PREVIEW: Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals UK tour 2019

Posted on 26/02/2018 by Besi

Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals returns to venues across the country from May 2019 for a 35 date UK tour coming to Brighton Centre on May 24, 2019.

Starting at The Lowry Theatre in Salford on May 3, 2019, the tour will then dance its way around the country culminating at the Sunderland Empire June 2. Tickets for this dance spectacular are now on sale.

Direct from BBC One’s award-winning prime time TV show Strictly Come Dancing, this glamorous production will bring together some of the much-loved Strictly Professional dancers as they take to the stage to perform exquisitely choreographed Ballroom and Latin routines with all the sequins, sparkle and stunning production values we have come to know and love!

Event: Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals UK Tour

Where: Brighton Centre, Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 2GR

When: May 24, 2019

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: Tickets from £39.05

To book tickets online, click here:

Or telephone the Box Office on 0844 847 1515

Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals UK Tour Dates

3/5/19 Salford Lowry, 7.30pm

4/5/19 Salford Lowry, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

5/5/19 Bournemouth BIC, 7.30pm

7/5/19 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, 7.30pm

8/5/19 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, 7.30pm

9/5/19 Llandudno Cymru, 7.30pm

10/5/19 Edinburgh Playhouse, 7.30pm

11/5/19 Edinburgh Playhouse, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

12/5/19 Aberdeen ECC, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

15/5/19 Blackpool Opera House, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

16/5/19 Birmingham Symphony Hall, 7.30pm

17/5/19 Birmingham Symphony Hall, 7.30pm

18/5/19 Hammersmith Apollo, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

19/5/19 Hull Arena, 7.30pm

21/5/19 Portsmouth Guildhall, 7.30pm

22/5/19 Plymouth Pavilions, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

23/5/19 Plymouth Pavilions, 7.30pm

24/5/19 Brighton Centre, 7.30pm

25/5/19 Cardiff CIA, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

26/5/19 Cardiff CIA, 7.30pm

28/5/19 Liverpool Empire, 7.30pm

29/5/19 Leeds Arena, 7.30pm

30/5/19 Sheffield City Hall 7.30pm

31/5/19 Sheffield City Hall, 7.30pm

1/6/19 Sunderland Empire, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

2/6/19 Sunderland Empire, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Diverse City Bowlers: Out & Active – special Event for people 50+

Posted on 26/02/201826/02/2018 by Besi

Funded by Brighton Pride Social Impact Fund, Diverse City Bowlers (DCB) offers a bowling event which will be free for everyone 50 and over with a focus on elderly LGBT+ people.

The event will take place at 8pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the Brighton Hollywood in Brighton Marina. It is open to everybody regardless of their sexuality and you do not have to be experienced in bowling.

Out and Active is a joint project DCB run with Out For Sport. They aim to encourage and empower people, LGBT+ or otherwise, in Brighton and Hove to be healthier, more active, and feel less lonely.

There is enough scientific evidence that suggest those who participate in fun, supportive and energetic group activities are healthier, happier and more youthful.

DCB believe Ten Pin Bowling is a great social activity which has a positive effect on health and well-being. Through laughter, silliness and companionship, knocking down pins provides additional pay-offs in terms of well-being, and mental and physical health.

Funded by Brighton Pride Social Impact Fund, DCB offer a unique bowling event which will be free for everyone 50 and over. Participants do not have to be experienced in bowling, and the event is open to everybody regardless of their sexuality.

To register, click here: and fill out the short application form. Places are limited and you are recommended to book your place in advance.

DCB are in their second season ten pin blowing. On league nights they play three games in teams of two. The scores are collected and tracked so that every member has a good idea of their playing strength and improvement. These scores may also be used for placements if and when members wish to participate in IGBO Leagues/Tournaments and/or International Gay Games in the future.

Many of the team do not use their real names, instead assuming Bowling personas like Bowling Queen or Glitter Balls to make the game even more fun (you are, of course, free to use your real name). You and your bowling buddy need to have a team name, and you can be as creative as you like (of course, nothing derogatory, racist or illegal).

DCB value the joy of Bowling more than they value winning. You will be expected to share the same sentiment and etiquette.

DCB recently won the Corporate Cup at Leap Sports Scotland 6th Annual National Tenpin Bowling Tournament which was a part of LGBT History Month.

