Oh Boi, Oh Boi... BoiBox turns 1 at SHE

Boi oh Boi was that a night!

Venue: SHE Soho

Date: 3 September 2014
Entry: £2 on the door

Name one other place where you will find birthday cake, spin the bottle, strip poker, 7 minutes of heaven, a constant stream of live acts, and innuendo... no, well thankfully Boi Box had just that.

Starting a year ago at the now historical Candy Bar (gasp, yes I said it out loud), and then graduating to middle school at SHE Soho, Boi Box is definitely excelling in all classes and is heading for Head Boi of Senior School with honours.

What I loved was that they still have their acts that have been with them since the beginning. |Juan Kerr is literally the drag love child of Apple and Adam, but is a child no more, having refined their act into something unique.

Stunning Wheat Free cake from MICA

The same was for Sam Dee and Alice who are also a reincarnation from a former 'turn up and have a go' drag duo who returned as a very credible, unique and mesmerising duo complete with harmonica.

Add to that dancing from a well rehearsed Romeo de la Cruz and what more could a girl want? The night didn't stop until the bar closed; showing that although only 1 year old, this night has grown into something quite spectacular.

At only £2 entry, this night is a total bargain, and well worth the night out. I recommend arriving early to get a good seat and starting your night of with a £19.50 bottle of prosecco after a fabulous dinner with friends at Labels.

By Naomi

Party in the Park at Brighton Pride

With the sunniest and warmest weather I've seen at a pride so far this year, we packed our bags and headed down to Brighton to enjoy one of the largest pride events in the UK.

Following a lovely brunch with new friends, we headed over to London Road to find a good viewing spot. The parade, disco-ing from the Marine Parade to Preston Park, was a massive improvement from last year. With plenty of community groups marching and the big corporates going very day to create a pride effort. 


We wandered up to Preston Park, and managed to avoid an long queue to get in - with a much improved gating service this year, including on the day ticket sales via a mobile app for those last minute purchases. 

We were guests at the first ever Alternative Stage for Brighton Pride, the Q Alternative, brought together and hosted by the fabulous Mel Sanson from local band Kenelis. Mel curated a fantastic line up bringing together the best of the non mainstream from hip hop to folk to heavy rock and including headline acts Lucy Spraggan and Republica.

CN Lester and the LC collective got the stage off to a fantastic start and a growing crowd. MC Angel & Serene from the LC collective said that the group were looking to performing, having previously played on the urban stage. Their favourite moment of the parade was all the "gay families, who looked fabulous, it was enlightening, and heart warming." CN Lester said that their performance felt "fantastic" with a "chilled out" audience. They were looking forward to visiting all the community stalls later in the day.

Adam All compered and intertwined with a few drag numbers to help continue the proceedings. Adam and on stage girlfriend Apple said that "the atmosphere was wonderful and the crowd were really warm, and they enjoyed introducing some very amazing bands".

We popped along to the main stage for a cheeky visit to watch Heather Peace, who was performing at Brighton Pride for the first time, her "adopted home town" after 14 years in residence. Not unexpectedly, she played to a huge crowd of fans.

Back over the Q Alternative stage, for some interviews, (check out Republica and Lucy Spraggan) and some more killer performances including Joan ov Arc and Battle of You.

A fantastic set from Lucy Spraggan followed, who said that "Brighton Pride crowd was her favourite of the summer so far" and even managed a little fancy footwork alongside the super strumming guitar. She certainly drew in a a large crowd to the stage. Very generously, Lucy did a signing with fans after performing.

Kenelis brought the hardcore to the stage with a popular set and some serious messages about why we were there. 

And then came the highly anticipated Republica, as dusk was falling, sending goosebumps all over our skin. A set filled with high energy, classic hits and new tunes, Republica had the audience bouncing and singing along with real charisma and presence. What a way to close the park.


Sunday was a bit more chilled. A few drinks and pool at The Marlborough, then into the pedestrianised street party of St James Street and surrounding roads. We popped into Pout and experienced some fantastic performances from Misty Vine and stealing the show, LoUis CYfer.

