The curtain rises on LGBT History Month at the Phil Starr Pavilion on Friday, February 3 with a series of over 50 events taking place under the collective banner of the B.RIGHT.ON LGBT Festival, to highlight the work of the city’s many LGBT groups and organisations.
Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History month takes place every February. It is an international observance of the collective history of the LGBT community, giving LGBT people all over the world the opportunity to commemorate and remember the bravery of those who campaigned and spoke out to help achieve the freedoms and equality we enjoy today.
Starting today, (Monday January 30) The Phil Starr Pavilion is being erected on New Steine Gardens to host the 17 day festival creating a multi purpose, heated community theatre and performance space with fully functional hi tech stage, lights, sound system and licensed bar.
This ground breaking initiative, grant funded by Sussex Police, The Pride Social Economic Fund and Rainbow Fund with officer support from Brighton & Hove City Council, seeks to engage the city in the wide range of issues highlighted through the work of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum.
The festival program opens on Friday 3 with Celebration! a gala celebrating the last 25 years work of The Sussex Beacon, a local HIV charity whose services are in danger of closing in June 2017 due to NHS cuts.
Starring Lorraine Bowen the Crumble Song lady from Britain’s Got Talent, Miss Jason, Alan Jay, Dave Lynn, Davina Sparkle, Sally Vate, Kara Van Park and the legendary drag queen Maisie Trollette, now in the 83rd year of her reign and still performing regularly at venues in London and Brighton.
Dancers from The Brighton Academy choreographed by Emma Green will open the show which is directed and staged by West End director and choreographer Carole Todd.
Tickets at VIP tables cost £18/£15 conc and can be bought at Prowler, Nice n Naughty and the Sussex Beacon Charity Shop in St James Street.
To book online, click here:
Other highlights during the 17 day Festival include: 
♦ The LGBT History Ball (February 18) with the legendary LGBT jazz singer Nicky Mitchell and her band the Full Cream Milk’s – hosted by Brighton & Hove City Council’s LGBT Workers Forum. To book tickets online, click here:
♦ Divas (February 19) featuring four of the city’s finest female Divas, hosted by jazz chartreuse and director of the Rainbow Chorus, Aneesa Chaudhry. To book tickets online, click here:
♦ SOUNDWAVES a concert by a collective of local LGBT+ musicians and live bands including yourgardenday, We R Bob, Paul Diello, Travis Eddie and Playing House. (Saturday 11). To book tickets online, click here:
♦ Stella Pint presents…. A Night of Comedy and Drag Kings starring Jen Brister, Hannah Brackenbury, Sammy Silver, The Dick Hard Experience, Freddie Pluto, George Faithless and Christine Hepworth-James (Sunday 12). To book tickets online, click here:
♦ A sing-a-long-a screening of the smash hit cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show, dress to impress and let your inner fantasies free (February 17). To book tickets online, click here:
♦ Rock Up! a free evening of LGBT+Open Mic performers (Friday 10)
♦ Bingo Night hosted by Guy Lloyd from Juice FM raising money for Cancer Research (February 16). To book tickets online, click here:
Free community events during the festival include: Mental Health Day hosted by the LGBT mental health project MindOut (February 9); HIV History Day hosted by Lunch Positive (February 10) who will also be hosting a community cafe on site during the course of the festival, A Yoga Day (February 11); Valentines Tea Dance hosted by Maisie Trollette (February 14) Disability Awareness Day (February 15) and Family Fun Day (February 18) with entertainers, side shows, kids disco, first Aid Workshops, community cafe and Rainbow Families ‘History Pin’.
Each Sunday, The Village Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) will be holding weekly Soul Safari’s for those of faith to explore their spirituality. One of the many highlights of Soul Safari will be a free concert by Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus on Sunday, February 5 at 3pm in memory of chorus member Pablo Fernández-Arias.
To book tickets for all events, click here:
Tickets for selected shows are also available at Prowler (01273 683680), Nice ’n’ Naughty (01273 626442) and the Sussex Beacon Charity Shop (01273 682992) on St James Street.
There will be a box office onsite at New Steine Gardens from noon on Wednesday, February 1 where you can purchase tickets for all shows during the 17 day festival.
To view all events during the B RIGHT ON LGBT FESTIVAL, click here:
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