l REVENGE Pop Tar tz DJs 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Dir ty Tackle spor tskit night 10pm
l ZONE cabaret: Davina Sparkle 10pm
SATURDAY 9
l AMSTERDAM DJ Tony B 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Brighton Bears Bear-aoke 7pm
l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Open Cocktail Masterclass 8pm; DJ Prynesh 10pm
) OPEN Closed for refurb till Sun (10); reopens Mon (11) at 5pm New opening
hours: 10am daily Xmas Day: closed; Boxing Day, Tue (26) open from 5pm; NYE, Sun (31) till 5am; New Year’s Day, Mon (1) Jan from 5pm
) FOOD new menu daily 10am–10pm, breakfasts from 10am; ) #MeatFreeMondays: free smoothie with veggie meals; fresh homemade Sunday roasts from 12pm: hand carved roast beef/turkey £8.75, roast lamb shank £10.75 Boxing Day food 5–10pm
) DRINK PROMOS Mon–Thur 5–8pm 2-4-1 cocktails; Fri 5–9pm half price drinks & bottles of Prosecco £15 all night; Sun from 5pm 2 for £6 craft cans/bottles
) WORLD AIDS DAY Friday (1) the WAD Annual Charity Fundraiser is at Bar Broadway due to the refurb with stars of Brighton cabaret raising funds for THT South from 7.30pm, minimum suggested donation £2 Charles Street Tap say: “ W ith the help of Bar Broadway we're making sure the show goes on! Michael, Alasdair and the gang from Bar Broadway along with Chris, Ed and Sam from Charles Street Tap are all working together for a charity so close to our hearts - THT South!”
) ONE FOR THE DIARY LAUNCH WEEKEND PARTIES: Friday (15) the VIP Invite Only LAUNCH PARTY with drink and food sampling from 5pm and DJ Morgan Fabulous from 9pm! ) Sat (16) the return of FIERCE with DJ Grant Knowles from 9pm ) Sun (17) TRIPLE CABARET with Hear t & Soul, Mrs Moore and Drag With No Name from 7 30pm Charles Street Tap say: “Be the first to see the brand new LGBT+ venue Charles Street Tap specialising in craf t beer, gin and fresh pizzas as well as what we’ve always been famed for - amazing nights out and award winning cabaret!”
) REGUL ARS SILLY WILLY WEDNESDAYS are back with Drag With No Name and silly antics at 9pm
) XMAS Xmas booking available from 5pm on Mon (11) ) Sun (24) is Mar tha D’Ar thur ’s XMAS CRACKER with host Spice from 7 30pm
) NYE Sun (31) GLIT TER NYE PARTY with glitter cannons and best char t/house/ dance anthems seeing you into 2018, free entry or pre-book for £5 and get a free glass of bubbly! ) Mon (1) Jan New Year ’s Day GAYMERS NIGHT at 9pm with retro gaming, from Nintendo, Playstation and Xbox to board and card games, for free!
) DRINK PROMOS Tue £2 all night; Thur bottles of Becks £1 & pints select spirits & mixers from £1 50 all night
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Tue (from 12) is BANG BANG with DJ R uper t Ellick playing all your guilty pleasures and requests from 10pm, free b4 11pm, £2 after
) REGUL ARS THROWBACK THURSDAY (from 14) with hostess Joan Bond plus DJ R uby R oo throwing out those 00s guilty pleasures and 90s retro anthems from 9pm, £1 entry
) OPEN Tue–Thu 3pm–late, Fri–Sun 12.30pm–late, closed Mon (excl Xmas Day, 25) The Crown Kemptown is a dog-friendly pub!
) DRINK PROMOS Daily Gin & Rum Specials – ask at the more for more info!
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thursday (7 & 14) is GAMES NIGHT with board and card games at 7pm
) REGUL ARS Wed (6 & 13) is SPANISH NIGHT with music & treats from 7pm
) Friday (1, 8 & 15) funk & old skool tunes from 7pm
) XMAS Sun (24) XMAS EVE PARTY enjoy a free glass of mulled wine and a mince pie from 7pm ) Mon (25) Xmas Day with treats and raffle with lots of prizes from 12pm
) NYE See in the New Year on Sun (31) at the NYE PARTY from 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Gabriella Parrish 9 30pm
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Brighton Bears’ Bad Santa Par ty: fundraiser for Rainbow Fund 10pm
l ZONE cabaret: Spice 10pm
SUNDAY 10
l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pm-till gone
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s karaoke 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Miss Disney’s Xmas Par ty 8 30pm
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club: DJs 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 LEGENDS BAR cabaret: The Butch Show 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm
l MARINE TAVERN Xmas Sunday roasts 12-5pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Sam Chana 6pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Double Feature: Miss Penny 6pm & 9 30pm
l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Sunday roasts, jazz & raffle 12pm
l VELVET JACKS Sunday roasts 1pm
MONDAY 11
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha Wild’s Blankety Blank 9pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Bears Night 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Reopens 5pm
l LEGENDS BAR Drag With No Name’s A Minute to Win It: games & £100 cash prize 9.30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Mick Hamer, Gerry Higgins & guests 2pm; Sara Oschlag & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Ruper t’s Cabaret: Kara Van Park 12am
TUESDAY 12
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY The Regency Singers pres Piano Singalong 9pm
l ENVY Bang Bang: DJ Ruper t Ellick 10pm
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live blues: Miller Anderson 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS QA’s Got Talent: host Stephanie Von Clitz, £500 prize 8pm
l REVENGE Bangers & Trash: DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm
) OPEN Mon–Thur 3pm–midnight; Fri & Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 1pm–midnight; closed Xmas Day, Mon (25) Free entry every day & night
) DRINK PROMOS all day Sun–Thur; Fri 1pm–close; Sat 1–7pm BOGOF cocktails all day Sun–Fri, till 7pm on Sat Free pool with every round every day
) WORLD AIDS DAY Fri (1) is HOUSE RULES WAD Fundraiser for National AIDS Trust with DJ Nick Hirst playing decadent house at 9 30pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (17) is CHARITY FUN DAY raising funds for TIA Charitable Foundation with comedians, an auction & sponsored head shaving plus SMILEY SUNDAY comedy night at 7 30pm, entry £3
) REGUL ARS Fri (8) is the DOCTOR’S PARTY with a DJ at 9.30pm, free entry ) VINYL FRIDAY (29) with DJ Kai playing vinyl only at 9 30pm, free entry
) The SATURDAY SESSIONS with DJ Tony B at 9.30pm, free entry
) XMAS Fri (15) is 1980s night REFLEX Xmas Special with DJ Adam Rice at 9 30pm, free entry ) Fri (22) SOUL SOLUTION Xmas Special request with DJ Tony B at 9.30pm, free entry ) Sat (23) is the SATURDAY SESSION Xmas Special with DJ Tony B festive tunes from 9 30pm, free entry
) NYE Sun (31) BLACK & WHITE NYE BALL with DJ Tony B from 9pm–3am!
l BAR BROADWAY Open Mic: Jason Thorpe 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Silly Willy
Wednesdays: Drag With No Name 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Spanish Night: tunes & treats 7pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Paul Richards & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Stephanie Von Clitz 9 30pm
l SUBLINE Club Silencio’s Nativity II 8pm
l VELVET JACKS Quiz: cash prize 8pm
THURSDAY 14
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request
Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Big Thursday Quiz:
Ross Cameron, prizes 8.30pm
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 CROWN KEMPTOWN Games Night: card/board games 7pm
l ENVY Throwback Thursday: host Joan Bond & DJ Ruby Roo 10pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Balmy Bingo 8.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday 80s Jukebox 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE World Music: Babou & Abraham de Vega 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Cherry Liquor
9 30pm
l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Mitch’s Quiz
7 30pm
FRIDAY 15
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
G R O S V E N O R
) 16 Western Street, Hove, BN1 2PG, www thegrosvenorbar com
) OPEN daily from 12 noon–late
) ONE FOR THE DIARY FRIDAY top CABARET with local and national stars at 9 30pm: Trudi Styles & Pianoman (1), Stephanie Von Clitz (8), Maisie Trollette (15), Spice (22) and Dave Lynn (29)
) REGUL ARS Thur is Abel Mabel’s BARMY BINGO at 8.30pm ) Sat is CABARET at 9.30pm: Topsie R edfern (2), Jason Thorpe (9), Davina Sparkle (16), Pooh La May (23) and Jennie Castell (30)
) XMAS Sunday (24) is the XMAS EVE PARTY with top enter tainment
) NYE Sun (31) is NYE CABARET with Maid to Make Your Mother Water, Sally Vate at 9pm! Sally says: “I feel lucky to be the one entertaining and celebrating a special night like New Year’s Eve as everyone is even more full of cheer Expect witty banter and a wide range of songs - if you love a laugh, then come and join me for some fab festive frivolities ”
l BOUTIQUE DJ Franco & shot drops 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP VIP Invite Only Launch Party: food/drink sampling 5pm; Fabulous Friday: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Funky Friday
6 30pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Reflex 80s Night -
Xmas Special: DJ Adam Rice 9 30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Maisie Trollette 9 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie
Von Clitz, Cosmic & guests 9 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Friday Night Live:
Gabriella Parrish 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Davina Sparkle 9 30pm
l REVENGE Pop Tar tz DJs 10 30pm
l SUBLINE Filth: mixed full-fetish with Kitten Skye 9pm
) OPEN daily from 11am–5am, including Xmas & New Year
) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–5pm Sunday lunch 12–3pm: choose from beef, belly pork, chicken supreme or wholesome nut roast served with all the trimmings!
) DRINK PROMOS Buy one bottle of wine and get 2nd half price, Mon–Fri 12–11pm (excluding Xmas holiday period)
) WORLD AIDS DAY Sunday (3) WAD CABARET FUNDRAISER for Sussex Beacon with the iconic Maisie Trollette at 3.30pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Monday is
A MINUTE TO WIN IT with Drag With No Name, a £100
cash prize and raucous atmosphere, songs, games and lots of laughter at 9 30pm DWNN says: “Expect my normal stupidity with the added bonus of lots of challenging games with the emphasis on fun, that, you guessed it, all have to be accomplished in one minute! The most successful person each week will play one final game for a chance to win £100 at the end of the night ”
) REGUL ARS Fri is Pre- Glitter at 9 30pm with Stephanie Von Clitz, Cosmic & guests with songs and laughs before the big one downstairs ) Sunday is CABARET at 3 30pm with: The Butch Show (10) and Topsie R edfern (17)
) XMAS CABARET with stars of the Brighton cabaret scene over Xmas! Legends say: “Enjoy Xmas with us every day, including Xmas Day!” Sun (24) XMAS EVE CABARET double helping of enter tainment: Dave Lynn at 3.30pm and Drag With No Name at 9 30pm ) Mon (25) is a LEGENDS XMAS DAY, terrace & bar open all day from 11am! ) Ditch the Turkey sandwiches on Tue (26) for BOXING DAY CABARET with the doyenne of drag Maisie Trollette & Josh at 3 30pm
) NYE Countdown to 2018 Sun (31) POP CANDY v FUSION NYE PARTY with DJs Claire Fuller & Peter Castle over 2 floors, £5 ) Mon (1) Jan NY Day A MINUTE TO WIN It with Drag With No Name at 9 30pm; bar and terrace open all day!
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Open Cocktail Masterclass 8pm; DJ Oli 10pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Launch Weekend
Fierce: DJ Grant Knowles 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session Xmas
Special: DJ Nick Hirst 9 30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Davina
Sparkle 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: Mar tha D’Ar thur 9 30pm
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Leather Xmas: Leathermen South event 10pm
l ZONE cabaret: Tabitha Wild 10pm
SUNDAY 17
l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pm-till gone
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s karaoke 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions pres: Jason Lee 8 30pm
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club DJs 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
) OPEN Tue (31), Wed–Fri & Sun 11pm, inc Xmas Eve, Sun (24), & Boxing Day, Tue (26); from 9pm NYE, Sun (31), 11pm New Year ’s Day, Mon (1) Jan
M
N
E
) 13 Broad St, BN2 1TJ, Tel: 01273 905578, www marinetavern co uk
) OPEN daily from 12pm
) FOOD daily from 12–9pm; Curr y & Quiz on Tue for £1 (curry 7 30pm, Quiz
8 30pm), Xmas roasts £8 50 each every Sunday, 12–5pm, booking advised
) DRINK PROMOS £2 50 drinks all night Wed & Thur, various promos on Sun & Fri Deals may differ over Xmas & New Year
) REGUL ARS Thur is NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL LEGENDS with DJ Claire Fuller taking you on a journey through the 1970s/80s/90s! ) Fri is GLIT TER with DJ David Noakes char t/dance tracks ) Sat is FUSION at 11pm with DJ Peter Castle char t/club remixes ) Sun is POP!CANDY with DJ Claire Fuller new/retro pop ) Wed is ICE with DJ Claire Fuller with char t/house/r&b
) XMAS Sun (24) is XMAS POP!CANDY with DJ Claire throwing down festive faves Tue (26) is the BOXING DAY PARTY with DJ Peter Castle’s pop tracks
) NYE Sun (31) is POP!CANDY v FUSION NYE Par ty with DJs Claire Fuller and Peter Castle over two floors at 9pm, entry £5 ) Mon (1) Jan NEW YEAR RECOVERY Par ty with DJ Ben Castle bringing the tunes, free entry! Basement Club say: “Recover with our DJ who’ll be playing a mix of dance, chart and classic pop tracks!”
