Uk Gay Pride Dates
WINTER PRIDE 2008 at KOMEDIA
Thursday 7 and Friday 8 February
Komedia is delighted to take part in this year's Winter Pride celebrations as the
venue presents two special events in February; Grrlz & Boyz and a special afternoon
with Al Start and her new album I ? History.
On Thursday 7 February, Al Start, Nicky Mitchell, Eric Page, K Anderson and headliners
Greymatter take to the stage for a special night of queer comedy and music from
the UK's finest out n' proud boyz n' grrlz, with all proceeds going to Brighton's
Ourstory Project and Women's Centre. Greymatter are a five piece band based in Berkshire.
Their songs are a collaboration of thought provoking lyrics, layered instrumentals
and expressive harmonies that come together to create a unique acoustic sound. Widely
renowned for delivering their music with the most passionate performance you may
ever see Greymatter would leave any music lover wanting more.
Al Start returns to Komedia the next day for a lunchtime talk with music from her
new album I ? History. Bursting onto the acoustic music scene, you can't fail to
notice local hero Al. Firmly rooted in the acoustic singer/songwriter genre, her
writing and smooth vocals have been compared to Tracey Thorn mixed with KD Lang.
Al has been writing and performing since she was 12. Her twenties were dogged by
cancer; and it wasn't until 2000, when she was given the all-clear from radio-therapy
treatment, that she was finally able to get stuck-in to a serious music career.
She didn't waste any time. Her first album, Lammas (2000), released with Al's band,
Toucan, brought rave reviews and full-houses all over the South. Having attained
a distinction for the Advanced Songwriting HND at the Brighton Institute of Modern
Music (BIMM) in 2003, Al was chosen by BMG executives to attend the infamous residential
songwriting week with Chris Difford (Squeeze). Here she excelled, and co-wrote with
top industry writers such as Helen Boulding (Alex Parks), Matt Deighton (Oasis/Mother
Earth) and John Hammond-Hagan (Liberty X) to name but a few.
For the last six months Al has been delving into the Brighton Museum archives, as
part of their new project The Rules Of Attraction. Commissioned to research the
stories behind some of the Museum's fascinating collections, and then turning this
stories into songs, Al created her new album I ? History. This special lunchtime
gig sees Al recount a number of these true stories and vicious rumours, tall tales
and tragic endings in a musical feast from Brighton's own hidden histories.
GRRLZ & BOYS visits Komedia on Thursday 7 February at 8.30pm. Tickets are £7/£5
conc. Al Start's I ? History visits Komedia's Studio Bar on Friday 8 February at
1pm. Tickets are £4.50/£3 conc. All tickets are available on-line at www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
or from the Box Office on 01273 647100 (booking fees apply).
Ends 21. 1. 2008
For more information, images etc please contact Chris Challis on 01273 647114 or
email press@komedia.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Komedia is a live entertainment venue.
- Founded in 1994 by Colin Granger, Marina Kobler and David Lavender. Komedia's local,
national and international programme, spans a full range of entertainment: from
theatre and music through to cabaret, comedy and live literature. There are no boundaries
so long as the work is fresh and exciting.
- Pride in Brighton & Hove promotes equality and diversity, and advances education
to eliminate discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)
community. It raises awareness of issues by promoting and staging a series of events
including Winter Pride and the annual free summer festival and making grants and/or
donations to other charitable and voluntary organisations. Our key objective is
to develop an environment in favour of LGBT equality by providing information, advice
and support.