Playtime

BOYS

JOCK UP
June 4 is National Wear A Jockstrap To Work Day. Porn superstar François Sagat, who visited Australia recently, is among those expected to sport their most comfortable jock to work on the day — and he wants you to join in! Why not turn the day into a fundraiser at your office and donate the proceeds to a gay and lesbian charity? Check out the official Facebook page for more info.

BUZZ OFF
Held on the first Friday of each month at Saddle Bar on Oxford St, Buzz is a celebration of masculinity, with pool tables, hunky men, DJ Ben Drayton playing dirty tunes, and buzz cuts available from Richard Savvy. It starts at 8pm on June 4, with $10 jugs until 10pm. Free entry.

BEARS EAT OUT
The next lunchtime gathering of the North Sydney Bears is on Thursday, June 3 from 12.30pm, this time at the Station Hotel on Blue St, North Sydney, which has a $10 meal special, and serves pints too. If you’d like to join the fun, you can email ahead and book a spot, or just show up on the day and squeeze in. To book, email [email protected]

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

FURRY FRIDAYS
Fridays have always been furry for Harbour City Bears members. Have a few drinks at members prices at the Oxford Hotel’s Main Bar, accompanied by sweet sounds from DJ Rob from 9pm. Once the deck has closed at 10pm, it’s time for the Underground to open. The more playful head down to listen to DJ George Roussos (woof) among the hypnotic flashing walls and vibrating dancefloor. info: www.hcbears.com

GIRLS

COAST OUT
Attention surfer chicks and beach bums! CoastOut is the Coffs Coast premier GLBT 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.

GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT
Try a très chic Cointreau Blush and enjoy a girly night out at Hugo’s Lounge in Kings Cross on June 3 from 8-10pm for only $5. Be welcomed with a complimentary Cointreau Blush cocktail on arrival. Enjoy two hours of pampering, pizza and the opportunity to purchase vintage clothing and accessories. info: www.hugos.com.au

BITCHES AND BABES
On June 4, Bitch holds its Winter Wonderland party at the Oxford Art Factory. With a huge white winter installation, fresh DJ talent, snow machines and live vocalists, it’s a party not to be missed. Plus there’s a search for the July Bitch cover girl. Entry is $10, with a free drink and VIP pass if you get in before 10.30pm.

SEX SCREENING
Life Changing Experiences Foundation is launching the inaugural Sisters In The City fundraising initiative, with two private screenings of Sex And The City 2 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.

QUEER CENTRAL
Catch DJs Sveta, Miss Gee, Shalyn Gray, Beatrix and Avra Cybele at the Sly Fox every Wednesday night from 9pm. Surprise shows every week by Mitzi Macintosh and Penny Clifford. Free entry, 199 Enmore Rd, Enmore. info: 9557 1016

CLUBS

LATINO LOVERS
Latin Lobos is a 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.

GOODBYE GAGA
On Friday, June 4 on the Arena Level of Arq, come to the final performance of the Gagarazzi Lady Gaga tribute show. As well as a stunning live show featuring all of Gaga’s hits, DJs Jimmy Dee and Justin Scott will spin dancefloor numbers by Gaga and her contemporaries — lots of Britney, Rhianna et al. Doors open 9pm, $10 entry.

FETISH PARTY
Calling all fierce fetish freaks! On June 12 at Manacle (at the Clarence Hotel), Oz Fetish presents Launch, a rubber-centric strict fetish dance party. With interplanetary DJs Master Sergeant and DJ Virulent keeping the crowd dancing, the night will feature fetish fashion parades, prizes and shows. From 9.30pm. Strict dress code applies. Tix on sale now ($35 + b/f) from www.ozfetishgirls.com.au

MAKE ME SWEAT
Get into some serious underground clubbing as Phoenix 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

COMMUNITY

POTTS POINT 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]

STOPPING POVERTY
Voters in the seat of Sydney will have the chance to hear if their candidates for federal Parliament want to help Make Poverty History at a forum being held in the Club Room of the NSW Teachers Federation, 22 – 33 Mary St, Surry Hills from 6pm on June 7. Speaking at the forum are Tanya Plibersek MP, Cr Shayne Mallard and Tony Hickey (Australian Greens). To RSVP, call 8204 3929 or email [email protected]

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Ankali Project is currently recruiting volunteers to provide emotional and social support to people living with HIV/AIDS. The next volunteer training workshop is being held over 10-11 July and 17-18 July 2010. If you’re friendly and accepting, can spare some time each week and can commit to the project for six months, please call 9332 9742 or email Ankali at [email protected]

MOUNTAINS MEETING
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.

