On 14th February 2015, Vice Versa will be celebrating its third anniversary – which happens to fall on Valentine’s Day; so, it’s going be a romantic birthday!

To help celebrate, the popular night will be joined by guest DJ Kevin Brooks – well known in Bournemouth, having DJed for years at Bolts, Circus and Vice. Expect an extra-special house-music set from Kevin.

ITV are making a new series about holidays and you could be part of it.

Calling families, friends & couples who know what they want from a holiday, Studio Lambert, the television producers behind such TV programmes as Gogglebox, Undercover Boss & The Great Interior Design Challenge are producing a new series about holidays for ITV.  

They want to speak to families, couples and groups of friends from across the country who might be interested in taking part. 

You haven't experienced a carol concert until you've been to a Wessex Chorus Carol Concert at MCC!

Christmas Carol Concert - Presented by Pokesdown's Wessex Chorus, this Saturday 13th December @ 7.30 pm - Entry is free!

A collection for Help & Care in Pokesdown will be received.

You are warmly invited to join us at the MCC Church on Hannington Road in Pokesdown in Bournemouth this Saturday evening for our Christmas Carol Concert presented by Wessex Chorus at 7.30 pm.  There will be a mixture of traditional carols and modern Christmas songs, along with familiar Bible passages as well as a mix of traditional and modern readings.

It's time to get out the outrageous costumes and don those tights. It's Christmas Panto time again and there are two classics on offer locally.

Bournemouth Pavilion has Peter Pan. Children’s favourite and Blue Peter Presenter Barney Harwood will be playing Peter Pan, and he is no stranger to pantomime having played the part several times previously including at the Pavilion in 2008. Barney is one of the best known faces on children’s television having presented many of CBBC’s top programmes including Smile, Totally Doctor Who, Prank Patrol, Basil’s Swap Shop, Basil’s Game Show, Bear Behaving Badly, Barney’s Barrier Reef, and Barney’s Costa Rica and of course Blue Peter amongst others. Mark Benton will be starring as Captain Hook in this year’s Pavilion Pantomime. Mark is fresh from the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing and is well known for his role as Mr Chalke in BBC1’s Waterloo Road.

Poole Lighthouse is running with Robin Hood. Join in with adventure, laughs and surprises this Christmas with Robin Hood and his band of merry men in our fun-packed traditional panto for all the family. You're going to love it - oh yes you are! Starring CBBC's Ed Petrie (All Over the Place, Marrying Mum and Dad) as Robin, Patrick O'Kane (Game of Thrones, Jamaica Inn) as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Tom Bright (who also writes and directs) as Friar Tuck. There are non-stop thrills and spills as Robin takes on the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and still finds time to catch the eye of the fearless Maid Marion in this classic tale for all the family. With a superb cast, sing-a-long tunes, stunning dancing, slapstick, silliness and lots of chances to join in, Robin Hood is the perfect festive entertainment this Christmas.

Stonewall is launching a guide celebrating older lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) role models. LGBT Voices, kindly supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, features the stories of 25 people who have contributed to the campaign for equality in Britain and around the world.

Launched at the Bishopsgate Institute, who this year celebrate their 120th anniversary, the guide will ensure that the stories of a generation who have faced persecution and discrimination will live on. The event also marked the launch of the LGBT history archives at Bishopsgates Institute, with thousands of press clippings, pamphlets, magazines and campaign materials lovingly archived and preserved for a new generation to experience.

As Christmas fast approaches, DYMK has some top cabaret this December.

Check out live on stage:

1 DEC - EVA IGLESIAS

7 DEC - LADY IMELDA

21 DEC - SON OF A TUTU

28 DEC - CASSIDY CONNORS

Are you LGB? Are you Trans? Are you 50 or older?

If so, join the LGBT Voices in Action consultation project, and complete the survey around health, well-being, and social life.

The Intercom Trust are looking for a very broad range of LGB and Trans individuals, living different kinds of lives. The respon es to this survey may make a great deal of difference to life in the area for LGBT people in the future. 

Fill in the survey at www.lgbt.voicesinaction.com

At the end of March you have the chance to meet the boys from the band Blue.

Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe are in town on the 27th March 2015 for a concert at the BIC. 

