THEGAYUK

Day: 29 April 2019

  • Go Wig Tour featuring RPDR queens has been cancelled

    Go Wig Tour featuring RPDR queens has been cancelled

    The Go Wig Tour has been cancelled just a day after promoters requested that RuPaul’s name be removed from any advertising.

    go wig tour cancelled

    According to the ticket seller, Ticketmaster, the UK stretch of the Go Wig Tour has been cancelled and asked vendors and outlets who were promoting the UK segment of the tour to remove any promotions of the tour.

    Yesterday, in an email seen by THEGAYUK, vendors and outlets were asked to remove any mention of RuPaul and only to use artwork directly associated with the Go Wig Tour. In the update it was announced that Yvie Oddly would also not be appearing.

    One of the venues which was due to host the tour the O2 Ritz in Manchester released a statement and said that anyone who had bought tickets for the event would be able to get a refund.

     

    The tour was due to visit London, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Belfast.

    THEGAYUK reached out to Go Wig Tour for comment.

    This is a breaking story

  • There’s going to be an Act Of Remembrance for the 20th anniversary of the Admiral Duncan bombing

    Pride in London joins 17-24-30 NationalHCAW to mark 20 years since Admiral Duncan bombing

    • On 30th April 1999 a nail bomb attack at the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho killed three people and wounded 79
    • Soho attack followed two other nail bombings in Brixton on 17th April and Brick Lane on 24th April as part of a homophobic, racist terror campaign
    • Soho Act of Remembrance marking the 20th anniversary of the attacks will take place at 5pm on Tuesday 30th April outside the Admiral Duncan

    Pride in London is joining anti-hate charity 17-24-30 NationalHCAW (National Hate Crime Awareness Week) this Tuesday (30th April) to mark the 20th anniversary of the London nail bombings and remember those killed during the attacks: Nik Moore, Andrea Dykes and John Light.

    On 30th April 1999, three people were killed and 79 injured when a nail bomb was detonated at the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho, the heart of London’s gay community. At the time the pub and the street outside were particularly crowded because the evening was the start of the early May Bank Holiday weekend. Four of the survivors had to have limbs amputated.

    An Act of Remembrance marking 20 years since the attacks is planned for Tuesday evening, starting outside the Admiral Duncan and then moving round to St Anne’s Gardens on Wardour Street. The latter part will feature speeches from: Rev Simon Buckley, St Anne’s Church; Mark Healey, Founder 17-24-30 NationalHCAW and Cllr Ian Adams, Westminster Council – as well as three poems read by Trudy Howson, LGBT Poet Laureate; Terry Morely, Nik Moore’s aunt and Natalie Patterson, Andrea Dyke’s sister, and performances by the London Gay Men’s Chorus, the Pink Singers and Diversity Choir.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The bombing in Soho followed two connected attacks in other parts of the capital: Brixton on 17th April and Brick Lane on 24th April. Though there were no fatalities, 61 people were injured by the blasts. These attacks were racially-motivated and targeted the black community in south London and the Bangladeshi Muslim community in the East End. Smaller acts of remembrance took place in both locations on the respective dates as part of 17-24-30 NationalHCAW’s April Acts of Remembrance.

    Mark Healey, Founder of 17-24-30 NationalHCAW, said, “It’s hugely important that our communities come together to mark the anniversaries of these horrendous events. We have a duty to remember those we lost, to show our ongoing support to those affected by these attacks, and most importantly to educate the next generation to make sure these kinds of attacks never happen again.

    “We’re good at dealing with the immediate aftermath of these kinds of attacks but more needs to be done to deal with their longer-term impact on our communities. Some of the survivors and the families affected by these attacks are still suffering and need more support. I hope our April Acts of Remembrance inspire people to get involved, to build stronger links between all our communities and ensure there is no place for hate amongst us.”

    The Soho Act of Remembrance will take place at 5pm on Tuesday 30th April outside the Admiral Duncan on Old Compton Street, Soho. So the organisers can gauge how many people will attend, please register here if you plan to join the act of remembrance.

