Playtime – issue 1031

Boys

SANTA’S COMING
Chunky gets festive with a Christmas in July celebration on July 24 upstairs at the Midnight Shift, Level One. All manner of beefy blokes, furry studs, cute cubs and hot daddies will enjoy music from DJs Rob, Gavyn Vincze, Troy Cox, Luke Leal and Mark Alsop, plus Santa and a complimentary Christmas buffet.
info: www.chunkyparty.com.au
POSITIVE FORUM
Positive Life NSW is developing its strategic plan for 2011-14. As the organisation prides itself on being ‘the voice of people with HIV’, it is seeking to consult with members and other people with HIV, their friends, carers and family members. The Sydney session is on July 27, or you can fill in an online survey at www.positivelife.org.au/about/stratplan.
info: Freecall 1800 245 677.
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. info: www.goldenwoofs.bmofa.org.au

Clubs

GAGA RARA
Going Gaga is the latest tribute show at Arq to that inescapable force of nature, Lady Gaga. The Thursday night show stars Minnie Cooper, Charisma Belle, Decoda Secret and Tora Hymen as a troupe of bottle-blonde Gaga clones, with all the hits — and outlandish outfits — you’ve come to love. From 9pm, free entry.
STONEWALL TURNS PINK
To celebrate its 13th birthday, Stonewall Hotel will be transformed into a Pink Palace of pleasure for one night only on Friday July 30. Think pink flamingos, pink pigs, pink dollars, pink wigs and pink music – three levels of pink pleasure from 9pm-late. Giveaways, great music and fabulous shows. Entry is $10 (VIP Cardholders $5). Dress code: pink, of course!
GLAMAZONIA
Arq has started a brand new Sunday night show in recent weeks — Amazonia, with Decoda Secret as a fierce Amazonian goddess. She’s joined on stage by her four delectable dancing boys, Wil, Daniel, Phillipe and Heath. Doors open 9pm, shows at 11.30pm and 12.30am.

Community

COLLECTING HISTORY
Memorabilia of people’s lives are being gathered as part of a City of Sydney project to help preserve current history for future generations. The Past in Print initiative aims to tell a story about the residents, businesses, community groups and landmarks of the eight villages across the Local Government Area. You can donate your ephemera in a collection box at any city library. For more information, email [email protected]
CALLING SONGWRITERS
Gay singer-songwriter Bruce Thompson is putting the feelers out for the formation of a Sydney Gay and Lesbian Songwriters Group. “It would be great if gay and lesbian Sydney songwriters and music lovers wanting to come along to our ‘jam sessions’ could meet up once a month at a supportive cafe or other venue,” said the guitarist and lyricist. Anyone interested can contact Bruce on [email protected] or 0404 80 60 22.
BANKSTOWN BITES
Bankstown Bites is one of Sydney’s most authentic and diverse food festivals. Through its focus on Asian, European and Middle Eastern cuisine, the festival showcases Bankstown’s great cultural and linguistic diversity. The Come Out Australia social group will meet at Paul Keating Park at 10am on the day of the festival (July 31), then join in one of the ever popular Discovery Food Tours. For info or to find the group on the day call Alex on 0439 730 414.

Free

CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
Sydney Theatre Company’s Rough Drafts are week-long creative developments that take part regularly as part of the Company’s Next Stage program. They give theatre makers the opportunity to experiment: to try out new ideas, new ways of working and new collaborations. At the conclusion of each, audiences are invited to enjoy a free, one-off showing which gives a unique opportunity to delve into the creative process and ask questions of the artists. The next show is on July 24, and bookings are recommended.
info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au
WHEELY GOOD TIME
Monstrosity Gallery in Woolloomooloo is hosting the Bourke Street Festival on Wheels, happening on July 23-24. The festival sees the launch of cycling related art at Monstrosity Gallery, and just down the street will be bands, cycling stunts and general misbehavin’ over two days.
info: www.monstrosity.com.au
LONDON CALLING
Internationally acclaimed photographer Robyn Beeche moved from Sydney to London in the mid 1970’s. From catwalk shows to clubs, she captured the leading artists and designers of the time, and worked extensively with artists and designers including Zandra Rhodes, Vivienne Westwood, Leigh Bowery and Mary Quant. See the photographic fruits of her labour in London Calling, an exhibition showing at the Australian Centre for Photography from July 23.
info: www.acp.org.au

Girls

RUNAWAY ROCKERS
Starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning — both playing very much against type — The Runaways is a raw, searingly honest look at the quick rise — and even quicker fall — of 1970s all-girl rock band The Runaways. Stewart and Fanning even share a steamy on-screen kiss, girls. The film is now screening nationally.
FEMME SUTRA
Femme Sutra invites women of all persuasions to join in an evening of sensory delights and feminine indulgence, from 7pm on July 22 at one of Sydney’s newest boutique bars, Sol Sutra in Darlinghurst. This is the beginning of a regular monthly night, and there’ll be old school, funk and soulful classics with DJ Miss Kauss, burlesque art and dancers, vocalists, fine wine tastings and elegant bites all aim to excite, tantalise and amuse Femme Sutra guests.
GIRLY PERV
Perv is proud to present an arousing evening of Lezsploitation films at the Red Rattler on July 30. Come along and enjoy a scintillating double bill with your host Sister Muscle Mary. A cornucopia of sleazy Sapphic cinematic delights: sex crazed nuns, horny prison inmates, hypnotic lesbian vampires and so much more! On offer on the night are sleazy ‘70s nunsploitation flick Images In A Convent, plus a 2007 doco featuring the best clips of the genre.  info: www.pervfilmfestival.com

