Playtime

Playtime

STAGE

DIVINE DUSTY
In the 1960s, Dusty Springfield took the entertainment world by storm with a string of hits in Britain and America, but found the pressure unbearable and she retreated from the world into a dark place. Finding strength in adversity, Dusty returned to soar to the top but, with the world applauding again, she had one more battle to fight. Dusty: The Original Pop Diva tells the incredible tale of this true survivor. It plays at the Bankstown Theatre from May 28-June 5. info: www.btsinc.org
ABOUT A GIRL
Written by one of Canada’s most respected playwrights, Governor General’s Award winner Joan MacLeod, The Shape of a Girl is a dynamic one-woman production that looks at the realities of teenage relationships, aggression and codes of behaviour. The Shape of a Girl is playing at Riverside Theatres in Parramatta on Tuesday, June 22 for two performances only, at 10am and 12.30pm. info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au
MUSICAL MAYHEM
Musical of Musicals, the Musical is a rip-roaring parody of five of the most established styles in modern musical theatre — from Andrew Lloyd Webber to Sondheim. It’s a celebratory, camp spectacle for musicals lovers everywhere, and it’s closing on May 29. Catch it at NIDA’s Parade Theatre. Tickets: www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au
IN THE BEDROOM
A night of celebration quickly turns into a night of conflict, when philandering guests are let loose in a party of warring couples. Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy Bedroom Farce reveals the intricacies and intimacies of four separate relationships in three separate bedrooms over the course of one night. The play opens at Darlinghurst Theatre on May 27. info: www.darlinghursttheatre.com

SONG

ASIAN ENVY
Melbourne electro-pop duo Asian Envy have just put their debut video up on YouTube, and it’s a corker. The ’80s-influenced track comes complete with an inventive, special effects-laden clip, featuring two manga-esque Japanese girls doing fierce battle on a deserted beach. Search for Back To Shinjuku on YouTube — and look out for their upcoming debut album, Sweet and Vicious.
BIG R’n’B BILL
The promoters who brought you last month’s Supafest are pleased to announce Winterbeatz 2010, featuring urban superstar Ne-Yo, Grammy Award-winning rapper T-Pain, local duo Phinesse, and Australia’s number one urban DJ, DJ Nino Brown. The R’n’B spectacular will take over Sydney’s Acer Arena on July 28. Tickets on sale through Ticketek from June 2.
DJ DEXTER
Over the course of the last two decades, DJ Dexter has racked up accolades unlike any other Australian dance artist. From his history-making achievements in the World DMC DJ Championships, to work with The Avalanches, Grrilla Step and Curse The Machines, and remixing projects completed for the likes of The Chemical Brothers, Dexter’s career will be commemorated with a massive world tour celebrating his first 20 years in the music industry. See him in action when he stops off at the Oxford Art Factory on May 28. Tickets through Moshtix.
GO TO CHURCH
Having already toured his latest album Go Forth, Find Mammoth with a full live band, Whitley returns from an overseas sabbatical in May with an intimate solo tour. It’s a chance to get up close and personal with a singer, and one of the last times you can catch Whitley live in this environment. Whitley’s Sydney gig is being held at the Paddington Uniting Church on Wednesday, May 26. Tickets through Moshtix.

