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Council produce ‘easy-to-use’ recycling guide

Brighton & Hove City Council has launched a new A-Z guide on how you can reduce, reuse, recycle or dispose of almost 180 different materials.

THE easy-to-use guide, which gives detailed explanations of what to do with everything from aerosols to mattresses and nappies to Tetra Paks, also gives advice on what to do with materials like rubble, plasterboards, asbestos, bathroom fittings, furniture, white goods, batteries and metal.

Cllr Gill Mitchell
Cllr Gill Mitchell

Cllr Gill Mitchell, Chair of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “I’m sure many of us have been in the situation where we don’t know what to do with a certain material or item. Do we put it in our recycling? Bin it? Give it away?

“Now, armed with our new A-Z, we’ll all be able to do the right thing and help protect our city and our planet better, and ensure we’re making the best use of the materials we no longer want or need.”

The guide uses what’s called the ‘waste hierarchy’: how to firstly reduce the use of a material or item, then how to reuse it, and then recycle and finally, when none of other others can be done, the best way to dispose of them.

Cllr Mitchell added: “Although our recycling rate is the highest it’s ever been, we must aim much higher. We’re hoping this guide is a game changer in helping us all to recycle more and reduce contamination.”

To access the guide, click here: and then click on the ‘Recycling A-Z’ link to search for the 179 items alphabetically.

BRIGHTON FRINGE: Groomed @Sweet Werks

Mankind, the Hove-based charity for male sexual abuse survivors, and Ingenious Purpose will present Patrick Sandford’s award-winning show GROOMED at this year’s Brighton Fringe at Sweet Werks (Venue 18) from May 20–26.

BASED on Patrick’s real life experience, GROOMED weaves three narratives: a betrayed schoolboy, a Japanese soldier and the inventor of the saxophone, into a revealing and profoundly human statement.

With specially commissioned music by Simon Slater and directed by Nancy Meckler, both Olivier Award nominees, GROOMED is a blend of testimony, graphic narrative and live music.

Martyn Sullivan, Mankind’s CEO, said: “Patrick has personal experience of Mankind and he invited me to a showcase performance of GROOMED. The story is Patrick’s testimony, but the show has the power to change how we hear, think, and talk about the sexual abuse of men and boys. I immediately knew that we had to support this production and am excited to bring it back to the Fringe for 2019.” 


Event: GROOMED by Patrick Sandford

Where: Sweet Werks (Venue 18)

When: May 20–26 from 3.25pm.

Tickets: £8/£6

To book online, click here:

For more information, click here:

BRIGHTON FRINGE: All I see is you @The Warren Blockhouse

Prize-winning queer play comes to Brighton Fringe.

BOBBY works on Woolies’ record counter. Ralph dreams of being a teacher. It’s 1967. Their love is illegal. But one kiss and they’re hooked!

Kemptown writer, Kathrine Smith, is bringing her smash hit production ALL I SEE IS YOU to Brighton Fringe. The rollercoaster love story is inspired by real accounts of queer life from 50 years ago.

Kathrine says: “The show is a powerful, moving and at times funny two-hander about two ordinary lads poised between passion, self-doubt and arrest”.

The irrepressible Bobby is played by Ciarán Griffiths (Shameless, Coronation Street) and the dutiful Ralph by Christian Edwards (Les Misérables, Cyrano). The play, which won the National Octagon Prize for duologues, wowed both audience and critics during its premier at the Octagon Studio last year.

Kathrine says: “The reaction to the show blew us away”. Bolton Live called it: “A truly remarkable piece of theatre”. Go See This said it’s: “Full of gasps and chuckles” and Northern Soul Review: “Totally spellbinding from beginning to end”.

Dusty Springfield’s hit song ALL I SEE IS YOU and other favourite 60’s classics are interspersed throughout the show.

Kathrine says: “I chose the title in homage to Dusty who was famous for singing love songs while having to hide her relationships with women”.

Kathrine undertook extensive research before writing the play including reading Daring Hearts published by QueenSpark Books which documents queer lives in 1950s and 60s Brighton.

She says: “It was alarming to discover just how reviled queer people were. And shocking to see the horrendous actions many had to take to conceal their sexuality.

 At that time men were routinely arrested on the slightest suspicion of homosexuality and the police would trick them into revealing any associates.

This inspired me to write a love story in celebration of the spirit and courage it took to overcome bigotry and live a true life.

I’m so excited to bring the show to my home town and hope as many people as possible come to see it!”

