Playtime

BOYS

BLOW ME
The Blow Waves are back in Sydney for a hot and sweaty free show at the Supper Club on Oxford St for Mardi Gras. Immersed in dirty synths, melodic harmonies, guitar-driven riffs and penetrating hooks, the band has a reputation for outrageous stage performances. They play, with support from DJ Lovertits, at the Supper Club on March 1.
info: www.poloandsupper.com.au
BOY BINGO
Bingo v2.0 – The Seedy Underworld of Subculture and Sex by Numbers is a series of artworks by Scott Elk dealing with his experiences as a a young gay man exploring sexuality through various subcultures or scenes. It comes from a deep love of vintage porn. At times it’s dark, cheap and dirty, but always engaging, with an intense raw sexual energy. It’s running until Febuary 28 at Urban Uprising, 314 Crown St, Surry Hills.
GLOVE OF LOVE
For one night only, ‘Melbourne’s Leather Comedian’ Dean Arcuri goes from Melbourne to Mardi Gras as he descends on ‘Syn City’ with his cabaret show, To Sir With Glove. Watch Arcuri sing up a storm as a cast of characters explore their inner desires, taking cabaret to a whole new level – straight to the dungeon. It’s on Wednesday, March 3 at the Supper Club. Tickets through Moshtix and mardigras.org.au
MEET FRANCOIS
Super-hot French porn star François Sagat is coming to Sydney! You can get up close and personal with the hung hunk at a cocktail reception at the Oxford Hotel on March 4, plus a public appearance at Saddle Bar the following night. There’ll be opportunities to shake hands and get a photo with the TitanMen stud on both nights.

CLUBS

DRAG AT MIDNIGHT
Tuesdays at Midnight Shift are home to So You Think You Can Drag 3. That’s right, the popular drag competition is back with everyone’s favourite diva, Tora Hymen. Bring your fave CD and your frock and drag away for a chance to win $1000 cash prize plus a whole lot of goodies including a pampering package from Star Shots. Email [email protected] to register.
RAYDAR
DJs Mike Kelly (Germany), Seymour Butz, Matt Vaughan, Lovertits, Sex Azza Weapon and Dcon are all on the bill at the latest Raydar party, Thursday, February 25 from 9pm-4am. Tickets are $10/15. 202 Broadway, entry via laneway next to Lansdowne. info: www.raydar.com.au
SALVATION
Salvation comes to Arq on Sunday, February 28 with a massive DJ line-up including DJ Miswhite and James W direct from the UK, Greg Boladian, Jimmy Dee, Dan Murphy, Sandi Hotrod and Rob Davis. Doors open 9pm, with $25. Pre-sale tickets available from the venue and selected outlets. info: www.arqsydney.com.au
POST-PARADE PARTY
Slide on Oxford St is open all night after the Mardi Gras parade on February 27, 4pm-4am. $10 entry after 10pm. Watch the parade from the comfort of the bar on a 4×3 metre big screen, or dance along to resident DJ Kitty Glitter. And check out the new LED dance floor! info: www.slide.com.au
GET LOOSE
Loose Ends at Phoenix Bar on Oxford St happens every Sunday from 10pm, with resident DJ Matt Vaughan and regular special guests playing a swag of dirty electro, house, punk and disco tunes. Plus, the first 20 people through the door each week in summer get a free mix CD from DJ Matt. Free entry.
info: www.exchangehotel.biz

