XXL and Ben Cohen present Bear Pride
Transcription
XXL and Ben Cohen present Bear Pride
clubs t bars t cabaret t life No 1053 14 M ay 2015 FUR FOR ALL XXL and Ben Cohen present Bear Pride 18 Suitable only for persons of 18 years and over R Y N B H B [ J O FD P NtR YH BZ M P O E P O Photo: Holly Revell Cohen Mad By James Egan I’ll be honest; I’m a big Ben Cohen fan, so when tasked with interviewing the former rugby player pin-up, now founder of StandUp anti-bullying foundation, prior to his upcoming appearance at XXL’s Bear Pride this weekend, I was a little intimidated. It’s weird to be talking to someone you once had a poster of on your bedroom wall. XXL’s Mark Ames wrestled the mob of hungry bears off of Mr Cohen just long enough for us to have a chat, and thankfully, Ben was one of the sweetest and most gentlemanly guys I’ve ever had the pleasure of interviewing. I probably won’t ever mention Pooh Sticks to him again though. Hey Ben, how are you? Not too bad, but busy. Busy, busy! I was supposed to see you at a signing once, but my friend got too nervous and we didn’t go. Oh, that’s crazy! He’s regretted it ever since. When he found out I was speaking to you today he let out a pained squeal and ran away. [laughs] Oh, bless. You’re at XXL’s Bear Pride event this May Bank holiday, are you looking forward to it? Of course I am! It’s always an experience. What will you be doing? I’ll be giving a talk and meeting people. People like to know what I’ve been up to and what I’m doing, in respect of the foundation. Where the money’s going and all that. You’ve done quite a few signings and appearances for gay audiences. Do you ever get any weird requests? Like people asking you to flash them or if they can lick your arm? Urgh, god no! Is that what your friend wanted to do? I think so. I think that’s why we had to cancel. Hmmm. [Laughs.] No absolutely not. The great thing is, they’re all very respectful. I don’t do too many signings or appearances, but when I do, there’s a mutual respect. Which is very important. How did you get involved with XXL? They reached out to us, saying they’d like to hold an event for the foundation. We’re always looking for partnerships and people to help raise awareness and money. You created Stand Up Foundation to combat bullying, was that specifically about bullying in a sporting environment? It’s about bullying across the board. It’s about supporting organisations that do the real hard work. We raise awareness and funds and we give money away in grants to organisations. We wanted to support those organisations and not compete. What drove you specifically to choose bullying as the cause you wanted to get behind? My dad was murdered protecting someone from suffering at the hands of other people. That’s basically why. We wanted - I wanted - to be able to make a difference and be a role model. I like the idea of being a straight man bridging that gap between gay and straight communities, really breaking down stereotypes. It’s about bullying across the board. It’s about supporting organisations that do the real hard work Now, seeing as it’s XXL Bear Pride, I’ve got some really terrible bear-based questions to ask you. Okay… Have you ever got a beehive stuck on your head, like Winnie the Pooh? No. Have you ever played ‘Pooh Sticks’? That sounds weird out loud. …No [laughs] Do you own any yellow tartan trousers like Rupert? No, but that would be interesting if I did. You could pick some up for XXL. That would be hilarious! Fozzie the Bear from the Muppets was a comedian, are you any good at telling jokes? I’m shit! I’m too serious, that’s the problem. Care Bears or Grizzly Bears? Grizzly bears. No, actually, Care Bears. My kids are into Care Bears. You’re a caring bear yourself, so you can identify. Exactly. Have you ever eaten a prickly pear like Baloo in Jungle Book? …No? Yogi Bear or Boo Boo? Oh, Yogi Bear! Why? To be honest, that’s the only one I know. Are you any good at catching salmon swimming upstream? [laughs] Yes! Yes, with my bare hands! Fantastic. Just to let you know, the lady in accounts just screamed “HE’S MINE!” across the office. So if you want a date with a small Jewish lady, the offer is there. [laughs] Oh, well, I’m not Jewish. She’s very disappointed. I bet. XXL Bear Pride is Saturday 23rd May at Pulse (No. 1 Invicta Plaza, South Bank, SE1 9UF) from 10pm – 7am. Tickets £16/£9 members. www.xxl-london.com 2 qxmagazine.com Bye Bye Cliff Ben Schubert & Tony Claffey, QX Publishers It’s difficult to work out where the years went, not that after twelve years one necessarily wants to be reminded. Peering through in to the fog of a distant past we remember a young man who gradually worked his way in to a permanent post here at QX after having started as a freelancer, assisted no doubt by his immeasurable charm! However, his first position here wasn’t as the big enchilada editor of QX magazine, but editor of QC magazine. This was a magazine that had been formed out of the middle section of QX, where all the classifieds were housed. In fact Cliff wasn’t just the editor, he wrote nearly all of it as well. Unfortunately, it became so successful that we had to re-include the contents of QC back in to QX magazine and appoint Cliff editor of QX. Well, that’s more or less how it was and like we said, a lot of years have passed since then. Since then of course Cliff has made QX magazine his own, pushing issues dear to his heart and important to our community. From awareness about safe sex and HIV control, as well as debating issues surrounding drug use, and calling for same sex education in schools, Cliff has contributed a powerful set of lungs to a voice that needs to be heard. That voice will continue to be heard, so we look forward to seeing the contribution that a new generation has to make to a magazine that has been published now for 20 years. Cliff has been a big part of QX and he will be missed by all of us, and we are sure that we speak for everyone when we say that we wish him the very best. “ We are sure that we speak for everyone when we say that we wish him the very best.” Patrick Cash, QX Deputy Editor (2013-2015) During his tenure at QX, Cliff’s inspiring social conscience was reflected in the magazine’s consistently rich and innovative content. Whereas QX’s closest competitors largely remained commercially-driven piles of mindless irrelevance, Cliff displayed an unswerving commitment to covering issues that affected every area of modern gay life. I will always be grateful to him for sourcing and championing new voices. I gained my first insight into the journalistic workplace as a work experience boy, where Cliff gave me a chance on my first big freelance feature commission: the anti-gay law in Uganda. The subject of that article is typical of the topics that compiled Cliff’s magazines. For a free gay weekly put together by a hard-working team on a limited budget, no subject that affected the gay community was off-limits: chemsex, drug culture, HIV/sexual health, hate crime, same-sex SRE education, politics, mental health, homophobic bullying, racial preferencing, a hell of a lot of drag queens, and many, many other topics. In terms of content, QX stood alongside and often surpassed the nationally-circulated glossies: all testament to Cliff’s vision and dedication to helping others. There will be many gay men in the city of London who might not know that they owe Cliff their greater confidence or better livelihood because of an article he guided into the magazine. The QX office is most often an enjoyable place of laughter and fun, but it can also be a stressful, highly fast-paced environment, working to tight deadlines, where tempers fray. Cliff ever remains a bastion of calm professionalism, navigating his ship through turbulent waters. I’ll always remember fondly my time working with him – along with the smell of his eggs in his morning salad! I am sure he will be an invaluable boon and asset to Attitude, and whilst James and Chris will no doubt be wonderful successors as QX editors, Cliff’s shoes are immensely tall, glitter-laced heels to fill. Lee Dalloway, QX Deputy Editor (2008-2013) Jason Reid, Cabaret Reporter Words can’t describe how much I love Kletus (That’s Cliff to you!). The beating heart of QX for the last decade, I was lucky enough to be his Deputy Editor/right hand kween for five of those years. He took a chance on an inexperienced journalist/experienced clubber and in that time became a friend, mentor, therapist and party partner all rolled into one. We argued like an old married couple, but creatively and personally, we helped each other reach new heights. Kletus doesn’t get half the props he deserves for turning what could simply be a listings magazine into a vibrant, relevant, agenda/boundary-pushing publication that reflects an ever-evolving gay scene. You don’t get to see the events he attends, the people he meets, the personalities he’s had to deal with, the causes he’s fought for, the people he’s given a voice to who wouldn’t normally get a chance to speak. And he’s done it all with modesty, class and passion... whilst wearing the most ridiculous wigs, heels and boas. He cares. He really, really cares. It’s time for Kletus to spread his wings, but I want to say to him, in print, I wouldn’t be half the journalist or man I am now if it wasn’t for you. And London’s glittering gay scene wouldn’t be half as fabulous if you hadn’t been there to help steer the queer ship. Also, massive congratulations for making it twelve whole years without once picking up your office phone. You’re gonna be missed, kiddo. I still can’t believe the grand dame of QX Towers is leaving and off to pastures new. I will personally ensure that myself and the girls, who work tirelessly in the office, like Dolly Parton on a new course of HRT, will observe a period of mourning. We will of course be draped head to toe in black (sequins) and there will be ten seconds silence in front of Cliff’s permanent shrine to Mariah Carey every Friday until next Friday. Seriously though, our loss is Attitude’s gain. And they are gaining a real diamond in Cliff. When I started at QX I wasn’t just a novice, I was someone who had absolutely no experience in media. I could write a sardonic sentence or two, but it was Cliff and Lee Dalloway who guided me and taught me a whole new set of skills. When Lee left, Cliff took me under his wing and we not only had a special working relationship, we also became good friends. That’s a friendship I’ll treasure always, no matter where he moves to. He’s not getting rid of me that easily! His talent and passion for writing is something I admire greatly, and his gentle way, compassion and patience (with me mostly) is a rarity on the scene. I’ll miss our banter through the week but I’m sure he won’t miss chasing up my editorials every Monday as I sleep off a big one. Good luck Cliff, not that you’ll need it. With a pair of tits that size, just let that infamous cleavage speak for itself... Now feck off before I ruin my reputation of being a cunt and start getting emotional. James Egan, Scene Editor As a boss, Cliff is not great. He’s fucking awesome. I’ve worked alongside him for two years now, starting off as an advertising executive with an attitude, gradually moving to a minor editorial position and now (semi) succeeding him as Scene Editor. To say those are big shoes to fill is an understatement, although, frankly, I’m more concerned about filling out those D-cup bras he wears. Girl’s tetas could block out the sun. So massive are his breast/talents that we’ve actually had to split his job in halves to make it work going forward! Chris Godfrey will be coming aboard as Features Editor, continuing the stellar work Cliff has done in highlighting a plethora of causes and issues one might not expect from a ‘listings magazine’. I am, in honesty, devastated that he’s leaving. I genuinely look forward to seeing him each morning and our ‘professional’ conversations are constantly punctuated by laughter, witty barbs and pop culture references that would be lost on most. Despite my sadness that I won’t have him sitting next to me every day, waxing lyrical about Mariah Carey, admonishing me for ‘feeding’ him chocolate cookies or helping me navigate the addictive insanity that is gay London, I know that I have gained a role model and, more importantly, a friend. Cliff Joannou is an inspiration, an activist, a total Mariah fanboy, a hell of a writer and a friend. Cliff Joannou, you will be missed. Truly. The war against homosexuality in Africa is gearing up A s preparations are underway to observe the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (also known as IDAHO, IDAHOT or IDAHOBiT) on May 17th, we should be reminded that there’s growing concern over the enormous sweep of Africa’s war on the LGBTI people. This war is characterised by, among other factors, the clash between cultural relativism and universal human rights, biblical fundamentalism, while not forgetting political opportunism. In addition, unlike in the past, there’s a growing anxiety that has seen more and more African homosexuals coming out and losing their fear. This new development has brought home to many Africans that homosexuals do actually exist, which to a larger extent explains the rising number of lethal homophobic attacks. Homophobia is fast spreading and most recently, Kenya’s Deputy President, William Ruto told worshipers at a church service in Nairobi that there’s no place for homosexuality in Kenya. He was quoted telling a cheering congregation, ‘We will not allow homosexuality in our society as it violates our religious and cultural beliefs’. Despite saying his actions were not politically motivated to get votes, in conservative religious African countries, homophobia is a vote-winner. To encapsulate this in a few words, you challenge homosexuals-you get the vote. In recent years, a number of African states (namely: South Sudan, Cameroon, Burundi, and most notoriously, Gambia, Nigeria and Uganda) have passed ridiculous anti-LGBTI laws. Although Uganda’s antihomosexuality bill has since been annulled, 8 qxmagazine.com By Tony Kitara, Ugandan Gay Rights Activist many ruling and non-ruling party MPs have vowed to see it passed. Also to note, at the time of signing said now annulled Ugandan anti-gay bill, the President stated ‘gay people are unnatural and disgusting’. There’s also been accusation made against ‘arrogant Western groups’ of trying to recruit and lure children into homosexuality. Even in Ethnic African nations like Kenya where the anti-homosexuality laws are not always invoked, the mere existence of such laws means victims are open to blackmail as well as extortion. This rising threat may come from, say the police themselves or the ordinary citizens meaning that victims are at threat should they need legal help. Threats come from everyone, young or old. Zimbabwe’s President Mugabe has been quoted saying before that ‘filthy gays destroy nations’. He further threatened to