gay@list.co.uk
Nov! 1 TIM ASHLEY The Island of Mending Hearts (Millivres Prowler £9.99)
Michael is contemplating suicide. He’s not coping with life, a recent bereavement or his wife having just left him. But rather than throwing himself off the side of a cruise ship, he is persuaded to stay in Key West and starts what will be an emotional rollercoaster of a life-changing journey. Author Tim Ashley knows a thing or two about changing from life in the business lane to taking time out and following your dreams. After being a banker for many years he gave it all up to write. ‘I’d been through a stressful time, then as soon as I’d finished working I woke up one morning and this was all in my head, so I got up and started writing.’
Although the story of Michael is not based on Ashley’s life, he has kept his descriptions of Key West and its characters true. ‘They play by their own rules and it’s really quite refreshing to meet people like that,’ he says. These colourful characters, including the lovely Alex, opera singer Penny, her partner Sue, Karl, Phil and Angelico, make up what many will recognise as a surrogate family. Each offers the love and respect they didn’t get from their own families and each has a story to tell. lt tackles many issues from death and denial to sexual discovery, love and trust, all of which Ashley deals with in a knowledgeable and sympathetic way, pulling you into Michael’s life through vulnerability, self destruction and happiness.
An easy and enjoyable read, this novel keeps you interested and intrigued, following each character’s development and the effect they have on Michael’s new life. It is a feel good book that is neither seedy, over the top nor trying to change the world. Instead it will keep you hooked and amused all the way to Key West. (Jane Hamilton)
TO LWE IN THE UK IE
Events are listed by city, date, then type. Submit listings at least ten days before publication to glasgowelist.co.uk, by post or by fax on 0141 353 2803. Listings are compiled by Jane Hamilton.
EREE GUIDE TO THE BEST AND WORST PLACES YOU'RE GAY
Glasgow Saturday
Clubs
Girls on Top Bennets. ()() (ilasst‘ord Street. 552 5761. Fri 2 Apr.
I Ipm 3.30am. £3 £6 (£2 £5). Monthly. l.ong running women only club.
Burly The Arches. Midland Street. 565 1023. Fri ‘) April. l0pm 3am. £10 (£8). The cruisiest night in (ilasgow continues to garner new deyotees and takes over the Arches for a night of liaster fun. As always strict adherence to the dress code will tnake the night go with a hang with leather. denim. sports. kilts. industrial. rttbber or Bear-wear recommended.
Glasgow Saturday
Clubs
Bennets (ilasst‘ortl Street. 552 576). Sat IOApr. Ilpm 3.30am. £3 £6
(£2 £5). A bumper entertainment package for liaster Saturday as Kelly Wilde belts out some top tunes and boy hand Phixx perform.
Workshops
Exploring Biphobia Beyond Barriers. l.(iB'l' (‘entre. l 1 Dixon Street. 221 7203. Sat 3 Apr. 12.30 4.30pm. liree. \Vorkshop l.or bisexuals looking at experiences of discrimination and priorities for challenging biphobia.
Glasgow Tuesdays Clubs
Pink Penelope’s l’enelope's Niteclub. 18 Jamaica Street. 847 ()820. I lptn 3am. Free. Weekly. Penelope‘s haye resurrected their weekly gay night alter a long hiatus.
Glasgow Wednesdays
Clubs
Fourplay linyy. 26 (’ambridge Street. 332 3437. l Ipm 3am. £4 (£2 with llyer). Weekly. New gay club.
Allure The Tunnel. 84 Mitchell Street. 204 I000. l 1.30pm 3am. £3. Weekly. New gay club from the people behind (‘uhe's l’assionality and l-‘l'N promising happy. cheesy pop in the company of DJ Darren.
Comedy
001' The Stand. 33.3 Woodlands Road. 0870 600 6055. \Ved 14 Apr. 9pm. £6 (£5). Monthly. The Stand’s tnonthly dose of camp comedy with ('raig llill introducing Will Smith and Karen Baley while Jill Peacock hosts her (‘ampest Link quiz.
Edinburgh Thursdays
Clubs
Metrosexuality (‘ity- Nightclub. Market Street. 226 9560. l Ipm—3am. £3 entry before midnight; £4 after. Weekly. New club from James l.ongworth (Blaze. Vibe) featuring DJ liilthee (Vibe. Kiss) spinning an urban music soundtrack.
Courses
Salsa LGBT (‘entre for Health and Wellbeing. 9 Howe Street. 523 1100. 8.15pm. A recommended donation will be requested for each class. Weekly. Booking is essential to join in this ten-week programme for lesbian. bisexual and transgender women.
Yoga l.(iBT (‘entre for Health and Wellbeing. 9 Howe Street. 523 1100. 7.30pm. A recommended donation will be requested for each class. Weekly. Booking is essential to join in this ten-week programme for lesbian. bisexual and transgender women.
Edinburgh Fridays
Bars
Polysuper—Camp Newtown Bar. 26b Dublin Street. 538 7775. 10pm--2am. Free. Weekly. l)Js Polysuper Pete. Ali and guests whip up a storm of camp classics and disco hits.
Bearscots Birthday Party The Laughing Duck. 24 Howe Street. 220 2376. Fri 2 Apr. 9pm. £tbc. We don‘t know if there‘ll be jelly and ice cream but we do know that there'll be games aplenty including Pass the Bear. Musical Bears and Bears' Bingo.
Cinema
Benzina l-‘ilmhouse. 88 l.othian Road. 228 2688. liri ‘)--'l'hu 15 Apr. Tue 3pm; Sun 4.15pm: l’ri & Mon; 9pm; Sat & Wed 9.15pm. £2.50~£5.50 (£1.20 -£4). A woman and her mechanic loyer are forced to go on the run in this Italian dyke road movie.
Clubs
Blaze ligo. l’icardy Place. 478 7434. Fri 2 Apr. I Ipm 3am. £3 before midnight: £4 after. Fortnightly. DJ James l.ongworth promises to ignite the gay weekend with a chart and commercial/funky house soundtrack.
Edinburgh Saturdays
Cinema Benzina Fri ‘)-'I‘hu 15 Apr. See Fri.
Clubs
Polysuper-Mix Up Newtown Bar. 26b Dublin Street. 538 7775. 10pm—2am. Free. Weekly. New night of cheezee disco pop and charty hits for boys and girls with l)Js Polysuper Pete. Ali and guests.
Eye Candy Massa. 36-39 Market Street. 226 4224. Sat 3 Apr. 1 Ipm—3am. £10 (£6 if outrageously dressed—£8).
72 THE LIST I 1:") Apr 9004