By Katie

Under our Umbrella: Pride in London 2014

Thankfully 25 Planet London umbrellas meant we didn't let the rain dampen our spirits at this year's Pride in London.

We were fortunate to be marching with our legendary #dyketrike & 50 or so other like minded women  who wanted to raise the visibility of women in Pride - and have a fabulous time whilst doing so!

(more pictures on our Flickr site)

The mood was awesome and 30,000 LGBT Londoners took to the streets to shout about why they are proud and for what they are grateful to have the #FreedomTo do in the UK. There were many funny, poignant and unique messages.

Thousands of supporters came out to watch the biggest parade of recent times as it wound it's way through Oxford Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus to Trafalgar Square.

After the Parade we joined Labels Soho who laid on a special Pride menu deal for Planet London marchers and packed the house out there.

We enjoyed the women's stage immensely, programmed by MissFit - and in particular caught buzzing sets from Adam All (joined by partner Apple Derrieres) and Lucy Spraggan (read our exclusive interview with Lucy). Photos of both performances here.



After a stint at a heaving Bar Titania (SHE Soho was already one in, one out) where there were even more live performances, we headed on down to the Main Stage to try and catch a bit of Heather Peace. It was running a bit behind schedule, which meant we didn't miss anything but did mean a few acts got cut short and Peace's headline performance ended the night with a rousing cheer. Fans had been waiting tirelessly all day to see Peace on the main stage, enjoying the likes of Drag Acts, Sir Ian McKellan, X Factor's Sam Bailey, Samantha Fox, Pink Singers & more, and were not disappointed.

(More photos of the Main Stage Acts)

By Katie

Marching for our visibility and right to self define - Dyke March

On Saturday 21st June we turned out with our best inner dyke and marched to show we should be visible and accepted whatever kind of dyke we are.

Speakers Sarah Brown and the Saffra organisation that supports Muslim Lesbian and Bi Women spoke very passionately near Hyde Park Corner to motivate us in a positive march. We heard about very worrying discrimination, such as racism and transphobia from within our own community, and the detrimental effect this has on some LBQ women who face double discrimination. 

We then set off on our March towards Soho Square, hundreds of dykes, allies, placards, turning thousands of London-heads on the route.

We managed to navigate the tourists, supporters and slightly surprised football fans to make it to Soho Square.

And then on to Bar Titania for the after party (with free food and entertainment from Adam All and Apple Derrieres) which drew a fantastic crowd and some drinking of the rainbow shots. 

Shaken, & Stirred - Appreciating female masculinity Bond style #FMAS007

Venue: RVT
Frequency: quarterly
Tickets: from £5

When: 8pm to late

For those of you who are yet to hear of Female Masculinity Appreciation Society (FMAS), this was the 7th instalment, shared under the hashtag #FMAS007, and with a Bond theme to mark the occasion.

FMAS has a clear identity as an evening -  all in aid of Female Masculinity, for all of us who are, all of us who want, all of us who live, breathe and play with it...

The night is run by Ingo from Wotever and is a hugely popular night of music, themes entertainment and dressing up.

My 10% inner butch came out to play, so I donned my best shirt and tie for this event, happily fitting in with many of the better dressed, suited up crowed. 

The night started off with an arm wrestling content; the perfect for contestants to show off your masculine side!

Throughout the evening the DJ (Wotever regular DJ Jo Bunny) on the decks was spinning a tempting mix of mixed chart and indie floorfillers to keep a steady buzz for the duration of floor-filled party.

At 10 the performances started and scene king Adam All alongside his very own bond girl Apple Derrieres showed us what is meant by "nobody does it better" with a gloriously camp Bond-esque musical treat alongside Duncan D'onut.

Ably compered by 3-in-1 Bond outfit girl Stephanie Goldberg, looking gorgeous from No to Moneypenny.

Wotever is becoming renowned for its live entertainment on Tuesday nights and FMAS is following in the same style. The main difference is this is more of a club night, held on a Friday (quarterly) and late into the morning.

Wotever, and FMAS both attract a diverse audience and wide cross section of the LGBT community. A great night if you don't want any attitude, and want to be yourself, and be accepted for that, wotever it may be.

