Lesbian Dating + Networking - Velvet-Club for Lesbians and Bi

July 2006 Newsletter #4

Welcome to VELVET, the club that enables members to connect with 1,000’s of lesbians around the world – at home, in the office, on their travels!! Link up with new friends, increase your business contacts or find the perfect partner and much, much more!

MEET OTHER VELVET-CLUB MEMBERS

ROUGE NOIR – SOHO W1 - Tuesday 25 July, 7–11pm

Looking forward to going to “Rouge Noir” for our July drinks party. Situated upstairs at “Jewel” an oak stairwell takes you into a decadently designed lounge bar, with Thailand and Buddhism as its inspiration. Beautiful antique Buddha’s welcome you into this red and black room. Gold leaf is used generously around the room and the lighting is low so as to give a very mellow and chilled atmosphere. Relaxation is the order of the day here so lay back, chill and enjoy !!!
Your hosts Tracy and Curtis will be there to meet you and introduce you to the other guests – no need to be shy !!! Drinks prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The guests are all ages and professions – great place to network and make new friends. There is NO admission charge.
Guest List places are limited to 100 members and their guests. Please click here for further information. To add your name and the names of up to 3 guests to the July Guest List please email Susie at susie@velvet-club.com.
Jewel is conveniently located in the heart of the West End (Piccadilly Circus): 4/6 Glasshouse Street, W1B 5DQ - for more information, please visit their website.

REWIND - GALLERY LINK

Take a look at the photos from our previous Drinks Party - if you were there, you may have been snapped, if not, these photos are a great way to preview our events if you've never been to one. Click here!

VELVET FORUMS

It’s your forum ... have your say!

Chat and exchange ideas with other members .. start your own topics of conversation.

Rouge Noir – Tuesday 25 July (Social Networking)
Who’s your favourite Lesbian Icon? (Lifestyle)
Did I read the sign right? (Let Us Entertain You)
Who did you come OUT to first? (M2M Advice)
British Lesbian Artists (Business Network)
Thought for The Day (Announcements)

http://lesbianforum.velvet-club.com

Lesbian Icons: Who? When? Where?

Sappho

Her birthplace, the mediterranean island of Lesbos, has since given its name to homosexual women, as she herself has become synonymous with female love and sexuality. She was the daughter of Scamander and Cleïs, was married, it is thought, to a wealthy merchant, and has a daughter named Cleïs. Sappho also had three brothers. Her family was politically active, which caused Sappho to travel a great deal.
She headed a group of female poets, to recite and compose lyric poetry - a practice that was commonplace in Ancient Greece. Some of her love poems were addressed to women. Writing in Aeolian, an ancient Greek dialect, she gives the names of several women whom she loved; Atthis, Anactoria, Gongyla, and Mnasadica. (more...)
View detailed biographies of world famous lesbians from the worlds of Art, Literature, Film/tv, Sport, Politics and Music … broaden your knowledge by clicking here!

BECOME A “FROG”

Friends of London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard

If you can spare £5 or more on a regular basis why not become one of their FROGS.
Regular donations by Standing Order help them to plan ahead as they know they have guaranteed income.
If you are a UK taxpayer LLGS can also claim tax back on your donation increasing its value by 22%.
£5 a month would pay for over 1 hour of phone work at Switchboard, approx 4 calls.

As a FROG you will receive regular information about what's happening at Switchboard, invites and priority booking for Switchboard events. Click here for a FROG membership form.

GAY GAMES V11

Chicago – Broadcast by Sirius OutQ - 15-22 July

Chicago plays host to the world and welcome thousands of athletes, spectators and cultural participants into their homes, hearts and city for the seventh quadrennial Gay Games Sports and Cultural Festival. The Games will feature 12,000 participants, competition in 30 sports, world-class athletes and artists, band and choral performances, nightly medal ceremonies, a week-long arts festival, parties, and spectacular opening and closing ceremonies featuring entertainment, pageantry, and the parade of participants from more than 70 countries. SIRIUS OutQ, the nation’s first and only 24/7 radio channel for the GLBT community, will be the exclusive national radio broadcast partner for Gay Games VII. For more information visit www.gaygameschicago.org

20th London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival

ON Tour until September

To celebrate the 20th London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival a touring programme of the cream of the festival will begin in May at venues around the country from Brighton to Leeds to Dublin. New venues and dates will be added to this list as soon as they are confirmed.
This strong and eclectic programme of feature films, shorts, artists' film and video will include the opening night film (from the director of The Opposite of Sex), Don Roos' Happy Endings starring Lisa Kudrow, Steve Coogan and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Stewart Main's growing up gay account, 50 Ways of Saying Fabulous, is pure joy, while the edgy thriller Show Me will grip you from beginning to end. To read the daily festival diary, click here.

Sun, Sangria and Stonewall - Weekend of 8-10 September

A date for everyone’s diary – it is the first ever Stonewall fundraising walk (10 km) in Barcelona. As one of the most vibrant cities in Europe there is something for everyone; take a stroll down Las Ramblas, climb Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, dip your toes at one of Barcelona’s fabulous city beaches. Enjoy the culture, tapas, nightlife, and a café culture like no other. There are lots of reasons to celebrate, not least of all the fact civil partnership became legal in both Spain and the UK in 2005.
To take part individuals will pay a registration fee of £300 (includes flights and 2 night’s accommodation in a trendy hotel in the heart of Barcelona’s gay district - l'Eixample). The funds raised will go towards their Education for All campaign. Places are limited – book now to avoid disapointment. For more details – please click here

YOUR PHOTOGRAPH IS 1,000 WORDS

All Member Profile Searches give TOP listing to Member Profiles that include a main photograph. We have a huge capacity as photographs that are 400x400 pixels or 64 kb can be accommodated. Should you wish to have a modesty flash across your face for privacy then please email your photograph with your Screen Name to photos@velvet-club.com and we can do this for you. Photographs will maximise your chances to connect with other members

We very much look forward to meeting up with VELVET-CLUB members and guests on Tuesday 25 July at ROUGE NOIR. If I can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes

Susie Chester

Membership Secretary