A Queer New Year's Eve for us all... event round up

A little roundup of all the best events for LBQ women in case you haven't decided what to do...

(As Dermot would say, in no particular order...)

What: 90s NYE @ Candy Bar
Where: Candy Bar, 4 Carlisle Street, Soho, London W1D
When: 5pm - 5am
Entry/Tickets: Entry £5 and £3 for members. (Not ticketed in advance)
Further info: https://www.facebook.com/events/631021140270243/
Details: 
NYE 1996… when it all begun! Open- 5pm till 5am.

Candy Bar is taking you back to the 90’s for one night and one night only!
As many of you already know the Candy Bar will close its doors for the final time in January 2014. The Candy Bar was opened in 1996 so we are rewinding back to its opening to make this a celebratory affair and not one of sadness.

Dress up as your favorite 90’s celebrity… don the questionable fashions from that decade or simply come and dance your shell suit off!

There will be special goody bags for you including things like glow sticks and giveaways!

We have an incredible DJ line up for you who will be playing you a mixture of your favorite chart hits as well as commercial dance/rnb/pop/electro plus the odd surprise 90’s track!

DJ'S Sandra D / Poppy L Kav & Caz Coronel.

What: Sunday Happy Day NYE Party
Where: Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, Soho, London
When: 9pm - 3am
Entry/Tickets: Early bird tickets £20, after 9 Dec tickets go up to £25. After 22 Dec tickets are £30 if available. 4 tickets maximum per person (SOLD OUT)
Further info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6141177377
Details: 
Ticket price includes free glass of Prosecco for all ticket holders and nibbles for early arrivals.
Some VIP tables available, £40 per table for six and includes a bottle of Prosecco.


What: New Year's Eve Queer Disco @ Blush
Where: Blush Bar, 8 Cazenove road, Stoke Newington, N16 6BD
When: 8pm - 2am
Entry/Tickets: Free Karaoke upstairs, £5 Disco downstairs
Further info: https://www.facebook.com/events/249276235236145/
Details: 
We are proud to announce we have DJ Soraya from Luscious spinning an amazing set for New Year’s Eve 2013. Playing all your favourite dance club classics and keeping you on that dancefloor til we see the NEW YEAR in together. .... you asked for it and we are giving it.
Free karaoke in the upstairs bar & DJ Soraya Khan (Luscious, Oak bar, Rumours) spinning the decks downstairs.

What: Countdown to 2014 with MINT and Code…
Where: Green Carnation, 5 Greek Street, Soho, W1D 4DD
When: 9pm - 5am
Entry/Tickets: Tickets £10 (early bird) 
Further info: http://bit.ly/JekbGe   https://www.facebook.com/events/219779621529037
Details: 
If there’s one night of the year which is guaranteed to leave you feeling lost and confused, it’s New Year’s Eve. So make your New Year’s resolution in advance, save the stress and promise yourself something amazing this December 31st, as Code and MINT come together for the last and best party of the year!

Bringing all the best bits of 2013 to one venue, this party will mix the finest DJs from One Love, Girls Club Together, Hot Mess, Popstarz, Code and MINT, with some of the hottest women London has to offer.

With floor upon floor of music, you can switch your taste according to your mood. Start out with RnB and pop, before moving onto House and commercial remixes, then maybe end the night with some 80s and 90s floor fillers with a remix twist. Each DJ feels like a new party, which is why this night ALWAYS sells out.

There will be limited tickets held on the door, but you can buy your early bird ticket now at only £10. We love a good man crush, so gay boys are welcome as guests, just make sure they arrive with you or they won’t get in. For extra special VIP tables, email nicola.chubb@gmail.com.

We’re not going to force you into something you don’t feel comfortable wearing, so there’s no dress code. But try to don your best swagger in anticipation of the balloon, glitter, streamers and champagne corks at midnight. Start the year as you intend to continue, looking amazing and having fun!
What: Push the Button New Year's Weave
Where: SE11 5HY London
When: 8pm - 4.15am
Entry/Tickets: Final remaining £15 Advance tickets here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/242202
Further info: https://www.facebook.com/events/340807982722555/
Details: 
SNATCH YOUR WIGS AND HOLD ON TO YOUR KNICKERS GIRLS! It’s time for NEW YEAR’S WEAVE and the most ridiculous, daftest party you’ll have the opportunity of attending.

