15/04/2014 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

PROFILE: Ray Isaac: singer, songwriter and DJ

Posted on 15/04/201416/04/2014 by Besi

Vocalist launches new album with unique equality and anti-bullying message.

Ray Isaac is an independent Singer-Songwriter-DJ. His signature style expresses pain, love and redemption allowing him to dictate his own brand of pop-infused dance music.

Ray who divides his time between London, LA and Sydney, working as a singer, songwriter and DJ is counting the days to the launch of his new album, WHO I AM which will be released to US, UK and Australian markets on May 20. The lead track on the album is a powerful equality anti-bullying anthem.

The video sets this album apart from his earlier ones with a unique, anthemic anti-bullying message. The song itself, Who I Am, is about human beings taking back their equality and self-love, and has a strong anti-bullying message which has real resonance with Ray, who used to be bullied when he was younger.

He says: “The song is intended to empower young people, and heal any hurt or pain caused by bullying.”

Ray intends to send the video out to schools and LGBT Organisations ensuring it goes viral online to spread this important message to as many young people as possible. He believes in teaching young people to love themselves in order to find happiness, and feedback on his track already indicates that it is a strong song that many people find comfort in.

Ray Isaac’s debut single U Want or U Don’t was released in January 2014. The official music video is out now on Vevo.

This second single Who I Am is an empowering ballad he wrote about being free and fighting for equality and acceptance in society. Ray believes that no matter what, “we have to be proud of who we are and know that happiness only manifests itself when we truly love and accept who we are from deep within.”

He has released many club tracks, including the popular I Don’t Give a Damn which was released through MINISTRY OF SOUND going double platinum.

His music will be featured in the new dance film East Side Story written and directed by the original West Side Story actor, David Winters. Ray also plays a small role in the film as well as performing the theme song and five of the featured tracks. The film will be released in cinemas in summer of 2014.

For single WHO I AM, CLICK HERE:

For album, CLICK HERE:

For more information about Ray, CLICK HERE:

TWITTER:

FACEBOOK:

Charity pram race needs runners

Posted on 15/04/2014 by Besi

The Titanic Pub in Southampton is staging a charity pram race, on May 24 in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The race starts at 4pm and will be hosted by Drag Queen Sonia Marmite.

Many people are touched by the effects of cancer be it in their families or with friends. All money raised by the Titanic will go directly to the Cancer Research Laboratories in Southampton.

Landlord Martin Geer, said: “Every pound raised by the Titanic is used for research, so it is important that we raise as much money as possible!”

“We are looking for volunteers to get sponsored to take part in this race.

“The course is only short (about 400mtrs), so people don’t have to be super fit to participate. It is the taking part that is important, not just the winning. We want to put the Fun into Fundraising.”

To take part all you need is a pram or buggy and be able to run or walk the course.

You can dress up in drag, fancy dress, or not………whatever you are happier with!

All participants need to raise a minimum of £50. All the money raised will be collected by the Titanic Pub and formally presented to the Cancer Research Laboratories.

To get your application form, EMAIL:

For more information, CLICK HERE:

Or just pop in for a form.

Once your completed application form is received you will be sent sponsorship forms.

PREVIEW: Open House with Robyn Rainbow

Posted on 15/04/201415/04/2014 by Besi

Robyn Rainbow is holding an Open House in May as part of the Brighton Artist’s Open House Festival.

As well as painting local scenes of Brighton and nature, Robyn paints art with a gay/lesbian content. 10% of art sales made during the Open House in May will be donated to The Rainbow Fund who make grants to LGBT organisations providing front line services to the LGBT community in Brighton & Hove.

You can view the exhibition every weekend in May, and on Thursday May 22 from 10am – 5pm.

What: Robyn Rainbow House (No.32 of the Independent Artists Open Houses listing)

Where: 116 Ladysmith Road., Brighton BN2 4EG, free on street parking, refreshments, garden

When: May 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 22, 24 & 25, 2014

Time: From 10am – 5pm.

For more information about Robyn’s work, CLICK HERE:

PREVIEW: ‘Body Language II’ an exhibition by Nicole Roumelioti

Posted on 15/04/2014 by Besi

Nicole Roumelioti, a young artist from Greece, showcases life on canvas through the purity and beauty of the male and female body.