GENDER HELP
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

FUTURE FUN

RUFUS RETURNS
The one and only Rufus Wainwright returns to the Sydney Opera House in October for one very special concert in solo piano and vocal mode. His new album, All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu, has been described as his best work yet, so catch this master songwriter at the top of his game. Tickets are on sale Friday June 4. info: www.rufuswainwright.com

SWEET TREATS
It’s a small slice of Paris smack bang in the heart of Sydney — French-trained pastry chef Leanne Beck’s patisserie Sweet Infinity has just moved into the Strand Arcade. The new store is about to be refurbished, with three competing interior designs on show for customers to vote on. The winning design will be chosen on June 15. info: www.sweetinfinity.com.au

SEAFOOD SCHOOL
Sydney Seafood School has a feast of hot classes scheduled to warm up the colder months ahead, starting with bistro classics from Damien Pignolet (Bistro Moncur) and Jason Roberts (Bellevue Hotel) on July 10. The French theme continues, just in time for Bastille Day, with Justin North (Bécasse) and his head chef from Etch, James Metcalfe, on July 12; Guillaume Brahimi (Guillaume at Bennelong) on July 24; and Matthew Kemp (Restaurant Balzac) on July 26. The full program of classes is at www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au

FREE

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.

3D PORTRAITS
Stereo Portrait Project is the brainchild of visual effects artists, Alex Fry and Jamie Nimmo. Their debut show concentrates on Australian creatives including Morris Gleitzman, Craig Ruddy, Rai Thistlethwayte and more. The exhibition invites the audience to face themselves as someone else using the sculptural aspects of 3D photography, and it’s running at Oh Really Gallery in Newtown until June 8. info: www.stereoportraitproject.com

FIRE and WATER
Set in Campbells Cove, The Rocks Fire Water is a contemporary interpretation of an amazing historical adventure featuring aerialists, fiery installations and a tall ship finale. Each evening from June 11-14, enjoy a free theatrical spectacle that will relive the amazing adventure of the ship Sydney Cove and its incredible journey from India to Sydney in 1797. info: www.vividsydney.com

WOLF WHISTLES
Music for Dogs is a free family event on the northern boardwalk of the Sydney Opera House on June 5. Written and performed by Laurie Anderson, this 20-minute canine composition takes the dog whistle to new artistic heights. A glorious cacophony of sound will have every Spot, Rex and Fido barking, while their two-legged masters will only hear the lapping of water on Sydney Harbour. info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

SCREEN

SEXY SCREENING
The Manly Gay and Lesbian Community group is hosting a screening of Sex and The City 2 on June 4 at Manly Cinema. After pre-drinks at 4 Pines Brewing Company above the cinema from 7pm, the group will enjoy the exploits of Carrie and co when the film starts at 8.45pm. Tickets are $12 each and can be bought on the evening.

CAUGHT SHORT
This month’s instalment of Caught Short’s film night celebrates all things loud. From music clips to rockumentaries to yelling, Thursday, June 3 will be a night of aural splendour. There’ll be filmmakers on hand to answer questions as well as goodie bags from Icon and Metroscreen to give away to some lucky winners. From 7.30pm at TAP Gallery, Darlinghurst. info: www.filmcaughtshort.com

GET FILMING
QueerDOC is Queerscreen’s annual showcase of the best in international LGBTIQ documentaries, but it’s also your chance to share your Australian story. Submissions are open for queerDOC 2010. 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

BACKYARDS
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 is now open, and this year’s selection includes a plethora of queer-themed films. Check out Beautiful Darling, the story of James Slattery who, as Candy Darling, 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

PUBS + BARS

HONKY TONK
Honky Tonk Thursday is the latest addition to the Surry Hills nightlife, with Decoda Secret hosting and producing shows with some local talent from the Oxford St strip each week. Plus, there’s a rotating roster of hot DJs. It all happens each Thursday night at The Black Boater, 6 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills.

