Playtime

CLUBS

TWINK TOWN
Twink Town’s latest event, Pre-School Musical, takes over Slide Bar on Friday, May 21. This time, it’s all about remembering your favourite morning and after-school cartoons during a play-date at Slide kindy. There’ll be board games, fairy bread, (possibly tainted) cordial and more childlike fun. Hosted by the divine Miss Summer Salt.
LOONEY PARQ
Sunday nights will never be the same again! Get crazy at Sydney’s hottest Sunday night out, Looney Parq, at Arq. Includes Looney Parq, the new drag spectacular starring Mitzi Macintosh, Antony Ginandjar, Ashley Evans and Kitty Glitter, plus spectacular shows in the Arena between 1am and 2am. Doors open 9pm, entry $5.
TRANCE FANS
Welcome to Trinity, a new night of the best trance at one of Sydney’s most amazing venues, Midnight Shift. Trinity will take over the SaddleBar, remove the pool tables and return this once-hallowed space back to a dance club to give punters a journey for the mind, body and spirit. Expect state-of-the-art lasers, crystal-clear sound and renowned DJ talent from Sydney and beyond. May 22, 10pm-6am, $15 entry.

PUBS + CLUBS

WINE WITH DINNER
The Arthouse Hotel is inviting guests to the inaugural Sticks Wine Dinner on May 13 at 6.30pm presented by Sticks Yarra Valley chief winemaker Travis Bush, in the art-inspired surroundings of the Dome Restaurant at the Arthouse Hotel. Dome Head chefs Tim Michels and David Maisey have designed a delicious four-course menu to complement the exceptional cool climate Sticks wines of the Yarra Valley. For bookings, call 9284 1200 or email [email protected]
HUGH MONROE
Swing into Slide on Oxford St for a night of brassy blues with a saucy songstress on May 12. Hugh Monroe and The Homotones will whisk away your worries and replace them with a brulee of bubbly banter and a bright bevy of bandstand brilliance. Dinner and show $60, show only $20. Bookings: 8915 1899
MITZI’s LAST HURRAH
Join the crew at Arq on Sunday, May 16 as they farewell Mitzi Macintosh from the drag scene in Sydney, as she embarks on a new journey and moves to the mother country. The evening will be Mitzi’s last performance at Arq, and also your last chance to see her perform in Sydney. There’ll also be a live performance by Kate DeAraugo in the Arena at 1.30am. Doors open at 9pm.

COMMUNITY

HISTORY WORKSHOP
The Pride History Group is holding another oral history workshop on Sunday, May 16 at2pm at Benledi, Glebe Point Rd. It will be a short introduction to the oral history interview and to their oral history project/collection. Those interested in attending should RSVP to [email protected] and come armed with enthusiasm and ideas for someone they might like to interview. Those with interests in gay history from 1985 to now are particularly encouraged to attend.
MARRIAGE RALLY
As part of International Day Against Homophobia, the Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) group will be rallying across the nation to demand equal marriage rights for all. The Sydney rally takes place from 1-4pm on May 15 at Sydney Town Hall. If you would like to get involved with building the next rally and campaigning for LGBTI rights, you can find out more at www.caah.org.au
BREAK THE SILENCE
IDAHO Sydney and Too.CAMP are teaming up to produce a documentary that will explore issues around homophobia, document people’s experiences and stories, and look at the ways in which Sydney’s GLBTIQ community overcomes and challenges homophobia. Share your story when filming continues for Break the Silence at the Kudos Gallery from noon-2pm on May 22. info: www.idahosydney.org