Her work Temptation was awarded first prize out of 3,500 entries at the Saatchi Online Showdown Scope International Competition in 2011.

Her exhibition Body Langauage II will show in the breakfast room at the Ambassador Hotel, as part of the Kemptown Trail, Artists Open Houses from May 3-25.

Nicole was born in Athens, Greece in 1979. She holds a BA (Hons) in Fine Arts and Technology from the Middlesex University, London. She exhibited both solo and in group at the Municipal Gallery of Piraeus, Greece in 2010 and has undertaken several private commissions. She lives and works in Athens, Greece.

Nicole said: “Since my first art quests, black and white mastered my paintings for their relationship of intense contrast. The coexistence of the abstractive classical form with the plain sensual vision of the body is fulfilled from the emotions that emanate from them. Passion, hope, flirtation, narcissism, lust, are some of the elements that are imported in this theme. Amongst the light and the shadow, the intensity and the tranquility, the red colour stands out to mark the free interpretation of the observer.”

What:Body Languge II an exhibition by Nicole Roumelioti

Where: The Ambassador Hotel, 22-23 New Steine, Marine Parade, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 1PD

When: can be visited noon-6pm, May 3-11 – 17/18 – 24/25, or by appointment

Letter to editor: Pride floats and gay businesses?

Posted on 15/04/201419/04/2014 by Contributor

I am Brighton born and bred. I don’t think I have missed any of the recent Brighton Prides, from the good times through the not so good and returning to the good times again in the last two years.

With Pride approaching on the gay calendar again I would like to ask all the local venues (pubs/clubs/ shops/ venues & saunas) a question. Where were you last year on the parade?

Let me explain more. We had friends down from Southampton to enjoy the weekend. Whist at the clock tower soaking up the sun and atmosphere we watched the parade go past in all it’s glory. There must of been over 50 floats.

But then we twigged. There was not one float from a local gay venue, not one local pub, club, shop or sauna. The only pub in the float was from Southampton. We were gob smacked and disappointed. You could have taken the majority of the floats, put them in another city and never have known any difference.

What is the reason behind this? Local businesses make a killing during Pride weekend yet on the surface it seems they don’t want to participate in the Parade. Yes we all know the venues support pride all year but remember that most collections that are raised on pride nights actually come from the paying customers not the businesses.

I just pray that Pride gets better each and every year, but this should include the parade also.

Could Gscene ask local businesses why they do not participate and help put a few minds at rest please.

Many thanks, Mark Bean

Mark Flood manager of The Camelford Arms responded saying: “In addition to our considerable contribution towards the Street Party the main reason we do not put a float in the parade is simply down to lack of manpower. All our staff work flat out all that weekend with little or no time off other than to rest. We do not have the staff resources to man a float also. As a small local business we can only employ so many staff and it is not possible for us to man a float as well. The parade actually takes part during working hours and we remain extremely busy during that time. Although undeniably we as a small business benefit from the Pride Weekend we work very long hours and do not get a chance to join in the celebrations ourselves, but do our best to ensure that those attending have as an enjoyable a weekend as possible. Pride and Pride weekend would not be a success if were not for the hundreds of people that work tirelessly behind the scenes throughout the period.”

Steve Chillingworth owner of the Marine Tavern, added: “I have a small gay bar just off St.James’s street. The reason I do not put a float in the parade anymore is that I do not have anywhere to put a vehicle whilst decorating it and nowhere to store it afterwards whilst trying to get the bar ready for the afternoon and evening rush of customers. Brighton Pride is now a fenced event which only holds 40,000 people. Before being fenced around 120,000 plus people would go to Pride at the park during the day which gave us time to do things. Now St.James’s street gets busy a lot earlier as the people without tickets head for it, so we just do not have the time or organise a float.”

James Ledward, editor of Gscene Magazine, concluded: “Last year for the first time ever I asked all local gay businesses to help repoliticise Brighton Pride and contribute towards the cost of producing 100 banners on the Pride Parade parade to show support for the plight of LGBT people in Russia. The banners were designed by Brighton University students Kate Wildblood and Karol Michalec and their campaign was inspired by a film made by James Brooks. Thirty of the 65 floats on the Pride Parade in 2013 carried a banner produced and paid for by the gay venues. Just three organisations refused to support the initiative.