l CHARLES ST TAP Sunday roasts 12pm; Launch Weekend Triple Cabaret: Heart & Soul, Mrs Moore & Drag With No Name 7 30pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Smiley Sunday Comedy Charity Fundraiser in aid of TIA Charitable Foundation 7.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Topsie Redfern
3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm
l MARINE TAVERN Xmas Sunday roasts 12-5pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Dave Williams Quar tet 6pm
l SUBLINE Cum (All Ye Faithful) In Your Pants: underwear par ty 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Sunday roasts, jazz & raffle 12pm
l VELVET JACKS Sunday roasts 1pm; live music: Mike Newsham 4pm
MONDAY 18
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha Wild’s Blankety Blank 9pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Fetish Night 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Gaymers Night: consoles, board/card games 9pm
l LEGENDS BAR Drag With No Name’s A Minute to Win It: games & £100 cash prize
9 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Mick Hamer, Gerry Higgins & guests 2pm; Chris Coul & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Ruper t’s Cabaret 12am
TUESDAY 19
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY The Regency Singers pres Piano Singalong 9pm
l ENVY Bang Bang: DJ Ruper t Ellick 10pm
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live blues: Sam Chara 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS QA’s Got Talent: host Stephanie Von Clitz, £500 prize 8pm
l REVENGE Bangers & Trash: DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz
7.30pm
WEDNESDAY 20
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy
Jane 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Open Mic: Jason
Thorpe 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ
Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 2-
) DRINK PROMOS Sun all drinks £2; Wed from 8pm
) WORLD AIDS DAY Fri (1) WAD FUNDRAISER for THT with Stephanie Von Clitz, Candi R ell and 10 cabaret acts at 9pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE (15) with Gabriella Parrish at 9pm
) REGUL ARS Step back in time at Ryan’s THROWBACK THURSDAY 1980s tunes at 8pm ) SATURDAY CLUB with fun atmosphere from 4pm ) Sun is DRAG OPEN MIC with Stephanie Von Clitz at 9pm ) Tue is QUIZ NIGHT at 8 30pm ) THROWBACK THURSDAY 1980s tunes 8pm ) Thur (28) is Sam Mault’s 50th Bir thday, all welcome from 8pm ) Fri is JUKEBOX DISCO from 9pm
) XMAS Wed (6) XMAS PARTY and Xmas Lights Switch On with Stephanie Von Clitz & CABARET at 8pm ) Sun (24) Xmas Eve LATE PARTY at 8pm; closes 2am! ) Mon (25) XMAS NIGHT PARTY at 7pm ) Tue (26) is Matt’s BIG BOXING DAY BASH with free buffet from 7pm
3.30pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Silly Willy Wednesdays: Drag With No Name 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Spanish Night: tunes & treats 7pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Will Gardener & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Stephanie Von Clitz 9 30pm
S P A R I S H O U S E
l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm
l VELVET JACKS Quiz: cash prize 8pm
THURSDAY 21
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Big Thursday Quiz: Ross Cameron, prizes 8 30pm
) 21 Western Rd, BN3 1AF, T: 01273 724195, www.parishousebrighton.com
) OPEN daily from 12pm; closed Xmas Day & Boxing Day ) FOOD 12pm–close daily
) REGUL ARS Mon free LIVE JAZZ: Mick Hamer, Gerry Higgins & guests at 2pm; at 8pm: Simon Spillett (4), Sara Oschlag & band (11) and Chris Coul (18) ) Tue LIVE BLUES at 8pm: Blue Wolf (5), Miller Anderson (12) and Sam Chara (19) ) Wed free LIVE MUSIC at 8pm: Sam Carlese (violin) (6), Paul Richards (guitar) (13), Will Gardener (tenor sax) (20) and Oli Howe (pianio) (27) ) Thur is free WORLD MUSIC at 8pm: Tudo Bem (7), Babou & Abraham de Vega (14), Pollito Boogaloo (21) and Son Guarachando (28) ) Fri is PARTY TIME with guest DJs 9pm: Havoxx (1, 15, 22 & 29) and TC’s Joyful Noise Soul Night (8) ) Sat is AND ALL THAT JAZZ live jazz at 4pm; TC's Joyful Noise with DJ Kenny at 9pm, free ) Sun is LIVE MUSIC at 6pm: Area Code (3), Sama Chana (10) and Dave Williams Quartet (17) ) NYE Sun (31) NYE PARTY with TC Joyful Noise, Mar ylyn Du Sax soul/ blues cabaret from Sam Chana with Theseus Gerard (percussion) and Tim Lee (keys)
) OPEN Mon–Thur 5pm, Fri–Sun 12pm: Xmas Eve, Sun (24) 12pm; Xmas Day, Mon (25) 5pm; Boxing Day, Tue (26) 12pm; New Year ’s Day, Mon 1 Jan, from 12pm
) DRINK PROMOS House Spirit & Mixer £2 50 (double up for extra £1): Mon–Thur 5–9pm; Fri–Sun 12–6pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY New for Monday is RUPERT’S MIDNIGHT CABARET with Kara Van Park at 12am Coming Soon: Tom of Finland takes to the QA stage!
) REGUL ARS Tue is QA’S GOT TALENT at 8pm with hostess Stephanie Von Clitz and £500 cash prize for the overall winner, entry £5 For more info call John (07549 730886) or speak to the bar staff The QA say: “Do you have a talent to get you through to the final and win £500? Come and show us yours!” ) Wed CABARET at 9 30pm: Spice (6), Stephanie Von Clitz (13 & 20) and Sally Vate (27) ) Thur CABARET at 9.30pm: Davina Sparkle (7 & 28), Cherr y Liquor (14) and Maisie Trollette (21) ) Fri CABARET at 9 30pm: Thunderpussy (1), R ose Garden (8), Davina Sparkle (15), Sandra (22) and Drag With No Name (29) ) Sat CABARET at 9 30pm: Fanny Burns (2), Gabriella Parish (9), Mar tha D’Ar thur (16), Stephanie Von Clitz (23) and Fonda Cox (30) ) Sunday Double CABARET at 6pm & 9 30pm: Mrs Moore (3), Miss Penny (10) and Lucinda Lashes (17)
) XMAS Sun (24) XMAS EVE CABARET at 6pm with Davina Sparkle and special guest Marsha Mallow shaking her baubles Davina says: “Have a sparkly Xmas Eve at the QA with me! I’m camper than Christmas, so expect naughty jokes and filthy fun! Walk into a winter wonderland, play with my lacy things and hear renditions of my favourite things!” ) Mon (25) is XMAS DAY CABARET with Spice at 9 30pm ) Tue (26) is BOXING DAY CABARET with the legendary Maisie Trollette at 6 30pm
) NYE Sun (31) NYE PARTY with Kara Van Park at 10 30pm, £10 in advance (£15 on the night) incl a buffet & fizz at midnight! ) Mon (1) Jan is CABARET with act TBA
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 Brighton Bears Xmas Quiz fundraiser 9pm
l ENVY Throwback Thursday: host Joan Bond & DJ Ruby Roo 10pm
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: Maisie Trollette 9.30pm
l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Mitch’s Quiz 7.30pm
FRIDAY 22
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Mrs Moore 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 DJ Thierre & shot drops 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
R O T T I N G D E A N C L U B
) 89 High Street, Rottingdean, BN2 7HE Tel: 01273 309529, f therottingdeanclub
) OPEN The R ottingdean Club, a members bar in the hear t of the village, is ideal during the day as a place to meet with friends and clients, work remotely with a coffee or mix an mingle with other like minded members With regular enter tainment and a large sunny garden suitable for a range of events, the Rottingdean Club is a unique little club venue and they would love you to join
The Rottingdean Club say: "The venue was built in the 1500s and as such has a unique charm that many other venues simply don't have anymore We are popular with people of all different ages and backgrounds from older Rottingdean residents looking for a quieter private space to young professionals who want to have a place to kick back away from the stresses of work life "
) MEMBERSHIP If you’re interested in joining, email bar@therottingdeanclub co uk and mention Gscene to get a free drink on joining!
l CHARLES ST TAP Fabulous Friday: DJ
Morgan Fabulous 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Soul Solution: DJ Tony B 9 30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Spice 9 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie Von Clitz, Cosmic & guests 9 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN The Big Office Par ty 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Sandra 9 30pm
l REVENGE Pop Tar tz DJs 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Steam 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Kara Van Park 10pm
SATURDAY 23
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 Open Cocktail Masterclass 8pm; DJ Pynesh 10pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fierce: DJ Grant Knowles 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session Xmas
Special: 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: Stephanie Von Clitz 9 30pm
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Spice 10pm
SUNDAY 24
l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pm-till gone
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s karaoke 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions pres Xmas Eve with Sophie Causbrook 8.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club DJs 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Xmas Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Xmas Eve Bear Bash, free food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone
l CHARLES ST TAP Sunday roasts 12pm; Martha D’Arthur’s Xmas Cracker with host Spice 7 30pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Xmas Eve: mulled wine/mince pies 7pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Xmas Eve enter tainment 9pm
l LEGENDS BAR Xmas Eve Cabaret: Dave Lynn 3.30pm; Drag With No Name 9.30pm; roasts 12–3pm
l MARINE TAVERN Xmas Sunday roasts 12-5pm; Xmas Eve Late Par ty 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE Xmas Eve 12pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Xmas Eve Cabaret: Marsha Mallow & Davina Sparkle 6pm & 9 30pm
l SUBLINE T’was the Night Xmas Par ty 9pm
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY AT 9.30PM
FRIDAY AT 9.30PM 1DEC THUNDERPUSSY 8DEC ROSE GARDEN 15DEC DAVINA SPARKLE 22DEC SANDRA 29DEC DRAG WITH NO NAME
SATURDAY AT 9.30PM
2DEC FANNY BURNS 9DEC GABRIELLA PARISH
16DEC MARTHA D’ARTHUR
23DEC STEPHANIE VON CLITZ
30DEC FONDA COX
SUNDAY
DOUBLE CABARET 6PM & 9.30PM 3DEC MRS MOORE 10DEC MISS PENNY 1 7 DEC LUCINDA LASHES
D
M
B A R R E V E N G E
) 5-7 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA, Tel: 01273 606064, www revenge co uk ) OPEN Sun 12pm-2am, Mon–Wed 12pm-1am, Thur 12pm-2am, Fri & Sat
12pm-6am Closed Xmas Day, Mon (25); open from 4pm on Boxing Day, Tue
(26) Buy a drink Thur, Fri & Sat for discount entry passes for Club Revenge
) DRINK PROMOS 50% off all drinks Sun–Fri 5–9pm, from £2 50 every Fri & Sat
) FOOD Burger Shack Tue–Sun 5–9pm (and then midnight–close on Fri & Sat)
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Tue (5) is the Grand Finale of LIP SYNC FOR YOUR LIFE from 8pm Bar Revenge say: “Join us as we welcome back all of our competitors from previous weeks to see who will be crowned this season’s Lip Sync W inner! The champion will go onto support Sasha Velour live at Club Revenge in January!”
) REGUL ARS Thur is the FOMO Pre-Par ty with all-star DJs from 9pm Fri is the Pop Tar tz warm-up with DJs at 9pm
) NYE Sun (31) is the NYE BLACK & WHITE PARTY from 9pm with DJs, enhanced sound & lighting production, confetti cannons at midnight and free entry Bar Revenge say: “See out 2017 and party into 2018 at Bar Revenge with one of our infamous themed NYE parties! Why party anywhere else?”
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Xmas Eve: 12-6pm
l VELVET JACKS Sunday roasts 1pm
MONDAY 25
l AMSTERDAM Xmas Day Cabaret: Sally Vate & Jason Thorpe 7pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY closed for Xmas Day
l BAR BROADWAY Xmas Day: Tania Rodd live 6pm
l BAR REVENGE closed for Xmas Day
l BOUTIQUE Xmas Day 8pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA open as usual
l CAMELFORD ARMS closed for Xmas Day
l CHARLES ST TAP closed for Xmas Day
l CROWN KEMPTOWN Xmas Day: Xmas treats and raffle 12pm
l DR BRIGHTONS closed for Xmas Day
l LEGENDS BAR A Legends Xmas Day 11am
l MARINE TAVERN Xmas Night Par ty 7pm
l PARIS HOUSE closed for Xmas Day
l QUEEN’S ARMS Xmas Day Cabaret: Spice 12am
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS closed for Xmas Day
l VELVET JACKS Xmas Day 11am
l ZONE Xmas Day 11am
TUESDAY 26
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY closed for Boxing Day
l BAR BROADWAY Boxing Day Piano Singalong with The Regency Singers 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Boxing Day 4pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Boxing Day Par ty: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Boxing Day 8pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA open as usual
R E V E N G E
) 32-34 Old Steine, BN1 1EL, Tel: 01273 606064, www revenge co uk
) OPEN Tue (excl 26) from 11pm, Thur, Fri, Sat from 10 30pm, Sun (31) from 10pm
) DRINK PROMOS Tue all drinks £2 50 and double up for £1 50; Thur £1 drinks before midnight
) REGUL ARS Tue is BANGERS & TRASH with DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick celebrating the biggest char t bangers and trashiest pop Revenge say: “It's all about sl*t-dropping to Sia, booty-shaking to Beyonce and twerking to Taylor Swif t courtesy of our two resident DJs baby banger Toby Lawrence & trashy tart DJ Trick!” ) Sat is WTF with DJs and special guests on 2 floors ) Thur is FOMO with Revenge all-star DJs eclectic mix of pop/char t/house/pop-punk/bass/hip-hop ) Fri is POP TARTZ with resident DJs sweetening up the dancefloor on level 1 with pop anthems
) NYE Sun (31) NYE BLACK & WHITE PARTY from 10pm–6am with black & white décor & props and two floors of music: pop/char t on level 1 and vocal house anthems on level 2! Tickets available from www revenge co uk Revenge say: “To celebrate the end of 2017 and to welcome in 2018, we're throwing a huge black & white party at Club Revenge! Expect spectacular black & white decor & props and dress up in black & white - from tuxedos and cocktail dresses to penguins and Beetlejuice - be as fun or wacky as you like!”
l CAMELFORD ARMS Xmas After Par ty 12pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Boxing Day 5pm
l ENVY Boxing Day Bang Bang: DJ Ruper t Ellick 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Boxing Day Cabaret: Maisie Trollette & Josh 3.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Matt’s Big Boxing Day Bash: free buffet 7pm
l PARIS HOUSE closed for Boxing Day
l QUEEN’S ARMS Boxing Day Cabaret: Maisie Trollette 6 30pm
l REVENGE closed for Boxing Day
l SUBLINE Boxing Day: Cold Turkey 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS closed for Boxing Day
WEDNESDAY 27
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23 30pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Silly Willy Wednesdays: Drag With No Name 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Oli Howe & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Sally Vate 9 30pm
l VELVET JACKS Quiz: cash prize 8pm
THURSDAY 28
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
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 ENVY Throwback Thursday: host Joan Bond & DJ Ruby Roo 10pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Balmy Bingo 8 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Sam Mault’s 50th
Bir thday: all welcome 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE World Music: Son Guarachando 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Davina Sparkle 9.30pm
l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Mitch’s Quiz 7 30pm
FRIDAY 29
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Sally Vate 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm
S U B L I N E
) 129 St James' St, BN2 1TH, Tel: 01273 624100, www sublinebrighton co uk
) OPEN Wed–Sun from 9pm, closed Mon (25), Wed (27), Thur (28)
) DRINK PROMOS draught pints £1 off all night Wed
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (2) MR SUBLINE 2017 fundraiser for THT with Sally Vate from 9pm, £5 mems or £8 To enter, contact Steve at the bar or via info@sublinebrighton co uk Subline say: “Sally Vate promises to play nicely with the contestants who will each receive a year's free entry (exclusions apply, naturally) to Subline and a few stiff ones for their trouble!”
