Playtime – issue 1036

Boys

SEVEN TO NINE
The next 729 (Seven-To-Nine) meeting is on Thursday, August 26 in Surry Hills. For more information, call Hedimo on 9361 6011 or 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. info: www.goldenwoofs.bmofa.org.au
GAY DADS
The 2010 National Gay Dads Conference, to be held on September 18 and 19 at the Richmond Town Hall in Melbourne, is a celebration of gay fatherhood that’s expected to draw men from around the nation. With Rodney Croome as the keynote speaker, the forum is open to all — children included. The cost, $45 per person (or family), is inclusive of catering and childcare. info: Call Zoe on 9639 2576.

Clubs

HOLY HILARITY
The cast that brought you Country Ladies and All in a Gay’s Work present their new production Getting Nun! on Thursdays at the Midnight Shift. Starring Sister Tora Hymen, Sister Charisma Belle and Mother Superior Minnie Cooper. Showtimes 10.30pm and 11.30pm.
KOOKY KLUBBERS
Devotees of Kooky, welcome back Kooky residents Gemma and Seymour from spreading the kooky message around the planet for a bloomin’ fresh reunion at Manning Bar on August 28, with extra special guests Itch-e and Scratch-e, plus live performances from Justin Shoulder and Melodiqa. Check out the Kooky Facebook page for all the latest details on the night.
I’D RATHER JACK
Jack is on again at the Polo Lounge on Oxford St on Friday, August 27. The night celebrates all things house — old-skool Chicago house as well as a touch of disco, Detroit, acid house and everything in between. It kicks off at 9pm and goes till late. DJs and hostesses are Mark Murphy (Spank! Records) and Magda (Speakeasy). Free entry.

Community

PET GUIDE
Pets in the City is a non-commercial guide to owning a pet in a city environment and is available at no cost from www.petsinthecity.net.au It contains a comprehensive range of information on selecting an inner-city pet; how to negotiate rental and strata property pet ownership; downsizing with a pet; caring for a pet with limited or no outdoor space; and general tips on dog and cat care.
JOSH’S MISSION
Busking for Change is a charity event started by Josh Pyke which aims to help raise urgently needed funds to address the literacy crisis in remote Indigenous communities. This year Josh is back with a stellar line-up featuring Holly Throsby, Boy and Bear and a DJ set, to raise more greatly needed funds for the ILP. Busking for Change will be held on August 27 at the Annandale Hotel.
SMART MONEY
A free community briefing on responsible investment, titled What’s Your Money Up To? will be held at Cockle Bay Wharf on Tuesday, September 14. Responsible investments, also known as ‘ethical’ or ‘socially responsible’ investments, take into account environmental, social, governance and ethical considerations. Register by calling 9265 9672 or email [email protected] before September 7.

Free

GAY ART
16 Degrees is an exhibition of paintings from 16 established and emerging artists, including gay artist Dean Batten. The 16 artists have spent three years studying the traditional painting techniques of the Old Masters, and the resulting exhibition includes a rich array of figurative and abstract artworks. The exhibition runs from September 2-20 at the Charles Hewitt Gallery, 335 South Dowling St, Darlinghurst.
GOING GREEN
GreenUps is the coolest way to check out the latest green ideas, have a drink, and meet people who are passionate about the environment. Anyone is welcome and best of all it’s free. Next month, the City of Sydney is proudly supporting GreenUps as they celebrate the humble bicycle. Enjoy a night of short films from the Bicycle Film Festival, see new bike designs and be in the running for a lucky door prize. It’s on September 7 at Oscars Lounge, 84 Union St, Pyrmont. info: http://greenups.net/

Girls

KINGS, KINGS, KINGS
The last Kings event was a brilliant success, featuring more drag kings than you could find together on any other Sydney stage. Next month, Hans is back with another night of wicked kings who can’t wait to strut their stuff. Gabe, Kurt Manor, Dick, Hugo Retro, Solid Gold and Hans Sparrow have all been rehearsing hot new material for your viewing pleasure. King Kings Kings @ The Oxford Hotel, 8pm September 25. Tickets $20 on the door.
MOIST MAMA
This month’s Moist ladies night at ARQ is a spring fling-themed event. DJs Bella, Shalyn Gray and Sandi Hotrod will keep the dancefloor pumping, plus there’ll be shows from the fabulous Moist dancers. And there’s a chance to win six months’ free entry to Moist for you and a friend. From 9pm, Friday, August 27, $10 entry.

