THEGAYUK

Category: Scene

  • Polari Literary Salon Announces Arts Council Funding and Tour

    London’s award-winning LGBT literary salon Polari has been awarded a grant from Grants for the Arts, supported by the Arts Council of England.

    The grant will fund a national tour in the Autumn, beginning in September and ending at the Southbank Centre in November, which marks the literary salon’s seventh birthday.

    The tour will include Polari events at the Marlborough Theatre in Brighton, Homotopia in Liverpool, shOUT in Birmingham and the Manchester Literature Festival and will feature the best in established and emerging LGBT literary talent. It will also help to promote The Polari First Book Prize, which is now in its fourth year.

    Paul Burston, founder and host of Polari said, ‘After several successful, sell-out years at the Southbank Centre, it’s been a dream of mine to take Polari on tour. I’m very grateful to the Arts Council of England and the National Lottery for making this possible.’

  • NEWS: New Gay Club Opens Tonight In Southampton

    Good news for Southampton’s Gay Community as a new club is about to open its doors. (more…)

  • London’s Manbar Loses Noise Complaint Against Westminster City Council

    Manbar has lost its appeal to keep its regulated entertainment licence, after resident, two floors up made noise complaints.

    In a statement released by Manbar, the popular venue’s management said that it had lost against Westminster City Council with regards to its ‘regulated entertainment license’, however it will remain open with its 3 AM alcohol sales license. This means that Manbar will remain in business, without music, despite the bar’s owners spending £25,000 on noise compliance.

    During the hearing, Westminster City Council served up their witnesses and the 1 tenant, who originally made the noise complaint. He was the the only person living near Manbar to give evidence.

    On day two of the hearing, the Court made a site visit to Manbar to witness both the sound levels within the venue and in the residency, two floors above – at maximum sound level.

    Chris Amos, the bar’s general manager said:
    ‘The bar will be applying for it’s regulated entertainment licence again in the near future with all the stipulations possible to safeguard the venue without causing any noise nuisance. Hopefully the council will grant us back our licence! Also the government recently deregulated entertainment before 11pm each day so we will offering early evening entertainment and currently working out the schedule for this.

    ‘Many thanks for the support through this case, luckily Manbar remains open – so be sure to come by for a drink.’

    Andrew Ralph, Westminster City Council’s Noise and Licensing Manager said in a statement to TheGayUK:

    ‘An independent judge has today ruled that Manbar has a long history of playing music that constitutes a public noise nuisance and disturbs residents. Westminster City Council is duty bound to address any public noise nuisance wherever it is found, whoever is making it – and that is all it has done here. Last year, the council agreed to a compromise – suggested by the owner – that Manbar’s right to play amplified music would be temporarily suspended until the necessary measures have been taken for it to be played at acceptable levels – levels that apply to every other licensee wanting to play music. After a sound-limiter was fitted, the noise level was found by officers to be acceptable. However, within a week, further complaints were received and the levels were once again found to be a statutory nuisance. The Court found that this was because externally amplified music was being played at Manbar.

    The result of the appeal means that Manbar must resolve the problems arising from noise nuisance, as they promised to do. If they are able to do that, Westminster City Council is ready to work with Manbar so that it can once again play amplified music.”

  • Gay bar crawls to start in London

    Visiting the London gay scene for the first time or just fancy a night out with some new friends? Then GBC (Gay Bar Crawls) may be what you’re looking for. A guided tour of Soho streets visiting the best gay bars and clubs on offer.

    With so many venues in the heart of London, all offering different scenes, you may be a bit flummoxed as to where to go first. Well GBC have put together a handy tour starting off in a reserved area of a Soho bar giving time for the group to get to know one another and enjoy a few drinks.
    From here the group then tours Soho learning about the famous sites and visiting a selection of bars and clubs. Of course you’ll need more than just one night to enjoy London’s scene, so the tour is a good start to get you settled into the party.

