22/10/2015 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

PICTURE DIARY: Panto cast bring traffic to a stop in central Brighton

Posted on 22/10/201522/10/2015 by Graham Robson

Traffic in central Brighton was brought to a standstill this afternoon as the cast of the alternative panto, Sinderfella revealed their costumes for the panto’s run in February 2016.

The production features an all-star cast of local drag queens including the fabulous Miss Jason as Sinderfella, Lola Lasagne and Dave Lynn as the very ugly sisters, Davina Sparkle as fairy godmother and Cassidy Connors as the handsome prince.

Jason Lee as Dandini and Allan Jay as Buttocks provide the eye candy with Christopher Howard as the very nasty Baron.

The show is written by the multi talented Andrew Stark and staged by Quintin Young whose company credits include Beyond Bollywood at the London Palladium, Let’s Do It and Jerry Springer the Opera. His production credits include Simply Ballroom and Spirit of the Dance.

Andrew, said: “The Alternative Pantomime is an important community event, pulling in a wonderfully diverse audience from all over the UK. Legendary performers, part of the alternative history are countless and include the great Dockyard Doris, George Logan, Miss Jason and the sensational Phil Starr to name a few.

“I feel honoured to be following in their stiletto clad footsteps.”

Through a chance meeting with Brian Ralfe in 2008, Andrew went on to provide the scripts and laughs for the Alternative Panto for the last eight consecutive years. During those years the core team of Brian Ralfe, Andrew Stark, Paul Critchlow and various directors, choreographers and crew worked hard to transform the show into a major theatrical event.

Andrew continued: “This collaboration is something I am incredibly proud of and this new team are keeping the values of the original Alternative Pantomime alive through sponsorship and collaboration with local venues, the involvement of the very best Brighton based entertainers who are experts in their field of comedy and amazing performers from the West End and world of dance music. Both Brian and Paul would both approve.”

Sinderfella plays at the Sallis Benny Theatre from February 4-14, 2016. Tickets are £21.50.

Event: Sinderfella – The Alternative Panto

Where: Sallis Benney Theatre, Grand Parade, Brighton

When: February 4-14, 2016

Times: Tuesday-Saturday 8pm, Sundays 6pm: Matinees Friday/Saturday 5pm, Sunday 3pm

Tickets: £21.50

To purchase online, click here:

Or telephone: 01273 709 709

Nice ‘N’ Naughty honour friend at Chester Pride

Posted on 22/10/2015 by Gary Hart

Chester Pride was a roaring success this year for everyone involved, being hailed as the biggest and best yet.

WEB.600 — Carl Jackson AKA Betty Sparkle Entertainment Coordinator, Rebecca Chesters Sponsorship coordinator, David Ewart-Jones Concessions coordinator, Ken Pleavin Organiser of Golden Eagle event, Trish Murray Nice ‘n’n Naughty, Steph DJ and Night dance gospel singer.

However for some it was more than an excuse to wear bright colours, have a giggle with friends or see who can drink the most beer in a seven hour period.

For Nice ‘n’ Naughty Director Simon Prescott it was a way to honour a close friend who passed away this year.

Michael Britain, aka Hank, had always been an ardent supporter of Pride and when he passed away Nice ‘n’ Naughty wanted to make sure that he was remembered.

With the backing of the company director Simon Prescott and help from local businesses the Golden Eagle, Duttons, Bar Lounge, Liquor & Co. Kings Head and Coach House, Hanks memory was honoured.

Chester Store Manager Victoria Gower and member of staff Karen Hewitt set up a table full of rainbow goodies in local bar, The Golden Eagle and joined forces with long-time friend of the company Ken Pleavin who sold tickets for the raffle which raised £150 towards keeping Pride free.

Simon the owner of Nice N Naughty topped up the amount of money raised to £400.

For more details and to view future events, Follow Nice ‘N’ Naughty on Facebook and Twitter

Lib Dem anger at tax credit changes

Posted on 22/10/2015 by Sarah Green

Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrats claim Conservative plans to cut tax credits will affect 12,000 families across the city.

House of Commons Library figures show that nationally over three million low-income working families currently in receipt of tax credits will see their entitlement reduced as part of the Government’s proposals.

This will mean a total loss of around £10 million a year to families in Brighton and Hove, with the average family losing over £750 a year.

