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World’s first World Ballet Day to be hosted online.

October 1 marks a first as five of the world’s leading ballet companies host World Ballet Day.

World Ballet Day

Australian Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, The Royal Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada and San Francisco Ballet will each stream a live behind the scenes performance from their rehearsal studios online.

Starting at the beginning of the dancers’ day, each of the five ballet companies will take the lead for a four hour period streaming live from their headquarters starting with the Australian Ballet in Melbourne. The live link then passes across time zones and cultures from Melbourne to Moscow to London to Toronto to San Francisco.

The day will give viewers a glimpse into the rarely seen backstage lives of performers, throwing a spotlight upon the differing styles amongst the five companies as they practise a very similar routine with differing approaches in cheography and performance.

Starting with morning class to warm up the body with different exercises, moving on to rehearsals for their upcoming performances the day will be a celebration of dance; the athleticism and unparalleled dedication of all those involved in creating a world-class ballet company.

Viewers will be able to engage and interact with dancers, choreographers and coaches who live and breathe ballet every day of their working lives, asking questions throughout the day as well as having the opportunity to contribute by submitting a film of themselves doing a pirouette wherever they are in the world. These will be edited into a film celebrating the worldwide appeal of dance.

THE WINTER’S TALE:     choreography - Christopher Wheeldon, music - Joby Talbot, designs - Bob Crowley, The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera House, 2014,  Photo: Johan Persson/www.perssonphotography.com
THE WINTER’S TALE: The Royal Ballet, Photo: Johan Persson

The day’s streaming will be repeatedin full on YouTube so that viewers around the world can catch up on any parts of the day they missed. Edited highlights will then be made available for further viewing.

World Ballet Day is a development from Royal Ballet Live which was a nine-hour live streaming via YouTube and The Guardian website in March 2012. This unique event achieved 200,000 views of the live stream and repeat broadcast and a total of 2.5 million views of YouTube Royal Ballet Live material to date.

It is, however, the first time that four of the five ballet companies are taking the cameras backstage to reveal the sweat and determination of these talented dancers.

Highlights from The Royal Ballet will include Principals Marianela Nuñez andFederico Bonelli rehearsing for their performances of Kenneth MacMillan’s masterpiece ballet Manon which opens at Covent Garden on Friday, September 26 and is screened live into cinemas across the world on Thursday, October 16.

Brighton and Hove prepares for Rugby World Cup 2015!

With one year to go to kick off, the Webb Ellis Cup came to Brighton and Hove last Friday, September 19.

Rugby World Cup
Photo: www.snapitnow.co.uk

Young fans, local players, ground staff from the stadium and Rugby World Cup 2015 volunteers from The Pack came together for a friendly throw about on the Royal Pavilion lawns.

The fun event was to celebrate the one year countdown to the first matches of Rugby World Cup 2015 and to launch a blog to chronicle local anticipation of the tournament.

The prestigious Webb Ellis Cup (the Trophy that will be awarded to the winners of Rugby World Cup 2015) was the guest of honour at the event.

Two matches during the tournament will be played at the AMEX Stadium on September 19 and 20, 2015.

A group of rugby enthusiasts, old and new, young and old, will contribute to a blog chronicling their experiences of waiting for Rugby World Cup 2015’s arrival in the city.

Blog entries will be created by young pupils from Balfour School tag rugby team, players from Brighton Rugby Club, ground staff preparing for the matches at Brighton Community Stadium and members of The Pack.

To read the blogg, CLICK HERE: 

Rugby World Cup 2015 will take place from September 18 to October 31, 2015. Matches will be played in 13 different venues across 11 host cities in England and Wales, including Brighton Community Stadium.

The matches taking place in Brighton and Hove are:

• South Africa v Japan: September 19, 2015, 4.45 pm

• Samoa v USA: September 20, 2015, 12 noon

The Trophy is currently taking a break from the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour, which is visiting 15 countries as part of a celebration of rugby in the build-up to the Tournament.

In June next year the Webb Ellis Cup will start its 100-day tour around the UK and Ireland.

