Pride Listings: What to see and do at Pride London 2010

From exhibitions to club nights, there’s something for everyone during the Pride London 2010 festival fortnight

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THEATRE

Confessions of a Dancewhore
Politics and pop culture clash in this foul-mouthed theatrical cabaret that fuses comedy, burlesque, drag and new media to explore the contradictions and clichés of queer life.
Trafalgar Studios, London SW1A
21June–3July, 7.45pm; from £18
0844 871 7644

Street Scenes
Old Compton Street will become a network of intriguing journeys and fantastic activity on 26 June. Participants will be making exaggerated journeys starting at one end of the street and ending at the other. Participants are encouraged to adopt the theme “paint the town ruby red”.
Old Compton Street, London W1
26 June, 12pm – 6pm; Free
matthew_lee_knowles@yahoo.co.uk

Bison
Bison tackles contemporary queer relationships such as virtual identity, monogamy, bareback sex and ageism, aswell as the herd-like behaviour of the gay male habitat and the rules that govern the “scene”.
Oval House Theatre, London
15 June – 4 July, 8pm; £12
020-7582 7680; ovalhouse.com

Desire
Based on States of Desire by Edmund White and with music by Peter Murphy, Desire is a unique musical kaleidoscope of gay life in America that represents the late 1970s as a lost Eden, before the coming of AIDS.
Albany Empire, London SE8
30 June – 2 July, 7.45pm; from £15
020-8692 4446; thealbany.org.uk

MUSIC

Rufus Wainwright
This special concert by Rufus Wainwright will see him playing a selection of his lushly orchestrated, often theatrical pop music, with material from his new album, plus works from his critically acclaimed Judy Garland tribute, Rufus Does Judy.
Kenwood House, London N6
3 July, 7.30pm; from £30
picnicconcerts.com

London Gay Symphony Orchestra
Following its success with Verdi’s Requiem in 2008, the LGSO will be performing William Walton’s choral spectacular Belshazzars Feast, featuring soloist Paul Keohone. The programme also includes two new works and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.
Shaw Theatre, London NW1
4 July, 7pm; £15, concessions available
0844 209 1663; shaw-theatre.com

Karry-on–up-the-oke
Karaoke with DJs, booze, green tea, milk thistle and goody bags. Special guest, DJ Josh Caffé.
Electricity Showrooms, London N1
30 June, 7pm; £5 donations on the door
020-7739 3939

ART

Fall of the Wall Meets Stonewall
An exhibition that documents the findings of Clare Dimyon as she investigated Gay Pride events in major cities in Central and Eastern Europe.
12 Star Gallery, London SW1P
4 June, 10am-6pm; Free
ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/ information/exhibitions

Guys Hanging photography exhibition
This visually stunning and provocative exhibition by the Gay Photographers’Network covers a range of subjects from unique personal observations of the human form to abstract work, and from landscapes showing us the beauty of nature to images simply capturing a “moment in time”.
The Coningsby Gallery, London W1T
28 June – 3 July, 9am – 6pm; Free
enquiries@gayphotographersnetwork.co.uk

FILM

L Word
An evening of murder, mystery and glamour including a three-course meal, entry to a private auction, prize draw for concert and theatre tickets, beauty treatments and goody bags.
Mayfair Mews, W1
27 June, 7pm; £45
thelwordonline.com

Come Together
Pride London and Queer Question Time present an afternoon of film and debate celebrating 40 years of the Gay Liberation Front.
Electric Cinema, Notting Hill W11
26 June, 1pm; £7.50
ticketweb.co.uk

One Night Stand
Queer as Film are joining forces with Street Scenes to bring you the One Night Stand film challenge. You video as much or as little of the street performance in Old Compton Street as you like – do what you want with the footage and then deliver a short film to the Queer as Film team the next day. The best film will then appear on the official Pride 2010 website. No filmmaking experience is necessary.
Soho Square, London W1D
26 June, 12noon; Free
queerasfilm@gmail.com ; Facebook group, ‘Queer As Film’

Survivors Screenings
A screening of the works completed during the 48-hour film festival.
Crown and Two Chairmen, London W1D
27 June, 7pm; donations on entry
Contact as above

DANCE

Waltzing with Hilda
Free ballroom and Latin dancing session is open to women of all ages.
Jacksons Lane Art Centre, London N6
19 June, 7pm; Free
020-8376 3581; jacksonslane.org.uk

Pink Picnic
Check out performances all afternoon with The Big Dance Bus.
Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London SE11
20 June, 12pm; Free
info@rvt.org.uk ; rvt.org.uk

Cactus Club
Get your cowboy boots and hats ready to giddyupand get down with free line dancing classes all night.
Barcode Vauxhall, London SE11
Tues 22 June, 7.45pm – 11.30pm; Free
07799 858 282; bar-code.co.uk

Studio La Danza
Learn some of the favourite dances from Strictly Come Dancing;Waltz, Tango, Jive and cha cha cha in this free lesson from award winning teachers. Aimed at complete beginners, you don’t even need to bring a partner. Lead or follow, its your choice. Booking in advance is advisable as space is limited and this event is bound to be very popular.
Studio La Danza, London N7
Fri 25 June, 7.30pm – 9pm; Free
020-7700 3770; studioladanza.co.uk

Gay Gordon ceilidh classes
The original GayGordon’s Dance Club opens its doors with free ceilidh classes. If you like dancing and the swirl of the kilt, if you want lots of fun, you really can’t go wrong! But do wear comfortable shoes.
Unity Hall, London N1
1 July, 7pm – 10pm; Free
07967 444 057