You can follow Diverse City Bowlers on Facebook.

What moves and shakes global LGBT+ communities in 2018

Posted on 25/02/201825/02/2018 by Besi

PLANETROMEO one of the leading social networks worldwide has released the finding from its recent Big Gay Survey that focused on the current mood and expectations of its users for 2018.

From January 25 to January 31, 58,843 Romeos from 192 countries answered a series of questions on identity, influence, expression, entertainment, and dating.

Gui Bosselaers, Head of Marketing at PLANETROMEO, said: “We wanted to get a gay perspective on the year ahead and find out what’s moving the global gay community.”

“The response was impressive and shows the level of importance our Romeos place on having a voice in today’s rapidly changing world.”

Here are the top ranking answers from 10 of the 23 questions ROMEO users were asked:

What Technology are you NOT likely to use this year? Gaming Console

Which Social Media does you use most often? WhatsApp

What do you use dating apps for? Looking for Sex

In 3 years, I want to be…? In a relationship

How are you most likely to express who you are? Stay how nature made me

How far would you go with plastic surgery? Plastic Surgery isn’t for me

Who inspires you the most? Ordinary People doing extraordinary things

Who will have the greatest influence on the LGBT community in 2018? Donald Trump

If you could move to another country, which would it be? Spain

What’s the Gay Capital of the World? San Francisco

To download the full results of the survey, click here:

8,000 run in The Grand Brighton Half Marathon 2018

Posted on 25/02/201825/02/2018 by Besi

Runners take to the streets of Brighton to run The Grand Brighton Half Marathon 2018 in brisk temperatures under stunning clear blue skies.

Close to 8,000 runners turned out to run The Grand Brighton Half Marathon this morning, embracing the cold weather and running 13.1 miles.

The MP for Hove & Portslade Peter Kyle watched on as The Mayor of Brighton and Hove Councillor Mo Marsh sounded the starting klaxon to get the runners on their journey around the city.

The Mayor of Brighton & Hove and Sussex Beacon CEO Bill Puddicombe

Now in its 28th year, the race revealed new colours and branding for 2018, reflecting the colours and style of new headline sponsor The Grand Brighton.

Thousands of spectators lined the route to cheer on the runners, and crowds were entertained with music, bands and stilt walkers along the course, plus special ‘keep warm’ sessions hosted by PureGym.

In the main race, the field featured hundreds of runners new to the half marathon distance, plus experienced half marathoners and runners training for a full Spring marathon.

The men’s elite race featured a podium of ‘Pauls’, with Irish international marathon runner Paul Pollock taking first place in 66:57, followed by four times race winner Paul Martelletti in 68:16, and Paul Whittaker in 68:34.

In the women’s race, local girls Izzy Coomber from Lewes AC stormed home in 79 minutes, Farnham Runners’ Sarah Bradbury took second place in 79:47 and Emily Proto from Arena 80 followed in a time of 81:27.

The Sussex Beacon Wheelchair Race also returned after its inaugural race in 2017, with four entrants from around the UK racing. Rob Smith took first place in a time of 69:10, while Gary Cooper came second in a time of 74:39.

Alongside the elite field, thousands of charity runners ran, to raise vital funds for over 35 charities, including local charities The Sussex Beacon, RISE Chestnut Tree House, and national charities including Alzheimer’s Society and Macmillan.

From L to R: Lynette Lowndes Chair of Trustees Sussex Beacon, Peter Kyle MP for Hove & Portslade and Bill Puddicombe CEO Sussex Beacon

The race is organised by The Sussex Beacon, a Brighton-based charity which provides a range of services for men, women and families living with or affected by HIV across Sussex.

Race director Martin Harrigan, said: “The race was a fantastic success, with thousands of runners taking on the challenge of running 13.1 miles through the city and great crowd support along the route. It’s been absolutely brilliant to have a new headline sponsor for the race this year – The Grand Brighton – and it’s wonderful to have such an iconic Brighton brand be part of the event.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part – the runners, our sponsors and charity partners and all the volunteers behind the scenes who make Brighton Half such an amazing community event.”