Brighton and Hove City Council and Brighton and Hove Albion football club worked together on the successful bid which brought the matches to Brighton and Hove. Simon Kirby, the MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven helped by lobbying senior Rugby Football Union officials.

Cllr Geoffrey Bowden, Chair of the Economic Development and Culture Committee, said: “We are very proud to welcome all those involved with Rugby World Cup 2015 to Brighton and Hove. The excitement is already building in the run-up to the Tournament and the matches taking place in September next year are set to be celebrated across the city. This is of huge value in terms of showcasing Brighton and Hove internationally and being part of such a strong sporting community. I encourage everyone to find out how to be part of the experience, whether by applying for tickets or visiting the Fanzone, a seafront celebration of rugby running at the same time as the Brighton and Hove matches.”

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, added: “As someone who championed Brighton’s bid, meeting with senior officials from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and writing to the International Rugby Board (IRB) in support of our city on numerous occasions I am looking forward to welcoming the tournament to Brighton in 2015.

“The Rugby World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world, and I am delighted that Brighton will play a part in a monumental occasion when the tournament comes to England in 2015.

“It is especially pleasing because the Amex faced very tough competition from some more established stadia. I know from my various letters and meetings that the fantastic facilities available at the venue and the undoubted attraction of Brighton and Hove as a host city were very apparent to selectors.”

Up to one million tickets for the Brighton and Hove and all the other 46 matches are on general sale on September 12-29, 2014.

To purchase match tickets, CLICK HERE:

Applications for tickets where demand exceeds supply will go into a ballot. Prices for the matches in Brighton start at £7 for children and £15 for adults.

 

LGBT domestic violence services in Brighton

The LGBTQI Domestic Violence and Abuse service at RISE provides specialist support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer and intersex people affected by abuse from a partner, ex-partner or family member.

Rise: LGBT Domestic ViolenceOne in three LGBTQI experience domestic abuse (Count Me In Too, 2007), but it can often be a hidden issue. People may worry about not being believed, or think they are responsible for the abuse, which prevents them from seeking help. However, it is never your fault if you are experiencing abuse. You are not alone, and there is support available.

Domestic abuse is not restricted to physical violence, and can also include:

• Sexual violence/abuse

• Emotional abuse

• Coercive control

• Financial abuse/exploitation

LGBTQI people can experience unique forms of abuse. Abusers will often use a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation against them as part of a pattern of power and control. For example, they may say that domestic abuse does not happen in same sex relationships, refuse to use your preferred pronoun or threaten to ‘out’ you.

The LGBTQI service at RISE provides confidential advocacy, practical advice and emotional support. Their aim is to help people feel physically and emotionally safer, though they do not tell people what to do and offer support regardless of whether someone chooses to remain in a relationship or not. They work in a way which is sensitive to the unique barriers that LGBTQI people can face.

“The services that have evolved at RISE reflect the unique and changing population of Brighton and Hove and RISE was particularly commended for a pioneering service for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender survivors” (Women’s Aid).

The LGBTQI service at RISE is constantly developing and growing. They have recently been engaging with young LGBTQI people to explore the issues they face in relationships. They will shortly be writing a report about this work to help other professionals support younger LGBTQI people around abusive relationships.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, there are things you can do immediately to help you feel safer. Safety measures vary depending on your circumstances, for example whether you are living with your abuser, but some things you can try are:

• Keep your phone with you and charged at all times

• Identify a trusted person you could stay with in an emergency

• If you are concerned about being followed, vary your routine and avoid becoming isolated when out in public

• Change your locks and review the security of your home

• Keep some emergency money aside in case you need to get a taxi to a place of safety

• Review your privacy settings online. Social media can be used to harass you or identify your whereabouts

• If you are in danger, call 999

You can contact the LGBTQI Domestic Violence and Abuse service at RISE by phone or email. If you are getting support from another service, you can also ask them to contact them on your behalf. The service is open to people of all genders, aged 16+ in Brighton and Hove.