BOYS

STEAMY SPECIALS
Kingsteam sauna and spa is offering specials for guys who visit the sex-on-premises venue at certain times. Mondays are $5 entry day, Tuesdays are tight-arse $10 entry, Wednesdays are 2-4-1 entry day. The specials continue all week, so visit www.kingsteam.com for all the details.
FROSTY FRUITS
This year’s Frosty Fruits gay and lesbian skiing trip will be held from August 19-22 at the Hotham Alpine Resort in far north-eastern Victoria. Organisers are currently organising package and transport details for the trip, so visit the event’s booking website on www.pointsofdifference.com
JELLY WRESTLING
Slick gay men’s jelly wrestling, is still going at the Clarence Hotel — now on Fridays from 9pm. Blokes who strip down and brave the jelly have the chance to win a trip for two to Hamilton Island for their troubles. Entry is $5. info: Contestant entry forms are available to download from www.clarencehotel.com.au

GIRLS

LADIES IN LEATHER
The Sydney Leather Pride Association has noticed a drop in the number of female members and events to cater for those members in recent years. In an effort to change this, SLPA will hold a special forum to consult with the women of the community at 4pm on Sunday, May 30. For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.sydneyleatherpride.org
CATH JAMISON
Australia’s premier female magician, Cath Jamison, performs at two Sydney shows this weekend. Catch her on Saturday, May 15 at Notes in Newtown, supporting singers Max Sharam and Martyn Badoui with a display of feisty feminine magic. The next day, Jamison headlines at The Magic Club at the Basement in Circular Quay from 7pm. info: www.noteslive.net.au or www.thebasement.com.au
BARBIE ON SHOW
Photographer Markus van Driel was recently selected as one of the world’s 23 best emerging fashion photographers as part of Iconique’s Excellence in Fashion Photography Award 2009, based on his tribute to Barbie. This unique project was photographed to coincide with Barbie’s 50th birthday celebrations. Van Driel’s work is fun, playful and tongue-in-cheek, casting Barbie in a variety of different locales. The exhibition opens at 3pm, May 15 at Suite 3, Level 2, 85 William St, Darlinghurst.

STAGE

GET BURNT
Set in the fictitious town of Gilpendry, Burnt dramatises one family’s battle to survive and sustain their property during a ceaselessly punishing drought. Taking both a panoramic view of a community stoically battling hard times and a focused gaze at the consequences of economic stress for individuals, this is an honest, humorous and sometimes heartbreaking piece of theatre performed with electrifying dynamism and gusto. It plays at Riverside Theatre, Parramatta, from May 17-21. info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au
MORE HONOUR
Sydney Theatre Company’s new production of Honour, playwright Joanna Murray-Smith’s acclaimed dissection of a marriage, has been so successful the season is now extended until May 29. Lee Lewis directs a stellar cast comprised of Paula Arundell, Wendy Hughes, Yael Stone and William Zappa at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, in this fresh take on a horribly familiar tale of family breakdown.
REDEMPTION
A plague-ravaged world at the edge of time… One family has survived. Their daughter, blind, is showing symptoms of the sickness. They believe they are the last people alive on earth and that through their trust in God they will be saved and the world will be reborn. A chilling tale of a post-apocalyptic world, Redemption plays at the Old Fitzroy Theatre from May 14 to June 12. info: www.rocksurfers.org

SONG

LATE NIGHT LOUNGE
Late-Night Lounge is a monthly neo-classical, rock ‘n’ roll, variety, cabaret, chat show experience the Sydney Opera House Studio. Chill with a drink as you sample stories and songs, moves and grooves, familiar faces and secret surprise guests. On May 15, enjoy ARIA nominee iOTA with circus artist Chelsea McGuffin, Dog Trumpet’s Reg Mombassa and Pete O’Doherty, the hanky panky of La Clique’s Ursula Martinez, cabaret sensation Natalie Gamsu accompanied by Jonathan Cooper on piano, and drag diva Trevor Ashley.
CLOUD CONTROL
Sydney’s pop maestros have announced a national tour in support of their new LP Bliss Release, hitting stores on May 14 — the same day they perform at the Oxford Art Factory. The album has so far offered two sublime singles, Gold Canary and This Is What I Said. Tickets for the album launch are on sale now through Moshtix.
UTE LEMPER
The international singing sensation and undisputed queen of cabaret, Ute Lemper, returns to the Sydney stage on May 19 to perform her new show, Angels over Berlin. Opening in the Weimar Republic, Angels over Berlin journeys through the repertoire of Brecht and Weill for which Ute Lemper is justly famous, continuing into the poetic universe of the French chansons of Brel, Piaf, Ferre and further to the Argentinian world of tango by Astor Piazzolla. She plays the State Theatre. Tickets through Ticketmaster.

