Bestival Puts the BI and the G in Bingo

Whilst the British weather may have let us down so far this summer, festival-goers across the UK have been putting on a
brave face (along with their wellies) regardless, and getting their fix at a number of events. Music lovers have been rocking out at Reading, getting their groove on at Glastonbury, and doing the air guitar at Download, although sadly, the cancelled festival at Creamfields was more a case of Mudflats, and party animals were prematurely sent packing.

Camp camping!

As any self-respecting festival fan will know, a big part of the music festival experience is the camping. Well, this year, one of the UK’s most fun-packed summertime shows is taking camping it up to a whole new level, with the return of their Gay Bingo event. Bestival is once again proving that bingo’s for trannies, not just for grannies, as they bring this increasingly-popular phenomenon to the music-loving masses. Party-goers will be put through their paces by popular drag artist, Jonny Woo, who knows exactly how to call 63 – Queen B.

If this is the first time you’ve heard of Bestival, let us tell you a bit more about it. It’s a three-day ‘boutique’ festival that takes place annually on the Isle of Wight. Tents come ready-pitched, the country park setting guarantees virtually no mud, and the unappetising but unavoidable porta-loo experience is a thing of the past thanks to the line-up of pay-as-you-go ‘Comfy Crappers’. Top headline acts wow the crowds, alongside film screenings, quizzes, fancy dress competitions, and comedians, and the atmosphere is all about fun and fabulousness.

Top Bands & unusual tents – thank God!

This year’s event will take place between 6^th and 9^th September 2012, and will feature musical highlights from Steve Wonder, New Order, and Florence and the Machine among others. In between sets, revellers can drop by for a gossip in the WI Tea Tent, say a little prayer for you in the Church tent, solve the murder-mystery at the sleep-over Slumbarave, and even compete in the Village Olympics, where prizes can be won for stiletto hurling, and creating works of art with a paint-firing cannon. If you’re batty about table-tennis, then you’ll love Ping Tron; players can immerse themselves in a unique UV-lit ping-pong arena that will have you feeling like you’ve been dropped straight into the inside of a computer, like the hit 80’s movie, Tron.

Wildlife themed partying

2012 sees a Wildlife theme being introduced, so visitors are encouraged to unleash their inner animals and dress to impress, with the festival site (known as Robin Hill) being given a jungle-style make-over.

Welcome to Gay Bingo

All that excitement aside, however, what we’re most excited about is the Gay Bingo! Call us biased, but it is our favourite game after all, and the idea has got us in such a spin that we can’t even think straight. This interactive event has got more balls than a Slazenger factory, and will have players in stitches with its novel blend of performance, drinking, dancing and bingo playing. Don’t expect to find your win congratulated with a WTG or a WD; oh no, winners can expect to be heckled and pelted with bingo cards in a volley of fast, furious and fun games, where the competition errs on the side of unhealthy and dabbers will be armed and dangerous. Bestival’s much-loved Jonny Woo will lead the mischief as he comes up with saucy bingo calls, and encourages dancing and sing-alongs, to create the ultimate bingo experience. There’s bound to be plenty of Legs Eleven, Dancing Queen and Dirty Gertie for your delectation, which even (52) Danny Le Rue would be proud of!

If you’re sobbing into your hankie because you can’t make this year’s Bestival, don’t despair. Jonny Woo and his trusty sidekicks can be found putting the BI and the G into bingo at events around London, and are regularly in demand at many of the UK’s major music festivals.

It’s not just us Brits who’re getting into Gay Bingo either; it’s a much-loved sport in the good old US of A, with cities such as Philadelphia, Dallas, Cincinnati, and Seattle hosting regular events to raise money for AIDS charities.

Proving its versatility, timeless appeal, and ability to adapt for the next generation, bingo is firmly here to stay in our hearts and minds. If you’re looking for a party with a difference this September, choosing to visit Bestival could be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. So whether you’re male, female, transgender, gay, straight, or bi, don’t forget to dig out those dancing shoes and make a date with Jonny Woo for a wham bam thank you glam session of Gay Bingo this September!