) REGUL ARS Friday (8) DIRTY TACKLE spor tskit night, £3 in spor tswear or £5
) Fri (15) FILTH mixed Full-Fetish Par ty with Kitten Skye ) Saturday THE MEN'S ROOM with DJ Screwpulous at 9pm, free b4 11pm, £3 after, guests £5
) XMAS Sat (9) Brighton Bears' BAD SANTA Par ty at 10pm, par t of the Official VERY BEARY XMAS WEEKEND in suppor t of the Rainbow Fund, £5 mems/£8 BBW say: “It’s time to see who is naughty or nice We’re throwing our first Christmas party, so come down to the grotto, sit on Santa's lap and see what comes up! W ith mince pies, cream and free vodka shots you’ll soon be unwrapping your packages ” ) Wed (13) is CLUB SILENCIO'S NATIVITY II at 8pm, all welcome, £6 ) Sat (16) LEATHER CHRISTMAS with Leathermen South at 10pm, free in leather or £5 ) Sun (17) is CUM (ALL YE FAITHFUL) IN YOUR PANTS underwear par ty at 9pm, members free or £5 ) Sun (24) T'WAS THE NIGHT at 9pm, £3 members or £5 ) Tue (26) BOXING DAY COLD TURKEY at 9pm, free
) NYE Fri (29) is SIN: Not The New Year ’s Eve mixed alternative kink par ty ) Sun (31) is SUBLINE INTO 2018, tickets £6, £8 otherwise, £10 on the night
l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tar tz warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm
l BOUTIQUE DJ Thierre & shot drops 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fabulous Friday: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Vinyl Friday: DJ Kai
9 30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Dave Lynn
T
H
9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie Von Clitz, Cosmic & guests 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Davina Sparkle
9 30pm
l REVENGE Pop Tar tz DJs 10 30pm
l SUBLINE SiN - Not the New Year’s Eve:
mixed alternative NY kink par ty 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: JP Christian 10pm
R E E J O L L Y B U T C H E R S
) 59 Nor th Rd, BN1 1YD, Tel: 01273 608571, www 3jollybutchers com
) OPEN Mon–Sun from 12pm, closed Xmas Day, Mon (25); Boxing Day, Tue (26); New Year’s Day, Mon (1) Jan Private function room available
) FOOD Mon–Fri 12–7 30pm, Sat 12–6pm, Sunday roasts 12–6pm Mon–Thur Meal Deal: two for £15, 12–7 30pm ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur is MITCH’S QUIZ NIGHT at 7 30pm, all welcome
) REGUL ARS Sunday JAZZ ROAST with chilled jazz and raffle at 12pm, free ) Tue is QUIZ NIGHT at 7 30pm, everybody welcome!
) OPEN Tue–Thur 4–11 30pm, Fri & Sat 12–11 30pm, Sun 1–11pm
) FOOD Meat & cheese boards, wood-fired pizzas all day Sunday roasts from 1pm
) DRINK PROMOS 2 glasses of Prosecco £7, bottle £14 50 every Thur Cocktails and gin bowls served
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (17) is an intimate afternoon of live chilled out tunes with Mike Newsham and his guests at 4pm If you’re interested in performing, then message Mike on Facebook
) REGUL ARS Wed is QUIZ NIGHT at 7.45pm for 8pm star t with a cash prize
) XMAS Available for XMAS PARTIES, contact the venue for more info! Open Xmas Day, Mon (25), 11am–2pm
) NYE See in the New Year at VELVET JACKS’ PARTY on SUN (31), FREE entry and open till very late!
SATURDAY 30
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 Open Cocktail Masterclass 8pm; DJ Oli 10pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fierce: DJ Grant Knowles 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ Tony B 9.30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Jennie Castell 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: Fonda Cox 9 30pm
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Davina Sparkle 10pm
SUNDAY 31
l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pm-till gone; NYE Par ty: DJ, Hogmanay cocktails/shots 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY NYE Superhero
Fancy Dress Par ty with vocalist Gabriella Parrish 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY NYE Hogmanay 9pm
l BAR REVENGE NYE Black & White Party:
T H E Z O N E
) 33 St James’ St, BN2 1RF, Tel: 01273 682249, www zonebrighton co uk
) OPEN 11am Sun–Fri; 10am Sat; Xmas Day, Mon (25), 11am–5pm; NYE, Sun (31), 10–2am; as usual on New Year ’s Day, Jan 1
) DRINK PROMOS all day Sun-Thur, till 7pm Fri & Sat; 2-4-£10 selected cocktails 5–8pm ever yday
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat is CABARET with sensational acts at 10pm: Sophie Causbrook (2), Spice (9 & 23), Tabitha Wild (16) and Davina Sparkle (30)
) REGUL ARS Fri top CABARET at 10pm: Spice (1), Davina Sparkle (8), Stone & Street (15), Kara Van Park (22) and JP Christian (29)
) NYE Sun (31): see in the New Year with the fabulous Tabitha Wild and songs to get you on your feet from 10pm, free entry, closes 2am! Tabitha says: “Expect cheesy pop, heavy on the 80s, that drunk people will sing and dance along to!”
all-star DJs & confetti cannons 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS NYE: Pop!Candy v Fusion: DJs Peter Castle & Claire Fuller over 2 floors 9pm
l BOUTIQUE NYE Par ty: DJ Franco 8pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS roasts & select
menu 12pm–till gone; NYE Bear Bash, free food & raffle 5pm; NYE Late Par ty 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Sunday roasts 12pm; NYE Glitter Party: DJs & glitter cannons 9pm
l CROWN KEMPTOWN NYE Par ty 8pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Black & White NYE
Ball: DJ Tony B 9pm
l GROSVENOR BAR NYE with Sally Vate 9pm
l LEGENDS BAR NYE: Pop!Candy v Fusion: DJs Peter Castle & Claire Fuller over 2 floors 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm; Big NYE Night Out: old school/90s disco 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE NYE: TC Joyful Noise, blues/soul cabaret with Sam Chana (Theseus Gerard on percussion & Tim Lee on keyboards) + Marylyn Du Sax 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS NYE Cabaret: Kara Van Park + buffet/fizz at midnight 10 30pm
l REVENGE NYE Black & White Par ty: DJs over 2 floors 10pm
l SUBLINE NYE: Subline into 2018 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS NYE: bar closes 7 30pm
l VELVET JACKS Sunday roasts 1pm; NYE Par ty 9pm
l ZONE NYE Par ty with Tabitha Wild 9pm
MONDAY 1
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS New Year’s Recovery Par ty: DJ Ben Castle 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA open as usual
l CAMELFORD ARMS New Year’s Day Hangover Par ty 12pm
l CHARLES ST TAP New Year’s Day 5pm; Gaymers Night: consoles, board/card games 9pm
l LEGENDS BAR New Year’s Day: Drag With No Name’s A Minute to Win It: games
& £100 cash prize 9 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN 2nd Chance NYE Par ty: DJ 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS New Year’s Day Cabaret: act/time TBA
) OPEN daily from 12pm; closed Xmas Day, Mon (25) ) FOOD served Mon–Sat 12–3pm; Sunday lunch 12–3 30pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat is GUILTY PLEASURES at 9pm with DJs: Claire Fuller (2), Neil Sackley & guest vocalist Sam Solace (9), Tiny (16), Lucinda Lashes (23) and Dazza (30) Sat (9): music in the street from 3pm
) REGUL ARS Thur is Lucinda Lashes’ KARAOKE at 9pm ) Fri is FAIRYLEA with DJ
R uper t Ellick, Claire Fuller (1) at 9pm, CABARET at 10pm: Dr Beverly Ballcrusher (1), Miss Thunderpussy (8), Sandra (15) and Eva Iglesias (22) ) SUNDAY NIGHT ON THE LONDON PODIUM at 8pm with: Mar tha D’Ar thur & Kara Van Park (3), Mrs Moore & Nan (10) and Miss Penny & R ose Garden (17)
) XMAS Wed (13) LAGLO XMAS PARTY with DJ Fanny Love and cabaret from Sum Ting Wong at 8pm ) Wed (20) XMAS PARTY with DJ Fanny Love festive classics from 8pm ) Sun (24) XMAS EVE CABARET with Vileda Moppe at 8pm ) Tue (26) BOXING DAY BASH with Lucinda Lashes from 6pm
) NYE Sun (31) is the NYE PARTY with a Kids’ TV Characters Theme featuring DJs Neil Sackley and Beverly Ballcrusher from 9pm, tickets £12 50
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD
1 Hampshire Terrace, Southsea
TEL: 02392 297509
OPEN: Sun & Mon 9pm-2 30am, Wed & Thurs 7pm-2 30am, Fri & Sat 7pm-3am
HAPPY HOURS: Sun all night, Wed & Thur 7pm-12am, Fri & Sat 7-10pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Compton Walk, SO14 0BH TEL: 023 8036 6163
) OPEN Box Bar: 4pm daily ) Edge: 11pm Mon–Sun Both closed Xmas Day
) FOOD Box Bar, 4–10pm daily; Candlelit Dinner for 2 every Sun, 2–4pm; 2-4-1 8” Pizzas daily 4–10pm
) HAPPY HOURS Box Bar: £3 offers 4–6pm daily, 2-4-1 cocktails 6–10pm daily (till 8pm Sat); The Edge: £1 selected shots Mon, £2 50 bombs Tue & Sun, £1 50 drinks on Wed, £2 50 bombs on Thur, £1 shots on Sun Cactus Jack: six for £5 every Tue & Thur
) WAD Fri (1) host Cassidy Connors, DJ Darcy Buckland and live auction at 8pm
) REGUL ARS Thur QUIZ ON YOUR FACE (Box Bar) 8pm ) Fri GET SOME at 10pm, char t/dance from DJs Audio K9 (8 & 29) and Darcy Buckland (15), £3–£6 ) Sat THE BIG ONE at 10pm, 4 bars, 2 dancefloors & DJs: Craig Law & Neil Sackley (2), Zach Burns & Darcy Buckland (9), Claire Fuller & KT (16) and Brad Chapman & Neil Sackley (30)
) XMAS Wed (20 LIGHT ME UP XMAS BAR150 with DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle plus KARAOKE at 10pm ) Thur (21) XMAS POP with video DJ Neil Sackley Fri (22) WHITE PARTY with DJs Darcy Buckland & Audio K9 char t/dance/ Xmas tunes ) Sat (23) The Big One’s NOT A SILENT NIGHT with DJs Claire Fuller & Darcy Buckland at 10pm ) Sun (24) is SHOUT OUT IT’S XMAS with DJ Darcy Buckland at 11pm
) NYE Sun (31) NYE SUITED & BOOTED par ty: DJs Phil Marriott, Darcy Buckland and Liam Searle, tickets via Facebook The Edge say: “Expect huge tunes welcoming you into the New Year in true Edge style! Dress to kill as we will be looking out for the best outfit “
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Open Mic Sessions 8pm
l EDGE Throwback Tuesday: DJ Audio K9 11pm
WEDNESDAY 6
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night: karaoke with host Aura J 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bar 150: DJs/karaoke 10pm
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle + karaoke & cabaret: Cassidy Connors 10pm
THURSDAY 7
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Danii Dior’s Weekend Warm Up: tunes/karaoke 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Quiz On Your Face 8pm
l EDGE Pop!: DJ Neil Sackley 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Lucinda Lashes’ Karaoke 9pm
FRIDAY 8
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD The Weekend Star ts Here: DJ Toby Lawrence 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Get Some: DJs 10pm
l EDGE Get Some: DJ Audio K9 10.30pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ Ruper t Ellick 9pm; cabaret: Miss Thunderpussy 10pm
) OPEN Sun & Mon 9pm, Tue – Sat 7pm; closed Xmas Day
) HAPPY HOURS Sun all night, Mon select drinks £1 50, 2-4-1 selected drinks on Tue and all night on Boxing Day, Sat 7–10pm
) HB GAY CARD Sign up for a HB Gay Card for £10, valid for one year Perks include: points to spend at the bar, free VIP booth on your bir thday, priority entrance, queue jump and you can use it as ID to enter the club! Ask staff for more details
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Friday The WEEKEND STARTS HERE with DJ Toby Lawrence mix of house/commercial/floor-fillers; entry free till 10pm, £3 till 11pm, £5 after
) REGUL ARS Saturday is THE BIG ONE with DJ R uper t Ellick, free b4 10pm/£3 b4 11pm, £5 after ) Sun is REWIND 80s/90s tunes melting away the end-of-weekend blues, free entry! ) Mon is 20SOMETHING with DJ Lee Harris & Luke Ennor bringing the tunes, free till 10pm/£3 b4 midnight/£5 after ) Tue is Cherr y Liquor ’s DRAGPILATION with cabaret, bingo and gameshows, free entry and top stars from 7pm (showtime 8 30pm)
) Wed is BIG NAVY NIGHT with host Aura- Jay’s KARAOKE getting you over the hump
) Warm up for the weekend every Thur with Danii Dior, hot tracks & KARAOKE
) XMAS Tue (26) BOXING DAY PARTY with DJ Missy B at 9pm; open till 6am, £5 b4 11pm, £6 after
) NYE Sun (31) NYE PARTY with DJs, Drag Hosts and loads of giveaways at 9pm; open till 6am, tickets £10
SOUTHAMPTON
SATURDAY 9
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD The Big One: DJ Ruper t Ellick 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Big One: DJs 10pm
l EDGE The Big One: DJs Zach Burns & Darcy Buckland 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Music in the Street 3pm; Guilty Pleasures: DJ Neil Sackley & vocalist Sam Solace 9pm
SUNDAY 10
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD ReWind 80s/90s night 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR opens 4pm
l EDGE Shout Out Sunday: DJ Darcy Buckland 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL London Podium: Mrs Moore & Nan 8pm
MONDAY 11
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Reboot 11pm
l EDGE Reboot: DJ Liam Searle 11pm
TUESDAY 12
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Cherry Liquor’s Dragpilation: cabaret, games & bingo 7pm
l BOX BAR Open Mic Sessions 8pm
l EDGE Throwback Tues: DJ Audio K9 11pm
WEDNESDAY 13
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night: karaoke with host Aura J 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bar 150: DJs/karaoke 10pm
l EDGE Bar 150 Onesie & Pyjama Par ty: DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle, karaoke 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Laglo Xmas Par ty: DJ Fanny Love & cabaret: Sum Ting Wong 9pm
THURSDAY 14
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Danii Dior’s Weekend Warm Up: tunes/karaoke 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Quiz On Your Face 8pm
l EDGE Pop!: DJ Neil Sackley 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Lucinda Lashes’ Karaoke 9pm
FRIDAY 15
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD The Weekend Star ts Here: DJ Toby Lawrence 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Get Some: DJs 10pm
l EDGE Get Some: DJ Darcy Buckland 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ Ruper t Ellick 9pm; cabaret: Sandra 10pm
SATURDAY 16
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD The Big One: DJ Ruper t Ellick 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Big One: DJs 10pm
l EDGE The Big One: DJs Claire Fuller & KT 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Tiny 9pm
SUNDAY 17
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD ReWind 80s/90s 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR opens 4pm
l EDGE Shout Out Sunday: DJ Darcy Buckland 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL London Podium: Miss Penny & Rose Garden 8pm
MONDAY 18
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Reboot 11pm
l EDGE Rudolf ’s Xmas Reboot: DJ Liam Searle 11pm
TUESDAY 19
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Cherry Liquor’s Dragpilation: cabaret, games & bingo 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Open Mic Sessions 8pm
l EDGE Thirst But Traditional Tuesday: DJ Audio K9 11pm
WEDNESDAY 20
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night: karaoke with host Aura J 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Light Me Up Xmas Bar 150: DJs/karaoke 10pm
l EDGE Light Me Up Xmas Bar 150: DJs
Lee Harris & Liam Searle + karaoke 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Xmas Par ty: DJ Fanny Love 8pm
THURSDAY 21
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Danii Dior’s Weekend Warm Up: tunes/karaoke 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Quiz On Your Face 8pm
l EDGE Xmas Pop!: DJ Neil Sackley 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Lucinda Lashes’ Karaoke 9pm
FRIDAY 22
