Calling all lesbians with a song in their heart!

Another weeknight in London, so of course another night out, this time in Soho. Thankfully I was actually home last night, and so was Katie so I actually remember what she looks like right now! She is off being all cultural at a book reading with Stella Duffy at Gay's the Word. I however went for more of a drink-focussed night and headed down to Bar Titania for their Thursday night Open Mic Night hosted by ex-drag kings (yes, you heard me right) - Sam, Dee and Alice.

The first thing that might be confusing about this open mic night, is that Sam, Dee and Alice are 2 people... so who is missing, well actually they are all present! Confused, well let me enlighten you... Alice is in fact the guitar! Sam leads on the vocals with a somewhat sultry voice (even though she said she was sporting a sore throat tonight!) and Dee provides the guitar and additional vocals.

The night starts of with a few songs from Sam, Dee and Alice; by Sam's own admission they like the old ones. Tonight we were treated to some Amy Winehouse and Elvis before moving on to a Sam, Dee and Alice original. Later we get some Dixie Chicks, Pink and Bob Dylan. We got to enjoy a small set from a guest band and then more of Sam, Dee and Alice.



The main influences of Sam, Dee and Alice are soul, motown and country and every song is just beautifully put together. They bring with them a variety of instruments (a bongo, star shaped tambourine, and red maracas and Sam has a Harmonica too) for those who fancy joining in; and also encourage the audience to sing along. This night is promoted as a night without limitations and boundaries; and any performer is welcomed to participate as they wish.

What I liked was the diversity of the music, and that every cover is done in their own way. This event has a really friendly and inviting atmosphere, and is a nice space for a new budding artist to try out their music without the worry of hecklers.

Between Pink and Bob Dylan there was an opportunity to get a free hug from Sam. Dee tried to offer kisses too but Sam declined due to her cold. Where else would you get that?!?

If you are a fairly new musician and fancy joining in on this eclectic musical night, then get in touch with Sam, Dee and Alice via their Facebook page.

I will definitely be back to this night (when my hectic calendar allows), but I recommend you take a trip down to Bar Titania and enjoy this evening for yourself. It is every Thursday and the live music kicks off around 8pm. There is a great happy hour until 8pm and don't forget if you use the My Pocket App Loyalty Card you can earn free drinks as well!

If you are in town straight from work and looking for a bite to eat, I recommend dinner at Labels. They have a great petit plats menu that is absolutely amazing value and also have the best cosmos in Soho! Right now if you sign up as a member at Labels and quote 'Planet London' they will waive the membership fee.

See you out and about soon!

Naomi x

Spreading the Love all over...

A Tuesday night in London and WOTs a girl to do, well as you might have guessed, for a change (insert sarcasm here) we were out. Tuesday night is Bar Wotever. This Tuesday the night was taken over by The Short and Girlie Show who are on their global tour (ok, so just in the UK!) which they have called their 'Spreading The Love' tour.

 

I have seen the Short and Girlie Show before, but to be honest, this is the one kind of entertainment where that doesn't matter, in fact, you could watch them every night as it is always different. Some shows are also being supported by various local acts. The tour launched in Bristol with a sold out date on Friday 5 September. Then they were off to Reading, where they were supported by Greymatter. This gig was so popular that they had to move from the small theatre to the larger one, and still sold out. Tuesday's gig was the third, and was also a busy affair.

So what can you expect from The Short and Girlie Show (or SAGs!)?

They are an improv troop and use games and audience participation to create the show. Conscious of their audience, it isn't all about shouting out as you can also write down on paper and therefore participate on a more anonymous basis if you are more shy. 

We are sponsoring the Short and Girlie Tour as part of their fundraising campaign. As a thank you for this support, we were asked a few questions about Planet London and then got to enjoy the SAGs stepping forward one at a time and installing sheer horror in what the worst kind of people to work at Planet London might look like! It was most entertaining and in no way reflected Katie and Naomi!

Other games included acting out Snow White & the 7 Dwarfs in various film styles; 2 cleaners in a graveyard who had to change the last sentence when the bell rang and my personal favourite - acting out a scene where 2 of the audience first met. We have had the pleasure of having the SAGS act out our meeting at a previous gig a couple of years ago; and I must admit, although highly factually inaccurate, it was very funny and a little romantic. Tonight's gig was supported by Hannah Brackenbury and Lara A King.

 

 

You can catch the SAGs at one of their future gigs, or at all of their gigs if you feel so inclined.

FUTURE DATES:

Brighton | Friday 12 September
London  | Friday 19 September
Birmingham | Friday 26 September
Coventry | Saturday 27 September
Leicester | Sunday 28 September
Portsmouth | Friday 3 October
Brighton | Saturday 11 October
London | Sunday 12 October @ SHE Soho
Nottingham | Friday 17 October
Manchester | Saturday 18 October
Newcastle | Sunday 19 October

More details on these dates on the Short and Girlie website here.

Just what the doctor ordered, a night of laughing out loud! Don't delay, book your tickets today, before they all sell out!

Review by Naomi

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. 

Labels Acoustic sessions with Jade Ellis and The Trails

Jade (right) with Planet London's Naomi.
Don't worry, Naomi doesn't sing.

A gem of a night with Jade Ellis and The Trails. 

From the sound check we could tell we were going to be in for a treat. 

The acoustics of the venue providing the perfect space for this Labels Acoustic session, as Jade Ellis' unique silky sublime voice resonated around us - and this was before the gig had even started.

As the gaggles of fans turned up, ordering cocktail classics from the newly presented menu, the buzz for the sets grew to a hum.

Following a delightful main course of the tasty small plates of offer (happy to recommend the BBQ Steak, duck, asparagus, potato rosti), we took a front row pew to the acts. 

With just guitar strings and voices, both acts supplied a choice acoustic vibe, with hints of RnB, jazz and modern urban chic.

The Trails, a two-piece, played a set of original material and then later some self-styled covers, with a moody, intense tone that drew listeners in.

Jade's set was an impressive and cohesive blend of covers and originals, with live guitar and guitar tracks. Each song bringing a now-established trademark Jade sound to it. With new maturity and personalisation of the songs, it was hard not to believe they weren't all her own to begin with. And with the added delight of a dedicated version of Ellis' rendition of 'Skyfall' performed for us, what else could we ask for on a cool Thursday evening?


By Katie

Jazzing up your Thursday night with good food and live music

When: every Thursday
Time: 8pm
Entry: free
Where: Labels Restaurant and Lounge, Frith Street (opposite Ronnie Scotts)


If you want a sensual, sophisticated, soulful dinner; look no further than Thursday Jazz sessions at Labels.

We enjoyed a delicious 3 course menu of amazing French-Asian style cooking whilst sipping scrumptious cocktails. I had gorgeous king prawns followed by Cajun chicken ad Katie enjoyed hummus followed by steak (they do also have a good vegetarian selection, we just love our meat!).

On Thursdays Labels hosts live jazz sessions from 8pm so if you can wait you can enjoy a romantic meal with live jazz in the background and over the flicker of candle light.

Tonight we were able to enjoy Fatin TheHood who is resident fortnightly, and guest performers The Trail (Voice: Abigael Chesang and Guitar: Alessia de Portis)



If I closed my eyes I could swear I was in some gorgeous riverside French restaurant rather than Frith Street in Soho!!!

Find out what else is on at Labels restaurant and lounge on their website: www.labels-soho.co.uk.