12/02/2019 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Traumfrau – An event for International Women’s Day

Posted on 12/02/201913/02/2019 by Contributor

Party-makers Traumfrau join forces with The Queer Songbook for a truly original live creative party celebrating the queer women of Brighton.

TO celebrate International Women’s Day 2019 they’re bringing the Queer Songbook to Brighton and have invited six inspirational women and non-binary people from the city to perform their queerest and dearest song live on stage!

Traumfrau has been celebrating International Women’s Day in its inimitable style – iconic, radical and fun – for the past 6 years, bringing on stage the fiercest of Brighton’s female talent.

This year, joining forces with The Queer Songbook, the party embraces grand cabaret! Prepare for goosebumps, tears, and laughter! The gig will be followed by the usual unusual Traumfrau extravaganza with DJs and more live acts!

What is the Queer Songbook?
The Queer Songbook is a collaborative mixtape of songs reflecting the queer experience, as chosen by a variety of guest singers. In a stunning line up, each song will be performed live, backed by the incredible Queer Songbook Band, a live ensemble of queer musicians.

Far ahead of the event six guests have been invited to choose a song meaningful for them, for which creative director Craig has then worked with the band to arrange. On the night itself the guest introduces their song, telling us the story of its personal meaning for their queer narrative.

Celebrating queer talent
The Queer Songbook explores and celebrates queer voices in songs from across the ages. The guests present their dearest, queerest song – the song that spoke their truth, strummed their pain, or lit a defiant flame in their youth – engaging audiences in a musical ‘Show and Tell’ of feelings and passion.

A collective experience
This event, premiered at the RVT last year, was show of the year for those lucky enough to be there. This is not a simple music gig or a talent show for great voices, it’s a collective experience of both listening and sharing, with music being an intimate reminder of our shared humanity. The guests are professional, amateur, as well as first time singers, their performance is held together by the skills of professional musicians.

Guests for this IWD edition are:

Tabs (Butch, Please!): London-based singer-songwriter, composer and producer, and founder of London lesbian club night Butch, Please! Tabs writes and produces under the stage name Detour City (Virgin, Digital Soundboy, Polydor/Universal). If you know Tabs you’ll run at this chance to see her on stage!

Zoe Lyons: Bent Double’s star, Brighton’s best and most beloved comedian, Zoe has been hella busy being our favourite comic on national tv too (Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, Celebrity MasterChef, Room 101, Dara O’Briain’s Go 8-Bit and counting).

Aneesa Chaudhry: Aneesa grew up in a creative Asian household and went on to train as a Barrister. Her passion for singing became impossible to ignore and she now sings at Jazz and world music festivals around the world as one of the finest singers on the music scene! Aneesa sings with her 20 piece big band, and with the acclaimed Eastern Flavours Band and all female band BLISS ART (Slovenian + Asian).

Emma Frankland: Emma is an award-winning performance and theatre artist working in the UK and internationally. Her work often focusses on honesty, action and a playfully destructive DIY aesthetic…

Fruit: Fruit has been sliding through the drag and cabaret scene like an over-ripe mango and has been spotted sploshing all over the RVT stage. Fruit loves to find ingenious ways to deliver (un)wholesome, raw and juicy ridiculousness so if you’re lucky enough to sit in the splash zone, expect at least 1 of your 5 five a day.

Roni Guetta: occasional singer and a full-time event producer, art lover, and community organiser in Brighton, Roni steps out from behind the Traumfrau curtain to tell a tale – well, sing it – of music, girls, and mixtapes…

Kate Wildblood and Queen Josephine: Brighton’s most regal DJ duo! With over 25 years as a disco, DJing and you know what partnership, Wildblood and Queenie know how to make a dancefloor wiggle. In recent year they have been brining more female voices to the airwaves on Brighton’s 1BTN.

On this occasion Traumfrau are also hosting the Lesbian Lives Conference 2019 afterparty!

Event: International Women’s Day Mixtape

Where: The Spire, The Spire – St Marks Chapel,Eastern Road, BN2 5JN

When: Saturday, March 16

Time: 7.30pm – Show: 8-10:30pm with two short intervals

Cost: £10 in advance / £12 on the door

To book tickets in advance, click here:

PREVIEW: David Hoyle at the Marleborough

Posted on 12/02/201912/02/2019 by Contributor

The one and only David Hoyle makes a triumphal return to the Marlborough Theatre on Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23 at 7.30pm.

