Celebcity with Jo Brooks: The Lady Boys of Bangkok

The Lady Boys of Bangkok, Conor Maynard – the UK’s ‘Bieber’, plus Denise Welch & David Gilmour

Lady Boys visit The Amex

The Lady Boys of Bangkok have arrived back in Brighton for the ninth year and this time they finished their annual sightseeing tour at the new American Express Community Stadium. A tour of the city has become a ritual on their arrival to the south coast for Brighton Fringe but, where as they traditionally climax the tour at the Mayor’s Office, this time they were welcomed with complimentary refreshments in Dick’s Bar at The Amex.

“We always look forward to touring Brighton but this year we were hoping the weather would not spoil it,” said Sonia, one of the stars of the show. “The visit to The Amex Stadium was definitely the highlight although we weren’t sure what to expect when we were invited to Dick’s Bar – but that too was great!” The Lady Boys of Bangkok are performing in the Sabai Pavilion, Victoria Gardens, Grand Parade, Brighton, until Sunday 27 May.
www.brightonfringe.org

Pride 2012 act confirmed
So local act The Freemasons are the first to be announced for this year’s Pride in Brighton and Hove festival. The 1 September event – which is themed ‘The United Colours of Pride’ – will feature all the usual Preston Park highlights including a few new suprises in store. We’re hyped to see The Freemasons lined up and tickets should be on sale very soon – watch this space!

The Next Big thing
Congratulations to local lad Conor Maynard – hailed as the UK’s answer to Justin Bieber – for debuting in the top ten with his first single: ‘Can’t Say No’. Conor, who has now moved from his seaside hometown to London, started his career uploading videos of him singing in his Brighton bedroom. Just like his American alter-ego – the pre-pubescent girl magnet Bieber – Conor ended up attracting a huge online fan base – receiving his first 100,000 views with his cover of Usher’s song ‘OMG’. Then a cover of Neyo’s ‘Beautiful Monster’ saw him receive a staggering one million views, quickly seeing him sign a contract with Parlaphone and receiving late night Skype calls from the R’n’B sensation himself! ‘Can’t Say No’ – which is undeniably catchy and plays on our radio countless times a day – went in at number two on the UK’s Top 40. We look forward to seeing what our boy can bring next, specially as he’s been working alongside (JBPR Emma’s favourite) Pharrel Williams. (Watch out for Conor Maynard in Snapshots soon.)

Loose Women in Brighton
Denise Welch from Loose Women and Celebrity Big Brother fame in The Lanes Health & Beauty Salon. Denise was making sure she looked her best in preparation for her appearance in Steel Magnolias at the Theatre Royal Brighton, which ran last week to good reviews.

A taste of japan
Moshi Moshi’s Brighton Japan festival is back for 2012 this June! We’ll certainly be popping down to as many events as we can squeeze in. Now in its fourth year, Brighton Japan Festival is the UK’s largest annual celebration of Japanese culture, with events taking place in Brighton’s most prestigious venues over eight days from 22 June. With street festivals, evening performances and a film festival, we can’t wait to see what stars will be turning out for this! www.brightonjapan.com

Spotted!
Rizzle Kicks in The Mash Tun enjoying their gig after party.
David Gilmour of the fantastic Pink Floyd chowing down on some lovely looking lunch in Carluccio’s.
Matt King – who plays non other than the enigmatic Super Hans in Peep Show – outside Hove Station