Alice Blezard

REVIEW: Texas 25th Anniversary Tour

Posted on 20/04/2015 by Alice Blezard

It might be 25 years since Texas first hit the charts with I Don’t Want a Lover in 1989, but they’re back on tour and as brilliant as ever.

Not many bands can boast such an extensive back-catalogue. Texas have just embarked upon their 25th anniversary tour after releasing ’25’, a commemorative album of their greatest hits on February this year.

Their show at Brighton Dome was completely sold out, and in a reflection of their continuing popularity, a crowd of all ages eagerly filled the Dome on Saturday (April 18) night.

An impressive array of instruments covered the stage, and as the crowd took to their seats and waited for Texas to appear, the excitement was palpable. The 25th anniversary tour was billed as An Evening with Texas, featuring amusing stories and a question and answer section along with the band’s fantastic live show. With an interval halfway through the feature-length performance, much of the show saw everyone up on their feet.

Lead vocalist Sharleen Spiteri is known for her live performances, and on the opening night of the band’s new tour she didn’t disappoint. The anecdotal stories about the band, alongside Spiteri’s quick comebacks during banter with the audience showed that despite being 25 years into her career with Texas, Spiteri’s stage presence is as strong as ever.

Her vocals were on point, and their set consisted of a nicely-balanced mix featuring their catalogue of hits, along with a couple of covers and some songs from Spiteri’s solo albums.

The band played together seamlessly, and even added in an extra song after an impromptu request from an audience member. At one point during the show Spiteri got down from the stage and wandered into the crowd to help a woman with a pre-planned (and successful) proposal.

Originally formed by bass player Johnny McElhone in 1986, Texas played their debut concert at Dundee University in Scotland in March 1988. After years of playing shows at large arenas including Wembley, the band now favour smaller venues, offering fans a more intimate experience.

An Evening With Texas – The 25th Anniversary tour continues until May 7.

April

20th – The Lowry, Salford Quays

22nd – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow

24th – Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline

25th – Queens Hall, Edinburgh

27th – Sage, Gateshead

28th – City Hall, Hull

29th – Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham

May

1st – Forum, Bath

2nd – London Palladium, London

3rd – Winter Gardens, Margate

5th – St David’s Hall, Cardiff

6th – Hexagon Theatre, Reading

7th – Southend Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-On-Sea

For more information, click here: http://www.texas.uk.com/

Brighton entrepreneur seeks support for online community

Posted on 03/04/2015 by Alice Blezard

Entrepreneur Claire Culley launched The W Review in November last year, and it has since been featured in the local and national press, building a great team of contributors along the way.

THE theme for this year’s International Women’s Day was ‘Make Things Happen’, and that is precisely what Claire is aiming to do.

The W Review provides an online platform that aims to give guidance, support and encouragement to women of all ages. The modern age that we live in can sometimes leave everyone needing a little bit of reassurance or guidance. The W Review was set up to be that portal.

Providing a positive and honest community, The W Review aims to offer support, insight and advice to the modern woman. With articles on everything from business to relationships, parenting to mental health – the community is open, honest and easy to join.

Far from being anti-male, the community currently has three regular male contributors. The W Review is not about excluding men, it’s about focussing on women and providing a positive, supportive space in which to discuss the issues that affect them.

Claire has recently launched a Kickstarter campaign, to raise funds to support her venture and further the progress of this new community. The money raised through the campaign will be going towards paying contributors, as well as building a jobs board, and a new server.

The payment of contributors at such an early stage is a bold move, but supporting the talents of the writers is something that is extremely important to Claire, having written for a number of publications for free over the years. A portion of the money that is raised will also be used towards expanding the services offered by the community, through the organisation of events and workshops.

Claire is the driving force behind this community, and currently works 18 hour days in order to run her businesses whilst developing The W Review. Single-handedly building the website, she also runs the social media campaigns, writes 60% of the content and is responsible for the PR, accountancy and general running of the business.

