Diversity Role Model Fundraiser hosted by Girl Action sponsored by Gaydar Girls & g3 Magazine

Planet London is proud to recommend this event as one to go to in March. Centro Club is a great venue, add to that the AMAZING entertainment planned and you have a good night - and by attending you are supporting an LGBT Charity - what more could you ask for?!?

How much easier would your life have been if you could of had more positive role models creating a safe space for you to be who you are? This is a chance to support the work of Diversity Role Models for the next generation of LGBT people.

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Date: Saturday 3rd March 2012
Time: 9pm – 2.30am
Venue: Centro Club: 18 West Central Street, London WC1A 1JJ

The Girl Action team are thrilled to welcome you to the biggest show the lesbian London scene has seen for years as they host one almighty fundraiser for the Diversity Role Models Charity helping their essential work to prevent sexuality/gender based bulling in schools by educating all students about diversity.

Sponsored by Gaydar Girls and g3 magazine - ensuring a top class production whilst supporting a great cause you will be entertained by our gorgeous, sizzling stunt and dance troop ’GirlsRoc’ think Coyote Ugly empowerment, mixed with Pussy Cat Doll perfection, add fire to heat things up, then a splash of champagne for an extravagant edge – and voilá you have the GirlsRoc cocktail – an exceptional show of highly skilled acrobats and aerial performances will blow your mind.

For those looking for a more refined experience of the night and prefer a more sophisticated atmosphere whilst others party hard downstairs we have opened the Balcony bar for our MINT members, with ample seating and your own VIP bar overlooking the main dance area.

Showcasing the cream of the female DJ talent including Yvette Lindquist, MoniCa Dee, DJ Kacey, Miss Cupcake and special guest DJ from ‘Good Girls Gone Bad Dj Sipz C hitting the decks at the Centro club with its turbo-charged sound system, state of the art light and visuals – creating a more incredible clubbing experience, attitude free and a fun night out for everyone.

With all profits being donated to the Diversity Role Models, bring your girlfriends, mates, lovers and gay guys as we welcome you to a new LA inspired sensational clubbing experience.

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About Diversity Role Models
Diversity Role Models work to prevent homophobic and gender based bullying in schools by educating all students about diversity. They use positive role models – gay, straight and transgender – to help LGB and T students feel confident and to ensure their classmates understand, accept and welcome the differences they notice in others.

Diversity Role Models website

New Workshop - Art as a vehicle of energy

What:         Acting workshop
Who:           Directed by Ana Baldaia - for women- all levels of experience
Where:        East London (Venue to be confirmed)
When:        Sunday 3pm-5pm (10 sessions starting 29 January)
Why:          To unleash the creative self in each individual, boost inner confidence and find a safe place of expression
How much: Donation base towards space rental

About

Ana Baldaia is a traveller, a qualified teacher and a theatre practitioner. She studied acting in a 4 years conservatoire course completed in Portugal and directing at Michael Howard Studios in New York. She created Roof Theatre Project in NY, and CLIT in Lisbon, both laboratories for theatre research. Has directed workshops in the USA, Brazil, Spain, India, and in England and through these has developed her research towards the fundamental technical principles that engender the performer’s presence in scenic life, as an analogy to the fundamental principles of living better, more fulfilled and successful lives. As an actor, has participated in different shows, the most recent one being ‘Beauty’ in ‘Vixens in the Hoods’, at the RVT, directed by Didi Hopkins.

The method

An ongoing laboratory where theatre is a research for the self, an experience where the method is searching for the method. Each performer learns therefore to create their own inner laboratory working with their own craft: body, mind, emotions, dreams, memories, and voice.

The process

1. Finding the way into a black journey - formation of the group - games, body, voice, emotions, improvisation
2. Finding the vehicle for the journey - formation of the self - body in space, breathing, relaxation, sensitivity, concentration
3. Being present in the journey - formation of the performer - character, material, outcome

The outcome

This will vary according to what each participant will bring to the workshop, their level of experience, interests and preferred creative outlets. We could be looking at a collective local showcase, performance or just a group of people who met and grew together.

Roof theatre current research topic: women’s presence beyond gender

Contact email: anabaldas2002@yahoo.com

Ana Baldaia's blog: http://anabaldaia.blogspot.com/

Dance theatre workshop blog: http://dancetheatreworkshop.blogspot.com/

Websites: Exclusive Pride - exotic destinations for lesbian and gay travellers

New travel website - Exclusively Pride

Exotic destinations for gay and lesbian travellers.

Planet London attended the launch event for Exclusively Pride at Ku Bar on Thursday 27 October 2011.

Exclusively Pride is a new web based travel service offering gay holiday makers and travellers something different – a safe, tailor made holiday or travel experience without being confined to the usual gay resort hotspots such as Gran Canaria.

