menu

Have you written your will?

Bookings bow open for Martlets Hospice Will Writing Fortnight.

Martlets Hospice

Martlets Hospice has launched its 2014 Will Writing Fortnight which runs from May 12 to 23. Bookings opened on April 14.

18 local Will writers are donating their services in return for a donation to the Hospice. Appointments are available to anyone who wants to make or update their Will.

Suggested minimum donations are £75 for an updating codicil, £110 for a single Will and £150 for a joint Will.

Hospice Legacies Officer Gary Moyle said: “This is a great opportunity to make or update your Will and support the Martlets at the same time. We hope too that some people will think about making a gift in their Will to the Martlets because we are dependent on gifts made in Wills for around 15% of our income.

“We have to raise around £9,000 every day to run our vital services for local people. Using a professional Will writer ensures that your wishes will be carried out and the people and causes you care about will be remembered as you intend. Wills should be updated following significant family events such as marriage, civil partnership or the birth of children.”

Bookings for Will Writing Week appointments can be made only between April 14 and May 9.

For more information, CLICK HERE: 

Or telephone Gary Moyle: 01273 747455

Or EMAIL:

 

PREVIEW: ‘Bette Bourne: It goes with the Shoes’ at Sallis Benney Theatre

The University of Brighton’s Equality and Diversity Unit are screening the film ‘Bette Bourne: It Goes with the Shoes’ for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) and as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival on May 22.

Bette Bourne

With acclaimed playwright Mark Ravenhill as a guide, the film sheds light on a hidden part of gay history and paints an uproarious and moving portrait of an engaging and charismatic gay hero; from the early meetings of the Gay Liberation Front; to the first mass gay protests in Europe; to life in a gay drag commune and a European road trip with drag superstars, The Bloolips, a real life, Priscilla Queen of the Desert style adventure.

Tickets for this Brighton Fringe Festival event, being held to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), are only £5/£3. The event takes place at the Sallis Benney Theatre on Thursday, May 22.

Doors open at 6.00pm, and you will be treated to wine and nibbles whilst being serenaded by The Rainbow Chorus before the film is screened at 7pm.

Following the screening, Paris Lees – named number one on The Independent’s Pink List 2013 – will be interviewing the star of the film, Bette Bourne and co-producer Gaby Jeffs!

What: Film screening: Bette Bourne It goes with the shoes

Where: Sallis Benney Theatre, Grand Parade, Brighton BN2 oJY

When: Thursday, May 22

Time: 6pm for 7pm start

Cost: £5 (£3) concs

To book tickets, CLICK HERE: 

Or telephone: 01273 91 72 72

March for England allowed to march on seafront once again

March for England has held an event in Brighton, consisting of a march and assembly for the last seven years.

March for England

This year, organisers have announced their intention to hold the event in Brighton on Sunday, April 27. As well as the march, a counter-protest is anticipated to take place.

A route along the coast road between the Aquarium and West Street has once again been considered by the police and council as a suitable location to manage any risks involved.

This location was selected because “it provides a suitable environment where people can exercise their legal right to protest” despite local businesses opposing the choice saying it brings the seafront to a standstill and distrupts their businesses on a busy tourist weekend.

A number of different options have been considered for the march, including large public spaces within the city, but these the authorities claim are very difficult to effectively police and ensure public safety without significantly increasing the number of police officers required to prevent crime and disorder.

March for England

It is highly likely that some disruption will take place in the area of the march and the police and council are committed to working with partners, residents and businesses to minimise disruption wherever possible. Meetings have already taken place during the last two months.

March for England attracts supporters from the far right of the political spectrum, however, on their website they claim they are not racist. Their site reads: “We welcome everyone to March For England, regardless of colour, culture or religion or non religion. United we can make this country a more better place, free from a un-democratic government that ignores the people, free from hardline extremists of all religions or facist groups that bring non cohesion and so much more.. ” 

Interestingly they do not mention sexuality on their list of those welcome.

The Sussex Police website will be updated with live time information on the day of the march.

If you would like to have a discussion in advance of the march and counter protest, please make contact with either Inspector Gareth Davies: Or the Community Safety Caseworker: 

To find up to date information, CLICK HERE: or HERE:

Pride comes to Times Square in the heart of Newcastle

Some of the UK’s favourite musical talent to take over Newcastle’s Times Square as part of one of the country’s largest free LGBT festivals.

Northern Pride 2014From Friday July 18, Newcastle Pride returns to the region with a newly extended three-day line up, featuring a host of live music and entertainment.

For the first time in the festival’s seven year history, this will include both a main stage at the Town Moor, playing host to performers including Shayne Ward and the Vengaboys, along with a second stage at the heart of the city centre.

