Davina Sparkle Events to hold their Sunday lunch events in 2020, in the magnificent surroundings of the Crystal Ballroom at The Mecure Hotel on Brighton and Hove Seafront.
ARTISTS featured in 2019 included Jason Lee, Jacquii Cann, Buble Tribute, Motown & Soul with Heart & Soul, the Dirty Dancing LIVE Show and Dusty Springfield.
Prices remain at £29 per person for 2 delicious courses – a main course, a sweet and coffee and performers for 2020 will be announced shortly.
These are the dates for your diaries in 2020:
♦ Sunday, March 15, 2020
♦ Sunday, May 17, 2020
♦ Sunday, July 12, 2020
♦ Sunday, September 13, 2020
♦ Sunday November 8, 2020
Event: Sunday Cabaret Lunch
Where: 149 Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 2PP
When: March 15, May 17, July 12, September 13 and November 8
Time: Meet at 1pm, Lunch at 2pm, Entertainment from 3.30pm til 5pm
Cost: £29 per person
To book tickets call David or Maz on 01273 725331 / 07456 520978
£10 needed or pay online in full at www.davinasparkleevents.co.uk
Ok. So everyone has a view on Brighton Pride. Here’s mine. I personally had an amazing one this year.
THE best it’s been for years and that is down to a small group of people who worked effortlessly all year round to deliver such an amazing event.
The parade is and always will be amazing and life affirming. This year it was ALL about the park.
Preston Park on the Saturday was gayer than it’s been for years.
The atmosphere was calm, welcoming and I felt safe (probably because it was gayer then previous years) and the BME stage was actually full of BME people!! So diverse ”
The park was spotless! No rubbish or litter as if it was it was picked up straight away.
The production values were second to none. I could have been at Hyde Park it was that good and security were fantastic, chatty and smiley. (That’s what you want)
The political message behind Pride was very loud and very clear. It was heartening that the politics behind Pride was at the forefront. And it was a message that resonated with me as a non white member of the LGBT+ communities.
When I went in to town it was the polar opposite. Very, very straight anything but welcoming, calm and safe (apart from the venue’s I played at who were very conscious of creating a LGBT+ positive safe space). It literally felt like a war zone. This had nothing to do with Pride the organisation.
Everyone has a different experience of Pride. This is mine.
Brighton and Hove Pride is not the issue, nor is it the LGBTQ+ communities but the fault of individuals outside of it.
If the straight community want some of the fun, respect and understand why it’s there in the first place. It’s not about sticking a rainbow on your forehead or glitter on your tits.
Whilst Pride actively encourages our allies to join us, this should not be at the expense of the communities for whom Pride is all about.
Yes Pride has got too big but that isn’t the fault of Pride the organisation but the fault of every other business who wants a slice of the action, many of whom do not give anything back to the LGBTQ+ communities.
We as members of the LGBT+ communities need to #standtogether. Stop squabbling with each other. It’s still our Pride. So get involved and support Pride the organisation to make it the inclusive event we collectively want and need to reflect our lived experience. The street party and the cash-in events say nothing about us.
We still need this Pride. If for nothing else but to generate money for lots of our community organisations that would go under if it wasn’t for the income Pride donates.
If you are the one of the many straight people on my Facebook Feed moaning about Pride, simple solution – DON’T COME. Allow the space for a person who wants to support our wide and varied :GBT+ communities. And if you do want to come, understand why we need a Pride in the first place and be thankful you don’t.
Thank you to Paul Kemp and all of the Pride team and the amazing HeSheThey team, absolutely loved it. 1BTN for all your hard work and efforts with the parade. The beautiful and glorious BitchPlease family, you all rocked. Same time next year please Xxxxxx
The 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe drew to a close over the bank holiday weekend having brought together artists, arts industry, media and audiences from over 150 countries, including over 750 shows from Edinburgh.
MORE residents than ever before attended Fringe shows, with a record 856,541 tickets issued to audience members from the city.
This year’s Fringe saw venues across Edinburgh play host to a diverse selection of work from across Scotland, the UK, mainland Europe and the rest of the world, with showcases from over 15 countries. They were joined by 1,000 of the world’s finest street performers, who brought the Royal Mile and Mound to life as part of the Virgin Money Street Events.