Now she is looking for support via the Kickstarter campaign – with pledges from just £2 up to £5,000, the campaign offers a range of rewards available in return for your support.

To donate to the Kickstarter campaign click here:

Follow The W Review on Twitter @thewreview

Visit www.thewreview

Garden yourself happy this spring

Posted on 08/03/201508/03/2015 by Alice Blezard

Brighton & Hove residents will feel the health benefits from more than 70 community gardens around the city this Spring.

THE Brighton & Hove Food Partnership is a non-profit organisation which supports a network of 70 community gardens, where 4,000 people across the city grow food together each year.

Getting involved with the scheme offers many potential benefits, including the opportunity to gain a range of skills and meet new people.

Research has shown that getting outdoors and gardening can also help to boost mental wellbeing, and reduces stress levels. A local study found that 58% of people who volunteered weekly at a garden in Brighton & Hove reported significant improvements to their wellbeing, and 67% reported improved life satisfaction after 3-6 months. An impressive 100% felt that their gardening experience would have a long-term, positive impact on their life.

Volunteer coordinator Jo Glazebrook said: “People are often surprised at how many opportunities there are to get involved in community food growing, and how easy it is to join in. Volunteers give us lovely feedback, telling us how they have benefited mentally and physically, or just how much they have enjoyed their experience. I’d encourage anyone who is considering giving it a try, to just give us a call!”

With over 70 gardens in the city there is something on offer for almost everyone, with many gardens sharing their harvest with volunteers or cooking a shared meal on site during each ‘workday’.

The Food Partnership runs a garden in Preston Park, but the majority of their projects are run independently by community groups, charities and volunteers.

Most of the gardens hold workdays all year round, both during the week and at weekends so that people are able to drop-in once, or attend regularly. The gardens are open to people of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to experienced gardeners.

For more information click here:

Calling gay men everywhere

Posted on 28/02/201502/03/2015 by Alice Blezard

Experience the world’s only gay meditation dance retreat!

THIS May will see the world’s only meditation run for and by gay men take place in Turkey. Led by skilled gay teachers, Vacation will run for five days between May 20 and 25 and costs £295 per person.

The event aims to offer a rare chance for gay men of all ages from across the UK to get away and dance together as a community. No previous experience is necessary in order to take part.

Vacation offers gay men the chance to experience the healing power of meditative dance. Tucked away in a beautiful Turkish eco-resort, the 2015 event will be the third annual five-day workshop.

Vacation means to vacate oneself, and has traditionally been seen as a spiritual journey or retreat – to stand back, reflect and find a deeper connection with our physical, emotional and spiritual selves.

Throughout the five days you will move from ‘doing’ to ‘being’, as you take refuge from your daily lives and kick-start your summer, relaxing by the sea.

There will be plenty of free time to enjoy the wonderful eco-beach resort as you take time to share, create, swim and dance. There are no prerequisites for this retreat, and guys with no prior dance, movement or meditation experience are very welcome to join.

Anyone can do meditative dance – there are no rules, you can come as you are. As well as the physical benefits, people have reported that dance meditation has led to increased self-esteem and improved relationships with themselves and others.

Vacation’s past participants are a diverse group and come from all walks of life. The men who come to the Vacation retreats are keen to explore the chance to connect deeply with each other and build community, creating a new circle of friends along the way.

For more information contact, Neil Young on: 07940 112142

Or email: vacation@freedom-dance.com

Lib Dems in Regency bid

Posted on 28/02/201502/03/2015 by Alice Blezard

The Liberal Democrats have announced their candidates for the Regency ward at the coming council elections.

THE Regency ward seats are currently held by the Green Party council leader Jason Kitcat and his wife Ania, however the Liberal Democrats have their eyes set on taking back the seats they previously held.

The newly appointed candidates are a long-standing Regency ward resident and a 21-year-old University of Sussex student.