cut gay people’s heads off, castrate them and compared them to pigs and dogs. Zambia’s President Yahya Jammeh also called homosexuality ‘Satanic’, anti-human, anti-civilised ‘anti-God’. He ranted never to have seen a homosexual chicken or turkey and warned that homosexuals are not welcome in Gambia and if caught, would regret that they were born. Former Nigeria’s head of state, Goodluck Jonathan signed a similar bill which states “persons who enter into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union commit an offence and are each liable on conviction to a term of 14 years in prison”. South Africa, perhaps the only African country which is perceived to be the most tolerant and progressive towards LGBTI issues has a continued struggle with discrimination backed with hate ideology from some communities claiming that gay people are disgusting, sick, immoral, social deviants. Last year, 21 year old David was murdered in South Africa as a result of antigay hate crime. Lesbians in South African are also subjected to “corrective rape.” With Kenya being the latest country to have its leadership talk against homosexuality, there are growing concerns over the lives of so many LGBTi people “To encapsulate this in a few words, you challenge homosexuals - you get the vote.” currently in Kenyan’s Kakuma refugee camps having fled homophobic persecution from neighbouring countries. They are reportedly subjected to intimidation, discrimination and all sorts of prejudice by other members of the camp. I have previously written about Ugandan LGBTI community being in limbo of what the future holds for them. Little did I know that this disease called homophobia would be fast spreading like it is now. I’m left with so many un-answered questions lingering in my head: Are we doing enough to stop this fast moving ‘genocide’, and what more can be done to stop the ‘fire’ from spreading any further? The Shame & Sexuality series “I joined the police having dreamt of alkaf[]AoYkÚn]&&& It was because of homophobia that I oYk^gj[]\gml& By Kevin Maxwell For me, my gay shame was not standing up for myself against homophobia earlier on in my career, which eventually made me unwell. At the turn of the century, I joined the police having dreamt of it since I was five. I thought it was all about justice and protecting peoples’ freedoms, but my naivety had got the better of me. It was because of homophobia that I was forced out. My sexuality being something I believed I could keep private, and not allow into my professional life. I kept my mouth shut when my colleagues spoke about the ‘queers’ and ‘poofters’ they had to deal with, and one day I found myself so fed up that I told my Inspector I was gay and that I’d had enough of the comments on a daily basis, mainly from supervisors. So, you can imagine my face when his response to me was, “As a Christian, I can’t condone what you do as long as you’re a good officer”. Just writing this now, I’m disappointed in myself that I allowed him to get away with it. Being raised a Catholic in Liverpool, I know religion has nothing to do with bigotry. It’s just an easy get-out clause for those who want to offend, and then hide behind their God as a way of justifying their inhumane views. I was born the eleventh and last mixed-race child to a white mum and black dad. I know, through my own devout Catholic mother’s acceptance of me when I told her I was gay, that using religion as an excuse is a cop-out. I cannot think of one negative thing she has ever done or said to me after I came out, which gives me hope for other LGBT people. 10 qxmagazine.com Eight years in to my policing career, I became unwell at work. I was scared, as I’d never been sick or taken a day off since I began all those years ago. This despite being assaulted on duty many times. When I sat at the hospital, I knew something was wrong. And, it was. After several tests and chatting with many doctors and nurses, I was diagnosed with severe reactive depression. My body had given up, and was now starting to react to the homophobia in the workplace. The excruciating stomach pains and headaches I had were its alarm bells, telling me ‘enough is enough’. It all made sense, as just before this I was at a presentation when a supervisor decided to tell a gay joke in front of my colleagues who then burst into laughter. Then followed, a colleague talking disparagingly in a packed room about taking it up the arse. This time, I wasn’t laughing. For years, I acquiesced and shamefully even laughed at the jokes about being gay because it was the only way to cope. But, this eventually destroys us, and our identity. Over the past five years, I have found myself fighting for equal rights within the police service. Many still believe that it is only racism that is prevalent, but we haven’t even begun to scratch the surface with homophobia. I know of numerous former colleagues who are gay and wouldn’t dream of coming out, because they believe it would undermine their careers and integrity. What sort of life is that, to not be yourself for fear of being rejected? But, I completely understand why. After I was diagnosed, my employer leaked my private files to a tabloid newspaper for money to out me publicly and in a humiliating way with the intention of stopping me from challenging them. I called their bluff though, and outed myself in a gay magazine and talked about my depression. I took back the power. To this day have never looked back and I’m now standing up for myself. When I first joined the cadet forces at the age of ten prior I worked my way up the ranks to the most senior cadet in my division, if I’d known what was to become I wouldn’t have joined the establishment at all. Although not wasted, these are years of my life I cannot get back. We all have a right to live in peace. It was only a few days ago that I completed my first feature film script: an LGBT story of how external factors cause problems between a gay couple, which lead to their relationship’s demise. For many of us, we underestimate just how much homophobia at work can affect us in so many ways. I was so unhappy that I comfort ate and I didn’t realise I had become overweight until it was too late. Something else I’m ashamed of. Kevin Maxwell is a writer, advocate and former detective of both the Greater Manchester Police and London’s Metropolitan Police Service. He was born in Liverpool, spent a decade in Manchester and now lives in London. His debut memoir, Broken, about discrimination and depression in the police force is out soon. He tweets @kevin_maxwell Are we ready to start our engines? As RuPaul announces she’s coming to our shores to find a Drag Race UK Ambassador, QX asks will the UK ever be ready for its own take on the Drag Race phenomena? NO Writer and dramatist Nicholas McInerny The first series of Ru Paul’s Drag Race aired in the States in March 2008. The stars regular sell out shows on the UK gay scene, feature at G-A-Y and Tru TV is searching for a Drag Race UK Ambassador. Meanwhile, Jonathan Ross has stated he is interested in producing a UK version, with Jodie Harsh touted as just one possible presenter. Other names attached to the unconfirmed project have included Paul O’Grady, Visage and, of course, RuPaul. My husband and I love this show. Although following quite a rigid format in which the queens battle, bitch and bare all in an emotional rollercoaster, there is a wonderful balance between the ridiculous, the absurd, the extraordinarily creative and the genuinely touching. When Ongina revealed her HIV status, or Monica Beverley Hillz confessed on the catwalk that she was trans, it felt genuinely moving. Not only had all these queens set off on their own personal journeys – often in the face of family rejection – but now their drag persona was giving them the courage to admit to deeper truths. Drag had become both the armour with which to face the world, as well as the mirror of self acceptance. This was a powerful lesson that all LGBT people could identify with. They were telling our stories – as well as challenging our assumptions. They were brave and boy, did we respect them for it. The other tension lay in the rivalry between two distinct traditions – one the Pageant Queen with an emphasis on the Show Girl, a tribute to feminine glamour, and the other the Performer, whose on- stage ‘character’ was filtered through art, theatre, and the alternative scene. And whilst the former seemed stuck in a groove, the latter evolved throughout the series. When, for example, the brilliant Bianca Del Rio won season six with her ‘Rolodex of Hate’ you saw yet another version – the wisecracking confrontational comic who drew on New York Jewish roots as well as drag history. The one thing in common, however, was that all of their personal stories fed into a larger – and very American – narrative of ‘aspiration’, a concept I believe fundamentally shapes the way Americans see themselves. Aspiration is a kind of real social mobility, in which all is deemed possible through hard work, application and sheer naked talent. Through drag you literally reinvent yourself, take your place in the world, and live the American Dream. 12 qxmagazine.com None of that applies in the UK, which is why I believe that Drag Race – marvellous though it is – will struggle. True, we have a national obsession with drag – arguably our national theatre is panto in which both men and women swap gender roles. Likewise, our classical theatre – especially Shakespeare’s comedies – is full of female characters taking on male disguise. But in both examples, the underlying assumption is still straight, and the issues – certainly in Shakespeare – focus around class than gender. Our drag history extends from the decorous glamour of Danny La Rue to the vicious but brilliant tongue whipping of Lily Savage - where humour is the priority rather than a connection with something deeper, and more concerned with personal identity. And when the eponymous RuPaul, who presents Drag Race with such fine judgment, elegance and the real sensitivity of someone who grew up poor and disadvantaged, declares at the end of each show ‘How You Gonna Love Somebody Else if You Can’t Love Yourself…Can I get an Amen for that?’ you can almost hear the hollow laughter of a Brit audience mocking the self-help culture. The truth is, we are too cynical for RuPaul’s Drag Race. YES G-A-Y club owner Jeremy Joseph e ar is, al th nic O ru y s N e t o c ul’ ? Th to uPa ce we r R Ra to fo rag its wn the y, D el do o S at is wh e. YE ltim ss g: ar U cce hin nts su e t sta on nte co Would RuPaul’s Drag Race UK work? That’s the easiest question to answer. The proof is in how popular it is here without it even being on air. It absolutely shocked me when we first booked DWV for G-A-Y. Obviously they crossed over because they were a YouTube sensation as well, but the queues were around the block. Two had been on Drag Race and the programme had never been shown here other than online. It just shows that if people are going to make such an effort to watch something in that way, just how much more popular it would be to watch on regular TV. If Drag Race was to come to the UK, it would need to be with RuPaul doing it, obviously with guests on the panel. It’s his show and he’s the key link. A UK version would struggle to work without him. But I believe it could. You could involve talents like Jodie Harsh, whose name had at one point been associated with it and who has already shown how a drag personality can cross over to the mainstream by doing TV and high profile DJ gigs, and Jonathan Ross who the public relate to. But the key is definitely RuPaul. There’s a huge love for drag on the gay scene and across the UK. If you go back years, drag has been the lynchpin to the gay community. If you look at the evidence of the Black Cap, drag was central to its success. Whenever a venue does a charity night, it’s the drag queens that are called on to host it and they offer their time and talent for free. What RuPaul’s Drag Race has done has revitalized the love for drag and brought it back into a commercial, mainstream space. But drag isn’t a new concept to the UK audiences if you look at Dame Edna Everage, Lily Savage and Mrs Brown. Essentially Drag Race is reality TV, and we all comment – for good or bad - when X Factor or Britain’s Got Talent shows those real life stories. We have an appetite for seeing them. I think everybody relates to the ambition to succeed and become famous. Yes, there are shows like Big Brother that feature people who just want to be famous for the sake of it, but when you see talented people on shows like Britain’s Got Talent you get behind them and their story involves you. Look at the likes of Courtney Act who started off on Australian Idol and Adore Delano who was on American Idol first. When you look at the success of our own Drag Idol contest on the gay scene and how that has translated to TV, we’ve already seen La Voix, who was a Drag Idol winner, make the final shows of Britain’s Got Talent, so we already know that the UK is ready to embrace drag culture in this way. And talent is key. Drag Race shows that this standard of drag isn’t just somebody putting on a wig and make-up, it’s an art form, but the television show makes it fun to watch. Where Drag Race is also unique compared to other reality TV shows is that you can re-watch seasons over and over, whereas most reality shows you wouldn’t go back and watch them again. The only reason it wouldn’t work here is if it wasn’t done well, what works in the USA might not work in the UK. Ultimately, its success is down to one thing: who the contestants are. That’s when shows like X Factor become memorable, when you see that bite of a contestant that you really feel for, that you want to do well, that you can emphasize with. If somebody’s got a story that you can follow, then it would work. And knowing the talent and personalities we have on the gay scene, that’s a given. G-A-Y Porn Idol features RuPaul’s Drag Race special guests at Heaven (Villiers Street, WC2N 6NG) on Thursdays, 10.30pm-5am. Check QX for listings. Think you have what it takes to be RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Ambassador? Enter at www.trudrag.co.uk 13 qxmagazine.com T h e w h o , T H E w h a t , w h y , w h e r e & w h e n o f I N F O R M E R g a y L o n d o n … 14-20 May Ibiza Gay Pride The rainbow flag will be hoisted high over Ibiza this July when Gay Pride descends on the island. Following on from Madrid’s own LGBT carnival, this year’s edition aims to establish itself as one of the most important Pride celebrations in the European calendar. As well as the passionate gay parade, festival-goers can expect afternoon parties starting on the island’s beach bars, all-night sessions in some of the world’s best clubs and even a party at Ibiza’s 8,000 square foot zoo. Photography exhibitions, performances from Mallorca Gay Men’s Chorus, street and fashion shows are just some of the cultural events that will help break up the partying. Organisers are expecting an estimated attendance of 50,000 people. 