Andrew Mosley, general manager at The Grand Brighton, added: “The Grand Brighton Half Marathon is such a fantastic event every year and it was brilliant to enjoy this year’s race as the headline sponsor. It’s always a joy to see our beloved Brighton community come together and raise funds that make a real difference to such a lot of people. It was an absolute pleasure to work with The Sussex Beacon and all the race partners and we are all dedicated to developing the race throughout the next two years as headline sponsors. Well done to all that took part.”

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REVIEW: The Seven Doors of Danny @Phil Starr Pavilion

Posted on 25/02/201826/02/2018 by Brian Butler

This morality tale in words and music performed as part of B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival first saw the light of day as a concert item and it has grown and developed since its premiere in 2016. Further development and bulking out could make it a first class piece of musical theatre.

I offer one cautionary lesson to award winning poet John McCullogh. If you want to show us how homophobic bullying can lead to crime, imprisonment, reluctant drug dealing and eventual redemption, don’t put a stunning drag queen in it.

Seven different actors from child to ageing man shuffling towards death, portray the Seven Ages of Man in Shakespeare’s famous soliloquy through the life of Danny the central character. Each is only given a few minutes of dialogue and song to get their changing character across and it clearly isn’t enough.

The most impressive characterisation is however not a Danny but the evil racketeer drag diva Tequila Heels played with delightful venom by Kara Van Park aka Wain Douglas.

She shimmies across the stage like a red glittery vamp and has a great show stopping song Suck It Up.

There is a great gem of theatre trying to survive the very episodic nature of the piece, and it certainly benefits from the wonderful sound of the University of Sussex Symphony Orchestra and the Actually Gay Men’s Chorus.

Ricky Horscraft conducts his own score with enthusiasm and there are great tunes albeit occasionally submerged in the inevitable rapping which modern musicals seem to pay homage to.

The best of the Dannies for me was Number 3 played by the very talented Tom Kohler as the reluctant burglar and Number 4 , the nightclub bouncer cum drug salesman played touchingly by Frankie Davison with his terrific song of anger Jobbing for the Devil.

Two things are certain – there’s a full length musical/opera waiting to escape here; and secondly someone should write a full-length piece for the great personality Kara Van Park – the evil diva shown here would be a good starting point.

Brian Butler

B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival: Emergency 1st Aid at Work

Posted on 25/02/201819/03/2019 by Besi

As part of LGBT HISTORY MONTH and the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival, the Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum host Emergency 1st Aids at Work with guest trainer.

A nationally recognised course, awarded by FutureQuals and Highfield and valid for three years.

The course includes a certificate and booklet on all the elements covered during the day including prioritising treatments, management of an unconscious casualty, CPR, defibrillation, choking, burns, fractures, bleeding, medical conditions, causes of unconsciousness including anaphylaxis and how to administer an EPIpen.

Refreshments will be available.

12 SPACES ONLY!

If you have access requirements email access@lgbt-help.com or call 01273 855620 and select option 4.

The B Right On LGBT Community Festival celebrates LGBT History Month, is organised by the volunteers of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum and takes place at the Phil Starr Pavilion – a multi functional, fully accessible, heated performance, conference and community space with a licensed bar which is located on Victoria Gardens, Brighton, BN1 1WN.

Event: Emergency 1st Aid at Work

Where: Phill Starr Pavilion, Victoria Gardens, Brighton

When: Monday, February 26

Time: 10am – 4pm

Cost: £35 per person

To book online, click here:

B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival: Disability Pride Band Night

Posted on 24/02/201824/02/2018 by Besi

Raising Funds for Disability Pride 2018 at the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival as part of LGBT History Month.

The first Disability Pride Brighton in July 2017 was a fantastic success, with over 2000 disabled people attending.

This years event will take place on Hove Lawns on Saturday, July 14.

The team from Disability Pride are holding this fundraiser so that Disability Pride Brighton, 2018 is even bigger and better.

All of the acts appearing have at least one member who has an impairment or disability, as was the case at last year’s festival.

The acts include:

ONE EYED JACKS – seven musicians who burst onto the music scene in 2015 and are one of the hottest live bands in the city at the moment. They crafted their powerful blend of classic Funk/Rock influence with modern RnB and pop songwriting creating a unique and captivating live sound. They mix soulful melodies, screaming guitars, punchy rhythms and sexy harmonies to create music which is as distinctive as it is powerful. Their energetic live performances are guaranteed to have audiences grooving from the first track.

