Previous Events
Feb 09
Light, Love and Laughter
One of the great things about Alba is that members and their friends can come along after work, have a drink or two before heading home. The February meeting was a perfect social networking evening.
Light, Love and Laughter was the aim and theme of the first Alba meeting for the year. The committee were keen for members and friends to re-connect and catch up with each other. The last meeting had been held in November and so there was a lot to catch up on. It was great to see so many people there for the first meeting of the year.
We were lucky to have Claire tell us a story about her first encounter with a girl. Without giving away too much information there were winceyette nightgowns, the Auckland Museum, a narrow single bed and a mother from Matamata. Her story resonated with many of us. We could probably all recall the rather strange situations we found ourselves in while we were discovering our attraction to girls.
The Ukenesian ukulele duo (sometimes a trio) performed for us. They are a fab new group to hit Auckland and we were lucky to have them play for us. Their musical repertoire of quirky covers was just the ticket.
Overall a great start to the year. See you at our March meeting.
Photos by Nemo
Pride Festival Cruise
"The alba cruise soon will be making another run, the alba cruise promises something for everyone"
Just like the love boat, the alba HERO harbour cruise was full of beautiful women, new friends, romance (yes there were single women on the trip) and crazy adventure. And just like the Love Boat it was more than just a mere cruise. The itinerary: Guided Cruise to Manukau Heads; Scenic bus ride to Manukau Heads Lighthouse; Fantastic lunch and tour of Tanya and Charmaine's permaculture paradise in Awhitu; and an afternoon harbour cruise home. Super great value for 7.5 hours of fun! Now don't you wish you'd bought that ticket earlier?
The day was enjoyed by forty women. The cruise featured virtual water skiing out the back of the boat for the adventurers in the group and cups of tea and comfy seating for those who preferred to travel in luxury. Cups of tea on the cruise led to a number of unauthorised toilet stops when we landed. The shameless cruise goers ventured into the sand dunes and the more civilised broke into a nearby campsite (flush toilets, yah!).
We then caught a bus that took us high up into the hills towards Manukau Heads Lighthouse. The lighthouse is Auckland's highest and most remote lighthouse and has breath taking views of the treacherous Manukau Bar- a truly romantic and spectacular place.
Our next stop was Earthtalk @ Awhitu, where we toasted our hosts, Tanya and Charmaine over morning tea before setting out on a guided tour around the diverse gardens and sculptures on the land. We were then treated to a fantastic spread of organic delights, the highlight being the amazing vegetarian mini quiches (which seriously made me rethink vegetarianism).
If you missed this alba cruise, don't despair. The cruise was so popular that we plan to organise another in the near future. Many thanks to Kathleen for organising such an amazing and diverse day and to Tanya and Charmaine for their generous hospitality. Also welcome to all the new women who attended the cruise - we look forward to seeing more and more new faces at alba this year!
Click here to view all the Cruise Photos
Nov 08
Time for a Cup of Tea and a Lie Down
Approximately 60 women turned out to alba's double billed November meeting. First up was Sarah Lambourne from WHK Gosling Chapman. Sarah is most famous in the lesbian community for running the highly successful Flirt women's evenings at Family and Naval, but she was at alba to talk to the membership about her day job, which is as a trainer and business advisor.
WHK Gosling Chapman offer free half and day long courses on a variety of subjects, including Business Start Ups, e-Commerce, Sales and Marketing. To qualify for one of these courses you must:
Be trading as a business or as a sole trader / freelancer.
Be operating for profit. Charitable Trusts are not eligible.
Be the owner, operator or manager within the small to medium enterprise.
Employ less than 50 full-time staff (Full time = 30 hours or more per week)
If you missed out on grabbing one of Sarah's brochures, or want more information, please contact Sarah on sarah.lambourne@whkgoslingchapman.com.