Trevor Freeman, 67, is an accountant who was born in Brighton and has lived in the Regency ward since 1977. “If elected, I will work with Regency residents to make sure their needs are high on the list of council priorities,” he said. “We particularly need to get a grip on waste and recycling, as well as work to get a new secondary school.”

Trevor is joined by Beth Johnson-Dawes, who is two thirds of the way through an economics and politics degree at the University of Sussex.

She says: “I believe strongly in political participation and communication in working towards reform. Residents need to feel they can contact their councillor easily, so if elected I will work to keep a regular dialogue with residents and make it easier for all the parts of the Regency community to communicate with me and the wider council.”

The Lib Dem candidates have traditionally done well in Regency. It is their most successful ward in the area covered by the Brighton Pavilion constituency, currently represented at parliamentary level by the UK’s only Green MP Caroline Lucas.

PREVIEW: The Lovers, an exploration of gender, sexuality and LGBTQ representation

Posted on 23/02/201524/02/2015 by Alice Blezard

The Lovers offers a multimedia theatre performance examining what makes us fall in love, and an exploration of what happens when we lose control of our senses.

DRAWN into a visceral space illuminated by live animation, the audience finds itself immersed inside the world of the four lovers from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

A new take on a classic tale, Spun Glass Theatre’s production delves into themes of LGBTQ and unauthorised love. The Lovers follows Anthony and Theodore, a same-sex couple who plan to run away together in search of a more tolerant society. They are followed into the woods by Elizabeth, who is in love with Theodore – and she is followed in turn by Helena, who pines for Elizabeth’s love.

The show was first developed as a scratch weekend, with four actors in Brighton. It now enters its research and development phase, with the generous support of the Arts Council England and their promotional partner, We Love Brighton. The Lovers will be available for touring in 2015/16.

The company has just launched a crowdfunding campaign via IdeasTap, to raise further support for the project whilst also offering rewards to backers including workshops with theatre and animation professionals.

Free Symposium events will be held at The Blue Man Café in Brighton, featuring a panel of representatives from the arts and various charities including Lunch Positive and Mind Out. Short previews of their work-in-progress will also be performed, followed by informal discussion.

By opening up their work and the rehearsal process to audiences across the country, Spun Glass Theatre hope to involve a large and diverse audience in the discussion of LGBTQ representation onstage. In live-streaming the symposiums through their Spun Glass Theatre YouTube channel, the company hope to engage people in the discussion of these issues, as well as The Lovers production.

Audiences can join in at home by asking questions and sharing opinions on Facebook and Twitter (@Spun_Glass) using #loversplay.

Symphonium

Where: Blue Man Café

When: Thursday, February 26

Time: 7.30 p.m. (RSVP jessica@spunglasstheatre.com to attend)

Cost: Free

Work-In-Progress Performance

Where: The Marlborough, 4 Prince’s Street, Brighton

When: Wednesday, March 11

Time: 7.45 p.m.

For more information click here:

ABTA join LGBT Travel Network

Posted on 23/02/201524/02/2015 by Alice Blezard

Travel giants ABTA have become a partner in the new Travel Trade Gazette (TTG), LGBT Travel Network.

THE new initiative aims to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in travel, and will run three national events during 2015.

ABTA (the Association of British Travel Agents) have been at the heart of travel for more than 60 years, offering expert guidance and financial protection schemes within the travel industry. In becoming a partner in the TTG LGBT Travel Network, they join Virgin Holidays and Holiday Extras, alongside headline partner Celebrity Cruises. All three partners are ABTA Members.

The first of three TTG LGBT events that are scheduled to take place in 2015 will be in London in April. As a partner, ABTA will help support and promote the events and initiatives. Additionally, ABTA will join TTG LGBT’s advisory board. The Travel Network will also be acknowledging and promoting ‘allies’ – those companies within the travel sector who are actively working on LGBT issues within their businesses.