A former service user, said:  “I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there was an LGBT Service within RISE. Although I know that all of their staff and volunteers are well-trained and inclusive, it felt good to be able to talk to a worker who was also in the LGBT community. I really recommend anyone who is worried, scared or just unsure, to get in touch with RISE. It could change your life as it has mine and also many others.” 

RISE Helpline: 01273 622822

Email:

For more information about RISE, CLICK HERE:  

 

Writing a film for Leisa Rea

When Deborah Espect joined Twitter a few years ago, she started to follow a famous English actress who starred in a cult 80s lesbian film.

Writing a film for Leisa Rea
Writing a film for Leisa Rea

Deborah was shocked and ecstatic to see that, a few days later, the said actress was following her back. For days, she tried to find something interesting and witty to write, in order to grab her attention, but nothing worked.

And then, she twitted about Vegetarian Percy Pigs, and she twitted back that she loved them. She was overly excited. This could be the start of a great friendship! If they both liked Vegetarian Percy Pigs, they probably had loads more in common!

When she eventually realised that this poor actress had better things to do than make new friendships over social networks, she reflected on the influence that those sites can have on poor innocent souls like hers.

She had turned into a, let’s be honest, bit of a stalker, and she didn’t like it one bit eventhough it was quite fun at the time! So she wrote a film about her experience.

Initially, she wasn’t going to be in it, but she thought it would add another layer to the story. The original actress read the script, and was very nice about it, but sadly she couldn’t take part.

She had watched Leisa Rea’s The Killing parody online, and as she knew someone who had worked with her before, she approached her.

She didn’t know her from Adam (or Twitter, for that matter), but she was a very good sport and said yes.

She altered the script to make it more relevant to her, and Writing a Film for Leisa Rea was born. And just so we’re clear: it’s all made up. All just a big joke. No comediennes were harmed in the making of it.

To view the film, CLICK HERE:      

Council clampdown will improve children’s safety

Motorists who persist in driving and parking on pavements and verges around schools, putting children’s safety at risk, could receive on-the-spot fines.

Brighton & Hove City Council

Brighton and Hove City Council is launching the second phase of its multi-agency initiative to target inconsiderate driving in areas around four city schools.

During October, council and police officers will be out and about in the streets around schools where poor parking behaviour has been reported. The initiative aims to highlight the dangers of stopping and parking on pavements and verges, to encourage motorists to drive responsibly and to improve safety for everyone, especially pedestrians walking to and from school.

It follows a successful campaign earlier this year to deal with nuisance and antisocial parking behaviour at locations throughout the city.

Action days will be held on:

* Tuesday, October 21, a.m.: Rudyard Kipling Primary School,  Woodingdean.  Centred around Chalkland Rise, Downs Valley Road and Crescent Drive South

* Wednesday, October 22, p.m.:  Westdene Primary School, Bankside, Brighton.  Centred around Bankside, Barn Rise and Dene Vale

* Thursday, October 23, a.m.: Aldrington CE Primary School, Hove. Centred around Eridge Road junction with Nevill Road, and both sides of Nevill Road between nos. 120 and 156 inclusive

* Friday, October 24, p.m.: Hangleton Infant and Junior Schools, Hove. Centred around top end of Dale View and junctions with Summerdale and Gleton Roads

Enforcement action will be taken against illegal, inconsiderate and unsafe parking and poor driver behaviour.  This includes parking on double yellow lines or other waiting and loading restrictions, driving and parking on verges and footways, use of mobile phones when driving and any other road traffic offence.

Cllr Pete West
Cllr Pete West

Councillor Pete West, chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee, said: “Our Safer Routes to School programmes are encouraging more and more children to travel to the classroom on foot. Therefore it is vital to ensure that nearby pavements and junctions are kept free from obstruction and that motorists remain alert and drive thoughtfully to enable everyone to travel safely to and from school.”

 

 

Friend or Foe: Hate-fuelled crimes are committed by friends, colleagues and carers of victims

A ‘devastating’ number of hate crimes are committed by people closer to home than many would like to believe, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Leicester.

