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PREVIEW: MAMMA MIA comes to Brighton Centre

First UK tour of the worldwide smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! comes to Brighton Centre from August 15 – September 3, 2017.

 

The sensational feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! will come to The Brighton Centre for a two and a half week run from Tuesday, August 15 – Sunday, September 3 as part of its first ever UK tour.

MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with an enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise.

To date, it has been seen by more than 60 million people in 50 productions in 16 different languages.

MAMMA MIA! The Movie starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, is the highest worldwide grossing live-action musical film of all time.

The London production of MAMMA MIA! has now been seen by more than 10% of the entire UK population. It is one of only five musicals to have run for more than 10 years both on Broadway and in the West End, and in 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.

MAMMA MIA! International Tour 2016

Rebecca Esteves, Revenue and Commerce Manager at the Brighton Centre, said: “We’re really excited to be welcoming such an established show to the Brighton Centre. Having wowed crowds in the West End it’s a great honour to be among the venues that will be featuring it during its UK tour.

MAMMA MIA! is a tremendous feel good show with a fantastic soundtrack so we’re sure it will be as big a hit on the coast as it has been in the capital, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming the cast and crew to Brighton.”

With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast.

The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

The MAMMA MIA! UK Tour is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal and NGM.


Event: MAMMA MIA!

Where: Brighton Centre, King’s Rd, Brighton BN1 2GR

When: Tuesday, August 15 – Sunday, September 3

Time: Matinees at 2.30pm and 3pm, evenings at 7.30pm

Cost: Tickets from £15

For more information or to book tickets, click here:

Or telephone the box office: 0844 847 1515.

 

REVIEW: Early Music Festival: KIRCHER: Music, science and natural magic

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ATHANASIUS KIRCHER: MUSIC, SCIENCE AND NATURAL MAGIC

L’Avventura London, with Grace Davidson soprano

Brighton Early Music Festival

St George’s Church, Kemptown

With music by Biber, Vivaldi, Rameau and Handel

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Athanasius Kircher (1602–1680) was a 17th-century German Jesuit polymath who published over 40 works on subjects ranging from music to Egyptology. He also used alchemy and mathematics to explain such musical phenomena as the cure of Saul’s melancholy by David’s harp, the cure of the tarantula’s bite, the harmonic organisation of the human body and the power of birdsong he towed a compromise line which enabled him to explore new ideas while not seeking the approbation of the Church, unlike his contemporary Galileo whose direct challenge to ignorant entrenched orthodoxy caused him such trouble.
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The programme of music explored chapters from nine books of Kircher’s through chosen pieces of music by Kircher, Biber, Vivaldi, Rameau, and Handel with a tarantella and some superbly moving traditional Hebrew songs. soprano Grace Davidson was in fine voice her rich coloured tones filling the space with a refined and subtle grace, switching from the precise diction of a Handel harp duet to the smoky sensuality of Sephardic traditional Hebrew melodies Davidsons voice captured the nuances of this eclectic choice of pieces.

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The orchestra this evening; L’Avventura London is a period-instrument ensemble dedicated to the exploration of Western musical repertoire from the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries. Directed by Žak Ozmo, who played the acrchlute, they provided a tightly harmonic exploration of Kircher’s life with some humour, playing with an engaging virtuosity, passion, and some fun dramatic flair. Their knowledge of historical performance and its repertoire provided a safe and engaging evening of musical exploration and L’Avventura  were never less than superb.  Emily Baines in particular impressed with her range of instruments and contrast delightful emotive pacing.

L’Avventura London are:

Žak Ozmo director, archlute
Emily Baines recorders
Jim O’Toole violin
Alexandria Lawrence viola
Natasha Kraemer cello
Jean Kelly early and traditional harps
David Gordon harpsichord

This was a superb concert from the BREMF, up to their usual standard of presentation and introducing some superb new and some well-loved familiar music to an appreciative audience as usual I left informed and delighted by a very enjoyable evening out.

For more information on the rest of the events in the Early Music Festival see their website here but be quick many events are selling out fast!

This performance was recorded for later broadcast by BBC Radio 3

This performance was on Friday, October 28, 8pm, St George’s Church, Btn.

 

 

Oldest Gay in the Village fights on to get an apology from the Government

George Montague
George Montague

George Montague affectionately know as The Oldest Gay in the Village will deliver his petition calling for an apology from the Government for his historic sexual offence conviction to Downing Street on Wednesday.

Despite reassurances last week from Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven that the Government will very shortly be issuing posthumous pardons for thousands of gay and bi-sexual men including George, convicted of now abolished sexual offences, Brighton Kemptown resident George is still insisting he wants an apology from the Government about his historic conviction.