COMMUNITY

MARDI GRAS ACCEPTANCE
Gay and lesbian Catholic group Acceptance is holding a Mass before Mardi Gras, on Friday ,February 26 at St Joseph’s, Newtown. Mardi Gras visitors and Sydneysiders alike are welcome to attend the regular Friday night Mass. At the Mardi Gras Parade on February 27, Acceptance will march with their own float, the theme being: ‘Its fun to pray at the YMCA’. The group need lots of participants and helpers to prepare the float. Email Paul at [email protected] if you can help.
BAREFOOT BOWLS
The Long Yang Club for gay Asians and the Unbiased Bowling Club are uniting for a Mardi Gras fundraiser for Twenty10 on February 24: a social game of barefoot lawn bowls followed by entertainment with Polly Petrie. From 6pm to 9pm at the Marrickville Bowling and Recreation Club, cnr Sydenham Rd and Fitzroy St, Marrickville. $20/$10. Register at www.unbiasedbowling.com or call 0423 354 940.
WALK WITH PRIDE
Using photography to promote international gay rights and visibility, the Walk with Pride project, developed by photographer Charles Meacham and blogger Sarah Baxter, will spend just over a year documenting Pride parades around the globe, including this year’s Mardi Gras festival. Visit www.bestprideparades.com to see how the project’s developing.
DO YOUR BIT
Did you know that metals from whitegoods such as washing machines, fridges and dishwashers can be recycled for use in train tracks, cars and even planes? What’s more, the City Of Sydney offers a free weekly whitegoods collection service to its residents. If you’ve recently upgraded an appliance, don’t throw your old one on the scrap heap — recycle it. info: www.zerowaste.org.au
COOK WITH YIANNI
Cooking and lifestyle show Yianni’s City Life is about to begin shooting its eighth season and host/producer Yianni is on the hunt for charming, personable guests from the community who’d like to feature in the show. You’d cook your favourite recipe on TV and have a bit of a chinwag on camera to Yianni himself. If you’re interested, email [email protected]

DIARY

FOOD FEST
Merivale’s nine restaurants have unveiled a tasty new extended program to the March into Merivale Food Festival, running until April 16. Until then, restaurants est., sushi e, Ash Street Cellar, Mad Cow, Uccello, Teppanyaki, Lotus and Bistro CBD will return with the $33 dining offer of a main meal with a glass of wine/beer, with the pubs joining in the fun for the first time with their own meal offers. Plus there are over 50 mouth-watering festival events.
info: www.marchintomerivale.com
BELA FLECK
New York City native Béla Fleck is considered the premier banjo player in the world, making a name for himself as a prodigious, virtuoso instrumentalist unbounded by genre. He has won 11 Grammy awards and has received 25 nominations in more diverse musical categories than any other musician in history. See Fleck’s extraordinary talent for yourself when he performs at the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House on April 6.
info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
COMEDY FESTIVAL
Over 15 venues, 21 days and more than 300 shows, the Sydney Comedy Festival hits town on April 19. Highlights of this year’s festival include shows by gross-out slacker Tom Green, literate punk rocker (and lovely bit of rough trade) Henry Rollins, and Lord of the Mince himself, Julian Clary.
info: www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au
DANCE LIFE
DanceLife Unite is an exciting opportunity for dance studios and groups from all over Australia to compete in an elite dance competition. The result is a professional event staged at the Science Theatre, University of NSW, on the weekends of May 15/16 and 22/23. Participants will have fun, keep fit and create a performance culture while battling it out against the best dance studios, groups and routines from around the country.
info: www.dancelifeunite.com.au

FREE

STEEL SCULPTURES
This week, the Conny Dietzschold Gallery shows sculptures and drawings by German sculptor Robert Schad, one of the most influential steel sculptors of his time. Schad won acclaim through his characteristic sculptures based on square steel rods of different strength. These rods are connected at only a few select points, and appear as sculptures as drawings floating in mid-air. The exhibition closes on February 27. info: www.connydietzscholdgallery.com
ART ATRIUM
Art Atrium’s newest exhibition Summer Sojourn showcases a diverse range of work from renowned Australian contemporary and Indigenous artists. The exhibition features artists including Brett Bailey, Chen Ping, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, John Mawurndjul, John Olsen, Gloria Petyarre, Kathleen Petyarre, Lloyd Rees and Zhou Xiaoping. It’s running until February 27 at Art Atrium Gallery in Bondi Junction. info: Visit www.artatrium.com.au
CARTOONS WITH BITE
Through the eyes of Australia’s top cartoonists, a National Museum of Australia exhibition captures the twists and turns of another eventful year in Australian politics. The Whitlam Institute at the University of Western Sydney, in conjunction with Riverside Theatres, is co-hosting the exhibition Behind the Lines: The Year’s Best Cartoons 2009. At the Riverside Theatres in Parramatta until March 17. info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au

