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City Council agrees Portsmouth Pride Parade route

Portsmouth’s first Pride Parade will take place at noon on Saturday, June 20 with a promise to bring colour to Portsmouth City Centre.

Portsmouth Pride Parade Route

THE Parade will start and finish in Victoria Park, leaving the park via the entrance next to the Stanhope Road car park, then turning towards the Stanhope Road pedestrian crossing on to Commerical Road and up towards the main shopping area.

At the Jubilee Fountain there will be music and entertainment, then the parade will progress around the fountain, and take the same route back to Victoria Park.

WEB.200Pride Chair, David Lee-Bastable, said: “Everyone is welcome to take part.”

“We want to see lots of families joining in the fun by waving their rainbow flags and blowing their whistles. Pride is an opportunity to celebrate the best of our community and to promote the ideals of equality and diversity in the Portsmouth area and beyond.”

For free tickets to enter Victoria Park and more information about Pride, click here:

Portsmouth Pride

Brighton Kemptown MP speaks out for injured veterans

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, along with other MPs is calling for a reform to the compensation payments for injured veterans.

Simon Kirby MP Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven
Simon Kirby MP Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven

REFORMS would make sure that all veterans injured prior to April 6, 2005 would not be unfairly disadvantaged by having to use their military compensation on social care.

Veterans injured after April 2005, and those injured in their place of work, retain all of their compensation when accessing council support. In contrast, veterans who have been injured in service before 6 April 2005 have to cover the costs of their social care out of their weekly military compensation. This current law means that veterans that were injured prior to April 2005 are disadvantaged.

Mr Kirby said: “As someone who backed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure that our service personnel receive the support they deserve, I am concerned this situation could be a breach of the Covenant’s principle of no disadvantage due to Service.”

In order for this imbalance to be resolved, and to see all former servicemen treated in the same way, Mr Kirby has joined a group of MPs in calling for the Government to harmonise these compensation payment differences, and to help local authorities implement such a reform.

Mr Kirby continued: “We owe so much to the brave men and women in our armed forces and it can’t be right that many veterans who were injured in service to our Country are being disadvantaged in comparison to other fellow veterans.

“I firmly believe that this discrepancy in the current law needs to be looked at, so that all injured veterans can be treated the same and those injured prior to 6 April 2005 can begin to receive their compensation in full, rather than having to pay for their social care with it.

“These men and women have given invaluable service to our Country, and it is right and proper that we give them the respect and support that they deserve. I hope that these calls will be listened to, and that there will be swift moves to resolve what is, at present, a concerning state of affairs.”

 

OPERA REVIEW: The Indian Queen

 

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The Indian Queen

Henry Purcell

A new version by Peter Sellers

English National Opera

In this vibrant production, devised by acclaimed director Peter Sellars, the rich and transcendent score of Purcell’s final unfinished opera is reworked around a new text and the inclusion of a number of Purcell’s most ravishing religious anthems. This new retelling of The Indian Queen recounts the initial confrontation between Europeans and the Mayans of the New World through a personal account from the female perspective.

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Although not wholly convincing as an Opera and certainly not The Indian Queen by Purcell, its addition of other Purcell anthems and sacred texts and the compelling narrative from Rosario Aguilar’s Novel The Lost Chronicles of Terra Firma read by the mellifluous voice of Maritxell Carrero and woven to drive the narrative engine of this piece makes this a feast for the soul.

The novel (and the text) speaks from the viewpoints of women from the conquest of the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors, both native and Spanish and gives a first person urgency that echoes the plaintive perfection of Purcell’s music. It also presents a female focused journey though this text and opera which lifts the whole work up into a different realm indeed.

Its premier in Madrid caused tension, I suspect as much for its challenging of the macho centric histories as for the stylistic presentation of the appalling genocides perpetrated on the South Americans by the Spanish armies.

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With huge paintings by Chicano painter Gronk forming the backdrops that lift and fall on the ENO stage backing up the drama with their abstract scribbling’s from ancient Mayan coloured palate this looks terribly modern to the eye, but with the elevated orchestra of the enlightenment in the pit and the sublime music of Purcell soaring though the auditorium conducted with sophisticated aplomb by specialist Laurence Cummings, this is as huge a clash of cultures as is depicted on the stage.

It can be a savage clash, brutal, harsh and unkind but can also lead to moments of transcendental beauty as when Soprano Crowe sings O Solitude and is startlingly lit by the clever lighting from James F. Ingalls.

This wrestling for dominance and meaning affects the end result though and is confusing and distracting, not least of all by the dancers, who although accomplished and interesting are rammed in and out of the action with no real feeling for the flow of the music or with any relevance other than a surtitle announcing the pretentious title of the dance.