ON SCREEN

MADONNA ON SCREEN
Sure to be one of the highlights of this week’s Reel Dance festival, Deep in Vogue explores the evolution of ‘Vogue’ culture from the queer balls in Harlem to Madonna’s Blonde Ambition Tour and is presented in a double blockbuster that showcases Jennie Livingston’s award-winning documentary, Paris is Burning (1990) followed by In Bed with Madonna (1991). See where Madonna cribbed some of her most iconic moves from when the films screen on May 15. info: www.reeldance.org.au
LABOUR OF LOVE
To be released in cinemas nationally on Thursday, May 13, Love, Lust and Lies is the fifth film in the documentary series acclaimed director Gillian Armstrong has been working on since 1976. Following the lives, hopes and dreams of three working-class Adelaide girls, it documents their lives at various junctures — at age 14, then 18, 26, 33 and now finally, 47. The results are unexpected and fascinating. It’s in limited release, so check your listings.

FREE

BIENNALE EVENTS
The Sydney Biennale opening week is upon us and there over 100 exciting events including forums, focus sessions, artist talks and film screenings to attend. This year, the 17th Biennale will present three forums in the early weeks of the season, as well as a Biennale keynote address by Hiroshi Sugimoto and a range of other programs. Most events are free, but you must book ahead to secure your place. info: www.biennaleofsydney.com.au
POP-UP Portraits
Renowned UK Artist Pam Glew debuts her first-ever solo Australian exhibition in Sydney, presented by Bicker Gallery, until May 22. Glew’s bold mixed media portraits depict prominent and renowned Australians, including Miranda Kerr, Heath Ledger, Cate Blanchett and Evelyn Sampi and will be displayed in a ‘pop-up’ temporary space in Paddington, at 224 Oxford St.
MILK and WHISPERS
Friends of Leon Gallery this month presents the work of captivating Perth artist Elizabeth Marruffo. Following critically-acclaimed exhibitions in San Francisco and Mexico, Marruffo is bringing a new series of 15 artworks to Sydney. Creating visual artistry by arranging and rearranging symbolic images drawn from her personal experience, her mysterious Milk and Whispers exhibition delves into the beauty and magic of the Mexican landscape. It shows from May 13-30 at Friends of Leon gallery, Surry Hills. info: www.friendsofleon.com

FUTURE FUN

UP THE COAST
CoastOut is the Coffs Coast premiere gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and friends festival. Come and check out the Coffs coast, ‘where the mountains meet the sea’, during this three-day festival featuring Australia’s first queer surfing contest, beach carnival, entertainment and more. From October 29-31. Visit the CoastOut Facebook page for details.
WE LOVE SOUNDS
We Love Sounds and the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend have a long tradition in ensuring the festival party season continues in full force into the middle of the calendar year. This year, the winter festival’s line-up includes Underworld, Crookers, Laidback Luke and more. It’s happening Saturday, June 12 at Moore Park. info: www.welovesounds.com.au
A HAIR AFFAIR
Step inside the glamorous world of hair fashion when top local and international stylists descend on Sydney for Hair Expo Australia 2010. Showcasing the industry’s leading brands and stylists, Hair Expo Australia offers the chance to get up close and personal with world-class experts and be dazzled by the latest in hair innovation. It’s on from June 12-14 at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour. info: www.hairexpoaustralia.com