Kenelis 'Move' EP Launch

Kenelis 'Move' EP Launch @ The 100 Club
Friday 7 December 2012

Photo credit: D Strachan

I woke up fairly certain that the anthemic hook from 'Don't You Kill My Rock' had been reverberating around my head throughout the night, it was certainly still very prominent as I began to get ready for the day after the night before. That night had started with a delightful selection of Lebanese dishes before arriving at the legendary 100 Club in London's Oxford Street. I was there to see the awesome Kenelis live for a third time, this time for the launch of the latest recording – 'MOVE' a four track offering that showcases the best of Mel Sanson's latest work.

After a brief browse of the crammed photo gallery of previous acts to play in the venue, and recording interviews with Mel and JOANovARC it wasn't long before the first act were getting started. Words From Willis are an energetic four-piece, from High Wycombe, offered an interesting showcase for Steph Willis' intelligent writing. Leading with vocals and acoustic guitar, Steph was very ably backed up by Nij on guitar, Mike on bass and Tim on drums. The venue's crystal clear sound system ensured that Steph's lyrics were readily appreciated as they were delivered via a strong voice toned with echoes of P!nk. After the first couple of songs I worried that each had too similar feel and rhythm to them; however, that concern was unfounded as the set progressed. Although I hinted at some similarities to P!nk's voice, that does not in any way suggest that the music was in any way any attempt to replicate as some clone act. The instrumentation was tight, honest and unpretentious rock music with Steph's clearly enunciated lyrics as the icing on top. All too soon, I had enjoyed a selection of eight songs, including those from their EP 'Superhero'. 'In Dreaming' stood out as perhaps the strongest, but I always hesitate to be too specific after only one hearing. I will now be seeking to listen again to the EP and any other tracks that I can locate on-line as I do believe the band has great potential.

Second to grace the stage were the four-piece female rock powerhouse known as JOANovARC, the first all-female band to feature on the X-Box 360's 'Rockband'. From London, the band features sisters Sam and Shelley, Sam providing vocals whilst alternating between guitar and bass, with Shelley leading on guitar and providing backing vocals. The other half of the band comprises Laura who also shares vocal, guitar and bass duties, and Debbie on drums. I had previously come across them via Cuillin FM's 'Highland Uproar Challenge' around a year ago with a song called 'Peace Of Mind' which led me to appreciate their excellent video produced and edited by Rachel Price of BBC Bristol. I was also familiar with 'Say Sayonara', one of the songs featured in the X-Box package. Good as both these songs are, they were blown into touch by the entrancing live presence. The played so well together and kept the audience entertained as they powered their way through a varied repertoire of eight songs. This was another impressive set by a band clearly extremely comfortable on the stage as they demonstrated their skills. There were shades of Motorhead and many other classic rock acts, yet they still managed to stamp their own individuality on their performance. Another observation that I must make relates to drummer Debbie, her face was such an absolute joy to see; here was somebody so clearly happy to be behind the drum kit providing a rhythmically perfect backdrop to the others. If it were possible to bottle her infectious enthusiasm and sheer joy I'm sure it could be sold for a fortune. Maybe that would be worth a pitch on 'Dragons' Den'!  

Another excellent observation would be the slick changeovers between acts which meant only minimal waits, ensuring that the mood was maintained. After a second brief set-up break, Mel and her band were getting started. In addition to Mel's vocals and guitar, Jack provided guitar, Tristan bass and Matt was in charge of the drums. I have to admit a certain bias here when I report that Mel absolutely owned the stage; with her 'big' hair, colourful eye make-up and distinctive boots to add to the stunning music, she is a true star performer. First off was the song that had remained in my head through the night, 'Don't You Kill My Rock'. A selection of older favourites followed – 'Sick', 'Jealous', 'Paperskin' and 'We Could Die Any Minute' – despite them being very familiar to me it was so good to appreciate them as impassioned and urgent live deliveries. Jack's guitar was flawless, whilst Tristan's bass (another five string bass as with JOANovARC) seamlessly melded with Matt's mesmerising, at times tribal, drum work, to provide a rock-solid foundation for Mel's insistent and captivating presence.