Northern Pride 2014

Event organiser, Northern Pride, has just released the line-up for the new second stage, which will be based outside the city’s iconic Centre for Life at Times Square.

Those set to appear on the opening day include Scottish singer Rachelle Rhienne, who has worked with a range of songwriters and producers in London, Jamaica and the Netherlands, Canadian-born Stacey Jackson, whose hits include club smash Pointing Fingers and North East singer and TV personality Sonia Strong, who is due to release her debut album, Sonogram, which she has written and co-produced.

Musician and model Dee Stokes, who appeared on BBC3 fly-on-the-wall series, Shoplife based at the intu Metrocentre, will also be hitting the Time Square stage following his debut at Newcastle Pride in 2013.

Kelly Wilde
Kelly Wilde

On Saturday July 19, the diva from down under, Kelly Wilde, will be performing some of her greatest hits, including Nothin’ But Promises and Gloria.  She’ll be joined by Mila and British singer/songwriter Angie Brown, who was the lead vocalist on Bizzare Inc’s I’m Gonna Get You and Took My Love and recently appeared on BBC1 talent show, The Voice.

Nicki FrenchGirlband Vanquish and singer Nicki French, who sold more than five million copies of her smash hit Total Eclipse of the Heart in 1995, will both be appearing on the final day of the Times Square stage, along with Charlie Rundle, front woman of MK1 who appeared on the X Factor in 2012.

The stage will be closed on Sunday July 20 by leading Steps tribute act Steptastic, who will be performing some of the group’s biggest hits following a popular appearance at Newcastle Pride 2013.

Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, said:  “The Times Square stage is an exciting addition to Newcastle Pride and we’ve worked hard to pull together a strong and varied line-up that caters for a wide range of tastes.

“We’re confident this will prove to be a great compliment to the events taking place at the Town Moor and look forward to welcoming music lovers from across the UK.”

Newcastle Pride is free to attend, with a number of Golden Circle, VIP and Platinum tickets also available for those who wish to enjoy hospitality and prime standing positions at the Town Moor.

The Times Square stage will run from 6.30pm – 10pm Friday and Saturday, (July 18 and 19) and from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on Sunday (July 20) to ensure visitors have time to travel across from the other events at the Town Moor.

On all three days a variety of North East DJs, including Steven Paulden DCM, Dan Joseph, Iain Macleod and representatives from Pride Radio, will also be playing sets between the other live performances.

For full line up of events for Newcastle Pride 2014, CLICK HERE:

TWITTER: 

Food bank surge is an ‘indictment’ of the British economy, says MEP

New figures from the Trussel Trust, released today, show a surge in the number of people using food banks in the UK.

Keith Taylor MEP
Keith Taylor MEP

Over 900,000 adults and children have received three days’ emergency food and support from Trussell Trust food banks in the last 12 months, a worrying 163 percent rise on numbers helped in the previous financial year.

Keith Taylor, the Green Party’s MEP for South East England and author of the ‘Food Bank Britain’ report released earlier this year, said: “These shocking new figures are an indictment of the British economy. Whilst Ministers pat themselves on the back this so-called economic ‘recovery’ is clearly leaving millions behind.

“Across the UK we’re seeing people facing benefits cuts, tougher sanctions and wage stagnation. At the same time bills are going up every month. It’s no wonder that so many people are struggling to feed their families.

“It is clear that the British economy is failing to work for the common good. While some people at the top continue to thrive many millions are suffering the lingering effects of an financial crisis they didn’t cause.”

Mr Taylor, who will publish details of food bank use in South East England next week, added: “With every major political party except the Greens signed up to cutting away at the welfare state it’s clearly time to change direction. We need to build an economy that works for everyone, and provides people with a decent quality of life. That means making the minimum wage a Living Wage, providing decent social security for those who need it and taking action to cut people’s bills.”

 

‘Kemp Town Ghost Walks’ move box office to new venue

From Saturday May 3 2014, Kreepy Kemptown Ghost Walks will be starting the longest Ghost Tours in Brighton from a new venue.

Kreepy Kemptown Ghost tours

For the last two years, The Royal Oak in St. James’s Street has been a firm favourite on the route, boasting strange atmospheres, ghostly music and poltergeist activity. The ghostly goings-on are well documented on both the internet and in the printed media.

With this in mind, Kemp Town’s official ghost walker, Adrian J Andrews decided that it would be the ideal environment to set up his box office and gift shop on a Saturday night and enhance the spine-chilling atmosphere of his tours where Adrian specialises in putting the willies up people.