George aged 93 was forced to resign in 1974 from his position as a Senior Commissioner in the Boy Scout Association where he ran camps for severely physically disabled boys from six southern counties in the UK.

He says: “As a consequence of the Gross Indecency Laws at the time, I was arrested and charged enthusiastically by homophobic police officers, assisted by provocateurs and informers. Then, if one was born to be “in love” with another man, one was automatically presumed guilty of these offences.

“Myself, and 49,000 others, still have criminal convictions. I am therefore petitioning for an apology from this Government on the part of their predecessors. Some of those past legislators are still alive, often asleep in the House of Lords on £300 per day, many of them refusing to accept the fact that being homosexual is NOT a choice.

“I agree that any indecency of a sexual nature IN PUBLIC should still be an offence but our ‘offences’ were often ‘committed’ in private. I don’t seek a pardon, for that admits guilt (eg. Alan Turing), I believe that these convictions should be quashed and want that apology from my Government BEFORE I die.”

George has been running an online petition which he will be delivering in person to The Prime Minister, Theresa May MP in Downing Street at 2.30pm on Wednesday, November 2.

You have 48 hours to sign Georges petition and allow George to die a happy man free of any conviction, click here:

George the author of The Oldest Gay in the Village will also deliver 8,000 signatures he has collected by hand to add to his 6,400 online signatures.

For more information about George, click here:

 

Artist raises money for Sussex Beacon

Artist, Sarah Abbott is raising money for the Sussex Beacon through her Arts-Giving, JustGiving fundraising page.

Sarah Abbott
Sarah Abbott

Sarah is a respected artist who is particularly known for painting wonderful portraits of animals.

She has been encouraging people to donate to her JustGiving fundraising page where each £1 donated will receive a raffle ticket. The winner who will be drawn on November 1 will get a commission of their choice painted by Sarah.

To make a donation, click here:  

Sara will liaise with the winner to create a unique painting, the subject of which will be up to you to choose, a landscape, portrait (person or pet) or even a nude!

The work on offer will be 60 x 60cm to 80 x 80cm depending on the subject and could possible be embellished with spray, acrylic and even glitter.

To see examples of Sara’s work, click here:

Sara says: “It’s a joy and a privilege to be working on this fund-raising project. The work Sussex Beacon do is vital and I hope to tempt you to join me in supporting them with this offer of an original painting.”

The draw will take place on the November 1 2016; the winning person will be independently-drawn from the donation amounts. Usual raffle-prize format will apply, for every £1 donated you have one chance entry into the draw.

If you wish to donate anonymously it will be impossible to enter you into the draw, but Sarah thanks you for your support for the Sussex Beacon.

Sara will begin discussions with the winner immediately after the draw in preparation for completing the piece but due to her existing painting commitments, the work will be completed early in the New Year.

If you wish for any further details or clarification of the artwork commission offered and the draw-selection, email-contact: artgivingSB@yahoo.com

The commission for Sara’s artwork will be announced and awarded tomorrow, November 1.

You still have time to make a donation, click here:

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World Aids Day 2016 – diary of events

The Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day (WAD) Partnership have organised a series of events to mark World AIDS Day on December 1.

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The partnership includes: Avert, BHCC Partnership Community Safety Team, Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, Brighton GEMS, Gscene, Lunch Positive, Peer Action, Sussex Beacon, Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy and THT.

World AIDS Day events

Candlelit Vigil

♦ NEW STEINE GARDENS MEMORIAL SPACE, New Steine Gardens, Brighton: Thursday, December 1, 4-7pm. Volunteers and staff from the Partnership will be at New Steine Gardens from 4pm, providing a safe and welcoming space for people to leave items or messages of hope and remembrance at the memorial. New names of those we have lost can be added to the vigil list between 4pm and 5pm. Refreshments will also be available.

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♦ Brighton AIDS Memorial CandleLit Vigil, New Steine Gardens, Brighton: Thursday, December 1, 6-7pm. Everyone is welcome to attend the remembrance event for those lost to HIV/AIDS in Brighton & Hove. There will be a reading of the 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 in previous years) can be emailed by November 27 to susshivchap@gmail.com, or can be added to the list during the day at the New Steine Gardens Memorial Space

Community events

♦ Brighton GEMS – Special HIV/AIDS forum event, Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton: Friday, November 25, 7-9pm. Join Avert, THT and Lunch Positive and Peer Action at the regular GEMS Friday social meeting.

♦ Positive Hope – Service of Remembrance & Solidarity, Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton: Sunday, November 27, 4pm. Churches Together in Central Brighton and Sussex HIV Chaplaincy invite ALL to join them in a service of remembrance for those who have died and solidarity for those living with HIV/AIDS. An opportunity for prayer and reflection in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for those with some faith or none, Everyone is welcome. The speaker will be Revd. Steven Foster (Lunch Positive Chair of Trustees). Followed by refreshments.

