Playtime – issue 1033
Boys
BEAR IN THERE
Bears of Sydney, mark August 19-22 in your diaries: it’s Bear Pride. Events to be held over the four-day festival include the Harbour City Bears 15th anniversary dinner, a Bear film festival, sauna recovery and farewell BBQ. For event details and ticket prices, visit www.bearpride.com.au
GAY AND MARRIED?
The next meeting of the Gay And Married Men’s Association features a talk titled Children in Focus, given by Julie Dale, manager of the Family Relationship Centre in the Sutherland Shire. GAMMA next meets on Wednesday, August 4 at 9 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills, from 7.45pm. Meetings are confidential and anonymous and conclude around 9.30pm.
Clubs
SWEATY FUN
Sweat’s got a massive line-up for August, with DJs Scott Pullen and Alex Almeida taking the reins for the night. Sweat hits Phoenix, 34 Oxford St, from 11pm on Saturday, August 7. $20 entry.
ARQ IS 11
ARQ Sydney is turning 11 (that’s XI in Roman numerals) and to celebrate, they’re throwing a huge Roman-themed party on Sunday, August 8. Special international DJ Paul Heron (UK) will headline, alongside local DJs Dan Murphy, Greg Boladian, Jimmy Dee, Sandi Hotrod and Rob Davis. Entry is $10, doors open 9pm.
Community
TRANS HELP
The Gender Centre has started a new transgender FTM (female-to-male) support group. It’s called FTM connect, and the next monthly meeting is on Friday, August 13. It’s a peer-support group; a place to share your own experiences and listen to those of others in a similar situation. info: www.gendercentre.org.au
MIND YOUR BUSINESS
Nominations are now open for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Association’s Business Awards 2010. You can nominate yourself, your favourite business or your favourite business person. The nominations close on August 16, but for details of the award categories and to submit your nominations go to www.sglba.com.au
JUST RELAX
The Sydney Gay Meditation group has launched a weekly intermediate session, held each Monday from 7.30pm. It’s a social gathering of GLBT and GLBT-friendly people interested in spiritual development. During the 45 minutes of silence in each class, participants are welcome to practise any meditation technique they wish. The group meets at Meditation Space, Level 1, 99 Crown St, East Sydney. info: www.sydneygaymeditationgroup.com
Free
CRAFTY APPS
The streets of Sydney will be transformed into a giant gallery space with the launch of a new project by Object: Australian Centre for Craft and Design. Object has worked with independent curators and local designers to create a series of guided audio tours that lead listeners on a trail of the best design and creativity hotspots in the city. The tours will be available for free download as podcasts for iPods, iPhones and mp3 players from www.audiodesignmuseum.com.
LASHING OUT
The Sydney Mechanics School of Arts program of free lectures and screenings continues on August 11 with a Twilight Talk about the life and times of Madame Lash. The talk will be presented by author Sam Everingham, whose just-released book Madam Lash: Gretel Pinniger’s Scandalous Life of Sex, Art and Bondage has caused a stir, not least with the dominatrix herself. info: www.sydneymsa.com.au
RAPID FIRE
A four-piece from all corners of Australia now living in a converted warehouse space in Sydney’s inner-west, Rapids have been filling venues with their catchy and unashamedly fun songwriting. Rapids will be playing a residency at the Oxford Art Factory during August, including a main-stage performance for the OAF’s massive third birthday bash. Their first (free!) gig is at OAF on August 6. info: www.myspace.com/rapidstheband
Girls
BYE BYE BITCH
Wave goodbye to a lesbian institution at the Oxford Art Factory on Friday, August 6, as Bitch holds its last regular monthly session. DJs Kate Monroe, GI Jode, Beatrix and Sandi Hotrod will play throughout the night, with a special appearance from percussionist Cyndi Tan. 9pm-late. info: www.bitchnews.com.au
TWIST OF LEMON
Lemons with a Twist hits Slide again this Friday, August 6 from 6pm. The SGLBA event is specifically targeted at lesbian professionals looking for a fun and relaxed way to network and socialise. SGLBA members free entry, guests $10. info: www.sglba.com.au
On screen
QUEER CANADA
The first and only annual Canadian film festival outside Canada, Possible Worlds unfolds until August 8, running a week of film premieres, filmmaker Q&As, industry talks and parties. Dendy Opera Quays and Dendy Newtown are the host cinemas, and there are a few queer treats on offer, including I Killed My Mother. info: www.possibleworlds.net.au
SWEET SALT
Angelina Jolie kicks butt again in Salt, a thriller set for general release on August 19. Before becoming a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt (Jolie) swore an oath to duty, honour, and country. She will prove loyal to these when a defector accuses her of being a Russian sleeper spy and she’s forced to go on the run, using all her skills and years of experience to elude capture. info: www.WhoIsSalt.com.au
Pubs & Bars
POOL PARTY
The Midnight Shift has just launched a new weekly pool competition, Queless (love that pun). Hosted by Laidee Babooshka, the games kick off at 9pm each Tuesday. It’s $5 entry, but there are hundreds of dollars worth of cash and prizes to be won every week. info: www.themidnightshift.com
TIGHT TUESDAY
Grab your mama and a glass of pinot, take a seat by the open fire and feel the Tuscan vibe: every Tuesday during winter at Hugo’s Bar Pizza in Kings Cross, they’re offering a special Italian meal deal. Enjoy hearty soup, a choice of pizza or pasta and a glass of Italian wine for only $30.
Song
CUBAN RHYTHMS
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 across the world, and they’re stopping in at the Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall on August 15. info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
UNLIKELY DUETS
Dueting it for the Kids is a charity concert with a difference: each song is sung by a different duo, put together especially for the night. The pairings on offer on the night range from the understandable — Rachel Beck will get romantic with hubby Ian Stenlake — to the bizarre (who thought they’d live to see Paulini and Leo Sayer share a stage?). It’s all in aid of the Australian Children’s Music Foundation, and it’s happening for one night only, on August 9 at the State Theatre. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
