Playtime

BOY

TOWEL DROP
Men-only sauna Kingsteam hosts regular ‘towel-free’ nights every Thursday. The deal is sweetened if you’re a member of the Harbour City Bears — admission price for HCB members is $10, or $15 if you’re not a member. Towels drop from 7pm to 11pm. Get it off at Kingsteam Sauna, 38-42 Oxford St. www.kingsteam.com
CHUNKY PORN
By now you know what to expect: beefy blokes, furry studs, cute cubs and hot daddies. That’s right, Chunky returns to help you work yourself into a frenzy on May 1. There’ll be Bear movies, DVD giveaways, a special appearance by the Naked Barber, and a huge DJ line-up. Plus you’ll find dirty hot men, dirty dancing and dirty shows. Porno Chunky is on Saturday, May 1 from 9pm at the Clarence Hotel, corner Parramatta Rd and Crystal St, Petersham.
HIV HELP
Ahead of Time is a new booklet filled with practical advice about growing older with HIV. The booklet, available from your local ACON office and from Positive Life NSW, is specifically designed to help people with HIV make the best and most informed decisions about their health as they grow older. info: www.acon.org.au
ASCENSION
On Sunday, April 4, Sydney Leather Pride Association presents Ascension from 3pm to midnight at Saddle Bar. With music from DJs George Roussos, Sveta and Rob Davis, the dress code is strictly leather and fetish gear. Tickets are available from Sax Fetish and the Saddlebar — $20/25 or $20 on the door.
WATSON’S WORKS
French porn icon François Sagat was busy during his recent Aussie trip, finding time to pose for respected gay artist Ross Watson, known for portraits of the likes of Ian Roberts and Paul Licuria. The resulting photographic portrait — a pensive, erotic image of a nude Sagat — can be previewed and purchased from www.rosswatson.com
NAKED BARBER
Looking for a close shave? The Naked Barber is a men’s mobile grooming service that specialises in body shaving/clippering, haircuts, cutthroat shaving and hair colouring.
info: www.thenakedbarber.com.au

CLUBS

TOMMY GOLDFISH
The infamous rooftop party series that rocked the summer, Tommy, returns on Sunday, April 4. This time,  Sydney’s premier cocktail bar Goldfish, in Kings Cross, is opening its doors to the gay community for the first time. With a sexy new sound system, caged smoking area, extended liquor licence and one massive bar, you can stay till you can’t dance any more! With DJs Oxford Hustlers, Alex Taylor, Dan Murphy and Tommy Kelly.
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
DJs Stephen Allkins and Matt Vaughan present the next instalment of Civil Disobedience this Easter Sunday night, April 4. The party where disco/funk bombs and attitude-packed old-school house meet modern electronics is back, and the always brilliant Dallas Dellaforce will take to the stage for something a little bit special. It’s all happening at Civic Underground from 10pm-late. $15 on the door.
SWEAT FOR EASTER
This Easter long weekend is coming up like a freight train. There’s no better way to work off all the chocolate Easter eggs you’ve gorged on than dancing to a night full of thumping house with your best mates. So, mark your diaries and get ready for the next Sweat outing at Phoenix from 10pm on Saturday, April 3. It’s gonna be huge!
DAYWASH
This Easter Sunday, April 4 from midday to 10pm, Daywash returns to its original home of Chinese Laundry at 111 Sussex St. There’s a huge array of DJs playing across four dancefloors: the Bassmonkeys, Alex Taylor, Dan Murphy, Adam Love and many more. Tickets are $50, limited and only available through Bang Clothing or www.daisytickets.com
GET LOOSE
Loose Ends at Phoenix Bar on Oxford St happens every Sunday from 10pm, with resident DJ Matt Vaughan and regular special guests playing a swag of dirty electro, house, punk and disco tunes. Free entry. info: www.exchangehotel.biz
FIERCE SWEAT
Friday nights from 10pm at the Stonewall Hotel, get ready to work up a fierce sweat. Decoda Secret is joined on stage by her sexy male dancers Wil Sabin and Daniel G for a ferociously hot show that’ll have you sizzling. info: www.stonewallhotel.com
BUNGALOW 8
Leading harbour-side venues Bungalow 8 and theloft have a huge line-up of exciting activities over the Easter long weekend, kicking off on Thursday, April 1 through until Sunday, April 4. Theloft presents Easter with great acts like DJ Mike Who, Jon Croft and Vula, the voice of Basement Jaxx. Meanwhile, at Bungalow8 you can catch DJs and artists like Pete Finley, Bozzetto and more. The festivities will end with a massive 12 hour party in which both venues will be hosting a killer line up of over 20 artists with an exclusive live performance from Basement Jaxx’s singer Vula. For tickets, head to www.experienceentertainment.com.au