Next up was Carol Beu from the Women's Bookshop on Ponsonby Rd. Carol ran through her 'highly recommended' reading list for the summer, which included 'The Orphan Gunner' by Sara Knox. Set in World War II, it is the story of women pilots and a daring masquerade. Also on the list was 'The Carhullan Army' by Sarah Hall. Set in the not too distant, plausible future where global warming has raised the level of the Thames to the point where London is flooded and uninhabitable, a small group of women have fled to the hills of Cumbria to escape the Authority's repressive regime, where they form a militia.
By far the highlight of the evening was the hilarious reading by Carol and Rosemary Ronald from 'The Kiss that Counted' by Karin Kallmaker. To be honest, I remember very little of what was actually being read about, because I was, as with most of the women in the room, in stitches for the 15 minutes it took them to read through the scene. Rosemary attempting to read a butch part by lowering her voice and trying to stand staunch really needed to be seen to be believed.
During the Community Notices we were also introduced to Louisa Miller, who has started a business called The Nutty Heaven, that sells, well, nuts... Louisa endeared herself to the audience by bringing not only samples of the nuts themselves, but also some very yummy nutty treats. Her nuts are all grown organically here in New Zealand, for more information contact Louisa on loumiller@xtra.co.nz.
Oct 08
Election Warm Up
October's alba meeting took a political turn with a political panel of hopeful MP's. Labour MP and Minister of Housing, Maryan Street and Green MP Matiria Turei both spoke briefly and then answered questions from the floor. National Candidate for Auckland Central Nikki Kaye also attended the meeting briefly, but unfortunately had to leave early to attend a televised debate in Wellington.
Both Maryan and Matiria gave a brief summary of some the things their parties have done including their views on how New Zealand should respond to the current global financial crisis and the looming economic downturn that now appears inevitable. They covered a broad range of issues including economic policy, improving New Zealand's financial security and how to move from a spending to saving culture, transport, education, health, ACC, family policy, broadcasting policy and of course the environment.
Both Maryan and Matiria stressed their parties commitment to GLBT issues and their support for changes to legal protection and recognition of GLBT people over the last few terms of government. They both noted the remaining areas of reform that are still to be addressed to ensure equal treatment with heterosexual couples are in the areas of Citizenship for same sex partners and adoption, where the references to husband and wife in the current Act need to be changed to partner.
While the major parties, Labour and National are competing for both the electorate and party votes, Matiria noted that Greens are the only party to rely solely on the party vote. We were all encouraged to talk more openly about our thoughts about how we might vote and the issues that are at stake before the election, as they saw this as one way everyone could be as informed as possible. Whatever your preferred political colour, remember to vote on Saturday 8 November.
Sept 08
alba's AGM heralds an exciting year ahead
September saw alba's AGM kick another year off to an great start with a record attendance and an influx of new members. Sara, a past alba coordinator and founding member, ably chaired the meeting.
Megan gave the coordinators report and noted the work the committee had done over the last year consolidating alba to ensure we have a strong foundation to move into a new exciting phase. Megan outlined some of the plans the committee have for the year ahead including: an alba Hero event, to be announced soon; continuation of our ever popular functions the Christmas party and Mid-winter dinner, both sell out occasions; plans to rebuild our financial base, with your support, to ensure we are able to support key organisations in the lesbian community through sponsorship; a review of membership categories following consultation with members; and plans to expand our regular programme of monthly meetings by adding new elements including business networking opportunities.
The Committee for 2008/09 includes all the committee members from 2007/08 and two new members. The alba Committee for the year ahead are Wendy, Linde (Treasurer), Nancy, Kathleen, Fiona, Megan (Coordinator), Jilly, and Yvonne all returning for another year with Wilma and Liz both joining the committee.
Questions and comments were taken from among members, with some really positive suggestions made for new events and areas for alba to focus on in future. The new Committee are committed to ensuring alba meets the needs of our members and that it is relevant to women in business and those working in organisations.
Cynthia from Team Auckland Masters Swimmers, the only gay and lesbian gay squad in New Zealand, started the evening with a brief presentation of her experiences at the Gay and Out Games in Sydney (2002), Montreal (2006) and the first Asia Pacific Out Games in Melbourne earlier this year. Next year its Copenhagen or the Out games and Cologne in 2010 for the Gay games (see www.copenhagen2009.org and www.games-cologne.com for more information).