The set came to a close with the remaining three songs from the EP – 'GFY', 'Open Your Eyes' and finally 'Moving To Brighton'. The last based on Mel's move to live in Brighton which has clearly been a highly inspirational event leading to the recording of this EP. The soaring and melodic guitar work at points in this song simply have to be heard to be fully appreciated. Punk – included, garage – included, rock – included; at the end of day, however, I'm not too worried about trying to classify Kenelis as to me, they are quite simply KENELIS, a wonderfully unique band that I am so glad to have stumbled across! Mel is such a wonderfully warm and pleasant person in person yet her songs enable her to express a different side to her with regard to how she views some of the situations that life has presented for her. Following an energetic cover as encore, which I'm afraid my ageing brain allowed me to recognise but not recall what it was but luckily my daughter was on hand to confirm Nirvana's 'Territorial Pissings'; all too soon the night was over. Thankfully a great many excellent memories have been imprinted inside my head and I will remember my first visit to The 100 Club for a long time to come whilst looking forward to the next opportunity to catch Kenelis live again.

Review by D. Strachan

---

'Move' is available on itunes and all major download sites. Release date 10th December. 

For those of you that enjoy the whole creative package of a music release Kenelis have an eco-friendly CD digipack with full lyrics & exclusive Artwork by jTayam available on www.kenelis.com/music

Free download of single 'Jealous' from previous album 'Fake' is also available on www.kenelis.com

 

Panto Review: Peta Pam by the Darlings

Venue: Karamel Club, Wood Green
Dates: 6-8 Decemeber; 12-15 December
Price: £8 in advance, £10 on the door

Karamel is a friendly, intimate venue. The evening's entertainment is complimented by the offer of a pre-show meal at the Karamel cafe. It is well worth taking up the offer to have a great menu choice, excellent food and fab value. (But do book your table in advance as it can get busy in there!)

For their opening night, the Darlings played to a packed house, many of whom were faithful Darlings followers, but plenty of new faces too.

The panto itself turned tradition on its head, as we've come to expect, and takes the audience, as well as Wendy, John and Michael on a fantastical trip - where fairies do exist "I believe in fairies" - to a lesbian utopia/dystopia (it could have gone either way) called 'Well I Never' Land. This is the place where Lost Lesbians live in some kind of women filled Hedonism that has lost it's way a bit due to the lesbians all thinking about the one that got away. Until the big happy ending that is.

Innuendo was the theme of the night, in this funny adaptation (or rather, lesbianification) of the traditional take on panto, in this well written script very suited to its audience.

What really shined through was the comradary of the cast, much bigger than last year, and team spirit as the players supported each other through typical panto comic shenanigans.

Where else will you find a Spanish crocodile, and a gangsta mermaid alongside historical heroic lesbians of days gone by? And it all just about working in a surreal sort of way.

If you want fun, christmas spirit, the panto participation ("oh yes you do") and innuendo by the buckets, pearls, fists, and then some, this is the play for you.

Details of Peta Pam and all the other LGBT pantos are available on our Panto Feature.

Review by Katie
  

I Stand Corrected

Performance: I Stand Corrected
Theatre: Ovalhouse
Dates: 20 November - 8 December 2012 (Tues-Sat 7.45pm, Sat 8 Dec matinee 3pm)
Tickets: £14 standard, £10 under 26/Equity/BECTU, £8 concession

Flyer for I Stand Corrected

This poignant, emotional, relevant and topical performance had the whole audience enthralled from the very first moment.

The first ten minutes is almost silent apart from the word 'You' and the occasional bang on a dustbin. Zodwa's face is kept hidden until her eyes emerge from behind the dustbin, wide and alert telling their own story.

Mamela Nyamza plays Zodwa, a bride to be in Cape Town. The acting by Mamela is beyond exceptional. Her body movements, facial expressions and vocals (there were no words) were exquisite an emotive and said far more than any scripted words could.

The performance is deigned to draw the audience in, Mojisola Adebayo plays Donna who is waiting for Zodwa at the alter on their wedding day. She talks directly to the audience as the wedding guests, asking the time and asking an individual to hold her bouquet. This drew the audience further into the performance by making the audience a third character.

The story covers so many topical worldwide issues, including gay marriage in the UK, colonialism and many 'un-African' imported cultures.

