menu

Kemptown MP welcomes Labour to Brighton

Simon Kirby, MP
Simon Kirby, MP

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown took time out of his busy schedule today  to welcome members of the Labour Party to Brighton for their annual conference. He had extended a similar courtesy to the Green Party who had their national conference in Brighton earlier this month along with a warning about parking costs in the City driving tourists away.

The conference which opened today at the Brighton Centre continues till Wednesday.

Mr Kirby, said:

“I am pleased to welcome Labour members to Brighton for their conference and I am sure that they will enjoy everything the city has to offer! They will be very welcome in a city which is seeing the return of economic growth and business confidence as well as plummeting unemployment.

“I am sure that once they have enjoyed the excellent hotels, bars, restaurants and attractions, Labour members will see how important tourism is to Brighton and definitively rule out any tourism tax which would damage the city.

“I am very much looking forward to watching the conference to see if any members of the shadow cabinet will suggest a single policy or idea for Britain’s future, and to see if Ed Miliband can start to assert some control over his party.”

Mr Kirby has expressed concerns recently over any possibility of a ‘Tourist Tax’ being implemented in Brighton & Hove.

Ahead of the conference Mr Kirby sent a postcard to every member of the Shadow Cabinet calling on Ed Miliband MP and Ed Balls MP to rule out a ‘Tourist Tax’ in Brighton and Hove following a proposal by Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan MP to levy an overnight tax on tourists staying in London Hotels.

Despite the idea being dismissed as “utter nonsense” by Cllr Warren Morgan, leader of the Labour and Cooperative group on Brighton and Hove Council, any possibility of a similar proposal being implemented in Brighton is causing concern among hoteliers and businesses serving the local tourist economy.

Cllr Warren Morgan
Cllr Warren Morgan

Cllr Warren Morgan, said:

“This is utter nonsense from Simon Kirby; there are no proposals for a tourist tax for Brighton and Hove from Labour, and indeed we’d oppose any such move by the Greens or Tories. 

“It is just an attempt by him to distract attention from the half a million people now reliant on foodbanks, the million workers now on “zero hour” contracts, and the fact that over the life of this Tory government people will be £6,600 worse off.”

 

Sexual health information for new students

THT

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), the HIV and sexual health charity, will be teaming up with Club and Bar Revenge at their Student Freshers’ Night to promote sexual health and welcome new LGB&T university students to Brighton on Thursday, October 3.

A team from the charity will be in Bar Revenge from 9pm and Club Revenge from 10.30pm, distributing condoms and raising awareness of sexual health at the event, which will be an opportunity to provide information about the ‘It Starts With Me’ HIV prevention campaign and the support that THT provides locally so that students know where to go if they need advice about sexual health during their university years.

Ross Boseley, Health Promotion Coordinator for THT in Brighton, said:

“Freshers in Brighton will no doubt be looking forward to some great years in a fantastic city. We hope that by introducing ourselves to Brighton’s new LGBT students at this event, we can ensure they know where to turn if they ever need advice about HIV or sexual health. Gay and bisexual men are at particularly high risk of HIV, so we’re also hoping that some of the students we meet will pledge their support for the It Starts With Me movement to stop HIV.

“Your student years are some of the most memorable of your life – so if you’re new to the city why not come down and meet the team to help ensure that they are also healthy and happy years!”

Gay and bisexual men remain the group most at risk of HIV in the UK, accounting for half of all new infections in the South East Coast region in 2011.

WHERE: Club and Bar Revenge

WHEN: 9pm onwards at Bar Revenge; 10.30pm onwards at Club Revenge on Thursday, October 3

For information CLICK HERE: www.revenge.co.uk

 

HAVE A WORD at Latest Music Bar

Have A Word

Have A Word, an evening of the written word, open mic performances and music, will be taking place at the Latest Music Bar, Brighton on Tuesday, October 8 at 8pm.

On the night there will be performances from artist & writer Gregoire Aubert; writer, comedian & blogger Elaine Axten; poet & historian Alice Purnell OBE; and historian poet and writer Peter Daniels. There will also be open mic from Nicolas Collins, Luca Loopa, Fabio Miskin and Sandra; plus music from Josh The Barber.