The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has rubbished claims from the Conservatives that those affected will benefit overall given the plans to increase the minimum wage.

IFS analysis has shown that the £750 average loss will only be offset by £200 as a result of the new living wage, meaning that even those who get the increase will still be £550 worse off.

Paul Chandler, Chair of the local Lib Dems, said: “The changes to tax credits will hammer families in our city and completely undermine any claim the Tories have of being on the side of working families.

“What makes this even worse is that over 16,000 children in our area will now be forced to live in poorer households, reducing their life chances and making it harder for their parents to make ends meet.

“Study after study has shown that the Conservatives’ claim to be supporting low-income families through a minimum wage increase nowhere near make up for these cuts. It’s time for them to come clean and be honest with those doing the right thing and going out to work.

“I am pleased that Lib Dems are opposing this measure. We worked hard in Coalition to ensure that work would always pay more than choosing to remain on benefits. It is a disgrace that the Conservatives are now undermining this good work.”

Final few tickets remain for Beacon’s Grand Haunted Hollywood Ball

Posted on 22/10/201526/10/2015 by Gary Hart

With just ten days to go, there are a few tickets left for Brighton’s most glamorous Halloween event.

The Halloween Horror Show, which this year will be hosted by actress Lorraine Chase and Olympic figure skater, Robin Cousins, is taking place at The Grand Hotel, Brighton on Saturday, October 31 and will be raising funds to support people living with HIV across Sussex.

Lorraine and Robin will play the roles of a ghostly film director and their assistant. Guests will be taken on a Haunted Hollywood themed musical journey directed by west end director Carole Todd. The cast will include members of The Brighton Academy as well as all girl singing group The Sundaes.

The event is organised by and raising money for the work of The Sussex Beacon, a charity supporting people living with HIV in Sussex. Last year, the charity supported 866 people who live with this life-long condition that has no cure.

Robin Cousins says; “As a local I am very happy to co-host this years The Halloween Horror Show with the fabulous Lorraine Chase. The charity does incredible work in and around our community and annual events like this support and celebrate their continuing efforts”.

The night will start with a sparkling wine reception followed by a three-course Grand Halloween feast. There will be Halloween themed games as well as auctions offering exclusive and money can’t buy prizes. Rest assured, there will be plenty of surprises along the way and guests will be dancing by the end of the night.

Lorraine Chase added; “l was chuffed to be asked to take part in The Halloween Horror Show for The Sussex Beacon. Co-hosting with the amazing Robin Cousins will be a treat indeed!”

The Sussex Beacon is working with leading entertainment design agency the E3 Group to produce the fundraising ball. The E3 Group helped with the production of Brighton Pride in 2013. The event is also supported by a number of local business sponsors including: City Cabs and O&G design agency.

There are still a few tickets for the event available. Individual tickets cost £95 or a table for 10 can be bought for £850.

To buy tickets online for The Halloween Horror Show, click here:

Or email: fundraising@sussexbeacon.org.uk for more information about the event.

Kirby backs fight against breast cancer

Posted on 22/10/2015 by Sarah Green

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, dons pink feather boa to show support for women with breast cancer.

Simon is encouraging his constituents to take part in Breast Cancer Now’s flagship fundraiser, Wear it Pink, on Friday, October 23.

Wear it Pink, the UK’s biggest pink fundraiser, calls on supporters across the country to ditch day-to-day colours and wear some pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Now’s life-saving breast cancer research.

Simon joined fellow parliamentarians in wearing it pink in Westminster last month to encourage people across the UK to get involved. Now in its 14th year, Wear it Pink raises over £2 million each year for world-class research into breast cancer.

Simon said: “Right now breast cancer is at a tipping point. Every year in the UK around 50,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and sadly nearly 12,000 women still lose their lives to the disease. This is why we all must come together to support Breast Cancer Now’s cutting-edge research, and, in ‘Wear it Pink’, there is a fun and simple way for everyone to get involved.”

“Together, we can make a big difference for women with breast cancer, now and in the future; I hope everyone in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven will join me in wearing it pink on Friday 23 October and show their support for Breast Cancer Now.”

For more information about Wear it Pink, click here:

PREVIEW: Singing workshop with Aneesa Chaudhry

Posted on 22/10/201525/10/2015 by Gary Hart

Rainbow Chorus live up to their motto of ‘strength in harmony!’