The 2019 programme tackled critical issues such as the climate crisis, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic identity, mental health and wellbeing, disability and working-class representation, with the best upcoming talent showcased alongside well-known names and the very best of international work.
The Fringe is the largest arts market and platform for professional development in the world. Over 100 professional development events for Fringe participants were delivered in partnership with 57 external organisations in Fringe Central, the dedicated centre for artists at the heart of the Fringe.
The Arts Industry office accredited 1,661 producers, programmers, bookers, talent agencies, festivals and others from 54 countries looking to find work, tour it and support artists beyond the festival itself.
They were joined by over 1,000 of the world’s media, who came to cover the greatest celebration of arts and culture on the planet. Included in their number were Lonely Planet, who named the Fringe the UK’s number one unmissable destination as part of its Ultimate UK Travelist.
To help audiences discover work amongst the over 3,800 shows featured in this year’s programme, the Fringe Society created a new Inspiration Machine, an interactive, arcade-style machine that randomly displayed videos from Fringe artists at the push of a button. Located on the Mound and also available online, the machine was spun more than 100,000 times during August, encouraging audiences to try one more show and potentially discover a new festival favourite.
The Fringe Society has made a long-term commitment to community engagement and access, and this year received the Euan’s Guide Hello Award in recognition of ‘the warm welcome for all visitors’ to the Fringe Shop and Box Office.
Key initiatives this year included loaning out 80 sensory backpacks for autistic children and adults, BSL interpretation on the Royal Mile every Saturday of the festival, and a dedicated Changing Places toilet located right outside Fringe Central.
Organisers worked with over 30 Edinburgh charities and community groups to distribute £60,000 of Fringe vouchers and Lothian bus tickets, enabling residents from across the city to experience the festival, many for the very first time. In addition, over 1,000 schoolchildren and 188 teachers came to the Fringe as part of their schools’ outreach work.
Shona McCarthy
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “The Fringe is the perfect combination of local and global – a magnificent medieval city and its residents welcoming performing artists from all over the world. At a time of political division and uncertainty around the world, the role of the Fringe as a platform for radical conversations to happen – from the future of our environment to gender politics, racism and disability – has never been more important.
“We are delighted to welcome audiences from Edinburgh, Scotland, the rest of the UK and across the world to this year’s Fringe, alongside 1,661 producers, programmers and bookers who will help ensure the work presented at this year’s festival is seen by audiences in venues and festivals both here in the UK and internationally.”
Sir Tim O’Shea
Sir Tim O’Shea, Fringe Society Chair, added: “We want everybody in Edinburgh to have the opportunity to attend and enjoy the Fringe, which is why we have been developing and enhancing our work to engage with people in the city who might not have had the chance to attend before. The positive impact of the Fringe is felt long after August comes to a close – from the artists who use the Fringe as a career springboard to the local communities who come to the festival, many for the first time, and are inspired to take up something completely new.”
By Bank Holiday Monday afternoon (August 26), with hundreds of performances still to take place, the Fringe Society confirmed that more people than ever attended shows at the Fringe, with just under 250,000 attendees at shows across Scotland’s capital and three million tickets issued. 56% of attendees came from Scotland, highlighting the continued appeal of the Fringe for locals and visitors alike.
Next year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from August 7 – 31, 2020.
The KDC band are reforming for one night only at the Brunswick Pub in Hove on October 13.
The KDC band in the 1980’s, drummer Crissy Lee, bass player, Karen Gibbs, guitar Jerry Dearden, saxophone Jennie Fraser with guest appearance from Terry Stevens and Krissie Ducann
POPULAR in the 70’s and 80’s on the gay scene in London the band performing at the Brunswick on October 13 will feature the legendary drummer Crissy Lee (ex Ivy Benson all female band, The Skinerettes and Poverty Street), in the 60’s her band toured as support act with the Beatles.
Crissy has been named top female drummer in this country for many years while at 76 she is still playing and teaching.
Jerry McCormick on saxophone, Sam Edwards, keyboard player with the Real Thing and on bass Jerry Dearden from the Hove based Jerry Dearden Big Band.
A spokesperson for the band said:“As a band we decided to rekindle the fun and energy we always had before we all get too old to do it, because no matter what we have done since the band days we all believe that we had something special between us that created some kind of magic which made us all gel together so well…We do a wide range of music and try to cover a wide audience.