FOR two unmissable evenings witness what’s coming in sound, vision, paint and song. Drink, dance, listen and love.

David Hoyle is the original performance avalanche. Fireball of the cabaret apocalypse, avantguardian, all singing, all raging wonder. Post drag, post gender and impossible to beat!

“the greatest living performer”……Justin Vivian Bond

“He is raw, sometimes a bit frightening, but also thrilling in his look-no-hands recklessness.”….. The Guardian

“There is nothing quite like it: bold and unique, electrifying and disarmingly humane”…..Time Out

Event: David Hoyle presents David Hoyle at the Marlborough

Where: The Marlborough Theatre, Princes Street, Brighton

When: Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: £12/£10 concs

To book tickets online, click here:

Lady Phyll becomes a Patron of Albert Kennedy Trust

Posted on 12/02/201912/02/2019 by Besi

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, also known as Lady Phyll, has joined the LGBTQ+ youth homeless charity The Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT), as a patron.

LADY Phyll is co-founder and executive director of UK Black Pride, works as Head of Equality and Learning for the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union is a regular columnist for DIVA magazine and a Kaleidoscope Trustee.

She has been awarded with a number of accolades for her contribution to diversity and inclusion, including the European Diversity Award’s Campaigner of the Year prize, a spot in the World Pride Power List’s top ten and being offered an MBE in 2016, which she chose to turn down.

Lady Phyll, co-founder and executive director, UK Black Pride said: “I’ve been involved with AKT for some time now and have been a long-time friend and supporter of their work. As a parent myself, I have a real affinity to what they do to support young people, many who didn’t get the start they deserved.

“I was delighted to be invited to join the charity in a formal capacity as patron, and look forward to working with the team at AKT to help end and prevent LGBTQ+ youth homelessness and support young people from our community to thrive. It truly is an honour.”

Tim Sigsworth MBE, CEO, Albert Kennedy Trust said: “Lady Phyll has actively supported AKT over the years, and understands all too well the wide ranging impact of homelessness and rejection on young LGBTQ+ people. We are all thrilled that she will be joining us as a patron and cannot wait to do even more work with her.”

Phyll joins the likes of trans actor and campaigner Jake Graf, fashion designer Henry Holland, Paralympian and campaigner Claire Harvey and business inclusion trailblazer Suki Sandhu OBE, who are also patrons for the charity.

The Albert Kennedy Trust is the national LGBT+ youth homelessness charity providing safe homes, mentoring and support to young LGBT+ people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness following coming out to their parents, caregivers or communities.

1 in 4 young people in the UK facing homelessness identify as LGBT+ (AKT, 2015) in Brighton this figure rises to 1 in 3. Of these, over 75% cite familial rejection, ejection or abuse as what has led to their situation.

S.K. Perry’s – ‘Let me be like water’ – chosen for Big City Reads 2019

Posted on 12/02/2019 by Besi

The BIG READ for Brighton & Hove returns as part of the Brighton Festival 2019 and at 29 years old, S.K. Perry is the youngest writer ever chosen for City Reads.

CITY Reads is the longest running ‘big read’ in the UK conceived to spread a love of books and ideas to the widest possible audience throughout Brighton & Hove, with a healthy reach into the South East region.

The concept is simple: over three weeks (April 23 – May 12, 2019) one book is selected for the whole community to read, discuss, debate and creatively engage with in a series of special events, workshops and performances.

The project culminates with a live event at Brighton Festival featuring the chosen author, S.K.Perry, and her book Let Me Be Like Water.

Sarah Hutchings – Artistic Director of City Reads said: “Let Me Be Like Water is an exquisite, lyrical meditation on grief and romantic loss. As soon as I started reading it I was struck by the grace and strength of Sarah’s writing. She writes about Brighton with heart and passion, using the city’s glorious imperfections to remind us all why we are drawn here. It was a joy to read. We are delighted to be welcoming Sarah to Brighton & Hove in May to discuss this dazzling, poignant novel with readers across the City.”

ABOUT THE BOOK
Having impulsively escaped to Brighton following the death of her boyfriend Sam, songwriter Holly is now in a state of limbo. The solitude she had so craved in London leaves her feeling stranded and alone in her grief. It is when she meets Frank, a retired gay magician that the tide begins to turn. Frank has experienced his own heartbreak and offers Holly companionship and solace.