Following a recent grant from the Rainbow Fund, the Rainbow Chorus have established monthly singing groups for those wishing to develop their confidence and play a part in the full chorus programme.

The workshop will be under the guidance of Aneesa Chaudhry, musical director of the Rainbow Chorus. It is open to everyone, and will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn the music for the finale of Can you hear the Rainbow Chorus Sing, the Rainbow Chorus’ next concert on Saturday, December 5 at St Georges Church, Kemptown.

Musical Director Aneesa Chaudhry says: “The sessions are aimed at anyone who wants to join the chorus.

“Not everyone can commit to a weekly rehearsal, so it’s a great way to keep in touch.

“New singers, particularly members from the Trans community are finding them a supportive space to find their voice.”

Participant Marina Llamas Barco, added: “These sessions are great to develop my confidence and raise my game to play a full part in the chorus. They are a great stepping stone.”

Event: Singing Workshop with Aneesa Chaudhry

Where: Brighton Youth Centre, 64 Edward St, Brighton

When: November 22

Time: 10am – noon

Tickets: £30, available from Aneesa Chaudhry, plus a chance to purchase discounted Rainbow Chorus concert tickets.

To book tickets online, click here:

ME research study planned

Posted on 22/10/2015 by Gary Hart

Myalgic encephalopathy (ME) or Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) affects around 6,000 people across Sussex many of whom are housebound and in need of care.

During the October UK CFS/ME Research Collaborative conference in Newcastle, neurologist Dr Mark Edwards announced that a team of scientists wants to test a new theory for how functional symptoms can arise from the brain.

The project, which is being funded by the Medical Research Council will involve three scientists – Dr Mark Edwards, a neurologist at the Motor Neurosciences Unit, UCL Institute of Neurology, Dr. Neil Harrison from the University of Sussex and Dr James Kilner at University College London.

Prof Leslie Findley, medical advisor, said: “We are pleased to note that the MRC approved and funded the Sussex Research Study, which will examine simultaneously brain responses using such techniques as functional magnetic resonance imaging, and inflammatory responses in a cohort of people with CSF/ME.

“The object of the research is to answer the hypothesis that the symptoms of CFS/ME relate to maladapation in brain responses, and are maintained by abnormal inflammatory responses. Clearly if this hypothesis was proven, it would be consistent with the WHO’s view that CFS/ME should be considered as a primary neurological (ie, brain) disorder.”

Colin Barton, chairman of Sussex ME/CFS Society, says: “We are delighted to be able to assist with this important study.”

For more information, click here:

Call us now

Day: October 22, 2015

PICTURE DIARY: Panto cast bring traffic to a stop in central Brighton

Traffic in central Brighton was brought to a standstill this afternoon as the cast of the alternative panto, Sinderfella revealed their costumes for the panto’s run in February 2016.

Nice ‘N’ Naughty honour friend at Chester Pride

Chester Pride was a roaring success this year for everyone involved, being hailed as the biggest and best yet.

Lib Dem anger at tax credit changes

Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrats claim Conservative plans to cut tax credits will affect 12,000 families across the city.

Final few tickets remain for Beacon’s Grand Haunted Hollywood Ball

With just ten days to go, there are a few tickets left for Brighton’s most glamorous Halloween event.

Kirby backs fight against breast cancer

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, dons pink feather boa to show support for women with breast cancer.

PREVIEW: Singing workshop with Aneesa Chaudhry

Rainbow Chorus live up to their motto of ‘strength in harmony!’

ME research study planned

Myalgic encephalopathy (ME) or Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) affects around 6,000 people across Sussex many of whom are housebound and in need of care.

Latest News

Call us now

Traffic in central Brighton was brought to a standstill this afternoon as the cast of the alternative panto, Sinderfella revealed their costumes for the panto’s run in February 2016.

Share this:

Chester Pride was a roaring success this year for everyone involved, being hailed as the biggest and best yet.

Share this:

Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrats claim Conservative plans to cut tax credits will affect 12,000 families across the city.

Share this:

With just ten days to go, there are a few tickets left for Brighton’s most glamorous Halloween event.

Share this:

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, dons pink feather boa to show support for women with breast cancer.

Share this:

Rainbow Chorus live up to their motto of ‘strength in harmony!’

Share this:

Myalgic encephalopathy (ME) or Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) affects around 6,000 people across Sussex many of whom are housebound and in need of care.

Share this:

Latest News