If you are a more femme woman, don't fear, as long as you share the Wotever ethos, this night is for you too, all are welcome...and there are no shortages of women and gender queer people to meet and mingle.

By Naomi 

The Lesbian Prom @ Scala

When: Saturday 15 March, 9pm - 5am
Venue: Scala
Tickets: £22, VIP £45

From MissFit, the team (Effi Mai and DJ Sandra D) that currently run LBQ nights at Stokey Stop (TLC on Fridays, MissFit on Saturdays) and who were involved in the large multi-partner event G3:PM.

Lauren Chvrches

With fantastic headline acts: Lauren Mayberry from Chvrches DJing in the Attic Space, and Charlie XCX fresh from recording with Iggy Azalea on the main stage plus plenty of special guests such as hip hop duo Red N Pink, and DJs, this was always going to be a big night on the LBQ calendar. 

Adam All's Boi Box had a full programme of Drag Kings singing on the first level bar. Favourites Rogue and Tyler & Jack among many on the long line up delighted well dressed prom-goers throughout the evening. Barberette Klara offered moustache decorating so all guests could join in the Dragging!

In the main room, DJs kept the dancefloor packed for the whole night rocking fantastic current chart club classics. 

The VIP room had sofas, goody bags and free champers for guests as well as hostess Chloe Akam making sure everyone kept very happy. Prom punch, drink offer on the night, was flowing and flowing.

Charlie XCX

The top floor Attic, "alternative" prom played a more indie focused set of tunes with an edge and again kept the floor moving in style with the delighting tuxes and dresses. 

It's great to see such a fantastic line up on offer for the LBQ women of London, and hundreds of women coming together to enjoy and support this kind of event. 

By Katie

Don't Do It Yourself, Call Jen!

We recently moved into our new flat, which doubles as our office. We needed a few (ok a lot!) of work doing. Shelves putting up, doors replacing, pictures hanging, a shed installed in the garden and a whole lot more – 6 days of work in fact. As you can imagine, with running our website we don’t have much time, and we certainly don’t have DIY skills so we decided to call in an expert.

We like to practice what we preach and support the lgbt community so we contacted Jen, who we know from Boi’s Night Out as the host Adam All. Jen came around and we went around the house describing all of our requirements. Jen gave us a quote of 5 days for everything on our list and gave us her daily rate. We agreed a week that worked for us both and went along with our normal business.

Jen is a first class tradesman (or woman). She did an amazing job on everything on our list. She is a perfectionist which means all our picture frames hang at exactly the same height. All our shelves are completely level and everything looks amazing.

Jen was here every day Monday to Friday, and came back on Saturday to finish off. She was honest up front about finishing early on Wednesday and starting late on Thursday (because she was at Boi’s Night Out at Candy Bar).

 
When it came to finishing up and handing back our keys (after a day of going through things and being there for support, we gave her a set of keys for the rest of the week - she is that trustworthy!), I asked about payment. Jen said a bank transfer was easiest, and that it was 4.5 days because of the late/early start/finish. Top quality and too honest for her own good – she had been in our house Monday to Friday between 9.30/10am and 6pm as well as the extra day from 11.30am-6pm on the Saturday. I happily paid her the 5 days we had agreed on for a job done exceedingly well and am now sitting in my gorgeous living room, which is now more than a house, it is a home.

If you need any DIY doing, don’t do it yourself, call Jen!

A bit about Jen

Jen Powell has been decorating since 2008, perfecting her trade through hands on experience, expanding her knowledge of the latest products and techniques especially eco-friendly alternatives with particular focus on local companies.

In 2010 she began a course in Bench Joinery at Brighton and Hove City College, and having completed her 2nd year has been able to incorporate her new skills into her decorating business providing a service for carpentry and bespoke joinery work specific to private homes.

In her spare time Jen has been hosting Boi’s Night Out at Candy Bar, and from September is launching the amazing new Boi Box, a cabaret night for Drag Kings and anyone who fancies dressing up in a bow tie and singing, or enjoying others on stage. If you haven't seen Jen as Adam All you are missing out!

Naomi
 

Tender, Loving... TLC

Date/Time: Friday 9 August; 10pm - late
Venue: Green Carnation
Tickets: £7

 

 
Following on from our pre event Big Friday Flirt... plenty of women were ready to party as the disco beats rolled from the decks.