COMMUNITY

AIDS QUILTS
The Powerhouse Museum is seeking information from people who have been involved in, or are connected with, the Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt Project, to help with documenting the project. With support from the community, the Powerhouse is acquiring 128 of the quilts, which are a memorial to the thousands of people who have died from HIV/AIDS. To contribute towards the documentation of these quilts, email [email protected].
YOUTH WEEK
City of Sydney’s Youth Week program will celebrate the city’s younger residents with events including a giant pool party, arts and cultural festival, sports day, movie night and awards ceremony from April 13-17. For the full program of events, visit www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
PARTY SAFE
Party Safely with the Bighead is a drug and alcohol internet resource aimed at GLBT people aged 18 to 25. The resource, which takes the form of a choose your own adventure game, aims to address binge drinking and other drug and alcohol risk behaviours. You can check it out at www.partysafely.org.au
HELP THE PLANET
Did you know that metals from whitegoods such as washing machines, fridges and dishwashers can be recycled for use in train tracks, cars and even planes? What’s more, the City Of Sydney offers a free weekly whitegoods collection service to its residents. If you’ve recently upgraded an appliance, don’t throw your old one on the scrap heap — recycle it. info: www.zerowaste.org.au
TRANS ADVICE
The Gender Centre provides services and support for the transgender community. Staff at the centre offer accommodation, counselling, case management and training for those in need, The Gender Centre is at 75 Morgan St, Petersham. info: 9569 2366

PARTY SAFE
Party Safely with the Bighead is a drug and alcohol internet resource aimed at GLBT people aged 18 to 25. The resource, which takes the form of a choose your own adventure game, aims to address binge drinking and other drug and alcohol risk behaviours. You can check it out at www.partysafely.org.au

DIARY

CREAMFIELDS
The Creamfields electronic music festival hits Sydney on May 1 at the Hordern Pavillion. The line-up is massive: The Bloody Beetroots, Death Crew 77, Steve Angello, MSTRKRFT, Ferry Corsten, Dirty South, Kid Sister and many more. Tickets are on sale now from www.creamfields.com.au
DAVID CAMPBELL
Entertainer David Campbell returns to his first love, Broadway, this month with the relase of a new album of Broadway classics. On Broadway is in stores from April 2. Campbell will be performing tunes from the album — including classics from Guys and Dolls, Company and Les Miserables — at the Sydney Opera House on August 20. info: www.davidcampbell.com
TTT PLAY
One of Melbourne’s most exciting and forward-thinking bands, TTT, will release its debut album, Lands, on April 9. Using a range of new instrumentation, the album moves from groove-driven jams to heavy abrasion, deconstructive pop, percussive breakdowns, and dark atmospherics, The band play the Excelsior Hotel on May 6. info: www.tictoctokyo.com
REGINA SPEKTOR
US-Russian songbird Regina Spektor’s fifth album, Far, reached her biggest audience yet, captivating listeners with sharp observations about the world around us. The charismatic piano-pop darling performs songs from Far and throughout her career during her upcomin

FREE

FREE ICE CREAM
Free Cone Day is an annual Ben and Jerry’s tradition celebrated around the world, and this year Australia is getting a chunk of the action. Loyal fans and ice cream lovers are invited to come to the Manly Scoop Shop, 25-27 South Steyne between 1-8pm on April 20 as it opens its doors to dish up flavours of your choice.
JAPANESE STORY
Rakugo performer Katsura Asakichi will regale Sydney audiences with the Japanese art of ‘sit-down’ comedy from 6.30pm on April 1 at the University of Sydney. Rakugo is a traditional form of comic storytelling which dates back more than 300 years. Performers kneel on stage and use limited props such as a fan or hand towel to help tell the story. Admission is free, but bookings are essential: [email protected]
HOOPLA
This Easter long weekend some of the world’s best acrobats, street artists, circus entertainers and stunt performers will perform free at Australia’s largest circus and street theatre festival — Darling Harbour Hoopla. Expect amazing acrobatics, jaw-dropping contortionists, spectacular sword swallowers and even circus workshops. Noon-5pm, April 2-5. info: www.darlingharbour.com
PLANT PICTURES
The public is invited to view botanical illustrations produced by some of the world’s most acclaimed artists at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens from April 9 to August 9. The 2010 Margaret Flockton Award exhibition attracts the world’s best botanical illustrators who compete for a first prize of $5000. View the works in the Red Box Gallery, National Herbarium of NSW, from 10am-4pm on weekdays.
CARRIAGE ART
CarriageARTworks is a free annual event celebrating artwork and art culture from Sydney’s city fringe, running until April 24. Over the month, the exhibition will unfold into a multi-faceted public showcase of creativity. A program of artist talks, tours and themed forums will spark conversation about making art, making a living from art, and art from the consumer’s point of view. info: www.carriageworks.com.au

