The Ivy House –
London’s first co‑operatively owned pub
40 Stuart Road, London SE15 3BE
LGBT+ PRIDE IN NUNHEAD
As part of its commitment to total community inclusiveness, the Ivy House is hosting a 3-day LGBT+ Pride Minifest June 20th – 23rd. All events start at 8.30pm, and are free.
Monday, 20th June: Film Night
In a major coup, the Ivy House has secured the London premiere of ‘This is Gay Propaganda’, the story of LGBT rights in the Ukraine. The “Euromaidan” Revolution ousted the notoriously corrupt Ukrainian President Yanukovytch, a close ally of Vladimir Putin. A four-month popular uprising eventually led to Yanukovyth fleeing, and four days later Russia invaded the Crimea.
LGBT activists played a major part in the uprising, and we see events through their eyes: the revolution, the invasion, the immediate imposition of Russia’s ‘gay propaganda’ law on Crimea, the torture and exile and acts of resistance of LGBT people caught up in events.
The victory of Jamala in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest brought Ukraine and the Russian invasion of Crimea back into the headlines. This beautifully shot film by MARUSYA BOCIURKIW, a Canadian of Ukrainian descent, gives a vivid new insight to those events. She brings a frontline report of what the new, hip generation of Ukrainian queers are building in the face of great odds. A film of beauty, passion, immediacy and anger. 50 mins
Plus ‘Beyond Labels’ by Jaime Sylla. Interviews with black gay men. 30 mins
Plus two Laurel and Hardy gay shorts (40 mins total)
Tuesday 21st June: Cabaret Night
“60 Years a Queen”. A night by the veterans for everyone. With Peter Scott-Presland, Jeremy Kingston, Jeff Doorn. Pianist – Nigel Stewart.
Peter Scott-Presland, who first performed as a gay man doing original gay cabaret songs in 1972, can claim to be one of the Last Men Standing of the first generation of Liberation Entertainers. When asked what he did for a living, he replied, “Entertain the troops”. For many years director of LGBT theatre groups Consenting Adults in Public and Homo Promos, he has also written plays and musicals, short stories and extensive journalism. He is proud to say that he has performed after every single Pride March since 1978. He is currently writing a history of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality and writing songs with Matyas Basco. His ambition is to write the Hungarian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Jeremy Kingston was for many years theatre critic for Punch (his reviews were often funnier than the funnies) and later for The Times. Undeterred by the experience, he has also penned several plays which have been produced in the West End and on the Fringe, most recently Oedipus at the Crossroads and Making Dickie Happy. He has written a couple of novels and some children’s books, and has had two poetry collections published, On the Lookout and Who is he, Who am I, Who are they? He enjoys long conversations over meals and is probably overweight as a result.
Jeff Doorn is a Canadian who was an habitué of the Stonewall Inn before the Riots which sparked the modern LGBT liberation movement. His work has appeared in Gawp and Gaze, Queer Words, Gazebo, Mandate, Queer Haunts, Slivers of Silver (which he also co-edited) and `. A community activist, he lives with his civil partner in south London.
Nigel Stewart, a doyen of the Gay Liberation Front from the early 70s, earned a living for many years as accompanist to the great drag stars from Mrs Shufflewick onwards. Nowadays he is a teacher, composer and inveterate concert-goer.
The four confirmed performers can boast over 200 years as practising homosexuals between them. You’d think by now they’d have got it right.
Thursday 23rd June: Quiz Night
A Quiz featuring the lives and achievements of LGBT+ people over four millennia, but aimed at a general audience. Music, art, sport, history, geography, showbiz and film, natural history and gay London all feature. Frequent multiple choice questions give you at least a 33% chance of getting it right! Teams of 2 – 5 are welcome. Entry is £2 per head, with all entry money going to the winning team. Come with a pen, and a catchy team name! All welcome.
Website: www.ivyhousenunhead.com/events.php
Getting there: 343 bus from Peckham Rye station; 343 from New Cross Gate station
Notes
The Ivy House re-opened in 2014 as a community-owned pub, with financial contributions from over 200 people, and a matching government grant to preserve an asset of outstanding community value. Its beautiful 1930s design and preserved original features earned it a Grade II listing, and in its day it has also been a famous music venue, hosting Ian Dury, Elvis Costello, Joe Strummer and Dr Feelgood, among others. In its new form it has a strong commitment to its music tradition, but is also concerned to provide facilities and entertainment for the whole local community, from mothers and toddlers to pensioners. Pride in Nunhead shows its support for LGBT+ people in Nunhead and Peckham.
Press contacts: Harry on 020 7277 8233 (Ivy House); Peter on 07444 311 695 (for Pride)