I tried to image a Mayan Codex and the pictorial rhythms being picked out by the dancers but was defeated.  I felt the choreography by Christopher Williams was out of place which was a pity as I would have enjoyed it if it was not embedded into this Purcell, but this opera would have been better served had the electronic rainforest sounds and the endless dancing interludes been cut.  My companion was thrown and confused by the dancers, not connecting them to the narrative or understanding quite what or who they were meant to portray, their earthy, ‘Rite of Spring’ gyrations also played harsh against the delightful continuo accompanying them.

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To view trailer, click here:

Young Soprano Julia Bullock, debuting at the ENO in this production was wonderful, filling her role and song with emotive conviction, full of anguish, longing and sensuality she brought a vibrancy to the role that convinced from the off.

Openly gay and 100% stunner tenor Noah Stuart, also debuting at the ENO, acted far more than he sang and is a fine muscled figure of a man to watch writhe and dance, his voice – when used- gives gravitas to the Don Pedro de Alvardo and he is just as fine to look at as to listen to.

Lucy Crowe brings the full weight of her voice to Dona Isabel really lifting this production up into a place where the subtle soft harmonics of Purcell can brilliantly shine, she was never less than tremendous and gave us the highlights of the evening, her duet with Bullock late in the second half was magnificent.

Then there was Counter tenor Vince Yi, another debut performance, who’s unearthly pure tones gripped the audience and combined with counter tenor Anthony Roth Costanzo transfixed us with their duet, it’s been a long time since I’ve heard such clarity and precision with a duet of strength such as this pair produced, let’s hope we get to hear them both again.

With baritone Luthando Qave and tenor Thomas Walker adding their voices, this was a cast of rare talent producing some interesting textured performances; it was also one of the most ethnically diverse casts I’ve ever seen on an English opera stage.

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So this is a complex work but then director Peter Sellers doesn’t make things easy for us, just tasty and multi layered, hinting at modern Latino persecutions as much as a tradition of female activism and the absorbing and adoption of cultures in the New World.

There are many themes, perhaps too many and the suggestive hand movements of the singers and chorus echo the colouful glyphs and stylised behaviours of the pre-conquistador cultures, but some of this just obscures the singing and occasionally looks plain silly. It’s also far too long in this state and would work much shorter.

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Over all this was a piece to marvel at and the discordant pieces slowly merged to become something other, a musical magical realism that merged and heaved on stage, not one thing, not another but parts of all, a Mestizo Opera indeed. Perhaps this was Sellers aim; to show us the merging of art and time, culture and civilisation, perspective, lies and the ultimate truth of the dark sensual heart, whatever he was up to Sellers has presented us with a compelling narrative and musically interesting opera worth going to experience for its seductive feminista perspective on this; the most bloody and brutal of cultural clashes.

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There is a moment when Carrero says she has taken on all of the Spanish religious rites but she seems nothing in the behaviour of her husband of the mercy that so infects the liturgy, this opera is also without mercy, but not without a singular startling tenderness that reaches out and embraces.

The Indian Queen is sung and surtitled in English

Running time: 3hrs 40mins

Performances: on March 6, 9, 12 and 14

For more information or to book tickets click here:     

 

 

Gay pairing to broadcast Atlantic row live in world first

The Atlantic Tempest rowing team, comprising two gay men, is set to share its adventure of a lifetime live with the world.

Nick McCulloch and Tom Parker
Nick McCulloch and Tom Parker

 

NICK McCulloch, 39, from Brighton and Tom Parker, 28, from Bristol will be taking part in this year’s Talisker Atlantic Challenge – a race to row the Atlantic from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua.

A world first in ocean rowing, the team has partnered up with Marine Camera Solutions and will be broadcasting live online 24/7, allowing spectators and supporters to track every one of their 1,000,000 strokes in HD quality during their 3,000-mile journey. This technology will give supporters the unique opportunity to follow Nick and Tom live with every push and pull as they burn over 20,000 calories a day during their gruelling three months at sea.

Four built-in cameras operated by the team back at the base will provide stunning perspectives of the boat as well as infrared night vision and sound to capture every moment of the journey, transmitted via satellite technology.

The transatlantic adventurers hope to raise £1 million for three outstanding charities:

• Sussex Beacon will use the funds to help educate schoolchildren about HIV and support their campaign to fight the stigma of the virus.

• They are also helping Barnardo’s to combat child exploitation and aid support workers in protecting children from abuse and manipulation.

• Finally, the team are supporting Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal to enrich and enhance the quality of life for children.