London’s BIGGEST Pop party is going in to OVERLOAD for the New Year!

2013 - what a year! We've enjoyed friends of PTB Icona Pop FINALLY releasing 'I Love It' AND scoring a #1 HIT to boot; you've inadvertently allowed Miley to become A THING; Britney pinched Madonna's trick of pilfering from gay culture with INCREDIBLE results; and, importantly, Whitney off of Eastenders performed an interpretive dance version of Shania's You're Still The One LIVE on the Royal Vauxhall Tavern Stage.

SO, it's TIME TO CELEBRATE with the BIGGEST PUSH THE BUTTON TO DATE.

The line-up will be confirmed over the coming months but we already have some fabulous performances and installations (including Myra Dubois and The Dream Bears) PLUS there'll be more sweets, stickers, Poundshop tat, posters, weaves and INCREDIBLE POP than EVER BEFORE!

Gay's the Word on all things LGBT literature

Gay's The Word bookshop is one of the final few remaining LGBT orientated book shops in the country. It is home to keeping the LGBT literary scene alive for everyone interested

It's set to star in a new film, Pride,  that recounts the story of gay activism involvement in supporting the 1984 Miner's Strikes. This appearance marks the place of Gay's the Word as a significant part of LGBTQ history. 

As we well know, independent print book retailers are a dying breed. With the advent of e-publishing and the diminishing of the high street and independent retailers following the economic downturn of 2008 onwards, specialist shops like this are at risk. They need loyal purchasing customers to survive. Although Gay's the Word is more than a book selling entity, it's a home for LGBT literature and its fans, a part of the community and a part of our history, it can't keep going without customers. 

Established in 1979 and located in the historic Bloomsbury district of London, Gay's The Word happily stocks an enormous range of books; from the profound to the frivolous, from the liberating to the indulgent. Our fiction ranges from prize-winning literary works through to crime, romance and erotic fiction. They have books on gay subject-matter across all genres. Gay's the Word also hosts exciting book readings and signings of known and yet to be known LGBT authors, as well as a number of regular community events such as a weekly lesbian discussion group, a monthly trans book group and a monthly LGBT book group.

• Keep in touch: http://freespace.virgin.net/gays.theword/
• Facebook events list: https://www.facebook.com/gaystheword/events

The first UK Lesbian Prom (at Scala)

MissFit presents the first LESBIAN PROM

4 rooms of sapphic goings on, taking over Scala in Kings Cross, LONDON.

Featuring Headline Acts:
Charli XCX performing
Lauren Mayberry (Chvrches) DJ Set

The Lesbian Prom is the first event of its kind. Brought to you by MissFit we are going to fill Scala full of hot women, epic music and lots of drinks.

In the Main Room we have a big lineup of TLC DJs and a main act that we are keeping tightly under wraps. Expect great music with lots of pop, R&B and classics from the 80s and 90s plus a stunning show.

In the Alternative Room we will have a mental mix of ‘electronica, indie, coldwave, disco punk and Daft Punk'. We also have a special guest DJ joining the Culture Clash DJS as they take over this room.

Greeting you in the Reception Room will be top Drag King Adam All and his sidekick who loves leopard print and shouting, Apple Derrierès. There will be games, stalls, a year book and a big photo booth to save the memories that tequila will make you forget. Also the very important crowning of the Prom King and Queen so dress up in your shit hot suits and sparkly dresses.

Finally we have our VIP Room where you can watch everything that’s going on while sipping your Champagne in the comfort of this leather seated area overlooking the Main Room. Each VIP gets a complimentary glass of Verve Cliquot N.V. on arrival plus an exclusive goodie bag sponsored by FemmeFace.com. This contains deliciously sexy things to play with - probably not at the actual party however - places are strictly limited.

This is going to be epic and it's not just us being cocky, we've done this before (g3:pm with Peaches).

Tickets are: Limited Early Bird £16, then £22. VIP £45.

