The Big Gay Lifestyle Show @ The Connaught Rooms, London

Date:               Saturday 22 October 2011
Location:         The Connaught Rooms, Great Queen Street, London

 

From top left to bottom right: Scottee, Jill Jackson, Elouise, FTW, London Gay Men's Chorus, Dusty O and Mae Martin

Planet London visited the first Big Gay Lifestyle Show which took place on Saturday 22 October at the Connaught Rooms near Holborn (located on the aptly named Great Queen Street). Whilst the Big Gay Lifestyle Show wasn't very visible from the outside, the gays had really taken over the venue inside and the venue itself was as grand as the name suggests with Titanic like chandeliers.

The main room hosted the exhibitor stands and the main stage, additionally there was a smaller room to the side hosting free wine tasting by Barefoot Wines and a bar.

The exhibitors represented a broad spectrum of the gay-friendly companies, gay owned businesses and household name charities. There was a warm, friendly atmosphere and the buzz picked up throughout the afternoon as well as a good mix of men and women.

The afternoon on the main stage was intermittent performances from the excellent London Gay Men's Chorus, Funny Women finalists and Trannyshack cabaret. Funny women was MC'd by Rosie Wilby and featured short performances by lesbian stalker, Mae Martin (don't let her get a crush on you or she'll be singing a song about it!); Checkley and Bush - part siamese Russian twins, part M&S fans - in the style of Rihanna; and lastly the Funny Women 2011 winner, Lara A King - a L-E-S-B-I-A-N country comedy guitar-wielding singer, stand-up.

It was all change from 6pm as the venue then set up for the evening. The stalls were pushed back against the walls and the lower mood lighting was turned on. The mainstage was gracefully compered by The Very Miss Dusty O, who revelled in the post-watershed 6pm.

The evening had a very different feel to the daytime, with a focus on the acts and music. Shining out of the evening musical acts were the London Gay Men's Chorus (we want them at our wedding!) and Jill Jackson, and both benefited from the intimate setting.

After perhaps enjoying ourselves too much the night before at Southbank Surfing and an early start to make the most of a full day at The Big Gay Lifestyle Show, we 'sadly' retired too early to make it to the official after party at Fire.

Overall we had a very productive day, networking with lots of gay businesses; catching up with friends of Planet London such as Victoria Broom (actress and Planet London movie reviewer) and G3 Editor, Sarah Garrett; and interviewing Funny Women Lara A King and Rosie Wilby. What a day!

Review by Katie and Naomi