UncategorizedTHE BEARY BEST OF 2012

THE BEARY BEST OF 2012

XXL owner Mark Ames and DJs Christian M and Joe Egg share their recollections of a busy year in bear-land…

 


Mark Ames
Promoter

The biggest nights are not always what sticks in my mind as the best… it’s the beariest ones that do! And that I love. They are normally just before, or just after, a massive event. Although every week is big, there’s something about a room of hirsute heavy-set hunks that just makes me happy.

The vibe is just pure fun and up, which makes me proud that no longer does the gay scene see getting old or being fat as a problem, but as a way to go and become happy individuals, not depressed or ashamed at the fact we all grow older, but the realisation that life is about self-worth and esteem and having fun with moments that are etched in the faces and eyes of my customers.

It’s like seeing a child, free, happy and enjoying life.

However, the closing night at Arcadia and the opening at Pulse will forever be milestones for me as are the birthdays and New Year’s party, but those are ‘happenings’ as a good friend once said. XXL for me is about every person that stops being a stereotype – bears included – and becomes themselves, like someone coming out a ‘second closet’.

It’s about finding freedom and self-love, and realising none of us are perfect, but this here is perfectly good for me and you! XXL is about raising your own self-esteem, and others around you, and not following the heard but saying damn… it’s party time!

Away from XXL, my favourite memory of 2012 is the Paralympics. I hated the adverts for it, but I loved the sentiment.

 


DJ Christian M

My favorite XXL memory of 2012 would have to be the 12th Birthday. It was the busiest night and atmosphere was superb. We’d also just had the new lighting rig installed, which completely transformed the main room into something really special.

My favorite non-XXL memory was most definitely the Olympics. I felt really proud of what our country had achieved.

 


DJ Joe Egg 

My favourite XXL memory is having four creaking podiums crammed with bears winding and grinding to ‘Oliver Twist’. The Donna Summer tribute night was pretty special too!

Both me and the DJ Joe Pop have a lot in common – same beard, same birthday, too [December 16th]. And this year we were both given lovely surprise parties; I have always dreamed of a surprise party and this year my dream finally came true!

 


• XXL is at Pulse (1 Invicta Place, Southbank, SE1 9UF)
• Saturday 29th is XXL Retrospective. 10pm–7am. Members £8, non members £15.
• Monday 31st is XXL NYE MMXIII. 8pm-9am. £18 advance members, £26 advance guests, MOTD.

 

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