“The Brighton Sauna on Grand Parade sponsored the BANNED happening organised by controversial poet and campaigner Vince Laws just before the start of the parade. Vince painted the faces of people with the names of countries around the world where it is illegal to be homosexual.”

The following gay and gay friendly businesses contributed financially to the costs of the 100 Banners:

The Zone:

Hudsons Guest House:

A-Bar:

Charles Street:

Camelford Arms:

Banning Guest House:

Church Street:

Club Revenge:

Ambassador Hotel:

Bulldog Tavern:

Marine Tavern:

Cavalaire Guest House:

Avalon Guest House:

Subline:

Cowards Guest House:

Bedford Tavern:

New Steine Hotel:

Dr Brighton’s:

Prowler:

Camelford Arms:

Legends:

Poison Ivy:

Munkee Cafe:

Amsterdam Hotel:

Billie Lewis Productions:

PREVIEW: Keith Vaughan exhibition and events at Brighton Museum

Posted on 15/04/201415/04/2014 by Besi

There are a variety of events exploring the work of Keith Vaughan at Brighton Museum this summer.

What: Keith Vaughan – A Volatile Medium

When: June 10 – November 9 2014,

Where: Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Prints & Drawings Gallery

Cost: Free admission

This display explores the British artist Keith Vaughan’s final fifteen years of creativity, focusing on his work in gouache, a technique he described as “a volatile medium”. This was a period of pictorial experiment for Vaughan, when gouaches were an important part of his creative output. The gouaches of male figures will be displayed together with his drawings, photographs and extras from his diaries.

The display has been curated by Dr. Darren Clarke and Jenny Lund.

Keith Vaughan, Two Interlinked Figures, 1965. Gifted to the Royal Pavilion & Museums through the Contemporary Art Society, as a bequest from Dr. Ronald Lande, in memory of his life partner Walter Urech, 2012. ©The Estate of Keith Vaughan

Events:

What: Keith Vaughan Gallery Tour

Where: Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Prints & Drawings Gallery

When: Saturday, June 14, 2.30-3.30pm

Cost: Free admission

Join the curator Jenny Lund for a tour of the exhibition

Images of the nude male are, even today, subject to censorship by galleries, auction houses and museums. Gerard Hastings, author of Keith Vaughan: The Photographs, will be giving an illustrated talk on recently discovered photographs of the male nude by the British artist Keith Vaughan. These will be placed into the context of his work as a painter and discussed alongside his erotic paintings, deemed unexhibitable by the art world.

What: Keith Vaughan: The Male Nude, Censorship and the Camera

Where: Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Education Pavilion

When: Saturday, July 26, 2.30-3.30pm

Cost: £5, members £4, book in advance

What: Hello Sailor!

Where: Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, the Fine Art Galleries, the South Balcony & the Education Rooms

When: Saturday July 26: 11.30am-3.30pm

Cost: Free, drop-in. Over 16s only

Start your Pride week by exploring the male figure in Keith Vaughan’s work through tantalising activities including life drawing and collage making.

Keith Vaughan, Back View of a Sailor, c1950s. Bequeathed to the Royal Pavilion & Museums by Graham Loder in November 2008

Co-author of Keith Vaughan: The Mature Oils, 1946-1977, Ian Massey will explore the technical and stylistic development of Keith Vaughan’s work, with particular reference to the subject of the male nude in landscape and his use of gouache.

What: Keith Vaughan: The Spontaneous Image

Where: Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Education Pavilion

When: Sunday, August 3, 2.30-3.30pm

Cost: £5, members £4, book in advance

Brighton Half Marathon 2015 opens for registration

Posted on 15/04/201419/04/2014 by Besi

2015 will be the 25th anniversary year of the Brighton Half Marathon

The 2015 race takes place on Sunday, February 22, starting and finishing on Madeira Drive on Brighton’s seafront.

Voted ‘Most Improved Race’ at the 2013 Runner’s World Personal Best Awards, the Brighton Half Marathon is now one of the most popular races on the national running calendar.

It is also the first major half marathon of the new year and perfectly suited as a warm up for all spring marathons. The race attracts runners of all levels, from local club runners to beginners and seasoned runners, who want to take part in an iconic race on the South Coast.

