Lesbian Holidays: Lesbian Cruise with Diva Destinations

7-14 September 2014, Western Mediterranean - From £709 per person
Special offer from Planet London
Book through Planet London before 30th September and get $50 per cabin on-board spend.
Phone or email Diva Destinations and quote 'Planet London'
Email:info@divadestinationholidays.co.uk | Phone: (020) 7193 9566 / 07786 304031

Diva Destinations has partnered with the gay friendly cruise company Norwegian Cruise Line to bring our first lesbian group cruise. We have not chartered the entire ship, instead we aim to welcome between 30-50 women (maybe more) aboard the Norwegian Epic next September.  A holiday where gay women can meet new friends, share a fantastic cruise experience and have a wonderfully relaxing holiday whilst visiting some of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Our representative will look after you from the moment you step aboard with our hosted welcome drinks party including free drinks for everyone.  This is a great chance for our guests to meet and get to know each other and find out more about what we have planned during the cruise and your full itinerary for the week. All your days except the day at sea will be going ashore to explore the many sites on offer. You can take off on your own or join our group on one of the many organised excursions on offer at each location

Day 1: Depart Barcelona 6pm

Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Naples, Pompeii, Italy - Arrive 7am – Depart 7pm
Day 4: Civitavecchia, Rome, Italy - Arrive 6am – Depart 7pm
Day 5: Livorno, Florence/Pisa, Italy - Arrive 7am – Depart 7pm
Day 6: Cannes, France - Arrive 8am – Depart 6pm
Day 7: Palma Majorca - Arrive 1pm – Depart 8pm
Day 8: Barcelona - Arrive 5am

Time for final goodbyes and farewells as we leave the ship.

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About Diva Destinations

Diva Destinations is a fully ATOL bonded travel company offering a fantastic range of tailor made lesbian holidays and LGBT holidays suiting your budget and requirements. The ethos of the company is to ensure you have an amazing and memorable holiday experience and to meet new friends through our group holidays organised during the year to various worldwide destinations and gay events. So keep an eye on Diva Destinations Facebook page and tweets for up to date offers and trips.

PRICE MATCH PROMISE. If you get a cheaper quote please let us know and we will aim to match it or beat it on a like for like basis.

Planning your holiday is an exciting adventure but with so much choice available the pressure to make the right decision is huge. So why not let Diva Destinations do the hard work? Just tell them what you are looking for, your budget and they will take care of the rest. THERE’S NO CHARGE FOR THIS. THE BEST PRICES THEY GET FROM HOTELS, AIRLINES & OTHER SUPPLIERS ARE WHAT THEY GIVE TO YOU. Whether you’re working to a budget or just need help choosing a destination Diva Destinations are confident that with their wide range of holidays and access to 100’s of flights, Eurostar and ferries they will find the perfect holiday at the right price.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, be it mountain biking in Utah, kayaking in France, walking the foot-hills of Spain, skiing in Canada, horseback-riding in Texas, a spa retreat in Sweden, wine-tasting in Italy or simply flopping onto a sun-lounger and catching some rays in Lesvos, Diva Destinations will provide you with a holiday you’ll remember forever. And for those planning their civil partnership or wedding they offer a fantastic range of romantic, luxury honeymoon packages for your special occasion.

Interview: Helen Oakleigh - Sitcoms, Sappho & Shakespeare

Exciting new projects for actor Helen Oakleigh, including upcoming lesbian comic romp Sappho at the Lord Stanley in Camden.

Sappho at the Lord Stanley
Sappho, by Carolyn Gage, a riotous romp across the slippery terrain of Lesbian romance, as the goddesses on Olympus come down to earth to recruit among Sappho and her followers, is the rarest of things - a light-hearted, lesbian comedy theatre piece. And an all female cast.

In essence, Sappho is a sexy lesbian comedy, set on the island of Lesbos. Sappho runs schools for lesbians, and comedy ensues. All types of love, lust, relationships and everything in between that can exist between women, are explored. It's a historical piece, but at the same time covers universal and even modern day themes in this latest version.
 