GIRLS

SARAH WATERS
A highlight of this year’s Mardi Gras Queer Thinking day is an In Conversation event with award-winning author Sarah Waters. Author of the sexy Victorian novels Tipping the Velvet, Fingersmith and Affinity, Waters is among the UK’s most successful lesbian authors. Get up close and personal with Sarah as she talks candidly about her books at the Everest Theatre from 6.30pm on February 26.
FASTER PUSSYCAT
Fancy Piece hosts a weekly night for women and trans, with all queers welcome, at the Supper Club every Saturday. The Pussycat Club hosts a number of sexy DJs, with free entry and shows at 11pm and midnight. info: www.theoxfordhotel.com.au
TONGUE TWISTER
Tongue Twister comes to a bigger and better venue on February 27, taking over the Arthouse Hotel for a night of female fun. The Arthouse offers three large music rooms, two levels and an outdoor courtyard. Leading Sydney DJs, lots of dancefloors, chill-out areas, fabulous sound and lighting, and gay-friendly security and staff. info: www.tonguetwister.org
MOIST WHITE
Get Moist this parade eve at the Moist White Party on Friday February 26. It’s Sydney’s sexiest ladies night, with all the hottest chick DJs under one roof: Shalyn Gray, beLLa & Sandi Hotrod, plus the Moist all-star dancers. 9pm till late at the Arena level of Arq. $10 on the door. And remember: be a part of the night, dress in white.

ON SCREEN

ROCKY HORROR
Calling all sweet transvestities! Head to the Moonlight Cinema on Tuesday, March 2 for a screening of camp cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Half the fun of watching Rocky Horror is the participation, so frock up and sing along!
info: Visit www.moonlight.com.au

GAY RELIGION
For The Bible Tells Me So is a powerful documentary exploring how five American Christian families have handled having a gay child. Among them are the parents of the first openly gay Episcopal bishop in the US, Gene Robinson, whose 2003 consecration triggered deep divisions within the Anglican Communion worldwide. The doco screens as a special Compass episode at 10pm, Sunday, February 28 on ABC1.
SOUND OF MUSIC
Have you ever truly forgotten that glorious moment when Captain Von Trapp and Maria finally kiss? Re-live it and more when Sing-A-Long-A Sound of Music returns to the State Theatre on March 4, 5 and 6.
Lovers of The Sound of Music (and what’s not to love?) join in an unforgettable interactive experience and tribute to the film.
info: www.singalonga.net
FRENCH FEST
Oh the French know how to celebrate! Not only have they assembled their most intoxicating movie line-up to date to mark the 21st anniversary of the wildly popular Alliance Française French Film Festival, but they’ve also lured renowned French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet to our shores to open the Festival with his acclaimed new film Micmacs. The festival runs from March 2–21 at Palace Academy, Palace Verona & Palace Norton St. info: www.frenchfilmfestival.org
WICKED LOVE
Wicked Love, the gripping telemovie based on the Maria Korp story — one of Australia’s most complex criminal cases — premieres on Channel Nine on Sunday, February 28, at 8.30pm. Adapted from the book by Carly Crawford, it tells the tragic tale of a bizarre love triangle which ended in the attempted murder of Maria Korp in Melbourne five years ago.

