Brighton Bear Weekend does it again!

The magnificent Brighton Bear Weekend (BBW) team have made it clear you can’t keep a good bear down if their efforts so far in 2020 are anything to go by.

Known for putting on a great party, and for proudly supporting the Brighton Rainbow Fund, the guys have pushed aside lockdown frustrations and defied the odds by holding a series of popular Sunday Tea Dances, the legendary BBW Quiz and by organising the upcoming Mr Brighton Bear 2020 competition. All of this, of course, being done in the virtual world!Last night’s quiz, the traditional kick-off event for BBW, was considered to be a great success. Hosted by the one and only Miss Lola Lasagne, from an undisclosed location somewhere in Brighton, it was held on Zoom and via BBW’s YouTube channel. Lots of fun and friendly people got into the swing of things, with the number one spot being grabbed by Brian Latham.

Graham Munday, Chair of BBW, said ‘What a great night in! Lola Lasagne was the perfect quiz host with a fabulous mixture of questions from bears to queens and Wentworth all featuring. The BBW team whole heartily thank Lola for her support. Congratulations to Brian Latham for winning, in spite of his late arrival.’ 

This coming weekend, of course, is what everyone has been working towards for months. After weeks of build-up that might possibly make even producers of certain talent shows jealous, Mr Brighton Bear 2020 will be crowned (as well as being sashed and showered with gifts) tomorrow night (Saturday, June 20) at 6.30pm sharp. As well as the crown and sash, the winner walks away with £100 cash, plus a superb self-portrait courtesy of Fraser Dickson from Little Big Men Drawings.

Competition has been fierce and votes are still flowing in, with four finalists vying for the prestigious title. The guys from BBW had a look at the photos and oh-so-clever videos that have been posted on BBW’s Facebook and YouTube accounts and it’s going to be a close call! Voting closes midnight on Friday, June 19 so don’t miss out, so VOTE VOTE VOTE now! 

The evening will also include special performances from the gorgeous and voluptuous Kandi Rell, his hairiness Dave The Bear, as well as one of our hardest working and most fabulous stars of the Brighton scene – Drag With No Name.

You can watch all of the proceedings via Zoom or YouTube. Details are as follows:

Zoom – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83925675997…

Meeting ID: 839 2567 5997
Password: 553001

YouTube link here:

The BBW Greatest Hits Sunday Tea Dance & BEEFMINCE ends the weekend with a bang on Sunday from 2-8pm, featuring the best DJs from BBW past and present –  Rob C, CACTUSHEAD, Bozzy Bear, Josh Sharp, Alex Ryan and Chris Todd. It’s going to be one hell of a party, so check out the details on how to join via Zoom or BBW YouTube here

One final important point – everything the BBW gang does is not only intended to bring lots of fun and frivolity to the community. There’s a serious side – BBW normally makes a huge contribution to the coffers of the Brighton Rainbow Fund, so if you can please give generously here  

For anything else regarding BBW, check out their website and subscribe to their newsletter.

Oh, there is one more thing – the BBW guys have said hang onto your face masks – there’ll be some Halloween and Christmas fun on the way and they’ll also be back next year with a massive list of events to make up for lost time!

For further information, contact Graham Munday: graham@brightonbearweekend.com

The Brighton Rainbow Fund give grants to local LGBTQ+/HIV groups who deliver effective frontline services to LGBTQ+ people in the city.