A collection tin will be on hand for the Sussex Beacon, the care centre for men and women with HIV/AIDS related illnesses.

EVENT: Have A Word

WHERE: Latest Music Bar, Manchester St, Brighton.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 8 at 8pm.

COST: Tickets: £6 on the door.

Brighton Early Music Festival: What’s On

Brighton Early Music Festival, a showcase of early music in the country, will this year run from Friday, October 25 to Sunday, November 10.

The theme this year is PASSION, in all its guides and moods, spread across some of Brighton’s most beautiful buildings.

Joglaresa (performing in the festival on October 25 at St George's Church).
Joglaresa, performing on October 25 at St George’s Church

The programme includes:

• Songs of Sinne & Subversion at St George’s Church is directed by Belinda Sykes and features Joglaresa, who will take you on a trip from medieval music to the here and now with searing vocals, fidel, harp, citole, bass and percussion, on Friday, October 25 at 8pm.

Passion Body & Soul at Sallis Benny Theatre is directed by Emma Murphy and features Philomel performing sacred and secular songs from Josquin, Palestrina, Victoria, Rore, Lassus and Certon on Saturday, October 26 at 1pm.

The Early Music Club Night: Club Passion is at St Bartholomew’s Church and features various ensembles and artists, including Little Baroque Company, Il Nuovo Chiaroscuro, Barromini String Quartet, I Flautisti, Flauguissimo, Alison Kinder, Esther Brazil and Greg Skidmore, on Saturday, October 26 from 8pm.

The Wool Merchant & The Harp is at St Andrew’s Church, Hove and features Leag Stuttard, on harp and voice, telling the story of George Cely, a late 15th century English wool merchant, on Sunday, October 27 at noon.

• 40 Shades of Spem in Alium is at St Bartholomew’s Church with BREMF Consort of Voices, director Deborah Roberts, Chantage, director James Davey and narrator Nigel Pittman performing the music of William Byrd and Thomas Tallis on Sunday, October 27 at 7.30pm.

Red Priest (performing at Brighton Early Music Festival on November 1 at All Saints Church, Hove)
Red Priest performing on November 1 at All Saints Church, Hove

• Handel in the Wind is at All Saints Church, Hove with Red Priest taking you on a tour of Handel on Friday, November 1 at 8pm.

• Instruments of Passion: Chamber Music by Haydn & Beethoven is at The Old Market, Hove with Trio Goya performing trios by Haydn and Beethoven on Saturday, November 2 at 1pm.

• Passion & The Princess: Marriage, murder and madness at the court of Ferrara is devised and introduced by Laurie Stras at The Old Market, Hove and features Musica Secreta, sopranos Deborah Roberts and Sophia Brumfitt, mezzo soprano Rosie Midgley, Lynda Sayce on lute and chitarrone, Claire Williams on harpsichord and directed by Deborah Roberts. Music includes: Willaert, Rore, Wert, Luzzaschi, Monteverdi and other rare gems of the Ferrarese court, on Saturday, November 2 at 7.30pm.

Marian Consort - performing on November 3 at St Bartholomew's Church, Brighton
Marian Consort, performing on November 3 at St Bartholomew’s Church, Brighton

• Breaking the Rules: a new music-drama on the life of Carlo Gesualdo is at St Bartholomew’s Church and features The Marian Consort, Jadran Duncumb and Celestial Sirens performing Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsories, madrigals by Gesualdo and Luzzaschi, with a script by Clare Norburn, on Sunday, November 3 at 7.30pm.

• Downland’s Den: A public masterclass is at St George’s Church with Emma Kirkby and Jacob Heringman providing an insight into the art of interpretation on Thursday, November 7 at 7.30pm.

• The Image of Melancholy: Music by John Dowland is at St George’s Church and features soprano Emma Kirkby, lutist Jacob Heringman alongside sopranos Gwendolen Martin & Anna Thunström, tenor Michael Solomon Williams and lutists Toby Carr, Niki Andronikou, & Wezi Elliot, on Friday, November 8 at 8pm.

• Tall Towers, Husbands – & Other Obstacles to Love is at St Mary’s Church and features The Telling (sopranos Clare Norburn and Yvonne Eddy; harpist Jean Kelly; and Clare Salaman on vielle and hurdy gurdy) performing Troubadour, trouvère music & poetry, and foot-tapping dances, on Saturday, November 9 at 1pm.

