The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association today announced a global partnership with VisitDallas, the official tourism marketing organisation for the city of Dallas, Texas.
AS a Global Partner,VisitDallas strengthens its commitment to LGBT+ travel and will provide year-round support for IGLTA, the leader in advancing LGBT+ travel around the world.
“We’re honoured to partner with IGLTA and to show people that Dallas is an inspiring, diverse destination,”said Phillip J. Jones, VisitDallas President/CEO. “We want visitors to know that we are a place that supports, celebrates and welcomes all who visit, live, learn, work and play here. Dallas is a destination that embraces and promotes diversity, inclusion and equality and understands it’s our differences that make us stronger.”
VisitDallas supports numerous LGBT+ service organisations within its local communities, and also globally, from actively bidding on the International Gay Games to supporting The Trans Chorus of Los Angeles.
Each year, the organisation is a major sponsor of the Black Tie Dinner in Dallas, which raises more than US$1 million for the HRC Foundation. In addition, VisitDallas was a leader in the fight to defeat the discriminatory “Bathroom Bill” in the last Texas legislative session.
As an IGLTA Global Partner, VisitDallas will have increased engagement with the association’s members and receive added visibility from the association to showcase the destination’s progressive offerings to LGBT+ travellers.
John Tanzella
“We have enjoyed a long, mutually supportive relationship with VisitDallas, so we are proud that they’ve chosen to elevate their engagement with IGLTA and LGBTQ travel,”said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella.“Through this partnership, we can better share the stories of Dallas’ large and lively LGBTQ community with the world. It’s a destination that often surprises people with its blend of cosmopolitan culture, Southern charm, and a well-established gayborhood scene.”
For more information about The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, click here:
With just 12 years left to limit climate change, Council must oppose new fracking laws, say Greens.
THE Green Group of Councillors on Brighton & Hove City Council have reaffirmed their call for an end to fracking, calling for ‘immediate action’ on climate change following a damning report from the UN on global warming.
A report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was published this week, with 91 scientists warning that the planet will reach climate disaster as early as 2030 if no action is taken to curb increases in global warming.
According to the report, a rise in global temperature will lead to extreme droughts, food shortages and increased poverty, with the IPCC calling for ‘unprecedented changes in all aspects of society,’ to minimise climate disaster.
Green Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty said:“This report should serve as a painful wake up call. The effects of climate change are already being felt. However the IPCC has concluded that a rise of even half a degree above current global temperatures will herald a climate disaster as soon as 2030. Increases in global temperatures of half a degree could lead to millions exposed to severe drought and plunge us into a food shortage.
“Yet the IPCC have reminded us that we can reverse some of these changes if we take serious action now. That’s exactly why Greens will call for an unequivocal rejection of hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’ at the next meeting of Full Council. It’s never been clearer that our reliance on fossil fuels has to end. With unprecedented levels of change needed, we also repeat our concerns that limited actions by the Labour Council on air pollution and sustainable transport do not go far enough, and call for a serious commitment from this Council to play its full part in curbing global warming.”
Legendary musical extravaganza Rocky Horror Show starring Joanne Clifton, Ben Adams and Stephen Webb, returns to Theatre Royal Brighton for the Christmas season.
SINCE it first opened in London in June 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show has become the world’s favourite rock ‘n’ roll musical, having been performed worldwide for 45 years in more than 30 countries and translated into over 20 languages.
This critically acclaimed stunning new production returns by public demand for a 12 month UK tour starting at Theatre Royal Brighton.
Richard O’Brien’s timeless musical masterpiece returns to Brighton for a three-week Christmas season from Thursday, December 13 2018 to Saturday, January 5, 2019.
This classic musical extravaganza will star West End star Stephen Webb as Frank, Strictly Come Dancing Champion Joanne Clifton as Janet and a1’sBen Adams as Brad.
Kristian Lavercombe will also be reprising his role as Riff Raff, following more than 1300 performances in Rocky Horror Show around the world.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the smash hit show features all of the famous musical numbers which have made The Rocky Horror Show such a huge hit for over four decades, including Sweet Transvestite, Science Fiction/Double Feature, Dammit Janet and, of course, the timeless floor filler, The Time-Warp.
Ben Adams and Joanne Clifton
Joanne Clifton said: ‘I’ve always loved Rocky Horror. I learnt the Time Warp in my dance classes in Grimsby when I was 4 years old … 30 years later and I’ll be jumping to the left on the actual Rocky Horror stage, I can’t quite believe it!’