8th July – 12th July www.ibizagaypride.es Miss Kimberly’s Boob-A-Thon Miss Kimberley needs breast implants, so fundraising begins this weekend at The Glory in Haggerston. With over 20 drag performers coming together for the cause, as well as a rare rendition of gay bingo, party goers can expect an all day chaotic spectacle stuffed with performances, appearances and fake tits, descending into a caked up transvestite rave. The confirmed line-up so far includes Eve Ferret, Lady Lloyd, The Fabulous Russella, Vanity Von Glow, John Sizzle, Raven Mandella, Honey Foxx, Tasty Tim, Chrissy Darling, Silver Summers, Ginger Johnson, Leg and Coq and Ruby Jones and Mzz Kimberley herself and Jonny Woo. The Cabaret Cascade promises to be a carnival of camp chaos. For a charitable donation of just £10, revellers can not only enjoy the all day tits-up party but also contribute to a good cause and help Mzz Kimberley, one of the alternative scene’s most prolific performers, finally be the woman she was always meant to be. The Glory, 281 Kingsland Road, E2 8AS 17th May, 2pm. Donation £10 www.facebook.com/events/1568663623400678 14 qxmagazine.com Pam Ann: Queen of the Sky First HIV Self Test on Sale Pam Ann, the world’s favourite airhostess, touches down in London this September to perform her brand new show, Queen of the Sky. Rest assured, the comedienne will rile, offend and charm her audiences. Once described by Madonna as “cruelly funny”, Pam Ann’s marmite caustic wit, ‘shoot from the lip’ observations and disregard for anything politically correct, promises a turbulent ride. If you’ve ever fantasised about what it would be like to be hijacked and verbally abused by an international airhostess then this is probably worth checking out. Easily offended flyers please be warned: Queen Of The Sky will take no hostages. Britain’s first self-testing HIV kit has gone on sale, in a move that will help stem rising transmission rates across London’s gay population. Currently, 24% of people living with HIV remain undiagnosed; access to these kits will encourage them to get tested and may help reduce this number. “Self-testing kits are currently provided outside the NHS and will cost money,” says Dr Rosemary Gillespie, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust. “The main difference between this and other testing options is that it gives the convenience of doing an HIV test at home, with the result delivered outside a clinical setting, which we know some people prefer. However, it is important to make sure people can get quick access to support when they get their result.” Starting treatment early is still the most effective way to avoid longterm health complications and lead a long and healthy life. “We currently have a long way to go when it comes to diagnosing people with HIV on time,” says Deborah Gold, chief executive at the National AIDS Trust. “Over 40% of people living with HIV are diagnosed late, meaning they have been living with HIV for at least four years. People diagnosed late are 11-times more likely to die in the first year after diagnosis. To address this public health challenge we need to look at new ways for people to test and self-testing is an important and welcome additional option.” Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX 30th Sept – 7th Nov pamann.com Breakthrough: Meet teen prodigy Jack Andraka Teen author and science prodigy, Jack Andraka, will be at Gay’s the Word on May 24th, sharing his inspiring story and talking about his book, Breakthrough. At the age of 13 Andraka created an effective test for three types of cancer, after conducting two years of research and asking hundreds of universities and companies for help. He did this while overcoming homophobic bullying. An outsider at school, he knew he didn’t fit in — and a close family friend was dying of cancer. But instead of giving in to the homophobic bullying and the despair, he took another path. Using his passion for science, he decided to try to create a better method of cancer detection. The result, his early detection test for pancreatic, ovarian and lung cancer, has the potential to be over four hundreds times more effective than the medical standard at a fraction of the cost. Andraka’s story is not just one of inspiring teenage success; it is a story of overcoming depression and homophobic bullying, and of finding the resilience to persevere. Gay’s the Word bookshop. 66, Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AB 24th May. 12pm. Free. 15 qxmagazine.com C L U B N E W S For full listings see Musts & Maybes, pages 46-50 or the What’s On section at www.qxmagazine.com For listings on the go, download the free QX GAY LONDON app at the iTunes store. Not today, Satan! Not today! Gird your loins and unfasten your belt; Bianca Del Rio’s judging porn idol. If you’re brave enough to have your assets assessed by the queen of mean, text 07789 553 868 to enter, or email info@g-a-y. co.uk. Next week it’s Loose Women’s Sherrie Hewson! We’re surprised at you Sherrie! We thought you spent your Thursday evenings in with a quiet glass of chardonnay. Bianca Del Rio 14/05/15 G-A-Y Porn Idol with Bianca Del Rio Sherrie Hewson Heaven, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6NG. 10.30pm–5am. Free entry wristbands available from G-A-Y Bar. 15/05/15 Shake Yer Dix Popular shabby-chic dancehole Shake Yer Dix is BACK at Dalston Superstore this weekend. Expect lots of faggy electro like Roisin Murphy, Fischerspooner and Peaches. There’s also a live DJ set from pop starlet Ronika! Ronika’s great, she’s like 80’s era Madonna via Nottingham and H&M’s summer range. She’s got a song called Forget Yourself. And depending on how many drinks you have, you just might! 16 qxmagazine.com Dalston Superstore, 117 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB. 9pm–3am. Free before 10pm, £5 after. For full listings see Musts & Maybes, pages 46-50 or the What’s On section at www.qxmagazine.com For listings on the go, download the free QX GAY LONDON app at the iTunes store. C L U B N E W S Loosen that tie and get to work, big boy, the men are ready to play. If a business suit makes you pop a boner, or a crisp, white shirt drives you crazy, then you really should head to XXL this weekend, where it’s a suit and tie situation you can throw yourself deep into. If you plan to head into the playrooms though, we just have one word of advice: think of the dry cleaning bill first. 16/05/15: XXL Suited & Booted 16/05/15: Mr.Int Pulse, No 1 Invicta Plaza, SE1 9UF. 10pm-7am. £15 guests, £8 members. Andy Butler of ‘Hercules and Love Affair’ fame returns to the ‘Store with another label showcase. Joining him for this instalment is pro jockey Jim Stanton of Horse Meat Disco, who's never one to miss out on a bit of basement fun. Meanwhile, upstairs Ben Pistor and Damon Martin resurrect Disco Bloodbath for a top floor takeover that will hurt you good. Dalston Superstore, 117 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB. 9pm-3am. Free before 10pm, £5 after. 17 qxmagazine.com C L U B N E W S For full listings see Musts & Maybes, pages 46-50 or the What’s On section at www.qxmagazine.com For listings on the go, download the free QX GAY LONDON app at the iTunes store. 16/05/15 G-A-Y Membership Party Dropped your G-A-Y card? Hopefully not, because the palace of pop is reviving it’s membership scheme and you can trade in your old card for a brand new, (possibly) sparkly one, along with a cheeky donation to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Want in? Join the club! Heaven, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6NG. 10:30pm-5am. Free entry wristbands available from G-A-Y Bar. 16/05/15 Higher Time for some forward thinking with DJs Alex Georgiou, Steven Artis, Mattias Dabo, as they’ll be playing you the ‘sound of the future’ at Barcode this weekend! A mix of brand new uplifting vocal deep house and upbeat pumping house that will keep you dancing ‘til the early hours! They promise only the best and freshest new beats will be played, so no need to check the expiry dates. Barcode, 69 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, SE1 7TP. 10pm-late. £8 before midnight/£10 after. 16/05/15 Club Kali Club Kali are celebrating their 20th birthday with a Bhangra Bollywood blowout. They’re the world’s largest Asian music LGBT club. A gorgeous melding of East and West, a fusion of light and magic, spice and sex, mystical lands and gaudy gauze. An exotic wonderland shrouded in mist and Vishnu-print Topman t-shirts. Basically you’ll hear Kiss Kiss by Holly Valance at least once. And you can’t argue with that. MWAH. Bottlescru, 31 Foster Lane, St Pauls, EC2V 6HD. 10pm-3am. £8, £5 concessions.. DJ Ritu 18 qxmagazine.com For full listings see Musts & Maybes, pages 46-50 or the What’s On section at www.qxmagazine.com For listings on the go, download the free QX GAY LONDON app at the iTunes store. C L U B N E W S Bootylicious is kicking off its now monthly residence at Brixton Electric! The venue formerly known as the iconic The Fridge will now be playing host to the uber-cool urban dance night. As well as thumping hip-hop beats, there’ll be two rooms of R&B, garage, dancehall and house. The weather’s set to be hot too, so dig out those denim booty shorts and be… bootylicious! 16/05/15 Bootylicious The Electric Brixton, Town Hall Parade, Brixton Hill, SW2 1RJ. 11pm-6am. £8 for members, £15 16/05/15 ’95: A Year In Dance That little dance pit Vogue Fabrics is celebrating the year of 1995! It was a good year. It was back when eurodance and things like Scooter were still in the charts. Spiked up hair. Baggy trousers. Skater shoes. Tank tops. It’s influenced today’s dance anthems, from Disclosure to Duke Dumont. Neil Prince and David Oh will be giving you a crash course in year’s biggest hits. Free entry if you were born in 1995! David Oh Vogue Fabrics, 66 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7XB. 10pm-3am. £3 before 11pm, £5 after. 18/05/15 Popcorn Well cover us in salt and throw us on the floor of a cinema; it’s Popcorn at Heaven! Four huge rooms of polysexual popcorn anthems and progressive tribal house. This week it’s “Aqua” with DJs Adam Turner, Jamie Hammond and Ale Amaral. Say hi to Chrissy Darling on the door; you can’t miss her, she looks like a 7-foot space alien crossed with a bowl of spaghetti. Heaven, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6NG. 11pm-5am. Free entry wristbands available from G-A-Y Bar. 19 qxmagazine.com C L U B N E W S For full listings see Musts & Maybes, pages 46-50 or the What’s On section at www.qxmagazine.com For listings on the go, download the free QX GAY LONDON app at the iTunes store. 23/05/15: 22/05/15 G-A-Y Eurovision Party Pop! HRRRNNNK! It’s bank holiday and it’s time for the gay world cup – Eurovision! G-A-Y are throwing a camptastic Eurovision extravaganza. There’s gonna be wall-to-wall euro dance pop all night long. Plus performances from Bucks Fizz and Blue. It’ll be worth going just to see Simon Webbe’s cheekbones. Heaven, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6NG. 10:30pm-5am. £3 entry wristbands available from G-A-Y Bar. Holestar Myra Dubois We’ve got another Eurovision bank holiday bash with Holestar’s Pop! at good old RVT. There’s so much campatiousness that we can barely TAKE it. That Holestar can always be relied on to be absolutely ridiculous. She’s like a living Kinder Egg toy. There’s a prize for the best Conchita. There’s pop music from the last sixty years. There’s Lady Lloyd. There’s David Robson. There’s EVEN Myra Dubois. Well, why not? Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372 Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY. 10pm-3am. £5 before 12, £7 after. Blue 23/05/15 XXL Bear Pride XXL Bear Pride, the bear event of the season! Dive into a gorgeously gooey honeypot of hot hairy men at the cavernous Pulse. Smokingly sexy rugby hunk Ben Cohen will be there too, hopefully in a tiny pair of shorts. Pulse, 1 Invicta Plaza, SE1 9UF. 9pm-9am. £9 for members, £16 for non-members. Ben Cohen Ben Cohen 20 qxmagazine.com C L U B N E W S For full listings see Musts & Maybes, pages 52-55 or the What’s On section at www.qxmagazine.com For listings on the go, download the free QX GAY LONDON app at the iTunes store. More like the men who fell into East Bloc! It’s happened to all of us, those stairs are deadly. Especially after a few Red Stripes. The team of mad miscreants will be spinning a sure-fire shot of no-nonsense queer house with a grimy East End chaser. Mattachine will be there with their all-inclusive, all-encompassing sonorous kaleidoscope, as well as BOTHER jumping around in insane flashing outfits. All this, plus special guest DJ Paul Heron. Who could ask for more? 23/05/15: TheMenWhoFell2Earth East Bloc, 217 City Road, EC1V. 10:30pm-6am. £10 entry, £6 concessions. 24/05/15: Matinee Easy Riders Motor Club Gentlemen, start your engines; Matinee are having a bikers party at Ministry of Sound! They’ll be taking over both the club and the car park for the biggest bike fest of the summer. So much chrome. So much leather. So much muscle. Think Iggy Azalea waving a chequered flag! Think Fast & Furious! Think denim jackets with a tiger printed on the back! Apparently there’s going to be a section called the “Easy Riders Patch”. That’s where you’ll find us. Dig out your aviator shades and sling a leg over. 22 qxmagazine.com Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street, SE1 6DP. Midday-9pm. £10. D J O F T H E W E E K Maze&Masters @ DOTDOTDOT 1. “Air Music London Ltd” Burnski Better Watch Out... Any time of the night or day, this track makes any queen know she can dance 2. “Meteor Man” - Full Intention The first time I dropped this at Dalston Superstore it made the lesbians lose their shit. And that is no mean feat. 2. “Sonny” - D. Napolitano A slow burner with an intense drop, this one makes you realise who has THAT groove 4. “Joan Rivers” Maze&Masters Sampling the infamous NY club kids on her talk show, our homage to Joan Rivers sounds like if Green Velvet went to Batty Bass Tell us in one snappy sentence who Maze & Masters are... Two punk ass bitches from Brighton who got lost in the party that is London and never left, now providing the soundtrack to the mayhem at raves like Little Gay Brother, Beyond, Gutterslut, XOYO and Ministry of Sound. And your music style? What kind of tunes do you play? We play all over the shop, you can start out in a techno rave and end up wailing Sister Sledge. As long as it’s got a groove, integrity and that magic thing you can’t explain but just makes you wild we could play it. But in layman’s term, deep, grooving techno & house. Describe a night at DOTDOTDOT to the uninitiated… It’s like the best house party in the world, where everyone knows (or soon gets to) each other, and they damn well know their music. Dot opens your mind, in venues you didn’t even know existed (last time we ended up on a rooftop beach then moving the whole party to a secret warehouse at 5am), yet still feels like home, a special dysfunctional family. The only problem is, we want more. 5. “On Me” (Skream Mix) - Mark Jenkyns ft MC Chickaboo Love a cunty vocal, Skream does this one proud with a banging little rave number 6. “Take It On” (Todd Bodine & Tom Clark Remix) - Mihai Popviciu I love it when we can get to that point in the night where we have the crowd in their vibe, and we can play a track like this, pure 5am teachings 7. “Fearing Love” (Club Mix) Serge Devant, Camilee Safiya, Damiano C This song has been on repeat after hunting for weeks when we heard Lee Foss drop it. One to turn gay or straight dancefloors into that special emotional state you only get when you drop your first E. 8. “Carry Me” - Maze&Masters ft Monet Edgson This track (which can be only heard on the dotdotdot sampler), is something new for us, branching out of original 4 to the floor house, taking influences from Zero 7 & Kaytranada, and featuring the incredible Monet, one to watch! 