University of Leicester

Harrowing examples of these crimes include disabled individuals being tipped from wheelchairs, human excrement being posted through letterboxes at homes and guide dogs being attacked in the street, leading many victims to feel unsafe stepping out the front door.

These findings are the result of the two-year Leicester Hate Crime Project, the widest-ranging study of hate crime ever untaken, which has highlighted that in over a third of cases offenders are known to the victim, either as acquaintances, neighbours, friends, work colleagues, family members or carers.

Stevie-Jade Hardy, the project’s Lead Researcher, explained: “There has been a prevailing assumption that hate crimes are committed by strangers, far-right extremists or hate fuelled individuals. However, this study shows that those who commit hate crimes are often ordinary people who are known to the victim and this was found to have a profoundly devastating emotional and physical impact on the victim.”

The research, undertaken by a specialist research team based at the Department of Criminology at the University of Leicester and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), examined the nature and impact of hate crime and of victims’ expectations of service providers.

The research team heard from nearly 1,500 victims targeted on the basis of their identity characteristics or perceived ‘difference’ and found that many felt vulnerable, depressed or suicidal as a result of hate crime.

Victims also felt neglected by support networks, with less than a quarter reporting their most recent experience of hate crime to the police, and fewer still reporting to other networks, organisations or individuals in a position of authority and trust.

Dr Neil Chakraborti, Reader in Criminology at the University of Leicester was the project’s Principal Investigator.

Dr Neil Chakraborti
Dr Neil Chakraborti

He said: “Local authorities and police forces have worked hard to raise awareness of hate crime and of support mechanisms in place.

“However, we found that many of the 4,000 community members we engaged with had never even heard of the term ‘hate crime’.

“Service providers must do more to treat victims with empathy, patience and humanity, to make reporting procedures more accessible, and to support victims from all sections of society.”

Jon Garland, Co-Investigator on the project while at Leicester is now a Reader in Criminology at the University of Surrey.

He added: “We need to make sure that victims of hate crime are treated appropriately and with care by agencies that should be there to help them. To this end, the project team has produced a Victims’ Manifesto, based upon the views and wishes of the victims we’ve spoken to, that sets out ten key steps that can be taken to improve the support that victims receive.

“Our aim is to get as many organisations and individuals to sign up to the Manifesto as possible, so that we can begin to make a real and positive difference to the lives of those that suffer hate crime.”

The Leicester Centre for Hate Studies, based at the University of Leicester, offers guidance on how to implement the recommendations from this research, and is encouraging professionals from all sectors to pledge support to the Victims’ Manifesto so they can take strides to eliminate hate crime: For more information, CLICK HERE:

For more information about the study, CLICK HERE: 

 

To view The Harms of Hate video produced by research team, CLICK HERE:

 

Saunders Park needs more ‘Friends’

A local park needs volunteers to help with improvements to ensure it continues to be a great place to visit.

Purna Sen, Tracey Hill and Caroline Penn by the hole in Saunders Park.
Purna Sen, Tracey Hill and Caroline Penn by the hole in Saunders Park.

Saunders Park, on the Lewes Road between the gyratory and the B and Q retail park, is a popular park with recently refurbished facilities including a paddling pool and play area.

A team of volunteers has organised improvements over the last few years and helped to run successful events including Halloween and spring fun days. However, due to family commitments, several members of the Friends of Saunders Park are having to step down.

Labour council candidate and Hollingdean resident Tracey Hill is joining with the Council’s park ranger, community workers and residents who use the park, in the search for more people to come forward.

She says: “Saunders Park is very popular, particularly the paddling pool in hot weather and the play area, which is excellent for young children.

“Being involved in the Friends group wouldn’t be a huge time commitment, but it would ensure that the park is run for the benefit of the people who use it, and that the local community is involved. I think more use could be made of some of the facilities. It would be great to see local children helping to plant and maintain the raised beds, for example.”

In 2009, the park received funding to set up an Eco Park which includes a pond, an eco-trail, raised beds and information boards. The money came from the M&S carrier bag scheme. The Eco Park was designed with input from local schools.

