London, UK
Other Fun Stuff
Aphrodisiacs
"Aphrodisiacs is a tantalising club night of total sensuality that provides an arena for inspired play whether watching or participating. It's a totally unique experience, born out of a desire from the organisers for something a little more special." Not a swingers party, or a fetish event, this is a polysexual celebration of truly hedonistic levels. It's a party that doesn't happen too often and it's members only, so check their website for more info.
BJ’s White Swan (every Sunday evening)
Usually home to a basic boy-bar, on Sundays same-sex boy and girl couples take to the White Swan dance floor for a full evening of cha cha, rhumba, jive and even some old-school disco line dancing! It’s a little bit t-dancey on Sundays, so things start a little early, at 6:00 p.m.
556 Commercial Rd.
Tower Hamlets, London
Burlesque Women's Institute
Are you one of those gals, like myself, who considers burlesque to be one of the greatest forms of entertainment? If so, the Burlesque Women's Institute is an amazing resource for your stay in London. Here you'll find the skinny on everything with tassles and fishnets, and their event calendar is a great reference for what's happening in town.
Comedy Camp (every Tuesday night at Bar Code)
London’s only mixed-gay comedy club. Host Simon Happily presents this weekly “straight friendly” comedy night. Some of the hottest stand-up performers in the U.K. regularly grace their stage. The line-ups are determined weeks in advance, so if you see someone you like is coming up, you’re better off ordering your tickets in advance (online through the website) so as not to be disappointed.
3-4 Archer St.
Soho, London
www.comedycamp.co.uk
Diversity Lesbian and Gay Choir
LGBT choir that sings its heart out at various shows throughout the year. All show info can be found on their website.
Drill Hall
LGBT theatre and performance space that “creates and supports the development of unusual, unexpected, special and artistically daring work, and champions the work of lesbian, gay and queer artists. The Drill Hall leads, educates and entertains.” This is an absolutely essential centre for queer culture in London, but is now being threatened with closure since the government decided to cut their annual subsidy. Drill Hall is doing tons of fund raisers to stay alive, so please give generously.
16 Chenies St.
Camden, London
www.drillhall.co.uk
Gay Gordons (every Thursday evening at Unity Church Hall)
London’s LGBT Scottish country dance club! Grab a kilt and your favorite gal to enjoy this amazing ceilidh! Be prepared to work up a sweat, so bring along a bottle of water and wear soft-soled shoes.
279 Upper St.
Islington, London
www.thegaygordons.org
House of Homosexual Culture
Explores the shared cultural heritage of lesbian and gay people through a programme of events, activities and salons. One of their annual highlights is the Christmas Fayre, where you can purchase all kinds of queer goodies for friends and loved ones.
Kenwood Ladies' Bathing Pond (aka the Women’s Pond)
Hello ladies! If you’re looking for a bit of a break from the city, but still want some girlie eye candy, check out the women’s pond (where no men are allowed). This is an open air swimming area on London's Hampstead Heath. Few actually take a dip as the water is always so cold, but on warm sunny days it’s lesbians galore on the sunbathing meadow.
Millfield Lane,
Camden, London
London Gay Symphony Orchestra
This is the only LGBT orchestra in the UK. Surprisingly talented, they perform regularly around London. Check website for dates and details.
London of Oscar Wilde - London Walks
Regular visitors to Girlports know I'm a sucker for guided historical tours, especially of the queer variety. And while this Oscar Wilde visit of London may have more to do with gay men, it's a great way to learn about the life and times of this queer icon. This guided walk takes place every Saturday morning at 11 a.m. and departs from just outside Green Park tube. It is led by Alan, who dresses as Wilde himself and is very easy to find.
London Rockin' Rollers
It seems like not long after the London Rollergirls formed (see below) there was some sort of dissension among the ranks. With the schism came London’s second women’s flat track roller derby league, the Rockin' Rollers.
London Rollergirls
Yaaay! This is one excellent North American phenomenon that has now made its way across the Atlantic. London Rollergirls is first women’s flat track roller derby league in the U.K. This is one of the fastest-growing women’s sports in Europe now and the London Rollergirls are game.
London School of Striptease
Want to offer your partner (or a stranger) a little bit of titillating fun? The London School of Striptease has several drop in classes throughout the week, many of them just for beginners.
Mother Foucault
"We are a fabulous collection of (queer) writers and performers who are let free every now and then to entertain the world. Our shows consist of camp comedy burlesque, showtunes, poetry and anything else we feel like doing. Sometimes pleasure, sometimes pain, but always with feeling!"
www.myspace.com/motherfoucault
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wow! what a fabulous gig that was - Ididn't know quite what to expect but was astounded by the quality of the writing and the performance, the gender-play, the drag and the burlesque..all that and songs too. Definitely going again. There's a big crowd of lezzas go as well, so its a great place to meet gorgeous tattooed totty! Anyone fancy going along to the big MotherFoucault on Ice gig? Think it's the end of June. Google the name, maybe?
bingo on Jun 11, 2008
Out at the Pictures (a monthly queer film screening)
Once a month, the wonderful British Film Institute hosts a screening just for us. It's a great opportunity to see LGBT flicks throughout the year.