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD The Weekend Star ts Here: DJ Toby Lawrence 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR open 4pm
l EDGE Xmas White Themed Par ty: DJs Darcy Buckland & Audio K9 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ Rupert Ellick 9pm; cabaret: Eva Iglesias 10pm
SATURDAY 23
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD The Big One: DJ Ruper t Ellick 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Big One’s Not a Silent Night Xmas Par ty: DJs 10pm
l EDGE The Big One’s Not a Silent Night
Xmas Par ty: DJs Alex Baker & Darcy Buckland 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ
Lucinda Lashes 9pm
SUNDAY 24
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD ReWind 80s/90s night 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR opens 4pm
l EDGE Shout Out It’s Xmas: DJ Darcy Buckland 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Xmas Eve Cabaret: Vileda Moppe 8pm
MONDAY 25
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD closed for Xmas
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR closed for Xmas
l EDGE closed for Xmas
l LONDON HOTEL closed for Xmas
TUESDAY 26
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Boxing Day Par ty: DJ Missy B 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Boxing Day Open Mic 8pm
l EDGE Reboot 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Boxing Day Bash: Lucinda Lashes 6pm
WEDNESDAY 27
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night: karaoke with host Aura J 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Bar 150: DJs/karaoke 10pm
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle + karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 28
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Danii Dior’s Weekend Warm Up: tunes/karaoke 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Quiz On Your Face 8pm
l EDGE Pop!: DJ Neil Sackley 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Lucinda Lashes’ Karaoke 9pm
FRIDAY 29
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD The Weekend Star ts Here: DJ Toby Lawrence 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Get Some: DJs 10pm
l EDGE Get Some: DJ Audio K9 10 30pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ Ruper t Ellick 9pm
SATURDAY 30
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD The Big One: DJ Ruper t Ellick 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Big One: DJs 10pm
l EDGE The Big One: DJs Brad Chapman & Neil Sackley 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Dazza 9pm
SUNDAY 31
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD NYE Par ty: DJs, Drag Hosts & giveaways 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR NYE Par ty 8pm
l EDGE NYE Suited & Booted Par ty: DJs
Phil Marriott, Darcy Buckland & Laim Searle 9pm
l LONDON HOTEL NYE Par ty: Kids’ TV Characters theme: DJ Neil Sackley & Dr Beverly Ballcrusher 8pm
MONDAY 1
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD closed for New Year’s Day
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR closed for New Year’s Day
l EDGE closed for New Year’s Day
GEEK SCENE
COMICS
) This year, or more specifically this month, is a massive one for Star Wars fans After a long two-year wait, we are finally going to see the next chapter in the Star Wars saga and follow Rey on her journey to becoming something more than she already is. Since Disney bought out Lucasfilm and all its properties back in 2012 things have been tweaked and changed. Everything that used to be classed as the expanded universe (or the EU) and the stories before and after the film series have been classed as Legends or what ifs and since 2014 a new canon has started to be created
) In memory of the original EU, I’d like to share some of my favourite Star Wars comic books that I think everyone should experience The fantastic Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) set almost 4,000 years before the Star Wars films, follows the story of Zayne Carrick, a young Padawan (Jedi in training) who is tasked with capturing a notorious smuggler, Gryph, which will allow him to be promoted to Jedi Knight at the next graduation ceremony. After numerous hurdles along the way, Zayne manages to capture Gryph, but is late to the graduation ceremony. Upon arriving back at the academy, Zayne is horrified to find the Jedi Masters standing over the slain corpses of his fellow Padawans This begins a 50-issue cat and mouse series with the Jedi Masters trying to track down Zayne and stop him from discovering the truth about why they murdered his friends The series is fantastically written and beautifully drawn with so many twists and turns that leave you dying to keep reading just to see where the story will flow to next
) If KOTOR is too far away from the main Star Wars story, then Dark Empire might be the comic for you This new trilogy follows the adventures of Luke, Leia and Han after the events of Return of the Jedi as they strive to defeat the remnants of the Empire that was left after the death of the Emperor. Little do they know that Palpatine has returned in a slowly dying clone body and desires to reclaim his Empire as well as converting Luke Skywalker to the Dark Side of the Force Also, Leia must protect her unborn child from Palpatine as he tries to possess her son who will grow up to be extremely powerful in the Force Dark Empire’ s strengths come from the familiarity of the characters as well as being a continuation of the story of the original trilogy Seeing Luke try to succeed where his father failed is a truly gripping story and the art is moody and enticing with some stunning battle scenes.
) Notable mentions; Tales of the Jedi, Star Wars: Empire, Jedi vs Sith, Star Wars Tales
GAMES
) Ever since the first Star Wars film was released back in 1977 there have been video games based around the franchise. Today, if you can think of a genre then you can bet that there is a Star Wars game firmly planted within that niche In celebration of Episode 8, here are my favourite Star Wars games ever made!
) Whilst not part of the main series, X-Wing vs TIE Fighter has many technical improvements over earlier games in the franchise The biggest inclusion, and why it is on my list, is the fantastic multiplayer for up to eight players in various different modes It is the only game in the series that is designed specifically for multiplayer and this is the reason it’s so highly regarded; it’s the perfect example of how multiplayer modes should be implemented into games
) Like most geeks out there, many of us have all at some time dreamed of having a lightsaber or being a Jedi or a Sith depending on your leanings Jedi Knight: Jedi Outcast is possibly the best game ever made with which to release your inner Jedi. Taking control of Kyle Katarn, a man who has abandoned his Jedi training since the previous game Jedi Knight, you must reignite your special abilities and reclaim your lightsaber to save your partner Jan Ors from the latest dark Jedi who wishes to become a true Sith Lord Jedi Outcast still looks and sounds amazing today and is an incredible thrill ride in single player, but it is again within its multiplayer where the game truly shines Fancy pitting Luke Skywalker against Lando Calrissian in a battle to the death? Go for it! Jedi Outcast also features possibly the best lightsaber combat system in any game, which is easy to get the hang of but difficult to truly master
) If you ever wanted to be a soldier in the various battles featured within the Star Wars films, then Star Wars: Battlefront is the game for you Want to join the Empire and hijack an ATAT to shoot down the Rebels on Hoth? Go ahead Want to use a Y-Wing to bomb the Empire on Cloud City? You can! Whilst Battlefront had a lacklustre sequel and another disappointing reboot two years ago, the recent release of Battlefront 2 has improved on the quality in leaps and bounds
) For that epic Star Wars experience, you can’t go far wrong with Knights of the Old Republic Set 4,000 years before the films, you are a Jedi tasked with taking down the Sith Lord Darth Malak and his new army. KOTOR is almost perfect in every way. From the superb story to the deep turnbased combat, every part of the game surges with fan service. Not only is it a fantastic game, it also features one of the greatest story twists in the history of gaming that you will never see coming!
) Notable mentions: Jedi Academy, Super Star Wars Trilogy, Episode One: Podracer
BRIGHTON CENTRE
Kings Road, Brighton, Box office: 0844 847 1515
) MICHAEL BALL & ALFIE BOE (Sat 2) Singing their hits including material from the platinum-selling album, Together ) BANANARAMA (Fri 8) perform their 1980s pop classics including I Heard a Rumour, Love in the First Degree, Nathan Jones and Venus
) CHRISTMAS QUEENS (Tue 12). Celebrate the release of the stars of RuPaul's Drag Race's new album, Christmas Queens #3, with a night of festive drag realness hosted by everyone's favourite judge, Michelle Visage. Line-up includes Season 9 finalist Peppermint plus Sharon Needles, Thorgy Thor, Ivy Winters, Ginger Minj and Jinkx Monsoon
) JOOLS HOLLAND (Sat 16) An evening with musical virtuoso Holland and his well-renowned Rhythm & Blues Orchestra ) DANIEL O’DONNELL (Sun 17) The Irish singer will have a tough time choosing which hits to play from his back-catalogue of 35 LPs
ACTUALLY GAY MEN’S CHORUS
St Andrew’s Church, Waterloo St, Hove, www.actuallygmc.org
) ACTUALLY GAY MEN’S CHORUS: LET IT SNOW (Fri 22) AGMC present festive favourites like O Holy Night and The Spirit of Christmas as well as lesser wellknown but equally beautiful and atmospheric musical moments. Sit back, relax and kick off your Christmas holiday in style with classics like White Christmas and modern classics like Let It Go! No
Christmas concert is complete without a sing-along so get set to join in with favourites like O Come
All Ye Faithful and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. AGMC will be joined on stage by the talented local soprano Karen Orchin Proceeds will go to the Sussex Beacon and antibullying charity Inclusion For All Tickets: www.actuallygmc.org
ATTENBOROUGH
CENTRE
University of Sussex, Falmer Box office: attenboroughcentre.com ) DAVID HOYLE: DIAMOND (Sat 2) Unforgiving queer performance of sexuality and British culture
exploring LGBT history 1957–2017 through the personal biography of avant garde performer David Hoyle
Weaving together intimate personal accounts and landmark events, Diamond charts his rise from a gay adolescent in Blackpool, through Channel 4 anti-drag queen cult phenomena Divine David, to the performer he is today With special guests The LipSinkers.
BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS
All Saints Church, The Drive, Hove Box office: brightongmc.org
) BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS: DREAMING OF CHRISTMAS (7.30pm, Fri 15). All Saints Church offers the perfect acoustics for unique and exclusive arrangements of scores like White Christmas, Coventry Carol, The Lamb, Miserere Mei Dei, Le Cantique De Jean Racine and songs by Kelly Clarkson, George Michael, Kate Bush, Kylie Minogue and John Lennon BGMC will be joined by Lucy Bundy, aka Fake
Bush With her pitch-perfect falsetto, Lucy brings to life Kate Bush's classic, twisted pop hits Tickets: £15/£12 concs available from brightongmc.org and Prowler in St James’s Street. Raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
CABARET
Theatre Royal, New Rd, Brighton Box office: 08448 717650
) CABARET (Tue 5–Sat 9). Based on Christopher Isherwood’s memoirs of living in Berlin as the Nazis come to power. In the role that earned him an Olivier Award nomination, Will Young reprises his critically acclaimed performance of MC in Rufus Norris’ production Playing Sally Bowles is singer, TV presenter and 2016 Strictly Come Dancing runner up Louise Redknapp Choreographed by Olivier Award winner Javier de Frutos, the show includes the songs Money Makes the World Go Around, Maybe This Time and Two Ladies.
EYES WIDE OPEN
Fabrica Gallery, Duke St, Brighton eyeswideopencinema.co.uk ) The queer cinema collective presents: HUSTLER WHITE (Thu 7). Bruce LaBruce’ s film follows lovelorn anthropologist Jürgen (LaBruce) as he heads to LA to research hustlers as a phenomenon. Jürgen spots angel-faced trick Montgomery (bisexual supermodel Tony Ward) and falls hopelessly in love The film introduces a bizarre array of LA’s eccentric residents, including a born-again country singer, a razor blade masochist, a mortician-cum-dominatrix and an amputee fetishist, with cameos by Ron Athey and Vaginal Davis. Inspired by Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard, but subverted with quintessential LaBrucian style, it’s a rollercoaster ride of sex, money, depravity and a bit of romance.
KOMEDIA
Gardner Street, Brighton Box office: 08452 938480
) BENT DOUBLE (Sun 3). A gayfriendly, irreverent night of fun and frolics hosted by Zoe Lyons (Mock The Week and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow) Featuring headliner Eleanor Tiernan plus Suzi Ruffell and Abi Roberts
RAINBOW CHORUS
St George’s Church, St George’s Rd, Brighton Tickets: http://bpt.me/3115934
) RAINBOW CHORUS pres THE SOUND OF CHRISTMAS (Sat 9) The Chorus, fresh from an appearance on BBC’s One Show, promise an
enchanting evening featuring an eclectic collection of classics like Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire, White Christmas and Jingle Bells plus less traditional fare with Windmills Of Your Mind, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Somebody To Love, Fix You and Feeling Groovy Plus there’s a festive bar serving mulled wine, mince pies and more!
RESOUND & REBELLES
St Andrew’s Church, Waterloo St, Hove, Tickets: ticketsource.co.uk/resoundmalev oices or resoundmalevoices.org
) HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS – A NEW HOVE (Fri 15–Sat 16) RESOUND and REBELLES present their Christmas concert, which promises a variety of both familiar and off-the-wall repertoire including the haunting Carol Of The Bells, White Winter Hymnal, folk music from all over the world and swing numbers by the Puppini Sisters.
QUKULELE
Latest Musicbar, Manchester St, Brighton, www.qukulele.co.uk
) QUKULELE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL (7 30pm, Tues 12) Qukulele‘ s festive feast of mash-ups, Hawaiian hilarity and songs old and new with compere Stella Pint, the teetotal drag queen, plus special guests: unruly humour from Annabelszki and seasonal songs from Ali Child and Rosie Wakle. Tickets: £7 from www.wegottickets.com/event/42 2058.
ART MATTERS
For December, I’ve sourced two local exhibitions in the same venue, and two shows that I’m included in a bit further away.
) Beginning with the two exhibitions I’m involved in, you can catch the last few days of Borderline (3 Nov–7 Dec) which is a curated group show where gallery artists have been invited to explore the idea of boundaries, interpreting this highly relevant theme in their own unique style
) DRAWING IN (14 Nov–6 Jan 2018) takes its title from the diminishing light as we enter into the winter months. Drawing In is the first exhibition at Tregony Gallery dedicated to the practice of drawing. Far from being simply the foundation by which artworks are created, the variety of exhibited work forms a rich landscape of technique and sensibility and offers a way to see the gallery artists at new and revealing depths. Open 10am–5pm, Tues–Sat.