Specialising in Exotic and luxury travel, Exclusively Pride aims to meet your needs – by finding what you want, and using their expert knowledge to ensure you find those “hidden gems”. You will receive advice and support on how to stay safe as a gay traveller and information on how gay friendly particular countries are using the Exclusively Pride star rating.

Top destinations currently offered by the company include Southern and East Africa, India and paradise honeymoon getaways.

We spoke to owner, Gerla Pusey-de Boer, about where the idea came from to set up the service. Dutch born Gerla has always travelled throughout her adult life, and has worked internationally, in cities such as Cape Town, in the travel and retail industries. After years in the food retail industry, Gerla realised that travel was an industry she wanted to explore. 

Three years ago, there wasn’t much of an interest in tailored, luxury travelling, but recently the interest has picked up, in particular with gay clientale. From there, Gerla realised that there may be more gay people wanting to travel to exotic destinations but who felt unsure of the safety issues and who would avoid some fantastic destinations because of lack of information or bespoke travel arrangements that could provide a unique holiday experience. 

The idea is the people can choose a holiday of their own making and Gerla will co-ordinate the logistical arrangements, working with trusted suppliers and negotiating friendly rates for lesbian and gay travellers. The focus is on responsible travelling – learning about real communities through experienced local guides, who we are assured, leave the travellers “in good hands”.

The site offers inspiration for those who do not know what they want, based on Gerla’s own travel expertise. Gerla is truly passionate about travel, and wants to share that with those who might not normally go down the luxury/bespoke travel route with some real ‘out of the box’ thinking at the planning stage.

Photos sourced from Exclusively Pride Facebook page

Review by Katie

Interview: Lara A King, singer, songwriter & stand up comedian

**Funny Women Winner 2011** | **L-Talent Finalist 2011**

Lara A King's website

Planet London caught up with Lara in the Mint VIP area overlooking the exhibitor hall and main stage shortly before she performed to the Big Gay Lifestyle Show visitors.

Cool and collected as ever, Lara talked to Planet London about L-Talent, performing and what she likes about living the gay lifestyle.

We congratulated Lara on her excellent performance in the L-Talent finals earlier this year. She commented that there had been a really high level of talent and it was great to have a platform to promote lesbian talent and that in particular, the Brighton heat had been a great night with a good atmosphere and an appreciative audience - some 400 lesbians.

Lara, performing in the Funny Women slot, said it was really exciting to have the opportunity to perform as a funny, gay woman.

She thinks that events like the Big Gay Lifestyle Show are important as they are a chance to spend the day hanging out with lots of gay people. When we asked Lara what her favourite aspect of the gay lifestyle was, she quickly responded 'shagging women'. Enough said!

There are busy times ahead for Lara following her performance at the Big Gay Lifestyle Show, she is being whisked away to Brighton to headline at the Pavillion Theatre; there will be more Funny Women gigs and she is writing music in preparation for a tour in early 2012. Keep an eye on our events calendar for the London gigs, and on Lara's website for all her gigs.

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Read our overall review of the Big Gay Lifestyle Show here.

Review by Katie and Naomi

Interview: Rosie Wilby, comedian, musician, writer and broadcaster

Rosie Wilby's website

Planet London managed to grab 5 minutes with Rosie before she compered the Funny Women slot at the Big Gay Lifestyle Show. Rosie has been involved with Funny Women since she made the final of their competition in 2006.

Rosie also hosts Femmes by the Thames, a diverse cabaret night held every 2-3 months on a Wednesday night at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. The night showcases female music/comedy/character/poetry performances and has been running at the RVT since February 2010. The night is a spin off from Rosie's cabaret night 'Femmes on the Thames' that used to be held monthly on the Battersea Barge. "The RVT doesn't bob up and down quite so much" Rosie remarked.

Rosie told us she thinks LGBT events such as Pride are an important feature of the gay scene, but they need to be clear on what their message is and who they are for. She said the gay lifestyle is very social and also political but otherwise is pretty much the same as everyone elses.

Additionally, Rosie also presents a radio show called 'Out in South London', Tuesday nights at 6.30pm on Resonance104.4fm. The radio show has become a big success, and it started out as a monthly show on South City Radio, a community radio station based in Peckham, but when that lost its funding for adult programming Rosie moved the show to Resonance FM as it had developed a good following, where it is now a weekly fixture. The show has attracted some high profile guests including Stella Duffy and Sarah Waters and features only LGBT guests and music by LGBT artists, receiving excellent reviews in The Guardian, Time Out and South London press.

But that is not all Rosie is up to at the moment, she will be touring with a 90s nostalgia-based comedy show 'Rosie's Pop Diary' (which she has already taken to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe earlier in 2011) which looks back on stories and memories, fan letters and reviews of Rosie's time in a 90s brit pop band. Look out for her London tour dates on Planet London's events calendar, and find out more about everything Rosie is up to on her website. 