Ben Adams added: ‘Performing in Rocky Horror is a dream come true – I love the show so much it inspired me to write my own musical Eugenius! Joanne and I make quite a team and I’m sure that the whole cast will be raising the roof night after night as we perform for all the amazingly devoted Rocky fans. Bring on the stilettos!’
Stephen Webb said: ‘What an incredible opportunity to bring such a bold, energetic show across the UK. Frank is a dream role! I’m so pleased to be a part of the Rocky team, and can’t wait to give it everything I’ve got.’
Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor. It’s an adventure they’ll never forget, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. The Rocky Horror Show combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation meaning, of course, getting dressed in the most outrageous fancy dress.
Rocky Horror Show first began life in 1973 before an audience of just 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs. It was an immediate success and transferred to the Chelsea Classic Cinema, before going on to run at the Kings Road Theatre, 1973-79 and the Comedy Theatre in the West End, 1979-80.
In 1975 it was transformed into a film called ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. This film adaptation took over $135 million at the Box Office and is still shown in cinemas around the world more than 40 years after its premiere, making it the longest running theatrical release in cinema history.
Many stars including Russell Crowe, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Jerry Springer, Jason Donovan and Meatloaf have appeared in The Rocky Horror Show over the past 45 years.
In 2015, as part of a sold out season at London’s Playhouse Theatre, a special star-studded Gala charity performance in aid of Amnesty International was broadcast to over 600 cinemas across the UK and Europe. The live screening – featuring a host of celebrities playing The Narrator including Stephen Fry, Mel Giedroyc, Emma Bunton, Ade Edmondson, Anthony Head and Richard O’Brien – smashed box office records and was the biggest grossing film in cinemas across the UK. The performance was subsequently screened on the Sky Arts channel.
Rocky Horror Show is the boldest bash of them all. But be warned, this show has rude parts!
Event: Rocky Horror Show
Where: Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton
When: December 13, 2018 – January 5, 2019
To book tickets online, click here: *Booking fees apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge
‘Community facilities, public transport and genuinely affordable housing’ central to Green response to Labour’s City Plan Part 2.
Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty
PROVIDING 100% genuinely affordable housing and cracking down on poor air quality are some of the proposals put forward by Greens in response to City Plan Part Two, the Labour Council’s strategic plan for Brighton and Hove. The Plan builds on City Plan Part 1 which outlined the strategic approach.
Part 2 sets out the council’s preferred approach to development of housing, offices and shops, community facilities, heritage and open spaces and will form a key factor in the future assessment of planning applications.
Greens have responded to the consultation calling for affordable housing and public transport plans to go much further. Developments should be based around maximizing green space for residents, providing warm, genuinely affordable homes and limiting polluting transport if the city is to thrive into the future, Greens have said.
With over 50 new proposals put forward, Greens want to see development plans fulfil a stronger emphasis on the public realm and the environment in the face of climate change and increasing need for affordable housing in the city.
Greens have also called on the Labour Council to take into account key proposals raised at meetings of Full Council, including the redevelopment of the Brighton General Hospital site sale into affordable housing, and a cycle network and improved public transport links.
Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, convenor of the Green group, said: “The challenges that lie ahead – a rising need for affordable housing, a growing elderly population, increasing air pollution and climate change – require a bold and ambitious response.
“As we did with our political leadership in the City Plan Part One, Greens believe that a well-designed and well-planned built environment creates benefits which go far beyond just bricks and mortar, such as protecting our fragile environment, boosting other areas of the economy such as tourism, retail and leisure. We also need to balance the challenges our city faces in terms of sustainable growth, recognising that uncontrolled development, issues like party houses, increased road traffic access, HMOs and Airbnb, too often negatively affect the communities we live in.
“Climate change will continue to pose a threat so it’s important any plan meets the needs of our city’s population, but within ecologically sound limits. We are asking the Labour Council to consider better flood protection for areas like Patcham, warm homes resilient against future energy prices, zero-carbon building, local renewable energy networks and new and better maintained public spaces for our city.
“This is the Labour Council’s plan but we hope our continued vision for sustainability will lead to better outcomes for our city. The Green approach focuses on how development plans improve wellbeing and quality of life. We put the community at centre stage- with things like a focus on public transport, green spaces and affordable housing- which will put our city on a path to more sustainable development.”
Brighton literature project celebrates BAME voices with an evening of literary inspiration during Black History Month.
HUNGRY for words, music and stories? then join Writing Our Legacy at New Writing South on Wednesday, October 24 for Diverse Sussex – Brighton: an evening of literary inspiration celebrating Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) voices from Sussex and beyond.