• A Public Masterclass with Rachel Podger is at Brighton College and sees Podger demonstrate the secrets behind her baroque violin playing on Saturday, November 9 at 4.30pm.

• Profane Deliriums: Passionate love songs from Portugal and Brazil is at St George’s Church and features L’Avventura; director Žak Ozmo on Spanish and English guitars; flutist Marta Gonçalves; violinist Joanna Lawrence; celloist Natasha Kraemer; Taro Takeuchi on six-course guitar and English guitar; David Gordon on harpsichord; with Joana Seara and Sandra Medeiros sopranos on Saturday, November 9 at 7.30pm.

• Guardian Angel: Violin Recital with Rachel Podger is at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange with sonatas by Tartini, Matteis and Pisendel; Bach’s Flute Partita in G minor transposed for violin; and Biber’s hauntingly beautiful Guardian Angel, on Sunday, November 10 at 11am.

• J S Bach: St John Passion is directed by John Hancorn at St Bartholomew’s Church and features tenor Andrew Griffiths as Evangelist and bass George Humphreys as Christus, alongside soprano Mhairi Lawson, mezzo soprano Esther Brazil, tenor Nick Pritchard, bass Robert Davies, The BREMF Players, leader Alison Bury, The BREMF Singers, on Sunday November 10 at 7pm.

For a brochure, CLICK HERE: www.bremf.org.uk

Or telephone 01273 833746.

For tickets (ranging from £4-£23), view www.bremf.org.uk (no fee for e-tickets).

Contact the Dome Box Office on 01273 709709 (£2.25 booking fee).

MAN DOLLS: ROCK HARD PLASTIC at Manbar, London

MAN DOLLS:Man Dolls: Rock Hard Plastic, a collection by Justin King featuring 3D art, sculpture and mixed media, will be taking over Manbar on Charing Cross Road, London from Tuesday, October 7 to Tuesday, November 26.

The adult performer and entertainer will take you through his life of fetishism, sex, porn, and disco told through his vast collection of customised, live-action ‘man dolls’.

 

 

EVENT: Man Dolls: Rock Hard Plastic

WHERE: Manbar, 79 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0NE

WHEN: Tuesday, October 7 to Tuesday, November 26. Monday to Thursday 5pm– 3.30am; Friday & Saturday 3pm–3.30am; Sunday 3–11pm.

COST: Entry is free.

For more information, CLICK HERE:  www.manbarsoho.com

 

New research into mental wellbeing and HIV

Positively UK

New research by HIV support agency Positively UK, in partnership with research based pharmaceutical company, Janssen, has provided fresh insights into the links between HIV and poor mental wellbeing.

The results launched last week at Positively UK’s Conference of People Living With HIV and published in the States of Mind Report, highlight the burden of poor mental health in the HIV community.

The report explores the impact of mental health issues on the lives of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) and calls for more to be done to reduce the burden.

Positively UK commissioned research that surveyed the experiences and views of almost 200 PLWHIV showed that:

•  Three quarters (75%) of respondents have experienced mental health problems

•   Nearly a quarter (24%) have missed treatment doses as a result, potentially impacting on their overall health

•  Six out of ten (68%) respondents stated that they had suffered from depression in the past year

•  Only two fifths (40%) of PLWHIV surveyed made use of counselling or psychology services

•  Just half (51.4%) of respondents had discussed these issues with their support worker

 Allan Anderson, Chief Executive of Positively UK, said:

“Despite the support available, mental health problems, and depression in particular, are hugely important issues for people living with HIV.

“The findings of the States of Mind report highlight that more needs to be done to support people and ensure they are offered holistic care. I urge people with HIV, healthcare professionals and support workers to read the report and work together to improve mental wellbeing in the HIV community.”

The report also found that: 

•  Of those PLWHIV to experience depression, almost a third considered the condition to have had a ‘huge impact’ on their quality of life

•  Seven out of ten women with HIV experienced mental health issues in the past year

•  40% of respondents have experienced discrimination in the past 12 months

Based on the survey findings, which reflected a representative sample of the HIV community, the report calls for more to be done to support the mental health of PLWHIV.

