Playtime

BOYS

ENOUGH ROPE
Patrick Hamilton’s thriller Rope, opening on October 7, is part of an exciting series of thrillers planned for Sydney’s Zenith Theatre. The piece features a distinct homoerotic theme and gay actors featured in the play include Matt Butcher and Peter Talmacs. info: www.zeniththeatre.com.au

BRISBANE BEARS
Bears, take note: the Northern Exposure Bear festival takes place from Thursday October 14 to Sunday October 17 in Brisbane. Events include the Bear Trek Bear-foot bowls and the Saturday Night Fur-ver dance party. info: www.brisbears.org.au

YO GAMMA GAMMA
The Gay and Married Men’s Association is holding its AGM on Wednesday, October 6. Come along and have your say, plus enjoy an informal Q&A session over nibbles and drinks. At ACON, 9 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills, at 8pm. For more info, email Scott at gammansw@yahoo.com.au

GIRLS

LESBIAN DAY
Held at Redfern Town Hall on Saturday, October 9 to celebrate International Lesbian Day, Sapphisticated Soiree will be an afternoon of live music, performance, and entertainment. It’s billed as a cultural celebration for older lesbians, presenting the work of lesbian performers and artists. The event runs from 2-6pm, entry is from $10-30.

DRESS YOU UP
Fashion Palette is a two day conference/runway style event which will see the likes of Wayne Cooper, Samantha Wills, Nikita Sernack and a panel of ‘Fashion Future’ mentors share their visions, techniques and creative processes in a series of seminar presentations. Plus there’ll be inspiring runway shows from leading emerging designers from around Australia. It’s on at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on October 8 and 9.

WOMEN’S WORKSHOP
The Penrith Womens Health Centre will host a Relationships and Coming Out Issues Workshop on Tuesday, October 19, from 6.30-8.30pm. It’s an opportunity for lesbian and bisexual women to discuss issues surrounding their relationships and sexuality in a supportive environment. Places are limited, so bookings are essential. Call 4721 8749.

COMMUNITY

COUNSELLORS
The Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service is recruiting volunteer group facilitators and telephone counsellors. The next information night for people interested in volunteering will be held in Newtown on Wednesday, October 13. To register, call 8594 9500 or email admin@glcsnsw.org.au. info: www.glcsnsw.org.au

RAINBOW NIGHT
Rainbow Families NSW supports lesbian and gay-parented families and those hoping to become parents via various parenting options. On October 11, the group will hold an information night with sessions focusing on co-parenting and fostering. It’ll be held from 6.45-9pm at the Metropolitan Community Church, Petersham. $5 per person. info: Call 0400 296 253.

THINK BIG
Gay FreeThinkers is a sparkling interactive group which discusses general topics and issues as well as those specifically related to the GLBT community. Come share your views each Monday evening when the group meets at the ACON building, 9 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills. info: call Jimmy on 0417 451 387.

CLUBS

HOT HORROR
On Saturday, October 9, Hot Rod will celebrate Halloween early with a ‘Horror Show’ themed night. Special guest star Aaron Manhattan (pictured) takes to the stage with a show that’s guaranteed to scare the pants off you, while DJs Sveta, Matt Vaughan and Lovertits will keep you dancing. 10pm till late at the Underground Bar of the Oxford Hotel. Free entry.

GOOD CLEAN FUN
On Friday, October 8, ARQ gets soaking wet for some sudsy fun with the Fomo foam party. DJs Luke Leal, Adam Love, Rob Davies and Scott Tanner will entertain the slippery masses from 9pm. Pre-sale tickets ($20) are available from Hum Records, Bang Clothing and Bodyline. Purchase your swimwear from Bang, mention Fomo and receive a 10 percent discount.

GET SERVED
Sydney Star Observer columnist Maxi Shield and Verushka Darling have a Sunday night show at the Midnight Shift. Are You Being Served? sees the pair taking the mickey out of the cult ’70s TV show of the same name every Sunday from 8pm as part of the Shift’s retro Sundays with DJs Rodney Dean and Justin Scott. info: www.themidnightshift.com

PUBS and BARS

BLUE GOES PINK
For years, the Blue Mountains gay community has been lacking a place to meet, eat, dance and socialise, But that’s all changed with Shine, the weekly Friday night gay event at the Alexandra Hotel in Leura. Find them on Facebook: Shine Alexhotel.

GET HAPPY
Each Sunday, Monday Records hosts ‘Happy’, an afternoon of bands, poetry readings and more at Enmore’s Sly Fox Hotel from 5.30pm. Entry is free, drinks are cheap, and art will be flowing freely.

VARIETY SHOW
The Paddington RSL presents a night of variety on Saturday, October 9, with a winning mix of song, dance and cabaret from 7pm. Enjoy performances from Delilah the Goddess of Soul, sizzling showgirl Angel Andrews, Stephen Carrington, rock chick Bec Hill, showgirl Stephanie and DIVA award-winning compere Miss 3D. Tickets $20 on the door or booking from 0439 356 839.