The power of this performance is the story, which unfolds layer by layer, and in doing so unveils the meaning of the earlier scenes, taking the audience through a full spectrum of emotions and back again.

Review by Naomi Bennett-Hall

Created, directed and performed by Mojisola Adebayo and Mamela Nyamza

Bigger is Better: G3:PM Review

Venue: Scala
Date: Friday 30 November
Cost: £12 advance/£15 on door/£25 VIP

Despite the cold wait in the queue and the slow entry process (we have been promised a slicker process next time to get us all in as quickly as possible) it was great to be back at old faithful Scala.

This 4 in one event brought together some of the best of a broad range of events aimed at lesbians & bi women and the genderqueer of London. It feels like the return of the superclub, where different rooms host different banging tunes, live music, wild entertainment and plenty of women.

Lovely photograph taken by Leng Montgomery

The venue lent itself pretty well to the split of events. Stav B's Intergalactic Alchemy held court in the first floor and bar area, with cool retro tunes, live performances, fire eaters and for something different a face painter and Barber shop decorating the guests throughout the night. It was interactivity and abstract at its best in the way things worked together.

The main dancefloor and stage hosted Ruby Tuesdays with a full line up of DJs throughout the night, and headline act Peaches who was amazing singing, MCing and mixing the decks. She was clearly a popular draw and the guests fled to the dance floor when she came on stage, for a well executed, flamboyant, edgy, class act show.

The top floor, from Club Boy vs Club DIP, hosted some live music throughout the night and provided another bar to purchase drinks.

The G3 hosted VIP lounge looked very popular but we weren't VIP enough to make it inside.

Bar prices were typical central London prices, although Red Stripe Beer was on offer. We did have to wait 20 minutes to be served at one point... but that just proves there were a lot of women there. 

It was an interesting, fun and successful night; really great to see a collaboration of 3 very different events - can't wait for the next one.

We're confident this won't be a one-off since it was so successful, and it was really good to see such a wide range of women in one space, which was down to the excellent choice of such diverse event organisers. It would have been so easy to have chosen 3 events that had overlapping customer bases, but this was not the case, and the event was all the better for it!

Event: WTF

We were invited along to join WTF! (What Thursdays are For) for their 1 year birthday party. The group is a weekly meet up, of mainly Gingerbeer members, and a few friends through word of mouth, who meet at the bar in Soho Theatre on Thursdays from 6.30pm.

I arrived early and was met by a few of the members and Gillian, who is one of the main organisers who set up this weekly meeting.

Within an hour the place was buzzing and there were enough women in the bar to fill over half the space. Everyone was really friendly, and though the first question was normally ‘what’s your name on the board’, once beyond that it was the same as any other night, albeit more friendly than most I’ve been to.

If you were going along to this event on your own to meet people, I’d recommend going along early, as it is easier to be introduced to a few people before it gets busy!

It is nice to find a regular social event that is fairly central, and has an open policy. All are welcome.

Review: Susan Calman, "This Lady's Not for Turning Either" (stand up)

Venue: Soho Theatre, Dean St Soho
Tickets: from £12

Susan Calman and Katie Bennett-Hall

According to the publicity material, Susan Calman’s show “This Lady’s Not For Turning Either”, is about growing up gay in Scotland in the 1980s. Is it b*llocks. This show is an extended heartfelt plea for equal marriage rights in the 2010s. It’s also very, very funny.

Things I have learned about Civil Partnerships thanks to Susan Calman are: you are not allowed to mention the word marriage at any point during the ceremony so that’s The Proclaimers song “Let’s Get Married” and Pam Ayer’s poem, “I’ll Marry You” banned but coming down the aisle to the “Darth Vader Death March” from “Star Wars” is highly acceptable. Your mother will insist on mustard spoons being added to the wedding list even though you have never had anyone round to dinner in the last nine years. This is because “people will look at your list and judge you. If you have condiment cutlery on the list they will think you are better than you are.” Sandi Toksvig bought them! If you want to wear tweed at your wedding go to Brewer’s in Perth where the clientelle is made up entirely of lesbians and horsey types and never the twain shall meet although where that leaves our own Clare Balding was never explained!