Pink Jukebox
Take a free dance lesson and open up a new world of fitness and friends at this Latin and ballroom dance club. It’s a great way to mix, mingle, jitter and jive. You don’t need to bring a partner.
La Cantina, London WC2B
27 June, 3.30pm – 7pm; Free
07774 443 627, pinkjukebox.co.uk

Big Dance
Join in this mass participation dance spectacular. See website for details.
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N
3 July, 2pm – 8pm; Free
pridelondon.org

CABARET

Midnight Matinee
A show celebrating freedom of expression and spontaneity, with acts from some of the UK’s most innovative artists. Spam and Beans host a night promising to be a spectacle of performance poetry, interactive media installations, comedy and music.
Tristan Bates Theatre, London WC2
19 June, midnight; £5
020-7240 6283; tristanbatestheatre.co.uk

David Mills
A cabaret tirade for the rainbow horde; David Mills’ rants are scathing and hilarious. Backed by Michael Roulston on piano, Mills delivers a well-deserved kick in the shins to the Gay Pride mafia.
The Battersea Barge, London SW8
21 June, 7.30pm; £12
ticketweb.co.uk ; lastminute.com

Scales of the Unexpected
Join this boyband with a difference as they revisit pop music’s greatest onehitwonders and to learn the secrets of “literal choreography”. Madcap medleys and deranged dancing; it’s comedy vocal harmony, with a twist.
The Battersea Barge, London SW8
22 June, 7.30pm; £12
ticketweb.co.uk ; lastminute.com

Lorraine Bowen
Cult singer/songwriter Lorraine Bowen’s new-wave cabaret performances always prove to be funny, surreal and a good night’s entertainment.
The Battersea Barge, London SW8
23 June, 7.30pm; £12
ticketweb.co.uk ; lastminute.com

Adele Anderson
In a musical show reminiscent of Grumpy Old Women and Lynn Truss’s Eats Shoots and Leaves,Adele Anderson gives voice to the bee in her bonnet about the declining standards of the English language.
The Battersea Barge, London SW8
27 June, 7.30pm; £12
ticketweb.co.uk ; lastminute.com

Hilda Eusébio
Performance artist Hilda Eusébio brings her alter-ego, Jack, to life in this “evolution of a drag king”.
The Battersea Barge, London SW8
28 June, 7.30pm; £12
ticketweb.co.uk ; lastminute.com

Paul L Martin
Mixing up styles and mashing up chart favourites, Paul and his musical director Michael Roulston tackle Keane, Abba, Queen, Eurythmics, Alanis Morrisette, Elton John and Cher, as well as sneak previews from forthcoming new Sleeve Notes shows.
The Battersea Barge, London SW8
29 June, 7.30pm; £12
ticketweb.co.uk ; lastminute.com

Sarah-Louise Young
Through character comedy and original songs, Sarah-Louise Young plays five desperate divas from around the globe hoping to become “Cabaret Idol”. With music by Michael Roulston and Richard Link.
The Battersea Barge; London SW8
30 June, 7.30pm; £12
ticketweb.co.uk ; lastminute.com

Holly Penfield
Holly Penfield’s passionate performances, glamorous quirky costumes and wild audience interactions have earned her a world-wide reputation as “queen of jazz cabaret”. She has sung for Prince Charles, Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher, Boy George, George Michael and Michael Jackson.
The Battersea Barge, London SW8
1 July, 7.30pm; £12
ticketweb.co.uk ; lastminute.com

Earl Okin
The charmingly witty Earl Okin is a truly unique performer combining sophisticated humour with a range of musical instruments and his singular skill with the “vocal trumpet, trombone and clarinet”.
The Battersea Barge, London SW8
Sun 4 July; 7.30pm; £12
ticketweb.co.uk ; lastminute.com

More or Lesque
Comedy, song, sexy dance, acrobatics and a bit of seductive flesh from a burlesque troupe with a twist.
Tristan Bates Theatre, London WC2
Gala, 30 June, 8pm; 28 June – 17 July 8pm; £12 / £10
020-7240 6283

LITERATURE

Acrostics
Words, meanings and poetry will take you by surprise all around London. Keep yours eyes peeled for words on the street and the writings on the wall.
Various locations
18 June – 3 July, all day; Free
matthew_lee_knowles@yahoo.co.uk

Future Sex
Since Donna Haraway’s The Cyborg Manifesto, science fiction has been a playground for feminist and queer artists, but why aren’t its possibilities reflected on the big screen? Speakers discuss queer future human cinesexuality in response to readings by Katy Price and others, and Tina Keane’s short The Making of Dandy Dust.
BFI Southbank, London SE1
2 July 2010, 18.10pm; £6.40
bfi.org.uk

Queer Story Portraits
Recorded audio portraits on “life gets better through questioning”. Hear ideas, recollections and stories from some of London’s key queer figures.
National Portrait Gallery, London WC2H
4 July, 1pm-4pm; Free
npg.org

COMEDY

Rosie Wilby
Rosie Wilby presents The Science Of Sex, investigating attraction, sexual chemistry and sexual identity.
The Drill Hall, London WC1E
24-25 June, 8pm; £10/£8 concessions
020-7307 5060

Fuck We’re Forty
A musical and comedy roast celebrating 40 years of the Gay Liberation Front.
Leicester Square Theatre, London, W1
1 July, 9.30pm; from £15
0844 847 2475; leicestersquaretheatre.com

PARTICIPATION

Rough and Dandy
Contribute to a clamourous exhibition of art, music, comedy, cabaret, innovation, spoken word, short films and performances celebrating 40 years of liberation.
10 Gales Arch, London E2
17 June – 1 July, all day until late info@10gales.co.uk ;
020-7729 8416; pridelondon.org