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Let’s hear it for Charlie!

Humanists will be celebrating Darwin Day in February – marking the birth of Charles Darwin on 12 February 1809.

Among the celebrations in the UK will be the Darwin Day Lecture on 11 February, chaired by God Delusion author and biologist Professor Richard Dawkins, with Professor Sir David King, former government chief scientist, on “Can British Science Rise to the Challenges of the 21st Century?”.

And on 19 March, the globetrotting philosopher and humanist Daniel Dennett will speak on “A Darwinian Perspective on Religions: Past, Present and Future”. Both events are being organised jointly by the British Humanist Association and the South Place Ethical Society at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London.

Meanwhile, an MP – Ashok Kumar – wants Darwin Day to be a public holiday, and has tabled an Early Day Motion to that effect.

Gay men in conversation

18 February 2009 at 7.30 p.m.; £45 – includes three courses and wine

Entertaining and meaningful conversations for sociable and inquiring gay men within the dramatic surroundings of Konstam at the Prince Albert (designed by Thomas Heatherwick).

“This is a chance for strangers to come together to have their minds tickled, exercised and expanded by others,” say the organisers. “All that is required is a willingness to lay aside inhibitions and explore experiences, ideas, regrets and aspirations.”

There will be a “conversation menu” to help ensure strangers enjoy rich and memorable conversations.

“The School of Life is a new cultural enterprise based in central London offering intelligent instruction on how to lead a fulfilled life. It offers evening and weekend courses, holidays to unexpected locations, stigma-free psychotherapy, secular sermons, conversation meals, a floating faculty of experts and a new kind of literary consultancy service called bibliotherapy.”

All meals take place at Konstam at the Prince Albert. Meals are £45, which includes three courses and wine. To book, call 020 7833 1010 or email: info@theschooloflife.com.

For more information about the School of Life, contact Nazneen Nawaz at Colman Getty (020 7631 2666; email: nazneen@colmangetty.co.uk).

The School of Life, 70 Marchmont Street, London WC1N 1AB (020 7833 1010; email: info@theschooloflife.com).

Proud to be gay?

Proud, a comedy written by John Stanley; directed by Christian Durham.

Tom has always commemorated the bombing of the Admiral Duncan as a single man. But this year? With young, 2012 boxing hopeful Lewis in his life? It’s going to be different. But with Lewis about to turn 18 and his mother, naturally, wanting to celebrate with family and friends, things begin to get complicated. For a start, has Lewis been honest with everyone? And, will those who matter understand why the truth is something he sees no reason to shout about?

This is a modern comedy of manners that asks if there’s still a reason for being “Proud” to be gay in the world of today.

Proud premiers on 8 April, at the New Wimbledon Studio as part of the Fresh Ideas Season 2009, before moving to Above the Stag Theatre on 14 April. Full details, including dates, times, ticket prices and booking information follow below.

Venue

New Wimbledon Studio, 103 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1QG

Performances

Wednesday, 8 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m.

Thursday, 9 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m.

Friday, 10 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m.

Saturday, 11 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m.

Tickets

£10.00 (£7.50 concessions)

Advance ticket booking

Box office: 0870 060 6646

General enquiries: 020 8545 7900

Website: www.theambassadors.com/wimbledonstudio

Venue

Above the Stag Theatre

15 Bressenden Place, Victoria, London SW1E 5DD

Performances

Tuesday, 14 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £9.00

Wednesday, 15 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £9.00

Thursday, 16 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £9.00

Friday, 17 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £9.00

Saturday, 18 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £9.00

Sunday, 19 April 2009 – no performance

Monday, 20 April 2009 – no performance

Tuesday, 21 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Wednesday, 22 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Thursday, 23 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Friday, 24 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Saturday, 25 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Sunday, 26 April 2009 – no performance

Monday, 27 April 2009 – no performance

Tuesday, 28 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Wednesday, 29 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Thursday, 30 April 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – all tickets £12.00 (benefit night in aid of the charity Positive East)

Friday, 1 May 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Saturday, 2 May 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Sunday, 3 May 2009 – no performance

Monday, 4 May 2009 – no performance

Tuesday, 5 May 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Wednesday, 6 May 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Thursday, 7 May 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Friday, 8 May 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Saturday, 9 May 2009, at 7.45 p.m. – tickets £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Tickets

Week 1: all tickets £9.00

Weeks 2–4: £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

Advance ticket booking

Box office: 0844 478 0030

Website: www.abovethestag.com

Click here for more information.

Women, sex and sharia

In aid of International Women’s Day, a symbolic demonstration will be held on 7 March from 3.30 to 4.30 p.m. in the Northern Terrace of Trafalgar Square, then a march from 4.30 to 5.30 p.m. from there to Conway Hall. The events will end with a public meeting entitled “Sharia Law, Sexual Apartheid and Women’s Rights” from 6 to 8 p.m. The panel of speakers will include the political activist Maryam Namazie; Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, the journalist and chairperson of the British Muslims for Secular Democracy; Naser Khader, the founder of Democratic Muslims; Gina Khan, a spokesperson for the One Law for All campaign; Kenan Malik, a writer and broadcaster; Fariborz Pooya, the chairperson of the Iranian Secular Society and of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain; and Carla Revere, the chairperson of the Lawyers’ Secular Society.

Conway Hall is at 25 Red Lion Square WC1R 4RL (the nearest Underground station is Holborn).

Education: our right

Stonewall’s Welsh arm, Stonewall Cymru, is holding an event in March aimed at making all areas of education “safe and welcoming for LGB people”.

It’s part of the group’s annual conference, and will be held in Venue Cymru, Llandudno, on the 28th.

Organisers say, “This is a great opportunity for you to learn about LGB issues in education and get your voice heard; to celebrate successes organisations have already had; hear from other organisations and to learn practical skills to make a difference for LGB people in Wales.”

Click here for more information.

What’s your story?

Readers can earn $25 to $1,000 for a personal story. Spiral River Productions is seeking stories for a book and is conducting a writing contest. Although it’s based in the USA, submissions are invited from all countries. The purpose of the book, says Spiral River Productions, is to reflect the authentic lives of LGBT people all over the world.

“Stories should be inspirational, true and about people exhibiting the noble qualities of humanity, like kindness, generosity, authenticity, caring, humor, friendship, love, courage, sharing, learning a life lesson, growing, overcoming obstacles, living fully or having great faith,” the organiser says.

You can get more information about the contest here. Stories (300–1,500 words) are due by 31 March 2009.

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