9. “Misted” - Metodi Hristov “Deep Within My Soul Beyond All Self Existence”.. quite simply these percussive beats and underlying groove will make you go IN 10. “Battle Groove” - Politics of Dancing Bryony found this track whilst the snow was falling on the Maze & Masters are at DOTDOTDOT on river in Watergate Berlin, and Friday 15th May at Simulacra Studio (302-304 Barrington Road, never looked back. A defining moment for us musically, this track SW9 7JJ) 10:30PM-4AM. separates the men from the boys Advance tickets £10. Popcorn promoter Chris Selby on… How to create a kick-ass club stage show 1: A good original idea – inspiration can come from the biggest and smallest things. Usually your own interests and aspects of your personality will bring forth your ideas. Also current culture and topical influences. Sometimes the weirder the better, other times straight-up is best too. Tradition shouldn’t be overlooked either. People like tradition, especially at times like Christmas. It’s good to mix it up though. Halloween is a great time to explore your dark side. Don’t be frightened about ruining someone’s clothes (fake blood) or making someone throw up (rotting dead animal parts). ‘Tis the season after all! 2: A “healthy” budget. Nothing comes cheap these days. Imagine Jurassic Park on shoe string budget! A good quality seven minute stage show should cost you between £3k and £5k. Even cheaper costumes add up! And prop hire is expensive, too. You need to be realistic though, of course. And if you haven’t got the money, be creative - see point 3! You can still deliver something exceptional. 3: A creative translation (of the idea) including design, music, dance, production, costumes, visuals, FX, etc. Having money to spend isn’t everything – you can use simple props and brilliant dance and still knock you customer’s socks off. 4: The right people and enough of them! Sometimes you just need someone to stand behind a set spraying a CO2 gun – simple but essential. Good quality dancers and a shit hot choreographer are essential. You may need to make last minute changes to choreography, etc and if you don’t have good dancers they won’t pick it up in time and the end result will be ropey. 5: Damage control (back-up basically, as something always goes wrong). Either something doesn’t arrive in time, gets ruined, doesn’t fit properly, something technological and essential dies, you run out of something, etc, etc. Plan, plan and plan ahead as much as you can. You won’t have time to be running around London looking for stuff last minute. 6: A lot of patience and deep breaths. Working with animals and children is tough – working with big personalities and egos is a WHOLE other ball game. You need to be a very good diplomat and also have a tough tongue as you will spend a lot of time biting it! 7: Talented and resourceful lighting & sound technicians – because they know a hell of a lot more about that stuff than you ever will. Brief them as fully as you can and make sure you do thorough technical rehearsals. 8: Superb special effects – be it lights, lasers, pyros or less high profile things like confetti, balloon drops or CO2. It all makes a difference, and can be the difference between and great show and a phenomenal show. 9: Paperwork! The more extravagant, the more likely you will have needed to complete risk assessments or get the necessary permissions or licenses/inspections from your local authority, especially if you are using pyros or flame effects. Always best to get a trusted third party company in to operate things like that as they will have way more experience! 10: Good quality gin… because… well… Mama need a big drink when it’s all done! Popcorn is at Heaven (Villiers Street, WC2N 6NG) every Monday, 11pm5.30am. Discount wristbands from G-A-Y Bar. Good quality gin… because… well… Mama need a big drink when it’s all done! 26 qxmagazine.com G-A-Y Porn Idol Election Special with Michelle Visage 07/05/15 Heaven, under the Arches, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6NG Words and Photos by Chris Jepson While much of the nation was sat at home watching the election coverage, some of us headed to Heaven in WC2 in the hope of erection coverage. Joining resident judges Baga Chipz (working a lesbian Marge Simpson look) and Mary Mac, was the queen of RuPaul’s Drag Race and star of Celebrity Big Brother Michelle Visage, accompanied by her CBB housemate Chloe Goodman. Once again a variety of cock and cockettes paraded their wares, a plethora of Primark pants were discarded with a flourish and a drag queen showed exactly how much she had to tuck. “I love a chick with a dick”, said Michelle before performing an Amy Winehouse song while finalists tattooed hottie Jamie and super flexible dancer Scott, the ultimate winner, gyrated naked behind her. This week you can catch RPDR season 6 winner Bianca Del Rio on cock duty. “Love a chick with a dick.” 28 qxmagazine.com A:M 08/05/15 Protocol, South Lambeth Place, SW8 Words and Photos by Chris Jepson The week after a bank holiday is generally a lull period in clubland, but over in Vauxhall Friday at A:M was scorching! Chris Brogan was showing his Pride (A Deeper Love) in the House room while two hot boys made out on the dance floor, and next door Severino was serving Turbocharged realness with house that was so deep it was almost subterranean! As for the crowd, well to quote ‘The Party’ by Eddie Martinez feat Josephine Halle B, “That’s what you’re serving? Everyone’s here tonight. Daddies, twinks, the muscles, the cunts, drags. Everyone’s FIERCE!” And just when it couldn’t get any better, The Heron popped his head through the door to take control. Just as I was getting ready to leave, and again quoting ‘The Party’, Lee Harris slipped off his headphones, turned to me and, in a routine worthy of RuPaul’s Drag Race, lip synched, “Girl, get yourself together”, and gave a flick of his heel. #ButchQueen “House that was so deep it was almost subterranean!” 30 qxmagazine.com Gloria’s 03/05/15 32-37 Cowper Street, EC2A 4AP Words by Borja Peña Photos by Supplied Gloria is one lucky bitch! She has lipstick, she has glamour and she has one great crowd. Last bank holiday, the door of XOYO was looking busier than the gates of Hell. I managed to squeeze through the doors by playing my DJ card as it was already kicking off in the main floor with the sexy beats of Josh You Are. As you’d expect from any party with a splash of Sink the Pink, the crowd was a vision of manscara, guyliner, wigs, accessories and glitter. The energy on the main floor can only be described as though someone had dropped acid in school dinners. Favourite looks of the night for me were the lovely Ollywood and Jordi Hulshoff, who looked like Leigh Bowery and his pet lizard/slutty stripper had decided to take a stroll around the club. On the main floor Kim Ann Foxman, as always, delivered an incredible set and KLANGKARUSSEL were pumping-as-fuck. DISH took over Room 2 with dark deep and sexy vibes, Tom Stephan played some cunty beats that seemed to have the desired effect on the crowd, judging by their dance moves. I kept the sweaty ravers going until the end, but I guess the crowd wanted more, as I was asked to play another half-an-hour. Of course, I said yes! Make sure you don’t miss next month with Dimitri from Paris. BIG. “She has lipstick, she has glamour and she has one great crowd.” 32 qxmagazine.com WE: Maximum Security 02/05/15 28 New Kent Road, SE1 6TJ Words by Soho Bitch Project Photos by Nicophoto.co.uk It was the morning after the night before, we were laying in bed with a stinking hangover, a sour taste in our mouth and a stranger in our bed who looked considerably better under a strobe light. We think to ourselves, was it worth it? The answer was an obvious HELL YES! Fresh from La Riviera Madrid, WE Party returned with a bang (literally) as they took over the Coronet Theatre once again for a May Day bank holiday special. Men from all over London united for another epic night of partying, at the Maximum Security edition of the Spanish sensation. DJ Luiggi and special guest Pagano headlined the main room with Steve Pitron and Jamie Head. In room 2 it was a WUT CLUB?! invasion as AttackAttackAttack and Louis Chatten took to the decks to give the south London special an east London flavour we couldn’t resist sampling. Until next time, WE Party. WE can’t wait to be in you again! “WE can’t wait to be in you again!” 34 qxmagazine.com R A I S I N G T H E B A R Nieko Ku Bar 30, Lisle St, London WC2H 7BA On 17th May it’s Retro Sunday at Ku Bar! Drag divas giving you a crash course in 80’s, 90’s and noughties hits. So get yourself a double vodka diet coke and spin right round like a record, baby. The bar men at Ku Bar look like they’ve just fallen out of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue. Then there’s Lady Lloyd, who looks like she’s just fallen out of a taxi. Hippodrome Munroe Bergdorf Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH Raunchy! Quirky! Naughty! It’s The Soho Burlesque Club at Hippodrome on 16th May. If you don’t descend the stairs nestled in a feather boa, you might as well not bother going. Miss Polly Rae and her minxy minions will be entertaining you all night long. It’s all just a bit of cheeky fun really. Miss Polly Rae Counter Arch 50, 7-11 South Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP Friday 15th is awfully civilised at Vauxhall’s newest and slickest restaurant as the Counter Cricket Club commences. Just moments away from Oval Cricket Ground, Counter are opening their doors for hungry cricket fans (and popping prosecco for thirsty ones). So channel your best Liz Hurley. SS15 is all about white pant suits and big designer sunglasses. Thankyou VERY much. 36 qxmagazine.com Circa 62 Frith Street, London W1D 3JN Soho’s first lady Munroe Bergdorf will be stalking, snogging and slapping her way to the DJ booth on 15th May as Circa prepares for its usual packed-out Friday night party. Be there or be irrelevant daahhhling. Wallto-wall dance, pop and R&B 10pm-1am. C A B A R E T By Jason Reid Tiffaney Wells VE Day Special 10/05/15 12 Old Quebec Street, Marble Arch, W1H 7AF Photos by Joel Ryder It was a suitably gorgeous day last weekend as we headed to Marble Arch for an evening of patriotic celebration and joyous remembrance, courtesy of the queen of a thousand gowns, Tiffaney Wells (she has her own walk in closet at home for all her drag you know! Too camp). This year’s VE Day (Victory in Europe) celebrations marked 70 years since the end of World War II, and host Tiffaney was keen to explain to us the importance of continuing to celebrate this historic day: “We must honour those who gave their lives and fought for the freedoms we have today, and we should never forget or become complacent. The world is still a very fragmented place and we only have to look at the news to see countries where citizens’ rights are still being denied. During World War II the lives of minorities were taken simply for being who they were. Such an atrocity must never happen again. So today we celebrate liberty.” Looking immaculately elegant, head to toe in glimmering silver, and clutching a never-ending large glass of rosé wine, Tiffaney took us on a journey through the decades, focusing heavily on the ‘40’s, of course, singing the songs of Betty Grable a forces pin up and Hollywood actress - and Vera Lynn - widely known as the forces sweetheart and for singing the wartime anthems ‘We’ll Meet Again” and “The White Cliffs of Dover”. As always with Tiff, she treated the audience to medleys from some of her favourite musicals and divas; from Gypsy to Bette Middler. “I just adore Bette” Tiffaney gushed, “She’s always been an idol of mine, a strong and powerful woman with a tender way and the most beautiful voice. How can anyone not melt when she sings such songs as ‘The Rose’ and ‘Wind Beneath my Wings’”. Also performing, as guests, from the George Formby Society and in full home guard uniform were Ray Reynolds and Johnny Key. They strummed their ukuleles and cracked jokes to a delighted Quebec audience, ending their set with the Formby classic “Leaning on a Lampost.” There was a real air of unity and pride in the venue throughout the evening. And they certainly didn’t hold back on the bunting and decoration! It looked glorious. We raised our glasses high for liberty and freedom, we sang along, and we quite rightly got swept up in the festivities of this momentous occasion. “There was a real air of unity and pride in the venue throughout the evening.” 