    The tour costs just £30 per person and includes your fist drink, plus club entry, which on a Saturday night is quite a bargain. The first crawl takes place on May 3rd 2014.
    for full details do visit www.gaybarcrawls.com

  • London’s Manbar risks closure by Westminster City Council

    Manbar, the iconic independent gay bar on Charing Cross Road will be forced to close if it loses a costly legal battle with Westminster City Council early in April.

    The bar, which is on the site of 79CXR, the legendary dance bar, which ran for eighteen years before being sold to gay entrepreneur Chris Amos, opened as Manbar in 2012.

    Since opening, Manbar has surged in popularity serving over 3000 customers a week and provided a unique and truly authentic gay space in central London.

    Repeated complaints from one resident two floors above the bar led to a licensing review last summer in which Westminster Council banned regulated entertainment (the playing of music) until such time as improvements were made. Manbar has appealed and has continued to trade pending the appeal hearing which comes before Westminster Magistrates on Monday 7th April 2014.

    In the mean time, expert advice has led to extensive works being carried out to ensure that noise nuisance, however slight, does not take place. Council officials have been involved in measuring, testing and have written to Manbar stating, ‘we are satisfied with the Sound Limiter setting, the sound limiter model and the way in which the system is now set up.’ But to no avail. Senior officers at Westminster refuse to see sense and compromise, insisting on pursuing the appeal.

    So successful has Manbar been in solving the problem that council officials could not detect any noise in the complainant’s flat. They even turned off the resident’s fridge and laptop in an attempt to hear noise.

    Whilst Manbar have been advised that they should win, if they lose they face a legal bill of up to £60,000.

    Is this fair? Should one resident’s complaint – that he can hear noise if he turns his fridge off – lead Westminster, with its draconian powers and seemingly unlimited financial muscle, to pursue and persecute tiny Manbar?

    Chris Amos is seeking support both from the gay scene and the general public to help fight off Westminster City Council.

    Today the ‘SAVE MANBAR’ campaign is being launch. Full details at www.manbarsoho.com

    Members of the public can show their support on Twitter and Facebook.

     

  • Polari Salon Returns To Southbank On 17th March

    Paul Burston’s Polari Literary Salon returns on Monday 17th March.

    On the 17th March, Paul Burston’s Polari Literary Salon returns to the Southbank Centre in London and will have readings from leading gay and lesbian authors Maureen Duffy, Angela Clerkin, Andrew Asibong, Nicolas Collins and Carl Stanley.

    Maureen Duffy heads the bill. A leading lesbian author and poet, her many novels include the classic The Microcosm.

    Her latest, In Times Like These, is a fable that puts politics to its ultimate test. Jill Gardiner describes it as ‘a pacy, exciting read, centered around an out-lesbian MP and her artist girlfriend, whose well-established relationship is very much of our times.’

    Paul Burston’s celebrated Polari salon provides a platform for new and emerging LGBT literary talent and showcases the very best in queer writing.

    Weston Pavilion at Royal Festival Hall

    At the end of 2013, Time Out announced that it was to cut the LGBT Listings pages from its printed edition in London – the section was edited by Paul Burston.

  • Trade returns for Christmas Party

    DJ’s confirmed so far include Trade Modern with Pagano, Tom Stephan, Smokin’ Jo, Jim Warboy, Nick Tcherniak, Kyle E, Jamie De Rooy; Trade Classics with Gonzalo Rivas, BK & Andy Farley 4 Hours Christmas Back 2 Back, Ian M, Sam Townend and James Nardi; Trade Disco with Severino Panzetta, Massimo Paramour, Bills & Hurr and Special Guest TBA; Trade Lite with The Men Who Fell To Earth, Guy Williams, Stevie B and the Sharp Boys & Tonnic.

     

    & Polly Fey hosting Trade VIP

     

    Many suggested a Saturday daytime event was unlikely to succeed. TRADE is always forward thinking and different to the rest and the unique opening hours were a huge hit with our clubbers, so let’s get ready to do it all again!

