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Day: October 30, 2016

World Aids Day 2016 – diary of events

Posted on by Besi

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

Posted on by Besi

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

Posted on by Besi

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

Posted on by Contributor

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

Posted on by Contributor

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

Posted on by Besi

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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PREVIEW: Aneesa Chaudhry’s Christmas Cracker Gig

Posted on by Contributor

Three highly respected local artists, all Golden Handbag Award winners come together in December to sing at the Latest Music Bar at Aneesa Chaudhry’s Christmas Cracker Gig.

Aneesa Chaudhry
Aneesa Chaudhry

The night will include the power house singer Jennie Castell and the beautiful voice of Nick Ford.

Jennie Castell
Jennie Castell

Jennie  has a huge, versatile voice and has shared the stage with Lulu, Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry. She sings regularly on the Brighton gay scene and knows exactly how to get an audience dancing!

Nick Ford
Nick Ford

Nick is well known for his brilliant camera work and sings with the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus. Aneesa Chaudhry, the Musical Director of the European Queer Choir, Rainbow Chorus and Martlets Hospice GOOD VIBRATIONS choir says from the moment she heard him sing, a seed was planted in her mind.

You’ll be able to hear him showcase his talents at one of her ever popular musical soirees. Aneesa says: “Nicks voice is pure heaven to listen to. You will love every moment.”

Aneesa, herself a much loved singer and performer has an extensive vocal range and loves surprising her audiences. Her gigs are full of humorous and unplanned banter and the audience will be invited to join in with the festive songs and vibe!

Aneesa loves creating fresh and new ideas and the audience will have a chance to hear popular duets being sung by all 3 singers.

Aneesa continued: “Where else will you hear such quality voices singing together locally!”

Repertoire will range from Christmas favourites to Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of The Opera, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Kate Bush and Ella Fitzgerald to name a few.

Event: Aneesa Chaudhry’s Christmas Cracker Gig

Where: Latest Music Bar, Manchester Street, Brighton

When: Sunday, December 4

Time: 8pm

Cost: £15 (£1.22 booking fee)

To book online, click here:

More LGBTQ+ history clubs and workshops announced

Posted on by Graham Robson

Follow the recent popular LGBTQ+ History Club and Workshops at the Bright Museum and Libraries organisers announce dates of next meetings and workshops.

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Full Club Meetings:
These are regular club meetings, with a series of guests presenting on a specific topic.

♦  Sunday November 20: Brighton LGBTQ+ History Club No 3,  3pm – 6pm,  at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton BN1 1EE

To reserve a place, click here:

♦ Sunday December 11: Brighton LGBTQ+ History Club No 4, 3pm – 6pm, at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton BN1 1EE

To reserve a place, click here:

Exhibition Planning Session:

♦ Monday November 7, 6:30 – 8:30pm at Marlborough Pub & Theatre, Princes St, Btn.

One of the outcomes of the History Club will be an exhibition that will take place in February 2017. This meeting is open to anyone who is interested in getting involved in planning the exhibition. No experience is required.

Workshops:

The History Club will be taking a trip to the Keep and have a tour around the building to find out what is available in terms of LGBTQ+ materials to begin our journey as archival researchers!

♦ Saturday November 26, 11am, The Keep Archives, Woollards Way, Brighton BN1 9BP

To reserve a place, click here:

Writer, performer and historian Rose Collis hosts an introductory workshop on free newspaper and other historical resources available via membership of Brighton & Hove Libraries, and how to search for material that could be included in the LGBTQ History Club exhibition.

♦ Saturday December 3, 13.15pm, The Jubilee Library, Jubilee St, Brighton BN1 1GE

To reserve your place, click here:

All events are free but please follow the links to RSVP – so organisers can plan around actual numbers.

Queer in Brighton have updated their website with a blog section and are looking for contribution!

If you have an anedote or story, if you were there when it all happened, or have photographs, zines, papers or other archive material that helps illuminate Brighton’s LGBTQ+ heritage, email:

For more information about Queer in Brighton, click here:

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