Lavender Nights Raises Funds for London Charity Positive East

A year and a half ago, benefit revue Lavender Nights raised £1,400 for London charity Positive East in a sold-out evening of cabaret, burlesque and comedy. For its second coming on June 24^th, host and producer Champagne Charlie is aiming at £2,000.

Cabaret crooner Champagne Charlie hosts benefit variety show Lavender Nights

“Positive East does incredible work right on our door step,” says Charlie, a Walthamstow resident. “It is important to raise the profile of the charity and the public’s awareness of its existence.”

Positive East gives HIV-positive Londoners free advice on health and housing benefits, as well as increased access to professional training. In 2011, the charity helped 1,500 service users to access a total of £939,274 in benefits.

Burlesque singer Lili La Scala is one of the many acts confirmed for Lavender Nights

Cabaret performer Champagne Charlie is known for hosting weekly show Trash Tuesday at Cellar Door. Artists already confirmed for Lavender Nights include award-winning comic David Mills, stage magician Dee Riley and singing burlesque performer Lili La Scala. All proceeds will be donated to Positive East.

The event is playing once more at Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Pub, a studio theatre hosting frequent musicals by resident company All Star Productions. Recent shows at the Walthamstow venue include Wag: The Musical and The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Champagne Charlie’s Lavender Nights returns to Ye Olde Rose and Crowne Theatre Pub in Walthamstow on Sunday, June 24^th, 19:30. Tickets cost £12. Get them in advance from www.ticketsource.co.uk/positiveeast

Find out more about Positive East’s work with HIV-positive Londoners on www.positiveeast.org.uk

Photos courtesy of the artists