Party tunes were the dancers' choice as they took to the floor (and the poles!) and each other to shake some booty, and this month we were not disappointed with special guest DJ Christina Novelli.

The flirting continued late into the night, creating a hot, friendly ambiance where no woman was left on her own (even if she arrived that way...)

If you haven't heard of TLC before, it's a genre spanning dance fest with an emphasis on P-A-R-T-Y. It's usually the first Friday of the month apart from special occasions (like this month due to Brighton Pride falling on the first weekend - they're considerate like that!).

TLC has drinks deals after 10pm: Shot deals from £1.50, DOUBLE House spirit plus mixer £4, Selected beer £3.50

This event is young at heart but mixed in age... with classic and current tunes, there's something for everyone and plenty of dance floor with Green Carnation's ground & basement levels.

By Katie

TLC - Big Friday Flirt

Date/Time: Friday 9 August; 8pm - 10pm
Venue: Green Carnation, Soho
Tickets: £7 (included free entry into TLC after)

Welcomed by the King of Flirting Adam All and our very friendly Planeteers, lovely lesbians and bi women looking to mingle were treated to a very special pre-TLC event in the Planet Pinked up Green Carnation space.

While DJ Poppy played a wicked mix of 90s classics and modern chart floor fillers, a variety of games such Flirty Bingo; I have never; and Truths & Lies ensured the diverse set of women got talking to each other, had a practice flirt with Adam All and the Planeteers and with the crafty use of our Flirt Alerts got to let the woman of their dreams know someone was into them. If requested, our Planeteers were on hand to make an introduction too. Planet London's traffic light badges ensured that it was clear what the guests were after so there was need for awkward introductions...

The Flirt Alerts were so popular that they carried on into the main TLC event...

By Katie

Doing it Proud for Love & Marriage - London Pride 2013

We've tried to focus this year on what Pride events offer women as traditionally lesbians and bi women have been invisible amongst the masses of events laid on or aimed at men.

With new organisers and a completely different approach to Pride, the March and the events put on for the community, there was a real opportunity to break away from Pride only being meaningful for a small section of the LGBT community.


This year, for the first time we had a Women's Stage (hosted by Candy Bar and supported by FindHrr with free entry).

This was a wonderful event and a great way to spend the day and be part of Pride, even if you don't enjoy marching.

We were treated to an extremely talented set of musicians, from rock to pop to folk. Highlights included:



Rita Payne, a duo who got us off to a fantastic buzzing start that took us into fast beated guitar, mellow harmonies and ending us on a smooth version of Michael Jackson's Billy Jean.

Woman_E brought bubbly Gaga-esque pop-tainment to the stage, getting everyone up and dancing and setting the tone for the remainder of the day.

Pyscho Delia retro-fied us to 80s poptasm with a day-glo performance of electric guitar and drums - and they certainly fired up the "man in the green t-shirt" who was clearly enjoying himself A LOT. Lara King did an amazing job of managing the hecklers and keeping the every growing crowd roaring for all the amazing acts.

N'Chyx

Lyrically Challenged perfection

The urban love was brought to us by Wolverhampton's cheeky N'Chyx who seduced the audience in style, and followed by the performance of the day from Lyrically Challenged Collective who's perfected performance left us with that "one love" that Pride is all about - on message and on point.

Comedy stylings and grace from host Lara King and a set from lesbian favourite Rosie Wilby ensured we chortled in between the music

Hosting the evening section of the stage, Adam All brought variety up a notice (see the photo for the full picture...) with a couple of numbers and introducing the last rocking act before DJ sets took over, The Cut Outs - 2 women, electric guitars - what more could a girl want?

Women were very well catered for in the official post March evening events taking place as well. Perhaps a little too well, as a range of 5-6 events meant some might have been stretched a bit too thin. 

Find all the photos here!

We attended Code at Green Carnation between 9pm - 1am and the Big Gay Bash after that. Both not as full as they could be, but still good to have a choice of events for both women only and mixed that encourage the Pride Party to continue to the wee hours. 

By Katie