BLACK & WHITE - Not everything is what it seems...


Welsh Gay Talent goes to town for Charity Launch

February is the month dedicated to LGBT History, to celebrate the stories of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the UK. However, very little is often heard about Wales and what Welsh people have done to contribute to history.

The LGBT Excellence Centre Wales, a new social enterprise and charity that aims to help and support people that might face discrimination, bullying, hate crime, and all sorts of issues around being gay or transgender, will be launching on 6th February 2009 in the Senedd, Cardiff Bay, by Wales Minister Jane Hutt and Human Rights Campaigner Peter Tatchell.

Later on 20th February at Exit Club in Cardiff, the charity will be showcasing premier Welsh LGBT talent to celebrate our history but also to raise money for the Excellence Centre’s ongoing work.

“Black and White – not everything is what is seems...” is the theme as well as dress code (not necessarily formal) for the night that was inspired by a charity donation of two diamonds, a black and a white, from the Diamond Centre of Wales in support of the event. The diamonds will be given away as part of a competition on the charity website www.gayvibes.co.uk/diamonds, but the message is of course to get people to think that whilst some people are gay or transgender, there is also a lot of diversity within these definitions.

With the support of Real Radio and gay owned TV Polari (who will be there filming on the night), the launch night is packed with entertainment and competitions and one could say that there really will be something for everyone!

Drag artists Pixie Perez and Fanny Dazzle will be the fabulous hostesses for the night and also performing some numbers from their hilarious “2 poofs and a piano” show.

After a nice glass of bubbly on arrival, the show will open with a showcase of lesbian imagery based on the James Bond theme from Genaya Parris and a body art collection by Coleg Gwent, both showing off fantastic male and female models adorned by stunning diamond jewellery from the Diamond Centre of Wales.

The LGBT Excellence Centre patrons, international rugby referee Nigel Owens, Mr Gay UK 2008 Dino Gamecho, rapper QBoy, and writer Paul Burston will also be taking part during the evening and there will also be an opportunity to bid for a 3-course dinner and wine meal at the Thistle hotel with them.

However, for those who might be star-shy, there will also be an opportunity to bid for their favourite VIP on the night, as the Excellence Centre will auction off the opportunity to go for dinner or for a drink with its patrons and gay and lesbian players from Cardiff Lions RFC, the only gay rugby club in Wales, or from the Cowbridge RFC Female Rugby Team!

Amongst the artist on the night, South Wales Gay Men’s Choir and singers Gavin Sheppard and Donna Marie will also impress the audience with the vocal talent in support of the charity whilst 3 Wales-based designers are bringing extra excitement with a male and female catwalk of their creations: Lavinia Mary Parker, Fashion Rocks Backstage Manager, Anthony Thomas, whose designs for high street fashion chain Peacocks, and Menai Sian Davies, whose collection featured on S4C.

New up and coming Cardiff-based Hip-Hop dance group Unleashed Co, will also “strut their stuff” to wow the audience with their moves whilst winners of the Newport Urban Circle’s Stomp competition dance crew UCD will also show everyone some moves to the beat of QBoy’s rapping.

And as if it wasn’t enough, Deal a Party will also help fundraise for the Excellence Centre with a unique charity raffle, roulette and black jack for a chance to win amazing prizes including autographed books from acclaimed Welsh lesbian writer Sarah Waters and gay patron Paul Burston, signed Wales Rugby team jersey from Nigel Owens, bottles of Dino Camecho’s own Army Red perfume, amongst many other prizes.

Tickets for “Black and White” go on sale on Friday 16th January and cost £15 (concessions £10), but numbers are limited so booking in advance is recommended. Tickets can be purchased online at www.gayvibes.co.uk/BlackandWhite, at Exit Bar in Cardiff, Borders in Cardiff or by contacting the LGBT Excellence Centre Wales on 01792 645325 or Karen[at]ecwales.org.uk. Hurry whilst tickets last!

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