Event Manager Paul Bond, said: “We are excited to have launched the Brighton Half Marathon 2015 and our new website. With a projected sell out of standard places in June, I would like to encourage runners to sign up and secure their place as soon as possible if they want to be on the start line in February.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has been supporting the race over the last few years, and we look forward to delivering another great event on February 22.”

Registration is open with entry costing £32 for affiliated runners and £34 for non-affiliated runners, which includes a goody bag and a medal at the finish.

Official charity partners announced so far include The Sussex Beacon, Rise, Scope, WaterAid and Chestnut Tree House.

The Brighton Half Marathon is organised by and the main fundraising event for The Sussex Beacon, a local HIV charity working to improve health, reduce stigma and prevent premature death. Open 365 days a year, they support men, women and families affected by HIV to manage this life-long condition that has no cure.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

Facebook: brightonhalfmarathon

Twitter @BrightonHalf

Building Society manager takes to the decks at Northern Pride

Posted on 15/04/2014 by Besi

A North East building society manager is swapping money for mash-ups at one of the region’s leading music events this summer.

North East Pride — Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride and Iain Macleod

Iain Macleod, who has worked at Newcastle Building Society for the past six years, will be performing at Newcastle Pride 2014, which returns to the region from Friday July 18.

The 27 year-old, who is originally from Edinburgh, has been interested in music since the age of 10 and initially worked as a producer, developing re-mixes for new and emerging artists.

Despite having some success with minor releases, including a remix for American artist Renée Stakey in 2009 and dance act Discotronix in 2011, music took a back seat when Iain moved home and became disheartened dealing with record labels.

He said: “It can be quite frustrating when you put a lot of time and effort into remixing a track and record companies either delay its release or scrap it all together.

“When I moved home I didn’t have the space to accommodate a studio, so it just seemed like the right time to take a step back and look at new ways of exploring my love for music.”

Iain began experimenting with DJing and soon developed a loyal following on Facebook, which led to him being booked to perform at bars and clubs in Newcastle, Bradford and Manchester.

Since then he has balanced his full-time role at the bank with a weekly DJ slot at The Dog pub, Newcastle, where he currently performs every Saturday night.

Iain said: “People are always really surprised to hear that I’m a building society branch manager as well as a DJ and I quite enjoy that element of surprise. I’ve been extremely lucky over the past few years to perform at some amazing venues but Newcastle Pride will be the biggest event to date and I really can’t wait.”

Newcastle Pride, which is organised annually by Northern Pride, will run for three days in 2014 from July 18 and offers a host of live music and other events.

For the first time in its seven year history, the event will also feature a second stage in the heart of Newcastle city centre, where Iain will be performing his brand of ‘Handbag House’– remixed chart music the crowd can dance to – on Saturday July 19.

Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, said: “Iain performed briefly at Newcastle Pride a few years ago and went down a storm. This year, as part of our extended three day line-up, we’re giving him a full DJ set on a specially erected second stage at Time Square and I’m sure he’ll prove just as popular there.”

Newcastle Pride, which is expected to attract more than 65,000 visitors to the North East, is one of the largest free lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) festivals in the UK.

Other highlights in this year’s event include performances by big name stars such as Shayne Ward, the Vengaboys and Sinitta, as well as a parade through Newcastle city centre and a pet show.

For more information about Northern Pride: CLICK HERE:

Twitter: @northernprideuk

PREVIEW: Sir Dermot Turing at Bletchley Park

Posted on 15/04/201415/04/2014 by Besi

2014 marks the 60th anniversary of Alan Turing’s mysterious death.

During his short life, Turing pioneered thought in a wide variety of fields including computing, artificial intelligence and morphogenesis, as well as making a major contribution to the breaking of German codes at Bletchley Park.

Sir Dermot Turing presents an overview of the family background, life and achievements of his famous ancestor, discusses Turing’s design of the Bombe which was used to find the settings of the Enigma machine, and gives a family perspective on the controversial circumstances surrounding his death.

Dermot is the nephew of Alan Turing (1912-1954), who is well known to have been one of Bletchley Park’s leading cryptanalysts as well as a founder of the science of artificial intelligence.