Apart from this not being a marriage or anything Susan has a list. A list of eight reasons Lee Cormack, her partner of the last nine years, should never ever want to marry her; how, thanks to a school girl crush on Stephanie Powers in “Hart to Hart” she now knows that should you ever be trapped in air tight glass box, use the massive diamond ring your loving partner recently gave you to cut your way to freedom and safety (Cue Susan waggling a diamond encrusted ring the size of Gibraltar courtesy of Lee Cormack.); the cats, (Including dressing the cats up, skyping the cats from London and being known locally as ‘the mad cat lady’.); why Susan should be president and biting her own toe nails.  The point of the list? If somebody wants to marry me that badly surely they should be allowed to.  She’s got a point with the toe nails.

In the closing minutes of the show Susan commented that she would also like to travel at the front of the bus.  For a moment I nearly missed the reference, on December 1^st 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama Rosa Parks refused the bus driver’s instruction to move from where she was to make space for a white passenger, sparking the American Civil Rights movement.  It’s a civil rights issue pure and simple.  This is stand up which wears its heart unusually loudly on its sleeve. 

Go, you will have a fab evening and if you end the night by clicking below and signing Peter Tatchell’s petition to Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport thank you from Susan Calman, Lee Cormack and thousands of shuttered hearts.

Peter Tatchell’s suggested petition to Maria Miller is at http://www.petertatchellfoundation.org/partnerships/lobby-equalities-minister-full-equality

Susan Calman is at the Soho Theatre, until Saturday 24^th November www.sohotheatre.com

Review by Laura

Read our interview with Susan on our features blog 
 

Book review: Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage - Stephanie Coontz

There are two arguments for and against gay marriage today.  The For argument is generally, ‘Love is a human right’ and the Against tends to be for ‘Protecting the Sanctity of Traditional Marriage’.  This book examines why both views were largely irrelevant for most of human history.  Not only was love not a human right, until recently love wasn’t even a consideration when planning a marriage.  Both men and women were discouraged from too much affection for their spouse, in case it undermined their loyalty for their family, their community, or God.  As for the sanctity of marriage, the ‘’traditional” 1950’s marriage deemed worthy of God’s love, was in fact a very unusual event in Western history, an event which lasted less than 20 years.  Prior to last century, marriages were more like business mergers or investment partnerships and the married couple almost always shared their home with others of their family or community.

Stephanie Coontz studies family history and was inspired to write this book after being repeatedly asked if the institution of marriage was falling apart.  While it is true that marriage is more fragile today than the days when the church held firm against divorce, she also shows that marriage has not always been the formal institution it is now, and that the church’s own position on marriage has changed many times.  Even same-sex marriage has been previously permitted in places, provided both partners were able to commit to gender roles as firmly as any heterosexual couple.  In Rome, where male-male marriages were derided, it wasn’t two men in love which was scandalous, but the idea of a man demeaning himself by doing ‘women’s work’.

This book is not about gay marriage; instead this is a book about the changing nature of marriage itself.  Stephanie shows us that it is not gay equality that is threatening the Sanctity of Traditional Marriage, rather it was heterosexuals themselves who forever altered the institution - the growing popularity of ‘love’ matches, the desire to choose their own spouse, the breakdown of gender roles, the rise of feminism, and the acceptance of divorce and cohabitating partners - all opened the door to the inevitability of same-sex marriage.

This is a brilliant book, particularly in her comparisons to marriage myths as opposed to measurable marriage trends.  It’s also an important read during this time when marriage is going through yet another upheaval.

Review by Ida Raine

 

Jolly good show (oh yes it is!)

Tonight we joined Belle, Sharia Law, and a bunch of cheesy pouffs at the preview of the RVT panto 'The Comatose Beauty'.

 

As we've come to expect from previous years, the topical and cynical drag panto humoured a mixed audience.

Belle and her Fairy Drag Mother, Whole Star

The play on amateurism of the RVT panto - forgotten words, missed time one liners, hummed songs and broken heels have you laughing just as much as the well delivered scripted lines and all the ad libbing.

Belle making friends with the audience

Although November, we enjoyed singing along to a medley of Christmas carols which opened the second act and from there things took a turn towards the filthy involving roller skates, a grassy knoll and a humping prince. Somewhere along the way Belle became Kimberley (pantomime continuity at its best).