August 08
Louisa Wall - Labour MP
alba was treated to an inspiring and insightful presentation from Louisa Wall. Louisa has joined parliament in March as the newest MP for the Labour government.
Louisa Wall (Ngati Tuwahretoa, Waikato) is the eldest of four children and grew-up in Waitahanui, Taupo. Louisa graduated from Massey University, Albany with a BSW and an MPhil (Social Policy). Louisa currently is a List Member of Parliament for the New Zealand Labour Party and is a member of the Health and Justice and Electoral Select Committees. Louisa is a previous board member of Te Rapunga o Poutama Work and Educational Trust, Tamaki Pathways Trust, SPARC and ACC Maori advisory boards, Northern Ethics Committee, Te Tohu Takaaro o Aotearoa, organisers of the annual Maori Sports Awards and most recently was appointed to the Health Sponsorship Council. Louisa has also played rugby and netball for New Zealand, and as such is a passionate advocate for sport and recreation as a lifelong pursuit.
We were treated to some insights into what it is like being the newest MP in the house. Louisa described her days in parliament that start extremely early with caucus meetings, select committee hearings, question time and debates. She works late into the night either catching up on reading for the next select committee meeting or participating in the debate in the house. She also takes time to fit in an hour at the gym between 7pm and 8 pm.
Previously Louisa would have described her life as one where she was constantly shifting priorities to get things done. However her new job as an MP is even more frantic and busy than ever. She says the hardest times are when she is away from her partner and always values those times when they get to spend together. They have had two whole days together without work engagements since she started at Parliament.
She is strongly aligned to the Maori caucus and talked about the way the Maori electorate work with both the Labour Party and Maori Party. She described her self as being part of the rainbow family and is active in the rainbow caucus in Parliament.
Louisa reminded us of who voted against legislation that has addressed human rights issues for gays and lesbians. Her analysis showed that it is those that are in the left of centre alliance are more likely to vote in favour of issues that will benefit our community.
The audience were left with the impression that this woman is an emerging leader in our community that is going to go from strength to strength.
But wait there was more to the evening...
Not only did we get to hear from Louisa we were also treated to a Tango demonstration from Alison Fiddler. Alison and dance partner demonstrated two dances and talked about their new dance classes that are targeting the gay and lesbian community. You can check out their next lot of classes on their website which is www.pasionportango.com
July 08
alba≠s Annual Mid-Winter Dinner a sellout event
Over 80 women braved the cold, wild and wintry weather on Saturday 26th July for alba≠s annual mid-winter dinner at the Joy Bong restaurant. The evening started with a networking game to kick off the evening and ensured everyone managed to connect with friends old and new. A range of delectable, authentic Asian appetizers were served by the roaring fire which really helped to warm everyone up. This was followed by a fabulous banquet style dinner and desert. For those who missed out on a ticket to the dinner this year, remember to get in early for your tickets to future alba events.
June 08
Why there's not much to watch on the Telly
The Crest was a buzz at the June alba meeting when around 40-45 women gathered to enjoy good company, network and hear Harriet Crampton speak on why New Zealand gets the television that we get.
Harriet's got a neat London accent, her easy, listening style, and an openness to questions (we all have views about the telly!!). Harriet's been in New Zealand for over 20 years, and has a career in theatre, television and radio and is currently at The Radio Network. Harriet discussed the issues that television networks are facing, the charter and why reality television is here to stay. She quoted Hunter S. Thompson "television... is a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs". She considered the quote might be relevant to some parts of television production, but when you work in television drama you put your whole life's experience into it and are passionately involved in the end product.
Shortland Street was her example for this. Harriet started on the writing table - the "table of pain". Drama is about conflict, about what hasn't worked in our lives; hence that name. Those on the writing table pour out life experiences, the ghastly stuff that has happened to them and others. Harriet was proud to have contributed story lines that include the life experiences of lesbians - rows with parents, coming out stories, on-going lesbian lifestyles. The pace is hectic with a week's worth of viewing made in a week, so it can be all consuming.
