edited by n Calvin Holbrook with Jon Keay, Email news, listings and product info to us at eye@positivenation.co.uk
The
month of May goes gay, gay, gay, with three weeks of arts and entertainment
from Manchester's Queer Up North, (7-27 May). Now in its
15th year, this international queer arts festival is packed with exhibitions,
comedy, film and performance to please all.
This year's must-see is Common Threads, a display of the
UK's Aids memorial quilt featured in last month's PN and staged by George
House Trust. Created in the early 1990s, the quilt has been lovingly stored
in a garage for the past decade. Now given a new lease of life, this powerful
symbol of the HIV pre-HAART era is essential viewing.
Continuing the HIV theme, positive novelist and PN cover star Edmund
White gives a rare talk about his life and writing (15 May, Essential
nightclub, £9). His memorably frank and funny tales vividly depict life
with the virus among many other subjects. Book in advance to guarantee a seat.
Making her QUN debut, Mojisola Adebayo takes the title role
in Moj of The Antarctic: An African Odyssey (left, 19 May). This one-woman
show is inspired by the true tale of a 19th century African-American slave
who escaped to freedom by dressing as a white man. 
Elsewhere, fellow lesbian artist Sadie Lee's exhibition And
Then He Was A She features ten large paintings of Warhol star, drag queen
Holly Woodlawn (Salford Museum and Art Gallery, 28 April-27 May). More paintings
feature in Fellow Travellers, with pop artist Trademark's
colourful portraits and work from Holly Johnson and Laurie
Lipton.
If
you need relief from all the arty party, have a good old chuckle with scene
stalwart Rhona Cameron (22 May) or the opening event, Northern
Uproar (7 May), featuring the best in queer UK and US comedy including Scott
Capurro and country and western superstar Tina C.
Yee-ha! So switch off the reality TV, get out of the house and make happy
in Manchester.
Common Threads, 1-13 May • The 1830 Warehouse, Museum of Science
and Industry, Liverpool Road • 10am-5pm
Full listings at www.queerupnorth.com
London
has always benefited from being a magnet for migrants and a major source of
immigration in the 1950s was the Caribbean. Set in the present but exploring
post-war history onwards, Streets Paved With Gold is Victor Richards'
one-man show drawing on the collective experiences of black British
citizens in their new surroundings. Victor introduces us to the character
of Augustus Cleveland Johnson who arrives on a cold wet November morning in
London at Tilbury docks in 1948 - and shares his dreams, hopes, identity and
change.
22-26 May, 8pm • 24 and 26 May, 1.30pm matinees Oval House Theatre,
52-54 Kennington Oval, London £12(£6 concs) • 020 7582 7680
• www.ovalhouse.com
As
Tate Modern's latest exhibitors Gilbert and George recently said, if you want
to make it in art, head to east London. Positive East must
have been taking notes as they're launching two new free arts workshops in
May for gay and bi men, HIV positive or not. Poet, actor and performer Andra
Simons leads a workshop about monologues. If you're oozing dramatic
flair, or are just a drama queen, this course is for you. Incorporating acting
exercises and games, you'll generate creative ideas and explore contemporary
and classical texts. If you're more of a wallflower, George Chakravarthi's
art class may be more suitable. He'll be leading a mixed-media workshop on
self-portraits, using photography, collage, drawing, text, and other media.
You'll be encouraged to create work that is as confessional or as enigmatic
as you like. No experience necessary for either class, so get those creative
juices flowing.
Thursdays, 6.30-9pm, 10 May-21 June • Positive East Stepney Centre,
159 Mile End Rd, London • Free • A voluntary £10 donation
covers materials • 020 7791 2855 • www.workshopsonthursdays.co.uk
• Email Shaun Levin wot@positiveeast.org.uk
Yep,
it's nearly time to dust off your comfy walking shoes and hit the streets
again. Crusaid's annual sponsored Walk For Life
takes place on 10 June this year, raising money for HIV charities. Last year
3,000 people took part raising over £340,000. Europe's original and
largest HIV walk kicks off in London's Hyde Park and takes in all the capital's
sights. Young or old, it's a great social day out for a cause dear to us all
(pets are welcome to walk too).
You can support Positive Nation publisher UKC by joining our walking team,
A-Team UKC. Email Carl Mills on cmills@ukcoalition.org or call 020 7485 2466.
If you can’t make the walk then sponsor one of the team online.
www.walkforlife.co.uk
The
lychee-martini lifestyle of two gay British Chinese guys is interrupted when
a closeted old pal dies suddenly in new camp comic film Cut Sleeve
Boys. They are affected in different ways; Ash decides to cross-dress
to find his dream man, while Mel embarks on an 'all you can eat' relationship.
A deliriously witty comedy tale, Cut Sleeve Boys wowed audiences at this year's
London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and won audience choice at last year's
Madrid Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. Now you can get your very own Chinese
takeaway when it hits the shops this month.
More
of us are doing well and living longer these days, giving up fags, joining
the gym and thinking about our diets. All good, but can we do anything to
undo some of the damage years of sleepless nights and drug side effects have
inflicted on our skin? There's is no quick fix, but the key to younger looking
skin for both men and women is a daily skin routine.
Hydration is essential to healthy skin. Drink at least a
litre and a half of water a day to flush through any toxins building up in
your body. Use water on the outside to steam your face with a few drops of
your favourite essential oils for 5-10 mins once a day. This will help soften
lines and reduce bags.
Cleansing is probably the most important part of your routine.
Wash away the day's dirt without damaging your skin's barrier function. A
gentle but thorough cleansing is recommended. If your skin looks dry after
cleansing then change it to a gentler non-alcohol one. For guys, cleansing
before you shave softens bristles and ensures a closer finish.