38 qxmagazine.com Idol Gossip The Drag Idol news column By Jason Reid WELL, what a week it’s been [clutches pearls!] But I won’t go off on a rant BCPVUIPXXFSFGBDFEXJUImWFNPSFZFBSTPGTUPNBDIDIVSOJOHTNBSNJOFTT and cuts to the poorest in society (someone please stop me now), because I’m here to talk about Drag Idol god dammit, so that’s what I shall do! Shall we crack on? I suppose it’s for the best... i8FWFTUBSUFEUPTFFTPNFRVJUFJOUFSFTUJOHBOEVOJRVFUBMFOUFNFSHFw The heat stages of the competition continued all around the country this past week, and as we tipsily UPUUFSFEJOUPXFFLUISFFXFWF started to see some quite interesting and unique talent emerge. A GFXIBWFNBEFNFTJUVQBOEQBZ attention, but I’ll keep their names to myself for now, what with me being so impartial and all. Just ask 4JOJUUBPS4V1PMMBSEUIFZMMWPVDI for me (I’m such a shameless name dropper). *O-POEPOUIF)BMGXBZUP)FBWFO heats started, hosted by Bette Rinse. Claudia F won and became the first of their heat finalists. Up in Soho, the standard was so high S C R E E N that those pesky judges at the Admiral Duncan (JOKE DEARS!) went and put two lucky acts through: Shakondda and Cake. 5IF375EFMJWFSFEBTQFDUBDVMBS heat on election night; there we saw Sum-Ting Wong secure a place in the heat final. Host Son of a Tutu summed up the heats at UIF5BWFSOUIVTGBSi%SBH*EPM has finally come to the RVT and all I can say is ‘Thank you Jesus’. (SFBUKVEHFTCSJMMJBOUEJTDFSOJOH audiences; fantastic support from UIFWFOVFBOEJODSFEJCMFUVSOTCZ the contestants who seem, for one reason or another, to raise their MFWFMTXIFOUIFZUBLFUPUIFTUBHF Sum-Ting Wong supported by the great facilities; FWFO*TPVOEHPPETPNFUJNFTw Out of London, Belinda Scandal’s Show Bar in Manchester decided who would represent them in the Birmingham semi-final. Variety was the name of the game, by all BDDPVOUTi'JWFBDUTUPPLUPUIF TUBHF"OEUIFFWFOUVBMXJOOFSXBT ,SZTUBM,BOFBMJWFWPDBMJTU5IF other acts brought a selection of NJNFTUBOEVQDPNFEZBOEFWFO NPEFSOEBODFw#FMJOEBUPMENF All the best in the semi-finals Krystal. And with that I’m disappearing into a puff of glittery smoke for another week. T’raaaaaaaa. T E S T Belinda Scandal b y Jac k L e ger IN THE WORKS Video of the week WHAT’S LEFT OF US (15) 5IJTNVSLZ"SHFOUJOFmMNDFOUSFTPOUXPNFOBOEBXPNBOXIPMPDLUIFNTFMWFTJOBIPVTF UPTVSWJWFB[PNCJFBQPDBMZQTF#VUUIFUFOTFMPWFUSJBOHMFUIFZDSFBUFJTFWFOTDBSJFS5IF mMNNBLFSBMNPTUOFWFSTIPXTBOZUIJOHPVUTJEFDPODFOUSBUJOHPOUIFJODSFBTJOHUFOTJPO CFUXFFOUIFTFUISFFIPSOZTPNFUIJOHT"OEPOFPGUIFHVZTJTHFUUJOHBOBMMPWFSUBUUPP that might just start a craze. (Peccadillo) Film of the week THE TRIBE (18) From Ukraine, this is a must-see original: a jaw-dropping dramatic thriller in which the DIBSBDUFSTPOMZTQFBLUISPVHIVOTVCUJUMFE TJHOMBOHVBHF5IFSFNBSLBCMZCSBWF(SJHPSJZ 'FTFOLPTUBSTBTBUFFOJOEVDUFEJOUPBHBOHPGEFBGUIJFWFTBOEQJNQTBOEXIFOIF falls for one of the hookers he crosses a line and has to be punished. Where this goes is unexpected, deeply shattering and unforgettable. 40 qxmagazine.com Aussie hottie Alex Russell, pictured (Unbroken) is currently mMNJOH(MBETUPOFB Mystery Road sequel again starring the beefy Aaron Pedersen as a tenacious Outback EFUFDUJWFt"OE"OTFM Elgort will star in Dukes Of Oxy, as a high school wrestler who made millions smuggling pain killers. THE PITCH IS BACK The whole gang returns for more snappy antics in PITCH PERFECT 2, in which Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson lead the Bellas to the world championships. Consistently hilarious dialogue, bitchy characters, corny plot: cinematic bliss. BACKSTAGE DRAMA In CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA, the superb Juliette Binoche plays an actress stuck in Switzerland with assistant Kristin Stewart (surprisingly good). A smart, knowing look at DFMFCSJUZt5IFHSPPWZ doc LAMBERT & STAMP is about the two guys who created The Who. A fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of the music business. “Get tested, get £10 and help improve sexual health services for gay and bi-sexual men” Aged 16-30 living in Lambeth or Southwark? Kings College London is inviting you to take part in the Get Tested Study. Signing up is easy and can be done on-line at www.gettested.org.uk We will ask you to get tested for STIs in one type of local NHS service You will receive £10 cash for your feedback. A R T S When Fanny Met Stella M e e t F a n n y a n d S t e l l a, t w o c r o s s - d r e s s e r s w h o c r e a t e d somewhat of a fuss in 1871 af ter being arrested for running amok through the social scene of Victorian London, picking up men for sex and generally being far too outrageous for then sternly homophobic conservative Britain. Their story is told in the latest musical showcase at Vauxhall’s Above The Stag theatre… W riter Glenn Chandler, whose credits include TV series Taggart as well as previous Above The Stag show Cleveland Street: The Musical, researched the story of the trouble-making cross-dressing couple in the newspaper archives. While the scandal seems to have disappeared from wider British notoriety, at the time it was reported in great detail. Ernest Boulton and Frederick Park, aka Fanny and Stella, were two young Victorian gentlemen from good families, one of whose father was a high court judge. “They shared a love for dressing up as women, and as amateur actors appeared around the provinces in minor productions, but would carry on their female impersonating around the streets of London,” Chandler tells me. “When the show was over the frocks stayed on, and they’d go off to clubs and casinos picking up men for sex where all sorts of disreputable characters hung out. They weren’t glamorous like the drag queens you see in bars today, they looked frumpy, but then that was what lady-like was in those days.” Boulton as Stella had so many men in love with her. She lived with an MP, Lord Arthur Clinton, who had cards printed for her – ‘Lady Stella Clinton’ - and yet he was a serving member of Parliament. Everywhere Stella went she got love letters from various men. They were eventually arrested at the Strand Theatre by a copper who saw them being flirtatious with men, shouting down from their box. “They appeared the next morning at the magistrates court in their frocks, put in prison, and received bail then went on trial in 1871,” Chandler says. “I’ve taken quite a lot of lines directly from transcripts. The magistrates court proceedings were so hysterically funny with all these eccentric people turning up to give evidence. The sergeant came along with a bag of instruments and stuck objects up their rectums and measured their size of their dicks. He was convinced if a man had a large penis he was 42 qxmagazine.com Glenn Chandler “A lot of what Fanny and Stella is about is taking things back to another era and showing how long it has taken for things to change.” a homosexual. And if the sphincter didn’t act it was a sign that there had been foreign bodies up there.” It was a very different time for gay people. “There were no nice words to describe us in those days. The word gay or even homosexual didn’t exist. We were sodomites. This is what makes it fascinating is that the case happened two decades before Oscar Wilde.” Chandler’s words ring true, a little over 140 years later and we have only just got round to introducing same sex marriage and we are still fighting inequality around the world. “A lot of what Fanny and Stella is about is taking things back to another era and showing how long it has taken for things to change. The play is a comedy, but also a tragedy about two people whose colourful lives were effectively ruined.” Fanny & Stella: The Shocking True Story is at Above The Stag Theatre (17 Miles Street, Vauxhall, SW8 1RZ) until 14th June. Tickets: www.abovethestag.com GAY HOME IMPROVEMENTS OLD SHIP 17 Barnes St, Limehouse E14 7NW 2 mins from Limehouse DLR Tel: 0207 791 1301 www.oldship.net Sunday 17th May MISS JASON DJ FLYNN 8.00pm - Midnight Man We aim to please the gay community + Patios Tiling + All areas Experienced Pointing + +Gardens covered in +Fascias and outside Plumbing + +Flat roofs London Pathways + +New Roofs Plastering + +Guttering Brickwork + +Driveways Rendering + Various Uniformed +Sash Windows Bathrooms + Staff on +Brick Restoration Kitchens + request and +UPVC Windows & Doors Part nude Damp Proofing + +All types of Roof repairs Refurbishment + +Painting & Decorating Int 'Ext' Basement Conversions + Staff Needed ON STAGE AT 9.00pm G y d www.gayhomeimprovements.co.uk h i ap Thursday 21st May DRAG IDOL HEAT 2 3 CELEBRITY JUDGES DJ FLYNN 9.00pm Quiz night every Wednesday with Saucy Sophie @ 9.30 Open until Midnight. FREE Plumbing + +Loft Conversions & Extensions Wind, Storm, Fire & Flood Damage Victorian Tiling Footpaths +FREE ESTIMATES +FREE ADVICE CALL NOW ON: FREE PHONE 0800 474 8357 DIRECT LINE: 07440 698 556 All areas covered - We can save you money £££sss 170 Lavender Hill London SW11 5TG #J U L I A S AY S ... by Princess Julia Love it when people make things happen; one of my favourite zines Polyester are having their Polyester Spring Party at The George & Dragon (2-4 Hackney Road, E2 7NS) this week on Thursday 14th. They say “have faith in your own bad taste”, so get down there where Dream Wife, Moonbow, Emily Rose England and the Polyester gang are DJing. There’s also a selection of limited edition posters being given away, in conjunction with Skinny Girl Diet and The Coven. 8pm-midnight. Then on Friday 15th at The George & Dragon, legends Link Leisure & Trixie Belair take to the decks for a wild evening! Who likes a night at the musicals? It’s sometimes a bit of a guilty D O M Le Gateau Chocolat pleasure but not at The Glory (281 Kingsland Road, E2 8AS) on Friday 15th May when opera and cabaret superstar Le Gateau Chocolat joins Jonny Woo for A Night at The Musicals. Show time from 7pm ‘til 10pm after which it’s non-stop disco action downstairs at The Hole ‘til 2am. Further afield club Bastards launch Sleaze City at The Hoist (Arches 47b and 47c, South Lambeth Road, SW8 1RH) in Vauxhall on the 15th with founder DJ Wes dB and Lucious Flajore taking a daring and sexy stance on clubbing! “Indulge your fetish and act out your fantasies”. OMG! It’s all going on this Friday innit? Tranny Dad returns to Vogue Fabrics (66 Stoke Newington Road, N16) with original tran dad Lyall Hakaraia. It’s all the rage so join in as DJs Tasty Tim and Lady Lloyd work a 90’s vibe on the decks! 10pm ‘til 2am. Time of the month for Sink The Pink at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club (42 Pollard Row, E2 6NB) on Saturday 16th... they go Pop, Bang, Wow! this month and invite you to indulge in pop culture, cartoons, comic heroes, Harajuku and K-pop! Hosted by Glynfamous with non-stop shows and DJs JVP, Josh You Are and Joan Oh. 9-2am. *Special mention for Mzz Kimberley’s BOOB-A-THON charity gala this Sunday 17th May at The Glory in aid of much loved Mzz Kimberly’s breast augmentation as part of her transition. From 2pm onwards. Gay Bingo returns at 4pm with your fave cabaret stars. From 6pm, disco with Mark Moore ‘til 11pm. Donate a mere tenner and help Miss Kimberley become the woman she’s always wanted to be! P O P H I T S, B I T S & S H I T S by Dom Top It’s that time of year again: BRITNEY SPEARS RECORD RELEASE TIME. As you may be aware, Britney Spears is the single most important singer, dancer, actress, writer, philanthropist, philosopher and person on planet earth. Therefore, any time the Holy Spearit blesses us with new music, we must declare a national holiday. Fuck Princess Charlotte, the former-princess-now-queenof-pop is back! Until Bebe Royale: part deux releases a slut-strut anthem on the level of “Work Bitch”, I ain’t interested. This time round I assume we get a long weekend, as Her Majesty has graced us with not one, but TWO aural delights to soothe your senses. First off is her cover of Suzanne Vega’s ‘Tom’s Diner’. You may remember the original as that infuriating “do do doo-doo” song that sometimes gets stuck in your head while you’re coming down off too many ‘Lucozades’ and trying to sleep. However, it’s been given a disco makeover by Italian old person/producer Giorgio 44 qxmagazine.com Moroder and it actually sounds pretty good. Admittedly the robotic Morodercrooned bridge is a little jarring, but apparently B Girl was too busy to record it, as she was busy selecting ill-fitting crop tops for her second single… Now in all honesty, Dom Pop wasn’t thrilled when it was announced that Our Lady of Louisiana would be recording her next lead single with the 2015 equivalent of The Black & White Minstrel Show, Itchy Areola (copyright Azealia Banks). Fortunately, the Invisible Men-produced “Pretty Girls” delivers the goods, despite the inclusion of the Antipodean Anal Abscess. Sounding like a blend of Areola’s previous summer smash ‘Fancy’ and Cazwell’s ‘Ice Cream Truck’, it’s an endlessly replayable, obnoxious summer anthem. Our one gripe is that it’s only 2:44 minutes long. Whatever. Get some of those oiled-up guapos from the Ice Cream Truck video into the clip, alongside some ferocious weave whips/arm waving, and all is forgiven. Welcome back, Britney Jean. QX MAGAZINE ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/qxmagazine PLEASE BE PATIENT WHILST THE NEWS FEED LOADS 2 QX MAGAZINE ON TWITTER www.twitter.com/qxmagazine PLEASE BE PATIENT WHILST THE NEWS FEED LOADS 3 Yo ur gui d e t o t h e w e e k ’s b e s t B A R , C L UB & C A B A R E T e v e n t s in L o n d o n 30 April6 May M U S T S & Bianca Del Rio @ G-A-Y Porn Idol Sina Sparrow @ Nancy’s + Shake Yer Dix Thursday Friday THURSDAY 14TH MAY CLUBS & EVENTS G-A-Y Porn Idol with guest judge Bianca Del Rio at Heaven, Villiers Street, WC2N 6NG. 10pm-5am. Discount wristbands from G-A-Y Bar. London’s biggest amateur strip night. Get yer kit off and win £100 tonight, or £1000 in the final. To enter email [email protected] or text 07789 553 868. TONIGHT: Bitchy RuPauls’ Drag Race star Bianca Del Rio is the guest judge. Trash Fashion at Vogue Fabrics, 66 Stoke Newington Road, Dalston, N16 7XB. 9pm-1am. FREE b4 11pm/£5 after, NUS £3. The Dalston basement of decadent disco invites all students for a night of pished revelry. Grunge at East Bloc, 217 City Road, Shoreditch, EC1V 1JN. 10.30pm-late. 90s theme pop and anthems night with alt. cabaret, messy drag queens and club kidz. Create at the Shadow Lounge, 5 Brewer Street, Soho, W1F 0RF. 10pm-3am. £8, £10 with Gravity (afterhours) ticket. Orange Group steps back into Soho with a new weekly venture bringing a selection of house DJs into this slick new space for a decidedly hot weekend warm-up. Ted’s TV/TS Night at Ted’s Place, 305a North End Road. 7pm2am. £5. The night for fellas in frocks and their admirers. #GETLAID at Eagle London, 349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY. 9pm-2am. £3 b4 10pm, free entry for members. Hot tunes, hot guys, play spaces, play hard. Why not head over? You might #getlaid Ku Klub at Ku Bar Lisle Street, Leicester Square, WC2. 6pm3am. FREE. Pop sounds and floor fillers. 46 qxmagazine.com G-A-Y Late at 5 Goslett Yard, off Charing Cross Road, WC2. 11pm-3am. Hot pop sounds get played out across the club, drink specials, cute guys and an almost unrivalled highly electric atmosphere. Open 7 days. Room Service at 49 Greek Street, Soho, W1D. 10pm-3am. Don’t you dare miss this fiercely social, sexy club spot, playing edgy and upfront house. Expect hot gogo eye candy and hosted by fab scene faces. Get snapped by the legendary resident papper! Decoded at Barcode, 69 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, SE1 7TP. 10pm-5am. £5. Non-stop pumping house, plus a mix of nu-disco and uplifting deep vocal house from DJ’s Alex Georgiou and Steven Artis at Vauxhall industrial Barcode club spot. BARS & CABARET Abracadabra at the Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, 42 Pollard Row, E2 6NB. 7pm. Show 8.30pm. Tickets £10, door £12. Cabaret terrorist, savior, avant guardian David Hoyle comes East for a series of unique evenings of must-see, magical alternative performance, protest, laughter and song for election season. Christina Bianco: Party of One at Hippodrome at Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH. 8pm. From £20. The legendary central London casino and cabaret venue. TONIGHT: YouTube sensation Christina stuns with her flawless singing diva impersonations, from Britney to Whitney! Followed by Baby Grand Live. RVT Drag Idol Heats at 372 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5HY. Doors 6pm. Show 8pm. FREE. The annual contest now takes over the RVT for its own run of heats. Hosted by former Drag Idol winner Son of a Tutu. M A Y B E S VS at Circa, 62 Frith Street, Soho, W1. 