ABTA Chief Executive Mark Tanzer said: “ABTA is delighted to be an ally of the TTG LGBT Travel Network. If we are going to attract the brightest and the best into the industry it is vital that everyone can be accepted on their own terms. Our industry is a fantastic community and initiatives such as this underline how we can all work together to champion and promote openness across the travel industry.”

Celebrate a Big Day for the LGBT Community in Philadelphia

Posted on 11/02/201512/02/2015 by Alice Blezard

This year Philadelphia is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the city’s first gay rights protests.

FAMOUSLY nicknamed the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia is well-known for its links to the gay community, which stem back to the principles that the city was founded on more than 300 years ago: equality and freedom of expression.

In the 1960s Philadelphia was home to some of the first gay rights protests in the United States, and the city has since gone on to welcome and embrace the gay community.

Today the city has a bustling gay village, which is fondly dubbed the Gayborhood. The area boasts urban cafe-culture as well as vibrant nightlife; it’s cobbled, tree-lined streets are home to coffee shops, bookshops, restaurants as well as many lively gay bars and clubs.

LGBT visitors from all over the world are encouraged to visit the city which is so embracing and celebratory of LGBT culture – and 2015 is a great year to visit.

The 50th anniversary celebrations taking place this year, are in honour of the 1965 picketing that took place at the city’s famous Independence Hall.

On Independence Day, gay rights activists gathered outside the hall demanding legislation that would secure the rights of LGBT Americans. 50 years have passed since this marked day of protest, and the LGBT community has a lot to celebrate.

Philadelphia has a full calendar of events to mark the anniversary, as well as the city’s annual Pride, Black Pride and National Coming Out Day celebrations.

Philadelphia Black Pride – April 22-26, 2015

Five days of celebrations will mark the 16th anniversary of the Philadelphia Black Pride event (formerly Philadelphia Black Gay Pride) featuring everything from a poetry slam and a dance party to creative arts evenings and cocktail parties.

For more information, click here:

Philly Pride Parade and Festival – June 14 & July 5 2015

Philly Pride Parade and Festival is one of the largest LGBT pride celebrations in the world, attracting over 25,000 people each year. The 2015 theme is the 50th anniversary of the Annual Reminders picketing of Independence Hall that took place on July 4, 1965. Three weeks after the Pride celebrations, the picketing will be reenacted at Independence Hall on July 4.

For more information, click here:

50th Anniversary of One of the First Gay Rights Protests – July 2-5, 2015

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of one of the U.S’s first gay rights demonstrations, the city plays host to many activities across the city centre with the iconic Independence Hall taking centre stage. On July 4, Independence Day, visitors can join a who’s who of LGBT icons and allies in front of Independence Hall for a ceremony commemorating the Gay Pioneers and celebrating 50 years of LGBT civil rights achievements.

Following this, on July 5 in the city’s ‘Gayborhood’ thousands of rainbow flag-wearing visitors are expected, for a huge block party celebration.

For more information, click here:

Philadelphia Outfest – October 11, 2015

In true Philadelphia style, the city will welcome the world’s largest National Coming Out Day (NCOD) celebration in the heart of its Gayborhood on October 11 2015. Now in their 24th year, the festivities start at noon and continue until 7pm with over 30,000 people expected.

Visitors will take over the streets, decorating them with a multitude of rainbow flags as the party atmosphere gears up for the annual block party. In 1990, Philadelphia was one of the first cities to organise a large scale event to celebrate NCOD, and each year as the event has grown it has become a mecca in the city’s must-do gay events calendar.

For more information, click here:

Turing’s family visits Bletchley Park

Posted on 10/02/201511/02/2015 by Alice Blezard

More than 20 members of World War Two code-breaker Alan Turing’s family gathered at Bletchley Park at the weekend, to raise awareness of a fundraising appeal.

