Playtime

Boys

A HAIR AFFAIR
Step inside the glamorous world of hair fashion when top local and international stylists descend on Sydney for Hair Expo Australia 2010. Showcasing the industry’s leading brands and stylists, Hair Expo Australia offers the chance to get up close and personal with world-class experts and be dazzled by the latest in hair innovation. It’s on from June 12-14 at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour. info: www.hairexpoaustralia.com

MEN IN BLACK
After a sell-out event last year, the Mahunt Black Party is back for more at Arq on June 18. Dress to impress in your favourite black outfit even if that means black speedos, underwear or leather. Anything goes, as long as it’s black (and sexy helps). Not to mention sexy cage dancers direct from LA. Tickets are $25/30 — and will sell out. Men-only.

TIED UP
The Sydney Leather Pride group is looking for someone skilled and willing to teach the basics of Ropes 101 to its members. If you’re interested and think you’ve got what it takes, email your details and a brief resume to [email protected].

Clubs

RUBBER LOVERS
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

MUSCLE MARYS
Johan Khoury presents the return of Love Muscle to lead the Queen’s birthday celebrations from 2pm, Saturday, June 12 at the Greenwood Hotel. With DJs Rado, Phil Hewson and Justin Ryan providing the beats, the event will also have a very special guest — Tina Cousins. From midnight, a shuttle bus service will ferry revellers to the after-party at Live on Oxford St.

SMASHING HOT
The next Hot Rod Party is on Saturday, June 12 at the Underground Bar in the Oxford Hotel, and it’s got a hell of a theme: Smash Hits. They’ll be paying homage to the biggest music mag on the planet during the ’80s and ’90s. Guests are invited to channel their inner pop/rock stars as inspiration for their outfits. Plus a hot new electro performer called Nick Pes will be playing live. 10pm-late, free entry.

Community

HIV HELPERS
The Ankali Project is 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]

PINK ON BLUE
The Blue Mountains turn a shade of pink from June 11 to 20 with the Pink Mountains gay and lesbian festival. Events include the BentART exhibition, a pool party, film screenings and more. Visit www.pinkmountains.com.au for all the info.

AURORA DINNER
Aurora’s 10th anniversary dinner will be held on Saturday, June 26, with the theme ‘All You Need Is Love’. With performances by seasoned musical theatre performers Mitchell Butel and Tamsin Carol, the night will also feature a keynote address by Sir Ian McKellen. info: www.auroragroup.com.au

Diary

JASON RIDES IN
Hitmaker Jason Derulo, the voice behind hits like Ridin’ Solo and In My Head, has announced a national tour. His self-titled debut album has already spawned three massive singles, with more to come. Derulo plays the Hordern Pavilion on November 9. Tickets on sale now through Ticketmaster.

DEBBIE AND CHRISSIE
This may be the concert of the year for fans of ’80s New Wave: Blondie and The Pretenders. That’s right, legendary frontwomen Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde performing on the same night. O-M-G. The concert stops off at the Enmore Theatre on December 7 amid a string of winery dates. Now, is it too much to ask for a duet? Tickets through Ticketek.

SONG SUMMIT
Song Summit is Australia’s leading event for aspiring songwriters and music makers, taking place on tJune 19-21 as part of Vivid Sydney. The three-day conference is a major expo for the music industry and aims to inspire, motivate and facilitate creativity amongst Australian music makers. Guest speakers and performers include Julian Hamilton from The Presets, Josh Pyke, and Rai Thistlethwayte from Thirsty Merc. info: www.songsummit.com.au

Free

FREE FITNESS
Use the facilities at Lifestyle Fitness gym for free on Saturday, June 26. Featured on the day will be free personal training, massages, zumba class, nutritional seminars, child minding and more. The gym is at 672 King St, Erskineville.

WILDLIFE WARRIOR
After a successful showing in Melbourne, acclaimed wildlife photographer Nick Brandt is bringing his vision to Sydney in an exclusive exhibition. A Shadow Falls is a complex and deep portrait of African wildlife, showing at the Shapiro Gallery in Woollahra from June 24 to July 7.

FRESH FRUITS
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.

Girls

QUEER CENTRAL
Catch DJs Sveta, Miss Gee, Shalyn Gray, Beatrix and Avra Cybele at the Sly Fox every Wednesday from 9pm. Free entry, 199 Enmore Rd, Enmore. info: 9557 1016

BURLESQUE
Miss Burlesque Australia combines all elements of burlesque performance and personality to compete for a major prize and international title and is open to burlesque performers of any level. Competition dates will be announced soon, enter the comp at www.missburlesqueinternational.com

On screen

JERRY
Foxtel’s TV1 will screen a mega Seinfeld marathon this month – Join Jerry, Elaine, Kramer and George back in the golden era of the ‘90s when they all had careers. Check your Foxtel guide for specific listings.

QUEER FILM
Submissions are open 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

Pubs & Bars

SSO CELEBRATIONS
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.

ROCK IN RICHMOND
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

DRAGGING ON
Slide Bar will play host to a massive night of drag on Friday June 11. Enjoy back-to-back drag shows with the best of Sydney’s drag community, starting from 9:30pm. For only $10 entry, the event is a fundraiser for the upcoming Australian Diva Awards, which honour and celebrate this country’s drag talent. info: www.slide.com.au

Song

LEONARD LOVE
Early last year audiences across Australia flocked to see Leonard Cohen in what some assumed would be his final visit to these shores. Think again, because Cohen has agreed to return — with his nine piece band and backing singers — for an encore tour later this year. He will play Acer Arena on November 8. Tickets through Ticketek.

BRIDAL BOP
On Wednesday June 16, music lovers can enjoy the dulcet tones of Bridezilla, Domeyko/Gonzalez and Step-Panther at the Oxford Art Factory, for a modest $5 cover charge. Bridezilla is currently wrapping up an epic tour of the UK.
info: www.oxfordartfactory.com.au

Stage

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. And by ‘more’, we mean half-naked muscly dancers. It plays at the State Theatre from June 15-20. info: www.rocktheballet.com.au

BIG BANG
White Box Theatre will present the world premiere of Australian playwright Jonathan Gavin’s new work Bang at the Belvoir St Theatre in Surry Hills until July 4. info: www.belvoir.com.au