4pm-4am. Munroe Bergdorf and Adam Turner get you warmed up for Room Service with some unrivalled Thursday night hotness! Rupert Street at 50 Rupert Street, Soho, W1D 6DR. From 8pm. Weekly dance session at the popular Soho bar. TONIGHT: Enriched with DJ Rich B. Dr Woof’s Thursday Surgery at Kazbar, 50 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UL. 4pm-3am. Free. Dr Woof presents his weekly cabaret turn at the funky Clapham bar. Comptons of Soho – Tasty Tim Teaches House at 51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 6HN. 12pm-midnight. One of Soho’s best loved traditional gay pubs, always busy and always friendly and always fun. DJ Tasty Tim plays the delicious tunes. Quiz Night at The Roebuck, 84 Ashmole Street, SW8 1NE. 8pm onwards. £1 entry. Cash prizes to be won at The Roebuck for their awesome Quiz Night. Two Brewers, 114 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UJ. Bar open 4pm2am. FREE b4 10pm, £3 after. Popular South London cabaret/club spot. TONIGHT: Martha D’Arthur Gossip at West 5, Pope’s Lane, South Ealing, W5 4NB. Open from 8pm. FREE. Ealing’s hugely popular club, bar and cabaret spot. Backing The Stars at Halfway 2 Heaven, 7 Duncannon Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 4JF. Popular central London karaoke fun with Kevin Walsh. The Edge at 11 Soho Square, Soho, W1D 3QE. 4pm-late. Last entry 1am. Soho’s multi-floored gay wonder. Quiz Night at The City of Quebec at 12 Old Quebec Street, Marble Arch, W1H 7AF. 12pm-3am. The legendary pub holds its monthly quiz night with Sonny. FRIDAY 15TH MAY CLUBS & EVENTS G-A-Y Camp Attack at Heaven, Villiers Street, WC2N 6NG. 11pm-4am. FREE with wristband from G-A-Y Bar. Room 1 plays 70s, 80s, 90s, 00-05. Rm 2 is ‘05 to present day. Musical theme sing-along in Rm 3 and Life Before R&B (i.e. Rihanna & Beyonce) with classic R&B in Room 4. Nancy’s + Shake Yer Dix at Dalston Superstore, 117 Kingsland High St, E8 2PB. 9pm-3am. Free b4 11pm/£5 after. The ‘Superstore delivers a weekly fresh injection of kewl clubbing in the basement while Nancy’s takes over the upstairs. TONIGHT: Sina Sparrow and Andrew take over the upstairs, whilst Michael Kelly and friends queer up the basement with electro and synth sensations. Le Coq Discoteque at East Bloc, 217 City Road, Shoreditch, EC1V 1JN. 10.30pm-6am. £5 before midnight, £8 after. A mash-up of pop edits, disco, Italo, house classics, 90s anthems. Ku Klub at Ku Bar Lisle Street at 30 Lisle Street, Leicester Square, WC2. 10pm-3am. FREE b4 11pm, £5 after. Pop perfection and hot floor fillers as Ku’s hot 3 spin the tunes in its downstairs basement club spot. A:M at Protocol, 6a South Lambeth Place, SW8 1SP. 11pm11am. £3 before 1am, £7 b4 6am with QX ADVERT/NUS/ Conc, £12 others. The original Saturday morning afterhours beast that continues to light up the weekend early spinning out boomin’ house beats across two rooms. Tranny Dad at Vogue Fabrics, 66 Stoke Newington Road, Dalston, N16 7XB. 10pm-3am. £5. It’s a Tranny Dad R’n’B special, with FU L L L I S T I N GS AVA I L A B L E AT W W W.Q X M AGA Z I N E.CO M Ray Noir @ Blocheads Saturday Tranny Dad himself, Lyall and Tasty Tim taking to the decks for a parental power party, while redheaded stepchild Lady Lloyd attempts to get you all grounded. G-A-Y Late at 5 Goslett Yard, off Charing Cross Road, WC2. 7.30pm-3am. Hot pop sounds, drink specials, cute guys and a pop perfect atmosphere. George & Dragon at 2 Blackheath Hill, SE10. 8pm-4am. The friendly Greenwich local. DJ Tony Tim on the decks playing 80s and 90s camp until 4am. Hot Fuzz at RVT, 372 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5HY. 10pm-4am. £5. Vauxhall’s beefiest, beardiest electro night. Drink, dance, flirt to tracks from Silverhook and Cactushead, plus special guest Ross Jones. Fitladz at Barcode, 69 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, SE1 7TP. 10pm-9am. £8 members, £10 guests. The club session for horny lads with hot grooves from the DJs and an extended cruise space. Followed by Bodyshakers (afterhours). DotDotDot at Simulacra Studio, 302-304 Barrington Road, SW9 7JJ. 10:30pm-4am. £10 advance, more OTD. The Dot lot are coming out of winter hibernation for a special launch party to kick off their summer season! Next level residents include Vanilla Ace, Maze&Masters, Mark Bowden, Tom Frankel & Dayne Harper bringing you the freshest house and techno. The Hole at The Glory, 281 Kingsland Road, E2 8AS. 5pm2.30am. £3 after 10pm. With a pub vibe upstairs from 5pm, there’s a queer basement disco downstairs from 10pm. Men Inc. at Eagle London, 349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY. 9pm-3am. £5. Free for Eagle/Paris Gym members. For blokes, butch guys, bears and their pals after a social time and seriously good tunes. TONIGHT: Mr Eagle recruitment party. Have you got what it takes? BARS & CABARET The Two Brewers, 114 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UJ. 5pm4am. FREE b4 10pm/£6 after. South London’s legendary club, bar and cabaret spot. TONIGHT: Cabaret from the incredible La Voix! Christina Bianco: Party of One at Hippodrome at Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH. 8pm. From £20. The legendary central London casino and cabaret venue. TONIGHT: YouTube sensation Christina stuns with her flawless singing diva impersonations, from Britney to Whitney! Followed by Friday Night Cabaret. Ku Bar Soho, 25 Frith Street, WC1D 5LB. Open ‘til 3am. Ku Bar’s little brother stretches across two floors for that perfect Soho warm-up drinking session and a little dance with downstairs DJs. The Yard at 57 Rupert Street, Soho, W1D 7PL. Open till 1am. FREE. Renowned as one of Soho’s most unique and popular destination venues, with terrific outdoor space. West 5 at South Ealing, Pope’s Lane, W5 4NB. The popular West London club, bar and cabaret spot, with added Piano Lounge fun. The Roebuck at 84 Ashmole Street, SW8 1NE. 6-11pm. Happy hour all night at this enticing gay friendly venue in the Oval area where you can meet local lads and sexy drinkers. BackCOUNTER at Counter, South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, SW8 1SR. 11am-late. Newcomer to the Vauxhall scene, BackCOUNTER serves cocktails and food in a relaxed, plush environment, with brunch from 11am-5pm and Lady Diamond in residence from 1-4pm. Friday Night Live at Halfway 2 Heaven, 7 Duncannon Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 4JF. 9pm-3am. The central London cabaret hot spot. TONIGHT: DJ Little John with special guest Titti La Camp Kazbar at 50 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UL. 4pm-1am. Free. Funky Clapham bar with stylish swish. TONIGHT: Kazbar Retro with all the best from the 70s/80s/90s. The Edge at 11 Soho Square, Soho, W1D 3QE. 12noon-3am. FREE b4 10.30pm. Four floors of fun! Ground floor DJs spin top 40 and radio edit chart dance and commercial and chart R’n’B on the 2nd floor. Comptons of Soho at 51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 6HN. 12pm-2am. The grand dame of Soho. TONIGHT: Zach Burns from 9pm. Central Station at 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1 9SD. Open ‘til 4am. FREE b4 10pm/£3 after, £5 after 10.30pm. The super-friendly Kings Cross bar. DJs ‘til late. New Bloomsbury Set at 76 Marchmont Street, Bloomsbury, WC1N 1AG. 4pm-11.30pm. Open seven days a week for the more social gays around the Kings Cross/Bloomsbury area and those after a refreshing new experience. London’s only 21+ bar! Camp As Hits at The City of Quebec, 12 Old Quebec Street, Marble Arch, W1H 7AF. 12pm3am. Venerable institution of the gay scene rocks out some pop classics for an evening of fun. The Edge at 11 Soho Square, Soho, W1D 3QE. Midday3am. Last entry 2am. FREE b4 10.30pm. Four floors of fun! DJs spin a blend of commercial, house, pop and chart remixes. Guilty pleasures upstairs. Circa at 62 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 3JN. 4pm-4am. Soho’s intimate but packed-out bar/club spot watches Munroe Bergdorf and friends werq the floor! SATURDAY 16TH MAY CLUBS & EVENTS Mr. Intl #3 at Dalston Superstore, 117 Kingsland High St, E8 2PB. 9pm-5am. £8 b4 midnight/£10 after. Andy Butler of Hercules and Love Affair, brings his label showcase back to the ‘Store. Joining him for the second installment is Horsemeat Disco’s Jim Stanton, who’s never one to miss out on a bit of basement fun. Meanwhile upstairs Ben Pistor and Damon Martin stage a Disco Bloodbath top floor takeover! XXL – Suited & Booted at Pulse, 1 Invicta Plaza, Southwark, SE1 9UF. 10pm-7am. £15 guests, £8 members. Big, bear night that’s open to anyone in vast super club Pulse. With resident DJs Christian M, Joe Egg and co. Plus, chill space and cruise zone. TONIGHT: Slip into a your business suit and get to work for XXL Suited & Booted. G-A-Y Membership Party at Heaven, Villiers Street, WC2N 6NG. 10pm5am. Discount wristbands from G-A-Y Bar. The palace of pop and quite possibly the world’s most famous gay club packs out this cavernous venue. TONIGHT: Trade in your old G-A-Y membership card for a shiny new one, along with a cheeky donation to Elton John AIDS Foundation. Blocheads at East Bloc, 217 City Road, Shoreditch, EC1V 1JN. 10.30pm-6am. £5 b4 midnight, £8 b4 1am, £10 b4 4am, £5 after. The Blocheads are throwing it all at the wall this time, with deep dirty beats from Josh Caffe, Packin’ C & Bica, Nic Fisher in the main room. The Prince and Princess of Darkness, Ray Noir and Ursula Snakes provide electro delights in Room 2. Higher at Barcode, 69 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, SE1 7TP. 9pm-very late. FREE b4 10pm, £6 b4 midnight with QX ADVERT/£10 after. Vauxhall’s full-throttle late night, industrial chic nightclub. TONIGHT: Forward thinking futuristic house sounds from Mattias Dabo and Steven Artis will be keeping you moving all night. Followed by Unchill afterhours (see below). Vogue Fabrics ’95: A Year in Dance at Vogue Fabrics, 66 Stoke Newington Road, Dalston, N16 7XB. 10pm-3am. £3 b4 11pm/£5 after. Go back in time to 95’, when the pants were baggy and the tunes were bangin’. Anyone born in 1995 gets in free before midnight. Bring photographic ID as proof! Sink the Pink: Pop! Bang! Wow! at the Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, 42 Pollard Row, E2 6NB. 9pm-2am. Konichiwa Bitches! STP goes super kawaii this weekend, with a harajuku hootenanny of epic proportions. Dress up, drag up, throw down. Tunes come courtesy of Amy Zing, Josh You Are, with shows from Glynfamous and a cadre of queens. Savage at Metropolis Strip Club, 235 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9NN. 11pm-5am. £5. A new weekly Saturday club night from the Sink The Pink crew. DJs on rotation Raf Daddy, Jonjo Jury, Josh You Are, Gaff-E, Severino and more at this bonkers venue. Red Light at Eagle London, 349 FU L L L I S T I N GS AVA I L A B L E AT W W W.Q X M AGA Z I N E.CO M 12 Old Quebec Street Marble Arch, London W1H 7AF TEL: 020 7629 6159 FRI 15TH MAY 10pm ‘til 3am Camp As Hits DJ STEVIE JAMES IN THE CLUB BAR SAT 16TH MAY DJ STEVIE JAMES IN THE CLUB BAR SUN 17TH MAY 9pm EARL GREY MON 18TH MAY 9pm HOSTED BY Chris Reardon TUES 19TH MAY MISS JASON THURS 4TH JUNE MONTHLY QUIZ Z NIGHT WITH SONNY First Thursday of every month th th OPENING HOURS MON-THURS 12PM-2AM FRI-SAT 12PM-3AM SUN 12PM-1AM NEAREST TUBE: MARBLE ARCH @cityofquebecW1H facebook.com/CityOfQuebec 48 qxmagazine.com Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY. 9pm-4am. £6. The Eagle Amsterdam lands in London, getting dark, leathery and sexy. Expect Dom daddy Dolan Wolf, sex shows from Ashley Ryder and much more. Strict dress code: leather, rubber, fetish play gear. The Shadow Lounge at Brewer Street, Soho, W1G 0RF. 9pm-3am. £10 entry, half-price with guestlist. Soho’s sexy and slick club spot, digitally remastered and looking hot. Sweatbox Foam Party at 1-2 Ramilies Street, Soho, W1F 7LN. 24 hours. 24hr pass £17, 48hr pass £19. Unwind and release some tension after a stressy week with the all the fun of the foam at Sweatbox’s original weekly party. Duckie at RVT, 372 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5HY. 9pm2am. £6. Alternative London club/ entertainment night. Hosted by Amy Lamé, with music by Readers Wifes. The Glory, 281 Kingsland Road, Haggerston, E2 8AS. Doors 5pm, show 9pm, club 10pm. The new Faggerston super-pub from Jonny Woo and John Sizzle hosts cabaret on the ground floor and goes clubby in the basement. G-A-Y Late at 5 Goslett Yard, off Charing Cross Road, WC2. 11pm3am. Hot pop sounds, drink specials, cute guys and a pop perfect atmosphere. Ku Klub at Ku Bar Lisle Street at 30 Lisle Street, Leicester Square, WC2. Bar: 8pm-3am. Club: 10pm-3am. FREE b4 11pm, £5 after. £3 with wristband/membership. The party continues in Ku’s basement club with hot pop and floor fillers from the DJs. Beyond (afterhours) at Fire, South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, SW8 1RT. 4.30am (Sunday morning)-late. £12 before 7am with ad/flyer/ concession/NUS card. The link between your Saturday night club session and your Sunday carryon as this late night party beasts brings the beats to Fire. Unchill (afterhours) at Barcode, 69 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, SE1 7TP. 6am (Sunday morning)super late. £5. Sunday morning afterhours with DJs spinning fresh uplifting house music into Sunday morning. BARS & CABARET West 5 at South Ealing, Pope’s Lane, W5 4NB. 7pm-3am. The popular West London club, bar and cabaret spot, with added Piano Lounge fun. Christina Bianco: Party of One at Hippodrome at Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH. 8pm. From £20. The legendary central London casino and cabaret venue. TONIGHT: YouTube sensation Christina stuns with her flawless singing diva impersonations, from Britney to Whitney! Followed by Soho Burlesque Club Saturday Market Slash Swap Shop & Xanadu at Halfway 2 Heaven, 7 Duncannon St, WC2N 4JF. Open ‘til 3am. Rose Garden provides Saturday shopping light relief followed by DJ Justin Swift’s camp disco Xanadu, 8pm The Old Ship at 17 Barnes Street, Limehouse, E14 7NW. 8pmmidnight. Cabaret: 8.45pm. Free. Local gay bar in East London’s Limehouse. The Two Brewers at 114 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UJ. 5pm4am. FREE b4 10pm, £7 after. Cabaret and clubbing ‘til late at the famous venue. TONIGHT: Award-winning Lady Gaga impersonator, Donna Marie! Central Station at 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1 9SD. Open ‘til 4am. FREE b4 10pm. Cabaret then DJs ‘til late. TONIGHT: Cabaret duo Topping and Butch take the stage! Comptons of Soho at 51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 6HN. 2pm-2am. The grand dame of Soho pulling in a more blokey crowd. TONIGHT: DJ Miswhite from 9pm George & Dragon at 2 Blackheath Hill, SE10. 