The band originally formed in 2000, releasing three studio albums, All Rise (2001), One Love (2002) and Guilty (2003) that all peaked at number one in the United Kingdom alongside releasing 16 singles, over a four-year period. 

Tickets

Get Blue - Meet & Greet Tickets

Get Blue - Standard Tickets

Celebrate World Aids Day at DYMK. With events on Sunday 30th November and Monday 1st December, DYMK is the place to go, with free entry.

See Eva Iglesias from Britain's Got Talent on Sunday form 8pm.

At 5pm on Monday 1st December join in the Remembrance Service with Arch Bishop Martyn Douglas and Father John Hyde.

Where can you see Lola Lasagna, Jenny Castelle, Vicki Vivacious, Wilma Fingerdoo and Drag with no Name this November?
DYMK in Bournemouth of course!

Top cabaret every Sunday from 10pm.

The Dorset Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Trans Consultation Group is looking for 4 new local members! 

• Do you know that — most homophobic and transphobic crimes and incidents in Dorset are not reported?
• Do you know that — Dorset Police are working hard to become fully LGB and Trans friendly, skilled and inclusive?
• Do you know that — YOU might be just the person to fill a gap in the Group!

If so and

• Do you live in Dorset Bournemouth or Poole?
• Are you keen to help make life better for LGB and Trans people in Dorset?
• Could you spare a couple of hours roughly every two months?
• Are you keen on working in partnership with LGBT communities and Dorset Police?

Bournemouth born Barney Ashton-Bullock plays age-defying polysexual “Torsten The Bareback Saint” in an archive film enriched theatrical song-cycle of musical missives from the hotspots of his memory as a semi-immortal learned sensualist. But is Torsten alive or dead; a carnal incarnate or munificent saint?

At 4.30am on Sunday 24 August 2014 emergency services were called to Poole Hill following a report of a number of people being struck by a vehicle which had then driven off in the direction of Terrace Road toward the BIC.

A short time later, officers located the vehicle, a grey 318 BMW estate, which had been abandoned on the East Overcliff. The driver has been described as white, in his late twenties, about five feet six inches tall and of stocky build. He has short dark hair and wore dark clothing.

A 22-year-old woman and a 51-year-old man, both from Bournemouth, were taken to Poole Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The female victim sustained bruising to her body and the male victim a head wound.

LGBT residents and visitors to Weymouth have a new web site to help them enjoy their time in the town. 

“There is so much going on now in our area for LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans) visitors”, said Colin who helps to organize the Weymouth Gay Group.

Colin continued, "We put all the local LGBT events and info on our web site. Weymouth needs to catch up with seaside towns like those in Devon and Bournemouth, but Brighton may be difficult - it leads the way. The Pink pound is up for grabs! – and why should not Weymouth market itself as a more LGBT friendly place than it has been perceived in the past.”

The lead singer from "Thriller" in the West End is launching a new Tribute Night at DYMK. Lascel Wood is performing live on the SYMK stage this August.

Starting on Wednesday 20th August there will be top tribute acts on stage every Wednesday.

Lascel is followed by Carpenters tribute, "The Carpentones" who will perform classic pop hits on the 27th August.

Entry is always free at DYMK.

The Intercom Trust are looking to recruit a new full-time support worker to cover Dorset and Wiltshire.

The new worker will be an LGB person who can provide help and support and advocacy for people who are affected by homophobic or transphobic crime in Dorset, Bournemouth, Poole, Wiltshire and Swindon.

The post is full-time (35 hours per week), at £27,300 plus 5% pension, and will be based in Intercom's offices in Bournemouth and Salisbury. It's funded till 31 March 2015 in the first instance, with the possibility of extension.

The deadline for us to receive applications is 12:00 noon on Thursday 7 August.

Bourne Free got off to a flashy start for 2014 with a flash mob in Bournemouth Square, complete with YMCA dancers and an American police car. As crowds grew the dancers were joined by some nuns and many more colourful characters.

There's lots more to come over the Bourne Free weekend!

DYMK have a new VIP List and for a limited time if you sign up online you can get a free drink on your next visit!

Simply visit www.dymk-bar.com and enter your name and email address to get an email with all the details.