PALL ANT HOUSE ART GALLERY
9 North Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, http://pallant.org.uk
) Closer to home, BOMBERG, in rooms 12-16 (until 4 Feb 2018), is a major review of the life and career of David Bomberg (1890–1957), revered as one of the greatest British artists of the 20th century. Taught by Walter Sickert, he in turn taught artists including Frank Auerbach and Leon Kossoff, inspiring the formation of the Borough Group in 1946 Through over 70 works, the exhibition offers a chance to reassess Bomberg’s stylistic evolution, which started with a trip to Paris where he met Picasso, Derain and Modigliani. It explores key themes within the artist’s remarkable career, including engagement with his Jewish East End upbringing and with Yiddish culture, his contribution to pre-war British modernism and his role as a war artist in both World Wars. It also illustrates his achievements in landscape painting, in particular those created in Spain and Palestine, alongside a rich sequence of self-portraits and portraits of friends and family. Marking the 60th anniversary of the artist’s death, the exhibition is curated by Ben Uri Gallery & Museum in association with Pallant House Gallery After Chichester, it tours to the Laing Art Gallery and Ben Uri during 2018
ALL THAT JAZZ
) KURT ELLING The Beautiful Day: Kurt Elling Sings Christmas (Okeh). Well, I’m sorry, but this column does not do Christmas. Bah humbug and all that. But since “It” looms on the horizon, here is one album to get you in the right mood, a set that actually came out late last year but got wrongly buried in the seasonal deluge. Kurt Elling is a ridiculously handsome American singer with a fine baritone voice and a real sense of musical daring. On this set of seasonal as opposed to specifically Christmas songs, he tackles a wide and interesting range of material, turning in an adventurous arrangement of We Three Kings and reworking Grieg’s Cradle Song into the poetic The Michigan Farm. In a largely schmaltz-free way, this set is surprisingly good, for a Christmas record, although obviously not in the same league as Phil Spector’s Christmas Gift with Darlene Love and The Ronettes. Hey ho, as the seven dwarfs go.
) SAO PAULO UNDERGROUND
Cantos Invisiveis (Cuneiform).
I’ve raved about Chicago cornet player Rob Mazurek before, but on this set he leaves the Windy City behind to revisit the country he lived and worked in between 2002 and 2008. Collaborating with three local Brazilian musicians, he conjures up a mesmeric electroacoustic tapestry of jazz, folk, rock, electronica and psychedelia
The set’s title translates from the Portuguese as ‘invisible corners ’ or ‘invisible songs ’ , for there is much here that is hidden or occluded, the bleeps, blips and wails on each song moving gently into and out of focus All four musicians use electronics, synthesisers and samples as well as more traditional instruments, bringing to the music an engrossing mix of old and new. Carnival parades, folk songs and processional chants mix with the electronics of a fecund undergrowth. This is expansive and unclassifiable music in many ways, and much the better for it.
) To compliment the Bomberg show, SPIRIT IN THE MASS:
BOMBERG’S LEGACY, in room 17 (until 4 Feb 2018), is a display celebrating David Bomberg’s radical influence on the young artists he taught at the Borough Polytechnic between 1945 and 1953, including Dinora Mendelson, Dennis Creffield, Lilian Holt, Leslie Marr and Leon Kossoff. Whilst some exhibited together as the Borough Group, others were influenced by his belief in capturing the pure essence of a subject, which he called the ‘spirit of the mass ’ .
) SAM BRAYSHER with MICHAEL KANAN Golden Earrings (Fresh Sound New Talent). Finally, my surprising album of the year. Sam Braysher is a ridiculously younglooking alto saxophonist and a recent graduate of the Guildhall School of Music Unlike many jazzers of his generation, his interest lies not in the modern vernacular of pop and hip-hop but in the classic songs of the Great American Songbook, those well-crafted songs and Broadway show tunes that have become such an essential part of the jazz repertoire
But that is not to label him a traditionalist, for he brings a cool, modernist twist to every line he plays. Accompanied sympathetically by New York pianist Michael Kanan, Braysher plays deep into the likes of Jerome Kern’s In Love In Vain, an Irving Berlin medley – including What’ll I Do, best known in this country as the soundtrack for TV’s Birds of a Feather – and Nat King Cole’s Beautiful Moons Ago. I said that this was my surprise hit of the year, because this is not the sort of set I would usually go for High praise indeed
CL ASSICAL NOTES
REVIEWS
) JOHANNES PRAMSOHLER & JADRAN DUNCUMB Bach & Weiss (Audax ADX13706). For violinist Johannes Pramsohler’ s latest disc he is joined by lutenist Jadran
Duncumb for a fascinating pairing of music by J S Bach (1658-1750) and his contemporary Silvius Leopold Weiss (1687-1750). Weiss was one of the most important composers of music for the lute, and was renowned for his technical ability on the instrument The main inspiration here is the Suite in A major, BWV1025 In a fascinating essay the two performers discuss this work’s unclear history – is it simply an arrangement by Bach of a lute suite by Weiss, or was it in fact a work of some kind of collaboration? Weiss certainly visited the Bach household, and the two are reported to have competed in improvisation challenges. Whatever the work’s origins, in the form played here by Pramsohler & Duncumb the two instruments and their idiomatic styles are beautifully combined The recording brings the lute forward, balancing the quieter instrument against the more prominent violin. The Suite balances grace and poise in the opening Fantasia and stately central Entrée against livelier dancing movements such as the Rondeau and Menuett. Both players are impressive in the Courante, building from a delicate opening to some racing runs for the violin in particular Following this, both players get the chance to shine individually First, Duncumb performs a lute Suite by Weiss, opening with a strikingly dramatic Allemande, Duncumb bringing out the dark, mellow tones of the lower registers. The Courante ripples wonderfully, and Duncumb brings out the flowing melodic line
expertly in the dancing Bourrée. To close the disc, it’s Pramsohler’s turn, with a highly impressive performance of Bach’s Partita No. 2. The recording acoustic is open, and Pramsohler exploits this, allowing the harmonies and lines to sing out – no scratching or digging here So often the rhythmic line is disturbed by Bach’s fiendish multiple stoppings or string crossing leaps, but not here He takes the Giga at a phenomenal pace, yet no detail is lost, and the monumental Ciaconna that finishes the Partita has a steady, consistent momentum that adds to its sublime sense of timelessness. This is an impressive recording by two exceptional performers – highly recommended.
) NORDIC VOICES Sing
Victoria (Chaconne CHSA0402). Nordic Voices are a six-voice a cappella group from Norway who perform a broad repertoire from plainsong through to newly commissioned works Their previous recording for Chaconne back in 2009 including some music by Tomás Luis de Victoria (15481611), and now they return with a full disc of works by Victoria for six voices. They produce a full, warm yet crystal clear and blended sound throughout, with particularly rich lower voices, evident in the opening motet, Quem vidistis, pastores, when there is often a split in Victoria’s writing between the higher and lower voices In Salve Regina, there are some beautiful exchanges between different voices, and the singers clearly enjoy the interchanges here Vadam et circuibo civitatem that concludes the disc is particularly tender, and this reflects their overall approach. Very occasionally I’d like to hear a little more definition to individual parts, yet there is a warmth and intensity to their sound that is highly engaging The resurrection motet, Ardens est cor meum is given a bit more energetic drive, and there is some smooth and sonorous plainchant from the lower voices in Vexilla Regis Definitely an ensemble to look out for if they visit the UK
) JEAN-EFFLAM BAVOUZET
Beethoven’s Complete Piano Sonatas (Chandos CHAN10960(9)
I reviewed the earlier volumes of Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’ s recordings of Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas, and now all three volumes have been combined in a 9 CD box set –perhaps a treat for Christmas? It’s rare that a complete cycle satisfies individual tastes across the whole 32 sonatas, but I have to say there is little here that I’d want different The depth of his interpretations of the later works, particularly No. 29, the Hammerklavier is especially striking, and where I felt his Moonlight was not dark or wild
CINEMA
enough, that’s certainly not the case here And No. 32, one of Beethoven’s final statements on the instrument has that perfect combination of wild passion in the opening movement, contrasted with the profound transcendence of the final Arietta. Standout highlights from earlier volumes must be the freshness of his Pathétique and a towering Waldstein Bavouzet is clearly at the height of his game, recording and performing to a remarkable schedule, and this cycle will surely stand as a benchmark for some time to come
Reviews, comments and events: v nicks-classical-notes.blogspot.co.uk t @nickb86uk ) nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk
) The Bolshoi Ballet performs Tchaikovsky’ s The Nutcracker (Sun 3)
) Or you can see the Royal Ballet’ s production (Tue 5) live from the Royal Opera House
) You can also see the Berliner Philharmoniker (Sun 31), conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato in their New Year’s Eve Concert broadcast live from Berlin. In a range of local cinemas - check for times.
CONCERTS
BRIGHTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL www.bremf.org.uk
) If you ’ re missing Brighton Early Music Festival already, then BREMF Consort of Voices return (6pm, Sat 2, St Paul’s Church, West St), joined by The Sussex Waits, for an Advent Concert including music by Isaac, Senfl and Praetorius
) And The Telling (7 30pm, Fri 8, St Barnabas Church, Hove) bring medieval music to life in Christmas Past
BRIGHTON DOME Box office: 01273 709709 www.brightondome.org
) The Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra (2.45pm, Sun 3), conducted by Barry Wordsworth, perform Elgar, Rachmaninov and Ravel’ s Piano Concerto in G major with Melvin Tan (piano)
) The Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra return (2 45pm, Sun 31), joined by soprano Rebecca Bottone for a New Year’s Eve Viennese Gala celebration of the music of Strauss
) The Brighton Festival Chorus (4pm, Sun 17), conducted by James Morgan, are joined by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with soloists Juliette Pochin (mezzo) and Nicky Spence (tenor), and the Brighton Festival Youth Choir, for their annual celebration of Christmas music
ACCA
University of Sussex, 01273 678822, www.attenboroughcentre.com
) The Zemlinsky Quartet (11am, Sun 17) performs Beethoven, Janacek and Schumann
ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH Lewes, www.thebaroquecollective.org.uk
) The Baroque Collective & the Baroque Collective Singers (7pm, Sat 23), conducted by John Hancorn, perform Handel’ s Messiah
) 50 QUEERS WHO CHANGED THE WORLD: A CELEBRATION OF LGBTQ+ ICONS (Hardie Grant Books) by Dan Jones. This beautifully illustrated collection is a smart tribute to inspirational LGBT+ people from history. We queers are some of the coolest folk! The book looks at Freddie Mercury, Virginia Woolf, Laverne Cox, Harvey Milk, Audre Lorde and 45 others who’ve all made an unforgettable impact. Queer subculture has had an enormous influence on style, music, art and literature and the queer community were often in the vanguard of style, change and social progress From Oscar Wilde, who defended his homosexual relationships in court, to RuPaul acting as an ambassador for drag on network TV, queer people have fought to express their identities and make a difference. This book celebrates the lives, work and unique perspectives of the icons that changed our world. Elegantly illustrated by Michele Rosenthal, these stories make inspirational reading and it’s just the most perfect show-off book.
) HIGHLAND FLING (Bold Strokes) by Anna Larner With eye-catching cover artwork by Sheri Halal this is one of those books that breathes ‘good reading’ from the moment you pick it up This lovely debut follows the romantic adventures of Eve Eddison as she travels to the Scottish Highlands and falls, hard, for an enigmatic forestry officer, Moira Burns. Eve and Moria have lots of baggage, they hug it close and the book examines with warmth and humour if either can get past pain for present pleasure From the breath-taking Highlands to the buzz of a Leicester gay bar, family and friendship are tested to breaking point as the narrative pressure builds in this wonderful engaging British lesbian romance
) SEE WHAT I HAVE DONE (Tinder Press) by Sarah Schmidt What would Christmas be without a scary story? Schmidt re-invents the famous story of the Borden Axe murders, old Lizzie’s doing back in 1892. Her parents were brutally murdered with an axe, and all eyes fell on the youngest daughter, Lizzie. Did she do it? The author teases us with the odd personality of Lizzie, whose view of the world is very strange and off, but her voice is strong and convincing There’s enough circumstance in the plot to keep us guessing and plenty of gory mentions of bones, blood, sickly sights and sounds to make you pleasantly uncomfortable from start to end Delicious shuddering!
) TWO GENTLEMEN SHARING (Abacus) by William Corlett This is a British gay classic, hugely enjoyable with all the subtleties of a delightful comedy of manners set in a small and apparently quiet village in England It’s Armistead Maupin crossed with Mapp & Lucia in an uproarious gay comedy of rural life. Two rich gay men, recently in love, move in and set up a grand home together. This offers up a serious challenge to the various larger than life county living styles that needs to adjust to this coupling getting on with their daily lives It’s a brilliant examination of clash, culture, class, urban and country, gay and straight, progressive and intolerant and made me laugh out loud
constantly. Corlett’s humour is gentle but relentless, ravaging personal prejudices and giving us more than a few delightful revelations as the story unfolds. It’s the perfect gift for the reader in your life who hasn’t heard of this classic 20-year-old book
) APHRA BEHN: A SECRET LIFE (Fentum Press) by Janet Todd This is a look at the astonishing life, work and history of Aphra Behn: 17th century dramatist, poet, novelist, political propagandist, bisexual writer, and spy Virginia Woolf said of Behn “All women together ought to let flowers fall on the tomb of Aphra Behn... For it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds.” Behn, a spy in the Netherlands and the Americas, was the first professional woman writer. The most prolific dramatist of her age, innovative novelist, translator, lyrical and erotic poet, she expresses a frank sexuality addressing courting and loving ladies, orgasm and bisexuality, whilst serving as political propagandist for the
monarch. This revised biography of this extraordinary, ground-breaking writer is set in conflict-ridden England, Europe, and in the mismanaged slave colonies, following the Puritan republic in 1660 Behn is emblematic of the Restoration period, a time of masks and self-fashioning Todd’s writing is as appealing as her research is remarkable and the book bounces along at a delightful pace while scrutinising serious issues in a time of extreme political, social and religious upheaval.
) THE BOX (Bruno Gmunder) by Ron Amato. This superb highquality photo book focuses on themes of isolation, desire, conflict and empowerment. The Box speaks to human experiences of selfdiscovery and community building Using a series of boxes to create visual metaphors, Ron echoes his development from adolescence to adulthood through over 100 colour and black and white photographs
He features a selection of different men, sexual, sensual, contained and abandoned The Box forms both a border and boundary, an invite and exclusion Very age positive in his imagery, he has some hot models to work with. Evoking his youth in Brooklyn, moving through his coming out as a gay man and up to his present position as a photographer and teacher, Amato creates a vivid portrait of struggle and triumph.
IT ’S PANTO TIME!
OH NO IT ISN’T - OH YES IT IS!
) It's that time of the year when local drag queens don their panto costumes and journey to all four corners of the country to recreate the roles of everyone ’ s favourite Panto Dames. From Taunton in the West to Diss in the East, the hills will be alive with the sights and sounds of Brighton Drag Queens playing ugly sister, Sarah the Cook or Widow Twankey to generations of young children and their parents.