The team is also looking for heroes to help get them to the start line. For just a £20 donation, any supporter can submit a selfie that will appear on the boat and travel across the ocean with them as an Atlantic Tempest Hero.

Nick McCulloch said: “We are incredibly excited and proud to be undertaking this challenge of a lifetime and to be sharing it live with everyone, but we need help.

“We need heroes to allow us to move on to funding these invaluable charities. Help us by donating and sending in a selfie to join us on the boat and keep us company on our gruelling journey.”

To donate and view the different benefits of being an Atlantic Tempest Hero, click here:

You can also find them on Twitter and Facebook by searching for Atlantic Tempest.

Fatboy Slim waives fee for Brighton Pride appearance in August

International superstar DJ, recording artist and local boy made good, Fatboy Slim returns to headline Brighton Pride’s biggest ever dance big top production on August 1.

Fatboy Slim
Fatboy Slim

MORE Brighton than the beach he lives beside. More Brighton than the Seagulls he cheers on. And prouder than anyone else to be part of Brighton Pride 2015.

Fatboy Slim, everybody’s favourite big beat maestro, is returning to Pride in Preston Park on Saturday, August 1 and is waiving his fee to help Pride beat last year’s fundraising target, which benefits local LGBT/HIV organisations delivering effective front-line services to LGBT people in Brighton and Hove.

The global phenomenon that is Fatboy Slim is bringing his uniquely Brighton sounds back home to the Pride Festival in Preston Park for a Wild Fruit Big Top finale you’ll never forget. Right Here, Right Now. Fatboy’s last Brighton Pride performance in 2012 was a sensation, as thousand of Pride-goers joined Norman in an epic celebration of house, disco and loved-up beats.

But then, what would you expect from a world-class superstar DJ and producer who’s topped every chart going, won countless awards and performed at the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, the Ultra Music Festival, Brighton’s incredible Big Beach Boutique 2, his beloved Albion’s Amex Stadium, Glastonbury, the Detroit Movement Festival, the Salvador Carnival in Brazil, Bestival, the House of Commons and atop the Great Wall Of China?

Fatboy Slim (AKA Norman Cook), said: “There are many reasons I love my home city. Our tolerance and encouragement of alternative lifestyles is one of my favourites; it is a pleasure therefore for me to join in celebration of our LGBT communities in the fruitiest way I know how.” 

Get ready for Norman’s trademark party acid house, get ready to smile, rave and repeat as Fatboy Slim celebrates Pride In The City and Brighton Pride’s 25th anniversary.

Pride director Paul Kemp said: “Norman’s always been a great supporter of the City and Pride. The 25th Anniversary Pride is a landmark year for Pride and we’re thrilled he’s agreed to waive his fee to help support Brighton Pride and celebrate ‘Pride in our City’.

“We’ve come a long way together and Fatboy Slim will ensure we celebrate our community’s amazing achievements in true Brighton Pride style, giving us a Pride with a purpose in 2015.”


Event: Brighton Pride Festival, 2015

Where: Preston Park, Brighton

When: Saturday August 1

Time: noon – 10 p.m.

Cost: Early Birds sold out; £16.00 advance (first release); advance £18.50/£21.00 (£25.00 on the day). Joint tickets available for Festival and Village party.

To book tickets online, click here:

Bear quiz night at Camelford for Rainbow Fund tonight

Brighton Bear Weekender have their annual quiz at the Camelford Arms tonight (March 5).

Brighton Bear Weekender Camelford Quiz

IT is very simple to enter: just get a team together then trot down to the Camelford Arms on March 5, grab a table, answer the most questions right and prize money of up to £300 is there for the taking.

The quiz starts at 9.00 p.m. but if you want a table get there no later than 8 p.m. Better still have dinner at the Camelford at 7 p.m., which will guarantee you a table. If you’re planning to eat you can always phone up and reserve a table on 01273 622386.

Businesses, community organisations and social network groups are all invited to enter teams. Mark Flood will be asking questions set by Brighton Bear Weekender’s own Graham Munday. Blame him, not Mark, for the questions and expect maybe one or two ursine-themed ones thrown in.

If you’re not feeling lucky then you can always try the raffle, with prizes from Camelford Arms, Nice and Naughty and more.

It’s easier than the Golden Handbags quiz and costs just £2.00 a head. All the money raised goes to the Rainbow Fund, which makes grants to LGBT/HIV organisations who provide effective front-line services to LGBT people in Brighton and Hove.

The Brighton Bears Weekender event proper kicks off at the A Bar on Friday, June 19 from 8 to 11 p.m. with cabaret from Mysterry.

For up to date information about the Brighton Bear Weekender. click here:

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