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Life’s a beach in Brighton

Paddle Round The Pier Beach Festival, the worlds biggest charity beach festival returns to the city this July 2 and 3 to celebrate its 20th Anniversary.

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The event was established in 1996 with just 100 people initially taking part – it now sees average visitor numbers of 50,000. Despite its enormous size the event is still run by volunteers in aid of charity.

The ethos of the event has remained the same since its inception: “Spread a little aloha-spirit” and have a good time doing it. Given the success of the event, it would appear to be working.

Based on Hove lawns, the Promenade and surrounding beaches, the Paddle Village is over 60,000 square metres featuring live music stages, food, drink and over 200 exhibit and retailers of all things water sports and beach lifestyle related.

Local restaurants feature heavily in the alfresco style dinning experience whilst crowds are entertained from the Absolute Main stage with the best of Brighton’s talented musicians.

The Ocean Flooring Kids stage is always a popular destination for families whilst the Ukulele stage adds to the “Aloha Spirit” the event represents.

New for 2016 is the demo pool for those nervous of entering the sea and the Street Funk street dance arena! Dance crews from across the south-east are expected to converge on the Paddle Village to both compete and entertain the crowds.

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The Paddle Lecture Theatre returns sponsored by Shoreham Port Authority – 30 minute mini-lectures designed to whet your appetite for subjects as diverse as Surf board shaping, sea shanties and oceanography.

Paddle sports are the name of the game with competitors on the sea from Surf Life Saving, Paddle boarding, Open water swims, Ocean Skis, and the SUP Games; alongside the crowds favourite the “Paddle Something Unusual” sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter. This is where teams are invited to think of the most ridiculous thing they can – then attempt to paddle it round the remains of the old West Pier. It’s not the fastest craft that wins but the one that makes Paddle Director Dave Samuel laugh the most!

Dave says: “Brightonians are spoilt for choice when it comes to events in the city – but they do know a good one when they see one! 

“Paddle is everyone’s event, it doesn’t belong to me or any other individual – It’s collectively owned by the people and the city, which is why its become so successful and this is demonstrated by locals proudly displaying a Paddle sticker on the rear of the vehicles each year –  advertising the event at the same time as showing they belong.”

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For The Betterment Of Others is the events mantra, which is why the Paddle Crew proudly promote the outreach work Paddle funds along with partners such as Brighton & Hove Bus company who support the Access Beach giving disabled kids and their families the chance to enjoy the beach and sea. Then there is the Schools Surf Lifesaving Program sponsored by Jeep which puts 30 kids per day through their paces as lifeguards for the whole month of June. Sharing that Aloha spirit once again!

Paddle Director Dave Samuel, continued: “We have a huge playground out there in the sea but its important that we teach everyone to respect that environment and play safe. Salt water is a great cleanser for both the physical and mental being and nothing quite beats messing about in,on or under the water.

“Don’t forget it’s in aid of charity so although free to enter you are expected to donate on the gates.”

Paddle Round The Pier takes place on Hove Lawns on July 2 & 3, 2016.

EU affirms importance of equal parental leave for same-sex parents

Network of European LBGTIQ Families Associations (NELFA) welcomes European Parliament report which evaluates the implementation of the EU law on parental leave.

WEB.600-22In the report, the Parliament emphasised that “adequate, individual, compensated parental leave is crucial for same-sex parenting couples to be able to achieve a work-life balance.”

The report also welcomed the fact that “some Member States have transposed the provisions of the directive beyond the minimum scope of application, enabling (…) Same-sex parents and parents of adopted children to benefit.”

Maria von Känel, President of the Board of NELFA, said: “NELFA welcomes the Parliament’s report wholeheartedly as it highlights the importance of providing LGBTIQ parents and their children with the same legal protection and rights as any other family in the European Union. NELFA hopes all Member States will pay attention to the Parliament’s message and follow the example of those Member States that have gone beyond the Directive in providing real equality for all families, in particular as regards the right to parental leave for Rainbow Families”.

To read the full report, click here:

For more information on NELFA, click here

PREVIEW: Penny Arcade in Longing Lasts Longer

Penny Arcade is a force of nature and New York’s undisputed queen of the underground.

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Outrageous and inspirational, Arcade occupies a unique position in the American avant-garde and counterculture movement.

Longing Lasts Longer is her double award-winning Edinburgh show, which turns contemporary stand-up on its head to create a crack in the post-gentrified landscape.

Driven by her magnetic rock ‘n’ roll energy, Arcade’s razor-sharp satire is mixed live to euphoric soundscapes inspired by four decades of pop culture. It’s a passionate performance anthem where you can think, laugh and dance at the same time.