Where else do boys dress as girls, and girls dress as boys for a mainstream audience and no one bats an eyelid? Where else can a leading boy who is really a girl slap their leg and ask for Dick to an audience of kids egged on by their parents? Traditional panto remains alive and kicking and long may that continue! While the great Panto Dames of the past are no longer with us, this annual feast of gender illusion gives local drag entertainers the chance, once a year, to become legit, play big theatres and show off their acting skills to a much wider audience Here’s where you can catch Dave, David, Lola, Davina, Sally and Jason performing this Christmas!
AL ADDIN
The Corn Hall, St Nicholas Street, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4LB
Tickets from £10 Box Office: 01379 652241 www.thecornhall.co.uk
) ALADDIN starring SALLY VATE as Widow Twankey (Sat 16–Tue 26). Sally Vate aka Jon Hughes plays Aladdin's washerwoman mother, Widow Twankey, ensuring her son can save them from a life of dirty work! Will their dreams will come true? Sally says: “A marvellous mix of magic, comedy, puppets, music and adventure This production features a full cast of professional actors and dancers to make your festive season special!"
Starring Daniel Mack Shand as Aladdin, Amy Little as Princess Jasmine and Lee Peck as Abanazar.
AL ADDIN
The Playhouse Theatre, 126-130 High Street, Weston-Super-Mare, BS23 1HP
Tickets from £18.95 for kids and over 60s, £19.95 for grown-ups. Box Office: 01934 645544 www.theplayhouse.co.uk
) ALADDIN starring DAVID RUMELLE as Widow Twankey (Sat 9–Sun 31). David Rumelle has played Dame since 1995 and is playing Widow Twankey for the 22nd consecutive year He remains faithful to the traditions of legendary Brighton-based Dames, Jack Tripp and Douglas Byng David says: “Dame is one of the great British theatre traditions and the last remaining vestige of variety. I keep my portrayal as a traditional 'mother figure', but with a nod to the current era and always an eye on modern trends in my costumes, which I design and create myself.
Once you've found your Dame character, it's like an old friend one comes back to every year ”
Starring TV bad guy, John Altman (Nasty Nick, EastEnders) as Abanazar, Daniel Slade as Aladdin, and Mike Goble as Wishee Washee.
) CINDERELLA starring LOLA LASAGNE as an ugly sister (Sat 2–Sun 31 Dec). Award-winning cabaret artist and panto pro Lola Lasagne aka Stephen Richardson plays ugly sister Sharon Hard-Up. Lola says (through gritted teeth): “Children are the best audiences to play to There's nothing more satisfying than being cheered or booed at by 700 kids Even at 11am in the morning ”
EastEnders star Stefan Booth plays Prince Charming, Elizabeth Bright Cinderella, and TV chef Rustie Lee waves her magic wand as Fairy Godmother
JACK & THE BEANSTALK
Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, School Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8PD
Tickets from £12
Box Office: www.tacchi-morris.com
) JACK & THE BEANSTALK starring DAVE LYNN as Dame Trott (Sat 9–Sat 23). Dave Lynn plays Jack's mother, Dame Trott, in this spectacular family panto featuring well-known songs and fast-paced comedy, a sensational cast, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes, brilliant special effects and plenty of audience participation with a script written by Ben Langley Starring the hilarious ex-SPACE student Sam Stay as Simple Simon, Chris Britton as Jack Trott and Clare McCreadie as Princess Tamara
) SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS starring MISS JASON as Nurse Nancy (Sat 2-Sun 31) Throw in a magical mirror, a beautiful princess, a handsome prince, plenty of audience participation and hilarious Panto Dame Jason Sutton as Nurse Nancy Jason says: “I am thrilled to be working for Qdos Entertainment in this spellbinding, spectacular panto. Please do come and see me. ”
Star of stage, screen and EastEnders Jessie Wallace plays the Wicked Queen and is joined by magician Pete Firman as Muddles.
) BUSTER KEATON BOX SET (Eureka blu ray). This contains truly beautiful highdefinition restorations of three of Keaton’s finest films. SHERLOCK JR takes a simple idea - a cinema projectionist is also a budding amateur detective - and turns it into a meditation on the nature of both cinema and reality. It’s also laugh-out-loud funny. STEAMBOAT BILL JR is almost Shakespearean in its tale of a young man who is a disappointment to his father, and further compounds this through his love for the daughter of his father’s rival It also packs in some astounding stunts including its famous cyclone sequence THE GENERAL is Keaton’s masterpiece, a comedy chase movie whose perfection goes beyond being simply funny and thrilling – though it’s both of these The ideal Christmas present for cinephiles, and pretty much everyone else
fox scarf, £28.99; unique handmade lego lapel pins, £9.99; designer Hoopgirls cushion cover, £28.99 (Barbary Lane, 95 St George’s Rd, Brighton, barbarylane.co.uk and Facebook)
) CELINE & JULIE GO BOATING (BFI bluray). I first saw Jacque Rivette’ s muchlauded movie in my early 20s when it just left me baffled. A few decades on I think I’m warming to it, but it’s still a fairly baffling experience. It’s a one-of-a-kind three-hour surreal occult comedy about two women whose identities start to blur into each other – think of it as a whimsical version of Bergman’s Persona or perhaps Lynch’s Mulholland Drive without the menace Truthfully, my attention often wandered, especially during the Victorian house episodes which, evidently, are based on a Henry James novel Still, certain scenes seem to have a delayed effect so that they seem more powerful days after watching them: a terrible magic show, a weird marriage proposal in a bandstand, a feminist audition.
) 2018 Calendars from £17.99 (Prowler, 112-113 St James's Street, Brighton, 01273 603813)
CRAIG’S THOUGHTS
A Christmas Tale or Baby Jesus Will Save Us (again).
Craig Hanlon-Smith @craigscontinuum
) And lo, as another seasonal winter of good cheer loomed ahead like a Nazarean census, Joseph and his Mary set out once more on their quest to deliver the son of God to save mankind
Salvation would come in the form of a donkey, a few worried sheep and ultimately by wombdropping a baby into an unremarkable feeding trough, hidden in the corner of a derelict shed If that was the master plan, is it any wonder we ’ re all in the shit? However, it is not for us to argue on the origins of an internationally-renowned religion, and besides who doesn’t get their cockles warmed by the tale of Baby Jesus, or at least the John Lewis Christmas ad?
It had been a funny old year for our disillusioned yet once hopeful couple Joseph, never the centre of the attention, was resigned to Mary’s so-called immaculate conception because although he had restrained himself nightly, it turns out every bugger in the Palace of Westminster or perhaps Hollywood had probably had a turn, and so Mary’s not being with child would have been the real Christmas miracle.
In order to protect Mary’s honour, they invented some shit about the angel of the Lord visiting in the dead of night, and as Catholic Priests with loose cassocks had been getting away with it in children’s homes for years, billions, yes billions, fell for it.
Mary might have told her story to a local media outlet, but in those days by the time the palava had been etched onto some ancient parchment, the populace had swiftly moved on, and were now more concerned with which remote island King Herod was shoving his stash of bitcoin And so, our Mary’s needs once again pushed to the side, she accepted
her lot, straddled the Christmas mule and set out upon the dusty road as per usual. The story was, after all, probably bollocks Their odyssey was no longer the smooth ride it had been in previous tellings of the Christmas story. Our heroes were both dark of skin, and the face of Joseph half disguised behind a heavy-set beard And whilst facial hair would have made Joseph a real man and considerably more attractive to a wider range of homosexuals on Instagram, in reality it meant that stupid people could shout “Muslim Go Home” whilst frightening yet equally idiotic folk, with money and a shudder of global authority, could shove him in a detention centre whilst the local Judiciary argued the toss as to whether or not he should travel internationally ever again. “If only the world had a Baby Jesus to sort this mess out,” he thought to himself as he direct messaged a picture of his penis to 375 followers, only six of whom replied
As Joseph and his Mary trekked through the land of Judea, they had a strange feeling that they might be heading in the wrong direction, as they met hoards of people leaving This seemed strange to them as these were skilled house-builders, carpenters, inn-keepers and local health-care workers, but as our protagonists arrived in their homeland, all became clear
The local officials were carving up great segments of the green and pleasant land, shovelling it into wheelbarrows or whatever the BC equivalent was, and hunkering down in lonely corners, barricaded into isolation behind great mounds of pointless earth, waving a crumpled disintegrating flag whilst whistling a discordant national anthem and dressed up in the faded costumes of Dad’s Army. And although some were convinced they were to make their tiny separatist corner of Christendom great again, Joseph and his Mary didn’t even bother attempting to book into a local hostelry, there was after all undoubtedly no room, and headed straight for the stable with the pigs and ducks
Shepherds in the field, expecting a whole and holy host of angels to illuminate the night’s sky and proclaim the birth of the Christ child, were disappointed to be met with hundreds of headless chickens leaping from cloud to cloud whilst screaming, and yet saying, well, not very much at all
Meanwhile, nestled amongst the piggies, Joseph and his Mary had finally given birth to their saviour and awaited the arrival of the wise men They waited, and they waited, and still they waited but no wise men appeared. “Christ alive!” wailed an exasperated Mary, “I thought we’d find at least three wise men in the centre of the known world.” But what our protagonists would soon discover was that not only were their community leaders not wise, they actually appeared not to know what the f**k they were doing at all.
Even King Herod was not consistent with his Christmas story duties. Oh he did threaten to kill all of the first born within the Kingdom of Judea, and ‘to totally destroy Pyongyang’, although as most assumed this was bravado regarding an unpleasant sex act performed upon a Taiwanese prostitute, no-one took it seriously Besides, he was too busy teeing off at hole number 12 to get his shit together
Had Jesus himself at this point not been such a baby, he may have led his own revolution, inspired a few million people to follow him, at least on twitter, or perhaps suggested a second referendum, but as recent elections had suggested that democracy was clearly a terrible idea and that the public should no longer be allowed near a polling station, no one really would have bought into that one.
And so Baby Jesus cried And he cried And he cried. For this time, even he could not save mankind. They would just have to get on with it, until the robots came.
“And whilst facial hair would have made Joseph a real man and considerably more attractive to a wider range of homosexuals on Instagram, in reality it meant that stupid people could shout “Muslim Go Home””
CHARLIE SAYS
Rage of consent. And how dare you,
Owen Jones. By Charlie Bauer Phd
http://charliebauerphd blogspot co uk
) Not long ago it was Sir Jimmy Savile, then Frankenweinstein, now it’s people’s favourite, Kevin Spacey. Well come on, even my jakey ex shagged Kevin Spacey. I feel the male gay community over the age of 30 globally just shrugged its shoulders all together saying, ’Yes... and?’.
Be a ‘ man ’ . Owen. You’ve really opened the floodgates to hetero hell here. Something by our very nature we are exempt from. Whatever your degree or socialist standing you ’ ve had zilch lived experience in the constant threat of violence and murder The only reason you can navigate your gay sanitised life is because of us You are now about to turn every gay man over 50 a pederast because we (like everyone else) are outraged at the voice of our yoof I’m sure just by writing this I may be seen conveniently as a peedoh, or a necrophile, or a fox shagger What I care about more is that the mainstream gay media, and its representation elsewhere, is finally becoming straight. Straight being the true prize of emancipation.
You don’t represent me, you ’ re half my age, you didn’t live through the shit storm of an epidemic aimed at annihilating your community as the world either turned its back or laughed aloud. You don’t have the learned experience of growing up at that time as myself and millions of others. You occupy the tail-end of that process As a young queer back then in jolly old Blighty, home of the shamed, through its warped legislation was a place where, as a 12-year-old child, you could legally have sex with a 20-year-old man In my lifetime An age of consent set in place by the same moral straight patriarchy
We didn’t have the same models that your generation did One generation behind me were men who screamed into a pillow every night of their lives After a youth in National Service, where they had more sex than they would ever get in their adult lives, they only looked forward to a life of loneliness and they
got it, usually when they got married. They too grew up watching the social codes of the heteronorm. I had Bowie and Mark Bolan who turned skinhead queer bashers into straight drag queens overnight. I didn’t know the future either, but I knew something strange was afoot
Of course, the flip side of your outrage is the idiocy of Spacey’s publicist thinking they were doing the right thing (for Spacey that is) I know people who went from their jobs in the Old Vic on a Friday night straight into Chariots where they were dragged through piss till Monday morning and are now saying how distraught they where when Spacey touched their arm at the tea urn Pah
So how dare you, Owen Jones And Peter Tatchell hang your heads for playing into this witch hunt Whether anyone likes it or not, queer was the culture that had no choice but to run in tandem with its disgraceful hetero sidecar. Without any norms of its own, without any social predecessors.
Leave your judgement aside You can jump on the bandwagon and call me a paedophile if that makes you feel better, but the truth is staring you in the face. Heterosexuality was invented to shape itself into the moral disaster it’s become. The one that gave us Harvey Weinstein and the Donald. We have never belonged in the name and shame bracket, until now.
I immediately remember the painter Don Bachardy telling me a few years ago in Santa Monica about how, as a teenager, he fell in
love with the piercing blue eyes of the 40-oddyear-old Christopher Isherwood who he met on the beach below And then how he held Christopher’s hand on his deathbed in the next room as he died aged 81.
You see you deny every part of your intelligence if you don’t believe these shit storms aren’t generated and placed into the media when the time is right for them. Like the triangulation between James Murdoch’s McTaggart lecture stating that the BBC was ‘too big’, responded to by the Guardian pulldown of News International via the Milly Dowler leaks, leading in turn to the timing of the Jimmy Savile expose. Again, like Spacey and Weinstein, all carefully timed for maximum smokescreen and impact At worst an injection of morality into a damaged world Another nice injection of fear to mull over
I was gagging for it aged 14 when all my straight friends were getting hand jobs And I don’t know about you because you ’ re still quite young, but I know shedloads of gay men who have had chem sex with hundreds of faceless mouths, cocks and assholes Can they remember 30 years later? The ones who survived the plague, sometimes can’t
Since apparently human sexuality only begins with the age of consent, my generation are all a bit suspect When I was 20 and therefore still jailbait, to shag someone six months older would and could have constituted child abuse. Even if I was over the age of consent (21½) and there was another person IN THE HOUSE at the same time, the gay sex I was having would be classified as public sex and therefore illegal. The 21-year-old age of consent for gay men is the biggest sexual faux-pas since Queen Vic told us lesbianism never existed. It meant a gay lad of 14 could legally sleep with a 20year-old man as well as a 12-year-old lesbian having legal sex with a pensioner
So yes, I do have issues with the morality thrown around Mr Spacey being 26 to Anthony Rapp’s 14 years It’s devastatingly sad that we therefore have to disregard what is soon to become the highlight of the Oscar season, Call Me By Your Name, as an also ran A beautiful movie about a teenager and a 24-year-old Let’s see how this is received now shall we, now that the powers that be have selectively de-liberalised Hollywood. You’ve driven in this divisive stake yourselves.
