EXCLUSIVE Lucy Spraggan Interview @ Pride in London

After an epic pheasant-plucking quest, we finally had the chance to catch up with fan favourite and Ultimate Planet Community Award winner Lucy Spraggan in person at this year's Pride in London - and she did not disappoint!

Lucy performed an acoustic set at the Women's Stage to massive applause and revelry - flying in from Egypt early on the morning of Pride and pulling off a massive crowd-pleasing 20 minute set. 

With the ability to weave authentic stories and uptempo folk-hip-hop guitar, it's no wonder the girls go wild for this down to earth Sheffield-born lass.

Planet London (PL): How are you?
Lucy Spraggan (LS): Very well thanks (A bit tired)... just back from holiday

PL: Adventurous Travels?
LS: Well yes, it was interesting, there was an incident where we were staying with 15 armed police officers and a machine gun...
PL: There's a song in there somewhere...

PL: How are Pride events different from any other that you perform at?
LS: I think they are always a bit more mad and a bit more fun... it's not that gay people are more fun. But gay people are more fun.


PL: What are you working on at the moment? We saw you released a sneak peak of a new track earlier in the year
LS: Yes, that was Papercuts, one of the new songs. I'm doing new songs for the second album, and I'm straying out of the box a little bit - doing some things people wouldn't expect, I hope
PL: We are looking forward to that

PL: What's been your favourite experience on stage so far?
LS: Playing all the big festivals like V and T in the Park has been really special because they're the things you don't really ever think you'll get to play and where you are playing them it's amazing. 
PL: and you are packing the tents out at those festivals as well 
LS: It's a bit mad, yes!

PL: What is your favourite karaoke song?
LS: 'English Man in New York' (Sting) or Goldie Looking Chain 'Guns Don't Kill' which I can do without even looking at the screen!

PL: Who'd be your ideal duet?
LS: Dolly Parton


PL: What's your favourite sound?
LS: My dog Steve makes this noise. When I say "Sing me the song of your people" he meows like a cat [Lucy's impression was pretty close to it!]

PL: Would you rather be a frisbee or a space hopper?
LS: Spacehopper. Always. 

Um, can anybody tell me the drinks in (Last Night) #BeerFear?

PL: What's your favourite drink?
LS: It changes from day to day but at the moment it's.... 
[Editor's note: At this point we got distracted by how many songs there are in Last Night (Beer Fear). We didn't know - but Lucy this this list just for you:
Vodka
Tequila
Brandy
Bells Fine Whisky
Baileys
Rose
Sailor Jerry's
Flamin' Sambuca]

PL: What is your best or worse beer fear moment?
LS: I woke up, and the back of my head had been glued together with a glue stitch and I couldn't remember how. All I had was a picture on my phone of me and a reindeer. That's a true story.

PL: What biscuit best describes your personality?
LS: I'm gonna have to say my favourite - chocolate digestive with caramel inside. Because it's full of calories. And so am I. 

PL: What's your favourite monster munch flavour?
LS: Everyone knows it's got to be pickled onion.

Watch out for those duck sized horses!

PL: Would you rather be attacked by a horse sized duck or a dozen duck sized horses?
LS: Obviously a horse sized duck.
PL: But it could eat you in one go. You could run away from the horses.
LS: Or climb up away from them. Or ride them. 
[Editor's note: inconclusive.]

More photos of Lucy from Pride in London

By Katie

Down Girls Gets Down with Jade Ellis - you can too!

Downstairs at the Black Cap, something is stirring, the ground is buzzing, and something big is coming. Women from all over London, and further afield, are descending upon Camden to go to DownGirls. Why is this night causing such a stir? 

The launch event was a huge success, with 3 live acts offering 3 different burlesque style performances, and 2 top class London LBQ DJs that kept the dancefloor busy from around 10pm right through to close. If you didn't catch this event and you want to know more you can read our review here. 

In May DownGirls returns and it is going to be a showstopper. Raising money for Pride in London alongside Planet London's Proud Planet campaign, the event is going to see the return of Ruby Fortune, and Leela (both back by popular demand!) as well as a live performance from London-based X Factor contestant Jade Ellis. BBC3 and Comedy Central Lou Sanders will be on hand for the social hour!

What a line up! 

The night will be hosted by Back to the Wildroom and event managed on the night by Missy Downgirl and her Mister.

The best thing is because this is a fundraiser, it won't break the bank. Tickets are £5 in advance and £5 on the door before 10pm (plus the first 50 women get a free drink!); £15 after 10pm. Show the MyPocketPlanet app or a SHE stamp on the door to get £5 entry all night. There is also 6 VIP tickets up for grabs. These get you private entrance; a table at our VIP booth (situated next to our celebrity guest booth) and with a prime view of the stage. VIP tickets include a free drink on arrival and are £20. 