Lady Mayoress of Vauxhall

Like all good (and not so good) pantos, good eventually triumphed over evil, ghosts came out to play, and the heroine found true love.


Sharia Law, Belle's mother

For tranny panto at its best and worst (in a good way), we recommend The Comatose Beauty. Certainly not a family event!! We especially liked the Lady Mayoress of Vauxhall rocking the Christmas to the bossa nova, and the bonus 'magic tricks'.

The RVT Panto 'The Comatose Beauty' is on in December Wed 12, Thu 13, Wed 19, Thu 20, Thu 27 and Fri 28 December. Tickets £10 or meal and show with reserved seating for £25. Arrive early for the best seats!

Love Panto? We've put together a feature of all the LGBT Pantos on offer in London this Christmas. Take a look!

A Piece of the Cake goes to...

Yesterday Planet London hosted a fundraising event for 3 London based LGBT charities; ELOP, London Friend and Stonewall Housing.

The event, which was kindly hosted by Candy in Soho, drew in a number of lesbian and bi women of the cake-loving genre!

Carrot cakes

The guests got to sample and judge 2 kinds of brownies, lime & coconut cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, lemon, orange & thyme cupcakes, chocolate cake, banana, baileys & fudge chip cake, meringues and minstrel cookies. All proceeds from the ticket sales are being donated to the three charities, and cake judges got to vote where their donations went with our fancy sticker chart.

The charity board

In addition to the cakes there was also a tombola, which some people found quite addictive ;)

It was a lovely atmosphere in the Candy Bar on Sunday afternoon, and might not be one you'd normally associate with the well known women's venue. Famous for its popular DJs and dancing nights, Sundays take a different vibe and play host to the Sunday Social, a relaxed atmosphere with good background music and a great happy hour. I'd be tempted to go back another Sunday or two, especially as it's the last women only space in Soho.

After 90 minutes of 'letting them eat cake', we got to hear the results of the event and hand out the prizes.

AJ won 2 prizes for her lime and coconut cupcakes and gluten-free brownies. Ann won a prize for her orange and thyme cupcakes. The Stonewall Housing and London Friend nominated cakes won their category so both received an additional £50 donation from Planet London.

Thank you to all of the women that attended the event - bakers and judges; we hope you enjoyed the cake, and had a nice afternoon.

The fundraising totals were:
ELOP £25
London Friend £70
Stonewall Housing £86

Book review: A Hole in the World – Sophie Robbins

Princess Alexandra of Calpaea has been kidnapped by an evil enchantress and is now trapped in a cave, guarded over by trolls.  When she is finally rescued it wasn’t the prince charming she was expecting, but a 16 year old English teenager named Bianca.

Bianca was four when she first discovers the hole in the wall near the centre of her town, yet eleven years later it still shows up in her dreams.  Sent home in disgrace from boarding school, she is still picking up the pieces of her life when the urge to explore the hole overtakes her.  Unbeknownst to her, the hole in the wall is really a hole between worlds and inside is a princess waiting to be saved.

The book is a modern day fairy tale with a twist. Bianca and her friends are imminently likeable and faced with the prospect of a princesses death, are more than willing to go into battle.  Weighed down with backpacks and smoke bombs, the four teenagers battle flying reptiles, rats, trolls and tentacles to save a kingdom.   I suspect this book was written for teenagers, but I, as an adult, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Review by Ida Raine

Book review: The Girl Back Home – R.E. Bradshaw

Jamie had it all, a stunning wife, a lucrative job and a luxurious mansion - only to lose it all after an affair with a younger woman.  Thrown out of her home and abandoned by her friends, she packed up everything she owned and moved back to the small country town where she grew up.  Once there she has her best friend Beth for support, as well as reconnecting with her first ever crush from her youth, a woman she hasn’t seen for 25 years.

Sandy was twenty years old and married with a small child when she met sixteen year old Jamie.  Now twenty five years later Jamie is back and this time Sandy can admit to herself that she wants more than friendship.  Unfortunately Sandy still has a husband, Jamie is still in love with her ex-wife and Beth is getting suspicious.