Exhilarating, passionate…A unique voice capturing the zeitgeist of a cultural genocide….. Stage

Penny Arcade gives one hell of a show…vital, dangerous, hilarious and a wake up call….. Attitude Magazine


Event: Penny Arcade in Longing Lasts Longer

Where: Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton

When: Sunday May 29

Time: 8pm

Cost: Tickets £10 – £18

To book tickets online, click here:

Age 14+

Presented in partnership with London Artists Projects

PREVIEW: Brighton Festival: Stella by Neil Bartlett

World Premiere: co-commissioned by Brighton Festival

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A theatrical encounter with a truly remarkable person, Stella is a new show inspired by the strange life and lonely death of Ernest Boulton – one half of the now-infamous Victorian cross-dressing duo Fanny and Stella.

Intimate and emotional, scandalous and glamorous, Stella uses two performers, an empty stage and a haunting real-life story to ask what it might take to truly be yourself.

Neil Bartlett, one of Britain’s most individual theatre-makers, makes a welcome return to Brighton Festival following his much-lauded staging of Britten: The Canticles with Ian Bostridge in 2013.

Neil Bartlett reminds us that anything is possible in the theatre…. The Guardian


Event: Stella – written & directed by Neil Bartlett

Where: Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton

When: Friday 27 & Saturday 28 May

Time: 8pm

Cost: £10 – £17.50

To book tickets online, click here:


Performed by Richard CantOscar Batterham and David Carr

Stage design Rae Smith
Costumes Johanna Coe
Lighting Rick Fisher
Sound Chris Shutt
Music Nicolas Bloomfield
Vocal Coach Rebecca Root

Age 14+

Duration: 75 minutes approx.

Stella is a co-commission by LIFT, Brighton Festival and Holland Festival

REVIEW: Brighton Fringe: CircoPitanga

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CircoPitanga

Rêves d’été

Summer Dreams

This is very European show in flavour, CircoPitanga  being a Brazilian Duo but with a wide range of cultural influences and although to a Euro audience this would be easy to access and understand this form of stylised gymnastic clowning is not so familiar to a British audience who were slow to warm up, but once a few clever throws and climbs has been accomplished the audience started to understand the narrative flow, and the intention and methodology of these talented performers and what the stylised jesting was leading up to and relaxed and enjoyed themselves.

Passionate about acrobatics, this gifted duo Loïse and Oren; who are CircoPitanga work on a specific technique of portées on a single attachment point.

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The influences of different cultural experiences, backgrounds and techniques reflect  the original style of the performances but especially the way the artists recreate emotions through body language in a subtle, poetic and entertaining way, it’s more than just a sophisticated form of clowning, but it’s just as charming to watch. It’s also very funny and there were lots of very visual jokes worked into their routines.

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Although slow to start while they established character and story without talking, just with dance, and discovery, shrugs and movements, when they got going this charming pair soon charged up into an astonishingly vibrant and virtuoso performance of aerialist and acrobatic joy. They were wonderful, throwing, jumping, and climbing until they were going so fast it was all we could do to catch our breath into between wows.  This was a well-balanced and electric first night in Brighton by CircoPitanga and we would be welcome the opportunity to see more, and longer, expressions from this different creative team.

They came on afterward to thank the audience and to apologise for their show not being the advertised one; some technical difficulties apparently, so explained they had had to improvise the show up that day. If that’s what they can do with such short notice, I imagine a rehearsed show would bring the house down. An excellent hour of well crafted and seriously impressive skill.

Recommended and Family Friendly

Until May 25

Last show this evening!

9pm

Brighton Spiegeltent

May 23-25

Marine Tavern smash fundraising target for Rockinghorse

Customers and staff at the Marine Tavern in Broad Street raise £1,543.22 for Rockinghorse the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexander Children’s Hospital.

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The money was partly raised during this years Rockinghorse Dragon Boat Festival at Brighton Marina on Sunday, April 24 by the Marine Taverners rowing team. Drag queen Stephanie von Clitz was the drummer on the boat. In the evening Candi Rell hosted an open mic drag night at the Marine Tavern which involved among other things a raffle, and auctioned kisses with Craig Harwood who organised the event.

Craig Harwood said: “When I was younger, I suffered a potentially life-changing injury and it resulted in needing emergency surgery in the middle of the night. With the help of all those at the Children’s Hospital, the surgeons who were woken up and the support staff, I wish to show my thanks for bringing me back to full health and making it possible for me to live a normal lifestyle.”

Craig and the team at The Marine Tavern smashed their target of £600 raising a fantastic total of £1,543.22.

You can still donate money at www.justgiving.com/MarineTaverners.

REVIEW: Brighton Fringe: Rainbow Chorus Sing Out

WEB.300Sing out is certainly what the Rainbow Chorus did on Monday evening.

A fringe event that was a taster of their June concert, it was also a window into the workings of The Rainbow Chorus, and a chance to feel what it’s like to sing in a choir.