UNVAULTED
A treasure trove of intriguing items from around the world is on public display at Sydney Town Hall from tomorrow to help celebrate the official reopening of the iconic building. Unvaulted features fascinating items from the Sydney Town Hall Collection, including a lock of Napoleon’s hair, a chair from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and a lamp from one of the Japanese submarines which attacked Sydney Harbour in 1942. From 10am-4pm every day until April 26.

GIRLS

SEXY BITCH
This Easter weekend will see the first Bitch Revolution party for 2010, On Sunday, April 4 at the Oxford Art Factory join the Bitch girls for an all-night rock and dance party: DJs Sveta, Beth Yen and Sandi Hotrod, two huge production numbers from Rosa and Nu Firm, songs from live vocalist Kyla Sexton and music from international DJ Helena. $15 before 10pm, $20 after.
HOTROD SUNDAYS
Every Sunday at the Colombian Hotel, girls can get their motors running with Hotrod. The line-up includes alternating guest DJs from 5pm and Sandi Hotrod spinning tunes from 9pm to 1am in the main bar. 117 Oxford St, Darlinghurst.
FASTER PUSSYCAT
Fancy Piece hosts a weekly night for women and trans, with all queers welcome, at the Supper Club every Saturday. The Pussycat Club hosts a number of sexy DJs, with free entry and shows at 11pm and midnight. info: www.theoxfordhotel.com.au
SNATCH & GRAB
Snatch & Grab is Sydney’s coolest indie girl night, held every Thursday at Phoenix, 34 Oxford St. Join the Snatch & Grab Facebook group to keep up to date. And don’t forget to RSVP before each event for discounted entry.

ON SCREEN

TRANS ON SCREEN
Underground transgender filmmaker Kim Miles has launched her new website and three volumes of her unique films which have been described by John Polson in a TropFest documentary as “unwatchable”. They have also been described as unlike anything else in Australian cinema and likened to David Lynch and Fellini. Go to www.kimmilesfilms.com for more information.
DUNGOG FILMS
Feel like going rural at the end of the month? The world’s biggest showcase of Australian film will be exhibited at the 2010 Dungog Film Festival, running over a four-day weekend from May 27-30. Now in its fourth year, the festival, which has attracted over 11,000 people since its inception, will feature a dynamic new program that celebrates film in a non-competitive environment. info: www.dungogfilmfestival.org
MOVIE MARATHONS
Ah, the good old movie marathon — sitting on your bum and watching the big screen for six hours straight. Event Cinemas are holding a trio of movie marathons from 11pm on Sunday, April 4. It’s three movies back to back — most of them new releases — and it’s a public holiday the next day, so why not pull an all-nighter? To see what’s on offer, visit www.eventcinemas.com.au
MEET GEENA
Cremorne’s Orpheum Cinema is holding a very special cinematic event on April 14 — a screening of the quirky new indie comedy Accidents Happen, about the world’s unluckiest family, with a special audience Q&A from director Andrew Lancaster and star Geena Davis live on stage after the film. info: www.orpheum.com.au
PANDORA’S BOX
Join Pandora Box and the girls as they present some very Aussie, very queer short films and documentaries on Foxtel Aurora on Sundays from 8pm, Tuesdays from 5.30pm and Thursdays 9.30pm with QueerTV. Pandora Box and Matt Taylor deliver all that’s oh so homo in Sydney and around the nation. Aired through Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe, QueerTV is also beamed through a multitude of rainbow avenues on the internet.