SAM HUGHES – at only 20, Sam Hughes is the youngest Sir Elton John Tribute Act. Sam’s show features songs from four decades of Elton’s career – including Crocodile Rock, Pinball Wizard, Candle in the Wind and Your Song. Sam recreates Sir Elton’s moves, mannerisms and trademark sparkly costumes and glasses and he wowed the crowds at the Disability Pride Brighton festival last year.

PAPER DRAGON – a young local band whose lead singer and guitarist, Michael Jones, is insulin-dependent. They have previously played and headlined Concorde 2, Hove Market, The Dome Theatre and the Haunt. Michael has additionally written a couple of songs he felt he needed to write about disability – Disablism and Mountain – which the band performing at the fundraiser.

TORI AND ELLIOT – a talented Duo who are just 18 have been performing at live venues across the city and beyond for many years as a duet (acoustic sets) and also as part of a local Blues Band Lee Ainsley’s Blues Storm. Elliot Young is a former student of BIMM Brighton where he successfully studied guitar. Tori Mai Hobbs is currently studying for a degree in singer/songwriting at BIMM. They have written many original songs and recently recorded their first EP. They recently performed at the iconic 100 club in London and more locally at the Komedia as part of the Blues Band.

The B Right On LGBT Community Festival celebrates LGBT History Month, is organised by volunteers of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum and takes place at the Phil Starr Pavilion – a multi functional, fully accessible, heated performance, conference and community space with a licensed bar which is located on Victoria Gardens, Brighton, BN1 1WN.

Event: Embracing Diversity

Where: Phil Starr Pavilion, Victoria Gardens, Brighton

When: Sunday, February 25, 2018

Time: 7.30pm – 11.30pm

Cost: £10

To buy tickets, click here:

B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival: Soul Safari

Posted on 24/02/201819/03/2019 by Besi

Exploring LGBT spirituality at the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival during LGBT History Month.

FREE Workshops including:

Everyday mindfulness
Healing through poetry
Is the gender binary divinely ordained
The depth of connection in sacred intimacy

FREE Activities include:

Temporary tattoos
Egyptian healing
Henna tattoos
Jesus deck card readings
Tarot card readings
Shiatsu massage
Reiki healing
Fabric flower making
Drag and wig station
Storytelling and music sessions
Crafting, Trans spirituality
Gender queer beauty parlour
Chit chat and colouring in station

Death Cafe brought collectively by Pagans, Christians, Muslims, and groups from many other traditions.

Event: Soul Safari – LGBT+ Mind, Body, Spirit festival

Where: Phil Starr Pavilion, Victoria Gardens, Brighton

When: Sunday, February 25

Time: 10am – 4pm

Cost: Free

To reserve a place online, click here: or just turn up on the day

Brighton and Hove Way Association organise Stanmer Park clean up

Posted on 24/02/201824/02/2018 by Besi

The recently formed Brighton and Hove Way Association (B&HWA) will take part in the Great British Spring Clean Weekend, helping clean-up the section of the Brighton & Hove Way through the beautiful Stanmer Great Wood.

The clean up will take place on Sunday, March 4. Meet at Upper Lodges car park at 10:00am and greet the No.79 Breeze Bus at 10:40. Expect to be finished around midday.

This litter-picking event is organised by B&HWA with the support of the City Parks Tidy Up Team – all kit will be provided.

So organisers know you are going, sign up for the Stanmer Park Spring Clean on Eventbrite and Share share Facebook event.

For more information about B&HWA, click here:

REVIEW: Expenses Only – The Musical @Phil Starr Pavilion

Posted on 24/02/201824/02/2018 by Brian Butler

In the good old days when I did stage plays and musicals we used to reckon that you needed one hour of rehearsal for every minute of actual playing time on stage when the show played.

So it was incredible to learn that the talented singing line-up in this new show by Andrew Stark had just four days before they opened for one night only in a production lasting well over 2 hours.

So of course it shows. With more rehearsal, tightening of the script, quicker take up of cues it is a great new show in the making.

That said, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable trip through the lives of 6 drag queens and a tv talent show one hit wonder woman as they bicker and bitch backstage at a charity Pride event.

