MAGIC OF MOTOWN – THE SECRET OF THAT AUTHENTIC AMERICAN SOUND

LIVE on stage it’s the music of the Temptations, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Martha Reeves, Isley Brothers and scores more.

"It’s the best live Motown tribute concert show on tour. It’s not that it’s superbly-choreographed, it’s not the 36 million-selling hits, it’s not the dozens of dazzling costume changes featured that make it the UK’s busiest production on tour. It’s the fact that it faithfully reproduces that elusive Detroit sound." says producer Michael Taylor.

It’s a show that’s won the hearts of UK music fans, packing them in at giant festivals alongside Jools Holland, Lemar, Lulu and Jane McDonald.

In 2010 The Magic of Motown completed its biggest UK tour yet taking in 150 venues nationwide including sell-out shows in London’s O2.

And, as the world celebrates 50 years of number one Motown hits, even more dates are scheduled for 2011.

Between 1961 and 1971 Motown Records recorded 110 top ten hits. The Magic of Motown charts the label’s entire history, from this golden period in its history and beyond. To being heralded as the world’s greatest record label.

The production revives all-time favourites like:- 'Stop in the Name of Love'; 'Signed, Sealed', 'Delivered'; 'My Guy'; 'What Becomes of the Broken Hearted'; 'I Heard it Through the Grapevine'; 'Endless Love'; 'All Night Long'; 'Heatwave; I’m Coming Out'; 'Why Do Fools Fall in Love'; 'Get Ready; Ain’t Too Proud to Beg'; 'My Girl; I Want You Back'; 'I’ll Be There; Blame it on the Boogie' and 'Dancing in the Street'.

"60's classics give way to present-day masterpieces from Lionel Richie and Diana Ross. Sadly, many of the original Motown legends are either no longer with us or longer touring. The Magic of Motown is the nearest you’ll get to authentically capturing their incredible musical legacy in a live show. Our young cast is able to reflect the exuberance and excitement of these songs as they were originally performed." says Michael.

Equal care is taken to reproduce the original look of the Motown stars on stage. It was not just the music that set Berry’s signings apart from all other hit singers of the time.

For mass market appeal, the artistes’ images were carefully controlled from dress and choreography, right down to their manners.

Michael says:- "Thus we’ve employed the services of top costume designer Claire Davis to create a fabulous selection of colourful costumes for the cast while leading man Andre Lejaune is responsible for choreographing the cast to perform the intricate dance moves for which Motown stars were famous."

With the production presenting so many shows this coming year, Michael says there will be “nowhere to run, nowhere to hide” to keep you away from the Magic of Motown in 2011.

That American grounding raises its head once again.

"Know Your HIV Status" at 21st Pride festival in Manchester

AFTER Manchester was been named the best gay-friendly destination in the world ahead of San Francisco, Sydney and Amsterdam.

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said about the city getting named:- "Manchester has always been a tolerant city and this award confirms that. It’s great to recognise the sense of community that LGBT people bring to the area. Manchester is an attractive location for gay visitors, with its dedicated gay village and a whole range of LGBT events taking place across the year. Gay tourism brings a great deal of economic benefit to the region and we’re proud to say that Manchester is a destination where gay and lesbian tastes are catered for."

So it is no wonder why the Lesbian & Gay Foundation is so active in Manchester and are pushing to promote the "Know Your HIV Status" campain.

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) has taken final delivery of over 80,000 individual condoms and sachets of water based lube ahead of the charity’s preparations for Manchester Pride, to make sure that everyone attending the festival has access to free safer sex packs to encourage good sexual health.

The title has been awarded by Expogays, a Spanish based Gay Business and Tourism Fair, which showcases gay friendly businesses, tourism destinations and specialised products to more than 15,000 visitors.

This year, as well as providing the best possible defence against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, the LGF condom and lube packs also come with a reminder of the importance of regular testing for HIV.

In some areas of Greater Manchester, the late diagnosis rate of people with HIV is close to 50%. The reason that people present late with a HIV diagnosis, is often because they are unaware that they are infected with the virus

Peter Boyle, Sexual Health Co-ordinator at the Lesbian & Gay Foundation says:- "The LGF’s Safer Sex Pack is arguably the most visible resource that we produce. For over 17 years they have been protecting gay and bisexual men across Greater Manchester. It is because of the high visibility of the scheme that we have decided to use it to promote HIV testing, and want to try and ensure that as many people as possible are aware of their HIV status. The packs are to be launched at Manchester Pride 2011 – the message 'Know Your HIV Status' will be highly visible throughout the 4 day event, and will continue to be visible in the months leading up to World Aids Day on 1 December 2011. It has never been more important to get tested; gay and bisexual men should be getting an HIV test at least once a year if they are sexually active. Hopefully when people see the message on each and every safer sex pack, they will think about when their last test was, and get tested if needs be. Gay men’s safer sex packs have always contained 2 condoms and 2 sachets of water based lube, but now they also contain a reminder for men to get tested. Safer sex, plus regular testing is really the best way for men to look after their sexual health, especially when STIs are still on the rise amongst gay and bisexual men."

One man who feels very strongly about this message is 28 year old Patrick Ettenes, who has shared his experiences of being diagnosed HIV positive and wants to help spread the message of how important it is for men who have sex with men to get tested for HIV, he says:- "I think many guys find it difficult to go for regular HIV testing. They never think it will happen to them. By testing at least once every twelve months any infection by HIV will be relatively recent, and you stand the best chance of good long term health. Bite the bullet, and take responsibility for your life. Get tested, sort it out now!."

For more on The Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s HIV prevention work & the Know Your Status – Get Tested! campaign, visit:- lgf.org.uk/testing.

For more information about Manchester’s gay tourism, visit:- visitmanchester.com/lgbt.

For advice if you are in Merseyside visit:- sexualhealthliverpool.co.uk This pager is for gay, buysexual and straight of both sexes.

Remember to get tested, no matter if you are gay or not!

Did you know that:-

► By the end of 2011 there will be over 100,000 people in the UK living with HIV.

► Today in the North West of England there are now over 7,729 people living with HIV.

► 3,754 people received treatment for HIV in Greater Manchester alone in 2009.

Swinging 60`s Night-Fundraiser For The British Legion

ON Saturday, 3 September 2011, Burscough British Legion host`s a `Swinging Sixties Night`. 3 dj`s will be playing a cross section of sixties music including soul and motown, ska, rnb, beat etc. Admission is £5 OTD with all proceeds going to The British Legion in Burscough.The event runs from 8pm until 1am. Burscough British Legion is located in Lord Street, Burscough, Lancs.

MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING SEIZURE OF DRUGS

MERSEYSIDE Police Officers from the forces' Roads Policing Unit have arrested a 39 year old man, from Formby, following the seizure of 16 kilos of what is believed to be amphetamine. At about 7pm on Wednesday, 17 August 2011, 2 Traffic Officers were on patrol when they spotted a speeding van. They pulled the van over and during a search they found a lock-knife and a holdall containing what is believed to be amphetamine. The driver of the van, a 39 year old man from Formby, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply and road traffic offences. He then been taken to a Police Station on Merseyside to be interviewed by detectives.