Heather Peace Arts Karen Harding and Heather Peace join Manchester Pride line-up Vocalists Karen Harding and Heather Peace have been confirmed to appear at the Manchester Big Weekend line-up starting Friday, August 28 to Monday, August 31. They will be joining Texas, noughties favourites Atomic Kitten, attitude-packed vocal trio, Stooshe and Big Weekend favourite, Lucy Spraggan, By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Arts PREVIEW: ‘Masquerade’ featuring Miss Jason A Pride performance from Actually Gay Men’s Chorus! The build up to Pride 2015 sees a welcome return and pairing, as cabaret star and current holder of Golden Handbag, Favourite Entertainer, Miss Jason joins forces once again with Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, in what is becoming a bit of a Pride tradi By Besi • 1 min read
B*Witched Arts Home is where the Pride is! Five of the North East’s leading housing providers are proving there’s no place like home by sponsoring one of the region’s largest events. Gentoo, South Tyneside Homes, Places for People, Gateshead Housing Company and Riverside are all backing Newcastle Pride 2015. The LGBT festival, which returns By Besi • 2 min read
Arts Ukuleles tune-up to Paddle Round the Pier Get on board the Ukulele Stage at The Paddle Round the Pier Beach Festival on July 4 & 5. Nicola Bloom of Ucanukulele presents the Paddle Ukulele Stage for the fourth year running and promises to showcase a strum-tastic range of four-stringed talent over the weekend. By Besi • 2 min read
Arts REVIEW: Take That in Dublin Jason Orange followed Robbie Williams in September last year and left the band, leaving Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald to go it alone. The show began with support from X Factor contestant and ‘Ghost’ singer Ella Henderson, who wowed the crowd with her powerful vocals. Ella gave an impressi By Alice Blezard • 2 min read
Arts PREVIEW: Ladies’ Rock – UK Tour! Direct from Australia, LADIES’ ROCK is “one of the most exciting musical experiences to hit UK theatres in many years.” Featuring one of the finest female talents in the world today – Sydney’s premier singer/songwriter, Nicki Gillis – this stage show features some of Britain’s top musicians in a two By Contributor • 3 min read
Arts REVIEW: Spiegeltent: Soweto Spiritual Singers Soweto Spiritual Singers are a young vocal ensemble, performing both acappella and with instrumental accompaniment showcasing African Spiritual, Folk and Traditional Music and Dance. Their music is a shout of Joy, a towering onslaught of exuberance with earthy rhythms, rich harmonies to uplift the s By Eric Page • 2 min read
Rainbow Chorus LGBTQ+ News Local poet captivates audience at Brighton and Hove IDAHOBiT Brighton and Hove marked IDAHOBiT day this evening with an event in New Steine Gardens attended by more than 150 people. THE format from previous years IDAHOBiT events in Brighton and Hove of speeches from politicians and local LGBT organisations was replaced this year with performances from The Rai By Besi • 4 min read
Arts PREVIEW: Traumfrau’s Jardin du Discotheque Celebrate Traumfrau’s summer party – Tropicana style! Expect a sweaty dance floor, garden dancing, outrageous drag on stage, food, art, performance and DJs. Jardin du Discotheque is right in the middle of town – swimwear is optional. By Besi • 1 min read
Arts PREVIEW: Top Hat in Eastbourne Top Hat is this summer’s must see musical at the Congress Theatre in Eastbourne. With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and based on the RKO motion picture, West End hit Top Hat, winner of three Olivier Awards, for Best New Musical, Best Choreography, Best Costume Design and winner of the Evening St By Besi • 2 min read
Arts REVIEW: Dome: Being Both As one of the great vocal artists of her generation, mezzo-soprano Alice Coote is renowned for her Handelian repertory and the portrayal of roles originally written for castrati. With lots of indication of depth and analysis about this most curious habit of mixing up of gender roles bringing insight By Eric Page • 3 min read
Arts OPERA REVIEW: The Pirates of Penzance: ENO This highly anticipated swashbuckling farce with its new staging is directed by Mike (I’ll never direct an opera) Leigh, who made his operatic debut this evening. I liked his version, all geometric sets and ultra-simplistic colours from Alison Chitty, they worked well, softly gliding and sliding int By Eric Page • 4 min read