ON SCREEN

EUROVISION PARTY
For the giveaway price of $25 you can watch the drama and glamour of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest on the big screen at the Hoyts’ Director’s Suite at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park. The cinema suite will have its own private bar, so you can play all your favourite Eurovision drinking games during the broadcast. Seating is strictly limited, so get your tickets now from www.stickytickets.com.au/3492
QUEERDOC OPEN
QueerDOC is Queerscreen’s annual showcase of the very best in international LGBTIQ documentary films, but it’s also your chance to share your Australian story with a Sydney audience. Submissions are for queerDOC 2010, and they want more Aussie content in this festival than ever before. Whether it’s a short doc, a long doc, a vox-pop or a mock-doc … as long as it’s a queer doc, they want to see it. info: www.queerscreen.com.au
OUT ON SCREEN
On Saturday, June 5 at the Clarence Hotel in Petersham, the Come Out Australia group will host the first public screening of Backyards, the movie their film and drama group made last year. The film will screen at 6pm. Afterwards, there’ll be an opportunity to discuss options for this year’s project.
QUEER FILMS
The Sydney Film Festival opens on June 1, and this year’s selection includes a plethora of queer-themed films. Why not check out Beautiful Darling, the story of James Slattery, who as Candy Darling transformed herself into a stunning blonde and became a hit with Warhol’s ’60s Factory crowd; or Mind, a profile of award-winning Australian transgender author Tom Cho. info: www.sydneyfilmfestival.org

FREE

BIENNALE EVENTS
The Sydney Biennale opening week is upon us and there over 100 exciting events including forums, focus sessions, artist talks and film screenings to attend. This year, the 17th Biennale will present three forums in the early weeks of the season, as well as a Biennale keynote address by Hiroshi Sugimoto and a range of other programs. Most events are free, but you must book ahead to secure your place. info: www.biennaleofsydney.com.au
OPEN GYM
City Gym at Crown St in East Sydney is having an open day on Saturday, May 29. From noon to 5pm, there’s free gym access and free classes, plus free educational seminars on everything from weight loss to foot injuries. Don’t forget to pick up a free show bag as you leave. For further info, call Justin on 9360 6247.
CHOOSE YOUR FAVES
2010 marks the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s 21st birthday and to celebrate, they’re releasing a CD of your favourites. The top 20 tracks as voted by the public will be included, and everyone who votes will have their name printed on the CD booklet. Vote for your three favourites until May 30 at www.brandenburg21.com.au There’s everything from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Mozart’s Queen of the Night.
BENT AND BLUE
The bentART exhibition is being held at the Wentworth Falls Art School in the Blue Mountains and runs from Friday, June 10 to Monday, June 14, showcasing artworks from a diverse collection of queer artists. If you’d like to submit your work for inclusion, be quick — submissions are open until May 26. info: www.bentart.com.au
COAST OUT
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.

FUTURE FUN

SISTERS DOWN UNDER
New York disco queers Scissor Sisters return with the shimmering Stuart Price-produced album Night Work on June 25. On July 27, the band touch down at Luna Park’s Big Top for a massive comeback concert, showcasing songs from the new album like current single Fire With Fire and the Ian McKellen-featured Invisible Light. Tickets on sale May 28 through Ticketmaster.
EPIC PRODUCTION
William Hurt and Robyn Nevin lead an Australian and American cast in Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night, a scorching portrait of a family haunted by shadows of the past and paralysed by the prospect of the future.  Andrew Upton directs the co-production for Sydney Theatre Company, opening at Sydney Theatre on July 3. info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au
STAR DUETS
Dueting it for the Kids is a concert unlike anything heard previously in Sydney. This event will bring together the top Australian names of the music industry in a concert of duets — artists like Wendy Matthews, Jessica Mauboy, Tim Freedman and Shannon Noll. In aid of the Australian Children’s Music Foundation, Dueting it for the Kids is on Monday, August 9 at the State Theatre. Tickets on sale May 31 through Ticketmaster.
WINTER WONDERLAND
After a sell-out season last year, the Winter Festival is returning from June 24-July 4 to transform the city into a winter wonderland and warm hearts with all the delights of an alpine snow season. The centrepiece of the event is a 600sqm outdoor ice skate rink in the middle of the city and an alpine ski hut and stylish St Moritz bar will complete the après-ski vibe. Tickets are on sale now from www.winterfestival.com.au

