Besi – Page 31 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Greens to honour city’s suffragette history

Posted on 09/05/2019 by Besi

Commemoration plaque to be unveiled at former city centre branch of Women’s Social and Political Union.

BRIGHTON and Hove will tomorrow honour the brave contribution of Brighton and Hove suffragettes as the city unveils a plaque at the former city centre office of the Women’s Social and Political Union.

One of the most active in the country, the Brighton Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) office at 8 North Street Quadrant became a key hub in the nationwide campaign to secure some women’s right to vote.

Opening in 1909, more than 150 women attended meetings there, including Mary Clarke, sister of Emmeline Pankhurst and Minnie Turner, leading campaigner for women’s suffrage.

A plaque at the former office will be unveiled at a commemoration event near the Clock Tower tomorrow, May 10 at 2.15pm.

Green Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “101 years after women first won the right to vote Greens are proud to stand alongside all of those seeking to commemorate the brave and important contribution of Brighton and Hove suffragettes.

“Acknowledgement of this important shared history follows repeated calls from the Greens for better recognition of the role our city played in securing women’s right to vote. Last year I wrote a letter to our council’s most powerful committee calling for a blue information plaque at the site of the former WSPU offices. We are also proud to support the appeal for a statue dedicated to active local suffragette Mary Clarke.

“Because history continues to cast a shadow over the present, we also successfully pushed a set of proposals that aim to increase the participation of women in politics and we have called for Brighton Museum to adopt a quota for more women artists. The city has just elected 11 women to join our group of Green Councillors and Greens join with others celebrating the role of the suffragettes in securing a future for women in public life.”

Councillor Lizzie Deane, ward councillor for the St Peters and North Laine area that includes the site of the new plaque, added: “Suffragette women worked incredibly hard and took enormous risks in the cause of universal suffrage. Having been re-elected just last week to represent local residents I appreciate only too well that this would not have been possible without the extraordinary sacrifices made by women of previous generations, and I am enormously grateful to them. I am delighted that there is to be a blue plaque as a permanent reminder of what they achieved, and it is only fitting that they should be honoured in this way.”

Fringe THEATRE REVIEW: Quintessence @Sweet Works 2

Posted on 09/05/2019 by Besi

Ever since Isaac Asimov wrote his series of Sci Fi books about the rise of the robots, we have feared what Artificial Intelligence (AI) might lead to.

IN her one-woman show Quintessence, Emily Carding cleverly and thoughtfully combines a view of a post-apocalyptic world with the undying power of Shakespeare’s plays.

I know it sounds a bit bizarre but my oh my how well it works. Global warming leading to famine and global war finally wipes out the human race. As the show opens, the avatar Ariel, a first generation android addresses us on the centenary of the birth of the AI generation that now inhabits the earth.

With black and white contact lenses, Emily is every inch the robot, humourless, dry, scary and infallible.

Brilliantly the show interlaces her eerie flat-voiced robotic story-telling with highly impassioned relevant passages from the Bard’s greatest plays.

There is a frightening logic about AI she is telling us. The robots literally base their whole society on Shakespeare’s view of the world. Their main raison d’etre is to re-create humanity because mankind must thrive.

Their early attempts are actually successful, but they believe the signs of adolescence – moodiness, anger etc are signs of imperfection and the failure of their experiment. Because AI rules don’t allow them to painlessly destroy the humans they have made, they cast them outside their protected bio-domes presumably to die in the wilderness, much as Prospero treated the deformed creature Caliban in The Tempest.

In their attempt to recreate humans, the robots decide they must remove those elements of the human character that led to its doom – hate, anger, the need for power. You can see the scary logic of this machine world but of course we know it will all end in tears.

It is Shakespeare’s “so potent art” that leads them in all things even when the great writer seems to contradict himself. Ariel is puzzled why his greatest tribute to love – Romeo and Juliet – only leads to hate and death. The end is predictably inevitable.

Emily Carding, directed by Dominique Gerrard gives a stunning performance as our monotone robotic guardian angel. And in the Shakespearean passages she is strong, energetic and full of emotion.

To be or not to be is a binary question which the robots can identify with – zero or 1, thrive or not thrive. But in the end the seeds of destruction are hidden in the seeds of creation.

Quintessence plays at Sweet Werks 2 in Middle Street, Brighton as part of Brighton Fringe till May 12.