Purna Sen: Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion
Purna Sen: Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion

In July, Labour candidates, including Brighton Pavilion’s parliamentary candidate Purna Sen, appealed to Southern Water to fix a deep hole which had been fenced off for two years. Over 100 people using the park signed a letter asking for the hole to be filled. The work is now scheduled to be completed by Christmas.

Purna says: “Several parents told us that they were not using this area because of safety concerns. Once the work has been finished, a bigger area of the park will become available, including better access to raised beds and the pond. Clearly a lot of work has gone into the park in recent years and it’s really important that it continues.”

To enquire about getting involved with Friends of Saunders Park, EMAIL:

Labour’s Team in Hollingdean and Stanmer are Councillor Jeane Lepper, Tracey Hill, Michael Inkpin-Leissner and Caroline Penn.

 

 

Council workers to celebrate Bisexual Visibility Day – Tuesday, September 23

Bisexual Visibility DayBrighton & Hove Council, LGBT Workers Forum will be celebrating the 16th annual Bisexual Visibility Day tomorrow, September 23.

The Council’s chief executive Penny Thompson and LGBT Champion for the Green Party, Cllr MacCafferty, will be raising the Bi flag at Hove Town Hall at 9am tomorrow morning.

Cllrs Chaun Wilson and Dee Simson, LGBT Champions for the Labour Party and Conservative Party respectively, have also been invited to attend.

Two lunchtime walks along the seafront for bi employees and allies have been arranged – both ending at the Bandstand. Placards and flags highlighting the celebration of Bi Visibility Day will be carried along with the walkers.

A bring-your-own picnic will then take place on the beach. If the weather isn’t very nice, the Bandstand Café will provide shelter and food and drinks to buy.

One walk will begin at Brighton Town Hall, in Bartholomew Square and the other will begin at King’s House, Hove, Grand Avenue.

Both walks will  begin at 12.15pm and all bi staff and their allies are welcome to attend. Try and wear something purple!

Later in the afternoon Brighton Bothways will be meeting at Gelato Gusto, 2 Gardner Street in the North Laine for coffee, waffles, some vegan sorbet or just for a chat. You can pop along at anytime between 4-6pm. They will probably be in the back room – look out for Bothways flyers and a cuddly toy on the table.

Brighton Bothways is a bisexual group based in Brighton. They welcome all bisexual, bi-curious and bi-friendly people, their partners, friends, family and allies. They are a diverse and inclusive group who offer a safe and supportive space. They arrange arrange regular socials and meets with a few extra events throughout the year.

For more information about Brighton Bothways, CLICK HERE:

For more information about the LGBT workers forum, CLICK HERE:

 

 

 

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink returns for 5th year

Tickets are now on sale for this winter season’s Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, celebrating its fifth birthday when it opens on 8th November to 18th January.

Peter Allison will judge the knitting competition
Peter Allison will judge the knitting competition

Ticket prices remain the same as last year offering great value, whilst a stunning rinkside ‘Bar & Kitchen’ will offer heart warming drinks, snacks and meals to visitors to the rink complex, which is open to skaters and non skaters alike.

To mark the occasion the ice rink team have launched a woolly hat knitting competition for all those craft lovers out there to create the perfect hats for the ice marshalls to wear on the ice this winter.

Guest judge and knitting expert is Peter Allison, famed in the North Laine for his amazing knitting creations, including a complete replica of the Royal Pavilion palace, displayed in his shop windows at Temptation café and Whirligig toy shop.

He will assist the ice marshalls in choosing the best hats, which will be modelled on ice before being auctioned to raise funds for charity.

Anyone with an interest is encouraged to design and knit or crochet a stunning woolly hat, adult size, and submit a photograph of it to facebook.com/pavilionicerink by October 17.

There are some great prizes to be won, including a free skating season ticket, dinner for two at the Bar & Kitchen and family skate tickets.

With the former Royal pleasure palace as backdrop, huge rinkside bar and restaurant and 40m terrace, the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink is beautifully lit at night and offers a great night out for those wanting to skate in a beautiful setting and sit down to eat rinkside apres ice.

