Playtime – issue 1029

Boys

SURVEYING LOVE
Victoria University is conducting a simple online survey of gay men who are currently in relationships. If that sounds like you, visit www.gayrelationships2010.questionpro.com to complete the survey. It’s completely anonymous and confidential, and will only take about 20 minutes. The survey is different from the one Victoria Uni conducted last year — you’re encouraged to take part in this one too.
GLAD RAGS
The Annex is a mens-only boutique in Bondi Beach, selling amazing Aussie labels like Chronicles of Never and Saint Augustine Academy, as well as imports such as Tuesday Night Band Practice and Gram shoes. The store has only been open a few months and is still somewhat of an undiscovered gem. If you don’t have time to head out to Bondi, you can order online at www.theannex.com.au
LOVING LEATHER
Sydney Leather Pride Week kicks off on July 10, and it’s an action-packed week of activities for leather lovers of all persuasions. Head to the launch party on July 10 at the Oxford Hotel, attend the leather cocktail party on July 15, or dance the night away at Inquisition Rebooted on July 17. For all the details, visit www.sydneyleatherpride.org

Clubs

HOLY HILARITY
The cast that brought you Country Ladies and All in a Gay’s Work present their new production Getting Nun! on Thursdays at the Midnight Shift. Starring Sister Tora Hymen, Sister Charisma Belle and Mother Superior Minnie Cooper as your naughty (but nice) brides of Christ. Showtimes 10.30pm and 11.30pm. Costumes courtesy of Kirsten Damned and Mitzi Macintosh. Soundtrack by Tora Hymen. Choreography by Minnie Cooper and Charisma Belle.
GAGA OOH-LA-LA
Going Gaga is the latest tribute show at Arq to that inescapable force of nature, Lady Gaga. The Thursday night show stars Minnie Cooper, Charisma Belle, Decoda Secret and Tora Hymen as a troupe of bottle-blonde Gaga clones, with all the hits — and outlandish outfits — you’ve come to love. From 9pm, free entry.
HOT COWBOY
On Saturday July 10, Hot Rod will host the ultimate showdown between cowboys and Indians. With DJs Mark Murphy, Matt Vaughan and Hot Rod spinning the best indie/trash/electro tunes, the fun starts at 10pm at the Oxford Hotel’s Underground Bar. Free entry.

Community

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
New Mardi Gras has launched its parade consultation process, It’s Your Parade. Visit www.mardigras.org.au/yourparade/index.cfm to have your say. There’s a special It’s Your Parade night on July 12 to round off the process — details on the website.
DINNER WITH KIRBY
GAMMA (the Gay and Married Men’s Association) is holding its mid-year dinner on Wednesday, July 7 at the Y Hotel, Wentworth Ave. Casual dress, dinner from 7pm, with special guest speaker, The Hon Michael Kirby. For more details, email [email protected] or call 1800 804 607.
Gay CHRISTIANS
Gay men with religious beliefs are invited to participate in an online study aimed at better understanding their mental health needs. For information about the survey, visit www.nexus.uws.edu.au/display/Psyc/Home and click the study link beginning with ‘Gay and Christian’.

Free

STC FOR FREE
On Friday July 23, Sydney Theatre Company welcomes toe tapping, foot stomping blues/rock band The Snowdroppers as part of The Wharf Sessions, with support band, Mushu from 9:30pm. The Wharf Sessions is a regular series of free late-night gigs at The Wharf, Sydney Theatre Company’s spectacular harbour-side home at Walsh Bay. Entry to the gig is free and available to all. No booking necessary. Drinks and snacks will be available at the bar.
RAPPING FOR A CAUSE
On July 14, some of Sydney’s best hip hop musicians and visual artists will take over the Oxford Art Factory with lyrical rhymes, bouncy beats, and art exploding from the Aussie street scene. But this event is more than just hip hop heaven.
On the night, artists will rock up with something to say. Through their own unique form of expression, rappers, DJs, vocalists, and sketch and mural artists will talk about the injustices they see around them, and the solutions that could lead to reducing poverty and inequality in our world. info: thehiphopapproach.my3things.org
EROTIC EXPRESSIONS
‘Erotic’ is an exhibition of sensuous, humorous and provocative works of erotic art being shown at Gallery@28, 28 Queens Street, Woollahra until Tuesday July 20. A group of 18 diverse Sydney artists have been exploring the delicate subject of erotica and are displaying their interpretations through a collection of drawings, prints, oils, digital paintings, sculpture and mixed media.