Gradually, as she is introduced to his eclectic group of friends, all with their own stories, she starts to heal. Let Me Be Like Water is a book simultaneously about nothing and everything: about the humdrum yet extraordinariness of everyday life; of lost and new connections; of loneliness and friendship.

From its launch on World Book Night (April 23) to the final event at the Brighton Festival on May 12, when S.K.Perry will be in conversation with Bridget Minamore, there will be a wide range of activities on offer, aimed at encouraging residents across the city (and beyond) to get reading and start talking.

HIGHLIGHTS include: the return of the free World Book Night Book Swap at Jubilee Library (April 23), a special literary salon: ’Amongst Friends’, hosted by writer Heidi James (May 2), a pop-up City Reads Supper Club at award-winning Starfish and Coffee (May 8) and of course S.K. Perry, live at Brighton Festival for the City Reads finale on Sunday, May 12.

Andrew Comben, Chief Executive of Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival said: “We’re pleased to include City Reads as part of our Festival programme again this year – building on our strong relationship with Collected Works CIC through projects such as Young City Reads and Adopt an Author.

“We look forward to S.K. Perry’s appearance at the Festival in May and would encourage readers to dive into her inspiring novel over the next few months.”

Nikki Griffiths, Managing Director, Melville House UK said: “We are excited and thrilled that S.K. Perry’s beautifully moving debut novel Let Me Be Like Water has been chosen for this year’s City Reads. Set in Brighton, it tells the story of Holly who is trying to start her life over after her boyfriend dies. It explores grief and loneliness, the importance of friendship and the passage of time. Sarah gives feeling and life not just to her characters, but to the structure and form of the novel and the vivid descriptive atmosphere Brighton’s coastal setting allows. I hope it resonates with Brighton readers and that they take Holly into their hearts.”

The full City Reads programme will be announced on February 22.

Nina helps redress the gender imbalance

Posted on 12/02/2019 by Gary Hart

University of Brighton graduate wins an international award launched to boost the numbers of female IT leaders worldwide.

Nina Monckton (second from left) with other award winners

NINA Monckton, Chief Insight Officer and Caldicott Guardian for the NHS Business Services Authority, took the title Transformation Lead of the Year at the annual Women in IT awards, bestowed for playing a part in her authority’s recent IT transformation.

Women in IT, “the world’s leading tech diversity event”, highlights the fact only nine per cent of IT leaders globally are women and aims to tackle this issue head on and redress the gender imbalance by showcasing achievements of women in the sector and identifying new role models.

Nina, Vice Chair of the University of Brighton’s Maths and Computing Industry Advisory Board which ensures students develop the right skills and knowledge, graduated from the University in 1993 with a BSc(Hons) Combined Sciences degree.

She said: “I was really surprised to win the award because the other finalists were from big companies with very strong online presence. It just goes to show that technology in the public sector can be just as good as or even better than large corporates.

“The technology sector still seems to have a problem with attracting and promoting females. My heart does sink when I go to conferences and have to look hard for women attendees; sometimes there are no female speakers. Events like the Women in IT Awards are needed to showcase the talent and potential of women working in the sector.”

Nina said the NHS Business Services Authority, an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health which provides some support services to the NHS in England and Wales, often recruits data engineers and data scientists, adding: “I am looking forward to the University of Brighton launching its masters-level data analytics apprenticeship.”

Recalling her time at the University, she said: “I remember coding in Fortran (programming language) and stats packages. I gained confidence in playing around with data, coding and running simulations while I was at university.

“I loved being a student in Brighton. I fell so deeply in love with Brighton that I still live here.”

Lord Cashman becomes Omnibus Theatre’s newest patron

Posted on 12/02/2019 by Besi

Lord Michael Cashman, one of the co-founders of Stonewall, the national equality charity and leading LGBT+ equality rights advocate, has been named as the newest patron of the Omnibus Theatre.

HE joins the multi award-winning independent theatre in Clapham, South London as its sixth high-profile patron from across the arts and theatre community.

Omnibus Theatre is a Shortlisted Fringe Theatre of the Year 2019 – The Stage, A recipient of the Peter Brook/Royal Court Theatre Support Award 2016 and Offie winner 2018.

