Books, music, general merriment, drunken debauchery.
Music
Lounge, easy listening, 60s soul, 70s glam, girl groups, disco, movie soundtracks, mash-ups and kitsch.
Books
Authors who've read at Polari include Jacqui Applebee, Neil Bartlett, Frances Bingham, Paul Burston, Matt Cook, Maureen Duffy, Stella Duffy, Christopher Fowler, Drew Gummerson, Sebastian Horsley, VG Lee, James Lear, David Llewellyn, Karen Mcleod, Adam Mars-Jones, Bertie Marshall, Charlotte Mendelson, Mehmet Murat Somer, Rupert Smith and Will Self.
Heroes
Oscar Wilde, Colette, Quentin Crisp, Valentine Ackland, John Rechy, Gore Vidal.
Polari's Details
Status:
Single
Here for:
Networking, Friends
Zodiac Sign:
Capricorn
Polari is back on Wed Jan 13 at our new home in St Paul's Pavilion, Royal Festival Hall, with Dean Atta, Sophia Blackwell and Jeremy Reed and Gingerlight! Posted at 4:09 PM Dec 13 view more
Gay evening of words and music, presented by author/journalist Paul Burston.
The evening consists of guest authors, plus Paul Burston and guests playing tailored sounds, louche lounge and dirty disco.
Previously held at various venues in Soho, Polari is now housed at the Southbank Centre, every second Wed of the month.
After four months at the Concrete Bar, next to the Hayward Gallery, Polari is now in St Paul's The Pavilion above the Royal Festival Hal..
Bookstall kindly provided by Foyles Bookshop.
Polari is kindly sponsored by Boyz magazine.
We celebrate gay literary tradition and provide a much-needed platform for gay and lesbian authors.
We regularly attract an audience of men and women all ages, from 18 to 80. Celebrity devotees include Marc Almond, Bette Bourne and David McAlmont.
Guest authors have included Michael Arditti, Neil Bartlett, Maureen Duffy, Stella Duffy, Christopher Fowler, Sebastian Horsley, Paul Margs, Karen McLeod, Charlotte Mendelson and self-confessed 'straight gay writer' Will Self.
There's a film report about Polari on Homovision at www.homovision.tv/pump-up-the-polari/
UPCOMING EVENTS:
WED JAN 13 - POLARI IN THE PAVILION - with Dean Atta, Sophia Blackwell and Jeremy Reed and Gingerlight at our new home in St Paul's Pavilion, RFH, the Southbank Centre, SE1.
BRIEF HISTORY:
Polari launched in November 2007 with authors Paul Burston and Rupert Smith, followed in December by a packed event with Neil Bartlett, author of the Costa Award-nominated 'Skin Lane'.
In January we had authors Matt Cook ('A Gay History of Britain') and Bertie Marshall ('Berlin Bromley').
In February Stella Duffy read from 'The Room Of Lost Things'.
And in March Christopher Fowler did the honours.
In April it was the turn of Frances Bingham who read from her selected poems of Valentine Ackland.
On May 6 we had a visit from Turkish author Mehmet Murat Somer.
On May 13 David Llewellyn read from his new novel 'Everything Is Sinister'.
On June 10, Charlotte Mendelson read from her Orange Prize-nominated novel 'When We Were Bad'.
On July 8 Will Self read from his 'shameless reworking' of Oscar Wilde, 'Dorian'.
On September 10, Sebastian Horsley made our relaunch at Trash Palace our busiest night yet.
And in October, we presented Duffy Night with authors Maureen Duffy and Stella Duffy and singer Celine Hispiche.
On November 12 we marked our first birthday with Dirty Books Night featuring authors Jacqui Applebee and Erotic Award winner James Lear, with a bawdy song or two from singer Celine.
In December, it was Polari Bloggers Night with blogger London Preppy, blogger-turned-author Clayton Littlewood and a surprise tribute to Grace Jones.
In January, it was Polari Stalkers Night with VG Lee, Karen Mcleod and Prestige.
In February it was Polari Dorothy Night with author Susie Boyt, singer Celine and a special Judy-themed performance by Michael Twaits.
Who I'd like to meet:
Gay and lesbian authors, lovers of literature, lounge lizards, literary ladies, book worms, omees, palones, omi-palones, people who read.
Hey Paul and co. I came to my 1st Polari last night... why didn't I know about this before? Loved Mathilde, loved vampires and Whitby but most of all, loved DILF. See you again soon x
sorry to miss you all this evening my splendids, am rehearsing (again). may your night be filled with sunshine and joy - unlike our days!! big kisses, Stella xx
My love’s keynote smell is Locked within my pores, His scent exploring Way beneath the skin Where there, like patient doggers, Wait my wild neural highways Empty But for his high performance bike.
Inside My mind’s hide he’s riding At the speed of light sensation Just to find With every touch and thrust The inspiration for my loving him And liking what he does well once Then does again. Dear God.
I drive a clear way Free from traffic A black top From my hot head to my gay heart And halfway home a Welsh lay-by waits. Now, Moving his shift stick into park, There’s handy, A promising place to start.