8pm-4am. The friendly Greenwich local. The Imperial Arms at 8 Lillie Road, SW6 1TU. From 7pm. Making West London queerer! Nye & Jimmy welcome all to their new venue in Fulham. Ku Bar at Ku Bar Lisle Street, Chinatown, WC2H 7BA. 8pm3am. One of London’s hottest gay bars and clubs, with the hottest boys both behind the bar and in front of it, stretching over three floors. New Bloomsbury Set at 76 Marchmont Street, Bloomsbury, WC1N 1AG. 4pm-11.30pm. Open seven days a week for the more social gays around the Kings Cross/Bloomsbury area and those after a refreshing new experience. London’s only 21+ bar! Kazbar presents Push Push at 50 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UL. 4pm-1am. Free entry. Funky Clapham bar with stylish swish. Counter and BackCOUNTER South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, SW8 1SR. 11am-late. Newcomer to the Vauxhall scene, Counter serves brunch ‘til 5pm, with Lady Diamond in residence 1-4pm. Open ‘til late for cocktails and food. The Edge at 11 Soho Square, Soho, W1D 3QE. Midday3am. Last entry 2am. FREE b4 10.30pm. Four floors of fun! DJs spin a blend of commercial, house, pop and chart remixes. Guilty pleasures upstairs. Pick N Mix at The City of Quebec, 12 Old Quebec Street, Marble Arch, W1H 7AF. 12pm-3am. Top tunes and late night fun at the legendary gay boozer near Marble Arch. The Roebuck at 84 Ashmole Street, SW8 1NE. Gay venue in the Oval area. Worship the weekend with Bar-Buck-Q’s in the secluded garden. Ku Bar Soho at 25 Frith Street, WC1D 5LB. 12 midday-late. Ku Bar’s little brother stretches across three floors for that perfect Soho warm-up drinking session and a cheeky dance with downstairs DJs. G-A-Y Bar at 30 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 4UR. MiddayMidnight. FREE. Soho’s palace of pop with the hottest videos screened out across the venue, great drinks deals and discount entry wristbands for G-A-Y @ Heaven. Circa at 62 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 3JN. 4pm-4am. Soho’s intimate but packed-out bar/club spot with the most amazing DJ booth in town. The Yard at 57 Rupert Street, Soho, W1D 7PL. Open till 1am. FREE. Renowned as one of Soho’s most unique and popular destination venues, with terrific outdoor space. SUNDAY 17TH MAY CLUBS & EVENTS Beyond (afterhours) at Fire. 4:30am-late. See Saturday. Unchill (afterhours) at Barcode 6am-late. See Saturday. Later at Fire, 39 Parry Street, SW8 1RT. Midday –late. £10. Continue Beyond vibes into Sunday afternoon as Later funks it up. Horse Meat Disco at Eagle London, 349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY. 8pm-3am. £6. The HMD gymkhana continues to shake Vauxhall down every week. Sunday Social at the RVT at Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372 Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY. 2pm-3am. £6. All new afternoon/evening clubbing session slot playing huge dance anthems with cabaret shows. TONIGHT: Son ofa Tutu entertains, while Simon FU L L L I S T I N GS AVA I L A B L E AT W W W.Q X M AGA Z I N E.CO M Le Vans, Sean Sirrs and Louis L serve up sonic sensations. G-A-Y Late at 5 Goslett Yard, off Charing Cross Road, WC2. 11pm-3am. Hot pop sounds get played out across the club, drink specials, cute guys and an almost unrivalled highly electric atmosphere. Ku Klub at Ku Bar Lisle Street at 30 Lisle Street, Leicester Square, WC2. 10pm-3am. FREE. The party continues in Ku’s basement club with classic 80s, 90s and 00s tracks from DJ Pablo and the lovely Lady Lloyd. The Hills of Katmandu Charity Event at London Fields Brewery, 369-370 Helmsley Place, E8 3SB. Midday-9pm. £10. In aid of the Nepal Earthquake Appeal, a whole host of talent are putting on an afternoon rave. Line-up includes Neville Watson, Dave Kendrick, Fidel, Chris Camplin, Bica, Sex Video Tapes, Wes dB & Lucious Flajore. All proceeds donated to DEC NepalmEarthquake appeal. Mzz Kimberley’s Boob-a-thon at The Glory, 281 Kingsland Road, E2 8AS. 2pm-11pm. £10 donation on door. It’s an all-youcan-eat tirade of queer talent tonight, to raise money for Mzz Kimberley’s breast implants. A monster queer lineup awaits, including Jonny Woo, John Sizzle, Lady Lloyd, Vanity Von Glow, Tasty Tim, Chrissy Darling, Raven Mandella and more! Cabaret starts 6pm. Orange at Fire, South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, SW8 1RT. 11pm8am. £7 before 1am with ad/ flyer/concession/NUS card. The weekend ends here with funkedup house sounds from the resident disc jocks. BARS & CABARET Halfway 2 Heaven at 7 Duncannon Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 4JF. Open ‘til 11pm. Long running popular Central London cabaret pub. TONIGHT: CK Sunday from 4pm followed by An Evening with Mrs Moore and Tanya Hyde. Comptons of Soho at 51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 6HN. 2pm-midnight. The grand dame of Soho pulling in a more blokey crowd. George & Dragon at 2 Blackheath Hill, SE10. 8pm-2am. FREE. The friendly Greenwich local. The Duchess hosts the weekly Piano Bar with Ian Parker on the keys. Hippodrome at Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH. 8pm. From £15. The legendary central London casino and cabaret venue. TONIGHT: Miss Hope Springs takes the stage Dusty O’s Musical Menagerie at the New Bloomsbury Set, 76 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AG. Doors 4pm, show 6pm. Wellknown scene matriarch Dusty O hosts a sing-along around the piano with guest vocalists, singers and pianists at this charming basement bar. The Two Brewers at 114 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UJ. 4pm-2am. FREE b4 8pm, £3 after. South London’s legendary cabaret, club and pub. Triple cabaret punch with The Power of 3! Counter and BackCOUNTER South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, SW8 1SR. 11am-late. Brunch By Request from 1 ‘til 4pm, musical prodigy Carl Josef takes your requests! Open ‘til late for cocktails and food. The Imperial Arms at 8 Lillie Road, SW6 1TU. From 7pm. Making West London queerer! Nye & Jimmy welcome all to their new venue in Fulham. The Roebuck at 84 Ashmole Street, SW8 1NE. New gay venue in the Oval area. Serving top Sunday Roast every week. Central Station at 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1 9SD. Open ‘til 4am. FREE b4 10pm. Cabaret then DJs ‘til late. The Old Ship at 17 Barnes Street, Limehouse, E14 7NW. 8pmmidnight. Cabaret: 8.45pm. Free. Local gay bar in East London’s Limehouse. TONIGHT: Cabaret from the inimitable Miss Jason. The Edge at 11 Soho Square, Soho, W1D 3QE. 4pm-late. Last entry 1am. Soho’s multi-floored gay wonder. Ground floor DJs spin top 40 and radio edit chart dance and commercial and chart R’n’B on the 2nd floor. The City of Quebec at 12 Old Quebec Street, Marble Arch, W1H 7AF. 12pm-1am. Legendary gay boozer near Marble Arch features weekly cabaret. TONIGHT: West 5 at Pope’s Lane, South Ealing, W5 4NB. 7pm-late. FREE. West London’s giant club/bar/ cabaret home invites you to chill out here. Kazbar presents Flow at 50 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UL. 12pm-12am. Free entry. Funky Clapham bar with stylish swish. Nu disco, funky and deep house from DJ Eduardo Hererra. MONDAY 18TH MAY CLUBS & EVENTS Popcorn – AQUA at Heaven, Villiers Street, WC2N 6NG. 11pm-5.30am. £4 b4 1am, £5 after, £8 after 2am. FREE with wristbands from G-A-Y Bar b4 1am. Massive mixed mash-up with four rooms of top sounds, from upfront, progressive house to chart hits, via R&B tuneage. Perfect polysexual party to start the week as you mean to go on. TONIGHT: Adam Turner, Tony English, Ale Amaral will soak your bodies with a tidal wave of tunes. Hot N Hairy vs Bear Hole at Eagle London, 349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY. 9pm-2am. £5 incl. drink and coat check. The infamous Eagle London hosts a new night for cruisey bears and fuzzy blokes. Hosted by Dave the Bear and the hirsute Luis Busto. Dark room, play area and all-new Suckatorium. Hard-Up Mondays at Sweatbox, 1-2 Ramilies Street, Soho, W1F 7LN. 24 hours. Under 25s FREE all day, £16 others. Finding Mondays hard to handle? Relieve the pressure with this discounted day for under 25s (ID required) at Soho’s only gay sauna. Ku Klub at Ku Bar Lisle Street, 30 Lisle Street, WC2. 10pm-3am. FREE. DJs play the weekend out on a wave of hot pop. G-A-Y Late at 5 Goslett Yard, of Charing Cross Road, WC2. 11pm-3am. Late night dancing spot for pure-pop enthusiasts doing the funky chickens. Desire (Tuesday morning) at Union, 66 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, SE1 7TP. 1am-11am. Monday’s guilty pleasure: a 10-hour house music marathon with scene favourites Alan K and Steven Geller. BARS & CABARET The Big Bingo Show at RVT, 372 Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY. Doors 7pm. Eyes Down 8.3010.30pm. FREE. £1 per game. Timberlina and Hey Baylen roll their balls out for their weekly bonkers bingo sesh. Banter and barmy bingo, plus dancing. The Edge at 11 Soho Square, Soho, W1D 3QE. 4pm-late. Last entry 1am. Soho’s multi-floored gay wonder. Comptons of Soho at 51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 6HN. 12pm-11.30pm. The real queen of Soho. Bar £2.50 on popular drinks from 5pm. Backing The Stars at Halfway 2 Heaven, 7 Duncannon St. WC2. 7.30pm. Karaoke with singer Kevin Walsh on hosting duties. Karaoke at The City of Quebec, 12 Old Quebec Street, Marble Arch, W1H 7AF. From 9pm. Chris Reardon hosts the singing fun at the famous gay boozer in Marble Arch. Two Brewers at 114 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UJ. The landmark south London cabaret, bar and club. TONIGHT: Mrs Moore’s Monday Night Mayhem. The Old Ship at 17 Barnes Street, Limehouse, E14 7NW. Local gay bar in East London’s Limehouse. Rupert Street at 50 Rupert Street, Soho, W1D 6DR. The trendy Soho drinking spot celebrates with 2-4-1 classic cocktails all day! TUESDAY 19TH MAY CLUBS & EVENTS Cruise Control at Eagle London, 349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY. 9pm-late. £3 entry, free for members. Cruise spaces to explore with darker, deeper beats to play to. G-A-Y Late at 5 Goslett Yard, off Charing Cross Road, WC2. 11pm-3am. The weekend begins early or finishes late to a melodious mix of classic chart pop and current hits. BARS & CABARET The Edge at 11 Soho Square, Soho, W1D 3QE. 4pm-late. Last entry 1am. Soho’s multi-floored gay wonder. Industry at Circa, 62 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 3JN. Open ‘til 1am. Delicious Sam DMS lays on a smorgasbord of R’n’B classics, chart toppers and deep house grooves at Sohos’ snazzy drinkery. Halfway 2 Heaven - Drag Idol 2015 at 7 Duncannon Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 4JF. From 9pm. Bette Rinse hosts Halfway’s Drag Idol heats. HEAT 3! Bar Wotever at The RVT, 372 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5HY. 7pm-midnight. £5. Genderbending cabaret, live music and performance at the monumental Vauxhall Tavern. Miss Jason at The City of Quebec, 12 Old Quebec Street, Marble Arch, W1H 7AF. Showtime 10pm. The legendary gay pub in the heart of London presents a new show to dispel your mid-week blues with cabaret from Miss Jason. Karaoke at Two Brewers, 114 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UJ. 5pm-2am. £3 b4 10pm, £4 after. Sing-along the mid-week blues with Kevin Walsh. The Old Ship – Quiz Night at 17 49 qxmagazine.com FU L L L I S T I N GS AVA I L A B L E AT W W W.Q X M AGA Z I N E.CO M Barnes Street, Limehouse, E14 7NW. 9.30pm. Local gay bar in East London’s Limehouse. TONIGHT: Saucy Sophie hosts the quiz with big cash prizes. WEDNESDAY 20TH MAY CLUBS & EVENTS XXL at Pulse, 1 Invicta Plaza, Southwark, SE1 9UF. 9pm3am. £15 guests, £8 members. Midweek grizzly fun for bears and their admirers. Foam Party at Sweatbox, 1-2 Ramilies Street, Soho, W1F 7LN. 24 hours. 24hr pass £17, 48hr pass £19. If you can’t make the weekend wet fun, why not head down tonight? Relieve the midweek stress! The foam flies at 7, 8 and 9pm. Ku Klub at Ku Bar Lisle Street, 30 Lisle Street, WC2. 10pm-3am. FREE. The party continues ‘til late in the Ku basement. BARS & CABARET Two Brewers at 114 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UJ. FREE b4 10pm, £3 after. South London’s famous bar/club. BoomBox at Kazbar at 50 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UL. 4pm-1am. FREE. DJ DBwoi playing your favourite R&B beats. Christina Bianco: Party of One at Hippodrome at Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH. 8pm. From £20. The legendary central London casino and cabaret venue. TONIGHT: YouTube sensation Christina stuns with her flawless singing diva impersonations, from Britney to Whitney! Mary Mac’s Mastermind at West 5, Pope’s Lane, South Ealing, W5 4NB. Open from 8pm. FREE. Mary Mac presents her inimitable quiz. The Old Ship at 17 Barnes Street, Limehouse, E14 7NW. Quiz from 9.30pm. Local gay bar in East London’s Limehouse. Wednesday Naughties at Central Station at 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1 9SD. Open ‘til 4am. FREE b4 10pm. Cabaret then DJs ‘til late. TONIGHT: The Whore of Hampstead Heath, Sandra! Detained at Circa, 62 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 3JN. Open ‘til 1am. Circa goes all-out with the dance, pop and R’n’B remixes every Wednesday. DJs Attack Attack Attack, Kingsley, Munroe Bergdorf and Kris Di Angelis on rotation. The Edge at 11 Soho Square, Soho, W1D 3QE. 4pm-late. Last entry 1am. Soho’s multi-floored gay wonder. Sing-Along-A-Sound at Halfway 2 Heaven, 7 Duncannon Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 4JF. From 9pm. Martha D’Arthur hosts the midweek drag fun at the central London cabaret den. Comptons of Soho at 51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 6HN. 12pm-11.30pm. Super social pub downstairs, chilled club lounge upstairs with guest pianist tinkling the ivories. THURSDAY 21ST MAY CLUBS & EVENTS G-A-Y Porn Idol with guest judge Sherrie Hewson at Heaven, Villiers Street, WC2N 6NG. 10pm-5am. Discount wristbands from G-A-Y Bar. London’s biggest amateur strip night. Get yer kit off and win £100 tonight, or £1000 in the final. To enter email [email protected] or text 07789 553 868. TONIGHT: Loose Woman Sherrie Hewson judges your genitals. Trash Fashion at Vogue Fabrics, 66 Stoke Newington Road, Dalston, N16 7XB. 9pm-1am. FREE b4 11pm/£5 after, NUS £3. The Dalston basement of decadent disco invites all students for a night of pished revelry. Grunge at East Bloc, 217 City Road, Shoreditch, EC1V 1JN. 10.30pm-late. 90s theme pop and anthems night with alt. cabaret, messy drag queens and club kidz. Create at the Shadow Lounge, 5 Brewer Street, Soho, W1F 0RF. 10pm-3am. £8, £10 with Gravity (afterhours) ticket. Orange Group steps back into Soho with a new weekly venture bringing a selection of house DJs into this slick new space for a decidedly hot weekend warm-up. Ted’s TV/TS Night at Ted’s Place, 305a North End Road. 7pm2am. £5. The night for fellas in frocks and their admirers. Cruise Control at Eagle London, 349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY. 9pm-2am. £3 entry, free entry for members. Cruise spaces to explore to darker, deeper beats. Ku Klub at Ku Bar Lisle Street, Leicester Square, WC2. 