CLUBS

DIVA DELIVERS
The latest instalment in Arq’s regular series of concerts with Young Divas members happens this Sunday night, with R’n’B bombshell Emily Williams taking to the stage. Expect a choice selection of commercial covers. Sunday, May 30 from 9pm, $5 entry.
COX IS COMING
The Ivy launches a brand new night for weekend revellers this weekend — Pure Ivy. Each week, it’ll play host to the crème de la crème of Sydney’s social circuit together with an army of dancefloor-hungry music lovers. Headlining the launch party on May 29 is UK DJ producer supreme Michael Gray, plus incredible dance-R’n’B diva Deborah Cox. 6pm-4am, $20 entry after 9pm.
LATIN TRASH
Latin Lobos is a new group focused on uniting the Latin queers of Sydney. On Friday, June 4 at the Oxford Hotel’s Supper Club, the group presents Latin Trash, a straight-friendly queer Latino party. Doors open 10pm. Music from DJs Spex and Jack Posada and entertainment from drag queen La Bambita. $10 entry.
MAKE ME SWEAT
Get into some serious underground clubbing as Phoenix Bar welcomes Ben Kelly to the latest edition of Sweat. Making him feel welcome will be Sweat regulars Eddie Coulter, Gavyn Vincze and a roomful of Sydney’s sexiest men! Saturday, June 5 from 10pm. $10 before 11pm, $20 after.
GET SERVED
Sydney Star Observer columnist Maxi Shield and Verushka Darling have a Sunday night show at the Midnight Shift. Are You Being Served? sees the pair taking the mickey out of the cult ’70s TV show of the same name every Sunday from 8pm as part of the Shift’s retro Sundays with DJs Rodney Dean and Justin Scott. info: www.themidnightshift.com

PUBS+BARS

CALL OOO!
Every Wednesday from 9.30pm, the Midnight Shift presents a brand-new fun-filled show, The Triple Oh! show. Starring Summer Salt, Millie Poppins and Ripley Waters, this hilariously fabulous show is playing for a limited time only. Free entry.
PARTY WITH US
Sweaty, sexy and over-the-top, the Sydney Star Observer 30th anniversary dance party hits Arq on Friday, June 11 from 9pm. Tickets are $20 plus booking fee from Sax Fetish and Bang Clothing. On the night, enjoy tunes from DJs Dan Murphy, Rob Davis, Mandy Rollins, Johan Koury and more — plus drag fun from Mini Cooper and the girls.
DEEP DISKO
Deep Disko continues at the Colombian Hotel this Sunday, with Phil Hudson, Matt Cahill, Dave 54, Soul Junkies, Danny De Sousa + Mark Matthews live on sax from 10pm: expect to hear the sexiest beats anywhere on Oxford St. The Lounge Bar will serve premium cocktails from 6pm-9pm for $10 to get the night off with a bang.
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 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
EL CIRCO
Held on Saturday nights at Slide, El’Circo is a unique dinner theatre event, designed by and produced exclusively for the venue. It is an experience that combines the distinctive eclecticism and skill of Sydney’s performance art with the matchless charm and flavour of Parisian cabaret — all presented while you enjoy great food and drink. info: www.slide.com.au

COMMUNITY

CHARITY AUCTION
In support of Chronology Arts’ and Ars Musica Australis’ programs, Chronology Arts is having a fundraising sale of significant Indigenous Australian art on Saturday, May 29 at Paddington Uniting Church from 6pm to 9pm. Works for purchase will include those from prized artists Minnie Pwerle, Gloria Petyarre and Barbara Weir. The artworks are sourced directly from community-based art centres and artists representatives in Central Australia in Papunya Tula, Yuendumu and Utopia. info: www.chronologyarts.net
NEW SOCIAL GROUP
Potts Point Poofs is a new social group for — you guessed it — poofs in Potts Point. The group is open to anyone in the area, and is about encouraging queers to meet up and make friends in their local suburb. To find out about upcoming events, join the fledgling group’s Facebook page, or email [email protected]
PFLAG MEETING
PFLAG helps hundreds of GLBT people and their families communicate and understand each other. Their goal is keeping families together. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 26 at 7.30pm in the Conference Room of the Wesley Lodge, cnr Hawkesbury and Queens Rds, Westmead.  info: www.pflagaustralia.org.au
DIVERSITY FORUM
A forum on challenging homophobia, titled So Gay, So What!, is taking place on Thursday, June 3 from 3.30pm at the Blue Mountains City Council Chamber. Organised by the Blue Mountains Council, Pink Mountains and SOAR, the forum aims to progress work for an inclusive and diverse community where people from different sexualities can live free of homophobia. RSVP by May 27 to Kelly Watson on 4780 5637.

