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Day: April 1, 2019

More tickets released for all performances of Big Dick Whittington Adult Panto

Posted on by Besi

The Alternative Adult Panto, Big Dick Whittington and his Pussy, opens tomorrow night (Thursday, April 4) at the Phil Starr Pavilion located on Victoria Gardens near Marlborough Place in Brighton as part of The B RIGHT ON LGBT+ Community Festival.

The producers have been able to release addition seats for all performances of this classic tale filled with double entendres performed by a stellar cast of Brighton entertainers and a sprinkling of West End and international performers

DIRECTED and staged by Quintin Young and written by Andrew Stark, this season they welcome, Mrs Moore to the cast, for a couple of guest performances on (April 5 & 7).

Performing in their new home, The Phil Starr Pavilion, part of the B RIGHT ON LGBT+ Community Festival, on Victoria Gardens – (The annual site for the Lady Boys Of Bangkok, on Grand Parade).

Can, Big Dick Whittington (Jason Lee) win Alice’s (Lola Lasagne) heart, to the disappointment of the loveable Wicky Woo (Allan Jay)?

Will her father Alderman Fitz-Tightly (David Anthony) put a stop to that and marry Alice off to the Sultan of Gran Canaria to save his shop?

Can Dick’s Pussy (Miss Jason) help him keep them on track purrrfectly?

What ever happens Sara-Lee, the cook (Sally Vate) is there to keep an eye on them all! That is as long as Queen Rat (Davina Sparkle) doesn’t interfere and get her way becoming mayor of Brighton town with the help from her chief Ratling (Stephanie Von Clitz).

This tale couldn’t be told without Fairy Vape-Juice (Dave Lynn) pointing Dick in the right direction!

Tickets are selling fast, with some shows already sold out – and extra performances added. (If you’re a group of 10 or more you automatically get a discount, 10 for 9!)

To book tickets online, click here:

Event: Alternative Panto Brighton returns, with Big Dick Whittington and his Pussy

Where: Phil Starr Pavilion, Victoria Gardens, Grand Parade, Brighton

When: April 4 – 14

Cost: £23

To book tickets online, click here:
Tickets are also available on the door at the Phil Starr Pavilion.

Mayor and Green MP attend Lunch Positive 10th anniversary celebration

Posted on by Besi

The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Cllr Dee Simson and the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas attend the 1oth Anniversary celebrations and Community Lunch for Lunch Positive.

LUNCH Positive volunteers served meals to more than 300 people at the Community Lunch and 10th Anniversary celebrations during the B RIGHT ON LGBT+ Community Festival at the Phil Starr Pavilion on Saturday, March 30.

Hot dishes served up by the volunteers included Mediterranean chicken and rice, roasted vegetable lasagne (veggie), Moroccan vegetable tagine (vegan) and sweet potato and chick pea korma (vegan) – followed by choice of a large range of cheeses and home-made cakes.

Gary Pargeter
Gary Pargeter

Gary Pargeter, Service Manager at Lunch Positive said: “Thank you to everyone who came to the Community Lunch & Celebration on Saturday 30th March, and to those who sent the many kind messages of support. It was a wonderful event. The people we spoke to and our own volunteers all commented on the enjoyable atmosphere, the food, and the spirit of togetherness. It was great to be host to such a diverse crowd of people, and to also start this year’s celebration of 10 years of Lunch Positive. Thank you everyone who supports what we do, it is deeply appreciated, and a massive shout of appreciation to everyone who gives their time to help and volunteer for us!”

For more information about Lunch Positive, click here:

PREVIEW: ‘More Than Just A Flag’ by Monica F.Helms

Posted on by Contributor

More Than Just A Flag, the autobiography of Trans Flag Creator and Trans Activist, Monica F. Helms is published by MB Books.

MORE Than Just A Flag details the major events of Monica’s life, from childhood through to her autobiography’s publication in 2019. Included are her service in the U.S. Navy as a submariner, and her personal journey to discovering her true self as a trans woman, including the subsequent battles she fought with her civilian employer, Sprint.

Helms recalls her creation of the Transgender Flag in 1999 – the flag will celebrate it’s 20th anniversary in August 2019 –  and her donation of the original to the Smithsonian in 2014. Monica also details her founding of the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) in 2003, where she went on to serve as president for ten years.

The book details numerous other examples of her trans activism, including holding Atlanta’s first TDOR event in 2000.