SWEAT IT OUT
Sweat is here to help you shake of those winter blues at Phoenix, 34 Oxford St from 10pm on Saturday June 5. Eddie Coulter and Gavyn Vincze will be joined this month by Ben Kelly. Expect to hear the unexpected, and to get down and dirty to some massive house bombs dropped at just at the right time as Ben takes to the decks. Entry: $10 before 11pm, $20 after.

VIVA OZ VEGAS
Dargie Entertainment’s new hit stage show Viva Oz Vegas has captured the essence of the casino capital and brought it to Oz. With four of Australia’s best dancers, tens of thousands of dollars worth of costuming and award-winning cabaret star Betty Dargie as vocalist, this show pays tribute to the ultimate Sin City. Catch it at Slide cabaret bar on June 4. info: www.slide.com.au

TRIP TO JUPITER
The second Friday of each month is GLBT night at Jupiter’s Nightclub in Richmond. For the next event, on June 11, Miss Willie and other special guests will entertain the crowd with drag numbers at 10 and 11pm. Entry is $7 before 11pm, $10 after. Happy hour from 9-11pm. info: www.myspace.com/jupiters_nightclub

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.

SONG

CONWAY ON SONG
Deborah Conway and husband Willy Zygier are announcing four very special NSW shows to celebrate the launch of their latest album Half Man Half Woman, out now. The intimate shows in Kincumber, Sydney, Newcastle and Katoomba take place from June 16-20, with the Sydney show at the Basement on June 18. After this string of dates, the pair will embark on a full national tour. info: www.deborahconway.com

CHAMBER SONGS
Australian conductor Sarah-Grace Williams returns to Sydney to lead the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra in two performances this month. The concerts, on June 19 and 20, will include selections from Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert. The June 19 event is at the Balmain Town Hall from 8pm, and the concert the following day is at the Australian Institute of Music in Surry Hills. info: www.mca-tix.com.au

AURORA DINNER
The Aurora Group is a charity that raises funds to disburse to gay, lesbian and transgender community organisations. The group’s 10th anniversary dinner is being held on June 26 at Paddington Town Hall, with a great line-up of musical guests set to entertain the crowd. The line-up is still under wraps, but lovers of Australian musical theatre talent are in for a treat. info: www.auroragroup.com.au

CLASSICAL COMEDY
One of the finest musical comedy performers in the world, David Scheel, performs at Riverside Theatre in Parramatta on June 13 for the next instalment of Riverside’s Music Series. Known for turning classical musical on its head, Scheel mixes superb piano playing with pure fun, all delivered in a huge range of voices and accents. info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au

STAGE

FEISTY FELINES
Featuring a magnificent musical score composed by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber, including the poignant hit song Memory, a fantastical set, inspired choreography and mischievous costumes, Cats is a brilliant song and dance spectacular not to be missed. The production is now playing at Star City, but must close on June 13. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.

THEATRE OF BLOOD
Theatre of Blood is a late-night sexy gothic horror show playing at the Newtown Theatre every Friday at 11pm. Each season brings a new roster of three short plays. This season features The Tell-Tale Heart, Chocolate Curses and The Torture Garden, the latter being a wild spy thriller about the bisexual villain Clara, with a desperate female lover she keeps imprisoned against her will, and a taste for young female prostitutes. info: www.thetheatreofblood.com

COMEDY ROADSHOW
Featuring the talents of Comedy Festival headliners Miles Jupp from the UK, Melinda Buttle, musical duo Smart Casual and Joel Creasey, the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow will have only one performance in Sydney on Wednesday, June 2 at Riverside Theatres. It’s the perfect bite-sized taste of what our lucky neighbours down south get with the Melbourne Comedy Festival each year. info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au