Adrian J Andrews
Adrian J Andrews

For the past year the box office could be found lurking in George Street within The Queen’s Arms, but as Adrian, says: “It’s a constant ‘party’ atmosphere right throughout the afternoon and evening at the QA and it didn’t set the right mood for a night of Ghost Hunting. The OAK on the other hand, is a more subdued atmosphere before the tour sets out at 7.30pm and enters a party atmosphere once we are underway. Much more in keeping with my business of scaring people!”

Indeed, the Royal Oak’s reputation is about to become even more widely known as Adrian will shortly be taking in the cast and crew of the new Ghost Hunting television show The Unrested of which he is a part, for an all night vigil to try and find out why the place should suddenly gain a haunted reputation since as recently as 2003, with no prior activity being recorded. The show will be broadcast later in 2014.

The Box Office opens at 7pm and the tour leaves The Royal Oak at 7.30pm every Saturday throughout the year.

You can read up-to-the-minute news on the tours and the TV show by logging onto Facebook and looking up “Kreepy Kemptown Ghost Walks” and “The Unrested.”

PREVIEW: Contemporary art exhibition at Rottingdean Windmill

Future Evolutionary Arts Turbine (F.E.A.T) is an art/heritage organisation showcasing 14 contemporary artist’s work to coincide with Brighton Fringe Festival.

FEAT Exhibition

It promises a dynamic show of innovative ideas and artwork in an inspiring and challenging space presenting a diverse range of mediums including, photography, painting, audio and visual works, sculpture, installation art, ceramics, embroidery, screenprinting and an exterior installation outside the mill.

Exhibiting artists include: Christine Barnes, Rachel Cohen, Gen Doy, Jaime Etherington, Jim Foster, Jill Guillais, Melanie Menard, Matt Niblett, Kate Orton, Agata Read, Sujo Remi, Julia Rowe, Helena Tett and Sandra Wright.

F.E.A.T supports emerging and established artists in a unique site in a Grade II listed windmill, maintained by Rottingdean Preservation Society.

The windmill is a black smock mill situated on Beacon Hill on the Brighton to Newhaven A259 coast road. It was erected in 1802 and the last miller finished work here in the early 1880’s. It was saved from demolition by the Marquis of Abergavenny who had the mill renovated in 1905.

Accompanying the exhibition are a number of events; a Windmill talk, Walk & Talk of Rottingdean and a performance by musicians Annie Kerr and Chris Parfitt. The event is supporting Sussex Heart Charity

What: Contemporary art exhibition

When: Weekends Saturday May 3- Sunday May 18

Where: Rottingdean Windmill, Beacon Hill, A 259 Coast Road: Take Buses: 12, 12a, 14 & 27

Time: 12 noon – 4.30pm

Cost: Free entry

For more details, CLICK HERE:

FACEBOOK: 

TWITTER:

PROFILE: Ronnie Rialto sings jazz, swing and blues

Brighton-based lounge singer Ronnie Rialto has carved a niche as a suave cross-dressing crooner with an impressive voice that transcends the usual stereotyping.

Ronnie Rialto
Ronnie Rialto

Ronnie has been busy this year with regular gigs at London’s now defunct Candy Bar and She SOHO in Old Compton Street, as well as performing locally supporting events like the recent Charity Cabaret Day to benefit the Brighton Women’s Centre at The Basement.

Inspired by icons such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Matt Monro, Ronnie sets the bar high when it comes to performance standards. “ I just love those guys”, she said, “and the thing about Frank is not just the voice, but the songs – he always got the best songs. So many people love this genre and it’s because the songs and the arrangements are fabulous – Cole Porter, Nelson Riddle, What’s not to like?!”

What indeed? After two years of building the repertoire and working on the voice, Ronnie is more than capable of doing the songs justice. “Everyone who comes to my shows loves it! I get really positive feedback every time” she said smiling broadly.

Fans will have the opportunity to see and hear Ronnie perform as part of the Brighton Fringe during the Festival in May and be resident at the Cubar Chillout Lounge in Preston Street on Saturday May 10, 17, 24 & 31.

Ronnie delivers her repertoire of Jazz Swing & Blues standards from the 1930s, 40s and 50s with style and panache, and provides an entertainment with timeless appeal for all ages.

More information about these gigs and other upcoming events CLICK HERE:

What: Ronnie Rialto sings Jazz, Swing & Blues

Where: Cubar, 5 Preston Street, Brighton BN1 2HX

When: Saturday May 10, 17, 24 & 31

Time: May 10 & 24, 3pm-5pm: May 17 & 31, 9-11pm

Cost: Free

PROFILE: Ray Isaac: singer, songwriter and DJ

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

Ray Isaac
Ray Isaac

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

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

Sonia Marmite
Sonia Marmite

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.

X