This is an interesting book of love between women at the prime of their lives.  At seventeen and twenty one, their lives were too far apart to ever contemplate a relationship.  Now at forty two and forty six the differences don’t seem as insurmountable.  Before that can happen however, Sandy has to sort through her feelings about her marriage and Jamie has to recognise the issues in her past relationship which drove her to the affair.  Of course, being a book about the rocky road to love there has to be a lot of drama along the way, yet the characters remain realistic throughout.  This book can be long-winded at times but otherwise it’s a good read.

Review by Ida Raine

Book review: Girl Meets Boy – Ali Smith

This book is an easy read.  By easy I mean there is no drama, no soul-searching, no difficult conversations with mothers or other relatives, no meddling ex-girlfriends and no heartbreak.  It’s practically a gay fairy tale, only with less of a storyline.

Andrea is twenty one and has just moved in with her older sister Imogen.  Imogen has a nice house, a well-paid job and a lean physique due to daily exercise.  The only thing rebellious about Imogen is her motorbike named Rebel.  Andrea knows that Imogen wants her to live an equally sensible life but she can’t.  Instead she goes shopping instead of going to work, only to quit work altogether when she meets Robin.

Robin went to school with Imogen, but where Imogen became sensible, Robin became an activist.  Robin and Andrea fall in love forcing Imogen to change her view of the world.  How this occurs I can only imagine.  The chapter between Imogen the bigot and Imogen the broadminded appears to have been missed.   What wasn’t missed are the fascinating details the author puts into this book, from Ovid’s story of Iphis and Ianthe, to the statistics spray-painted onto Marks & Spencers.  This is a beautifully written book and, like all fairy tales, ends happily ever after.

Review by Ida Raine
 

Book review: And Baby Makes More – edited by Susan Goldberg and Chloe Brushwood Rose

In these times of rising equality, queer families are coming out into the open, bringing their queerness into our courts, schools and even supermarkets.  But what is a queer family?  If we see them in the media they are usually two mums or Elton John, yet we know our community is more diverse than that.  This book attempts to address the invisibility of today’s queer family.

And Baby Makes More is a book of short stories.  All are about creating babies in queer families and all the families represented are wildly diverse.  There are lesbians who intentionally chose a donor dad and lesbians who accidently created a donor dad, the donors themselves, trans and genderqueer family members, gay men, single mothers and polyamorous parents.  The issues explored are, what makes a parent, the importance of biology, decision making, grandparents, methods of creation, societal expectations and so on.  There is even a comic book entry.

The stories were edited by two women who are both lesbian mothers themselves, with their stories included in the book.   It would have been easy for them to create a book solely on the joys of motherhood, but they didn’t.  They also included stories of failure, of fears, and of family situations gone wrong.  In amongst the thought-provoking stories there are also some genuinely funny moments.  This would be a great read for anyone wishing to start their own queer family.

Review by Ida Raine

 

Mary Gauthier

Venue: Bush Hall 
Date: Thursday 11 October 2012

In 2010 Mary Gauthier, (That’s Go-Shay y’all.),  recorded her most recent studio album, “The Foundling”, like all of her music, is a response to a life that includes her illegitimate birth, being adopted by a dysfunctional family andcoming out as HIV positive, first hitting the scene, and drug & alcohol addiction. 

It’s an album of songs which need to be listened to rather than just heard. So when sales failed to match expectations, you can understand that Mary took this personally. Personally enough to remove every studio mandated fiddle, bell and tambourine and to re-issue it at her own expense as “The Foundling Alone”, turning the songs into a stronger, more honest experience in the process. 

She uses this same stripped down approach on her new album, “Live at Blue Rock” which was being promoted at the Bush Hall last week. Two mics, (Mary was joined at one point by support act, Ben Glover), a table for a mouth organ and an empty guitar case are all that adorn the stage because we are lucky enough to be listening to a performer confident of their own ability to captivate with the minimum of fuss. 

Notes from a well ‘loved’ guitar, (The poor thing is covered in scuffs and scratches), the confidence to inhabit songs and a dry sense of self deprecating humour are all that is needed to bring to life the stories in those songs. Stories which most of us would rather experience through the medium of song, dance, tapestry even - anything barr first hand knowledge, but that simple, honest playing style and humour show that it is possible to come out the other side not only still standing but happy.