  • GAY TRAVEL | Arizona: Celebration Sun, Fun and Pride in Phoenix Arizona

    GAY TRAVEL | Arizona: Celebration Sun, Fun and Pride in Phoenix Arizona

    The last time I was in the Phoenix area was 2005, so when I was offered a chance to visit the city again, I jumped at the opportunity, especially since this trip would coincide with Phoenix Pride.

    The temperature in the spring and fall is quite tolerable and enjoyable so I would plan your vacation during those seasons, unless you are an avid heat seeker.

    I really didn’t recognize any part of the city, so jumping on a pedal cab for a quick tour of downtown was the best way to orient myself. I met up with my friend Josh Rimer aka Mr. Gay Canada, and we were on our way!

    Our wonderful tour guide Billy was a hoot. He knew everything about every nook and cranny of the city from the history of buildings to the meaning of some of city’s most iconic murals. He knew we were in town for gay pride, so he included some information about the city’s LGBT history and culture.

    Before checking in to our hotel, we stopped for lunch at The Churchill, a locally owned community-driven gathering spot in the heart of the Roosevelt Row neighborhood. Ten small businesses surround an open-air courtyard intended for dining, drinking and socializing. The space hosts a variety of speakers, art events, and fitness classes throughout the year.

    If you’re craving a bit of luxury, check in to the magnificent Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. It’s one of the most LGBT-friendly resorts in the region and is set against the picturesque McDowell Mountains range. The sprawling Southwestern-style complex features 750 guest rooms, six heated pools, and a 44,000 square-foot Well & Being Spa.

    Spa culture is big in Scottsdale, with many properties offering unique treatments highlighting their natural surroundings. The Phoenician offers a wonderful Body & Soul treatment that is not to be missed.

    Speaking of spas, we ventured off the beaten path to explore another renowned spa called CIVANA. Traveling can be fun but also stressful, so I chose a relaxing treatment combining 10 different aromatherapy blends. While at CIVANA, take part in a sound bath class, where an instructor creates vibrations using singing bowls made from various healing crystals. All you need to do is relax while the sounds melt your worries away.

    For the adventurous type, try aerial yoga. This is not your run of the mill yoga. In fact, it wasn’t relaxing at all. It was more like a Cirque du Soleil training camp. I tried my hardest to keep myself balanced while suspended in mid air by nothing but cloth. Of course, my fearless instructor made me go upside down and swing side to side while a flimsy sheet was supposed to support me. After I got over my fear, I enjoyed the class. The entire experience was fun but more of an upper body workout than a yoga class.

    While in Phoenix, visit the Desert Botanical Garden, a collection of more than 50,000 arid plants gathered from deserts from around the globe. We recommend visiting when the garden first opens to avoid the scorching heat. The Garden also offers evening tours, which although we didn’t get to experience, we heard were a great way to view the property.

    Not too far away is the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) which displays a collection of 6,800 instruments from 200 countries and territories. Most of the displays are enhanced by audio and video technologies that allow guests to see the instruments, hear their sounds, and observe them being played. During our visit, the MIM featured a special exhibit on Arizona native and rock legend Alice Cooper.

    All this touring got us thirsty, so it was time for some cocktails. Since we landed in Phoenix, all we kept hearing about was a place called The UnderTow. But after I said I needed to research it, people told me not to, and just go. Guests enter The UnderTow through Sip Coffee & Beer Garage, which happens to be a converted Jiffy Lube. The downstairs area – where mechanics worked on vehicles – has been transformed into a subterranean tiki bar complete with sound and visual effects that made guests feel as if they were stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Not to be outdone by the décor, the bartenders know how to make one hell of a cocktail.

    After drinks, it was time to celebrate gay pride. Phoenix Pride is one of the first festivals to kick off pride season and attracts over 40,000 revelers during the two-day festival and parade. This year’s festival contained headlining performances from Ada Vox, Kim Petras and JoJo.

    The bars came alive after Pride, as in most cities. We didn’t get to experience many that night due to immense crowds, but we did visit Stacy’s @ Melrose, and got to meet Stacy himself. Next time around, I would love to swing by Charlie’s and Kobalt.