Once signed up you'll also be the first to receive the latest news, events and other promotions from the DYMK gang.

What better way to enjoy the Bourne Free weekend than at DYMK?

There lots on every night and it's always free entry.

Friday night will see Rihanna vs Lady Gaga tributes. Saturday night come and party with DJs Kevin Brooks and Pete Kendall.

The highlight of the DYMK weekend must surely by Miss Jason and Dave Lynn on at 10pm on Sunday 13th July.

Get ready for a night of uplifting, funky and progressive house music at Vice Versa's Bourne Free Party.

Saturday 12th July from 10pm - very late

Three DJ's - Luke Kitchener, Lee Harris, Dave Hunt

£2 drinks before midnight and free entry before £8pm

The main Bourne Free 2014 poster is out now and details all that's going on over the big weekend. It's the 10 year anniversary and the theme is "Decades".

Highlights include:

Friday 11th July - Family Fun Night

Saturday 12th July - Parade starting East Cliff at 11pm, ends in The Triangle at 12pm. Main area in The Triangle with headliners Kimberley Wyatt, Damage, MishaB, DJ Big Ben and, of course, Angie Brown! There is even more entertainment on at The Bandstand is on from 12.30pm - 4.30pm

Sunday 13th July - Return of the Triangle Tour

As Bourne Free celebrates their 10th successful year, the committee would like to announce that after several months of consultations with the LGBT community of Bournemouth, Poole and the surrounding area that the theme for 2014 will be "Decades".

This theme can be interpreted in as many ideas as you can think of for theming your costume or float for the parade.

"With this theme you can choose from the 1960`s, 1970`s, 1980`s, 1990`s and the naughties.. erm I mean noughties" said Chris with great excitement about the announcement of the theme. "We are expecting some great ideas from the community in designs for the venues floats for the parade and for peoples costumes throughout the whole weekend".

The dates for Bourne Free 2014 are confirmed as Friday 11th July to Sunday 13th July, with the parade on Saturday 12th July from 11am starting on top of the East Cliff (by the East Cliff lift), making its way through the town and arriving at The Triangle at 12 noon.

"We have some great new entertainment lined-up for this year, and we think that the crowd will be pleased. The Big Screen will be back in The Triangle showing live feed from the main stage as well as images from the crowd, so keep a look out, you may see yourself on the Big Screen!" Louise said about organising the entertainment for 2014.

• Visit our main Bourne Free page here

Sir Ian McKellen joined more than 30 Stonewall Youth Volunteers on Friday 25 April to recognise their dedication to tackling homophobia in their local communities. The annual Youth Awards, kindly supported by Lloyds Banking Group, saw Sir Ian presenting awards to individuals who have helped to promote equality right across Britain. 

One of the first UK same sex-marriages will be performed in Bournemouth this Saturday, following the passing of the Marriage Act last July.

Fourteen ceremonies are already scheduled to be performed at Town Hall this year, but Councillor and Equalities & Diversities Champion David Kelsey is expecting many more to come.  

He said, “A lot of people already have civil partnerships and later in the year there will be the ability to convert a civil partnership to a marriage.”

Rob Hazell, who owns the FLIRT Cafe Bar at The Triangle, is one of them.

The Space Youth Project currently has a number of vacancies across Dorset. 

Do you feel you can make a difference to LGBT+ young people? If so, SPACE NEEDS YOU!

The vacancies are in:

• Dorchester - Volunteer youth support worker
• Sherborne - Leader in Charge
• Sherborne - Assistant Youth Support Worker

A fantastic transgendered weekend by the seaside from  11th to the 14th April 2014.

For many years the spring glitz and tinsel and glitter events catering for the transgendered community and their friends or partners have taken place in Blackpool. Now for the very first time the spring glitz is moving south to the Cliffeside Hotel in Bournemouth!

The hotels programme of evening entertainments will be supplemented by the event’s own DJ Bekki.

Directed by Kylie Minogue’s creative director, featuring songs especially composed by Boy George, coming to you direct from its West End run – the fabulous, brand-new sensation everyone’s talking about is here.