To book tickets online, click here:

Review by Brian Butler

The plight of refugees – on film

Posted on 09/05/2019 by Besi

Three academic films about refugees will be shown during the Brighton Fringe Festival – one on trafficking and sex work, another on a man selling sex as a transvestite and the third on a refugee musician’s life.

THE films, showing at the Sallis Benney Theatre in Grand Parade on Tuesday, May 28 as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival, have been organised by the University of Brighton’s Centre for Spatial, Environmental and Cultural Politics.

Travel will be showing at 2pm and tells the story of eight Nigerian women with experiences of migration, sex work and trafficking in Paris. It was shown in the 2017 Royal Anthropological Institute Film Festival.

At 3pm Samira explains how Karim, an Algerian man selling sex as a transvestite, obtained asylum as a transsexual woman and now wants to return home as the male head of his family.

Amir: An Afghan Refugee Musician’s Life in Peshawar at 5pm is based on ethnomusicological research conducted in Afghanistan in the 1970s by Professor John Baily (Goldsmiths, University of London). It was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Bilan du Film Ethnographique 1986 in Paris, and the Award for Excellence at the 1989 American Anthropological Association Film and Video Festival. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Director John Baily.

Event: Refugee and Migration Film Festival, Part 1

Where: Sallis Benny Theatre, 58-67 Grand Parade, BN2 0JY

When: Tuesday, May 28

Time: 2pm

To book tickets – £10 and £5 for students and unwaged, click here:

Royal honour for social workers

Posted on 09/05/2019 by Besi

Two social workers from Brighton & Hove City Council have been invited to a Royal Garden Party.

THE invitation to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, May 15 follows a visit to the city last year by the Children’s Minister, Nadhim Zahawi MP.

Jennifer Parr (pictured left) and Ruth Nathan took the minister on a programme of working visits meeting local families and learning first-hand about some of the difficulties they face.

Jennifer said: “He said he really enjoyed the day and found it a real learning experience.

“As a social worker it’s so lovely to have the work we do recognised. It really means a lot to us.”

Ruth added: “Social work is a vocation and it’s something I’m very proud to do.”

If you have concerns about the welfare of a child in Brighton & Hove:

email: FrontDoorforFamilies@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Or telephone: 01273 290400 during working hours.

Lord Mayor to lead 11th Exeter Pride march

Posted on 09/05/2019 by Besi

Lord Mayor of Exeter to lead the Pride march to mark Devon’s biggest free celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+) communities in the South West.

COUNCILLOR Rob Hanford will start the largest Rainbow Flag parade the city has seen as part of Exeter Pride at noon on Saturday, May 11, with thousands of people taking part in the march along Exeter’s High Street and watching the parade which will include community groups, police, firefighters, students, trade union, business groups and individuals.

It will include Street Heat samba band, Morris dancers, two 50-metre rainbow flags, roller skaters, dancers, a Devon County Council gritter lorry, a police car, ambulance, fire engine and LGBT+ football and rugby teams.

The Lord Mayor of Exeter will officially open the main stage at the end of the march.

Entertainment will include live bands and cabaret acts on two stages and there will be a marketplace with more than 80 stalls.

There will be a health zone, family zone, workshops, panel debates, gender diversity hub and talks, drumming circle, ceilidh and much more.

There will be information and advice from local, national and international organisations, as well as demonstrations and fun activities.

The evening will include a cabaret evening and DJ at Exeter Phoenix, admission by wristband only.

Adam Rank, Chair, Exeter Pride chairman, said: “It’s been a privilege to have been involved with the 11th Exeter Pride. It has been hard work, but so rewarding to help make this a community event that we can all be part of.

“We are incredibly lucky to have been able to build on the hard work of 10 previous committees, allowing us to continue as the grass-roots community festival that we are.

“Our event in 2018 was judged to be such a success that we were delighted to have been awarded the Exeter Living Event of the Year award.

“This year we have a bigger and better event planned with all the favourites plus many more workshops and classes, 80 stalls, the gender diversity hub, a main stage and showcase stage and a fantastic evening of entertainment.

“For the second time Gandy Street has been licensed to allow for a real street party feel, with a drag catwalk competition.