    The next day it was time to explore Tempe and the first item on the agenda was a pop-up art experience called The Scene. The Instagramable paradise featured 11 uniquely designed rooms ranging from a disco room, to a bathtub surround by rubber ducks and a glow-in-the-dark slinky room. The owners of the exhibition are from Tempe and plan to bring the exhibition on tour. If it comes to your city, make sure to check it out. It’s a fun place for both kids and adults to explore and work on your selfie taking skills.

    While downtown Phoenix has a corporate feel, downtown Tempe definitely has a collegiate vibe, due mostly to Arizona State University. College students are seen parading around the city on bikes and scooters past rows of rainbow flags and a giant rainbow chair in the heart of downtown which the city installed to celebrate gay pride. The city doesn’t have any gay bars or clubs, but locals are quick to let you know that every bar in Tempe is welcoming to the LGBT community.

    In the center of the city is A Mountain…as in the letter A, which is prominently displayed on the side of the mountain. To get the best view of the city, hike to the top in the early morning. For the perfect sunset view, try an evening hike. Bring lots of water as the hike looks deceivingly easy from the street level, but as you begin to ascend, grows extremely challenging especially as you begin to navigate the sharp rock formations towards the top of the mountain.

    For dinner, head to Culinary Dropout, a trendy gastro-pub in downtown popular among the college crowd, which specializes in craft cocktails and delicious, reasonable priced cuisine. Start off the meal with an order of Soft Pretzels with Provolone Fondue and Prosciutto Deviled Eggs. I would also recommend trying the Ma…the Meatloaf and Rainbow Trout, which is served with green beans, toasted almonds and caramelized shallots. The staff at Culinary Dropout is also very easy on the eyes so I think you’ll enjoy this place.

    After dinner, check in to the Moxy, a Marriott branded hotel designed with the millennial traveler in mind. Instead of a stuffy reception desk, guests at the Moxy are greeted by a reception area that also doubles as a bar. The hotel lobby contains an oversized Jenga game, pool table, foos ball table and 2 arcade pinball machines in addition to many cool seating areas where guests can gather. Tempe was the first city in the United States to open a Moxy and it has become a favorite among visitors.

    There is so much to do in both Phoenix and Tempe, I recommend a minimum of a week to explore the cities and maybe even take a day trip to Mesa or Sedona. Whichever season you decide to travel in, you will have a blast.

    Enjoy the Journey!

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Little Death Club, Underbelly Southbank, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | Little Death Club, Underbelly Southbank, London

    ★★★★★ | Little Death Club, London

    The best type of shows at the theatre have always been the ones that give you a bit of everything; comedy, singing, live music, and perhaps throwing in some death-defying performances, drag, and gratuitous nudity is always welcome. Little Death Club gives us this and more!

    Playing until Sunday June 23rd, 2019, Little Death Club has literally something for everyone (the straights, the gays and all the in betweens).

    Compered by the sexy and slutty Bernie Dieter, she guides us through the all too short (one hour) show and introduces the acts, but she is an act unto herself. She sarcastically delivers with a Berlin/Rocky Horror sluttiness style, all with a bang, and involving some lucky male audiences members whom she involves in a bit of mischievous. But then immediately the acts come out fast and furious. The lithe and built body of the ever so graceful Beau Sargent who wows the crowd, scantily clad of course, as he does acrobatics and does bends and turns where the audience can see every line on his body; to the amazing Fancy Chance who hangs and spins by her hair – literally – and then decides she doesn’t need to wear any clothes – and does the spinning again – in the nude.

    Myra Dubios provides laughter and glamour to the proceedings, while disgruntled Josh Glanc tells why he is not a happy mine. But the show ends with a bang by the amazing Kitty Bang Bang, who eats fire and spits it out – so don’t get too close to her. This and more is showcased to a very happy audience at the Underbelly in the Southbank. You get a lot of bang for your buck, and you’ll want to go back and see it again (I will). The Spiegeltent, which has been home to many many cabaret and burlesque shows, might have found it’s best one yet. It’s excellent, breath-taking, hilarious, sexy, and with a bar attached to quench your thirst. What more could you ask for in a night at the theatre? It sure beats watching Dame Maggie Smith delivering a 100 minute monologue that’s for sure.

    Little Death Club plays at the Underbelly Festival Southbank until 23rd June 2019, click here for more details