♦ Free screening of We Were Here, Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton: Wednesday, November 30. Join Lunch Positive for a special free screening of We Were Here, a true story from those in San Francisco who lived through the early days of the AIDS epidemic. For some this is a reminder and for others an insight, as we prepare to remember on World AIDS Day. Seating is limited so please arrive in good time. Entry is free, but donations to cover food and venue costs are welcome. Buffet from 6.45pm. Screening starts at 7.30pm.

Concert

web-600♦ WORLD AIDS DAY CONCERT: St Mary’s Church, St James St: Thursday, December 1, doors open 7pm, concert at 7.30pm. Performances from the Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, Brighton Belles, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, Rainbow Chorus, Rebelles, Resound Male Voices and Qukelele. Tickets £8 in advance (£6 concessions) otherwise £10 on the door (concessions £8). To book online, view: tickets.brightongmc.org OR buy via the choirs. All profits donated to Lunch Positive

Fundraisers

web-600-4♦ Subline: Mr Subline 2016 Fundraiser for THT, £5 entry Sat, Nov 26, from 9pm

♦ Charles Street: World Aids Day Fundraiser for THT, Thursday, December 1, from 7.30pm. Hosted by Drag With No Name with Sally Vate, Lucinda Lashes, Mrs Moore, Rose Garden, Miss Penny, Martha D’Arthur, Kara van Park and Jennie Castell. Suggested £2 donation on door

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City’s Superintendent Registrar retires

Friends and colleagues joined the Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Cllr Pete West at Brighton Town Hall to wish Brighton & Hove Council’s Superintendent Registrar, Trevor Love a successful retirement.

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The reception took place in the Mayor’s Parlour at Brighton Town Hall on Friday, October 28.

Trevor worked in the Council’s Weddings & Ceremonies department for the last 14 years rising to the position of Superintendent Registrar.

During those years he saw the historic introduction of Civil Partnerships in December 2005 followed by officiating at the first Same Sex Marriage in March 2014 when he married Andrew Wale and Neil Allard at the Royal Pavilion, an event which brought  international TV networks to the city.

During his years he married an Olympic figure skating champion, Peter James the author and Richard Fairbrass from Right Said Fred among others.

Registration manager Debra Reynolds gave a lovely speech highlighting the huge contribution Trevor had made to the team during the last 14 years and wished him well in his retirement.

Trevor’s husband Josh joined him at the reception and Karl Jones from Moshimo kindly donated sushi for the invited guests.

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Charles Street Christmas Fayre

Charles Street push the boat out with style this Christmas offering a variety of excellent Christmas parties and meals packages available daily during the festive season.

web-600-3Classic Christmas Dinner

A classic Christmas meal is available daily costing £11.95 for two courses or £13.95 for three courses.

Starters include: rich Tomato & Jersey Cream Soup; Sticky Chicken Wings or Crispy Crumbed Camembert.

Main courses include: hand-carved Roast Turkey dinner with Trimmings; Cheesy Smoked Haddock Bake; Bah-hum-burger; Smoked Boneless Beef Rib (+£1 supplement); or Leek & Cheddar Tart.

Deserts include: classic Christmas Pudding; Baked Vanilla Cheesecake; or five layer Chocolate Fudge Cake.

Christmas Buffet

There are three buffet options available:

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♦ SLEIGH #1: Sticky Chicken Wings, Pigs in Blankets, Stuffing Balls, Crispy Potatoes, Cranberry Slaw and Crispy Onions, served on a huge wooden board with enough food for six people at £11.95 each platter. Amazing value!

♦ For SLEIGH #2: add Crispy Crumbed Camembert and Turkey & Cranberry Sliders to SLEIGH #1 choices, at £13.95 each platter. The crispy crumbed camembert is divine!

♦ For SLEIGH #3: add Crispy Crumbed Camembert, Turkey & Cranberry Sliders, Salt Beef Reuben Sliders and extra Crispy Potatoes to SLEIGH #1 choices at £15.95 each platter. The Salt Beef Reuben Sliders are simply to die for! 

Christmas Pizza

♦ If you’re a pizza girl (and there are many in Brighton, less in Hove actually) you have the choice for Christmas of Margherita, Spicy Pepperoni and BBQ Chicken & Bacon, all costing £7.95 each.

Christmas Party Drinks

Party drink offers include: 

♦ a six-bottle bucket (£22)

♦ six bottles of Miniature-Bottega Gold Prosecco (£35)

♦ bottle of house wine (£12)

♦ bottle of Prosecco (£17.50)

♦ bottle of Mumm Champagne (£40)

♦ six Jager-Bombs (£15) and

♦ a six-shot paddle of shots (£12).