What stood out the most throughout the evening was how much fun everyone was having. The chorus members sang out with gusto and with a genuine excitement that was infectious.

Aneesa Chaudhry is a dynamic and energetic director, lending confidence and enthusiasm to the choir. It’s no surprise that nearly every section is full and there is a waiting list to join. (Only a few places in the bass section are presently open).

Mojca Monte is a versatile and responsive pianist, and Marco Nardi, the BSL (British Sign Language) interpreter was wonderfully expressive and great to watch. Both of them lent an energy to the evening that never lagged for a moment.

In the first half the choir sang Somebody that I used to know, Going up the Yonder, Where are the clowns?, and Something inside so strong, finishing with an interactive piece called Jubilation. Not just a sing along, the audience were invited to choose a section and join the choir! The result was joyful; for both participants and those who chose to simply listen and observe.

After the break the choir sang The olive tree, A lovely native Mauri song I’d not heard before, a rousing version of Hava nagila (in Hebrew!), Time to say goodbye, (in Italian!), finishing with the tongue twisting Rhythm of life.

The whole evening was relaxed and informal, and without the perfection or expectation required of a formal concert they created a novel experience. Yet the songs still had a polish that hinted at the superb music planned for their summer concert Songs Without Borders, planned for June 25 at St. George’s Church. I have no doubt it will sell out quickly, so I would get your tickets early!

Gay rugby team gets new playing strip

Camelford Arms present new strip to the city’s first gay rugby team, the Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC.

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On Sunday, May 15, owners of the Camelford Arms presented the Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC with a new kit for the 2016-17 season in front of a busy and lively Sunday crowd at the Camelford Arms in Camelford Street, Brighton.

The kit is in green and blue, to match the seafront railings in Brighton and Hove, illustrating that the club is open to all residents of the City.

Ian Chaplin, chairman of the Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC, thanked Tony Groom and Alistair Mackinnon-Musson, owners of the Camelford Arms for their generous donation to the club, and said all the players at the club were happy to be customer at the Camelford Arms.

Ian continued: “The security of a kit will allow us to focus on our playing prowess. Funds raised from our upcoming fundraising night at Envy Nightclub above Charles Street on June 11, will help fund our playing expenses, in particular, to allow us to take part in the European gay and inclusive rugby tournament, the Union Cup, to be held in Madrid in May 2017.”

Alistair Mackinnon-Musson, said: “Tony and I feel that the club’s inclusive nature matches our customer base here at the Camelford, where everyone is welcome.”

After their team photo was taken, the players went inside the pub to show the customers what the new kit looked like and club captain Byron Todd presented Tony and Alistair with a framed shirt as a thank you from the club for their generous donation.

For more information about Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC, click here:

 

People with HIV can help those living with the condition after they die

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) urges everyone living with HIV to consider becoming an organ donor and register on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

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It has recently been reported that a small number of people with HIV in the UK have helped benefit patients living with HIV after their deaths by donating their organs.

Organ transplants from donors with HIV to recipients living with the long-term health condition are now possible thanks to the improvements in the management and treatment of HIV.

As with any organ transplant, NHS Blood and Transplant carefully evaluates potential donors and surgeons use this information to weigh up whether or not to accept offered organs for their patient.

It is important that organs donated can be safely used and will not cause harm to the recipient. For someone with HIV to become an organ donor their condition needs to have been responding well to treatment and there should not be evidence of secondary complications of the condition.

In total, donations from three HIV positive solid organ donors in the UK have led to organ transplants, all within the last five years. Two of them donated their liver and these were both transplanted.  The other donor donated two kidneys and both were transplanted.

Ian Green
Ian Green

Ian Green, Chief Executive at THT said: “The fact that there have been successful HIV positive organ donations resulting in organ transplants here in the UK is pioneering.

“Some illnesses are seen more frequently in people living with HIV than in the general population, including liver disease caused by hepatitis viruses B or C, and these can result in the need for a transplant. People with HIV in need of an organ transplant can benefit enormously from a donated organ.

“For some time patients with HIV have benefitted from donated organs from donors without HIV. If people living with HIV can receive organs from donors who also had HIV, there is potential benefit for everyone.

“The imperative now, is making sure that people living with HIV realise that their organs can be used after they die. We would encourage people to consider donating their organs, and ensure they share the decision with their families.”

Prof John Forsythe
Prof John Forsythe

Professor John Forsythe, Associate Medical Director for Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant said: “It’s exciting that some people with HIV in the UK have helped benefit patients with HIV after their death by donating their organs.

“In the UK there is a shortage of organ donors and on average three people a day die in need of an organ transplant. While organ transplants from donors with HIV are limited to recipients with HIV infection, innovations like this open up the possibility of donation where it did not previously exist and will help to reduce the shortage of donor organs. We hope the news that there have been a small number of transplants in the UK from donors with HIV will inspire people living with the condition to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.”

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