Oakleigh says "lesbian themed theatre often only reflects the stereotypes. Sappho reflects the full mix of society. It's about love and everyone happens to be a woman."

Sappho runs from 28 August - 15 September; Weds - Sat 7.30pm; Sun 6pm. 

Tickets will be available from http://www.theatrecollection.net
Follow on Twitter @theatrecoll

Rugged Rock
Helen is currently starring in new mockumentary web series Rugged Rock, written and directed by Francesca Marie. The sitcom parodies a TIE  (theatre in education) production company that takes itself a bit too seriously. Something that will probably be familiar to most actors and producers.

In this day and age of devices permanently being stuck to our hands, web series are becoming the obvious way to distribute sitcoms, dramas, short films and more. The format gives producers the chance to control how, when and what viewers see. It means rules can be broken, and in Rugged Rock, for example, we are given three female leads, playing untraditional sitcom characters. 

Web series do not have to follow the Network guidelines for mainstream orientated storylines and characters. It is next to impossible for new scripts from unknown writers to be commissioned by Network channels. Online series are helping creatives break away from these constraints and are changing the industry for the next generation. And using channels such as YouTube the content is available for free.

Find Rugged Rock for FREE on Youtube. Follow on Twitter @itsRuggedRock

Watch the Pilot Episode here:

·    What next for Oakleigh?

Making Shakespeare accessible for all - pupils and theatre-goers alike. Through Simply Shakespeare, the canon will be explored and told in 15 minute films. For schools, there will be curriculum and teaching activities available. 

For theatre-goers, the 15 minute versions will be enough present the story of the play and capture the essence, to open up the possibility of enjoying a full length version at the theatre, by taking away all the worry of having to understand the plot just by the language.

Romeo and Juliet is up first. Find out more at

https://www.facebook.com/SimplyShakespeareUK or follow on Twitter @SimplyShakeUK

 

Helen would love to hear from you on Twitter - follow her @helen_oakleigh

By Katie
 

Website: Chart a Chick

There's a new website for women based in London Town. The two female owners have really got "it" going down! The site has many cool features and most are free to use. There's dating for singles or couples and lots more to amuse. If you're in a band or an artist, why not create a page? Add gig dates or advertise events, it won't take an age. Why not promote your business, if you have one? This is a unique online community, a place to have fun. Upload photos and videos or simply log in to engage. There's so many services in fact a whole range!

Offering….

• Dating for singles and couples
• Events promotion for lesbian bands & artists
• Lesbian services and products
• and the eagerly anticipated LEZ-U-HAUL...

LEZ-U-HAUL

(a new dating concept)

 

Fancy being in the spotlight at a luxurious weekend getaway filled with fun, games and a few friendly debates?

 

The TWIST?

You will be filmed, with footage broadcasted on Chart a Chick…for all them single ladies to admire. What to be part of the new big thing? Don’t miss out on the fun and laughter-book your

place now! Unsure than let the LEZ-U-HAUL clips assure you!!

 

Are you ready for a fun dating experience you'll never forget?

You'll be located at a luxurious, secret and private getaway,

Lights, camera, action, we'll be recording, to see and hear what you say.

As you get to know others and explore the possibility of a new mate,

You'll be in the spotlight as you have fun, discuss and debate.

All the time observed by viewers getting to know you too,

If they like what they see, they will drop you a line,

Watch your inbox fill up with interested women to wine and dine.

Check us out at

www.chartachick.co.uk or drop us a line at info@chartachick.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

Free for a limited time!

 

 

Bar-bar-bar-bar-Barberette - now in East London hipsters

Barberette, your gender neutral friendly barber has found a new hub of her own, situated in Hackney, East London (E5). Earlier this year, we visited the community-led "A Hair's Breadth Exhibition" inspired by the patrons in Barberette's hydrollic chair. Read our interview with Barberette.