Saturday 26 April 2014 at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre

As seen on ITV1, stars of the show The Supreme Fabulettes deliver the slickest choreography, sweetest harmonies, most wondrous costumes and a score to die for. . .

Signature Glee-style party mash-ups mix 60s classics with today’s chart toppers. Songs from The Supremes, Beyonce, Adele, Alison Moyet and even The Andrews Sisters entwine for an evening of glitz, hits, dance and kitsch.

Following his important intergalactic funk mission showing those Daft Punk Robots exactly how to party, Nile Rodgers, the fabled dance floor-filling hero returns to earthly realms. Picking up three Grammys and a BRIT on his way, he wipes the space dust from his trademark white suit, picks up his legendary six-string hit-maker, and descends majestically to the Isle of Wight. The call goes out from the Bestival crew, the King of Funk has arrived, Nile Rodgers is here and the Desert Island Disco is GO!

Rob da Bank says: "Ever since I first booked Chic and Nile for Bestival a few years back they have hands down been the best live band we've ever had at Bestival and Camp Bestival. And once people start realising how many hits Nile has written and produced for artists ranging from Madonna and David Bowie through to Daft Punk's Get Lucky you realise this is just one huge disco jukebox that is gonna keep firing out the hits all night! I'm over the moon that Nile and the crew are going to wrap up our Desert Island Disco Finale with a damn funky, glittery bang. Everybody Dance!"

Are you aged 20-35 and in a same-sex relationship and willing to participate in  research?

Danni Pearson is a PhD student from the Open University, she is looking for young same-sex couples (aged 20-35) to participate in the research who live in and around the Bristol/Bournemouth/Yeovil and South West area of the UK.

The research is about long-term relationships and Danielle will be looking at how couples make their relationships work. Participation involves keeping a diary for a week and being interviewed individually and as a couple.

On Tuesday 11 March internationally renowned contemporary dance company Phoenix Dance Theatre visit Poole for the first time with a diverse programme that features two new works and one classic from the company’s archive.

The programme features the first UK work by exciting European choreographic duo Ivgi & Greben. Featuring five dancers, this new piece is powerful, relentless and packed with emotion.

International comedy sensation PAM ANN speeds into the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on 21 March 2014, with her most explosive show yet, the all-new FLY!

As Bournemouth celebrates the 10th successful year, the Bourne Free committee has announced that the theme for 2014 will be... Decades!

Vice Versa has now been running for 2 years and it's their birthday on Saturday 8th February 2014.

To celebrate the guys are having a special party with guest DJ Jo Public, go-go dancers, face-painting, massage and more! 

Get down to The Xchange from 10.30pm

A Bournemouth church welcomed the news from the Culture Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities Minister Maria Miller that marriages for same sex couples will begin on 29th March 2014.  

Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) says they look forward to performing marriage ceremonies in their church building on Hannington Road in Pokesdown which is registered for both marriages and civil partnerships.  

The Cumberland on East Cliff has a packed entertainment programme for 2014.

Expect exciting entertainment paired with goof food and stunning surroundings!

FRIDAY 14th February - VALENTINES With DIANE JAMES Continue with your romantic mood with our Candlelit Dinner in the Mirabelle with Champagne on arrival - £32.50

WEDNESDAY 26th March - SHOWSTOPPERS - Songs from Broadway and the West End with DIANE JAMES, LEA  MARTIN & PAUL SHINAR, Menu 2/3 Course Dinner - £19.90 / £24.90. Show only £12.50

FRIDAY 25th April - BOLLYWOOD NIGHT -  with JUST JHOOM with interactive audience  participation and Authentic Indian Music With a 2 course Traditional Indian Buffet Dinner - £24.90

THURSDAY 15th May - CERI DUPREE -  The amazing international female Impersonator With 2/3 course dinner-for ONE NIGHT ONLY! £29.90 / £34.50

SATURDAY 17th May - EUROVISION PARTY NIGHT with DIANE JAMES & LEA MARTIN presenting the Big Screen and Camp Comper. With a Taste of Europe Buffet. £24.50

FRIDAY 13th June - ADELE TRIBUTE ACT with DIANE JAMES & LEA MARTIN - Menu 2/3 Course Dinner - £29.90 / £34.50.Show only £18.00