“Make sure you buy one of the annual Exeter Pride discount cards, which offer discounts at many venues across the city and also ensure you buy an Exeter Pride wristband.

“We are one of the largest free Pride events in the UK, and we do it all without large-scale public funding or massive corporate sponsors. We rely on you, our supporters and our local partners and freely admit that we couldn’t do it without you. Please remember Exeter Pride is a registered charity.

“For us Pride is a day to celebrate, remember and show off our local LGBT+ community, as well as embrace our local Exeter community, because we are all part of more than one community. And this is Exeter Pride, proud of you, and proud of Exeter.”

Alan Quick, co-founder of Exeter Pride, said he was delighted how the annual event had grown since the very first Pride in the city in 2009.

He said: “Without the support of previous trustees, volunteers, committee members, sponsors, partners and other supporters, as well as those currently involved, Exeter Pride would not be the tremendous annual event it is now.

“Year-on-year it has grown thanks to the active involvement of so many people.

“Those people have helped Exeter Pride fulfil its aims, to promote equality and diversity for the public benefit and in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity through awareness-raising, advancing community education, and by holding an annual LGBT+ festival.

“Whilst Exeter Pride is a celebration of how far we have come with regards to equality, the charity is also keen to recognise and to educate on LGBT+ history, contributions to culture, and raise awareness of on-going LGBT+ struggles in the UK and further afield.”

For more information about Exeter Pride, click here:

Or follow on Twitter: OR Facebook:

Volunteer recruitment day at Rainbow Hub

Posted on 08/05/201910/05/2019 by Besi

Looking for a way to give back to your community and want to become part of a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about helping others?

IF you have time of spare that you are able to offer, the Rainbow Hub would love to hear from you.

They are looking for individuals who care, are empathetic, quick thinking and reliable to volunteer as advisers to people who seek their help.

The Rainbow Hub is a welcoming drop-in space and point of contact for LGBT+ people seeking help, information or guidance, in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

If you think you have what it takes go along to the Volunteer Recruitment Day on Saturday, May 18 from 12.30-3.30pm.

If you would like further information beforehand contact Joel Boardman, Volunteer Coordinator at joel@therainbowhubbrighton.com

Fringe THEATRE REVIEW: Dietrich: Natural Duty @Rialto Theatre

Posted on 08/05/201909/05/2019 by Besi

“This is not an impersonation of Marlene Dietrich – Peter Groom IS Marlene”…..Brian Butler

PETER Groom, who is in the early years of his acting career, is a formidable performer. As I said when I reviewed his solo show in Edinburgh last year, this is not an impersonation of Marlene Dietrich – Peter Groom IS Marlene.

His tall frame glides through the audience to open the show. When he turns round to face the audience, there is a gasp from those watching. The look, the face, the hair, the sparkly gown, the pencil-thin eyebrows and Cupid lips are as pitch perfect as his speaking and singing voice.

Not for one second are we witnessing anything but the real Marlene – even when a complete failure of the technical ‘desk’ led to a 30 minute hiatus. When he returned to the stage – to a round of applause, he went straight back into character and plot with just a sly comical remark.

Groom performs as if doing a show for us, and is annoyed when a voice-over – a magazine reporter – interrupts her flow and tries to goad her into revealing her life story. Her reply? “No I never looked backwards. There is nothing to be learned from my life: nothing at all”.

Leaving the increasingly dangerous 1930’s Germany, Marlene recalls her arrival in Hollywood – “Land of perfect teeth and ice cream”. But she is no party girl. “It is the most mythical and disreputable place in the world”. Groom stresses her professionalism and her total surrender to the whims of her film directors.

The reminiscences are punctuated with delightful songs – some hauntingly beautiful; some like “ Naughty Lola “ downright loaded with innuendo.

Many performers have attempted to catch the essence of Marlene – I think of Ute Lemper and Sian Phillips. But what Groom does is very, very special. He holds us in the palm of his hand for every moment of this 60 minute show. His amazing stillness and his highly emotional use of silence and that certain Dietrich look are mesmerizing.

In the songs he has a very light high-pitched tonality where the highest notes seem to hang in the air till he’s done with them.

All the favourites are here, including Lilli Marlene and Falling in Love Again, but Where Have All The Flowers Gone? is rendered first with anger and then with real tears. But for me the beautiful ballad a Song for Germany is the high point, delivered in German with care, gentleness and perfect tone.