     

    The recently refurbished multi roomed venue Egg boasts a labyrinth of corridors, outstanding technical production and sound capabilities. It has been described by so many following the Birthday as their favourite venue to host TRADE, following the closure of it’s original spiritual home, Turnmills – an incredible accolade.

    Trade at Christmas will be musically split across 4 different rooms with 4 different soundscapes that respect the history of Trade’s musical heritage but also looks ahead to what the future of TRADE is about.

    TRADE MODERN:

    Situated at “The Terrace” at EGG; Trade’s brand new room encapsulates the future of House music from some original Trade residents and some brand new ones. Looking at what is happening musically today and tomorrow; always upfront, forward thinking and ground breaking – Like TRADE always has been!

    TRADE LITE:

    Situated in “The Loft” at EGG with a brand new floating DJ box (being created especially for this Christmas Trade event), this room rocked at the Birthday, with original and new residents playing a sophisticated mix of diva vocals, funky and contemporary House with guest vocals from one of our original divas Tonnic! Off the wall!

    TRADE CLASSICS:

    Situated in “The Basement” at EGG; A collection of Original Trade residents joined some new faces to deliver the harder end of House, which was synonymous with the brand in the early years, now with an updated twist that includes the classics as well as acknowledging what this genre has become in today’s scene – packed and very popular!

    TRADE DISCO VIP :

    Situated in the brand new EGG Garden with bespoke newly upholstered seating with table service and a vast dancing area the music flowed to a lighter beat here with the tempo increasing as the day progressed. Super busy from start to finish with Lounge inspired Nu Disco that set the birthday off on the perfect right note.

     

    With Egg’s labyrinth of corridors and outstanding technical, production and sound capabilities – it has been described by so many following the birthday as their favourite venue to host TRADE following the closure of it’s original spiritual home, Turnmills; an incredible accolade.

    Advance On Line Tickets will be £10 / £12 & £15

    Listings Info

    event: Trade At Christmas

    date: Saturday December 14th 2013

    at: Egg London, 200 York Way, Kings Cross, London, N7 9AX

    Time: Midday-Midnight 12-12am and possibly later!

    Admission Prices: Advance £10 Early Bird; Advance Saver £12 tickets; / £15 tickets are now available or £15 with a Flyer B4 4pm; £18 after & £23 otherwise

    Online TRADE tickets available from www.moreonthedoor.com

    DJ’s confirmed so far include Trade Modern with Pagano, Tom Stephan, Smokin’ Jo, Jim Warboy, Nick Tcherniak, Kyle E, Jamie De Rooy; Trade Classics with Gonzalo Rivas, BK & Andy Farley 4 Hours Christmas Back 2 Back, Ian M, Sam Townend and James Nardi; Trade Disco with Severino Panzetta, Massimo Paramour, Bills & Hurr and Special Guest TBA; Trade Lite with The Men Who Fell To Earth, Guy Williams, Stevie B and the Sharp Boys & Tonnic.

     

    & Polly Fey hosting Trade VIP

     

    Many suggested a Saturday daytime event was unlikely to succeed. TRADE is always forward thinking and different to the rest and the unique opening hours were a huge hit with our clubbers, so let’s get ready to do it all again!

     

    The recently refurbished multi roomed venue Egg boasts a labyrinth of corridors, outstanding technical production and sound capabilities. It has been described by so many following the Birthday as their favourite venue to host TRADE, following the closure of it’s original spiritual home, Turnmills – an incredible accolade.

    Trade at Christmas will be musically split across 4 different rooms with 4 different soundscapes that respect the history of Trade’s musical heritage but also looks ahead to what the future of TRADE is about.

    TRADE MODERN:

    Situated at “The Terrace” at EGG; Trade’s brand new room encapsulates the future of House music from some original Trade residents and some brand new ones. Looking at what is happening musically today and tomorrow; always upfront, forward thinking and ground breaking – Like TRADE always has been!