Girls

ANDREA’S BACK
It’s not easy being a lesbian alt.country rock singer in the wild west, but former Newtown resident Andrea Croft has been living back in her home town of Perth for several years. She returns to Sydney with her band The Honeys to play The Vanguard in Newtown on July 9 to launch her new album, Star Baby. As an early-’90s Triple J favourite, Croft has experienced the ups and downs of life and the music industry, something that’s reflected in her music. info: www.myspace.com/thehoneysband
CREATIVE NETWORKS
Creative Womyn Down Under (CWDU) develops and supports opportunities for women to participate in creative experiences. Their vision, ‘Connecting Womyn and Creative Expression’, is about developing networks and friendships amongst creative women in Australia. info: www.creativewomyn.net
PINK SPORTS
Pink Sofa Cup is a weekend each year during November for lesbians to socialise. Held in a different state each year, the Pink Sofa Cup already has regular attendees who’ve experienced the friendly individual and state rivalry. You don’t have to belong to any club. For information on this year’s event, visit www.pinksofacup.com.au

On screen

GREASED LIGHTNIN’
There is a strictly limited number of Wrong Prom + Ice Skating tickets available for Wrong Prom: Grease on Wednesday July 28 at CarriageWorks. Pre-sale for regular dancing tickets is now sold out. As Wrong Prom: Grease falls within Winterland, Carriageworks’ winter festival, there will be an ice skating rink in the foyer on July 28. A ticket to Wrong Prom and a half-hour session of ice skating is just $22. info: www.carriageworks.com.au
MODELS ON TOP
Australia’s Next Top Model will explode back on to our screens this month with 16 fresh-faced finalists, a new model mentor and a familiar face returning to the judging panel. Hosted for a second year by supermodel Sarah Murdoch, the series follows a group of young women as they try to prove they have what it takes to make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of modelling. It screens from 7.30pm on Tuesday, July 20 on FOX8.
UNDERGROUND TREATS
The Sydney Underground Festival is gearing up to launch its new program for 2010. With over 100 films screening from September 9-11, the 2010 festival is set to be the biggest yet. Participating films are being chosen from more than 800 entries from filmmakers worldwide, including the UK, USA, France, India, Iran, Cuba and South Africa. Keep an eye out for the program, which is launching soon, at www.suff.com.au

Pubs & Bars

FEAST OF FOOD
As part of the A Feast for the Senses event, Merivale is launching a series of Roast Nights at Bistro CBD to keep out the cold this winter. Bistro CBD will keep diners warm and toasty with traditional game, beef and duck roast dinners. Each of the two-course meals will have optional matched wines available, selected by Merivale’s group sommelier, Franck Moreau. Held on July 13 and 27, Bistro CBD, Level 1, 52 King St, Sydney. info: www.merivale.com/feasts
SUNDAY SESSIONS
The all new ‘Beresford Sundays’ offer $5 wine, pints and basic spirits between 5–7pm and performances from some of Sydney’s top local acts including Murray Hood, Kitty Glitter, Jimmy Dee and James Tobin. Already a celebrated Sunday institution amongst locals, the Beresford Hotel is the perfect place to catch up and chill out with friends for the last few free hours of the weekend. 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills.

Song

CHOIR FOR A KING
Handel’s choral hit Zadok the Priest, composed for the coronation of King George II in 1727, made such an impact that it was performed at every British coronation since, including that of Queen Elizabeth II. Later this month, the Brandenburg Choir will recreate the choral masterpiece in all its glory at the City Recital Hall. Revel in the magical sounds from July 30-August 7. info: www.cityrecitalhall.com.au
CUBAN SLIDE
Known as ‘The Rolling Stones of Latin music’, the 16-piece Los Van Van formed just 10 years after Castro’s 1959 revolution and has remained the biggest name in the history of Cuban dance bands ever since. After 40 years they are still Cuba’s most popular dance band with legions of fans throughout the world. Sydneysiders will get a chance to see the legendary outfit in action when they perform at the Sydney Opera House for one night only on August 15, supported by Latin Block Party. info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Stage

SISTERS GRIM
From the pen of one of Sydney’s most eclectic young playwrights, Nick Coyle, comes the new work Rommy. Coyle will also direct his stellar all-female cast in this debut production. A girl from the future meets two old sisters in a sewer — one bitter, one kind, both completely insane. The lost girl has lost her memory and must join the sisters in their struggle to survive on little more than rat meat while avoiding the wrath of Rommy, their volatile subterranean god. It’s showing at the Old Fitzroy Theatre from July 13-August 7. info: www.rocksurfers.org
EUROTRASH
A Couple of Poor, Polish-Speaking Romanians is a humorous and scathing critique of social class and national identity which plunges into the dysfunctional chaos of a society paralysed by fear to illuminate the dangers of being different. The play follows two drug-fuelled partygoers who pose as gypsies and lose themselves on a bizarre and intense journey through modern Poland. Catch it at the Newtown Theatre from July 13 to August 7. info: www.newtowntheatre.com.au
YOU BEAUDY
Beaudy, the musical written by Australian musician Michael Orland, will open at the Parade Theatre at NIDA on July 8. The classic 17th century fairytale The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods is irreverently transported to modern-day Australia in this exciting new musical theatre production. Australianised and updated, Beaudy is a spruced-up old-fashioned tale filled with great original music, laughs and familiar icons. info: www.beaudythemusical.com.au