“We also want to share how music has helped us all through difficult times in our lives for one reason or another over the years .
“We all believe in the good affects music has to us for very many reasons and keeps one positive.”
Event: KDC Band Reunion Show
Where: The Brunswick Pub, 1 Holland Rd, Hove BN3 1JF
A brand new podcast – When We Were Out – aims to uncover Manchester’s rich and largely forgotten LGBT+ history and its queer pioneers.
THE first episode, available from Friday, August 23, features Jackie Crozier, former Festival Director of Manchester Pride (2005-2011), who talks about her time at the helm of one of the countries biggest Pride celebrations.
Future guests include television writer and creator of Queer As Folk, Russell T Davies; Poptastic club promoter John Hamilton; and founder of Healthy Gay Manchester Paul Martin OBE.
The podcast will also celebrate lesser-known names and faces from Manchester’s LGBT+ history – the people who made a huge difference, but who’s contribution may not be known, and who’s stories haven’t been told.
The weekly podcast – which is available from Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Podbean – is presented by Grahame Robertson and Annie Emery.
Grahame is the former editor of outnorthwest magazine which marks its 20th anniversary next year.
He said: “The idea for When We Were Out came from my increasing frustration that nobody seemed to be marking or celebrating the amazing LGBT+ history of Manchester, and if felt like there was a real risk that people’s stories and experiences were going to be forgotten.”
He continued: “I’m from a generation of gay men who lost too many friends to HIV and AIDS. These are people that we have lost within living memory. I was inspired to keep their memories alive and to start documenting the amazing contribution Manchester has made to the LGBT landscape in this country.There are no shortage of inspiring LGBT people and allies to speak to in this city. I want to make sure When We Were Out talks to all of them.”
Annie Emery
Annie Emery, former Production Manager at outnortwest, and current CEO of MASH Manchester, said: “We forget our history at our peril. We are living in a time when LGBT equality seems to be complete. Big name businesses rainbow-up their logos and it can feel like as a community we are now fully able to be ourselves. But the reality is different. Homophobic and transphobic hate crime is on the rise in the UK, and globally previously hard-won equality continues to be stripped away. It is vital that we hear and learn from the stories of the past to understand how to maintain and grow our rights in the future. It’s such a pleasure to be involved in liberating and sharing these incredible stories.”
New episodes of When We Were Out will be available every Friday from:
Sarah Champion MP calls on Foreign Secretary to stand up for LGBT+ Palestinians in the West Bank.
Sarah Champion MP
FOLLOWING news of the Palestinian Authorities Police ban on activities by LGBT+ groups in the West Bank, Sarah Champion MP has written to RT Hon Dominic Rabb, the Foreign Secretary, to request that on behalf of the UK government that:
♦ He contacts the Palestinian Authorities leadership to express the concern of the United Kingdom government with regards to this police ban and request they overturn this decision.
♦ That through our diplomatic missions at the United Nations he requests that Mr.Victor Madrigal-Borloz, The UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity carries out a fact finding mission to the West Bank and follows this up with work in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority in order to foster the implementation of measures that contribute to the protection of all persons against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Sarah Champion MP said:“I have always and will continue to be a strong advocate for the rights of all Palestinian people living in the West Bank. This includes LGBT+ people. I was both disappointed and concerned to read the statement made by the Palestinian police spokesperson, Louay Arzeikat which stated that the activities of LGBT+ groups “go against and infringe upon the higher principles and values of Palestinian society.”
“I have written to the Foreign Secretary asking him to stand up for the rights of LGBT+ Palestinians in the West Bank. In the short term I hope that by engaging with the Palestinian Authority leadership he can encourage them to revoke this dreadful ban. In the long term I’d like to see the Palestinian Authority working with The UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, so the West Bank can become a place where all LGBT+ Palestinians feel safe to be themselves.”
In the letter to the Foreign Secretary she writes:
RT Hon Dominic Rabb
“I am writing to you to express my concern with regards to the announcement this week that the Palestinian Authority police has banned LGBT+ groups from carrying out activities in the West Bank and to ask you to take several actions in relation to this.
“As I’m sure you will know homosexuality is legal in the West Bank but there are no laws protecting LGBT+ Palestinians from harassment and discrimination. Therefore, the work done by groups such as alQaws is vital.