PUBS

BOB DOWNE
Bob Downe’s Retro Gras 2010 promises to have you laughing, singing and dancing, as Bob spins the retro classics along with guest DJs at the Supper Club on February 26 and March 5. He’ll also be joined by special guest drag queens and singers. It’ll be a highlight of this year’s festival, and not to be missed. $15 entry.
BOOGIE NIGHTS
Get ready as Boogie Night takes you on a trip down memory lane with all the finest disco, anthem and house music of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and 2000s on Saturday, February 27 from 10pm. DJs Paul Goodyear and Bruce Dixon will showcase the finest music from the different eras in a nine-hour extravaganza at Saddle Bar. The party will sell out, so grab tickets now from www.themidnightshift.com
TATT’S ALRIGHT
Come and show off your tatts at Hot Ink, a hot tattoo party for men and women at the Clarence Hotel’s Outback Bar on March 4. There are tattoo competitions with vouchers donated by local tattoo and piercing studios, bookshops and gyms to be won. Plus special guest tattoo artists, DJs and live entertainment. 9pm, $15/12 entry. info: www.heavilytattooedbear.com/events
PASSPORT PARTY
Foreigners and dual passport holders, unite for a multicultural dance-off on Friday, February 26 at Arq’s Vortex. While locals pay $10 entry, it’s free to enter if you hold a foreign passport — make sure you bring it along on the night as proof. DJs Jimmy Dee, Kitty Glitter and Keenan will keep the crowd pumping with worldwide beats. info: www.arqsydney.com.au
BIG FAT GAY
Thursday nights from 9pm at the Taxi Club in Darlinghurst, My Big Fat Gay Night is a fun mix of drag shows, DJs and sexy male strippers, all hosted by TV’s Pandora Box.
info: www.thetaxi.com.au
MIDNIGHT SHIFT
The Midnight Shift video bar holds fantastically entertaining drag shows virtually every night of the week, and best of all, they’re free. Take your pick from All In A Gay’s Work on Thursdays, Plump Fiction on Fridays, The Tail of Two Titties on Sundays and many more. Entertainment, all week round.
info: www.themidnightshift.com

SONG

BRANDENBURG
Earlier this week Vivaldi Olympia’s guest artist, French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, was crowned France’s 2010 Opera Singer of the Year — the second time Philippe has won the coveted award. Watch the talented (and rather dashing) singer for yourself when he performs at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place, with the Brandenburg Orchestra on February 24, 26 and 27. info: www.cityrecitalhall.com
GEORGE MICHAEL
Not long now, George Michael fans! The reclusive superstar is already in the country, and will perform at the Sydney Football Stadium on February 26. Expect a mammoth, hi-tech concert filled with solo hits like Freedom and Fastlove, and perhaps even a dash of Wham. Tickets are on sale through Ticketek.
MICHAEL EMMETT
The fabulous voice of Michael Emmett and wacky musical director Michael Coombes return to the newly revamped El Rocco Room (formerly Bar Me) on February 25 with their new show, a witty and intimate cabaret experience you won’t forget. These polished Australian performers celebrate 10 years working together and offer a diverse range of musical genres, infused with great songs, comedy and creative keyboard arrangements. Tickets are $20 through www.moshtix.com.au
TURN THE SCREW
Some of Sydney’s finest aspiring artists will take centre stage in a premier opera production at the Cleveland Street Theatre next month. From March 2-6, The Turn of the Screw will feature senior student singers, musicians, composers, directors, designers and technicians from the Sydney University Opera Company, the first student opera group in Australia. info: www.suopera.org.au

STAGE

BUTT BOY
After playing to sell out crowds at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, The Adventures of Butt Boy and Tigger has hit Mardi Gras in all its tasteless glory for a strictly limited season, before heading back to England for a UK Tour. The tale of the perils and pleasures of online sex plays until March 6 at the Darlinghurst Theatre. info: www.darlinghursttheatre.com
CALENDAR GIRLS
Producers of the Australian theatre adaptation of hit movie Calendar Girls have announced the cast of women who’ll be nuding up and playing the CWA ladies on stage: it includes Rachel Berger, Rhonda Burchmore, Jean Kittson and Cornelia Frances. The play hits the Theatre Royal from April 29 to June 13. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketek.

SHE’S A STARR
Join gender optimised singer/songwriter Jade Starr for an intimate evening of word, music and visual media in her new show at Sydney’s iconic transgender venue The Taxi Club. The Devil Wears Heels is a frank account of the daily battles a transgender person faces, told with humility and dark humour. Jade’s musical ability and storytelling has earned her many fans. She hits the Taxi Club on March 5.
info: www.thedevilwearsheels.com
SPRING AWAKENING
On a stormy, spring afternoon two young people succumb to a desire unlike anything they’ve ever felt before. Fumbling their way into one another’s arms, they learn the joys of sexual awakening. Only later will they also learn of its potential to devastate. It’s Spring Awakening, the hit musical merging Frank Wedekind’s controversial, classic play with a score by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and it’s playing at the Sydney Theatre until March 7. info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au