Queer social and visual codes are still not in place for us to follow today in these gay old times. And they never will be. So it’s all of our responsibility as queers to reach out and not point a finger.
“I know people who went from their jobs at the Old Vic on a Friday night straight into Chariots where they were dragged through piss till Monday morning who are now saying how distraught they where when Spacey touched their arm at the tea urn. Pah!”
WALL’S WORDS
BY M I K E WA L L
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME
) Suddenly I wake and it’s Christmas Eve 2018. I’m watching some weird television programme looking back on the year ’ s events and the narrator is saying: “The snap election in March was in itself quite a shock. And even when Eddie Izzard decided to run for Labour, most of the nation was a little surprised, but who would have guessed what happened next? Labour winning the election with a majority was, to most of the nation, no real shock considering everything that happened in January to the Tory party But we won’t revisit that as we all know what happened there, don’t we? No, the real shock was the battle between Izzard and Corbyn and the eventual leap to power by the now Prime Minister, Izzard Yes, the first openly transgender world leader in history What a couple of months that was ”
The word BREXIT now shoots across the screen: “Then of course there was the referendum that the ‘leave’ campaigners demanded when they all realised that the ‘ no deal’ situation would result in most of them spending an extra £930 a year on their food shopping ” “Boris and Gove never told us this,” chirps an angry little man from Lincolnshire. “The overwhelming 95% vote to stall Brexit and renegotiate remain has been a relief to us all.” The narrator continues. Then in a flurry of stripes and stars, Donald Trump’s face dominates the screen: “But we probably all agree that the biggest story of the year was when Donald Trump suddenly made that shocking announcement in February. Who would have guessed it? Trump declaring his undying love for Vladimir Putin, live from the Oval Office!
“We all knew there was something suspicious about that very private meeting during the G20 summit in Germany in July 2017, but the majority of people just assumed they were planning how they could take over the world. Then as the dust settled it became more and more obvious
“These two men had only really loved one person in this world up to that moment. Yes - the person that looked back at them every morning in the mirror. It could only ever be possible for these two men to fall in love with someone who was truly a carbon copy of themselves The only question that remained was how would they ever decide who was top and who was bottom?!”
Suddenly I realised I wasn’t alone on the couch, the phantom slowly, calmly, silently, moved closer. When it came near, I tried to see its face; for in the very air through which this spirit moved it seemed to scatter joy and mystery It was shrouded in a colourful garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing visible save one outstretched hand It thrilled me with a vague uncertain delight, to know that behind the mask there was a face smiling at me
Then I realised that this was a dream as I suddenly realised it was Barack Obama and we were sitting on a Gogglebox couch watching the Most Shocking Moments of 2018
GAY WISDOM
TEN COMMANDMENTS TO LIVE BY FOR 2018
) Taking stock after a very full and exerting year, much of which was spent in and around Faerie Gatherings, I’m starting to formulate some useful principles to live by for the rest of my life!
I’m a little saddened that it’s taken me the best part of 60 years to arrive at these, which seem now to be fairly self evident truths
As queer mammalian creatures with our crazy-mixed-up vicariously motivated parents and teachers, and our fears and hungers and drives, we bounce ourselves into relationships, social circles, lifestyles, careers and patterns of being which often serve us less well than they might
Well, that’s what happened for me and it’s taken a lifetime as an over-busy professional and two whole years of ‘doing-nothing’ post-retirement for the mists of conditioning and self-deception to finally begin to clear
So, here are the personal 10 Commandments I will endeavour to live by, if not for the rest of my life, then at least for the next 12 months or so
1 Thou shalt become ever fiercer in thine honesty regarding personal integrity This involves locating what I’m feeling in my heart and being brave enough to bear witness to it regardless of how this revelation might be viewed by others as shameful, undesirable, unlikeable, unenlightened - whatever!
2 Thou shalt stop apologising for whom thou art
3 Thou shalt stop seeking the approval of others
4. Thou shalt start to accept that being disliked for thine authenticity is the integral and undeniable flip-side of being liked for thine authenticity
5. Thou shalt stop using the words GOOD and BAD. These words are a root source for Duality and are Black Magick spells which establish the fault-lines of Divisiveness. I need to continue to recognise them as lazy signifiers of a privileged value system and always worth opening to scrutiny
6. Thou shalt find a different way of saying “I hate it when…” Hatred can so easily find its way into consciousness even via this ostensibly playful invocation
7. Thou shalt avoid opinionated people. Keep remembering that they are desperately attempting to impose some order onto the gloriously, implacably, chaotic nature of life, the universe and everything. Attempting to challenge opinionatedness just cements it in place Simply knowing what I know should be enough Chaos will prevail
8. Thou shalt stop being drawn to positions of ‘leadership’. They are a mirage. I am only able to lead myself. Just find some space and see what happens by being in it And then endeavour to stop seeing what happens and simply ‘be’ in it
9. Thou shalt keep identifying what brings thee joy and keep engaging with it on a regular basis.
10. Thou shalt recognise when what thou art engaged with has become joyless and, no matter how worthy-seeming the project, thou must let it go. And let it go as quickly as possible!
SHARP WORDS
Del Sharp on the dangers of the 9 to 5 and why she’d be a lot safer just staying in bed
) Sharp Words has realised that maybe tumbling out of bed and going to work is really quite dangerous and should only be attempted with great caution. In the past few weeks I slipped on some leaves and almost fell, then I did an undignified dance on some treacherous wet paving when I was just ambling along But most alarmingly I went over completely on a train station platform I know I shouldn’t have been running but the doors were just so close I heard them shut while I was on the wrong side of them and sprawled painfully having landed on my elbow Luckily I didn’t crack anything or hit my head
I bear this in mind when I see the woman who I know gets the same train as me suddenly break into a run half way to the station - I try not to panic, I will not fall again Either her watch isn’t as accurate as mine or she has a mean sense of humour as she’s always leaning nonchalantly on the railings when I wheezily catch up.
Getting on the train, on time and in one piece is always a relief, but something always manages to jar my pleasure – other passengers mainly. Why people can’t leave their feet on the floor is a mystery to me. Young, old, men, women; they’re all at it: from ballerina toe tips to full foot in dirty work boots. Mentally I glare and ask them if they do that sort of thing at home and then avoid any eye contact that might reply I’m going to get a punch
The latest horror was seeing a full sole rubbing and grinding on the armrest. Luckily
for me (or should that be him) I had arrived at my destination.
For added speed I now use my micro scooter to get from the station to my smart corporate office, cruising along the pavement unless it’s hilly or uneven. Then I just push it, but the stretches of smoothness and no people are a joy, elderly people giving me looks of disapproval are outweighed by the five-yearolds gaping in awe
Thankfully no one saw me fall off when I abruptly checked my pocket for keys (I now know you can’t ride a scooter one-handed). More or less intact, with just a few frazzled nerves, I can thoroughly wash my hands and prepare for the strenuous wrist aching day ahead
Having been out of an office environment for a while was a slight worry but now I’m fully confident that I fit in For the first week I ironed my clothes but now feel I can get away with just drying them on the radiator (which is basically the same thing), and as I’m sitting down all day, when I stand up I can blame the
chair for me looking crumpled Video conferencing has taught me not to haul my bra straps up or sway in my seat like something caged for too long
I like making my packed lunch and look forward to it, usually eating al-desko so I can walk during my break I do marvel at my colleagues who pay actual pounds for theirs, though to be sociable I did go to the canteen with them once and looked enviously at the array of hot food while I gnawed on my cheese and pickle tiger demi-baguette. But it was only for a moment as I just don’t see the point of giving back what I just earned. I’m thrilled at the idea of the free drinks vending machine, though have found the flimsy cups far too hot and having scalded myself more than once take my own mug to fill
Sitting down all day can be lovely except I’m craning over two screens and getting a stiff neck as well as RSI in my wrist, So I now do a pretty good zombie walk when I get up to fetch my (risky) tea Also, I have been making too much ankle contact on the edge of the drawer, which is getting to be an irritating habit and a further pain (maybe I have an overdeveloped leg from all the scooting?)
Offices are a breeding ground for germs so I have helpfully bought a team box of tissues as I’m surrounded by sneezes and snorting and don’t want to catch anything myself Take up is looking promising from the state of the box, but the most persistent offenders stubbornly continue to nasally explode into my airspace and my disapproval luckily can’t be seen behind the screens - hmm perhaps they’re even providing a barrier from them!
Back before everyone else after lunch and keen to provide much needed fresh air, I went to open the window which proved to be much heavier than I expected. Unfathomably I thought it a good idea to use my finger as a prop while I reached for something more substantial to wedge it wider, however the window was too much to lift with my other hand and the wedge too far away A panic stricken yank freed my flattened digit and I’ve kept away from the window ever since I make no apology for asking one of the men to open it now
I am very grateful for my temporary foray into the corporate world of chill out and break out rooms but I think a first aid room might be more use, perhaps with a couch I could lie on for a while after arriving and a good selection of medication, arnica and bandages. Working 9-5, what a way to make a living.
“Getting on the train, on time and in one piece is always a relief, but something always manages to jar my pleasure – other passengers mainly”
HYDES’ HOPES
BY
TRUE STORY
) It was our Church Christmas event and Santa was having a bad day. The company building his house had filed for bankruptcy; his day job wasn’t going well; bills were mounting and the floor on the rented mobile home was falling through.
A photographer in town had donated her large shop-front studio for the event; a local restaurant had donated coffee, tea and hot chocolate; church members had baked cookies; a choir were coming to sing and a band was coming to play. Children would meet Santa, receive a gift and have their picture taken with him, all free of charge. Everyone looked forward to the event. It wasn’t just fun, it was magic. But Santa looked miserable and we couldn’t find a chair Santa’s chair A chair grand enough to take pride of place between the glittering Christmas tree and fireplace backdrop, comfortable enough for Santa to sit in all day, and take his weight plus any number of children!
I ran to a second hand furniture shop nearby, but they only had an old pink rocking chair It wasn’t what I wanted but it was strong, wide, and comfortable It would have to do The store owner allowed me to borrow it on the condition that I’d sell it if I could As we carried the chair back, I remembered Santa's new home and a thought came to me. I could buy the chair and give it to Santa as a house warming gift! I hoped that he liked pink.
Meanwhile, Santa was in the changing room praying ‘Lord, I’ll do my best today, but it’s so difficult when it feels like life is falling apart
Please send me a sign to let me know that you ’ re here with me. Please.’ Santa was with us, but the Christmas spirit was definitely amiss.
Children were already waiting in line when we carried the chair in It looked a little out of place but it was the best we could do Santa looked at the chair, and frowned. He sat down and his hand reached beneath the duck head handle and the colour drained from his face.
“Santa”, I asked, “What’s the matter?”
He lifted his head, an incredulous look on his face. “Who does this chair belong to?”
“Well”, I replied, a little sheepishly: “It’s yours if you like it. I thought it might be nice for your new home”.
A tear rolled from under his gold-rimmed spectacles into his great white beard “This is my grandmother’s chair,” he said I nodded “My grandmother had one like this too”
“No”, he said, “This really is my grandmother’s chair She was the one that had it reupholstered, and when I was young I carved my initials here under the arm ” He brought my hand under the chair's arm and I felt the carving underneath
He’d just come out as gay when his grandmother passed away The family rejected him, blamed him When his grandmother’s furniture and belongings went to auction he had neither the courage to go, or the money to buy anything Many years had gone by but he now sat in her favourite rocking chair, feeling her presence, and he knew that everything was going to be all right Five years on from that magical day, Santa is now living in the house that was being built; he has a less stressful job; financially things are easier. His family now even accept his husband as one of the family. Well, mostly.
And back on that magical day over a hundred children visited Santa. They sat on his knee in a big old pink rocking chair, and the place was genuinely full of wonder. Not just because of the spirit of Christmas, but because I think Santa’s loving grandmother, never prouder of her grandson, stood by the side of that rocking chair blessing every single child.
SCENE
& DONE IT
I'LL BE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THIS XMA S!
) “It'll be different this year!“ This I think to myself as I walk, smugly, out the charity shop with my pack of 15 Season's Greetings cards, designed by orphans somewhere where there's no hot water or colour TV. For I am going to be organised this Christmas! It is the middle of November, so I have time.
I loathe and admire 'those people' in equal measures. You know the people I'm talking about? Those who have it all down every year. Their card arrives three days before Christmas Eve, perfectly timed. It’s most likely handmade and boasts ornamentation on the envelope even. They do their Christmas shopping online, and have it delivered on the 22nd, by someone posh like Ocado It's only once a year after all
Me? I usually have to fight a teenage mum in a tracksuit for the last decent turkey in the frozen section at ASDA, 15 minutes before the store shuts. I don’t start feeding my Christmas pudding in September, nor can I sit back with my feet up, having purchased a fair few presents in the previous January Sales and can thus relax a little More of an Amazon voucher kinda guy
Mind you, I don't mind a voucher, at least I can get exactly what I want.
But is that the spirit of Christmas? No! Gifts should be thoughtful, suitable and personalperfect, so I vow that it'll be different this year! I'm getting the cards out early, I've already found the exact recipe by Delia online and I'm decorating properly. I'm going all out! Handmade stuff from some place in The Lanes, or an Arts and Crafts market in Lewes.
“I vow it'll be different this year! I'm getting the cards out early, I've already found the exact recipe by Delia online and I'm decorating properly”
I'm not going to dig out the one-foot fibre tree from Poundstretcher at the last minute It will only spoil my perfect festive flair I'm having a proper tree! Might even look into getting a pine scent air freshener at one of the nicer home stores, none of that cheap stuff from the pound shop that stinks like bottom shelf celebrity aftershave I could get as far as the front door and get really creative! I bet they have wreath making evening classes at the Friends Centre Wonder if that's the kind of place where you bring mulled wine along?
Oh, this Christmas is going to be wonderful and magical and I'll finally be one of “those people”! My turkey will fill the air with a scent so heavenly, I won't even have to put on music! Angels will be singing! “Ooh! How did you know!?” friends and family will exclaim with delight as they open my perfect presents!
Perhaps I should start writing cards right away? But then, it has been a long day and I am rather tired and definitely deserve a glass of red before bed, for all my amazing planning so far In the meantime I'll put the cards in the drawer, on top of the pack I bought last year. It's only November, I've got time.
TRANSITIONING WITH SUGAR - A YEAR IN HER LIFE
Sugar looks back at her first year writing for Gscene and what’s changed in the year she’s been on board.
) This year has been one of the toughest of my life, and I’m no stranger to tough years December marks the first year of being without the best and most consistent person I’ve been lucky enough to have had in my life, having lost them after 17 years together Next month also marks the 20th anniversary of my first partner’s death so I’ve found it particularly hard to write a positive 'end of year ’ piece.