Early Bird tickets are only available by tracking us MissFit Girls down and purchasing them directly. We don't accept major credit cards but cash is very welcome. Follow us @effimai and @djsandradj and you will know when we are out. Ruby Tuesdays is a weekly safe bet, as are our other club nights TLC and Culture Clash.

Time: 9pm until 5am

Admission: Limited Early Bird Advance £16 / £22 General Admission / £45 VIP in advance. Age 18+ ID Required.

Tickets: Buy online www.ticketweb.co.uk  or by phone 08444 771 000 (booking fees apply) or by person at Scala Box Office (no booking fees & cash only). Scala's Box Office is open 10am until 6pm Monday to Friday. Scala,  275 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9NL. Nearest Tube is Kings Cross (Thameslink Entrance).

A new venue for lesbians in Soho - it's coming!

We popped in for a quick chat with Gary Henshaw, current owner of the Candy Bar that will close in January, which Henshaw describes as the "End of an era". All the current events on the regular Candy schedule will have one last blast throughout January until the venue closes, including big plans for New Years Eve.

The new evening venue in Soho for lesbians will open in mid January. It is going to be like nothing we've had before - bringing the best of the current scene taste of lesbian, bi and queer women to Soho. Whilst running in the basement space of Ku Bar Frith Street, the space is being completely remodelled, and will be designed to incorporate existing (and new) events from the old Candy venue. 

There will be take over nights, where big events will use the whole of the Ku Bar Frith Street space and incorporate a 3am venue.

Ku Bar Frith Street will stay open as a mixed LGBT day time cafe-style venue.

Henshaw is committed to maintaining a women's venue and women's events. Ruby Tuesday's has run successfully at Ku Bar for ten years and there is a commitment to uphold what women want. The new venue will continue to offer free space to LGBT community and not-for-profit groups for meetings and socials.

Share your ideas of the best ever lesbian, bi & queer venue with us below!

L Fest news: L Festive & L Fest Del Mar

L Festive, Nov 30th All day event Birmingham, Tickets £20

L Festive is back for the third year, packed with all your L Fest favourites. A great all day event all wrapped up as one big festive party . 

L Festive 2013 will have some fabulous author workshops, solos lunch, acoustic live music stage, the NEW L Fest awards ceremony, all day DJ's, stalls & dating games. The full line up is on our website: http://www.lfest.co.uk/#!l-festive-2013/c1bgp

L Fest Del Mar is the  NEW festival for 2014..... Del Mar is 'sea' in Spanish.

May 30th - June 1st + fringe festival. 

Tickets £95, only 300 available, tickets on sale Nov 30th. 

L Fest Del Mar promotional video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsw8vlutkCo&feature=c4-overview&list=UUw0VxS_o2cMR3lLVc_4jOEw 

All information and tickets are on our website www.lfest.co.uk

If you require any further information please let me know, thank you in advance.

Sun, Glamour, & Lesbians like you - Planet London brings you The Original Dinah Shore Weekend #WIN

Planet London is very pleased to announce that we are a preferred Media Partner for The Dinah 2014 - the biggest all-girl event in the world

*** Line up Update ***

The Dinah Comedy Night brings together three of the most acclaimed female stand up comics, Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 8:00pm at The Palm Springs Convention Center, in what is poised to be an unforgettable evening of hilarious stand-up comedy. 

Fortune Feimster, who landed her writer/performer spot with "Chelsea Lately" six months after her appearance on "Last Comic Standing" where she was a semifinalist, will be joined by another Last Comic Standing alumni, British comic Gina Yashere, and stand up’s fastest rising star, Erin Foley.

***Getting to The Dinah***

We'd already secured you an EXCLUSIVE 25% off Platinum tickets to this major event in the lesbian calendar and now we're delighted to offer you a chance to WIN 2 free VIP tickets when you book your Dinah Shore Travel and Accommodation Package with us and Diva Destination.
- Go straight to booking!

Read about our experience at The Dinah 2013 - amazing acts, parties, film & WOMEN. 

The 2014 Original Dinah Shore Weekend is set to be as celeb-packed and sun soaked as ever. Names already announced include funny woman Fortune Feimster. We met Jill Bennett there this year. Enough said. 