There are four Premium Drinks Packages available priced £90, £120, £170 and £220. They include a variety of bottles of premium spirits and mixers and either Christmas hats or a Prop Box full of Christmas fun. Prop Boxes to enable you to dress up at your table and take selfies cost just £10.


Important info:

It’s vital to book these Christmas deals in advance: call 01273 624091.

A non-refundable deposit of £5 per person is required on booking.

You’ll find Charles Street at 8 Marine Parade, Brighton.

For more details about Charles Street, click here:

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Halloween fundraiser for Rainbow Fund at Charles Street

Charles Street will be raising money for the Rainbow Fund at their Halloween spectacular on Monday, October 31 at their 150 Horror Studio party.

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Hosted by Gia Massacre, Horror Studio 150 will finish Charles Street’s five day Halloween weekend with a bang!

Featuring performances from Sophie and Megan from ‘Cinebras’, this years winner of the Brighton heat of Drag Idol at Charles Street the fabulous Shallow Vera, as well as performances from Lydia L’Scabies and Rococo Chanel!

Straight after the show around 11pm, the infamous DJ Ruby Roo will be hitting the decks to play all of your favourite tunes through to 2pm!

Drinks will have 50% off from 5-9pm going into £1.50 on selected drinks from 10:30!

Charles Street staff will also be shaking up some blood thickening, Halloween cocktails for your pleasures all night as well!

Go along dressed in your finest Halloween outfit and win a prize for the best dressed on the night.

It’s only £2 on the door and part of the money will go to The Rainbow Fund, who give grants to LGBT/HIV organisations providing effective front line services to LGBT people in the city.

For more information, click here: 

PICTURE DIARIES: Sleeping Beauty & A Little Prick

Cllr Pete West, the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, attended the launch party earlier this month for the Adult Pantomime Sleeping Beauty & A Little Prick at Buddies Diner.

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Guests were served up the best fish and chips I have tasted in many moons, washed down by the odd glass of wine or two.

The evening was compered by Dame Lee Tracey who introduced stars from the Panto to sing a number each and there was a raffle for Help The Heroes.

Lee Tracey
Lee Tracey

The panto will run from February 1-12 in the Paganini Ballroom at the Old Ship Hotel starring Lee Tracey, Maisie Trollette, Phil Harlequeen, Jason Prince, Topsie Redfern, Lascal Wood, Russell Keith, Jack Seager and Scott Virgo. The production will be directed by Simon Fielding with musical direction by Sarah Bodaldhi.

Shows are daily at 5pm and 8pm and ticket prices start at £22.

Check website for dinner show offers available.

To book tickets, click here:

Or telephone Dome Box Office: 01273 709 709

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Bear-Patrol raise £5,000 for Sussex Beacon

Bear-Patrol the LGBT community social/leisure networking group raised £5,000 at their annual community lunch on Sunday, October 23 at the Old Ship Hotel on Brighton seafront.

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Due to problems with the ceiling in the Paganini Ballroom, at the last-minute the event had to be moved downstairs at the hotel into the smaller Steak On Sea Restaurant. However, the restaurant’s intimate atmosphere added to everyone’s enjoyment and the Old Ship Hotel donated £750 to compensate for any inconvenience caused.

Mysterry, complete with four costume changes, hosted the afternoon’s proceedings with style, introducing a stellar line-up of entertainment that included the fine singing voice of Kara van Park; the classy, jazz chanteuse and musical director of the Rainbow Chorus, Aneesa Chaudhry; Krissie de Cann, who had everyone up dancing; Jennie Castell whose vocal gymnastics were right on the money; and the legend that is David Raven.

Danny Dwyer of Bear-Patrol said: “Many thanks to everyone who provided prizes for the raffle, to Carole Todd for operating the follow spot to Chris Sarson from Co-op Funeral Care who donate three hampers to Mandy from Fabricate Decor who dressed the restaurant and to Dan Hale the Toastmaster.”

Bear-Patrol was founded in May 2008 by Danny Dwyer. The group was set up to enable ‘people’ to come together and become part of a social community network, enabling them to meet friends and new people in a ‘happy’ environment free from attitude and social stigma. The group continues to strive forwards organising social and challenge events, gatherings, day trips, weekend breaks and fundraising opportunities for everyone to enjoy and they welcome all members who are keen and enthusiastic about becoming part of a community social network.

Since its inception Bear-Patrol have raised more than £160,000 for local good causes including Sussex Beacon, Rainbow Fund and Sussex Cancer Fund.

Photographer Nick Ford was present all day taking photographs of the event. Nick will donate all profits to Bear-Patrol’s final fundraising total,  from photos bought from his website.

To view and purchase a photo, click here:

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