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.