Along the way we learn why it is important to keep your empty guitar case with you on stage - singing about compassion for those who have wronged you, “Mercy Now”, doesn’t always go down well in Texas, even if you are singing about your own family. That moment where you suddenly see your lover as the rest of the world sees them, a psychopathic narcissist, (“Sweet Words” - both songs from “The Foundling”), and how she was once voted gay country singer of the year (then claimed the award was probably invented for her). 

Actually Mary is a pukka award winning singer songwriter, the title track of “Drag Queens and Limousines” received the award for Best Folk/Singer-Songwriter song at the first Annual Independent Music Awards in 1999,  in 2002 “Filth & Fire” was named Best Indy CD of the Year in the New York Times no less, and Mary was named Best Country Music Artist at the Gay and Lesbian American Music Awards in the same year.  

We’re also introduced to two new songs, (‘Can’t guarantee the songs but I can guarantee they’re not happy songs.’), plus “Cigarette Machine”, a beautifully bitter-sweet song about a love affair with Class A’s, and “The Rocket”, which are both on “Live at Blue Rock”, telling a story of love and rejection.  

A new studio album was hinted at and a song has been recorded recorded for a TV series, “Nashville” which if it’s picked up by the networks means Mary ‘Will get a  new car, but don’t spend the money ‘til the cheque arrives!’
 
It’s a clever thing, the quiet intimacy of this person telling stories of a difficult life, whilst appearing utterly comfortable in their own skin. It sucks you into believing that you’re sitting in your own front room, sharing with a friend and wondering how they did it. Makes for an utterly beguiling evening.

The tour lasts until the end of October with dates in the Netherlands and Italy. The chance to get to know a performer you may never have seen before and who will leave you a little in awe of herself, is well worth the fare.


Laura Alexander - Arts Reviewer

Book review: Sing You Home – Jodie Picoult

In these baby-booming times this book will likely strike a chord with a few people. Being about human infertility and the unrelenting desire to have a child, this isn’t a happy book.  All of our main characters are struggling with recognisable demons and it takes almost half the book for them to truly become likeable.  Despite all of that I’m a little bit in love with this novel, so much so that I sat up to 2am one night in order to finish it.  It is genuinely unputdownable.

After nine years of fertility treatment, Zoe still doesn’t have a baby.  After being advised to give up on her dream of motherhood due to ill health, Zoe refuses.  A baby is more important than her health.  Her husband, Max, doesn’t agree and instead files for divorce.  Time passes and Zoe falls in love again – with a woman!  Unfortunately Max also falls in love, only his new love affair is with God.  When Zoe approaches Max for the rights over three frozen embryos they have remaining from IVF, Max approaches his church for advice.  From there things start to get messy for Zoe.

This novel may be a clash between gay rights and religion, but it in no way demonises either.  Jodie Picoult is careful to develop her main characters in order for us to really understand their motivations.  No one person is in the wrong here and all are trying to do what they think is right.  Ultimately Zoe and her ex-husband have to make big decisions and we, the reader, can only stand by helplessly and hope for the best.  A very moving book.

Review by Ida Raine

 

Club Night: Chick Habit featuring Amity & JD Samson

Now, I have to admit that I haven't actually been to Candy Bar in a while. I see myself as outside of the core customerbase. When I think of Candy Bar I think of uber-trendy student lesbians, under 25, and who are single and looking for fun. Thursday night was quite an eye-opener to the fact that the customerbase of this bar is expanding beyond this stereotype.

I wasn't the oldest lesbian in the room, I wasn't even the only lesbian not looking for a night of fun. Hell, there were even lesbians who aren't uber-trendy types (me included!).

This event was bound to be popular; JD Samson (known  most famously from Peaches and Le Tigre) was the top bill on her only UK date this tour.

Chick Habit runs from 9pm to 3am. A weekly event every Thursday (occasionally doubled up with Candy Bar's own comedy night beforehand). This week was a special Chick Habit, starting with Amity and ending with JD Samson (DJing from 1am).

Amity was on early to a select crowd. The crowd were extremely mixed, and clearly there for the music since they were all paying attention and listening to the music rather than chatting away which was nice as at some gigs there is little respect for the artist on stage when they are a support act.

Amity, originally from Wolverhampton has been around since about 2003 and released her debut EP in June 2011. Amity isn't your usual artist, she plays live the guitar, ukelele, kazoo and drums (at one point all in the same song at the same time - you need to see it to believe it). She is quite an alternative artist and uses some amazing techniques within her songs - well worth catching on one of her future gigs.

