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QUEER FESTIVAL PRIDE SCOTIA Various venues, Edinburgh, Sat 25 Jun see.
A sense of community is a rare thing, so it was a joy to see John Hein, chair of Pride Scotia (‘Heid Bummer’ as it said on his T-shirt), successfully delivering the Pride Scotia March and Festival, assisted by his dedicated team of volunteers. It was a day of celebration, inclusiveness, colour and warmth of spirit in the Scottish capital.
It was good to hear Patrick Harvie MSP and the Equality Network’s Tim Hopkins rousing everyone at the start of the march, assuring us that things were now slowly going in the right direction. Harvie highlighted a recent episode of Dr Who on the BBC, involving a same-sex kiss, which in some way validates our watching it throughout our childhoods. An appreciative cheer went up for writer Russell T Davis. I can still remember Jamie, an earlier Timelord’s assistant, in his kilt. Again it was good to see so many supportive, smiling faces lining Edinburgh’s streets. Glasgow has a bit to catch up in that respect, which means we need a larger turn-out there next yean
At the Community Health Fair there were some technical hitches, but Sister Athletica de la Bain CPI and staff at Ego were on hand to smooth out most dramas, without which there probably wouldn’t have been such a rich community feel.
The Pride Awards Ceremony highlighted the people whose work promotes equality, tolerance, and respect in Scotland. It was our opportunity within the LGBT community to honour the groups and individuals who have given of themselves to capture our hearts and imaginations.
The awards produced some worthy winners: Ailsa Spindler from Equality Network won the Award for Activism; Steven Thomson, Glasgay! producer (pictured, left), picked up The List Award for Arts and Entertainment; Waverley Care received the Award for Health; Pauline McNeill MSP was the winner of Equality Network’s ‘Friend for Life’ Award; Gordon Creelie from Habana received the Pride Scotia Award for his fundraising; and Awards for Culture went to twin storytelling archival projects, OurStory Scotland, based in Glasgow, and Edinburgh’s Remember When.
Edinburgh’s sun-scorched streets and local bars were brimming over with people celebrating diversity. It was warm, friendly, welcoming, and more than a little bit cruisy. The day wound up with the fantastic club night at Ocean Terminal. I know I didn’t see half of it. (Tom Lusk)
Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least ten days before publication to glasgowOlist.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Gareth Davies.
for the lltickos amongst you.
I Pink Devotion ('lub Devotion. l8 Jamaica Street. 847 0820. llptn 3am. £3 (l-iee passes ayailable from the nearby l.(iBT centre). Another chance this week to enjoy the delights of this gay night.
I Fresh The Polo Lounge. 84 \Vilson Street. 55.3 1221. llptn 13am. £5. Michelle and Andy are in cltarge of the musical duties at this ever-popular Merchant ('ity club.
I Lush The Polo Lounge. 84 Wilson Street. 553 1221. 10.30pm 3am. £5.
C4 l (:1 S £23421"
I Quiz Night 8. Killer Kitty l)elmonica's. ()8 Virginia Street. 552 4803. 9pm. Free. Regular qui/ night. for all you eggheads to show off your general knowledge and get some of that useless information out of your system. Now with bonus party games and bingo
l‘eaturing Andy in the Trophy Room with hits from the ()().s' to the 80s. while Tom provides an up-front dance selection in the main room.
I Karaoke at Delmonica’s l)elmonica’s. ()8 Virginia Street. 552 4803. 9pm. Free. Willi your hosts John and Scott.
I Cabaret The Tunnel. 84 Mitchell Street. 204 1000. l lpm—3am. £4 (£3). The Tunnel‘s second gay club night. a Sunday night party to round off the weekend. Put your dancing shoes on for one last time before Monday hits you like a big wet fish.
I Pink Devotion (’lub Devotion. 18 Jamaica Street. 847 0820. 1 lpm-13am. £3 (Free passes available from the nearby l.(iBT centre). See Thu.
I Passionality (‘ube. 34 Queen Street. 226 8990. l 1.30pm-73ant. £2—£3. Pleasing chartistry from 1)] Shawn Roberts keeping the weekend alive for just a few more hours. Until Tuesday comes and there’s no going back.