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Read our overall review of the Big Gay Lifestyle Show here.

To listen to previous episodes of the radio show, visit the Out in South London website.

Review by Katie and Naomi

Coming soon: Big Gay Lifestyle Show

Date: Saturday 22 October
Location: The Grand Connaught Rooms, 61-65 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5DA
Time: 11am - 1.30am
Entry: free until 3pm (thanks to last minute sponsorship by G3 and Out in the UK)*/ £20 incl evening access

* you need to register on the website in advance to get the free entry

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This Saturday 22 October is the much anticipated Big Gay Lifestyle Show in the Grand Connaught Rooms, Covent Garden.

Billed as both Europe's biggest gay indoor lifestyle show, and the first of its kind in the UK, the event itself is more like a festival, in that there are in fact a number of events, activities and things to do and see.

Sponsored by Gaydar, supported by Google, and in partnership with Stonewall, this event certainly appears to be launching with a large range of big brands, and a few small ones too (the full list hasn't been released).

11am - 5.30pm

During the day you can pop along to visit the exhibitor stands and walk around the lifestyle village. While you're there you can visit the main stage and see acts including London Gay Men's Chorus, Julie Jepson (comedian) and Funny Women (hosted by Rosie Wilby).

6pm-7.10pm

Gay Bingo and cabaret in the Drawing Room and Edinburgh room keeps you all entertained whilst the grand hall is transformed ready for the evening's entertainment.

7.30pm-1am

The main stage kicks off with a bang, and more acts continue into the night including Pam Ann, Jill Jackson and Slum Civilians (hip hop dance troop).

11pm-7am

There is also now an official after party at Fire in Vauxhall, just flash your wristband from the event and they'll let you in for free!

Limited tickets only are available on the day for the evening section, and your free entry won't get you in, so it is best to get your ticket online in advance to ensure you aren't disappointed. You can buy tickets here.

On top of all that, you can get wine tasting between 12.30 and 2pm with Barefoot Wines, Stonewall are offering 100 free 'Some People Are Gay - Get Over It' t-shirts to the first people through the doors, and there is a chill out zone where you can get a chair massage - and so much more!

We can't wait, and no doubt we'll see many of you at this event at some point!

Review by Naomi, 18 October 2011

The lesbian scene - where has it gone?

Today's news of the closure of First Out at the end of the month started with a Tweet from the bar stating "Dear friends, the news is bad. First_Out Cafe will be closing its door on 29th October. Come and say goodbye. We are all very sad." Following this were several Tweets and Facebook status updates in shock and disbelief. (also reported by Pink News) It is a sad reminder of the state of the lesbian scene in London right now.

This year we have also seen the end of G Spot due to the loss of the venue and the closure of The Green in Islington, and in recent years of course the Glass Bar and Chocolate Lounge both lost their homes. Remember Rush in Soho, another victim? We should also not forget that for a time the Candy Bar was under threat until it was bought by the owner of Ku Bar.  Ghetto moved to the City in search of lower rents and suitable venues available at weekends, but with more and more events moving to City locations, what happens if these hire rates continue to increase too? Of course, the first venue to become a victim in the last 6-7 years was Vespa at Centre Point.

As a result of increased costs in leasing property, we are seeing a move towards venue owners becoming event organisers – forced to use non-scene, less well located venues – on the outskirts of town or in the City which is largely closed at the weekend. There have been some great events launched over the years, but even these, it seems, struggle to stand the test of time – with many events coming and going. 

This month alone both Other People's Property and DirtyConverse have announced that they are going on hiatus, and it appears that attendance at some club nights is also reduced. But on the flip side, new events such as Bijou (monthly at Tart Bar), Howlers and Halo (from Good Girlz Gone Bad at Hidden) have started up... the scene it seems is still carrying on as ever, evolving and changing to meet the needs of lesbians in London.

Alongside a demise of independent lesbian venues, this leaves a tiny selection of women-only or women-centred gay venues around, which are aimed at a small section of the hugely diverse lesbian, bisexual, queer women's community in London. If you want a safe space in which to go for a quiet drink and a bite to eat where do you go now?

Many people have their opinions on why venues close. "Lesbians don’t go out" is often cited as a primary cause. But there are other factors influencing things – the recession means perhaps people can't afford to go out as much; rental prices have sky rocketed in London, pricing small independent venues out of the market; lack of up to date information about what there is on offer for our communities in the Capital, perhaps – don’t forget we set up Planet London for precisely that reason.

We need to let the closure of First Out be a warning to support our scene, or we may see the further closure of more nights and venues. We need to realise that we may have to travel outside of zone 1 in order for these independent businesses to be able to operate and run.