The evening will include:
A creative writing workshop
People can write their own Sussex-inspired stories with tips and guidance from experienced writing teacher Umi Sinha – open to all levels of experience.
Live readings
Award-winning Nigerian-German author Olumide Poopola will read extracts from her critically acclaimed novel When We Speak of Nothing.
A showcase of readings from two Sussex based writers, Nigerian storyteller Rounke Coker and hip hop poet Spliff Richards.
Live music DJ Fever2Ray will bring African Night Fever, showcasing live African, Latin and Reggae music.
Diverse Sussex – Brighton was devised by Writing Our Legacy, an organisation aiming to raise awareness of the contributions of BAME writers, poets, playwrights and authors born, living or connected to Sussex and the South East.
The programme, which takes place during Black History Month, is part of a wider project seeking to capture people’s stories about coming to or growing up in Sussex and will form the first Hidden Sussex anthology, due to be published in June 2019.
Amy Zamarripa Solis, Chair & Programme Manager for Writing Our Legacy, said:“I’m really excited to bring Olumide Poopola’s bold new novel to Brighton audiences. Her book gives a vital voice to queer and trans teenagers, and I’m hoping we will reach a wide audience of all ages for this event. Olumide first read at one of my Black History Month inspired events back in 2010, from her debut novel, so it’s been a real joy to watch her talent develop over the past 8 years and to invite her back. Earlier in the day we are running a creative writing workshop, where we invite writers of all levels to tell their own unique story and hopefully share their memories of living in Sussex. This is going to be a special day for Brighton, and we thank our partner New Writing South for hosting, plus funders Arts Council England.”
Booking is open for both events with a combined ticket available.
Try writing your own Sussex-inspired story, either from life or fiction, and receive tips from experienced writing teacher Umi Sinha. Open to all levels, beginners welcomed.
Event: Creative Writing Workshop
When: Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Where: New Writing South, 9 Jew St, Brighton BN1 1UT
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Capacity is limited so advanced booking is recommended.
Stay on after the workshop to hear Nigerian-German author Olumide Poopola read extracts from her critically acclaimed novel When We Speak of Nothing, published by Cassava Republic Press in 2017.
Set on the eve of the 2011 London riots, the novel captures the experience of two Black teens growing up at Kings Cross and captures “what it means to be young, black and queer in London”. This is Olumide’s first Brighton reading of her novel.
Following Olumide, two Sussex based writers will perform readings: Nigerian storyteller Rounke Coker and hip hop poet Spliff Richards. The evening ends with music from Fever2Ray (African Night Fever) with light refreshments available by donation.
Event: Readings by Olumide Poopola and others
Where: New Writing South, 9 Jew St, Brighton BN1 1UT
When: Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm
Capacity is limited so advanced booking is recommended.
Legendary DJ and Martlets’ Ambassador, Norman Cook, AKA Fatboy Slim, will swap his usual moniker for one day only to mark Martlets’ inaugural #BeMoreSnail day and walking rather than running Norm’s Snail’s Pace Marathon on Friday, October 19.
Norman Cook
LEGENDARY DJ and Martlets’ Ambassador, Norman Cook, AKA Fatboy Slim, will be swapping his usual moniker for one day only to mark Martlets’ inaugural #BeMoreSnail day, part of Snailspace a unique public art event featuring giant snails, raising money for Martlets Hospice.
On Friday, October 19 Norman will walk, rather than run, a marathon around all 50 of Snailspace’s mighty molluscs, which are currently dotted around the city of Brighton & Hove.
The whole idea of #BeMoreSnail day is to slow down, appreciate what’s around you and spend a bit more time with people you love. It is a philosophy that resonates with the care provided by Martlets, organisers of Snailspace.
Martlets is challenging everyone in the city, and beyond, to do something that embodies the spirit of the #BeMoreSnail message. It was whilst thinking about what #BeMoreSnail meant to him that the idea for Norm’s Snail’s Pace Marathon was originally born.
Norman said:“I was thinking about a fundraising challenge I could take on as part of the Snailspace campaign. When Brighton had Snowdogs a few years ago my daughter Nelly and I did the whole trail, but we cheated a bit by going by car and we spread it over two days. So, completing the whole trail in one day was an obvious idea, and, as I’m a little bit of a runner and as the distance is about 26 miles, I thought about a marathon taking in every snail. But, as I started thinking about the whole #BeMoreSnail idea, taking things at your own pace, I thought hang on, let’s not run it, let’s walk it.