Naturally enough, Dermot has followed closely the gradual revelation of the achievements of the Bletchley Codebreakers from the first release of materials in 1975 and the re-opening of Bletchley Park to the public in the early 1990s. He feels it is a privilege and a pleasure to provide a more direct contribution as a Trustee.

Dermot was educated at Sherborne and King’s College, Cambridge. After completing his DPhil in Genetics at New College, Oxford, Dermot moved into the legal profession working first for HM Treasury Solicitor’s Department and then for Clifford Chance where he has remained (as a partner since 1999).

He is currently based in London in Clifford Chance’s Financial Services and Markets Group and his professional focus is on regulation, insolvency and risk management for financial institutions.

What: Bletchley Park presents Sir John Dermot Turing

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

When: Sunday, June 15

Time: 2pm

Cost: Free

For more information, CLICK HERE:

‘Giving a Voice to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans People’

Posted on 15/04/201415/04/2014 by Besi

The National LGBT Partnership is conducting a piece of work on behalf of Public Health England into the range of health and wellbeing activities that are taking place across the LGBT third sector in England.

A survey has been put together, which will take no more than 10 minutes to fill in.

To complete the survey, CLICK HERE:

Deadline for completion is Tuesday, April 22.

As an incentive, five prizes of £50 are being given to LGBT organisations that fill in the survey. The five winning organisations will be picked randomly from those responding and will be notified shortly after the closing of the survey.

Public Health England are keen to have as broad and diverse a picture as possible and will be following this survey up with some direct contact.

Call us now

Day: April 15, 2014

PROFILE: Ray Isaac: singer, songwriter and DJ

Vocalist launches new album with unique equality and anti-bullying message.

Charity pram race needs runners

The Titanic Pub in Southampton is staging a charity pram race, on May 24 in aid of Cancer Research UK.

PREVIEW: Open House with Robyn Rainbow

Robyn Rainbow is holding an Open House in May as part of the Brighton Artist’s Open House Festival.

PREVIEW: ‘Body Language II’ an exhibition by Nicole Roumelioti

Nicole Roumelioti, a young artist from Greece, showcases life on canvas through the purity and beauty of the male and female body.

Letter to editor: Pride floats and gay businesses?

I am Brighton born and bred. I don’t think I have missed any of the recent Brighton Prides, from the good times through the not so good and returning to the good times again in the last two years.

PREVIEW: Keith Vaughan exhibition and events at Brighton Museum

There are a variety of events exploring the work of Keith Vaughan at Brighton Museum this summer.

Brighton Half Marathon 2015 opens for registration

2015 will be the 25th anniversary year of the Brighton Half Marathon

Building Society manager takes to the decks at Northern Pride

A North East building society manager is swapping money for mash-ups at one of the region’s leading music events this summer.

PREVIEW: Sir Dermot Turing at Bletchley Park

2014 marks the 60th anniversary of Alan Turing’s mysterious death.

‘Giving a Voice to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans People’

The National LGBT Partnership is conducting a piece of work on behalf of Public Health England into the range of health and wellbeing activities that are taking place across the LGBT third sector in England.

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Call us now

Vocalist launches new album with unique equality and anti-bullying message.

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The Titanic Pub in Southampton is staging a charity pram race, on May 24 in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Share this:

Robyn Rainbow is holding an Open House in May as part of the Brighton Artist’s Open House Festival.

Share this:

Nicole Roumelioti, a young artist from Greece, showcases life on canvas through the purity and beauty of the male and female body.

Share this:

I am Brighton born and bred. I don’t think I have missed any of the recent Brighton Prides, from the good times through the not so good and returning to the good times again in the last two years.

Share this:

There are a variety of events exploring the work of Keith Vaughan at Brighton Museum this summer.

Share this:

2015 will be the 25th anniversary year of the Brighton Half Marathon

Share this:

A North East building society manager is swapping money for mash-ups at one of the region’s leading music events this summer.

Share this:

2014 marks the 60th anniversary of Alan Turing’s mysterious death.

Share this:

The National LGBT Partnership is conducting a piece of work on behalf of Public Health England into the range of health and wellbeing activities that are taking place across the LGBT third sector in England.

Share this:

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