It’s 73 years since the famous mathematician and code-breaker worked at the Bletchley Park code-breaking centre during World War Two. Recently Turing received a surge of attention after he was given a Royal Pardon for his 1952 conviction for being homosexual, and his life has been the subject of a hit movie.

More than 20 members of Turing’s family paid a poignant visit to the centre on Sunday, February 8, to see his office in the iconic Code-breaking Hut 8, as well as the Bombe machines he developed with fellow code-breaker Gordon Welchman.

Fundraising activities are currently taking place to further restore the historic centre at Bletchley Park. For some of Turing’s family, it was the first time that they had visited the centre, which is a testament to his legacy.

Sir John Turing said:“It was tremendously exciting for us as a family to look around Bletchley Park and absorb the atmosphere in which our famous relative achieved so much for the nation and for the future of technology. We were particularly delighted to be able to help raise awareness of the need for further restoration of Bletchley Park, which will inspire future generations by telling the incredible story of what happened here.”

The life and work of Alan Turing has recently been the subject of Oscar-nominated film The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley. The Imitation Game has received a total of eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture.

The family also paid a visit to an exhibition of The Imitation Game film as a part of their tour of Bletchley Park. The exhibition is situated in the same rooms in which pivotal scenes from the film took place.

The Imitation Game exhibition is open until October.

Event: The Imitation Game exhibition

Where: The Mansion, Bletchley Park, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB

When: Open daily till October 31

Times: 9.30 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily

For more information about, Bletchley Park and to book tickets online, click here:

The Imitation Game Exhibition is included in the price of entry to Bletchley Park.

Call us now

Author: Alice Blezard

REVIEW: Texas 25th Anniversary Tour

It might be 25 years since Texas first hit the charts with I Don’t Want a Lover in 1989, but they’re back on tour and as brilliant as ever.

Brighton entrepreneur seeks support for online community

Entrepreneur Claire Culley launched The W Review in November last year, and it has since been featured in the local and national press, building a great team of contributors along the way.

Garden yourself happy this spring

Brighton & Hove residents will feel the health benefits from more than 70 community gardens around the city this Spring.

Calling gay men everywhere

Experience the world’s only gay meditation dance retreat!

Lib Dems in Regency bid

The Liberal Democrats have announced their candidates for the Regency ward at the coming council elections.

PREVIEW: The Lovers, an exploration of gender, sexuality and LGBTQ representation

The Lovers offers a multimedia theatre performance examining what makes us fall in love, and an exploration of what happens when we lose control of our senses.

ABTA join LGBT Travel Network

Travel giants ABTA have become a partner in the new Travel Trade Gazette (TTG), LGBT Travel Network.

Celebrate a Big Day for the LGBT Community in Philadelphia

This year Philadelphia is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the city’s first gay rights protests.

Turing’s family visits Bletchley Park

More than 20 members of World War Two code-breaker Alan Turing’s family gathered at Bletchley Park at the weekend, to raise awareness of a fundraising appeal.

Latest News

Call us now

It might be 25 years since Texas first hit the charts with I Don’t Want a Lover in 1989, but they’re back on tour and as brilliant as ever.

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Entrepreneur Claire Culley launched The W Review in November last year, and it has since been featured in the local and national press, building a great team of contributors along the way.

Share this:

Brighton & Hove residents will feel the health benefits from more than 70 community gardens around the city this Spring.

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Experience the world’s only gay meditation dance retreat!

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The Liberal Democrats have announced their candidates for the Regency ward at the coming council elections.

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The Lovers offers a multimedia theatre performance examining what makes us fall in love, and an exploration of what happens when we lose control of our senses.

Share this:

Travel giants ABTA have become a partner in the new Travel Trade Gazette (TTG), LGBT Travel Network.

Share this:

This year Philadelphia is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the city’s first gay rights protests.

Share this:

More than 20 members of World War Two code-breaker Alan Turing’s family gathered at Bletchley Park at the weekend, to raise awareness of a fundraising appeal.

Share this:

Latest News