Look out for Peter Groom’s future performances. I’m absolutely certain he has the most magnificent career ahead of him, whatever he chooses to do next.

5 star entertainment all the way.

Natural Duty was at the Rialto Theatre, Brighton as part of the Brighton Fringe.

Review by Brian Butler

‘Work Ya Love’ – New single from Allan Jay

Posted on 07/05/2019 by Besi

Allan Jay’s new single Work Ya Love set to become an anthem track for the summer.

THE Scottish vocalist has been a constant feature in the Dance music charts for the past few years, becoming in the process, one of the most successful new artists on the club scene.

His live performances with his male dance troupe have helped establish him as a rising star on the UK, European, American and Canadian music scene.

Known for his powerful vocals and high energy performances Allan has performed across the globe in Asia, Europe, America and the UK – supporting such acts as Venga Boys, Shane Ward, Lucy Spraggen, Whigfield, Blue, S Club, Gareth Gates, Kerry Katona, Conchita Wurst and Sinitta.

Over recent years he has released singles through Digital Room Records (Austria), Energise Records (UK), Pumpin UK (UK), and Sobel Nation Records (USA) – tracks include Its My Life (2013), Love & Pride (2014), Superman (It’s Not Easy) (2014), I Go To Pieces (2015), Boom Boom Boom (Lets Go Back To My Room) (2015), Breaking My Heart featuring legendary 90s Queen of Rave – Rozalla (2016), his first charity single The Best Is Yet To Come (2016) for Cruse Bereavement, a huge ballad originally written for Miss Cilla Black, and Let’s hear it for the boy (2017) which was a charity single for the Retired Greyhound trust.

He is currently recording with German label DMN Records with internationally renowned producer Jason Havenhand (J Van Havenhand) who has worked with artists such as Erasure alongside record labels All Around the Word Records, Fierce Angel and Hed Kandi.

His single, Almost in Heaven released in May 2018 reached number three in the North American Dance Charts as well as being top twenty here in the UK itunes electronic chart.

Working once again with J Van Havenhand he released in May 2019 through German Dance Label – DMN Records his new single Work Ya Love co-written by J Van Havenhand and Soraya Vivian (massive dance artist).

Work Ya Love is a dance floor filler with strong production and powerful beats. Set to be a summer anthem, Allan will be performing it across the UK at various events and festivals this summer.

Work Ya Love is available on on digital platforms ( Google , Itunes and Google).

Local artist makes final four

Posted on 06/05/201907/05/2019 by Besi

A University of Brighton graduate is among four artists shortlisted for the BP Portrait Award at London’s National Gallery, considered one of the UK’s most prestigious art competitions.

CHARLIE Schaffer said his painting has not only proved successful but it also helped him and his subject recover from depression: “It became our therapies.”

Charlie, who graduated in Fine Art Painting BA(Hons) in 2014, is no stranger to success. He previously beat a field of 2,000 to win the Lynn Painter-Stainers title Young Artist Award and he later collected the Brian Botting Prize ‘for an outstanding representation of the human figure’ three times.

This time Charlie and his co-finalists were selected from 2,538 entries from 84 countries and were chosen anonymously by a panel which included writer and presenter Gaylenbe Gould, artist Gary Hume and curator Zoé Whitley.

This year is the Award’s 40th year at the National Portrait Gallery and 30th year of sponsorship by BP.

The award has a first prize of £35,000, making it one of the largest for any global arts competition. The winner also receives, at the Gallery’s discretion, a commission worth £7,000, agreed between the National Portrait Gallery and the artist. The second prize winner receives £12,000 and a third prize winner £10,000.

Charlie said of his nomination: “At first there was a sense of disbelief, and then I felt a massive wave of relief. I had been working on this painting, primarily the fur coat, in an incredibly intense manor leading up to the deadline. It was only after receiving the acceptance email that I realised how glad I was that the hard work had paid off.

“Finding out about being shortlisted was a strange experience – we found out almost a month ago, and the prize giving isn’t for another month, so it was a bizarre mix of being excited whilst simultaneously suppressing that excitement in order to ensure I could still carry on working undistracted.”

Charlie’s entry is a portrait of his close friend, Imara in her Winter Coat. The 27-year-old, originally from London, met Imara, an English Literature student, after he moved permanently to Brighton.

