A party fit for a queen
The upcoming June long weekend is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the crisp air and stunning sights of the Blue Mountains. It’s also a great time for a party, and the Three Sisters Social Club has that covered.
Hundreds of queens will be kicking up their heels at the various events held at the Blue Mountains over the Queen’s Birthday weekend. There’s a casual dance party and talent quest on Saturday 7 June, the Sunday features the formal costume ball, with Monday set aside for post-party recovery and sightseeing.
The highlight of the weekend is always the costume ball, which is in its 23rd year. Three Sisters president Michael McGuren is expecting big hair, lots of colour and huge frocks at the Sunday night ball, which will attract nearly 350 guests. The theme for the ball is Gone With The Wind.
Depending on the theme of the year, the costumes have always been unbelievably outlandish, McGuren says. I suppose it’s the Blue Mountains Mardi Gras.
Prizes are traditionally awarded to the best costumes, and to the worst drag. The winner of the talent quest the night before will also perform on the night.
It’s very different to Sydney. It’s not an imitation of anything that’s currently available in Sydney, and it’s a great relief for those that want to display their artistic talents, as well as have a really good time, McGuren says.
The Club’s treasurer Hank Merkenhof says that the ball is a great chance to dress up and have some fun. The event is fully catered, and will have a live band as well as dance music.
It’s just a fun night without any attitude or any scene, he says.
Before guests frock up for the formal ball, the Saturday night casual dance party and talent quest are not to be missed. They are open to everyone in the GLBT community, and will feature some great dance music. The lucky winner of the talent quest will entertain the crowd at the costume ball on Sunday. Up to 400 people are expected to attend the event.
It has an appeal to the young gay guys as well as their more senior sisters, McGuren says. We’re very keen to get as much talent as we can to perform at the talent quest and disco on the Saturday night.
The weekend’s activities are hosted by the Three Sisters Social Club, a social group for gay men based in the Blue Mountains area. Currently they have nearly 130 members from across NSW.
The area has a huge gay population, McGuren says. It’s important to have local activities that are of interest to gay men.
The club gives gay men in the Blue Mountains an opportunity to meet friends and have fun. Each month a dinner is held at a local restaurant, and other events such as bushwalks, picnics and film outings occur throughout the year.
While most of the members live in the area, sisters from across the state are invited to join in the long weekend celebrations. McGuren says this is a great opportunity to have a weekend in the mountains, and to join in the party as well.
Its not unusual for guys to come up on the Friday night and take an extended weekend, and in some cases stay until the following weekend as well, he says.
So now is the time to get your costume together and the act you’ve always wanted to perform on Red Faces, and make a weekend of it with the sisters of the Blue Mountains.
Tickets to the dance party and talent quest are $15, available at the door. Costume ball tickets are $80 and must be booked beforehand. Phone (02) 8230 0889.