On Screen

CHASE THIS UP
The Chaser team will return to ABC TV with their satirical take on the 2010 federal election, in a new program called Yes We Canberra! The boys will provide some much-needed light relief amongst the pomp and promises of an election campaign. So when does it air? Well, ask Julia Gillard. The show will screen four episodes, one each Wednesday night at 9:45pm, in the four weeks preceding the election.
COOKING WITH YIANNI
Yianni’s City Life is a cooking show with a difference: host Yianni profiles different community organisations, charities, artists, entertainers, and guests each week. It screens on Monday nights 8pm, then repeated Wednesday mornings 8.30am, and Fridays at noon, all on TVS.
GREASED LIGHTNIN’
There is a strictly limited number of Wrong Prom + Ice Skating tickets available for Wrong Prom: Grease on Wednesday July 28 at CarriageWorks. Pre-sale for regular dancing tickets is now sold out. As Wrong Prom: Grease falls within Winterland, Carriageworks’ winter festival, there will be an ice skating rink in the foyer on July 28. A ticket to Wrong Prom and a half-hour session of ice skating is just $22.
info: www.carriageworks.com.au

Pubs & Bars

MANLY DRINKS
The Manly Gay and Lesbian Community social group has decided to start doing monthly Sunday drinks. The Shore Club, located on Manly’s South Steyne, is a great place to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat. The group will meet there on the ground floor from 3:30pm on Sunday July 25. Join the Facebook group to keep up to date.
KALEIDOSCOPE DANCE
The next Kaleidoscope Social Dance is held at Hotel Parramatta on July 30, and welcomes the GLBTIQ community with open arms. The dance runs from 8pm-3am, $8 entry, and in the hour beforehand, there’s a special queer singles mingle happening – $15 entry to both events. The event is proudly sponsored by Parramatta Lesbian Social Group.
SINGHA PRIZES
Premium Thai beer Singha is bringing back the SinghaBar competition for 2010, which will see offices around Sydney kick off Friday night drinks in style. Eager workers need to visit www.singhabar.com.au and describe a time they have been ‘transported’ in some way (mind or body) from their workplace. The most interesting answer will win a Friday office visit from the SinghaBar, fully stocked with cold Singha beer and accompanied by some Thai style nibbles.

Song

BANDALUZIA
A mesmerizing display of explosive dance, virtuosic guitars, soulful singing and masterful percussion, Bandaluzia embody all the passion, mystery and power of the remarkable art form of flamenco. Led by acclaimed guitarist Damian Wright, the Sydney-based ensemble consists of musicians and dancers at the forefront of flamenco in Australia. They perform at the Vanguard alongside a few special guests on July 29. info: www.thevanguard.com.au
DRAGON DOUBLE
Jim Shirlaw and Jasper Clifford-Smith are putting on Double Dragon on July 31; 10 Sydney bands and one from Melbourne, across both rooms of the Oxford Art Factory. Bands on offer include Dead China Doll, Ghoul, Warhorse and Whipped Cream Chargers. The spectrum of talent is incalculable for such a tiny cover charge – $5.
info: www.oxfordartfactory.com
FLO COMES TO TOWN
Florence Welch and her marvellous Machine are on their way to Australia – Florence and band will perform at Splendour In The Grass later this month. They’re also stopping in for a few gigs in Sydney ­— catch them at the Enmore Theatre from August 5 to 7, and Hordern Pavillion on August 8.

Stage

LIVE FOREVER
Fame-hungry Sydneysiders, get ready for the new high-energy production of Fame: The Musical. Produced by John Frost and directed and choreographed by So You Think You Can Dance’s Kelley Abbey, the musical that inspired new generations to fight for fame and light up the sky like a flame is back! Featuring some of the most dynamic choreography you’ll ever see in the theatre, Fame is coming to Sydney for a strictly limited season at the Capitol Theatre from October 14. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
BIG BROTHER
Gerry is a documentary filmmaker who, one day each year, follows five children around with a camera. The results are shown annually on television. For the children who grow up under Gerry’s (and the nation’s) watchful eyes, the experience creates its own dynamic. Are the participants his subjects, his children or his creations? Spanning more than 20 years, Nick Enright’s The Man With Five Children invites you into a world of fractured celebrity and distorted vision. See it at the Zenith Theatre, Chatswood, until July 31.
CRAZY GIRLS
The 1930 stage musical Girl Crazy is famous for making stars of Ethel Merman and Ginger Rogers and has the most endearing and wonderful Gershwin songs I Got Rhythm, Embraceable You, But Not For Me and Strike Up The Band. The musical will be staged for three shows only as the second presentation of the Neglected Musicals season at the Darlinghurst Theatre on Monday 26 July at 2pm and 8pm and again on August 1 at Riverside Theatres.
info: www.neglectedmusicals.com.au