NZ TV dramas, particularly Shortland Street, "have contributed massively to NZ culture". Those involved have a "sense of personal involvement, there's a significant investment of your life in it, and you work your butt off". At the same time there's the TV network side of things with its focus on audience figures.
The Charter "has imposed certain validity around NZ products on our screens" but also "has something to answer for". Harriet considers the Charter created some resentment as the shift to more NZ products was already happening. "You get the impression that the network feels it's been forced on them, and there's some crap being made, because of the focus on quantity. Drama is expensive to make." There's been a massive contribution from reality television, which isn't as expensive. But is it representative of NZ culture? Does NZ Idol say more about us than US Idol? Is it possible to make those types of shows with more of a NZ flavour? The Charter requires a commitment, and there's a temptation to do it as cheaply as possible - the love and devotion to the product can get lost in the mix.
Of course, lots of people watch TV, and there are enormous numbers watching the reality type shows. There's conflict between those who commission work who desperately want it to be good, and the programmers who by necessity want it to have an audience and so control when it goes to air. "It's hard in NZ to be able to sustain the sorts of audiences that are needed by advertisers. At the same time, the loss of the TV licence fee has meant the commercial imperatives have become more important and the environment is less forgiving".
Harriet paid tribute to some of the good telly that's on - Outrageous Fortune of course, and Intrepid Journeys with different well known Kiwis. In response to questions she agreed we often see the same actors, as there is security for an audience in knowing what you are going to get, which can be important in a difficult environment. Harriet also pointed out that advertisers have adapted to creating adverts that work well when muted, and have an advantage in that agencies prefer the TV medium. As to videos, she commented there's a place for being surprised and that that element is lost when young people choose to programme their own entertainment via You Tube and ipods. She was positive about Maori TV which one woman indicated as her single viewing preference.
As to radio, Harriet commented that NZ on Air forced a 20% NZ music quota on to radio, which has contributed to both local and world acceptance of Kiwi music, for example Fat Freddy's Drop. It can be hard to find the ongoing point of difference in radio content - the same music is available anywhere. "Content is king on radio, it's what keeps us relevant - maintaining the surprise element is paramount."
A big thanks to Harriet for a great talk and discussion. Thanks too from the alba committee to all the women giving feedback about the new look alba and website.
Stunning launch night for a revived alba
"We're in the pink" - 14 May 2008
We asked you and you came!! Between 60-70 women joined us to celebrate the launch of alba's new look - a new logo and a new website.
The pink theme carried the day. Women arrived wearing a variety of pinks in diverse places and ways... Plus there were pink balloons, candles, pink notices, pink membership forms, free pink drinks...
The new logo and website are stunningly powerfully pink. This was pink liberation!!
What a great evening. This was the start the newly revived alba was looking for. It certainly reflected alba's new byline: More than just a business organisation.
There were new and old faces, the Crest had a real buzz, and there was lots of networking. Women arrived wearing in your face pink, you'll have to search for me pink, shining pink, sedate pink, flippant pink, subtle pink!!
The new logo with the two "a"s in alba sporting a woman's symbol and the new website in shocking pink supported by red and purple went down a treat. Bright, bold, clear. No shrinking violets here!! You can even fill out a membership form on line on this website, and pay separately using internet banking (or you can post a cheque).
Having a survey on the launch night was very popular - 38 (non committee) women filled it in and there are some great ideas. What's below gives a flavour of the survey responses.
27 women are open to having people who are not lesbian speaking at alba. 20 of these women are open to having gay men, bisexuals, straight women, straight men and transgendered people speak. 14 others are ok with some groups. Nine women are against having non lesbians speak.
A number of women while being open to other groups, are concerned to ensure that if possible a lesbian speaker be chosen, and that if speakers from other groups are chosen, that they be sensitive to their lesbian audience and respectful of lesbians. There were over 15 names of possible speakers given (though very few had contact information). The committee is hoping women will get used to using the website email - to provide names of possible speakers, give feedback, etc.