Between Amity and JD Samson we had DJ Amy B and DJ Cece Wyledeck Estrada keeping the dancefloor bopping with a variety of indie, electro, rockabilly and alternative music.

From 1am JD Samson hit the decks, and showed she is a truly remarkable DJ. She is a legend in her own right, and could have easily just played her normal set and the music she enjoys, but regularly you'd see her popping her head over the DJ booth to check the response from the crowd. She interspersed her style of music with floor fillers that pleased the audience, introducing new music whilst ensuring the dance floor remained full at all times.

If you haven't been to Candy Bar in a while, perhaps you might fancy giving it another go. They have a variety of nights now, for all tastes including Laughing Labia comedy show, Girls-A-Loud Karaoke, Monday Madness, Shake and Pop, Monster and Sunday Social.

The next Chick Habit is on Thursday 11 October and features Moya, a singer-songwriter from Brighton.

Naomi

Book review: Unexpected Pleasures – Tamsin Wilton

Many people were shocked when Cynthia Nixon claimed to have had a ’choice’ over her sexuality when she met Christine Marinoni.  Accusations flew between those who felt she must have always been bisexual and those who believed choice was more credible than biology.  Yet the notion of same-sex relationships as a ‘choice’ wasn’t a new one in 2012, it wasn’t even new in 2002 when this book was published.  The possibility that some lesbians were born while others were made, has been with us since feminism first allowed female sexual autonomy.

Tamsin Wilton is a woman who came out later in life.  Hitting her mid 30’s she felt she made the choice to become a lesbian, only to discover this was not a popular view.  Wanting to talk to other late bloomers like herself she placed an advert in Diva, from which she expected to receive possibly a dozen replies.  Instead she received 40 in a day, with more coming in the weeks that followed.  Realising she had hit a nerve, Tamsin interviewed hundreds of women from all over the country and beyond, eventually creating Unexpected Pleasures out of their stories.  Many had resisted being gay until they were unable to fight it any longer; some had never guessed they were gay until the day they fell in love; and some, like Tamsin, felt that given a choice they had chosen women.

This is not a book of science, as the author admits she is dubious about any biological explanation for homosexuality.  Instead this is a book about experiences, the experience of coming out as a woman who loves women, at a time when you were supposed to be settled into heterosexual family life.  Unexpected Pleasures is interesting just for highlighting those experiences, and would be invaluable for any woman who unexpectedly found herself bursting out of the closet later in life.

Review by Ida Raine

 

Hip Hip Hooray, we sash-ayed the Big Gay 10k

Sunday 30 September, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. Sunny cloudy weather. A bunch of gays. What more could you want for the end of the Summer?

We arrived early, ready to set up our stall, which was bang in the middle of the row of pop up gazebos.

Within an hour we were ready to go with our village fete games – pick a lolly, play your cards right, tombola and find the cash behind the tube station, as well as a fine assortment of homemade cakes to sell (Naomi spent all day Saturday in the kitchen baking!).

Katie checked in for the walk, and took park in the group limbering up, with lots of dynamic stretches led off from the main stage.

Just before midday, Diva’s Jane Czyzselska called all the women over to take part in the lesbian visibility kiss. Before we knew it dozens of lesbians were smooching away with each other.

And then, Cheryl Baker was calling the start of the walk! All the runners, walkers and mincers led off, on the 10k path that took them along the riverside, South Bank, up to London Bridge, over and back down the other side.

It was a beautiful walk and the weather was perfect. It got a little busy in the South Bank area and Westminster – making it hard to keep full pace throughout, but Planet London walkers returned to Vauxhall in very respectable times indeed.

The afternoon continued with some great acts on the live stage including lesbian bands such as Grey Matter, stand up comedians Jen Brister and Zoe Lyons, and rounding off with members of the L Project singing It Gets Better.

The village fete worked really well and all the stalls had made a big effort to be fun and informative. There was a chilled party-like atmosphere all afternoon.

Planet London is very proud to have been a part of this event – walking and in the fete. We raised approximately £200 from the stall and walking which will go towards helping London Friend and Pace.