“alQaws vision as an organisation is to contribute to the building of a vibrant and just Palestinian society that celebrates diverse sexualities, sexual orientations, and genders. It is groups like alQaws whose work is now being criminalised by the Palestinian Authorities police.
“The Palestinian Human Rights Organisations Council have issued a robust statement this week regarding these recent developments. Within it they state that they are “gravely concerned that the State of Palestine is breaching its obligations to fulfil the principles of equality and nondiscrimination.
“This includes the implementation of the protections enshrined in the human rights treaties to all persons subject to its jurisdiction without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
“They additionally note the need for the Palestinian Authority police to abide by the Code of Conduct and Ethics of the Palestinian Police and the United Nations (UN) Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials adopted by the General Assembly in 1979 to uphold and respect fundamental rights.
“I would therefore request that you firstly contact the Palestinian Authorities leadership to express the concern of the United Kingdom government with regards to this police ban and request they overturn this decision.
“Secondly, I ask that through our diplomatic missions at the United Nations that we request that Mr. Victor Madrigal-Borloz, The UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity carries out a fact finding mission to the West Bank and follows this up with work in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority in order to foster the implementation of measures that contribute to the protection of all persons against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
Sarah Champion is the Labour MP for Rotherham and a former shadow cabinet minister. She says she would “take no deal” over remaining in the EU, arguing that Labour has to deliver the result of the referendum.
Twelve months ago, when Geoff Stonebank’s 92-year old Mum fell ill and had to move in with him and his partner permanently, he decided to reduce his garden openings in 2019 to allow them more time to care for her.
Geoff Stonebanks and Megan Gower, Area Fundraising Manager for Macmillan
OPENINGS reduced from fourteen public days in 2018, including the Artwave Festival, down to just five public days this season.
Coupled with this he anticipated a significant reduction in his charity fundraising totals too. Little did he realise how wrong he would be!
The grand total of monies raised through Geoff’s various activities for 2018 were £19,444 and this season, an amazing £18210.
Geoff said:“The main reason for this was the vastly increased number of visitors who came to view Driftwood by arrangement, generating almost £4,000 for Macmillan along with the best ever result for the Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail back in July, which raised £9,163 for the charity.”
This has meant the combined charity fundraising for Macmillan in 2019, including a grand raffle of artist donated prizes, is the most ever at £13,708.
Geoff organised a presentation to Megan Gower, Area Fundraising Manager for Macmillan in his garden on August 22, along with some of the volunteers and garden owners who helped raise the money. This achievement has meant the grand total Geoff’s Driftwood Fundraising Group has handed over to Macmillan since 2012 is a staggering £80,193, all of which has gone towards the build and upkeep of the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton.
Geoff confirmed that his garden’s amazing feedback on the renowned travel web site, Trip Advisor, had led to the significant increase in private visitor numbers. Holidaymakers in Sussex look for things to do and Driftwood is usually at the top of the heap, with over 100 – five-star reviews.
Geoff continued:“Through the continued generosity of garden visitors, trail garden owners, artists donating their work to raffle, plus the many volunteers and amazing sponsors of the 2 trails, Pomegranate in Seaford and Richard Jackson’s Garden we have raised a staggering £132,789 for various charities in recent years! My sincere thanks to all!”
The grand raffle of the £900 worth of prizes was drawn on the 22nd too, by Megan, and all prize winners have been notified and are arranging collection of their prizes!
The garden is now closed until next year but all Driftwood’s 2020 open dates and the date of the Macmillan Garden Trail are already on the Driftwood web site.
People with non-physical (‘hidden’) disabilities will soon be able to apply for a Blue Badge for parking, following the introduction of new criteria from the Department for Transport.
FROM August 30, drivers or passengers with less visible disabilities, such as dementia or anxiety disorders will be able to apply for a Blue Badge alongside applicants who have very considerable difficulty walking.
The aim of the scheme is to help disabled people access goods and services, by allowing them to park closer to their destination.
The new extended criteria marks a big change to the Blue Badge scheme following an extensive independent programme of work undertaken on behalf of the Department for Transport.
The changes are designed to enhance the lives of people whose non-physical disabilities make travelling by road difficult.
Brighton & Hove City Council supports the extension of Blue Badges to people with non-physical disabilities and took part in the government’s consultation in 2018.