“Totally spellbinding from beginning to end” “This is an extraordinary play about a moment in time we must never forget”….. Northern Soul 


Event: ALL I SEE IS YOU – by Katherine Smith – directed by Ben Occhipinti

Where: The Warren Blockhouse

When: May 4, 5 and 6

Time: 2.45pm

Cost: £12, NHS discount £10.80, student £9.60, care/support worker £6

To book tickets online, click here:

 

An inspirational woman celebrates International Women’s Day

In honour of International Women’s Day today which celebrates gender equality, Brighton Run2Music is delighted to present the event’s oldest participant – Daphne Belt.

Daphne Belt
Daphne Belt

DAPHNE from Littlehampton, who turns 80 this year, will be the eldest competitor running the 10km in the Brighton Run2Music on Saturday, May 11.

She is also currently a leading triathlete and has been a Triathlon World Champion for the last 7 years in her age group, European Champion for 4 years and Ironman 70.3 World Champion in 2011 and 2017. Quite a feat for a 79 year old who shows no signs of slowing down.

Daphne took up sport 29 years ago at the age of 50. She was inspired by the Iron Man World Champion Paula Newby Fraser who became an Ironman World Champion in Hawaii an incredible eight times.

Daphne said of her continuing competitive streak; “You have to be your own inspiration. Hold your dream foremost in your own mind and never let anybody put you down. At my age it is hard to believe that I am still racing but I am, I do the training, I do the race and I have fun doing it.”

Daphne is planning on dressing as Madonna for the Brighton Run2Music as all participants are encouraged to dress as their favourite pop star and is also signed up for the Brighton and Hove Triathlon on September 15 this year.

Brighton Run2Music starts on Madeira Drive where participants will be entertained by a live DJ and other musical acts prior to commencing their race. Giant speakers will be based along the route which will include a run (or two) depending on your chosen distance, up the infamous Duke’s Mound and down again and along Madeira Drive. Live acts and bands will perform at points along the course. All the races will be timed.

The Brighton Run2Music is an event for all ages and fitness levels and participants can run, walk or dance 5k, 10k or 21k. The race encourages people of all ages and genders to run together listening to live DJs and music on big speakers along the course. Participants can dress as their favourite pop star or their musical icon whilst embracing the spirit of Brighton’s two loves – Music and running!

For more information, click here:

Albert Kennedy Trust marks 30th anniversary with brand refresh

Albert Kennedy Trust unveils new brand identity including their own take on the rainbow flag.

Sir Ian McKellen sports new akt branding
Sir Ian McKellen sports new akt branding

NATIONAL LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity akt (formerly The Albert Kennedy Trust) launches their first brand refresh since 2009.

Providing safe homes and better futures for LGBTQ+ young people, the new brand identity introduces akt’s own take on the rainbow flag, to create a contemporary, loud and proud accent of colour to its previously purple visual.

Tim Sigsworth
Tim Sigsworth

Tim Sigsworth, CEO, akt said: “Young people often talk about akt as providing more than just a roof over their heads, describing us as courageous, caring, inclusive and accepting – like a family. We wanted the new brand and the way we talk about our history and our work to reflect that.

“Nothing represents this more than our founder, ally and former foster carer Cath Johnson (nee Hall), who set up the charity in 1989 when lesbian, gay, bi and trans people faced extreme hostility in the UK.

“akt was the world’s first charity to respond to the LGBT youth homelessness crisis, providing safe homes with lesbian, gay, bi and trans carers.

Cath Johnson (nee Hall)
Cath Johnson (nee Hall)

“Cath spoke out and acted at a time when to do so was both controversial and rare, and stood shoulder to shoulder with our fellow founders in stepping in to ensure that vulnerable young LGBTQ+ people who were facing or experiencing homelessness had somewhere to turn.

“When talking to our young people today about akt and its journey, Cath’s selfless and unwavering support really stuck with them, and is something they wanted celebrated in how we talk about the organisation.

“Today, Cath still meets the young people we work with and is a huge supporter of what we do, and as we mark our 30th anniversary and continue to look ahead we want to celebrate and thank her for everything she’s done.

“akt is how our young people, supporters and the wider community have come to know us as we’ve grown, and so we’re pleased to own that in our new brand identity while still paying tribute to the young Albert Kennedy.”

The brand was designed by agency Derek&Eric, who worked on the project pro-bono for the charity.

akt was also supported by brand strategist Deborah Taffler in the new identity’s conception, as well as a team from law firm Baker & McKenzie in mark searching and trademarking the new brand. This was also done free of charge.

While akt was set up in 1989, LGBTQ+ youth homelessness remains a huge issue in the UK, with almost one quarter of young people facing homelessness identifying as lesbian, gay, bi or trans.

Of these, 77 per cent are in their situation due to familial rejection, ejection or abuse.

