New high at Homotopia; Out & About.

Byline: Andy Green 

THIS year's Homotopia saw record audiences attending the city's festival of gay culture.

More than 12,000 people turned out for the month-long series of theatre, art and debate that included over 50 events and featured gay icons such as Holly Woodlawn, April Ashley and David Hoyle.

Council leader Warren Bradley says: "Homotopia has been a great cultural success story and, this year, has made a major contribution to our Capital of Culture programme. The increased numbers attending its events is confirmation that it is an established highlight of Liverpool's cultural calendar and has brought 'gay culture' into the mainstream."

Here's to many more years of Homotopia, it's a festival of which we can all be very proud.

IT'S G-Bar's belated birthday bash this weekend.

Tonight is a G-Bar classics night hosted by Whitney with guest DJ Isobel Pearson from 10pm-5am.

Tomorrow sees the start of Federation's residency at the Eberle Street club. There'll be dancers, DJs and trannies from Federation as well as G-Bar regularsWhitney, Sian, John Cotton and Neil James

Saturday also sees the re-opening of the G-Bar members lounge, where they'll be serving cocktails and high-end drinks to their more discerning clients, whilst a pianist plays everything from classical music to the Beatles.

JUST as there are new clubs springing up in town, there are now gay nights popping up out in the sticks.

First off, there's a new gay night at the George pub on St Mary's Road in Garston on December 12 from 8pm 'til you drop. There'll be a trannie DJ, karaoke and cheap drinks. It's a trial run and, if successful, there'll be many more.

Over the water there are a couple of new nights too. Gayliscious at Bam Buddah Lounge in Birkenhead takes place every Monday from 9.30pm - 4am. Entry is pounds 5 and there's a strict door policy of no sportswear. Over in Hoylake there's Passion@Eskimo Bar that launched on Wednesday at the town's funkiest cocktail bar. Eskimo is easy to get to, being next to the old town hall and very close to Hoylake station.

You can contact Out & About by calling Andy on 07768 516901 or andy@gay liverpool.com