No-one would leave alba if there are non lesbian speakers; 14-16 may not attend that meeting, five might attend and express their concerns. A further 20 did not respond to the question (but had indicated openness to other groups); one woman added her own option - "that of learning something from my being uncomfortable." Further information about the survey results can be found on the website.
The committee agrees alba's point of difference is that alba is lesbian, and that there are very few times and spaces for lesbians to be in lesbian only settings. The committee is committed to alba as a lesbian organisation, and will continue to look first and foremost to the lesbian community for speakers. We appreciate the suggestions made for possible speakers in the survey. This will hopefully help secure lesbian speakers for alba events for a long while to come. We have women willing to coach and/or support those who volunteer as speakers or panel members.
The committee takes the feedback given seriously. We're hopeful speaking slots can be filled by lesbians. But if not, and at some stage in the future we were to ask a speaker who is not lesbian to speak, we would clearly indicate this in publicity material, and ensure their topic is one that is of keen interest to lesbians. We'd also seek to ensure any such speaker is inclusive in their approach and respectful of lesbians and lesbian space.
alba would like to thank quite a few women for their help in getting us to the launch: Sue Hart at Caravan Creative for the new logo design; Gay Hamilton at Brazen Image for the website design; Dianne from Soar Printing for design & production of the alba business cards and membership forms; Sara Donaghey for valuable input into the alba herstory Kathleen edited; and Robyn Hill for assisting alba to get access to our domain address from Free Parking.
Finally to the alba team who worked on the launch - Megan, Fiona, Jilly and Nancy with Wendy on venue - congratulations and a big thank you.
alba May 08 Survey Results and alba's response
The material below is organised as follow:
1. Key messages from the alba committee in response to the survey
2. Summary of the 14 May 2008 alba survey results
3. More information about the May 2008 alba Survey Results
1. The alba committee's response to the survey:
- We are committed to maintaining alba as a lesbian organisation. Being a lesbian organisation is alba's point of difference, and we want that!!
- We really appreciate the women who took part in the survey. Thank you very much - we appreciated your enthusiasm for the task and the feedback.
- We are committed to looking first and foremost to the lesbian community for speakers for alba meetings.
- We appreciate the suggestions made for possible speakers in the survey. This will hopefully help us secure lesbian speakers for alba events for a long while to come.
- We are very willing to coach and/or support those who volunteer as speakers or panel members (and we also have another volunteer).
- If we ask a speaker who is not lesbian to speak at an alba meeting, we will clearly indicate this in the publicity material, and ensure their topic is one that is of keen interest to lesbians. We will also seek to ensure such speakers are inclusive in their approach and respectful of lesbians and lesbian space.
- We need the ongoing input of alba members if we are to be successful in the ongoing search for lesbian speakers, and for ideas for lesbian events. This also means members continuing to give names and contact details of possible speakers to the committee - and thinking about whether you would be willing to be a speaker or on a panel. Use the email link on the website to give us your suggestions and feedback.
2. Survey summary:
- A majority of women - 27 out of 38 - are open to having people who are not lesbian speaking at alba.
- 20 of these women are open to having gay men, bisexuals, straight women, straight men and transgendered people speak at alba. 14 others are ok with some groups, with the least chosen group among the 14 being straight men (o) and the most chosen group being gay men (5½).
- A minority - 9 women or around 20-25% - are against having non lesbians speak at alba; however 5 of these women also indicated some openness by choosing to include some groups in Q2. This group of women considers alba's point of difference is that it is lesbian, and that there are very few times and spaces for lesbians to be in lesbian only settings.
- A number of women while being open to other groups, are concerned to ensure that if possible a lesbian speaker be chosen, and that if speakers from other groups are chosen, that they be sensitive to their lesbian audience and respectful of lesbians.
- There were over 19 names of possible speakers given, but very few with contact information.