Events to expect are the infamous Wet and Wild Pool Party and the classic Friday night 'White Party'. Saturday is The Main Event which has seen performances in the past from Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Ke$ha. Expect big names!

And as for Palm Springs? This beautiful desert town, just 2 hours drive from Los Angeles, full of pools, hot springs and 20,000+ lesbians with NO attitude - what more could you want from a sun-filled break?

(2013 Trailer)

We spoke to Mariah Hanson, Founder of Club Skirts and the modern day Dinah Shore Weekend, to find out why the lesbians, bi and queer women of the UK should go to Palm Springs in April.

The Dinah began in Palm Springs over 20 years ago and continues to go from strength to strength. We wondered what makes this event stay at the top of it's game. Mariah says "We try to think outside the box and present an event program that at its base is a huge party, but on many different levels is unique, cutting edge, and broad reaching...We are growing it to become a reputable music festival and film festival as well as insuring we remain the world's largest lesbian party."

So much so, that The Dinah and Mariah recently won a business award for Palm Springs. Mariah says "The Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend has a huge financial impact on Palm Springs.  We are considered one of the city's signature events and certainly are one of the top five largest citywide events. Palm Springs loves its lesbians!... 

"The city, dubbed "the new Gay Mecca", boasts more gay and gay-friendly restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, retailers and other businesses than any other one gay destination in the world.  Nowhere else in the world do lesbians get such a strong sense of community, solidarity and acceptance, feeling as much as home within the walls of the event as anywhere else on Palm Springs' playground. We truly couldn't have found a better city/community to host The Dinah - Palm Springs is a magical place where unforgettable memories, comraderies and unbreakable bonds are created and cherished forever."

And Mariah's been there since the beginning. What keeps her coming back year on year to ensure the event continues to be the highest quality for all lesbians and queer women, whatever their taste. "I try to create a weekend that stays on the cutting edge of music, fashion and trends. So for me it's different every year and exciting to present.  For instance, when everyone wanted a picture on their facebook page by Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley - the photographers/ creators of the NO H8 campaign - we brought them out to The Dinah to photograph our all weekend and make that wish come true." Mariah recounts. In her spare time, Mariah is an avid trail rider, with four horses. "By night a fashionable event entrepreneur. By day, a cowgirl!"

And 2014 sounds like it might be one of the best years yet, Mariah compares it to previous front runner, 2009, and previous talent on the line up..."Lady Ga Ga was the oddest and certainly one of the most talented. Katy Perry was the friendliest. Salt and Pepa were the greatest as far as flawless concert production. But they all were great. This year reminds me a lot of 2009 when we had the perfect line up. We're expecting one of our best years." Mariah's (and I'm sure most women's) dream act on the Main Event Stage, would be P!nk - maybe one day she'll succumb to our request.

For Mariah, it's a no brainer that the lovely UK lesbians should want to attend "Why not? Across the pond, an oasis of women, wine and song awaits. Plus, your accents are the best chick magnet alive. Again, WHY NOT?????"

Will we see you there? Follow the official facebook page for updates and announcements.

'Dyke the Halls' and pickled onions- controversy amongst the (un)festive

When: Sunday 15 December 7pm
Where: Hideaway 2 Empire Mews, Streatham, SW16 2ED
Tickets: £12.50 from event brite

When Rose Collis and VG Lee put their heads together one night, and came up with an alternative pre-Christmas show for those of us not completely taken up with Christmas festivities, they did not imagine the event would end up in a social media storm. 

The show - a blend of comedic and fun songs and sketches both fiction and non-fiction - is a celebration of all that is not festive, with a queer slant. Two established performers, coming together with an eclectic mix of performance, mince pies, canapes and wine. 

However, when Rose tried to publicise the Brighton peformance via a students' union facebook page, the word dyke was met with malcontent to say the least and Rose and VG were asked to remove either the flyer or the word dyke from it, claiming the group found the word 'dyke' offensive as a term for lesbians.

And the twittersphere has picked up this debate over calling the word dyke offensive, with coverage on sites such as GScene and the Huffington Post. All in agreement that the only controversy is the lack of acceptance for the term that we as lesbians have a complete right to use. 