Dermalogica special cleansing gel (£19.40, 250ml).
A great budget alternative for women is Superdrug Simply
Pure calming cleanser (200ml, £2.99). Part two next month. JK
Birmingham will be 'United for Equality' this bank holiday weekend as Birmingham
Pride kicks off this year's gay festival season. Now in its tenth
year, the Mardi Gras Parade will wind its way down from Victoria Square to
the gay village at 2pm, where you will find a funfair, market stalls, food,
performance artists, arts festival, over-18s area, women’s area, bear’s
area, and a stage or three. What more could you want?
Parade 27 May • free
www.birminghampride.com
Scots HIV charity Waverley Care is holding an event in memory
of regular supporter John Skinner: local writer, journalist
and founder of 'Rebustours', who died last year.
Author Ian Rankin, whose Rebus detective novels inspired
the tours, and who described John as "one of nature's gentlemen"
will be in conversation with BBC journalist Allan Little at The Scottish Arts
Club, Rutland Square, on 14 May (7.30 for 8.00pm). Music on the night will
come from Nick Keir of Scottish folk group the McCalmans. The event will be
preceded at 6pm with a specially-created optional walk around venues featured
in the novels. Proceeds will support the children and family services at Solas
Centre, work particularly close to John's heart.
£20 for the Arts Club event only, £30 including Rebustour, both
including drink and nibbles. Tickets from Karen Docwra 0131 226 2206 •
fund@waverleycare.org
FEEL THE FAITH
Time
to Talk: A Guide to Family Life in the Age of Aids is a new guidebook
designed for use by churches, faith-based organisations and community groups,
particularly in or from sub-Saharan Africa. Published by the Strategies
for Hope Trust, which has distributed materials to over 160 countries
to promote informed community-based approaches to HIV and sexual health, Time
to Talk is easy to use and contains guidelines for running group activities.
These include role plays, games, quizzes, Bible studies and discussions. Compiled
by two church leaders with in-depth experience of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa,
the book is designed to help men and women examine beliefs and behaviours
that can contribute to the spread of HIV and make changes in their own lives
and communities.
£2.40 plus p&p • www.talcuk.org
• www.stratshope.org
DIARY MAY
01-12 GLASGOW Pulitzer prize winning HIV epic Angels
in America gets a welcome restaging by Headlong Theatre, Citizens
Theatre Company and Lyric Hammersmith. Shown in two parts over consecutive
evenings, with double bill weekend matinee/evening performances. £9.50-£16
(concs £3 off) • 0141 429 0022 • www.citz.co.uk
06 BRIGHTON Join Amy Lamé, Corrie’s Antony Cotton
and thousands on the Stonewall Brighton Equallity Walk to help raise funds
for their campaign for partnership rights for lesbians, gay men and bi-sexuals.
www.equalitywalk.org.uk
18 LONDON THT is running a course for those recently diagnosed
followed by four Thursday evening sessions starting at Mortimer Market Clinic
on 24 May. Contact Simon Johnson on 020 7812 1777.
21 LONDON NAM's HIV information forum. Keep yourself up to
date about HIV at these informal information sessions. University of London
Union, third floor, Rooms 3 C & D, Malet Street, London. Entrance is free,
no pre registration required. Call 020 7840 0050 www.aidsmap.com
23 MERSEYSIDE Volunteers at Sahir House have formed Sahir
Impact, a fundraising and campaigning group for the HIV community in Merseyside.
Issues like criminalisation, fighting hate crime, lobbying funders, HIV and
discrimination will all be on the agenda. The next meeting will cover the
history of condoms and safer sex. 6-7.30pm • www.sahir.uk.com
• 0151 708 9080
27 LONDON PACE Positive Hub monthly ongoing group for positive
men to engage in a new type of positive community. A place for laughter, honesty
and connection. 020 7700 1323 • www.pacehealth.org.uk
31 LONDON Feedback South London now have
a regular meeting on the fourth Thursday of the month at the UKC. Everyone
welcome. A chance to have your say on HIV services in south London. 7-9pm
• www.feedbacksl.org.uk
• Email jholland@feedbacksl.org.uk
UPDATE
Are you of black or of minority ethnic origin, living with HIV and taking
treatments? UKC is co-ordinating a short online survey for GSK. Make sure
your voice is heard by visiting www.ukcoalition.org and clicking the link.
THT South is running a new service for serodiscordant gay male couples. The
counselling will deal with the emotional impact of HIV on the relationship
and communication strategies to improve the wellbeing of both partners. 01273
7764 200
Str8Talk the social peer support group for straight positive
people has a new contact number. Ring Simon Johnson at THT on 020 7812 1777
• www.str8talk.org
GMFA is starting a number of free workshops in May including
Assertiveness, Self Defence, Practical Guide to Bondage and the Sex course.
Dates and details from 020 7738 3712 • www.gmfa.org.uk
Disability charity Shaping Our Lives would like your views
on how to increase diversity in user involvement in health and social care
services. Fill in their questionnaire for the chance to win £50 worth
of High Street vouchers. Email michael@shapingourlives.org.uk or write to
Shaping Our Lives Questionnaire, BM Box 4845, London WCIN 3XX.
The University of Surrey is researching the effects of HIV
drug resistance in gay men and its psychological impact. The study will be
conducted by telephone interview and is confidential. Dr Dimitri Spiliotis
hopes this new research will be useful to practitioners and people living
with HIV drug resistance. If you would like to take part contact him at d.spiliotis@surrey.ac.uk
• 07905 181 713
International Rectal Microbicides Working Group is looking for straight or
gay men and women who have anal sex, to complete a survey on lubricants. Some
lubes are not as safe as others and this survey will help them prioritise
which get tested. www.irmwg.org