“The more I thought about it the more I wanted to embrace the idea of slowing down. By walking it is a far more sociable affair, I can get a selfie at each snail, chat to people as I’m walking, and can really embody the motto of #BeMoreSnail. I’m really hoping people will sponsor me ahead of the challenge and on the day. So, 1 day, 26 miles and 50 snails – lets do this!”
Norman will be setting off from Big Beach Café and will visit every giant gastropod on the Snailspace route. He will be joined by friends and family at different stages throughout the day and is aiming to raise at least £5,000 for Martlets life-changing care. Norman has personal experience of the care provided by Martlets so understands how important the work of the hospice is to the community it serves.
One such person is local teacher, Gordon, 39, who was diagnosed earlier this year with early on-set Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Gordon explains what being under the care of Martlets has meant for him and his family. “The diagnosis of a terminal illness with a median life expectancy of three years was a complete shock. Not only have I needed to get my head around issues with mortality but also getting my house in order, before I check out. That’s not something you envisage needing to do at the age of 39, but Martlets is helping me cope with every aspect of the journey.
“Martlets is so much more than end of life care. The support I’ve received has included how to deal with different symptoms as and when they arise or get worse. I’ve also received guidance for how to broker the news with my children and how to talk about work.
“Not only have I received services to aid in my initial diagnosis, like speech and language therapy, but Martlets offers a whole other holistic side to the care here, including counselling, Reiki, and massages for me and my wife. And, I have to say, even though the gravity of the situation is serious and life-changing, if I didn’t have this kind of provision available, it would make it all so much harder.”
To donate online and support Norman on his epic walk to help local people like Gordon, click here:
A photography calendar created by Brighton and Hove based individuals with experience of homelessness will be launched at 2pm, on World Homeless Day, Wednesday, October 10, at the Phoenix Gallery in Brighton.
THE launch includes an award ceremony to celebrate the photographers’ achievements.
The MYBRIGHTON & HOVE 2019 calendar showcases images taken in the first MYBRIGHTON & HOVE Photo Project, which took place in June this year.
100 individuals with experience of homelessness were given Fujifilm Quicksnap cameras for five days, and took photos on the theme “My Brighton and Hove”.
The local social enterprise project is run locally entirely by volunteers, and supported by London Based Community Interest Company Café Art.
MYBRIGHTON & HOVE Photo Project manager, artist Lucy Groenewoud said: “The Project provides opportunity for individuals with experience of homelessness to share their narrative through photography, gaining skills and confidence.”
“All money raised from the sale of calendars will go back in to the project to support further creative opportunities for individuals affected by homelessness in the city.”
MYBRIGHTON & HOVE Photo Project has been working in partnership with local organisations who support individuals who are vulnerably housed or homeless including Justlife Creative Art studios, and Brighton YMCA.
Briony Banks from Brighton YMCA said:“MYBRIGHTON & HOVE Photo Project has recognised the amazing talents of a group of people don’t always get the recognition they deserve. People who were given cameras were also given a platform to have a voice and show their perspectives of the world, which means those who took part have felt empowered and acknowledged in a way that is unfortunately rare. This project has enabled residents of Brighton YMCA to find a passion and purpose, some going on to photography courses, others having their work in a gallery to show their children, some will be able to earn money through their photos. We at Brighton YMCA are so proud of everyone who took part.”
One of the formerly homeless photographers who took part, Liam Bulpitt, added:“I loved the project, it’s given me something to do and think about. I’m looking forward to doing more photography in the future.”
The calendar will be sold at the Phoenix gallery and various points around Brighton and Hove from Wednesday, October 10 where the participants earn an income from selling it.
To buy the calendar and photographs online, click here:
The printing of the 2019 calendar was part funded by over a hundred members of the public on crowdfunding website Kickstarter in August and September.
The exhibition showcasing images chosen from all participants in the project is showing as part of Brighton Photo Fringe at the Phoenix Gallery open Wednesday-Sunday 11am-5pm until Monday, October 29.
MYBRIGHTON & HOVE Photo Project are looking for cafes and shops to stock the calendar and support this deserving social enterprise. Email: lucy@mybrightonphotoproject.com to support the project by selling the calendar.
“We’re honoured to partner with IGLTA and to show people that Dallas is an inspiring, diverse destination,” said Phillip J. Jones, VisitDallas President/CEO. “We want visitors to know that we are a place that supports, celebrates and welcomes all who visit, live, learn, work and play here. Dallas is a destination that embraces and promotes diversity, inclusion and equality and understands it’s our differences that make us stronger.”
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