The good news is that more people than ever know about the show and will hopefully go and see it. 

VG Lee has recently been on the Polari First Book Prize panel and is currently doing stand up comedy and working on her next novel Mr Oliver and Miss Francis. 

By Katie

Meet Real L Word stars Tracy Ryerson & Stamie Karakasidis live in London this November!

 
Meet Real L Word stars Tracy Ryerson & Stamie Karakasidis live in London this November. Tickets are strictly limited so get yours now and don't miss out!


Saturday 23 November 2013

Morning Session: 11am to 2pm (includes entry to the exclusive after party from 6pm)
Afternoon Session: 2.30pm to 5.30pm (includes entry to the exclusive after party from 6pm)

Link to buy tickets - www.lionheadevents.co.uk

Breaking news! Roxanne McKee from Lip Service will also be at this event. (Heather Peace is no longer attending)

Roxanne will be taking part in a live podcast for OurFifteenMinutes.com and the Photo Studio. The time of their appearance will be confirmed closer to the event.
Stand up comedian Cynthia Levine will also be joining Tracy Ryerson and Stamie Karakasidis for a set!

Straight from Los Angeles, stars of The Real L Word Tracy Ryerson and Stamie Karakasidis will be coming to London’s iconic lesbian club The Candy Bar to spend the day with fans on Saturday 23 November 2013!

Join them in our Photo Studio to have your photo taken with Tracy and Stamie by our professional photographer, ask them that question you’ve been dying to ask in the Q&A session, and get their autographs live and in person this November. And if you’re lucky you might even win a coffee date with one of these lovely ladies too!

This will be Tracy & Stamie’s only UK appearance this year! Tickets are strictly limited so act fast and buy yours now!

There is a morning and afternoon session (3 hours each) and tickets include entry, the evening after party, and an autograph from Tracy and Stamie. Tickets are £30.00.

You can also buy a raffle ticket for £5 to win an intimate coffee date with Tracy or Stamie.

Check out www.lionheadevents.co.uk for more details.

Easy Abby - the lesbian web series phenonmenon

Web series are fast becoming the platform to view high quality lesbian 'TV' content, and the quantity of what's available is growing as fast as the quality.

From the mainstream Netflix presenting 'Orange is the New Black' to dedicated lesbian content producers Tello, there's something for everyone, that suits every budget and internet connection speed. There's online streaming, on line hire/download, audio/podcast and sizes of files that suit PC, tablet or mobile devices.

Easy Abby from Juicy Planet Pictures is certainly one that has broken the barrier to popularity. The RomCom has quickly become a fan favorite in its first Season, with close to 12 million views worldwide. The show has received Golden Kitty Awards for Best Lesbian Web Series, Best Director and Best Lesbian Character on the Internet and chosen as an Editor’s Pick by Web Series Channel.

It's set in Chicago, and follows Abby (Lisa Cordileone), a 30-something bicycle mechanic who is trying to manage her anxiety attacks while seducing as many women as possible. 

Of the series, which looked like it would be a blast to make, actor Lisa Cordileone told us

"The most enjoyable part about working on Easy Abby was realizing how much trust I have in Wendy Jo as a director and being able to just let go. I loved having the opportunity to work with a cast of actors who I respect and are kick ass people who have been patient and dedicated to our project."

With the aim of spreading the word as widely as possible, Easy Abby season 1 is currently running the festival circuit in a re-purposed format as a Feature Film that includes additional transitional footage between the episodes, along with a new opening and closing.

Regarding season 2, Cordileone says "We are in pre-production, writing, and fundraising mode" So watch this space!

Easy Abby is written and directed by Wendy Jo Carlton (Hannah Free, Jamie & Jessie are Not Together) the show features Lisa Cordileone, Emily Shain, Fawzia Mirza and Haviland Stillwell.

Episodes 1- 12 of Easy Abby Season 1 can be seen for FREE on OML. The 2-part finale is available via OML+ for $3.29

The Official Website: http://easyabby.com contains all the episodes + info, photos, gossip, the episodes, the finale trailer and details about screenings.

By Katie