He said: “What I look for in sitters is essentially honesty, or a willingness to be open. Imara immediately strikes one as having these qualities. This painting took four months, three times a week for three hours at a time, and occurred during a time in which both of us were going through quite a severe depression. This painting became both of our therapies, our saviour, our reason to get up in the morning and carry on.”

Charlie described his time at the University as “golden”. He said: “The course was a fantastic one in my eyes. You were expected to go into the studio, with no brief and to just make work, teaching you the importance of self-motivation, something that is integral to one’s future life as an artist.”

Prize winners will be announced on June 10, 2019 and the BP Portrait Award 2019 exhibition will run at the National Portrait Gallery from June 13 to October 20, 2019.

Women only disco returns to Shoreham on June 8

Posted on 06/05/201906/05/2019 by Besi

Let’s Dance! Women only disco returns to the Shoreham Centre, West Sussex on Saturday, June 8 at 8pm – midnight.

A FUN evening for women over 18 who love to dance, hosted by DJ Maureen (Little Mo) and guest DJ Lynn.

There is free car parking at venue with easy public transport to/from Brighton area.

The licensed bar will close at 11.30pm.

The last 2 Lets Dance! events sold out, so book tickets early as their is no entry on the door.

Advance booking only (via eventbrite).

Event: Lets Dance! Women only disco

Where: The Shoreham Centre, 2 Pond Road, Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5WU

When: Saturday, June 8

Time: 8pm-midnight

Cost: £8.50 tickets in advance only. No entry on door

To book tickets online, click here:

Call us now

Author: Besi

Fringe THEATRE REVIEW: Quintessence @Sweet Works 2

Ever since Isaac Asimov wrote his series of Sci Fi books about the rise of the robots, we have feared what Artificial Intelligence (AI) might lead to.

The plight of refugees – on film

Three academic films about refugees will be shown during the Brighton Fringe Festival – one on trafficking and sex work, another on a man selling sex as a transvestite and the third on a refugee musician’s life.

Royal honour for social workers

Two social workers from Brighton & Hove City Council have been invited to a Royal Garden Party.

Lord Mayor to lead 11th Exeter Pride march

Lord Mayor of Exeter to lead the Pride march to mark Devon’s biggest free celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+) communities in the South West.

Volunteer recruitment day at Rainbow Hub

Looking for a way to give back to your community and want to become part of a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about helping others?

Fringe THEATRE REVIEW: Dietrich: Natural Duty @Rialto Theatre

“This is not an impersonation of Marlene Dietrich – Peter Groom IS Marlene”…..Brian Butler

‘Work Ya Love’ – New single from Allan Jay

Allan Jay’s new single Work Ya Love set to become an anthem track for the summer.

Local artist makes final four

A University of Brighton graduate is among four artists shortlisted for the BP Portrait Award at London’s National Gallery, considered one of the UK’s most prestigious art competitions.

Women only disco returns to Shoreham on June 8

Let’s Dance! Women only disco returns to the Shoreham Centre, West Sussex on Saturday, June 8 at 8pm – midnight.

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Commemoration plaque to be unveiled at former city centre branch of Women’s Social and Political Union.

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Ever since Isaac Asimov wrote his series of Sci Fi books about the rise of the robots, we have feared what Artificial Intelligence (AI) might lead to.

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Three academic films about refugees will be shown during the Brighton Fringe Festival – one on trafficking and sex work, another on a man selling sex as a transvestite and the third on a refugee musician’s life.

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Two social workers from Brighton & Hove City Council have been invited to a Royal Garden Party.

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Lord Mayor of Exeter to lead the Pride march to mark Devon’s biggest free celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+) communities in the South West.

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Looking for a way to give back to your community and want to become part of a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about helping others?

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“This is not an impersonation of Marlene Dietrich – Peter Groom IS Marlene”…..Brian Butler

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Allan Jay’s new single Work Ya Love set to become an anthem track for the summer.

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A University of Brighton graduate is among four artists shortlisted for the BP Portrait Award at London’s National Gallery, considered one of the UK’s most prestigious art competitions.

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Let’s Dance! Women only disco returns to the Shoreham Centre, West Sussex on Saturday, June 8 at 8pm – midnight.

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