This year has seen me terribly abused I’ve been sexually assaulted, received death threats, rape threats and hate mail, including being told that if I don't stop writing this column then "there will be consequences"! (Hey you! Write to me soon - I miss your anonymous messages! Don't you just admire cowardice?).
I’m a social outcast after revealing my HIV status last month, and I’ve been subjected to the most foul and disgusting transphobia and sexism when writing throughout the year about the struggles of trans folk and women The pure hatred aimed at me has pushed me to the ends of my cognitive ability, but yet, I’ve continued I’ve continued to write, to grow, to love, to share, to laugh, to make my way through life No amount of negativity will ever stop me because my past has made me strong and as often as I cry I remain resilient.
Being so open in transition and gaining a following of readers, despite the minority being negatively fuelled by my work, I’ve realised that I can do good. By sharing my experiences I’ve been able to educate those cis folk who are willing to listen. I’ve been able to
deepen their understanding of trans folk and help them become better allies to us I’ve been able to reach the trans folk yet to come out and offer support I’ve had countless messages from trans folk of all ages, genders, points of transition, telling me how they’ve related to something I’ve written and are grateful that someone is speaking out in the way I am. I’ve equal parts honour and very heavy heart that I’ve saved two trans people (that I know of) from suicide this year. I’ve widened my circle of real life (as opposed to internet) trans friends thanks to the added visibility that Gscene has given me By having this page, regardless of whether you agree with the content, I’m visible, and therefore to people with no or little interaction with trans people other than this column, keeping us in mainstream minds
I’ve been interviewed for trans specific medical research; invited onto a mental health podcast; and maybe most importantly been asked to consult with the NHS on point of delivery trans specific gender care at GP level Next year I’m getting involved with another trans specific health service and I’m chomping at the bit to get going. These positives that have come from my open, honest, no holds barred transition have kept me going through the abuse and hate.
This year I underwent an intense surgery regime Despite maintaining my work in journalism, activism, consultation, advocacy and research, I’ve spent the whole year in surgery and in surgical recovery after countless operations and procedures. I started the year 80% bald, a full time wig wearer, and headed off to Latvia for two 14-hour days in the theatre of a specialist hair transplant surgeon back in February.
During recovery in April, I accompanied someone to France who had been inspired by my story to undergo their own surgery, a kind of bus woman ’ s holiday for me. In May I went back to Latvia to for the third and fourth full days of hair transplant surgery once my head was adequately healed from the first trip After a subsequent healing period I went to a cosmetic tattooist for four sessions of Scalp Micro Pigmentation (head tattoo) to thicken the look of my newly transplanted follicles and had eye liner tattooed onto my eye lids
Throughout this I’ve been maintaining monthly laser hair removal sessions to my face and body whilst physically preparing myself for the trip to India from which I’ve just returned Whilst in India, I had multiple surgeries to my face and upper and lower genitalia The schedule this year has been absolutely gruelling, but it’s one that I’ve been working towards, one that I set at my own pace, knowing my own body’s healing abilities and my mind’s ability to deal with the change. All these operations and procedures have formed part of my Gender Reassignment Surgeries as a whole (get it? as a hole?). Oh dear! I am tired! The joys of working in bed, in my face bra, in post-op pain is real
My journey this year hasn’t followed the trans narrative of healthcare in the UK. I’ve been fortunate to have been able to beg, borrow and save for the treatment I need and I’m fully aware and riddled with guilt that I’ve been able to have these surgeries when others can't These are surgeries that haven’t just enriched my quality of life, but saved it Without these medical interventions, from HRT to surgery, I would be dead So why do I feel guilty having necessary, lifesaving surgery?
I feel guilty because every day I see trans folk dying because they don't have access to the hormones and surgeries that they need for survival, and I do. I recognise that privilege and I’ll continue to do all I can to help other trans folk. Our trans-specific healthcare is appalling in the UK and working with the NHS to address this will always be at the top of my agenda as will helping my siblings at a grassroots level.
I head into 2018 with my shoulders back and head held high, proud of the woman that I am and proud of how I live my life. My goals for 2018 are to be as successful as I was in 2017 and I wish you all the same too.
“Trans specific healthcare is appalling in the UK and working with the NHS to address this will always be at the top of my agenda”
SAM TRANS MAN
Dr Samuel Hall on voicing his hopes, facing his fears and becoming a better ‘me’ for 2018.
) We have just returned from an amazing trip to Sri Lanka. We are luckier than many families and to have been able to spend time together somewhere far from home and truly unwind was a revelation to me. No small thanks to my incredible wife who pulls more than her fair share of the weight in running this hugely messy but blissfully blended family
It’s been a year in the making. We moved our five children in together in July last year, and the past year has been one long rollercoaster of shared experience. The kids are all fantastic people and it’s actually a delight to have the task of shepherding them to adulthood, this despite my protestations to the contrary A large part of mine and my beloved’s time is spent talking about, arranging, supporting and facilitating our children’s education, and the rest of it cajoling, feeding, taxi-ing, nagging, pinning down or chasing off one or other of these glorious young adults (some in-waiting) who want nothing more than to be accepted and acknowledged for who they are.
I’m so much in the dark about how to parent teenagers, having been sent to boarding school at the tender age of 13, that I have to rely on a combination of peer advice, the wisdom of others who’ve been there, the odd golden nugget from one of the kids themselves, with a sometimes less than healthy sprinkle of military-style bootcamp behaviour from myself, to get by.
When life is hectic and you can’t see the way forward, it’s really helpful to look back a year and see how far you ’ ve come When I do this simple exercise at home it’s astonishing to look at what we ’ ve achieved this year Combining two single-parent families with a total of seven people was always going to be a job - the house, the car, the washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner - nothing is big enough Then there’s the peculiarities of each child and the dynamics that are developing between them within the new family construct. There have been some surreal highs and one or two dark lows, but my wife’s instincts that things would look very different after a year, that we would have somehow bedded down as a functional family unit, were spot on.
The recent family holiday (our first) was a magical time of harmony. Away from the humdrum of everyday life, we managed to travel with a new sense of unity. Everyone had a good time, we endured each other 24/7 for 12 days in sometimes very close quarters, and we laughed More than usual It was the best holiday I’ve had for years Now all I have to do is square up to my conscience with regard to all those airmiles but that’s another story
Ed has asked us to look forward to 2018 What are my hopes? I’ve shied away from answering this, not because I don’t have hopes, but because I do Along with my hopes I have an equal and opposite number of fears Reactive energy I realise that if I start to voice my hopes, stare at them in black and white, as I’m about to do, I’ll also have to face my fears.
A year ago I was ‘ready’ in the eyes of the surgeon who will be operating on me early next year, to start my phalloplasty surgery, but it’s taken me until now to face my fears and do it anyway. My fears, oh god my fears, have been overwhelming. What if the operation goes wrong? What if it doesn’t work? What if I
PROJECT meets every TUES 2.30– 5.30PM at DORSET GARDENS METHODIST CHURCH
Dorset Gardens (off St James Street) Brighton BN2 1RL Except 1st Tues when there’s an optional meal out preceded by the drop-in 5–7 30PM
sacrifice the skin of my forearm with its blood and nerve supply to make a penis but the graft fails? What if my clitoris gets denervated to give my penis a chance of sensation, and the nerve doesn’t heal properly? Can I live without orgasmic sensation? Is that a risk I’m prepared to take? What if I get infections or wound breakdown and I can never pee properly through my penis or use it to have penetrative sex (something I’m haunted by)? I’ve been missing my penis all my life. I was aware of its absence in the earliest memories I have. I’m convinced I had it once, then lost it. It’s important to remember all human embryos start off the same; sexual differentiation doesn’t occur until the seventh week of life Prior to this the embryo is considered bipotential I’ve a deep and unshakeable sense that something went awry in my development that early in life It’s not wrong, I’m not wrong I’m just a variation Part of nature’s diversity I’m lucky enough to live in an era when I can do something about this.
My dysphoria runs so deep, it plagues me every day Even though I live and move in the world as a man, attracting all the privilege and unwarranted respect given to a white male doctor in our deeply racist, misogynistic society, I don’t feel right. There’s a lack of integrity or something I can’t quite articulate. And there is a sense of mourning about my genitals that I find hard to describe. I feel as though my body was made to be one thing, and was forced to do another. I should be able to pee standing up I can feel my penis even though it’s not there, and I have the worst dysphoria in the intimacy of my sex life For a long time I avoided sexual intimacy precisely because of it Nowadays I keep a lid on my ‘phantom limb pain’, which is what I liken it to, as much as I can
Is it selfish then? For me to plan to go ahead with something that could ease my pain, but really has, at first glance, very little benefit to offer anyone but me And yet I have to believe that it will benefit my loved ones. That somehow, as with all the previous stages of transition and surgery, somehow I will grow as a person, become a better me. This is my hope for 2018.
PLEASE SEE CLARE PROJECT WEBSITE FOR DETAILS CLARE PROJECT WEEKLY DROP-IN is based in central Brighton in a safe and confidential space to explore issues around gender identity Facilitated peer support is an important element, as well as providing access to low-cost psychotherapy and speech therapy
f Clare Project clareprojectinfo@gmail.com
MINDOUT
) There is no doubt that equality is good for our mental health and we can do something towards equality even at Christmas! Ending stigma, discrimination and prejudice about mental health is on our New Year resolutions list, please do put it on your own. There are many ways in which everyone can help MindOut to make this happen.
The first way is to read the rest of this article and the second step is then to talk to someone about it. Then you can cut it out and pop it inside a Christmas present, paste it in a card, do something creative.
There is plenty of research that shows how detrimental both social and economic inequalities are to our mental health. Compound that with being part of a discriminated minority and we have half an answer as to why mental health issues are so much more prevalent in LGBT+ communities than in the general population
An excellent introduction to inequality is the book The Spirit Level – Why Equality Is Better For Everyone by Wilkinson & Pickett
Large inequalities of income are divisive and corrosive, it is common knowledge that in rich societies the poor have shorter lives and suffer more from almost every social problem. This groundbreaking book, based on 30 years' research, demonstrates that more unequal societies are bad for almost everyone within them - the well-off as well as the poor Illhealth, lack of community life, violence, drug use, mental illness, long working hours, big prison populations are all more likely to occur in a less equal society The Spirit Level tells us how to shift the balance from self-interested 'consumerism' to a friendlier and more collaborative society It opens up a major new approach to improving the real quality of life, not just for the poor but for everyone. It is, in its conclusion, an optimistic book.
We know that wealth and social status are linked to better health. And we know that technological solutions are only part of the answer.
In addition to the scale of material success, your position in the social hierarchy also directly affects your health, the higher you are on the social scale, the longer you will live and the better your health will be. As people change rank, their health risk changes.
What makes these health inequalities unjust is that evidence from round the world shows we know what to do to make them smaller. This
“Creating the conditions for people to lead flourishing lives, and thus empowering individuals and communities, is key to reduction of health inequalities”
new evidence is compelling It has the potential to change radically the way we think about health, and indeed society
Creating the conditions for people to lead flourishing lives, and thus empowering individuals and communities, is key to the reduction of health inequalities This is precisely what MindOut aims to do We are run by and for LGBT+ people with lived experience of mental health issues. We offer independent, non-judgemental, accessible support, including advice and information, advocacy, peer support groups and peer mentoring, volunteering opportunities, counselling, workshops, courses and training and an out of hours online service All our services are confidential and aim to improve people’s wellbeing, protect human and civil rights, reduce distress and reduce isolation
HOW CAN WE TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH?
• Make social change a festive feature, talk about mental health stigma every chance you get
• Sometimes it's just as simple as asking a friend 'how are you', and really listening to the answer.
• If there's any mental health-related stories in the news, or any celebrities talking about it, why not use that as a way to get the conversation going?
• Sometimes it's easier to talk side-by-side instead of face-to-face so cooking, driving or walking somewhere are all good times to give it a go.
• Challenge stigmatising media coverage –watch all the holiday programming with an eye to whether it supports mental health, see if you can find any positive portrayals, any positive storylines
• Make social change a festive feature, talk about mental health stigma at your Christmas dinner.
I’ll be looking for social and economic equality at the bottom of my stocking and watching the bubbles of mental health stigma burst and disappear in my champagne glass on New Year’s Eve Please do join us in making this happen in 2018
MINDOUT
All MindOut services are run by and for LGBT+ communities and are nonjudgemental, impartial and independent If you would like to contact us about any issues to do with mental health, please do contact us:
) Call: 01273 234839
) Email: info@mindout.org.uk
) Visit: www.mindout.org.uk
Our online support service is open over the holiday season, please see website for details
DON’T USE AN AXE TO DO EMBROIDERY
) My grandmother Ivy, or Poison as she was known to the family; although never within earshot or her spatula would come flying Battle Royale style across the kitchen in a swift moment of retribution and learned respect. She loved the Wassailing Season, not so very keen on the baby jesus part of things which she utterly disregarded being a proud Celtic pagan at heart but cooking, feasting and celebrating the long dark winter was her thing It gave her such joy and come November she would spend hours sharpening her axe, with slow deliberate movements on her coarse handheld whetstone
She slowly changed the shape of the blade for cutting though the frozen wood stacked up outside the kitchen softly singing an old Welsh lullaby Mae Echd Tir Anghywir Yn Llithro'n Haws which loosely translates as A Wrongly Ground Axe Slips More Easily It could have been her mantra That axe was her friend and it hung above her favourite oven throughout the year until the world turned once more towards the winter and down it would come and out we would go into the forest behind her house, up on the steep harsh mountainside in the valley where she lived. To chop & fell.
One of my first Xmas memories as a child is the smell of fresh mince pies, melting with butter and the reflection of my Grandmother in her polished axe, tying huge garlands of holly and pine branches together to decorate the mantelpieces in her home. We always brought in ‘the green ’ as she put it, to store it for the Divine Hag Cailleach against the winter and ensure the spring would come again.
When she spoke of the frost it was with passion, her eyes would glint like flecks of flint, dark, hard but with the promise of fire in them should they be struck firm and fast. She had lived in Lapland for a few years in the 1930s stalking Bolshevik divisions for fun. She said the axe had been given to her as a present by her friend Perl who she put up in her spare room after her expulsion by Stalin and it was engraved with: ‘To Ivy from Mrs P Molotov, to the good times’ in an elegant copperplate When I grew older and bolder, or possibly more stupid, I once questioned her about what the good times were with Mrs M She gave me that look she did when vexed, but her eyes welled up and rather than reaching up to strike she turned away and brushed her apron down so it was smoother than her soft pink cheeks on which a single tear slide down, and looked up again and said: “Babi, one day you’ll look back and remember my hatchet and you’ll hold an edge in your hands and blood. This axe cuts through a forest not because of its size, but its endurance and you’ll learn to go on, and on and see it all to ashes, now go, leave me be and don’t use an axe to do embroidery.” I scampered off, glad to have gotten away without a bruise and grinned as I admired her ability to be exquisite and never explain.
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