John Lyttle goes gay

Now in its fifth year, Pink Angel Day is another of those popular gay events that the mainstream media routinely ignores, despite a swinging three-day spread of Islington and Hackney-based events - everything from high-camp jumble sales to a Celebrity Gay Question Time and The Absolutely Fabulous Garden Fete - as well as the sort of charitable credentials (money to Stonewall, the Ian Charleson Centre and the Mildmay hospice) that usually guarantee column inches and friendly local TV coverage. Indeed, Carlton hasn't even had the good sense to exploit the unfortunate overlap between Pink Angel Day and Soho's Pink Weekend (now its in second year) for drama or laughs, though they'll probably send a camera to capture the Soho Sunday carnival. All those crazy queens in costume; it'll brighten up a slow news day, won't it?

Actually, regardless of sexual orientation, both operations offer a great way of spending what might otherwise be a wet and dull Bank Holiday. The Soho Pink Weekend kicks off tonight at 8pm with free booze courtesy of drag goddess Regina Fong, who'll be roaming around the district commandeering bars and cafes galore, and ends with the aforementioned carnival on Sunday afternoon. Pink Angel Day (Saturday) opens with a slave auction (no credit cards, please) at the Edward VI pub and draws to a peaceful close at the Duke of Wellington on Monday with a Beach Party - flip flops optional. In between, a good time will be had by all. Be there or be forced to pretend you've been on honeymoon, courtesy of the BBC.

Soho Pink Weekend (info line 071-436 2468); Pink Angel Day (info line 071-275 8359)