    TRADE LITE:

    Situated in “The Loft” at EGG with a brand new floating DJ box (being created especially for this Christmas Trade event), this room rocked at the Birthday, with original and new residents playing a sophisticated mix of diva vocals, funky and contemporary House with guest vocals from one of our original divas Tonnic! Off the wall!

    TRADE CLASSICS:

    Situated in “The Basement” at EGG; A collection of Original Trade residents joined some new faces to deliver the harder end of House, which was synonymous with the brand in the early years, now with an updated twist that includes the classics as well as acknowledging what this genre has become in today’s scene – packed and very popular!

    TRADE DISCO VIP :

    Situated in the brand new EGG Garden with bespoke newly upholstered seating with table service and a vast dancing area the music flowed to a lighter beat here with the tempo increasing as the day progressed. Super busy from start to finish with Lounge inspired Nu Disco that set the birthday off on the perfect right note.

     

    With Egg’s labyrinth of corridors and outstanding technical, production and sound capabilities – it has been described by so many following the birthday as their favourite venue to host TRADE following the closure of it’s original spiritual home, Turnmills; an incredible accolade.

    Advance On Line Tickets will be £10 / £12 & £15

    Listings Info

    event: Trade At Christmas

    date: Saturday December 14th 2013

    at: Egg London, 200 York Way, Kings Cross, London, N7 9AX

    Time: Midday-Midnight 12-12am and possibly later!

    Admission Prices: Advance £10 Early Bird; Advance Saver £12 tickets; / £15 tickets are now available or £15 with a Flyer B4 4pm; £18 after & £23 otherwise

    Online TRADE tickets available from www.moreonthedoor.com

     

  • The original ladies’ night at Lounge returns in 2014

    Lounge, the famous scene-changing night for women, is set to return following countless requests by the crowd that made it the fabulous night it once was.

    A new venue – arguably the best yet – with a discerning and classic music policy sees Lounge return to form, which is sure to attract Loungers new and Loungers of yesteryear wishing to make an event of a night out with friends and lovers.

    Voltaire is where we’ve chosen to make home for the foreseeable future – a gorgeous playden for the classic London Lounge lady.

    From a palace to a prison, the Grade II listed Voltaire is steeped in history and has undergone many guises before finally finding its feet as one of London’s finest drinking haunts. Named in honour of the French writer and philosopher, who famously spent six years exiled in London, it’s the perfect subterranean spot with its vaults, alfresco cigar terrace and Pommery library to hide from the hustle and bustle of the City.

    A cigar lovers dream, Voltaire’s very own humidor houses an array of smokes led by Padrón from Nicaragua, alongside limited edition cigars from the Dominican Republic and Cuba’s renowned Don Candido, regarded as the best cigar of the 20th century. Pull up a stool on the al fresco terrace and savour the latest vintages with a glass of bubbly.

    More details will be announced nearer the time, but think Studio 54 for a new generation with a hint of sophisticated edge that will leave people wanting more.

    For those who really want to feel the new vibe, we’ve created a collaborative Spotify playlist
    for everyone to see at welovelounge.co.uk

    Where: Voltaire, 19 New Bridge Street, London, EC4V 6DB [Find Lounge]
    When: Friday 7th February, 2014 from 8pm
    Who: Sophisticated, discerning and gorgeous ladies and their devilishly handsome boys
    Door: Very limited £5 early bird tickets, then £10.
    Music: Classic disco, soulful house, retro grooves and ironic anthems

  • Mr Gay UK 2013 Crowned

    Gentlemen… a new man has been crowned as Mr Gay UK – obvs, we’re totes disappointed it wasn’t us – not that we entered… but still…

    Now we do like a semi-naked picture of a man at TheGayUK, so we’re more than happy to introduce to you, Mr Gay UK 2013.