PUBS AND BARS

COME out
Come Out for dinner at the Wentworth Hotel, 56 Station St, Wentworthville, from 7pm on April 7. This casual queer pub get-together will be cheap too — all meals (including a variety of hearty traditional meals) are $12. Call Janice on 0400 480 506 for more info or to find the group on the night.
HOTROD
Sundays have never been better at the Colombian Hotel. Come along each Sunday from 5pm as Sandi and the crew keep you moving and shaking on the dancefloor till the early hours. Then in the lounge bar every week from 9pm Phil Hudson keeping it sweet, deep and funky. Free entry all evening. info: www.colombian.com.au
HAPPY FRIDAY
Fridays just got a whole lot more fun with Cargo Bar’s new weekly event, Good Fridays. Each week, a sexy line-up of resident DJs including Rogers Room, Murray Lake, Miss T and Ember keep the tunes going all night long. There’s also an exotic cocktail list and a variety of tasty bar snacks. info: www.cargobar.com.au
CHIC SUNDAYS
Celebrate Sundays in style with Chic Sundays at the Beresford Hotel from 3pm. Hosted by Decoda Secret with special guests each week, with DJs Murray Hood, Kitty Glitter, Jimmy Dee and many more. Happy hour is from 5pm-7pm, with $5 pints and spirits.
info: www.theberesford.com.au
SONG

DYNAMITES
Direct from Nashville, Tennessee, deep soul 10-piece The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker are preparing to make their first trip to Australia this month, in support of their first Australian release Burn It Down. The Dynamites play the East Coast Bluesfest in Byron Bay on April 2 and 5. info: www.bluesfest.com.au
TREVOR LOVEYS
After the success of his recent remix for Don Diablo and The Band Bent, DJ Trevor Loveys is in the studio working alongside hot producers and vocalists on an album set to be finished later this year. Catch Trevor’s DJ set at Chinese Laundry, April 1. He’ll be playing a selection of the finest house music from Chicago to Detroit via London.
HAR MAR SUPERSTAR
Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, sexed-up crooner Har Mar Superstar has returned with Dark Touches, his first album since 2004’s critically acclaimed The Handler. The new Har Mar retains his defiant sexiness and uncanny knack for irresistible R&B hooks, but fans his colourful wings in the spirit of inclusion. Har Mar hits the Oxford Art Factory on April 25 for a night of saucy disco and electro. info: www.oxfordartfactory.com
CARRY NATION
Brisbane chanteuse Carry Nation is set to release her debut album Like a River Does on April 3. Recorded in Brisbane City’s iconic Old Museum, Like a River Does teams Warren’s delicate vocals and guitar strumming with brass, strings and percussion. The result is a dreamy, honest and eloquent album. To celebrate the release, Carry Nation will launch her stunning record on Wednesday, April 7 at Raval in Sydney, supported by McKisko. info: www.myspace.com/carrynationmusic

STAGE

THE SUICIDE
Simon Stone returns to Belvoir St’s Downstairs Theatre to direct his contemporary adaptation of Nikolai Erdman’s 1928 comedy, The Suicide. Banned before it opened in Stalin’s Soviet Union, this comedy of despair follows the hapless Semyon Semyonovich who finds himself entrenched in an existential crisis when stuck living with his mother-in-law and wife. It plays from March 18-April 11 at Belvoir St Downstairs Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills. info: www.belvoir.com.au
BRING THE HOUSE DOWN
Don’t miss Bringing the House Down, a brand-new, old-fashioned musical about a theatre company fighting the bank, their feelings and each other to ensure the show really does go on. It’s packed with great original songs reminiscent of the golden age of Broadway, and has a score evoking the swinging sounds of the ’40s and ’50s. Five performances only from March 31-April 3 at the Zenith Theatre, Chatswood. www.zeniththeatre.com.au
DYLAN ON STAGE
The Tamarama Rock Surfers have been developing The Chronic Ills of Robert Zimmerman: Aka Bob Dylan (A Lie) — A Theatrical Talking Blues and Glissendorf for the last two years. Finally this wild work hits the mainstage at The Fitz. Written by award-winning poet and playwright Benito di Fonzo, The Chronic Ills brings to life the story of one of the 20th century’s most important cultural icons: Bob Dylan. Catch it from April 6-30 at the Old Fitzroy Theatre in Woolloomooloo. info: www.rocksurfers.org
WEST SIDE STORY
West Side Story will play a strictly limited season at the Lyric Theatre, Star City from July 2. With groundbreaking choreography by Jerome Robbins, book by Arthur Laurents, an unforgettable score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the show created a new face for musical theatre. Tickets: www.westsidestorythemusical.com.au