Helms also recounts lobbying state legislators in Arizona and Georgia, as well as in D.C., and being elected a delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

At times funny, at others, necessarily sad, More Than Just A Flag is the story of a leader in the fight for transgender acceptance, at a time when the trans community was first coalescing and finding its voice.

More Than Just A Flag is available in hardcopy and as an e-book, exclusively on Amazon.

Conservative candidate for local elections steps down

Posted on by Gary Hart
Ivan Lyons
Ivan Lyons

Conservative candidate standing for election to Brighton & Hove City Council on May 2, resigns after a series of offensive jokes come to light on a FACEBOOK social media forum.

CONSERVATIVE Party member Ivan Lyons, the managing director of a financial services company made jokes targeting people who were Muslim, disabled and overweight.

Brighton and Hove Conservatives chairman, Mike Long, said: “Before being selected as a Conservative candidate, Ivan, in a private social media forum amongst friends, shared jokes which are now in the public domain. Brighton & Hove Conservatives agree that many of the jokes are of an offensive nature and we unconditionally condemn the material that has been published. 

“The Conservative Party, both nationally and locally, does not tolerate discriminatory behaviour against any group. We do not tolerate either anti-Semitism or Islamophobia.

“Whilst we do not condone Ivan’s behaviour, we do note that he has himself been the victim of social media hate campaigns and condemn all offensive and hate-filled dialogue from whichever quarter it originates.”

“We will continue to campaign in a fair and open way on the important issues which face our city and ask that those who disagree with us do so too.

Mr Lyons has apologised “profusely” for any offence caused.

Cllr Denise Cobb
Cllr Denise Cobb

Brighton and Hove Conservatives have now announced that Councillor Denise Cobb will stand for re-election for the Westbourne ward. Cllr Cobb a former Mayor of Brighton & Hove has a long record of service to the residents of Westbourne Ward, and the City of Brighton and Hove.

Cllr Cobb said: “Following Ivan Lyons resignation I have thought hard about this. It is important to me that the Westbourne residents are well represented at Brighton and Hove City Council.

“My experience stands me in good stead to continue to work hard for them.”

She will campaign alongside Conservative candidate Charlie Nicholls.

Cllr Cobb said: “I am really looking forward to campaigning with Charlie Nicholls. We will work together in the best interests of Westbourne.”

Charlie Nicholls said: “I am really pleased Denise will be joining me in our campaign in Westbourne.

“Denise knows how to get things done and together we will be a formidable team.”

Local couple to ‘Sleep Out’ with Mayor to support her Mayoral charities

Posted on by Besi

The Spring Sleep Out is a fundraising challenge supporting four local charities in Brighton & Hove as part of the Mayoral year of Cllr Dee Simson, which draws to a close this May.

Rob Reaks and David Bell
Rob Reaks and David Bell

LOCAL couple Rob Reaks and David Bell will join the Mayor of Brighton and Hove and spend all night on the upper boarding deck of the British Airways i360 on Saturday, April 6 to raise funds for this year’s Mayoral Charities.

The challenge is to:

1. Sleep outdoors without shelter

2. Sleep exposed to the elements including rain; and

3. Sleep without bedding other than a sleeping bag, pillow and a cardboard sheet

The four charities benefiting from the Spring Sleep Out are Grace Eyre – Supporting people with learning disabilities; Martlets – Caring for people living through a terminal illness; Off the Fence – Supporting young people, women in crisis, and those facing homelessness; and, Rockinghorse – Improving the lives of sick children throughout Sussex.

To support Rob and David and raise money for these important organisations, click here:

Today at B RIGHT ON LGBT+ Community Festival: A Personal Safety Workshop

Posted on by Contributor

As part of The B RIGHT ON LGBT+ Community Festival the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum are hosting on Monday, April 1, a Personal Safety Workshop from 2-4pm at the Phil Starr Pavilion on Victoria Gardens.

THE workshop will introduce the principles of Personal Safety, including how to keep safe without using any physical techniques.

You will also discuss and practice some techniques to increase your confidence and help you distract or escape a potential attacker.

In this session techniques will be adapted to suit differing physical abilities.

This is not a session in martial arts.

If you have any access requirements email access@lgbt-help.com or by calling 01273 855620 and selecting option 4

The B Right On LGBT+ Community Festival celebrating LGBT+ history, lives and culture, 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.

Event: Be Safe Stay Safe – A Personal Safety Workshop

Where: Phil Starr Pavilion, Victoria Gardens, Brighton

When: Monday, April 1

Time: 2-4pm

Cost: Free
To reserve a place at the workshop, click here:

 

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