Playtime

CLUBS

HOT ROD
Join the Hot Rod team on May 8 for a Disney Couture Fashion Week after-party underground at the Oxford. Dress up Disney-style on the night and make Mickey proud. The dwarves are working on their outfits right now. Featuring special guest Dallas Dellaforce, MC Gaff-E, and installations from artist Kevin Bava. 10pm-late, free entry.
TRINITY TRANCE
Welcome to Trinity, a new night of the best trance at one of Sydney’s most amazing venues, Midnight Shift. Trinity will take over the SaddleBar, remove the pool tables and return this once-hallowed space back to a dance club to be able to give punters a journey for the mind, body and spirit. Expect state-of-th- art lasers, crystal clear sound and renowned DJ talent from Sydney and beyond. May 22, 10pm-6am, $15 entry.
ONES and SIXES
A new Saturday night clubbing experience with balls has arrived at One Six Nine, 169 Oxford St. This Saturday, May 8, enjoy tunes from Troy Cox, Johan Khoury, Chip and Adam Watts.
DRAG RACE
Tora Hymen is back at the Midnight Shift videobar to host So You Think You Can Drag? Every Tuesday night, contestants will be judged by local celebrities with a weekly cash prize of $100 and a grand prize of $1000 plus a pampering package from Star Shots photographic studio. To enter, email your details to [email protected] or call Zara on 0433 248 684.
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

PUBS AND BARS

CLARENCE KARAOKE
The weekly My Inner Diva karaoke competition runs at the Clarence Hotel every Wednesday. Find your inner Aretha, Tina or Donna and let your shimmy shake, your rattles roll, and your greatest love of all shine with a weekly dose of karaoke fun. Free to enter, thousands of tracks to choose from and fun prize. info: www.clarencehotel.com.au
RETRO PARTY
Retro 10 is a ’70s vs ’80s fundraiser for Karumah Positive Living Centre. It will be held upstairs at Newcastle Leagues club on Saturday, May 8. Tickets at the door are $15/$10 concession. ’70s and ’80s music by DJ Thomas. Special guest Denise Gold. The Newcastle Ramps, drag shows and the crowning of Newcastle’s King and Queen of Retro. Hosted by Mr and Mrs White Trash. info: 0414 652 516
MITZI’S FAREWELL
After more than 10 years of regular weekly Bingay and five years of BIG Bingay, fabulous hostess Mitzi Macintosh is off to live overseas. Having raised almost $1 million for ACON — not to mention giving pleasure to thousands of people along the way with her outrageous antics and repartee — May 7 will be her last BIG Bingay ever. From 7.30pm at the Paddo RSL, Paddington.
COOL COCKTAILS
To commemorate the anniversary of the first cocktail, Merivale will be the first venue in Sydney to shake things up with a series of cool cocktail events from May 11-15 to honour this year’s World Cocktail Week. There are classes and tastings on offer for serious cocktail connoisseurs. info: www.merivale.com
GAY’S WORK
Thursdays from 10.30pm, the Midnight Shift’s Video Bar presents All In A Gay’s Work. Camp, glamorous drag shows from Charisma Belle, Tora Hymen and Minnie Cooper, plus an $8 black hole of uranus cocktail special all night. Free entry.

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].
MOTHERS DAY MASS
Acceptance Sydney invites all mums, dads, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews to their Mothers Day family mass on Friday, May 7. The all-inclusive group is encouraging attendees to invite members of their family (and friends) to come along. It starts at 8pm at St Joseph’s Church in Newtown.
HELP BAD DOG
Give a dog a bone — Bad Dog needs help from anyone who would like to donate their time towards setting up Bad Dog events. Bad Dog also has a couple of paid positions for people willing to bump in and out. If you’re interested, please email [email protected]
GAMMA
The next GAMMA (Gay and Married Men’s Association) meeting is Wednesday May 5 in the ACON building, 9 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills at 8pm. For details, contact Scott [email protected] or 1800 804 607.
DRUG SURVEY
Independent researcher Urbis is running an online survey about the use of club drugs in NSW and the ACT. The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and when finished, you can go into the draw to win a $500 shopping voucher. All responses are anonymous and confidential. To do the survey or for more information, visit www.clubdrugssurvery.com.au

BOYS

DIRTY FUN
Dirty is held at the infamous underground bar, Phoenix, a club of unmatched pedigree in Sydney’s underground gay clubbing scene. The May 8 event, from 11pm-5am, sees the return of Rob Gilbert (Melbourne) alongside resident Mandy Rollins. Be prepared to get down low for a little bump and grind!
BEARS UP NORTH
A group of Bears who work in the North Sydney area meet on the first Thursday of the month for lunch and beer. The next North Sydney Bears lunch will is on Thursday May 6 at 12.30pm, at the Firehouse Hotel, 86 Walker St, North Sydney. If you’d like to join the throng, either show up or email [email protected]
BEACH BUMS
CoastOut is the Coffs Coast premiere gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and friends festival. Come and check out the Coffs coast, ‘where the mountains meet the sea’, during this three-day festival featuring Australia’s first queer surfing contest, beach carnival, entertainment and more. From October 29-31. Visit the CoastOut Facebook page for details.
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
GAY NUDISTS
Gay Sydney Nudists is a social organisation for gay or bisexual male nudists. It hosts parties at members’ homes, dinners at restaurants, harbour cruises and any other legal activities the committee decides upon. info: To join the group call 4972 5357 or email [email protected]