I Live Lounge The Polo Lounge. 84 Wilson Street. 553 1221. 9.30pm. Free. Local group the (‘atherine ()‘llalloran Band play live every Tuesday. (‘atch them at the Lounge for an evening of chilled lounging.
I CC Blooms (‘(‘ Blooms. 23—24 (ireenside Place. 556 9331.
10.30pm 3am. Free. Trip the light fantastic to lli-.\'R(i dance action and pop hits at lidinburgh‘s best known nightspot.
I Disko Bloodbath ligo. l4 Picardy Place. 553 1371. 20 Jul. 11pm—-3am. £3. Standing proud as lidinburgh's 'lirst queer alternative night‘. this is a night out for something different on the gay scene. Willi an indie pre-club session from Barry at Planet ()ut beforehand.
I CC Blooms (‘(' Blooms. 23-24 (it'censide Place. 556 0331. 10.30pm 3am. Free. See Thu.
I CC Blooms (‘(‘ Blooms. 23 -24 (it‘censide Place. 556 ‘)33l.
10.30pm 3am. Free. See Thu.
I Mingin’ The Venue. 17—21 (‘alton Road. 557 3073. 9 Jul. 1 lpm—3am. £5 before midnight; () after. A dark. sexy. dirty house clttb. Alan Joy and Brian Dempster are the his behind this small. intimate but friendly club on the top lloor of the Venue. Music ranges from trance to deep house with a touch of techno and hard house sometimes thrown in for good measure.
I Wiggle ligo. l4 Picardy Place. 553 I371. lo Jul. llpm- 3am. £9. Maggie & Alan Joy's night of rampant fun and frolics. 'I'rendy Wendy and Jon Pleased do the catnp cheese upstairs. while l)J Dale and Michelle will be deploying R& B. hip hop. indie and chart tunes downstairs. Also featuring Penny Pornstat‘. meeting ya and greeting ya.
I CC Blooms Karaoke (‘(‘ Blooms. 23- 24 (it‘eenside Place. 550 9331.
(3pm 3am. l’t'ee. For a litnited time only. you make the music. so choose your tunes. do your voice exercises and lift the roof with your warbling. Regular club night from I lpm.
\ CALLING EAGER DlVAS DRAG IDOL Wed 17-Sat Aug, Dancebase, Edinburgh
While this year's Edinburgh Festival promises its usual quota of queer friendly performances (we’ll be listing some of them for you over the coming weeks). there‘s one project that promises to stand a little more, well, out. than most. Drag Idol takes place at Dancebase from 17—20 August. and its organisers are looking for experienced drag artists (six months minimum) to take part in the first ever Scottish version of this search for the most delicious diva in town. If you think you might fit the bill, get your best frock ready and contact Morag Deyes at Dancebase before 15 July. Her email address is morag@dancebase.co.uk
(Nick Barley)
I Taste The Liquid Room. 9c Victoria Street. 225 2564. 1 lpm 3am. £5 before 1 1.30pm: £8 after (£6 members). The capital's infamous Sunday night session with Fisher & Price offers a progressiye mix of house and garage in the main room. and Martin Valentine spinning funky l'S house gems through the back.
I cc Blooms (if Blooms. 2.5 24 (ireenside Place. 550 9331.
l0.30pm~ 3am. Free. See Thu.
I Polysuper Mood. ()mni. (ireensitle Place. 550 1640. 10pm 3am. £4 t£2l. A polysexual. straight-friendly —friendly club with a cool. hassle-free mood where ‘everything goes‘. With l)J Pete llimsworth. l)J .\'inie\ and DJ Midi.
I CC Blooms (‘(‘ Blooms. 23 24 (ireens‘ide Place. 556 033 l.
10.30pm 3am. 1-‘ree. See Thu.
I Vibe ligo. l4 Picat'dy Place. 553 1371. 11pm 3am. £3. With James Longworth on the decks. the Dancing Stud Muffins. the Singing llairy Bloke and the Miming .\'tm. it's the club equivalent of Bedlam.
Wednesdays
I CC Blooms (‘(‘ Blooms. 23 24 (ireenside Place. 556 033 l. 10.30pm 3am. Free. See Thu.
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