Adam Swan, at Creative Partner at Derek&Eric said: “Being part of the community, it’s such an honour to be working with a charity like akt, that make a genuine positive impact in young lgbtq+ people’s lives. We’re delighted to have created a brand that utilizes the colours of the iconic Pride flag to tell a new story about the strength of difference within a framework of supportive community”.

akt can now be found on Twitter and Instagram at @aktcharity

For more information about akt, click here:

Pixie Lott supports gender inequality on International Women’s Day

#TURNHERUP: Female artists launch Turn Her Up, an album of iconic female song covers championing women in the music industry on International Women’s Day.

Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott

TWENTY nine of the fastest rising female artists from seven countries have joined forces to release a powerful compilation album, made up on iconic cover songs from female artists or bands to mark International Women’s Day 2019.

The album, put together by independent record label frtyfve, features 29 fast-rising independent female artists to celebrate and empower females in music, after research reveals that a huge gender divide still exists across the industry.

Stats highlighting the industry-wide imbalance include:

  • Just 10.4% of Grammy nominees from 2013-2019 were female
  • 30% of senior executive roles in the music industry are occupied by women
  • In 2018, the top 5 most streamed artists were all male
  • Just 5 of the 20 top earning artists of 2018 were female
  • Only 6% of recognised producers in the US and Canada are female
  • In the UK, women make up just 5% of all sound engineers
  • In 2018 the gender pay gap at the three major labels Universal, Warner, and Sony Music was 33.8%
  • Just 15% of PRS members are female

Pixie Lott, who has covered Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got To Do With It? for the album said: “I’m so happy to be joining forces with these amazing female artists celebrating some of music’s most iconic women for International Women’s Day. I’m shocked by all of the statistics surrounding women in music and feel campaigns, like Turn Her Up, are so important in raising awareness and driving a change to our industry.”

 

Also included on the album are:

RuthAnne: singer/songwriter, Irish Tatler Woman of the year who has written tracks with Niall Horan and John Legend.

Katelyn Tarver: LA-based singer/songwriter/actor who has supported the Jonas Brothers and has over 42m YouTube views.

Jayden Bartels: 14-year-old LA-based singer/songwriter/actor who currently features in the hit Disney TV show Coop and Cami Ask The World and has over 10m social followers.

Maria Nolasco: Brazilian singer/songwriter/actor with over 10m social followers and 369m YouTube views.

Emma Banks, Head of Label at frtyfve said: “The Turn Her Up campaign is all about celebrating and empowering females across music & the wider creative industries. The music business is a massively male-dominated environment at every single level, with women making up only 30% of senior exec roles and 16% of PRS memberships.

“I think it is hugely important that we champion and unite female talent across multiple countries, cultures and age groups, whilst giving a nod to inspirational female icons of past and present. We have even had new cover artwork designed by inspiring female designers, including Caitlin Blunnie and Emmy Smith.

“Released on International Women’s Day, Turn Her Up will face up to the astonishing gender imbalance that exists within the music industry, whilst celebrating the vital role that female artists have played in shaping the discourse of popular music”.

Turn Her Up is released on Friday, March 8, International Women’s Day on Spotify, Apple Music and iTunes.

To check it out click here:

 

Pussy Riot to appear at Stockholm Pride

To celebrate International Women’s Day today, Stockholm Pride reveal the Moscow based Russian feminist protest punk art rock group Pussy Riot will appear on the main stage at Stockholm Pride on Saturday, August 4.

PUSSY Riot will perform a full concert on the main stage in Pride Park on the Saturday of this year’s festival. The audience can expect a cross over performance with art visuals and music that won’t hide away from the darker aspects of society.

The band says,“We’re sort of confused about the fact that most of the songs we hear are about romantic feelings and Friday parties, although only rare tracks are dedicated to no less important topics such as climate change, gun control, arrests of political activists, structural inequality, sexism, killer cops, brutality and abuse of power that state institutions commit on a daily basis and urgent need of good-quality accessible healthcare and education.”

Their new songs were recently released with a special message to the fans: “Hey comrades. Hope you are not going to like our new tracks, since they are dedicated to really disgusting things. Hope you will turn it off, go out and act.”

Pussy Riot - Nadya Tolokonnikova. Photo by Chaika
Pussy Riot – Nadya Tolokonnikova. Photo by Chaika

Gunn Lundemo, the producer of the stage program at Stockholm Pride says: “I’m extremely happy about Pussy Riot coming to our main stage, they are and always will be historical. I’ve seen some of the show to come and I can only say WOW!”

Pussy Riot gained global notoriety when five members of the group staged a performance inside Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Davior on February 21, 2012. Their actions were condemned as sacrilegious by the Orthodox clergy and eventually stopped by church security officials.