The intimate gig with Jade alone makes this event worth every penny. 

Raffle tickets will be available on the night from Planeteers. The raffle is going on throughout May and June and there are a number of VIP event tickets available to LBQ events in London as well as bottles of bubbly and Planet London goodies. Win something special at the event with one of the acts that money cannot buy!

Other ways you can support Pride in London is by throwing your change from each drink you buy into the buckets on the bar. You won't even miss it!

So what are you waiting for, get your ticket for the hottest event of the month before they sell out. Although the Black Cap has capacity for 300, with so many LBQ women in London, they could sell out in no time.


Facebook event
Eventbrite for advance tickets
DownGirls on Twitter

After the Prom comes the Carnival with all the fun of the fair!

NEON JUNGLE

&

BELA TAKES CHASE

NEON JUNGLE are confirmed as the headline act ready to perform their brilliant hits, including Trouble, Braveheart, and their current top ten smash Welcome to the Jungle.

Support comes from a modern day Dusty Springfield, the talented Bela Takes Chase.


Barely two months have passed since the epic Lesbian Prom. The event went so well that those MissFit girls have gone and organised another one!

If you slept through the Lesbian Prom and have no idea what I'm talking about, you can read our review of it here.

So what can we expect from The Carnival? Read on to find out!

Come and see the sideshows, join in the revelry and twisted amusements as Missfit follows on from The Prom and joins forces with two collectives.

DOMO and ducks take over the Attic Room. It's a clash of music you can dance to in this queer, body-positive party for anyone who likes dancing to pop gems and disco, on their own or otherwise. Playing everything from Madonna to Robyn, Backstreet Boys to Destiny’s Child and everything excellent in between.

The majestic lady herself Bethany will be playing alongside a collection of glorious DJs. And there will be ducks. Dancing ducks. Hook a duck and... ducks.

Bar Wotever will be taking over the reception room and will welcome you with their community spirit, LGBT inclusion and Queer frolics. With face paint, genderswap / genderexplore, zine making and art Installations. Visuals and interconnections between people and everything that comes with it. This is Carnival and our music is provided by Hug the DJ and brought to you by Wotever Crew.

The main room will be once again hosted by Missfit with g3 magazine joining us to keep the party going till five. Playing out pop & R'n'B for everyone, DJs Sandra D, D'afro and more to be announced, aong with our headline act.

CARNIVAL

When: Friday 23rd May

Where: Scala,  275 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9NL. Nearest Tube is Kings Cross (Thameslink Entrance).

Time: 9pm until 5am

Admission: Limited Early Bird Advance £12 / £16 General Admission / £35 VIP in advance. 

Age 18+ ID Required.

Tickets: Buy online www.ticketweb.co.uk  (search "Carnival" ) 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. 

Invite your friends to the event on Facebook.

Feature by Naomi

International Womens Festival - Girls in Wonderland Gay Days

In March Planet London started a new 'featured theme of the month'. For obvious reasons March was 'Marriage Equality' and we ran a number of interviews and articles on this subject as well as publishing some informative; yet interesting blog pieces.

April has arrived; and our latest featured theme of the month is 'International Women's Festivals'.

This is the fourth in a series of features and interviews on international lesbian festivals.

This is a review of Girls in Wonderland Gay Days (Orlando, Florida)

  

Enjoy!

Looking for sun, women, music, hook-ups and fun all centred around a fabulous holiday? Look no further: Florida is the place to go. Whether it's June or September- you'll find the most fantastic women's festivals happening in the Sunshine State. The best part is, they've been around for almost 20 years and never fail if you're looking for the perfect gay vacation.

June 5th-9th 2014 Girls In Wonderland Gay Days - Orlando, Florida

Every first weekend of June, lesbians and gay men pack up their flip flops, red t-shirts and sun screen and head for Orlando, Florida for "Gay Days'. A long standing tradition that happens when over 15,000 gays flood Mickey Mouse's neighbourhood for sun, fun & parties. Ladies have their share of options, thanks to Alison Burgos, Pandora events and their "Girls In Wonderland" long weekend. 

Loud, bumping & humping hotel pool parties with kick-ass DJ's, Happy Hour & Cocktail parties, live music at House of Blues, major dance parties, VIP events, and top notch comedy nights make for a non-stop thrill ride of ladies, dancing, music & laughs all within Disney Village and usually with some form of bus transport, if not within walking distance. 