GIRLS

SOPRANO ON SONG
Clarissa Spata, one of Australia’s leading sopranos, will launch her new album Come What May on Mothers Day, Sunday, May 9, at Cosmopolitan Café in Double Bay. Clarissa will perform songs from the album at both lunch and dinner on Mothers Day. She’ll also give a copy of Come What May to all mothers who book and dine at the café. info: www.cosmopolitancafe.com.au
GALAXY OF GIRLS
A new and unique monthly girls event is being held on the first Saturday of every month at the Oxford Hotel. On Saturday, May 8 from 8pm, join Maria and the all-girl band the Frocks for The White Party. Joining them exclusively will be sexy duo Scarlett Belle performing their new single Closure. Music from DJs Sveta, Tori Mac and Heart Attack. Plus Girlaxy Lounge table service from the sexy Girlaxy bar staff. info: www.girlaxy.com.au
SOMETHING FOR MUM
Spoil Mum on Mothers Day, Sunday, May 9, with a nine-course degustation menu and nine amazing circus acts at El Circo, Slide Bar, from noon. Just for Mothers Day, they’ll throw in a free glass of champers for Mum to kick the afternoon off in style.
GAY GRANTS
Lesbians Incorporated (LINC) provides financial backing to lesbians and lesbian-friendly organisations through its community grants scheme. Lesbians and lesbian-friendly organisations may apply for grants up to $500 at any time. About every 18 months, LINC will fund one large grant of up to $10,000. LINC is a not-for-profit community organisation managed entirely by volunteers. info: www.lincgrants.org.au
VELVET
If you fancy tipping the velvet with a midweek tipple, check out Velvet Wednesdays at The Bank Hotel, 324 King St, Newtown. From 7pm till late, the girls night has a great line-up of DJs, including Sandi Hotrod, Renae Stanton, Kate Monroe, GI Jode and more. Plus, it’s free entry.

STAGE

BUG-A-BOO
Bug is a dark comic thriller written in 1996 by Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer/actor Tracy Letts. Agnes lives in a seedy motel on the edge of the Californian desert, fuelled by alcohol and drugs. When a handsome stranger enters her world, he brings with him an unexpected infestation. Griffin Theatre’s staging of the play opens on May 12 at the SBW Stables Theatre, Kings Cross. info: www.griffintheatre.com.au
COPPELIA
The Australian Ballet presents Coppélia at the Sydney Opera House from May 4. This colourful and irresistible production has everything a good story ballet should: a touch of magic, a dash of romance and masses of sumptuous costumes. Boy meets girl, girl is a doll, doll comes to life — Frankenstein the ballet? Not quite. Coppélia is a comic ballet which combines the magic of theatre with deft dancing and remarkable characters. info: australianballet.com.au
CANDY MAN
Wayne Scott Kermond’s Candy Man has just played Adelaide to standing ovations and critical acclaim. Returning to Sydney for four shows, this dynamic all-dancing and all-singing celebration of the life and music of Sammy Davis Jr is on just in time for Mothers’ Day. Candy Man will play four performances only at the Lyric Theatre, Star City from May 7-9.
MUSICAL SQUARED
In the hilarious spoof Musical of Musicals: The Musical, one story becomes five delightful musicals, each written in the distinctive style of a different master of the form: Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Kander and Ebb. It plays at Parade Theatres, Kensington, from May 6-29. info: www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au

SONG

KONSTANTIN SHAMRAY
Described as having ‘dynamite at his fingertips’, Konstantin Shamray burst on to the Australian concert platform in 2008 as the winner of the Sydney International Piano Contest. Now he returns to Riverside Theatres on May 13 with a breathtaking program of Bach, Beethoven, Scriabin and Prokofiev. At just 24 years of age, Shamray is a formidable talent and an unmissable experience for true music-lovers. info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au
MARK SHOLTEZ
Having just returned from the US where he has been recording a new album with Grammy award-winning producer Larry Klein at the helm, Australian singer-songwriter Mark Sholtez is set to take the stage for a national tour in May. Catch him at the Basement on May 13, with dates in Cronulla and Manly later that week. info: www.marksholtez.com
HUEY’S BAD NEWs
Huey Lewis and the News ‘Still Working for a Living’ Australian tour has been cancelled. The scheduled tour was postponed earlier this year and unfortunately due to conflicting schedules and venue logistics neither the tour promoter or band management have been able to reschedule the shows for the remainder of this year. Sydney ticketholders should seek refunds from Ticketmaster as soon as possible.
JAZZY COLLECTIVE
Renowned Sydney jazz collective Junglehammer are gearing up for the launch of their third album Romeo Tree at The Studio, Sydney Opera House next week. Fronted by singer/songwriter iOTA, and with special guest Lily Dior and a stellar 14-piece ensemble, Junglehammer will unleash their distinctive sound on Sydney audiences on Friday, May 14. info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