The women said their protest was directed at the Orthodox Church leaders’ support for Vladimir Putin during his election campaign.

On March 3, 2012, two members of the group, were arrested and charged with hooliganism while a third member, Yekaterina Samutsevich, was arrested on March 16.

Denied bail, all three were held in custody until their trial began in late July. On August 17, 2012, the three members were convicted of ‘hooliganism motivated by religious hatred’, and each was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

On October 10, 2012, following an appeal, Samutsevich was freed on probation and her sentence suspended. The sentences of the other two women were upheld.

Stockholm Pride is the largest Pride festival in Scandinavia and will take place in Stockholm city center between July 29 and August 4 in 2019.

For more information about Stockholm Pride, click here:

All-women dance programme for 2020 from South East Dance

Part of the launch programme for South East Dance’s new home for dance, The Dance Space, 20:20 Vision aims to address long-standing gender imbalances in dance with all-women dance programme for 2020.

The Dance Space. Artists impression
The Dance Space. Artist impression

IN the week International Women’s Day is celebrated in the city, Brighton-based dance organisation, South East Dance, has announced it is to dedicate its inaugural programme in the city’s new home for dance, The Dance Space, exclusively to women and non-binary dance artists.

Lindsey Butcher, Gravity & Levity. Photographer Mark Morreau, courtesy of Scarabeus.
Lindsey Butcher, Gravity & Levity. Photographer Mark Morreau, courtesy of Scarabeus.

Entitled ‘20:20 Vision’, the body of work will feature 20 unique performances from 20 choreographers and producers, all of whom identify as women or non-binary artists.

In the past 19 years, there has been just one female commission for the main stage at the Royal Ballet. Meanwhile, only five of the 16 associates at Sadler’s Wells are women.

Both of these organisations have committed to widen and strengthen the pipeline of diverse creative talent, but there is more work to be done.

With 20:20 Vision, South East Dance aims to challenge the long-standing imbalance in the dance sector towards white cis-male choreographers in the sector.

Local artists will be represented by Artistic Director of aerial dance theatre company Gravity & Levity, Lindsey Butcher; and award-winning live artist and Emeritus Professor in Visual Performance at the University of Brighton, Liz Aggiss.

Liz Aggiss is Crone Alone. Photo by Joe Murray
Liz Aggiss is Crone Alone. Photo by Joe Murray

Known for her Punk aesthetic and music hall performance style, Aggiss will take to the stage with a special performance – ‘The President’s Wife is Still Dancing’ featuring an extract from her new solo work ‘Crone Alone’.

Gravity & Levity will perform an aerial piece, ‘Why’, tethered to the exterior of The Dance Space in a taste of what’s to come from the building’s ongoing public programme. Choreographed by Fin Walker in 2004 for dancers Lee Clayden and Lindsey Butcher, ‘Why’ will be re-created, re-scored by composer Ben Park and re-imagined for the new South East Dance building and performed by the original creative cast as a marking of a collective 60 years of crafting and creative practice.

Spanish-born choreographer and lecturer, Eva Recacha will also feature, in addition to Janine Harrington, a dance artist whose work explores movement and technology, and who is currently receiving professional development support from South East Dance.

The news was announced at a debate on the future of dance programming, hosted by South East Dance’s Artistic Director Cath James. Part of a series of events celebrating International Women’s Day, 50:50 Dance Programming was held at the Brighton Dome on Tuesday evening (March 5). It focused on overcoming gender-imbalance in the dance industry and asked whether quotas – in terms of programming, commissioning and leadership – could help refocus the spotlight on those who identify as women or non-binary choreographers.

Cath James
Cath James

Cath James, Artistic Director South East Dance, said: “With the opening of The Dance Space, and the launch of 20:20 Vision, comes increased focus on South East Dance’s mission to push the boundaries of dance, challenge the status quo and perceptions of what dance is, who makes it, what it can achieve and who it’s for. The programme gives women and non-binary choreographers a much-needed platform.

“Unfortunately, gender discrimination continues to run deep in the arts world. Women and non-binary choreographers are simply not given the same opportunity and recognition as male-identifying artists. With 20:20 Vision, we will challenge the status quo to showcase a powerful body of work from unique and talented women and non-binary artists.”

Lindsey Butcher, Artistic Director Gravity & Levity, adds: “Gravity & Levity are thrilled to be presenting ‘Why’ as part of 20:20 Vision. We will be applying a decade and a half of experience and knowledge to this recreation and alongside that, more mature bodies. We are excited to be sharing the resulting piece, not only as a celebration of female creatives and an active reflection on creative practice, but also as a visible presence of an older generation of artists.”

The full programme of events will be announced later this year.

The Dance Space - artists impression
The Dance Space – artist impression

 

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