A massive LGBT Expo at the main host hotel is great for a wander through with tons of free goodies, stalls, vendors & product displays. The pillage to DisneyWorld itself happens on Saturday afternoon, when everyone dons their red shirts and heads for the Magic Kingdom. Never sanctioned or acknowledged by Disney, and yet the day creates a most spectacular sea of red throughout the magnificent park and is a sight to be hold.

Some past guests include The L Word stars Leisha Hailey and Pam Grier to The Real L Word personalities Whitney Mixter, Tracy Ryerson and Rose Garcia, reality stars The Kardashians, Dani Campbell and Rachel Robinson, mega music stars Missy Elliott, Janet Jackson and Pitbull, they have all partied with Pandora.

Top name performers also include a wide range of talent including funny girls, Suzanne Westenhoeffer, Julie Goldman and Dana Goldberg, singing sirens and rockers, Uh Huh Her, Hunter Valentine, Betty, Sophie B Hawkins, Melissa Ferrick, Goddess & She, Halcyon and The State Of.. along with the hottest girls DJs like DJ/Producer Tracy Young, Alyson Calagna, and Lisa Pittman from Miami, LA and NYC. 

With so much to do, it's best to research web sites ahead of time and look for hotel & ticket packages that offer the best deals for your stay & entertainment choices.

The website starts shaping up in April with celebrity appearances, entertainment line-up and event announcements. 

Review by Denise Warner-Gregory
Listen to Denise on My Lesbian Radio

International Womens Festivals - WomenFest

In March Planet London started a new 'featured theme of the month'. For obvious reasons March was 'Marriage Equality' and we ran a number of interviews and articles on this subject as well as publishing some informative; yet interesting blog pieces.

April has arrived; and our latest featured theme of the month is 'International Women's Festivals'.

This is the third in a series of features and interviews on international lesbian festivals.

This is a review of WomenFest (Key West, Florida).

  

Enjoy!

Looking for sun, women, music, hook-ups and fun all centred around a fabulous holiday? Look no further: Florida is the place to go. Whether it's June or September- you'll find the most fantastic women's festivals happening in the Sunshine State. The best part is, they've been around for almost 20 years and never fail if you're looking for the perfect gay vacation.

September 4th-7th 2014 WomenFest 2014- Key West, Florida

In the U.S., Labor Day (the first Monday of September) is a holiday that signifies a celebration of "the American Labor Movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers", which I didn't even know until I just now Googled it, because to me, it meant a day off and time for a big bash to say good-bye to summer. Whatever the significance, grab your shortest shorts, a swimsuit, a snorkel, and sunglasses and head to the southern most point of Florida for WomenFest in Key West, Florida. 

With it's laid-back Jimmy Buffet-Margaritaville appeal, this 4 day event has everything you could possibly want in a holiday, with the added bonus of lesbians everywhere! The list is of things to do is nearly endless: jet-skiiing, sunset catamaran cruises, art workshops (a women-only Nude painting class?! Yes!), DJ driven pool parties, golfing, live music, comedy night, cinema night, karaoke nights, dance parties at Aqua Night Club, drag shows, yoga classes, a bunch of different contests, including the SHE Magazine's Beach Blanket Butch & Babe Poolside contest, the annual Pearl's Itsy Bitsy Bikini Contest, volleyball, water sports, snorkelling, dolphin-watching, parasailing, kayaking, island trolley tours from The Gay Trolley Co., dinner dances, afternoon pool side tea party dances, evening Happy Hours and outdoor patio cocktail parties are all part of an event line-up that leaves nothing out. 

It's a 4 mile-wide island, jam-packed with lesbians, so you won't need to worry about transport because you can rent electric mini cars, mopeds, bicycles, hitch a ride with a babe on scooter or just walk to the nearest party. Plenty of amazing food places, miles of sandy beaches, the legendary Duval Street, shops that never stop, and frozen drinks to keep you cool in the intense heat. Great entertainment includes past guests: musician/singer Jennifer Corday, the completely interactive band Sister Funk, The Voice contestant Bev McClellan, hot moves & music from NY's own Lori Michaels & The Girls, comedy has included Dana Goldberg, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Julie Goldman, Wendy Carlisle, Christine O'Leary, and Susie Comet. 

Always adding new faces, new music, DJ's, bands & singers, keep your eye on the events section of the website as they start announcing the 2014 line-up in June/July. Airline deals, hotel packages and host hotel info can be found at www.womenfest.com  

Review by Denise Warner-Gregory
Listen to Denise on My Lesbian Radio