Lord Cashman said: “I’ve had a long association with Clapham and what I find about Omnibus Theatre is that it’s an exciting and vibrant venue that not only embraces local audiences but also artists and creative communities. It reaches out from its history right the way to now and the future, to its celebration of diversity, inclusive programming and challenging theatre.”

“It’s important for us to remember that it is also LGBT+ history month and therefore the work being done at Omnibus Theatre also connects up on a national level and it’s become a very important focal point for the South West and wider.”

Artistic Director Marie McCarthy added: “I am so thrilled Michael has agreed to be our patron. His long association with Clapham, his brilliant advocacy work involving LGBT+ equality rights makes him a great asset to our organisation and addition to our brilliant line-up of patrons. We look forward to working with him and particularly his participation heading up this year’s 96 Festival launch panel event.”

Lord Cashman joins fellow Omnibus Theatre’s patrons Dame Judi Dench, Sir Michael Gambon, The Old Vic’s Artistic Director Matthew Warchus, director Richard Eyre and Maggi Hambling CBE.

Since launching in 2013 as an independent theatre in Clapham, South London, the non-core funded venue has gone on to produce six critically acclaimed productions including Woyzeck (2013), Macbeth (2014), Colour (2015), Mule (2016), Spring Offensive (2017) and Zeraffa Giraffa (2017) and hosted over 2,513 performances and events.

Omnibus Theatre was also shortlisted by The Stage for Fringe Theatre of the Year 2019.

The 96 Festival, now in its second year takes place from February 20 to March 31. This year, a glittering line-up of artists will set up camp at Omnibus Theatre for a spectacular no holds barred extravaganza of cabaret, drag, burlesque, theatre, music, art and activism.

96 Festival was conceived in remembrance and celebration of the iconic Pride party on Clapham Common in 1996 with a special opening night launch event taking place on February 19.

For a full lineup of listings and events, click here:

Call us now

Day: February 12, 2019

Traumfrau – An event for International Women’s Day

Party-makers Traumfrau join forces with The Queer Songbook for a truly original live creative party celebrating the queer women of Brighton.

PREVIEW: David Hoyle at the Marleborough

The one and only David Hoyle makes a triumphal return to the Marlborough Theatre on Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23 at 7.30pm.

“the greatest living performer”……Justin Vivian Bond

“He is raw, sometimes a bit frightening, but also thrilling in his look-no-hands recklessness.”….. The Guardian

“There is nothing quite like it: bold and unique, electrifying and disarmingly humane”…..Time Out

Lady Phyll becomes a Patron of Albert Kennedy Trust

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, also known as Lady Phyll, has joined the LGBTQ+ youth homeless charity The Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT), as a patron.

S.K. Perry’s – ‘Let me be like water’ – chosen for Big City Reads 2019

The BIG READ for Brighton & Hove returns as part of the Brighton Festival 2019 and at 29 years old, S.K. Perry is the youngest writer ever chosen for City Reads.

Nina helps redress the gender imbalance

University of Brighton graduate wins an international award launched to boost the numbers of female IT leaders worldwide.

Lord Cashman becomes Omnibus Theatre’s newest patron

Lord Michael Cashman, one of the co-founders of Stonewall, the national equality charity and leading LGBT+ equality rights advocate, has been named as the newest patron of the Omnibus Theatre.

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Call us now

Party-makers Traumfrau join forces with The Queer Songbook for a truly original live creative party celebrating the queer women of Brighton.

Share this:

The one and only David Hoyle makes a triumphal return to the Marlborough Theatre on Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23 at 7.30pm.

“the greatest living performer”……Justin Vivian Bond

“He is raw, sometimes a bit frightening, but also thrilling in his look-no-hands recklessness.”….. The Guardian

“There is nothing quite like it: bold and unique, electrifying and disarmingly humane”…..Time Out

Share this:

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, also known as Lady Phyll, has joined the LGBTQ+ youth homeless charity The Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT), as a patron.

Share this:

The BIG READ for Brighton & Hove returns as part of the Brighton Festival 2019 and at 29 years old, S.K. Perry is the youngest writer ever chosen for City Reads.

Share this:

University of Brighton graduate wins an international award launched to boost the numbers of female IT leaders worldwide.

Share this:

Lord Michael Cashman, one of the co-founders of Stonewall, the national equality charity and leading LGBT+ equality rights advocate, has been named as the newest patron of the Omnibus Theatre.

Share this:

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