Belvedere Rd.
Southbank, London
www.bfi.org.uk/llgff
Pink Junkebox (2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at the Auberge)
Same-sex ballroom and Latin dancing! They hold the London Open Championship for same-sex couples every February. Even if you don’t dance, it’s a blast to watch!
Pink Singers
London’s LGBT community choir, founded back in 1983! They perform regularly in London and participate in concerts abroad. Buy tickets for their shows online at their website.
Salsa-Rosada
Hot and spicy LGBT salsa dance classes and club nights. No experience or knowledge of the salsa is necessary to join in on their weekly classes, with both beginner and intermediate slots available. If you're coming solo, no problems, they'll find you a partner.
Studio LaDanza (every Wednesday evening)
Another Latin and Ballroom dance studio! This one holds regular gay and lesbian evenings every Wednesday. Check their website to see what dance they’ll be working on this month. Start the evening with a class, followed by a general dance party. All levels welcome.
Switch
This queer circus/dance performance troupe recently relocated from Australia to London. "The professionally trained performers merge elements of acrobalance, dance and character-play to entertain and challenge audiences with shows that thrust together gender, sexuality, power and role-play. Switch has developed a strong cult audience for their trade-mark final-twists which are dynamic and political, aiming to diversify images of dyke sexuality on stage." They perform fairly regularly, so check their website for dates and details.
Tart: A Women's Salon
Proving that once again, London is an amazing city for lesbian and women's culture, here is Tart. "Our mission is to promote the roles of women both as makers and as consumers of culture. The salon acts to provide a space for art, performance, poetry, music, and debate, and has a history of showcasing and commissioning new work by women." Since launching in April, 2007, Tart has welcomed Ali Smith, Lea Delaria and Stella Duffy as guest presenters. This event always sells out, so book your tickets in advance through their website.
The Actionettes
An all-girl 60s dance troupe that choreographs their own synchronised routines to songs by 60s girl groups, such as the Shangri-Las, the Ronnettes, the Marvelettes, and other 60s icons such as Nancy Sinatra and Dusty Springfield. Think high kitsch factor and cheap glamour. They also host their own club night every few months called Sophisticated Boom Boom!
Turkish Baths at Ironmonger Row
If ever you’ve had the luxury of enjoying a relaxing Turkish Bath, you won’t need to be told twice this is a perfect way to chill out. At Ironmonger Row, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays are for women only. Unlike most traditional Turkish baths though, swimsuits are required here. To boot, this is officially a charitable organization, and as a result their prices are extremely fair.
Ironmonger Row Baths 1-11
Islington, London
www.aquaterra.org/islington/irb/
Walking Tour of Gay Soho (Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m.)
Presented by those wonderful people over at Kairos In Soho (see "Information and Resources"). Hear about and see the sites of :
• The 17th Century 'Molly' Trials
• The haunts of Oscar Wilde, Noel Coward, Virginia Woolf,
Radcliffe Hall, and Derek Jarman
• Clandestine Clublife of the 30's & 40's
• Underground in the 1950's
Just £5 and there’s no need to reserve a spot, just show up on time.
Meet up next to the Admiral Duncan Pub
56 Old Compton St.
Westminster, London
www.kairosinsoho.org.uk
Waltzing With Hilda (2nd and last Saturdays of the month at Jacksons Lane Arts Centre)
A women’s only ballroom and Latin dance club. For more than a decade now they’ve been teaching London dykes how to cha cha, quick step, rhuma and tango. Classes available for all levels, so don’t worry if you’re of the two-left-feet variety.
Women's Anarchist Nuisance Café (every 2nd to last Wednesday of the month at The Rampart)
“A monthly alternative DIY space with cafe and happenings offering an interesting, non-commercial space where women can hang out.” A very simple explanation that does little justice to this monthly event of performance art, discussion, an inexpensive vegan dinner and much of the unexpected.
15-17 Rampart St.
Tower Hamlets, London
www.wanc-cafe.org.uk
Women’s Library
Once known as the Fawcett Library of London Metropolitan University, this is a cultural centre housing the most extensive collection of women's history in the UK, no small feat! Beyond your basic books and resources, the Library offers exhibits, speaking events and even has its own café!
25 Old Castle St.
Tower Hamlets, London
www.londonmet.ac.uk/thewomenslibrary/
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