6pm3am. FREE. Pop sounds and floor fillers. G-A-Y Late at 5 Goslett Yard, off Charing Cross Road, WC2. 11pm-3am. Hot pop sounds get played out across the club, drink specials, cute guys and an almost unrivalled highly electric atmosphere. Open 7 days. Room Service at 49 Greek Street, Soho, W1D. 10pm-3am. Don’t you dare miss this fiercely social, sexy club spot, playing edgy and upfront house. Expect hot gogo eye candy and hosted by fab scene faces. Get snapped by the legendary resident papper! Decoded at Barcode, 69 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, SE1 7TP. 10pm-5am. £5. Non-stop pumping house, plus a mix of nu-disco and uplifting deep vocal house from DJ’s Alex Georgiou and Steven Artis at Vauxhall industrial Barcode club spot. BARS & CABARET Abracadabra at the Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, 42 Pollard Row, E2 6NB. 7pm. Show 8.30pm. Tickets £10, door £12. Cabaret terrorist, savior, avant guardian David Hoyle comes East for a 50 qxmagazine.com series of unique evenings of must-see, magical alternative performance, protest, laughter and song for election season. RVT Drag Idol Heats at 372 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5HY. Doors 6pm. Show 8pm. FREE. The annual contest now takes over the RVT for its own run of heats. Hosted by former Drag Idol winner Son of a Tutu. Christina Bianco: Party of One at Hippodrome at Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH. 8pm. From £20. The legendary central London casino and cabaret venue. TONIGHT: YouTube sensation Christina stuns with her flawless singing diva impersonations, from Britney to Whitney! VS at Circa, 62 Frith Street, Soho, W1. 4pm-4am. Munroe Bergdorf and Adam Turner get you warmed up for Room Service with some unrivalled Thursday night hotness! Rupert Street at 50 Rupert Street, Soho, W1D 6DR. From 8pm. Weekly dance session at the popular Soho bar. TONIGHT: Enriched with DJ Rich B. Dr Woof’s Thursday Surgery at Kazbar, 50 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UL. 4pm-3am. Free. Dr Woof presents his weekly cabaret turn at the funky Clapham bar. Comptons of Soho – Tasty Tim Teaches House at 51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 6HN. 12pm-midnight. One of Soho’s best loved traditional gay pubs, always busy and always friendly and always fun. DJ Tasty Tim plays the delicious tunes. Quiz Night at The Roebuck, 84 Ashmole Street, SW8 1NE. 8pm onwards. £1 entry. Cash prizes to be won at The Roebuck for their awesome Quiz Night. Two Brewers, 114 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UJ. Bar open 4pm2am. FREE b4 10pm, £3 after. Popular South London cabaret/ club spot. Gossip at West 5, Pope’s Lane, South Ealing, W5 4NB. Open from 8pm. FREE. Ealing’s hugely popular club, bar and cabaret spot. Backing The Stars at Halfway 2 Heaven, 7 Duncannon Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 4JF. Popular central London karaoke fun with Kevin Walsh. The Edge at 11 Soho Square, Soho, W1D 3QE. 4pm-late. Last entry 1am. Soho’s multi-floored gay wonder. Quiz Night at The City of Quebec at 12 Old Quebec Street, Marble Arch, W1H 7AF. 12pm-3am. The legendary pub holds its monthly quiz night with Sonny. Get Your Rocks Off THURSDAY 14TH MAY Vault: Cruise/Stripped at 139b-143 Whitfield Street, W1T 5EN. CRUISE (1-7pm. £7). STRIPPED (7pm-1am. £8). Free drink, cloakroom and re-entry. Get nude and rude. Strictly naked, except footwear. Cruise Control at Eagle London, 349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY. 9pm-late. £3 entry, free for members. Cruise spaces to explore with darker, deeper beats to play to. The Underground Club, 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1. PANTS (1-6pm) Underwear fun. SPANKZ (6pm-10pm) CP night for rougher, tougher play. Followed by COME TO DADDY (10pm-2am). FRIDAY 15TH MAY The Underground Club at Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1. PANTS (1pm-6pm) then buckle down for FEET ON FRIDAY (7pm-midnight) for guys into feet, socks and footwear. Cruise/Darkroom at Ted’s Place, 305a North End Road, W14 9NS. 7pm-midnight. £3. Horny night in the cruisey basement club in West London. The Stable at 29 Endell Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9BA. 11.30am-2am. £10 b4 1pm, £17 other times. FREE use of facilities when booking a massage. The only licensed gay sauna in the West End, open ‘til super late every weekend. Vault: Cruise at 139b-143 Whitfield Street, W1T 5EN. 1pm-1am. £7 b4 7pm/£8 after. Free drink, cloakroom and re-entry. Horny cruise spot minute’s from the West End. Fitladz at Barcode, 69 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, SE1 7TP. 9pm-9am. £8 members, £10 guests. Get sexy at this cruise/club sesh! Horny lads, hot grooves, plus extended cruise space. The Hoist at Arches 47b & 47c, South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, SW8 1RH. 54 qxmagazine.com 10pm-3am. £10. Sleaze City. Horny space, lots of play areas and equipment to act out your fantasies. Strict dress code fetish wear. Buff at MA1 Backstreet, Wentworth Mews, Mile End, E3 4UA. 7pm-11pm. £6, £5 before 6:30pm. Big cruise area and dark room. Dress code suit & smart casual. No jeans or trainers. SATURDAY 16TH MAY Hard On at UNION 66 Albert Embankment Vauxhall SE1 7TP. £5 (free to first 30). 10pm-late. Rubber shorts themed party. Play spaces, dark rooms, wet area. Strict fetish dress code. See box out. Sweatbox Foam Party at 1-2 Ramilies Street, Soho, W1F 7LN. 24 hours. 24hr pass £17, 48hr pass £19. Foam from 10pm. All the fun of the foam at Sweatbox’s original weekly party. Pleasuredrome at Arch 124 Cornwall Road, Waterloo SE1 8XE. Open 24/7. £15, £12 under 25 with ID. FREE towel. Cruise all day and night with plenty of rooms to play. Licensed bar. The Underground Club at Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1. PANTS (1-6pm, £4) Best undies for the boys. ABC (6:30pm-midnight) for adult babies and diaper lovers. The Hoist at Arches 47b & 47c, South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, SW8 1RH. SBN AFTERDARK (Arch 1, 10pm-4am) where the dress code is naked; HARDER (Bar Berlin, 10pm-4am) for dressy, macho, strict. The Stable at 29 Endell Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9BA. 11.30am-2am. £10 b4 1pm, £17 other times. FREE use of facilities when booking a massage. The only licensed gay sauna in the West End, open ‘til super late every weekend. Vault: Cruise at 139b-143 Whitfield Street, W1T 5EN. 1pm-1am. £7 b4 7pm/£8 after. Free drink, cloakroom, re-entry. Dark corners, catch 16/05/15 Hard On You can go hard or you can go home at Hard On’s party on Saturday 16th. The fabulously filthy, scintillatingly sleazy fetish night is no-holds-barred and all holes filled. The dress code this time round is rubber shorts. DJs Brent Nicholls and Tony Bruno will spinning their anal electro beats throughout a vast venue including play spaces, dark rooms and a wet area. Union, 66 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall SE1 7TP. 10pm-late. £15 for members, £20 for non-members. a dirty movie, indulge your carnal side. Heros at MA1 Backstreet, Wentworth Mews, Mile End, E3 4UA. 6pm-10pm. £4. Monthly night for those into tight fitting gear, from superheroes to scuba divers. SUNDAY 17TH MAY Chill Out at Ted’s Place, 305a North End Road. 7pm-2am. £3 b4 10pm, £5 after. Mixed/gay crowd of cruisey guys. Pleasuredrome at Arch 124 Cornwall Road, Waterloo SE1 8XE. Open 24/7. £15, £12 under 25 with ID. FREE towel. Cruise day and night, plenty of rooms to play. Licensed bar. Buff at MA1 Backstreet, Wentworth Mews, Mile End, E3 4UA. 6pm-10pm. £8 members, £9 guests. Horny, naked cruise party. Dark rooms, smoking terrace, full bar. Vault: Underwear/ Cruise at 139b-143 Whitfield Street, W1T 5EN. UNDERWEAR (1-7pm. £7). CRUISE (7pm-1am. £8). Free drink, cloakroom and re-entry. Just pants b4 7pm, then cruise ‘til late. S.O.P. at The Underground Club, Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1. 1pm-midnight. £7. Yellow fun for waterworks fans. cloakroom and re-entry. Horny cruise session first before naked time (except footwear). The Underground Club at Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1. PANTS (1-6pm) BUTT NAKED (6pm-10pm) Strip down and get off with like-minded guys. HARD CRUZ (10pm-1am, free entry) Hard cruzing for horny guyz. Hard-Up Mondays at Sweatbox, 1-2 Ramilies Street, Soho, W1F 7LN. 24 hours. Under 25s FREE all day, £16 others. Finding Mondays hard to handle? Get a load off. Free for under 25s (ID required) at Soho’s only gay sauna. Plus, free HIV testing and Hep vaccinations by the 56 Dean Street boys (5-9pm). Pleasuredrome at Arch 124 Cornwall Road, Waterloo SE1 8XE. Open 24/7. £15, £12 under 25 with ID. FREE towel. Cruise day and night with plenty of rooms to play. Licensed bar. Hot N Hairy vs Bear Hole at Eagle London, 349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY. 9pm-2am. £5 incl. drink and coat check. Cruising for bears and fuzzy blokes. Hosted by Dave the Bear and the hirsute Luis Busto. Dark room, play area and all-new Suckatorium. MONDAY 18TH MAY Sportswear/Cruise at Ted’s Place, 305a North End Rd, W14. 7pm-midnight. £3. Football shorts freaks, Speedo lovers, basketball tops (and bottoms), rugby buggers and trackie sluts unite! Vault: Cruise/Stripped at Vault, 139b-143 Whitfield Street, W1T 5EN. CRUISE (1-7pm. £7). STRIPPED (7pm-1am. £8). Free drink, TUESDAY 19TH MAY Club CP at Bunker Bar, 217 City Road, Shoreditch, EC1V 1JN. 7pm-11pm. £6. Dominant masters and submissive sluts get down here for a night of horny and hard, rough and tough fun. Underwear/Naked at Ted’s Place, 305s North End Rd, W14. 7pm-midnight. £4. Strictly underwear only. Vault: Cruise at 139b-143 Whitfield Street, W1T 5EN. 1pm-1am. £7 b4 7pm/£8 after. Cruising session at this horny hot spot. Cruise Control at Eagle London, 349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY. 9pm-late. £3 entry, free for members. Cruise spaces to explore with darker, deeper beats to play to. The Underground Club at Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1. S.O.P. (6pm-1am) Yellow fun for waterworks fans. WEDNESDAY 20TH MAY Vault: Cruise/ Underwear at 139b-143 Whitfield Street, W1T 5EN. CRUISE (1-7pm. £7) Then UNDERWEAR (7pm-1am. £8) Free drink, cloakroom and re-entry. Get down to your underwear. Buff at MA1 Backstreet, Wentworth Mews, Mile End, E3 4UA. 7pm-11pm. £8 members/£9 guests (free drink/coat check). Horny, naked cruise party. Heated outdoor ‘naked’ smokers terrace. Foam Party at Sweatbox, 1-2 Ramilies Street, Soho, W1F 7LN. 24 hours. 24hr pass £17, 48hr pass £19. If you can’t make the weekend wet fun, why not head down tonight? Relieve the midweek stress! The foam flies at 7, 8 and 9pm. The Underground Club at Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, N1. Closed for Private Party (1-9pm); then reopens for HARD CRUZ (10pm-1am), hard cruising for hard men. Pleasuredrome at Arch 124 Cornwall Road, Waterloo SE1 8XE. Open 24/7. £15, £12 under 25 with ID. FREE towel. Cruise day and night with plenty of rooms to play. 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Customer Service number 0344 820 0594 10p per minute man hunt Where real men p e r m in u t e p 5 y l n o r o f s s D ir e c t a c c e TM hang out. Live 1-2-1 0871 550 5811 18+ Calls charged at BT Landline Rate of only 10p per minute at all times. Other Networks may vary. Customer Service Number 0344 900 0028 CHAT.com CHAT & DATE Flirt with 100s of genuine gay guys on the phone right now! 10p Per minute LIVE 1-2-1 0872 calls cost 10p per minute 0872 100 1234 * * All call costs quoted are based on BT landline rate. Network extras apply. Information provided by Firststar Limited T/A QX Magazine, 23 Denmark Street, London WC2H 8NH. Customer Service Helpdesk: 020 7966 0018 Visit QXChat.com to see our full range of services H E A L T H W A T C H by Dr A le x, GP Do you have an emotional or health worry? Contact Dr Alex via email: [email protected] Hi, I had some toothache recently and saw my dentist. He has started me on antibiotics and I am going back to have Z\khpg]hg^g^qmp^^d'Bml`hbg`mh\hlmZ[hnm{2))'A^ ZelhlZb]Bfb`amg^^]khhm\ZgZemk^Zmf^gmpab\aphne][^ Zg^qmkZ{1))'A^Zld^]b_BpZlZlfhd^k[^\Znl^frm^^ma p^k^Zebmme^lmZbg^]Zg]lZb]h\\ZlbhgZeer'B]hgmlfhd^ fn\a[nmaZo^Z_^ppa^gB`hhnmhkpbma]kbgdl'<hne] in the bloodstream, the infected gums don’t heal. This leaves your teeth without protection and so can lead to tooth decay and tooth infections. So in answer to your question, yes, smoking probably is a reason for your tooth issues. But remember too that unhealthy gums makes it Finally you may be aware that that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is also a cause of throat and mouth cancer. This virus is picked up and passed on through oral sex. These are thankfully rare cancers but using condoms would reduce the risk of lfhdbg`ma^\Znl^h_frmhhmaikh[e^fl8Bfg^o^klfhdbg` Z`ZbgB\ZgmZ__hk]ma^l^dbg]lh_ikh[e^flpbmafrm^^ma Jonno Hi Jonno, Most people are now aware that smoking is bad for their health. It can cause many different medical problems and, in some cases, fatal diseases like heart disease and lung cancer. However, many people don’t realise the damage that smoking can cause tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss, and in more severe cases mouth cancer. It’s the nicotine and tar in the tobacco that stain your teeth. It can make your teeth yellow in a very short time, and heavy smokers often complain that their teeth are almost brown after years of smoking. Perhaps you should ask to see the hygienist in your dental clinic to freshen up your smile! The most common reason for tooth problems is gum disease. And smoking leads to gum disease. People who smoke are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease and also because smoking causes a lack of oxygen “In answer to your question, yes, smoking probably is a reason for your tooth issues.” easier to pick up STIs such as HIV, when you have oral sex. Most people know that smoking can cause lung and throat cancer, but many people still don’t know that it is one of the main causes of mouth cancer too. Alcohol increases the risk of mouth cancer, and if tobacco and alcohol are taken together the risk is even greater. So there are lots of reasons for you to stay off the fags. transmission of HPV, although most guys would not be willing to use them for oral. There is a vaccine available that would likely help to reduce the rates of mouth cancer but it is currently given (on the NHS) to girls before they become sexually active. Having regular dental check-ups is a good way of spotting mouth cancer in its early stages when the chances of cure are very high. 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