On Screen

SOAP STAR
James Franco’s guest stint on General Hospital begins in the episode premiering Tuesday, September 7, at 12.50pm on Foxtel’s W channel. Known for his film roles (including his pivotal role in Milk), the Golden Globe-winning actor surprised many people when he signed on to appear in the long-running daytime drama. Franco plays an artist and serial killer named, funnily enough, Franco.
KIWI COLLECTION
On August 28, SBS One will celebrate the release of acclaimed New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi’s new film, Boy, by screening his feature debut, Eagle vs Shark, at 10.10pm. The screening of the gentle Kiwi comedy, starring Jermaine Clements from Flight of the Conchords, will be followed by a collection of New Zealand short films at 11.45pm. Boy is in cinemas nationally from August 26.
GAY FAMILIES
Acclaimed as one of the most searingly, affectionately honest portrayals of gay families to grace our screens, the Lisa Cholodenko-directed The Kids Are All Right will open on September 2. In the film, Julianna Moore and Annette Bening play a lesbian couple whose life is turned upside down when their teenage children’s sperm donor re-enters the scene.

Pubs & Bars

POOL PARTY
The Midnight Shift holds a weekly pool competition, Queless (love that pun). Hosted by Laidee Babooshka, the games kick off at 9pm each Monday. It’s $5 entry, but there are hundreds of dollars worth of cash and prizes to be won every week. info: www.themidnightshift.com
TIGHT TUESDAY
Grab your mama and a glass of pinot, take a seat by the open fire and feel the Tuscan vibe: every Tuesday during winter at Hugo’s Bar Pizza in Kings Cross, they’re offering a special Italian meal deal. Enjoy hearty soup, a choice of pizza or pasta and a glass of Italian wine for only $30.
SINGERS NEEDED
The Key Largo Bar in Rushcutters Bay opens its door every Friday for 12 weeks to an exciting new Songwriter Competition, hosted by internationally renowned singer-songwriter Dennis Aubrey. It’s free, and the atmosphere is cool and relaxed. And aspiring singers — there are great cash prizes to be won. Bookings/enquiries: [email protected]

Song

WORDS AND MUSIC
On Tuesday, August 31, Man Booker Prize winner DBC Pierre, in his only Sydney event, will take you to Wonderland, via the service entrance, buoyed up on a nimbus of words, music and hedonism. Sydney Writers’ Festival throws out the seating and brings you to your feet in a literary musical mash-up at the Oxford Art Factory. info: www.moshtix.com.au
SEE HIM SHINE
Following the huge success of his 2009 Australian tour, David Helfgott, one of the world`s best-loved pianists, will give a solo recital at the Riverside Theatre, Parramatta on Thursday, August 26, at 8pm. Helfgott, whose life was so memorably traced in the Australian classic Shine, will perform such classics as his dazzling interpretation of Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Flight of the Bumblebee. info: www.riversidetheatres.com.au
NEW WAVE RAVE
It’s been three years since Klaxons burst onto the music scene, injecting a dazzling and much-needed moment of rave hedonism into the midst of indie tedium with the truly original and enormously influential Mercury Award-winning album Myths Of The Near Future. Now, they’re back with new album Surfing The Void, and will showcase their sound at the Enmore Theatre on September 2. info: www.enmoretheatre.com.au

Stage

DANCE CELEBRATION
The 2nd Annual Australian Dance Festival is at the Sydney Town Hall on September 4 and 5. During the festival, you can see dance performances from the winners of So You Think You Can Dance, side by side with Balkan folk dancing, and Chinese fan dance. The festival also offers the opportunity to try different dance classes with some of Australia’s best dance choreographers. info: www.australiandancefestival.com.au
LOVE HURTS
In I Love You Because, New York brothers Austin and Jeff decide it’s time they got back into the dating scene. Ignoring the fact that neither of them is Jewish, Jeff arranges dates for them both through online Jewish dating service J-Date. They arrange to meet Diana and Marcy (who are also pretending to be Jewish!) at the local bar. This modern-day musical love story is playing at Sutherland Memorial Arts Theatre until August 29. info: www.shiremusictheatre.org.au

Free