The States of Mind Report makes a number of recommendations including:

•   Improvements must be made across all HIV services to tackle the ongoing challenge of mental health issues in the HIV community

•   Increased dialogue between PLWHIV and healthcare professionals is needed to better understand the complex relationship between mental health and adherence to treatment

•   Closer coordination is needed between multidisciplinary support functions to help ensure a more effective allocation of service provision

Professor Jane Anderson is Director of the Centre for the Study of Sexual Health and HIV, and Consultant Physician at Homerton University Hospital in London.

She said:

“This report emphasises the importance of ensuring the clinical community are fully aware of the impact that HIV can have on mental and emotional wellbeing. The multidisciplinary clinical team in HIV medicine is uniquely placed to address the totality of the health and wellbeing needs of people who use our clinics. We must seek ways to care for people effectively in terms of the physical and mental aspects of HIV.”

Positively UK received support from Janssen to conduct the research. Janssen has a heritage of developing innovative HIV treatments and is committed to the future fight against HIV and providing information and support for people with HIV and those working with them.

To read the full States of Mind Report CLICK HERE:

 

Atlanta Georgia, USA

Atlanta, USA

Atlanta’s reputation as a ‘gay friendly’ city and top U.S. gay travel destination has been acknowledged recently; in August Gaytravel.com listed Atlanta as one of the “Top 10 Gayest Cities in the South.”  While in June, Passport Magazine recognised Atlanta as a “Great Destination for Gay Families,” citing venues like the Georgia Aquarium, Stone Mountain Park and the Center for Puppetry Arts as ideal stops on a visiting family’s itinerary.

William Pate, president and CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, said: 

“Atlanta continues to receive recognition as the world’s most welcoming city.”

“The LGBT community is a very important travel segment for our city, and we offer a variety of events and promotions to encourage LGBT travellers to make a visit to Atlanta.”

Atlanta recently became a Silver Global Partner of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA)  and the city hosts a number of LGBT events throughout the year.

• Atlanta Pride Festival: October 12-13 is the largest pride festival in the Southeast of the USA, and provides an outlet for celebration while promoting equality. The festival draws more than 200,000 people to Atlanta, and serves as the center piece of the Atlanta Pride Committee’s activism efforts.

• Atlanta Black Pride Festival  is held over Labor Day weekend and provides a platform for African American LGBT community members to gather for music, film and parties throughout Midtown. The Out On Film Festival features eight days of cinematic showings that document the journeys of the gay community. The East Point Possums Show is a large, outdoor drag show that raises funds for charity by celebrating self-expression.

Buck Cooke, Executive Director of The Atlanta Pride Committee, said:  

“I have lived in the South all of my life, and I love that Atlanta is a city that honours its historical context and still pushes forward to reach for full equality for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, creed, culture or religion.

“At Atlanta Pride, we dream that dream every day.”

Atlanta, USA

An ever-growing metropolis, Atlanta boasts colourful neighbourhoods, each with its own local flavor. Midtown melds in-town glitz with a healthy dose of culture. The Westside, a former meatpacking district, is a magnet for foodies, fashionistas and design enthusiasts. Buckhead blends boutique shopping with fabulous dining, while Little Five points lives on the edge with its bohemian grunge culture.

For more information about Atlanta including attractions, restaurants and nightlife, CLICK HERE:

 

 

New Venture Theatre’s main stage re-opens

New Venture Theatre Company

The New Venture Theatre (NVT) in Brighton has had its main theatre restored after eight years of fundraising and renovation.

The theatre, which first opened its doors in 1947, provides performing arts to the local community, with 10 major shows a year, acting classes, workshops, writing competitions and story-telling evenings.

Ian Black, Chairman of NVT, said:

“This is a great achievement for our team of volunteers who have done most of the work including the design, planning and fundraising.

“This renewed 75 seat space will give us more opportunities to bring exciting and enjoyable theatre to our audiences.’’

The grand opening will take place on October 19, but while the main stage is now usable, the restoration team still needs £25,000 to complete the fittings, including the purchasing of a new lighting grid.

 To donate to the restoration or for more information, CLICK HERE:   www.newventuretheatre.org

 

X