MUSIC OUT OF THE BEDROOM - OUT OF THE CLOSET The Canon’s Gait, Edinburgh, Tue 20 Feb

The acoustic musician is a sensitive soul, and according to James Whyte, who runs the Out of the Bedroom open mic nights, not all of them are writing love songs about the opposite sex. ‘Quite a lot of the regular performers at Out of the Bedroom are L, G, B or T - I’m gay myself. In Edinburgh and Lothian, there are good singer/songwriters going unnoticed, and a certain proportion of those will be gay and bisexual.’ Recognising this fact, the Out of the Closet special will feature LGBT performers and community supporters, and broadens its remit to include poetry, comedy and storytelling. ‘This is a slight diversion for us,’ continues Whyte, ‘and we want to reflect the diversity of what is available from the community.’

Started six years ago, and with alumni including ballboy’s Gordon McIntyre, Aberfeldy and Hannah O’Reilly, the Out of the Bedroom session was created as platform for original songwriters, rather than a place for part-time strummers to find an audience for creaky versions of Wonderwall. ‘So many people sit on the end of their bed and write songs, and nobody ever gets to hear them,’ says Whyte. The night is ‘usually your weeping heart, one-man guitar act, but sometimes people come along with a few musicians. It’s designed as a free-for-all: there’s folk, there’s country, there’s pop or rock, and a few classical-inspired people.’

There is, however, a problem with introducing queer themes into song. ‘As soon as you introduce a second person into songwriting, you’re faced with the choice, do I make the other person neuter?’ he wonders. ‘Do I out myself, do I say, “I love him” - and then suddenly it becomes a song about being gay, rather than a love song. You can use imagery and metaphors, and keep it so that only you know what it means. Certainly for me, it’s a way of getting stuff outside my own head.’ (Robin Lee)

Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least ten days before publication to gay@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Robin Lee.

Edinburgh

I National Portrait Gallery LGBT Tour National Portrait (iaIIery. 1 Queen Street. 624 62111). 5.31) 6.30pm. I'ree. Take a stroll with art historian Matthew Wellard and uncover the secret identities. hidden histories and untold stories within. Meet at the front entrance. l’urt o/'I.(}If'l' History .llmir/i. I On Request Iigo. 14 Picardy Place. 478 7434. 1 1pm 3am. £3. Promos. commercial dance and party anthems all night.

I Running with Scissors Dominion. 18 Newhattle 'I‘errace. 447 4771. 6pm 8; 8.30pm. See I-'i|m Index. page 45.

I Vada [.0131. Youth Scotland. John (‘otton ('entre. 10 Sunnyside. 622 2266. 7 9pm. Iiree. Drop—in social group for LGBT people aged 17-25. (‘hi11 out and meet some new people. or take part in

activities workshops. arts and crafts. video nights or trips out. (‘ontact daniel.winstanley((I |ghtyouth.org.uk for more information.

Glasgow

I Valentine’s Show (ilasgow ('ollege of Nautical Studies. 21 'I'histle Street. 565 2500. 7.30 9pm. 1‘ree. (ilasgow 1.(iB'I‘ ('entre's youth groups showcase their work in an entertaining surprise event. (‘ontact the centre for details and to hook. on ()141 221 7203, I’UI‘I(ll/1H),].lily/UH".i/(HII/I.

Edinburgh

I Sugar Daddy Iigo. 14 Picardy Place. 478 7434. 1 1pm 3am. £5. ('andy kisses and the best of the scene. With I).Is'1'rendy Wendy. Michelle. James I.ongworth. ('hris Paton and J'I‘.

Glasgow

I Death Disco The Arches. 30 Midland Street. 0870 240 7528. 10.30pm 3am. £12. See('1uhs. page 33

Edinburgh

I Forbidden Fruit I)estination. 17 Albert Place. 554 7282. 8pm lam. Free. New night for gay girls and their friends. with DJ 1.ynny. and singer/masician Kirst from 8.15pm.

I Rio Carnival Ball Assembly Rooms. 54 (ieorge Street. 228 1155. 8pm lam. £16.50 (£13.50). See (‘1uhs. page 36.

Lasswade

I Parents and Children Event 1)ohhies (iarden World. Melville Nursery. 663 1941. 1 Iain lpm. £5 (£3.85: family ticket £16.50). Rainhow Families Scotland invite I.(iB'I~ parents and their children to get together and have fun at Butterfly and Insect World. Meet at the play park outside the entrance.

Sunday 18

Glasgow

I The Dying Gaul ('ineworld Renfrew Street. 7 Renfrew Street. 0870 9070789. 8.45pm. See I’iIm Index. page 45.

Edinburgh

I Booty Medina. 45 47 I.othian Street. 225 6313. 11pm 3am. £3. More of a Sunday social than a full-on glam affair. with DJ I)ale Lush. 1s1a Blige. Simmone Black and occasional guests mixing up R&B. hip hop. sotll and funk.

I Metropolitan Community Church Service The Augustine Church. 4| 43 (ieorge IV Bridge. 668 2019. 6 7.30pm. liree. 'I'he open-minded. gay-friendly ('hristian congregation hring history into their regular service. discussing queer heroes in the Bihle. the M(‘(“s history. spirituality and sexuality. .\ special inter- faith event will he held on 25 I‘eh. l’urr of" I.(ilf’l‘ History .IIo/iI/I.

I Taste ('aharet Voltaire. 36 38 Blair Street. 220 6176. 1 1pm 3am. £5 before

1 1.30pm; £8 alter (£6 memhers). 15isher8; Price supply a progressive mix of house and garage at this inl‘ainous Sunday nighter. With Martin Valentine lirme in charge 01' the hack room.