- If there are non lesbian speakers, no-one indicated they would leave alba; 14-16 may not attend that meeting, five might attend and express their concerns. A further 20 did not respond to the question (but had indicated an openness to other groups) or considered the question not applicable, while one woman added her own option - "that of learning something from my being uncomfortable."
- It is not known whether the openness or concern about having non lesbian speakers is a reflection of age, socio-economic status etc as no questions were asked about this; nor were women asked if they were alba members.
3. The questions and summary of responses can be found in the Survey Results PDF document.
April 08
Some Really Cool Stuff your Council does
alba's April meeting saw Sue Bidrose, Director Strategic Performance at Waitakere City Council, provide a lively and entertaining account of the really cool stuff your council does, that we either often forget, or just haven't been told. Sue is a recent convert to local government, being wooed to join Waitakere a few years ago by Ann Magee. Sue's professional background has been wide and varied working in the not for profit sector in areas of drug and alcohol treatment, and rape crisis, studied psychotherapy and counselling and then psychology at Uni and then moving to central government working in research and policy roles with Ministry of Social Development. She is so obviously passionate about the special role of local government for communities and local people's lives that she can't see herself going back to central government.
Sue explained the value for money she considers ratepayers get for their rates bill, by comparing the value for money and range of services received by two big bills, the average power bill of $160 per month which you get power and perhaps gas provided, or for the same price each month, a mere average $160 per month rates/water bill residents get, or have access to, the full range of councils services including storm water and sewage taken away, your rubbish and recycling collected weekly, local parks bought and maintained, local roads and footpaths maintained, community centres bought and maintained, libraries with their books and computers, growth management for a sustainable city, stadiums, pools, museums, zoo, dog and noise control, support for community organisations, advocacy to government , graffiti removal - the list goes on. Sue is so passionate about the great things councils do she reckons they should be advertising this stuff so everyone actually knows where their rates bill goes.
Sue also talked about Council's role in urban growth management, including urban intensification, She thinks this whole concept is poorly understood, but really important for all of us to understand. The Auckland region is one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities in the southern hemisphere, in the next 20 years about 400,000 new people are expected to live in Auckland, that's the whole population of Wellington and Dunedin, coming to live in Auckland!.
Where will all those people go and how can they be accommodated without using up all the productive farmland and greenspace, like the Waitakere Ranges or Hunuas, around Auckland? That is where urban growth management, and intensification in 'key centres' comes in. The Auckland Regional Council and all the city and district Councils in Auckland have signed up to Metropolitan Urban Limits that put a boundary of urban growth to protect farmland and greenspace and help focus new development in areas close to good public transport. By accommodating growth in this way, it will help us move to a more sustainable city. This will mean a change to the way some of us live with more apartments and townhouses.
A good example is New Lynn, one of the growth centres identified in the regional growth plan. Over the next 20 years New Lynn will have more apartments close to the rail station and a vibrant commercial centre. There are likely to be 20,000 new residents and 14,000 new jobs, a new underground rail station. The art of city and regional planning is to make sure that these new apartments and townhouses are done well, are pleasant and easy places to live and meet the needs of communities and individuals and provide high quality urban environments. These changes will see more people living and working in local centres like New Lynn. Other areas of urban growth out west include Ranui and Glen Eden.
Sue sees the future out west as positive, is obviously committed to council's roles in helping to make Waitakere and the whole of Auckland a more sustainable and fabulous place to live, a pace that recognises and celebrates its diversity.
March 08
STUNNING FIRST NIGHT FOR alba AT OUR NEW VENUE - THE CREST
The alba meeting on Wednesday 12 March was a great start at the new venue, upstairs at The Crest. Around 30 women turned up despite having only two days email notice of the change in day and venue. We also had a special treat in the form of two games devised by Megan and Nancy. The Grid, a sort of meet-the folks type of Bingo, got everyone buzzing. Rosemary had the best memory for details and won the bottle of wine - though there were others who were close to finishing the puzzle. Congratulations Rosemary.
We've had really positive feedback about the new venue - about the seating along the walls, the spaciousness of the room, the stage which means it's easy to see the speaker, being up one floor and able to look out over K Road, and the separate outdoor space that's enclosed by adjacent buildings and surrounded by a green wall of ivy.