Royal Pavilion Ice RinkThe 800 square metre rink has space for 250 skaters per session, with a beginners’ area, penguin skate aids and skate sizes from ‘just walking’ to adult.

There’s no charge for spectating for those who prefer to sit and soak up the atmosphere in the rinkside Bar & Kitchen, which offers a mouth-watering patisserie and festive toffee apples for a Christmas treat, a quick drink after work with the best view in the City or a full three-course meal with family and friends.

Ice skating tickets cost from £10 for adults (aged 12 and over) and £7 for juniors (children under 12) and the one-hour skate times run from 10am to 10.15pm daily.

Club Rinkidinks (10am – 11am daily) offers children under 5 the chance to skate for free when accompanied onto the ice by an adult paying full price.

There are also season tickets for those who want to learn to skate (check website for details) and great concessions for students.

The Box office is open from 9.30am to 9.45pm, but it is advisable to book tickets in advance.

To purchase tickets, CLICK HERE:  

Or telephone: 0844 8472352

For group bookings of ten or more telephone: 0844 8471512.

For more information about the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, CLICK HERE: 

 

Life modelling

Rob George explains how being a life model builds self esteem and confidence!

Rob George
Rob George

I guess that for most people, either insecurities about our bodies and looks are born with us or an event occurs in our early lives that makes us feel ashamed of our appearance.

I think for me I’ve always had a natural shyness and a tendency to think I’m ‘’not good enough’’ with a lot of things. So it has been a battle with regard to my looks and physique in that in my life I always felt substandard.

Rob GeorgeI started to lose my hair at age 23 and that really bothered me. (Actually I’m now quite proud of my shaven hair, I keep telling everyone that I’m going for the ‘Ross Kemp look’!). But, even though I lived and breathed sport all my life and I’m addicted to exercise and have kept reasonably in shape, I’ve still always felt that I had a lousy body.

At various times this has led to depression and totally withdrawing from any sort of social life, something which having spoken to a number of life models is a common occurrence.

I think maybe I made the mistake of comparing my very average body to those of the models on the front of ‘boys’ mags’ with their good looks and six-packs but I just assumed that’s how most guys looked.

I think this is a mistake most people make, i.e. comparing themselves against the models and celebrities in glossy mags, the images of which are mostly photoshopped anyway. I have no doubt that this has contributed to a lot of depression across the world and counsellors and psychotherapists are making a fortune as a result.

Rob GeorgeTV programmes such as “How to look good naked” have done a lot to remind people that they should be proud of their bodies no matter what and that we should care a little less as to what people think. In reality I think most people are so wrapped up in their own lives that they pay us less attention than we think they do.

Two years ago I decided that I needed to find the answer as to what really matters, to show my body to the world, and that by doing so I might actually discover the truth about people’s attitude to body image.

When I awoke on January 1 2012 I thought to myself “Let’s do something new this year…something radical”.

As I’d been thinking of life modelling for a few months prior to that, I decided that giving my body to the art world was going be my project for that year. Of course stupidly I had the idea that what I looked like ‘actually mattered’ in the life modelling world.

I started training as if I was going to compete at a bodybuilding contest and I suppose I was looking for compliments about my body (lack of self esteem and needing approval). However, I’ve now come to appreciate that people don’t really give two monkeys what you look like.

I can see that life modelling is not a beauty contest. Life models come in all ages and all shapes and sizes and there is no ‘stereotype’. What matters is the range of poses you can offer so as to give the artist or art student a challenge. The artist or student needs a wide range of models (different sexes, ages, body shapes) in order to be challenged and therefore test their skills.

I have come to appreciate how amazing it is that the body can be used as an art form and whatever the shape or whoever the subject is, it is still art.

I think Brighton is wonderful in that I believe it is one of the only towns the UK where you are free to be what you want to be, to effectively be free to ‘’let it all hang out’’ so to speak. This means, in my opinion, that it’s a town full of interesting people and a wonderful place to be.

To contact Rob George, EMAIL:  

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