BOYS

MALE DELIVERY
Stonewall Malebox turns 12 on May 26. Malebox is the hottest place in Sydney on a Wednesday night and has become known to tourists from all over the world. The birthday party will be held on all three floors with DJs Justin Scott, Scott Tanner, Dan Murphy and David Smith. Prizes include a three-month City Gym membership, photo shoot and much more.
MR BEAR
Do you have what it takes to be Mr Harbour City Bear 2010? Enter the comp — or just watch the fur fly — at the Oxford Hotel’s Supper Club from 7pm on May 29. Hosted by Maxi Shield, the comp will bring together Bears and cubs of all ages to battle it out for the chance to take part in Mr Australasia Bear in Melbourne in June.
RUGGER BUGGER
Join the final fundraiser to send off the Convicts as they head to Mineapolis to defend the Bingham Cup — Rugger Bugger 11. Hosted by the lovely Maxi Shield at Midnight Shift on Saturday, May 29, from 8pm, there’ll be awesome shows, naked rugby players and some housey tunes by Baby Bear. Don’t miss it — it’s gonna be huge!
GOLDEN WOOFS
The Golden Woofs is an international Bear short film competition with a $500 prize, run by Bear Men of Adelaide. Finalists are screened at a gala screening during Bearstock, Adelaide in November. Entry is open to any short film less than 12 minutes that is made by, features and/or is about Bears. Entries on DVD must be received by October 25. Details: www.goldenwoofs.bmofa.org.au
POOL AT SADDLE
Cue up at SaddleBar’s pool competition every Thursday night from 9pm. Have a relaxed, friendly game in a chilled pub environment. Big prizes to be won — $100 first prize, $50 for the runner-up. Saddle Bar at the Midnight Shift, 85 Oxford St.

GIRLS

CALLING COWGIRLS
Betty’s Turn is on for another night of dress-up daggy dance, pop-tastic hits and requests for the ladies in the inner west. It’s time to hoe down with Betty for another ranch spectacular. You should all know the drill by now: post your requests on their Facebook wall, dress up in your best Cow Polk or Dixie Chick kit for drinks on the night. They’re visiting the Wild West this time with rodeo dress-up and bootscooting tracks to dig your spurs into. May 28, The Clarence Hotel, 9pm-2am.
COSMOS FOR A CAUSE
Life Changing Experiences Foundation is launching the inaugural Sisters In The City fundraising initiative, with two private screenings of the highly anticipated Sex And The City 2 movie at 5pm on Friday, June 4 at Randwick Ritz Cinema. Strut down the pink carpet where you’ll receive a Nivea gift bag and a complimentary Cosmopolitan cocktail. All money from ticket sales will be donated to SISTER2sister, a 12-month mentoring program that matches successful women with at-risk teenage girls.
RUBY FOR LUCY
Sydney band Ruby for Lucy will launch their debut album, Catching Bream, at The Vanguard on June 2. The female duo’s album has been described as having an “indie-folk fairytale vibe”, and the pair have performed on many Sydney stages since first meeting three years ago. info: www.rubyforlucy.com
LEATHER FOR LADIES
The Sydney Leather Pride Association has noticed a drop in the number of female members and events to cater for those members in recent years. In an effort to change this, SLPA will hold a special forum to consult with the women of the community at 4pm on Sunday, May 30. For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.sydneyleatherpride.org

You May Also Like

Comments are closed.