ON SCREEN

SMith a superstar
Certified hottie, soccer player-turned model and the man responsible for impregnating a Minogue, Kris Smith has been announced as host of the third season of FOX8’s breakout hit Australian reality series, Football Superstar. The series will premiere in June, so check your listings.
BLACK STORIES
Message Stick’s Indigenous Film Festival returns to Sydney Opera House from May 6–8 for another massive weekend of free film screenings, showcasing the best of Indigenous cinema in Australia and around the world. Included in the festival are five world premieres, four Australian premieres, Q&A sessions with filmmakers and the debut of a sing-along version of the award-winning musical Bran Nue Dae hosted by Ernie Dingo. info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
NOT SO STRAIGHT
Heading north to Queensland this week? Check out the opening night of the Tropical Alternatives Queer Film Festival on Thursday, May 6 in Cairns. The opening party includes a screening of the documentary Not So Straight, a candid and engaging exploration of contemporary issues facing same-sex attracted young people in Melbourne. info: www.qahc.org.au/films
DANCE ON FILM
May 13-16 sees the Sydney season and national launch of ReelDance International Dance on Screen Festival at Carriageworks. A brilliant collision of art, dance and film, this out of the ordinary festival includes feature and short films exploring the world and the art of dance. info: www.reeldance.org.au
FINDING THEIR ROOTS
Who Do You Think You Are? sees celebrities uncover stories of heroism, tragedy, love and betrayal that lie at the heart of their family tree. In each episode, famous names such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Lisa Kudrow and Susan Sarandon travel around the world and go back in time to unearth fascinating stories about their ancestors. The series screens 9.30pm Wednesdays on Channel 9.

FREE

HAIRSPRAY SEARCH
In a massive national search, the producers and creative team behind the stage musical Hairspray have embarked on a gruelling open call audition schedule to find Tracy Turnblad. It is expected that Australia’s Tracy Turnblad will be an unknown performer, much like Nikki Blonsky, star of the 2007 movie, was. The Sydney open call is on Saturday, May 8 from 9am at Carriageworks in Eveleigh.
SUSTAINABLE MARKET
Here’s a welcome change for residents around Oxford St: waking up on a Saturday morning to fresh fruit and vegetables at Taylor Square, not last night’s drunks. The weekly farmers market is now running every Saturday from 8am-1pm.
SALE TRAIL
The Garage Sale Trail is a community-minded initiative to help promote recycling and sustainability in Bondi and have a little fun. The event is being held Sunday, May 9 as part of the new Sizzle, Bondi Beach Community Festival schedule of activities. Registrations are open at www.sizzlefestival.com.au
ARKESTRA
Arkestra is a three-piece band consisting of Sydney musical luminaries Aleesha Dibbs, James Domeyko and Jasper Clifford-Smith. Inspired by everything from Massive Attack to Can, M83, Lee Perry and Portishead, their music portrays a fragile innocence equally intrigued and disturbed by what may lurk around the next darkened corner of their city and their collective psyches. The band perform a free show every Thursday in May at the Oxford Art Factory.
TURNING JAPANESE
Until May 8, Ambush Gallery in Waterloo will stage Asahi Silver + Black, a unique combination of art, photography, fashion and design culture. Asahi will exhibit a variety of obscure vintage Asahi objects and artefacts, alongside prints, sketches, installations, photography, fashion and live creative events. info: www.asahibeer.com.au

FUTURE FUN

DINNER AND DEATH
Join in the fictional whodunit grand re-opening cocktail party at the Australian Museum on Saturday, May 22. There’ll be cocktails, canapés, prizes, red herrings and the odd skeleton or two! Guests dressed in sophisticated style and in character will become integral to the sordid story that unfolds. Is it a crime of passion, or a passionate crime? Will you solve this unique whodunit before someone else does? info: www.pointsofdifference.com
HOT SOUNDS
Two pioneering titans of pleasurably innovative modern pop music, New York City’s LCD Soundsystem and London’s Hot Chip, are coming to Australia in July to go head to head. Both acts come armed with sensational new albums — LCD with the soon-to-be-released This Is Happening, Hot Chip with the lush One Life Stand. Catch them at the Hordern Pavillion on July 26. Tickets on sale May 7.
BALLET ROCKS
Rock the Ballet is a fusion of classic ballet technique blended with the excitement of musical theatre, hip-hop, ballet, tap, contemporary, gymnastics and more. It’s set to some of pop music’s most recognisable tunes, by the likes of Michael Jackson, Queen and Prince. Plus there’s lots of muscular male flesh on display. Enjoy the view at the State Theatre from June 15-20. info: www.rocktheballet.com.au
GLOWING PRAISE
The Sydney Opera House presents the Australian premiere of Glow, a highly entertaining, visually rich production, from June 5 in the Opera Theatre. Glow is a comic and uplifting tale of love and adventure, staged in the black light theatre style with impressive sets and props, surprising theatrics and colourful costumes. info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

GET LISTED
To be considered for Play Time listings email [email protected]