Council officers, who have already started preparing for the new applications, include an expert assessor who will make recommendations for people who are not automatically entitled to a Blue Badge.
Assessments will be made on a ‘case by case’ basis following Department for Transport guidance.
The expanded scheme also includes a new task force to help councils tackle fraudulent use of the badges.
The scheme also aims to increase public awareness of which groups are eligible for Blue Badges, when they can and cannot be used, and how to surrender badges when they are no longer needed, for example if the badge holder dies.
Cllr Anne Pissaridou
Councillor Anne Pissaridou, chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee said:“This change to Blue Badge guidance has the potential to make a real difference to the lives of residents with hidden disabilities, enabling them to travel with greater ease and live more independent lives.”
Marc Silver founder of Brighton based LGBT+ Travel Agency beOUTbeFREE.com campaigns to have a Rainbow Crossing on St James Street in Kemp Town, Brighton.
THE campaign will also be raising funds to help create the permanent landmark to celebrate 50 years since the Stonewall Riots,
Mr Silver says that a permanent Rainbow Crossing on St James Street in Kemp Town would be the perfect location for such a landmark and feels following the installation of the recent Rainbow Crossing in Lambeth in London on August 16, 2019, it is legally possible to do so.
Marc Silver
Mr Silver, said:“Kemp Town is historically and unofficially the LGBT+ area in Brighton and Hove and would be the perfect location for such an important historical milestone to be celebrated with a visual piece of art, representing the past struggles the LGBT+ communities have had, where we are today, and a statement to the future as to how there is still work to do – as well as celebrating diversity in our city of Brighton and Hove that many LGBT+ people now call home.
“We understand that the cost of this should not come from the public purse. Therefore, we are asking for donations from the LGBT+ communities and local business in Brighton and further afield to help fund the project.
“The work starts now. Let’s see what we can do together to create a permanent landmark marking 50 years since the Stonewall Riots and celebrate the great diversity in Brighton and Hove that we cherish and appreciate, creating a symbol for the city to inspire to and achieve more for a world of equality.”
Marc has started a Go Fund Me page Brighton Rainbow Crossing and has a Facebook page also at Brighton Rainbow Crossing to raise funds and awareness of the campaign.
Hive North returns to The Lowry in Manchester, to celebrate new LGBT+ writing at OutStageUs.
SEVEN new scripts from some of the North West’s most exciting writers will take centre stage at The Lowry next month with Manchester theatre company, Hive North, at OutStageUs.
Running from Thursday 10 to Saturday, September 12, OutStageUs will present works that reflect the past, present and future of LGBT+ activism to mark the 50th anniversary year of the Stonewall Riots, when the New York Police Department raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York’s Greenwich Village.
After an open submission process, Hive North have selected scripts by new and established writers. Pieces being presented include Unspoken written by Hollyoaks’ favourite Annie Wallace.
Talking about OutStageUs, Annie commented:“Following the shout out for submissions for Hive North’s OutStageUs, I decided to submit something I had had in mind for some time. The dialogue came quickly. The editing less so. It’s loosely based on a real event in my own life.”
Gaydio and BBC Radio Manchester presenter Emma Goswell will present a series of Coming Out Stories, selected and edited from the podcast of the same name.
Other selected scripts include Mixed Up by James McDermott, Changes by Chloe McLaughlin, Extra Curricular by Billie Collins and My Temple by brand new writer Tom Carney.
OutStageUs will also present the North West premiere of My Loneliness is Killing Me, winner of Best Short Film at the 2018 BAFTA Scotland Awards. The film, written by Michael Richardson and directed by Tim Courtney explores loneliness and division among gay and queer communities.
Adam Zane
Artistic Director of Hive North, Adam Zane said:“Working with new writers is a passion of ours and we’re thrilled to be able to offer some of the most exciting upcoming talent the opportunity to not only present their work, but to spend time developing their scripts during the rehearsal process.
“We’re thrilled at the quantity and quality of submissions for this years’ OutStageUs, it’s going to be a very special event celebrating our region’s rich history of defiance and activism.” he concluded.”
For more information about OutStageUs, click here:
A brand new podcast – 
Talking about OutStageUs, Annie commented: “Following the shout out for submissions for Hive North’s OutStageUs, I decided to submit something I had had in mind for some time. The dialogue came quickly. The editing less so. It’s loosely based on a real event in my own life.”
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