Monday 19

Glasgow

I The Dying Gaul ('ineworld Renfrew Street. 7 Renfrew Street. 0870 9070789. l.30pm. See Still 18.

I Passionality ('uhe. 34 Queen Street. 226 8990. 1 1.30pm 3am. £3. Pleasing chartistry from I)J Shawn Roherts. resuscitatng the weekend for the gay/mixed crowd.

Edinburgh

I Pub Quiz Planet Out. 6 Baxter's Place. 1.eith Walk. 556 5551. 7.30pm. 1"ree.'1‘est your wits under the affluence of incahol at this queer-themed question session. l’urr (if/,(ilf'l‘ History .IImII/I.

Tuesday 20

Glasgow

I A Soap (ilasgow I-‘ilm 'I’heatre. 12 Rose Street. .332 8128. 6pm. See 1-‘ilm Index. page 45.

I FUN ('uhe. 34 Queen Street. 226 8990. 1 1.30pm 3am. £3. 1)J Sha/la IIaIliw-ell mixes older classics and fun tunes. Requests welcome.

I Vivid Youth (ilasgow 1.(iBI ('entre. 1| I)ixon Street. 221 7203. 7 9.30pm. I‘ree. |.(iB'I~ folks aged 15 25 can have ftm. take part in group activities and discussions. meet new people or get support and advice at this drop-in evening. (‘ontact seamuskealey ((1 lghtyouthorguk for details.

Edinburgh

I Out of the Bedroom - Out of the Closet 'I‘he (‘anons‘ (iait. 232 (‘anongate 556 4481. See preview. left. To hook a space. contact James on

higjimUI outofthehedroom.co.uk. l’urr of [ti/{7' History .IIo/II/I.

I The Vagina Monologues l‘estival 'I‘heatre. 13 29 Nicolson Street. 529 6000. 8pm. £13.50 £19.50. (‘arol Smillie stars

in live Iinsler's famous. hilarious. moving and brave celebration of female sexuality. .-1.v.w('iulr'(/ lt'H/l III/ill. His/(va .iIuIII/I.

I Vibe Iigo. l4 I’icardy Place. 478 743—1. 1 1pmr 3am. £4. (iay night with James I.ongworth on the decks. pItis The Dancing Stud Mullins. The Singing Hairy Bloke and The Miming Nun. 1)on't say we didn't warn ya.

Wednesday 21

Glasgow

I Allure The Tunnel. 84 Mitchell Street. 204 1000. 11.30pm 3am. £3. Happy. cheesy pop from I)J Darren and the guys hehind Passionality.

I Metropolitan Community Church Special Event Friends Meeting Ilouse. 38 Iilmhank (‘rescent. 248 8493. 7pm. Iiree. 'I‘he ('hristian church that welcomes queer and questioning people goes west. and is joined by Vicky (hum of (ilasgow I'niversity. who will discuss ‘Writing the I.(iB'I'('1u'istian into the Past”. l’url of [ti/{T History .IIoIII/I.

I The Wayward Cloud (Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun) ('(‘.-\. 350 Sauchiehall Street. 352 4900. 8.15pm. See I‘ilm Index. page 45.

Edinburgh

I The Hub 1.(}B'1‘ ('entre for Health & Wellheing. 9 Ilowe Street. 523 1100.

6.30 8.30pm. 1’ree. Stop hy alter work to chat. and lind out ahout the 1.(iB'I' ('entre for Health & WeIIheing's activities. Free internet access. tea. coffee and maga/ines. I The Vagina Monologues Festival Theatre. 13 29 .\'ico1son Street. 529 6000. 8pm. £13.50 £19.50. See Tue 20. .'1.\.\'()('l(llt’(/ ll‘H/I I.(}I)"/~ Hislury‘ .Ilrml/I.

Glasgow

I The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros (Ang Pagdadalaga Ni Maximo Oliveros) (‘(‘:\. 350 Sauchiehall Street. 352 4900. 6.30pm. See I‘ilm Index. page 45.

I 4:30 (‘(':\. 350 Sauchiehall Street. 352 4900. 8.30pm. See I"iIm Index. page 45.

Edinburgh

I Vada 1.(iB'I'Youth Scotland. John (‘otton (‘entre. 11) Sunnyside. (>22 2266. 7 9pm. I’ree. See Thu 15.

I The Vagina Monologues l-‘estival 'I‘heatre. I3» 29 .\'icolson Street. 529 6000. 8pm. £13.50 £19.50. See Tue 20. .-\s.vmiulerl will: [ti/{1' Hismrv .i'IIHII/l.

Glasgow

I Gay Anthems Karaoke (ilas'gow 1.(}B'1' (‘entre. 11 I)ixon Street. 221 7203. 7pm. I‘ree. (‘ome and warhle along to your favourite songs and people from the world of pop. l’url o/ [ti/{7' History .llonlli.

I Life Begins at 40 'I'errence lliggins 'I'rtist Scotland. 134 Douglas Street. 332 3838. 7 9pm. A friendly and informal workshop encouraging gay and hisexual men over 40 to explore personal landmarks and influences. and share experiences. Iimail groupscotland(a tht.org.uk to hook.

I Patrick Wolf (Man Mor. 731 735 (ireat Western Road. 357 0200. 7.30pm. £111. See .\1tlsic preview. page ()2.

I Summer in Berlin (Sommer vorn Balkon) (ilasgow I-‘iIm 'I'healre. 12 Rose Street. 332 8128. 8.45pm. .-\n exploration of houndaries and relationships in reunilied Berlin. See Iiilm Index. page 45.

If» 1 oh I Mai P003 THE LIST 59