    The judging panel consisted of GT Assistant Editor Lee Dalloway and Editorial Assistant Ryan Butcher, Mr Gay UK 2012 Leroy Williamson gayleeds.com Co-Editor Ross McCusker and Swedish Pop Star Jan George.

    The evening was hosted by MrGayUK Director, Terry George who introduced the 9 gorgeous finalists, who had been chosen by the public from over 250 applicants from throughout the UK (this year digitally via social networking sites).

    At midnight on the night of the final Stuart Hatton 28 from South Shields was chosen by the judges and crowned Mr Gay UK 2013.

    Stuart is the co-principal at his family dance studios, The Hatton Academy of Dance. When asked how he felt about winner the title of MrGayUK he said: “It feels amazing to be Mr Gay UK and I’m very proud to bring the title to the North East for the first time. He added “I hope I can be a role model for the gay community throughout the UK.”

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Boylexe, The Shadow Lounge, London

    ★★★ | Boylexe, The Shadow Lounge, London

    Last Friday, the Shadow Lounge in Soho, paid host to the boylesque show, Boylexe, which the company performed to a packed house of rowdy guys and gals, clearly in the mood for a fun night out. In the event, I’m not sure they got quite what they expected.

    According to one of its performers, Phil Ingud, Boylexe is “a great night out filled with cabaret, stripping and touching stories… and a LOT of flesh!” which I suppose describes it pretty well. When I asked him how the show would differ from strip shows like The Chippendales and Dreamboys, he talks about the art of burlesque being different, less sexual, more about teasing and titillating, with no full frontal nudity.

    So far, so good. Only I felt that none of the routines we saw at the Shadow Lounge on Friday night were titillating enough. Clothes were divested much too quickly and there was no real sense of teasing the audience with the possibility that they might catch a glimpse of someone’s naughty bits. Not that we need to see them, of course, but there should always be the prospect, the possibility. That is what titillating means.
    A mixture of stripping and monologues, the show didn’t seem to know quite where it was pitching itself. MC, Alp Haydar presides over proceedings with an energy and enthusiasm, which manages to be both naughty and disarming at the same time, and the audience really responded to him, but this in itself caused problems, meaning that when Phil Ingut delivered his monologue about HIV, it was greeted with a rather uncomfortable silence. Maybe that was the intention. If so, it wasn’t made clear enough. Other monologues were less memorable and the strip routines, such as they were, did at least come as a welcome relief.

    We got a whiff of the circus or music hall with the entertaining strong man routines by The Mighty Moustache (aka Sir Alexander Leopold), and there was a clever reverse strip by drag queen Mr Mistress, who defiantly takes to the stage naked and drags up before our eyes.

    The line-up is never quite the same from show to show, and this Friday (December 6th), they will be joined by Nick Stiletto, who, I am told, delivers routines that are cheeky and fun, with a deft use of props, which is certainly more in the true spirit of burlesque.

    As it is, it is a somewhat uneven evening. There is the potential for a great night out, but it needs to have a clearer idea of what it is trying to achieve. According to the strippers in Jule Styne’s “Gypsy”,

    You can sacrifice your saccro
    Working in the back row.
    Bump in a dump till you’re dead.
    Kid, you gotta have a gimmick
    If you wanna get ahead.

    Maybe it’s gimmicks that are lacking.

    Boylexe plays at the Shadow Lounge on Fridays throughout December.

  • Gaga makes a surprise appearance at G-A-Y

    Lady Gaga stunned London club-goers at London’s biggest gay club, G-A-Y at Heaven, to sing her forthcoming single.

    The impromptu performance of Venus took many by surprise as she wasn’t on the billing. However, Gaga is the UK to perform on the X Factor this evening.

    Her previous single Applause from the upcoming album Artpop failed to get to number one, being beaten by Ellie Goulding’s Burn. However, we loved the video

    Lady Gaga will be joined by The Wanted on this evening’s broadcast of X Factor, starting at 8.00PM on ITV1.