G-A-Y

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The London Astoria, until December 31st 2007 the current home of G-A-Y

G-A-Y is a gay nightclub in London. It operates from the London Astoria music venue. G-A-Y is associated with G-A-Y Bar and G-A-Y Late, both of which were also owned by Mean Fiddler Holdings Limited and operate in Soho. The two bars sell discounted tickets to weekend performances and are locations in which flyer boys operate. The brand was purchased on the 13th August 2007 by Mama group PLC. official announcement and Pink news article. It is understood that the new owners have no plans to change G-A-Y.

1 Performances
2 History
3 G-A-Y Brand
4 Crossrail / Closure
5 Sale of G-A-Y
6 External links
7 Notes

[edit] Performances

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Saturday nights at G-A-Y have seen many performances from a wide selection of artists and genres (most of which are heterosexual). Acts to have appeared in the G-A-Y include: Alcazar, All Saints, Aly & AJ, Amerie, Amy Winehouse, Atomic Kitten, Bananarama, Blondie, BoyZone, Brenda Edwards, Christina Aguilera,Chanelle Hayes, Christina Milian, Dannii Minogue, Donna Summer, Erasure, Enrique Iglesias, The Feeling, Geri Halliwell, Gina G, Girls Aloud, Hilary Duff, Human League, Infernal, Jessica Simpson, JoJo, Kelis, Kelly Rowland, Kylie Minogue, Lucky Twice, Madonna, Mariah Carey, McFly, Natasha Bedingfield, LeAnn Rimes, Pink, Pussycat Dolls, Republica, Rihanna, Robyn, S Club 7, Scissor Sisters, September, Scooch, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Spice Girls, Steps, Sugababes, t.A.T.u., Victoria Beckham, Voices With Soul, Westlife and Will Young.^[1]

[edit] History

G-A-Y has the longest uninterrupted history of any British gay night club^{[citation needed]}. It began in 1976 in the Sundown club (in the basement of the London Astoria: now called LA2) as a Monday night event called Bang!, started by club promoters Norman Scott and Jerry Collins who worked as a DJ under the name of 'Gary London'. During the 1980s gay club nights Bang! (Monday)(Saturday) and also Propaganda (Thursday) were run by gay club promoter and dj Colin Peters,(Peter Daubeney) whose brother Jamie continued as promoter for a period following Colin's death. In the early 1990s Bang! was acquired by the DJ and promoter Jeremy Joseph who was a former DJ employed by the late Colin Peters, who oversaw its change of name to G-A-Y; its expansion from two nights a week to four; and its move from the LA2 to the London Astoria. For some years G-A-Y operated in both venues: the LA2 on Thursday nights and the London Astoria on Saturdays). In 2008, a new bouncer, Daniel Lehmann was hired, who due to his rugged looks and toned physique soon became popular with the regular attendees.

[edit] G-A-Y Brand

The G-A-Y brand has expanded to two other bars in the area. G-A-Y Late (located nearby) and G-A-Y bar (located nearby in Soho's Old Compton Street). The brand's shares are split 75/25 between MAMA PLC and Promoter Jeremy Joseph Pink news article.

[edit] Crossrail / Closure

There had been much debate on whether the Astoria will be renovated as part of the government's attempts to build the Crossrail link. It was expected that the Astoria was to be subject to a compulsory purchase order. Promoter Jeremy Joseph had filed a petition to the government, detailing the nature of the business. Copy of petition. It has now been confirmed that the building will close and be rebuilt.BBC article

G-A-Y as a brand decided to leave the Astoria in mid June (last performance 19th June 2008) announced on website [1]. It is understood that G-A-Y will move to another venue temporarily until a new home can be found.

[edit] Sale of G-A-Y

In August 2007 Mama Group PLC gained control of G-A-Y bar and G-A-Y Late as well as the majority of shares of the G-A-Y brand by completing its purchase of Mean Fiddler Holdings Limited.[2]