We're chuffed that alba is now back to its traditional second Wednesday of the month meeting. GALS women, we're hopeful we'll see you back!! And that others will choose to join us, at what looks like becoming the new gay venue in Auckland. (We've heard that GABA and Flirt have followed in our footsteps and headed to the Crest.)
Actually, the fact that the March alba meeting happened at all was a small miracle - or a series of them. So some thank yous.
First off, thanks to Fran Hazid for noticing that Diablo's had closed and getting in touch with Linde, just a week out from the meeting. Thanks too to Megan and Wendy - a great mix of the old and new alba team! - for finding and arranging for this venue. And finally thanks to The Crest for being willing to take us on at such short notice.
If you're wondering where The Crest is, it's easy to find. It's the old Family & Naval Hotel on the corner of K Road and Pitt Street. To find alba simply walk west of the K Road corner, and you'll see a separate entrance - a hallway leading upstairs. Head upstairs one floor and alba's to the right. So don't bother to go into the ground floor public bar - that's not it!!
As for parking, there are a number of options. K Road itself often has parking between the motorway overbridge and Pitt St. Or there's Beresford St pay-&-display. At the bottom of Beresford St, on Hopetoun St there's parking that's free after 6pm. Alternatively, there's the Mercury Lane carpark. Or you could walk or bus or get a ride with a friend...
We're still hoping that we can retrieve the alba sign from the Diablo owner's lockup, and have it out on the K Road footpath. Regardless, we'll have some signage at the door and at the bottom of the stairs - and may like last time, have a couple of women to welcome you. We apologise to anyone we don't have an email address for, and so who might have gone to Diablo's for the last meeting. The email list needs some updating, so now that we have a venue we'll be updating your details on the night.
Feb 08
Heroes Out West and other lesbian venues over the years
alba got off to a great start for 2008 with Cissy Rock, one of six women who have been the driving force behind Heroes Out West held on Sunday 17 February at the Falls Park.
Cissy talked about why it was time for a Hero event out west. She first set the scene by facilitating a reminiscence of fabulous lesbian venues over the last three decades, drawing on the spectrum of experience among the alba members and friends at the February meeting. First up, were venues from the late 70s including the KG Club - Lindsey Rea recalled being on the door and over 300 women regularly packed in. Rosemary Ronald's House was another gathering place. Other popular venues were the Alex, the Shakespeare, and the Empire on Victoria St, where the very young Topp Twins sang. There was also the Customs St coffee bar, in those days ahead of its time.
Lesbian gathering places in the 1980s included the Mamata Bakery on Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn, established and operated by 5 lesbians for over 12 years. The bakery is still an institution, despite changing hands several years ago. Once the sun went down pool and dancing could be had at The Midnight Club, open 7 days a week, with Dahlia and Raewyn on the bar.
The 1990s had the Phoenix Club, Sinners, The Staircase, Kamo and Surrender Dorothy. The naughties (2000 and on) have seen Katz and Flirt as venues. Other fabulous gathering places include alba of course, the Wild Women retreat and Rainbow Weekend at Whatipu, and more recently the annual lesbian Hero event The D-Thing at the Marco Trust.
But until now, for those of us out west, the most consistent lesbian gathering place appeared to be Henderson Pak'N'Save. Cissy and a few others thought it was high time the west was reclaimed as a safe place for lesbians and time to show a visible lesbian presence out west, as Cissy and others realised that the heroes of the west are just not well known or visible. So Heroes Out West was born: a sophisticated event providing a counterpoint to the bogan image of the west.
However, there have been hurdles. The Heroes Out West event itself has had to overcome what could be construed as homophobic responses, one over the venue and 5 of the 6 billboards being vandalised. But the show must go on and after regrouping and finding a new location at the Falls Park the Heroes Out West event went ahead on Sunday 17th February. It was a fabulous success, with over 200 Waitakere lesbians and their friends enjoying an evening of entertainment.
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