The Details:

1.       Address:  Warwick Works, Studio 11, Downs Road, London, E5 8QJ

2.       Bookings:  Appointment only via a new booking system – implemented very soon.

3.       Official starting day: 3rd September 2013

4.       Last day at Red Scissors: 31st August 2013

What to look forward to:

• Creative community space to share, do events, pop ups, music, hang out, workshops, the possibilities are endless
• Promoting the gender neutral pricing ethos
• Efficient online booking system, which will allow you to select what hair service you need, with fair pricing and timing. And yes you will receive a confirmation email! Yay
• Away from the busy, noisy Camden streets into the chilled, quirky Hackney Downs area, a minute away from the Russet and independent Village Green shops, a  stone's throw away from Dalston and Stoke Newington high streets
• Great overground, rail and bus links – all the travel details are here.

Keep an eye out for Barberette website and social media updates on launch progress: www.barberette.co.uk; www.facebook.com/thebarberette

Stonewall's Girl's Night Out

Ever wondered just how funny an all-female comedy night could be? Find out at Stonewall’s Girls’ Night Out – a fundraiser for the gay equality charity, to support their work in tackling homophobic bullying in schools. 

After a sell-out inaugural show last year, Girls’ Night Out returns to London’s Bloomsbury Theatre on 30 September. 

Jen Brister is MC for the night, joined by comedians including Derek star Kerry Godliman and Zoe Lyons from Mock the Week. Hannah Gadsby, Francesca Martinez, Angie McEvoy, Leisa Rea, Suzi Ruffell and Rosie Wilby are just some of the other acts also on the bill. 

Tickets cost £25, and you can find out the latest confirmed comedians and booking information at www.stonewall.org.uk/comedy

Hang on to Summer with "The Spring Tide" at Old Red Lion Theatre Islington

Venue: Old Red Lion Theatre
Run: Tuesday 3rd September - Saturday 21st September
Time: Tuesday - Saturday 7:30pm
Saturday & Sunday 3:00pm
Tickets £15 (£12 Concessions) 
Details & bookings: http://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/the-spring-tide.htm

More lesbian themed theatre for Londoners as the World Premiere of The Spring Tide, a modern day love story of transformation and hope takes place in September at London’s Old Red Lion Theatre in Islington.

This intimate, personal yet not uncommon story centres around the character of Suzy and her unstinting love for Lan. A world without Lan in it would be unimaginable. But the strongest feelings are also the most dangerous, and Suzy is afraid. Instead of Lan, she chooses a life of safety, convincing herself over the years that this is the right path. This will resonate with many of the audience.

But even pulled apart, they find they are drawn to one another by a deep, irresistible, inevitable bond.

After years apart, Lan’s final return shatters everything Suzy has made her own – a home, a husband, a son. As her world begins to unravel, Suzy must confront her fears and her desire. A decision must be made, whatever the cost.

In a move away from the recent run of 'coming out stories' this is instead a ‘coming of Middle Age’ story with a feminist heart that insists its women achieve happiness in the face of adversity.

The Spring Tide is written by up and coming playwright Carol Vine, whose credits include short films Rise and Irreparable and a one-woman show, Whore.

The play is directed by Graham Hubbard, (Associate Director Sweeney Todd and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) and is produced by Oliver Taheri.

Writer, Carol Vine says, "It took me a while to find this play. I skirted around it for a long time before realising that I simply wanted to write a love story. For some reason this terrified me. Some of my previous work has been described as challenging, unsettling, provocative,and yet this for me was a far more difficult piece to write, and more exposing. It’s not autobiographical, but the feelings within it are deeply personal, and though perhaps that is true about everything I’ve written, this is certainly the piece that has kept me awake for more nights than any other.

Maybe that’s a good thing. I once heard a playwright give the advice, 'You should write the play that scares you most; the one that you fear may shock or even alienate your friends and family.'"

Cast:

Suzy: Phillipa Peak

Lan: Alison Lewin

Young Suzy: Lorena Vila

Young Lan: Nellie McQuinn

Tim: James Buller

Lewis: Pierro Nel Mee

Alan: Sam Dunham