There are many enjoyable moments in its duets, trios, quartets and ensemble numbers, many of which are both funny and sad – particularly a trio where we find out about three of the drag queens’ first gay lovers.

Outstanding for me were two performers – Jon Hughes, aka Sally Vate as an over-the-top Texas diva who has a unique routine with a tambourine that is truly hilarious. But even she is outshone by the wonderful Christopher Howard as a vicious old queen who was a great performer yesterday or maybe the day before or the day before that.

As Phil he can make us laugh, wince and pull at our heartstrings when he sings of lost love and a shattered career that’s led him to the vodka bottle. His tour de force is My Big Show Song which cleverly interweaves the lyrics from dozens of famous musicals.

The cast is strongest when singing as a group and as they say We are all different in a life-affirming anthem to their gayness.

Mention has to be made of Eva Iglesias who belts out her numbers with great style and at times wonderful exaggerated humour.

Performed as part of B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival of events celebrating LGBT History Month – it must get another outing as a show and deserves a wider audience.

Brian Butler

Call us now

Month: February 2018

PREVIEW: Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals UK tour 2019

Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals returns to venues across the country from May 2019 for a 35 date UK tour coming to Brighton Centre on May 24, 2019.

What moves and shakes global LGBT+ communities in 2018

PLANETROMEO one of the leading social networks worldwide has released the finding from its recent Big Gay Survey that focused on the current mood and expectations of its users for 2018.

8,000 run in The Grand Brighton Half Marathon 2018

Runners take to the streets of Brighton to run The Grand Brighton Half Marathon 2018 in brisk temperatures under stunning clear blue skies.

REVIEW: The Seven Doors of Danny @Phil Starr Pavilion

This morality tale in words and music performed as part of B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival first saw the light of day as a concert item and it has grown and developed since its premiere in 2016. Further development and bulking out could make it a first class piece of musical theatre.

B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival: Emergency 1st Aid at Work

As part of LGBT HISTORY MONTH and the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival, the Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum host Emergency 1st Aids at Work with guest trainer.

B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival: Disability Pride Band Night

Raising Funds for Disability Pride 2018 at the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival as part of LGBT History Month.

B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival: Soul Safari

Exploring LGBT spirituality at the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival during LGBT History Month.

Brighton and Hove Way Association organise Stanmer Park clean up

The recently formed Brighton and Hove Way Association (B&HWA) will take part in the Great British Spring Clean Weekend, helping clean-up the section of the Brighton & Hove Way through the beautiful Stanmer Great Wood.

REVIEW: Expenses Only – The Musical @Phil Starr Pavilion

In the good old days when I did stage plays and musicals we used to reckon that you needed one hour of rehearsal for every minute of actual playing time on stage when the show played.

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Call us now

Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals returns to venues across the country from May 2019 for a 35 date UK tour coming to Brighton Centre on May 24, 2019.

Share this:

Funded by Brighton Pride Social Impact Fund, Diverse City Bowlers (DCB) offers a bowling event which will be free for everyone 50 and over with a focus on elderly LGBT+ people.

Share this:

PLANETROMEO one of the leading social networks worldwide has released the finding from its recent Big Gay Survey that focused on the current mood and expectations of its users for 2018.

Share this:

Runners take to the streets of Brighton to run The Grand Brighton Half Marathon 2018 in brisk temperatures under stunning clear blue skies.

Share this:

This morality tale in words and music performed as part of B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival first saw the light of day as a concert item and it has grown and developed since its premiere in 2016. Further development and bulking out could make it a first class piece of musical theatre.

Share this:

As part of LGBT HISTORY MONTH and the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival, the Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum host Emergency 1st Aids at Work with guest trainer.

Share this:

Raising Funds for Disability Pride 2018 at the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival as part of LGBT History Month.

Share this:

Exploring LGBT spirituality at the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival during LGBT History Month.

Share this:

The recently formed Brighton and Hove Way Association (B&HWA) will take part in the Great British Spring Clean Weekend, helping clean-up the section of the Brighton & Hove Way through the beautiful Stanmer Great Wood.

Share this:

In the good old days when I did stage plays and musicals we used to reckon that you needed one hour of rehearsal for every minute of actual playing time on stage when the show played.

Share this:

Latest News