Playtime

Playtime

BOYS

WANNA DO PORN?
Porn stars Steve Cruz and Bruno Bond are heading to Sydney next week  — and they will be looking for a few hot men for adult video casting opportunities. The pair will be in Sydney from December 1-9, and if you are interested in the casting call visit www.hardfriction.com and apply online.
BEARSTOCK
Bears of Sydney, Adelaide is calling! Bearstock, the South Australian capital’s annual celebration of all things furry, takes place from November 26 to 29, incorporating the Golden Woofs film competition. It’s only a cheap flight away. For info about what’s on, check out the Bear Men of Adelaide website: www.bmofa.org.au
SADDLE UP
Brand new men’s venue Saddle Bar on Oxford St is taking off in a big way, with a packed line-up of entertainment each weekend. Fridays and Saturdays feature tunes from DJs mark Alsop and George respectively, while on Sundays the bar hosts a sausage sizzle and beer night from 6pm. It’s also free entry every night.
CLUB

LAST HARD ON
The last Hard On for 2009 takes over Phoenix Bar on November 28, with a potentially divisive theme: Sydney vs. Melbourne. DJ Kapotilina, a stalwart of the Melbourne scene, will be on hand to provide tunes for the battle, as well as Sydneysiders Matt “Muscles” Vaughan, “Scultped” Sveta, Mark “Macho” Murphy, “Lean” Lovertits and everyone’s favourite, Avra “Abdominator” Cybele. $10 entry before midnight — but only if you’re a Handle Bar Facebook member.
DIVERSION
Diversion at Supper Club is Sydney’s hottest new monthly night with resident DJs Kate Monroe and Sista P. Each month sees a special guest DJ get behind the decks, and the November 28 event welcomes Sarah Gilbey for her Sydney debut. The Supper Club has been fitted with new lighting and a pumping sound system, exclusively for the LBGT community, so come join the fun from 9pm.
INSTANT REPLAY
Friday nights in the Lounge Bar of the Colombian Hotel, it’s all about disco, funk, Latin and old-school hip-hop with Instant Replay. Hostess Maxi Shield performs two shows amidst a rotating line-up of DJs playing the best hits and forgotten gems of yesteryear. From 8pm.
info: www.colombian.com.au

COMMUNITY

SECURITY SESSION
The NSW Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby is holding an information session on Monday November 30 to help educate the community about the impact of the Government’s reforms to laws regarding same-sex relationships and parental recognition. The topic of the session is Social Security, and it’s to be held at the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Community Centre.
info: www.glrl.org.au
BENT YOGA
Bent Yoga classes offer maintenance of a healthy body, mind and spirit, and are proud to be a part of the LGBT community. At the moment, Bent Yoga are offering a discount group class in Surry hills for only $12 (cash only) per session. There are a number of other options available, from private classes to corporate packages.
info: www.bentyoga.com
BUSH DANCE
The famous annual Long Yang Club gay bush dance in Canberra is happening on November 28 at the Yarralumla Woolshed from 7.30pm until 1am. As usual, Long Yang Club Canberra (a social and support group for gay Asians) will host a pre-dance BBQ. LYC Canberra has again offered to host LYC Sydney members with activities before and after the dance and accommodation if required.
info: sydney.longyangclub.org

GENDER CENTRE
The Gender Centre provides services and support for the transgender community. Staff at the centre offer accommodation, counselling, case management and training to those in need, The Gender Centre is at 75 Morgan St, Petersham.
info: 9569 2366

DIARY

HIGH AND DRY
Over the final weekend in November, High and Dry Festival will play host to Australia’s finest independent artists and musicians at a magical riverside utopia on Aboriginal land, two hours north of Sydney. As well as the entertainment line-up, there’s another treat for those attending: if you’re over 18, you can BYO. The festival runs from November 27-29 at Camp Wollemi, St Albans.
info: www.highanddryfestival.net
CAMP AS CHRISTMAS
Sydney’s superstars of drag will return to Sydney Opera House for three glittering performances in Drag! Camp as Christmas from December 4-6. Following the sell-out success of Camp as a Row of Spiegeltents and Drag!, the girls are back for another season of unadulterated gorgeousness and in-your-face fabulousness.
info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
POLLYS ON SHOW
Pollys 2009 Christmas dance and show, Naughty But Nice, will be held from 7pm at Marrickville Town Hall on Saturday December 5. The December show is always one of the biggest Pollys events of the year, and will be produced by Sue Ellen (who did last year’s hilarious Santa’s Workshop), along with a cast of Pollys members old and new. The night will also be supporting The Haven charity, with a raffle and tickets available at the door.
info: www.thepollysclub.com.au.

FREE

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
The young, and the young at heart, can see Santa switch on the Martin Place Christmas tree lights on November 26, and enjoy live performances by The Koala Brothers, Australian Girls Choir, and a spectacular fireworks show. The free Christmas Concert and Tree Lighting takes place from 6pm to 8.30pm, and there’s a simultaneous Christmas on the Green picnic happening in Hyde Park — take a picnic and a blanket and join in the festive fun.
FREE MARKET
Sydney’s much-loved design market ‘The Finders Keepers’ will return this December with the spring/summer market to be held once again at contemporary art centre CarriageWorks. The market will be held over two days, December 4, 6pm-10pm and December 5, 10am-8pm. The markets will showcase over 80 emerging designers, artists and musicians.
info: www.thefinderskeepers.com
CITY FOREST
The Infinity Forest, designed by Matthew Chan, Isabel Cordeiro and Katie Hepworth, is an art installation-cum-green oasis in the heart of the city. In a space between fire escapes, vehicle ramps and back doors, discover timber walls that conceal a lush silver birch forest within. To find out the location of this and other hard-to-find laneway installations, visit www.lanewaysbygeorge.com.au

GIRLS

GIRLS DOUBLE BILL
In a special double bill direct from the LadyFest Melbourne festival come Partyline with Allison Wolfe, plus Bracode. Come watch Wolfe and Partyline detonate over snarling guitars, breakneck percussion, and crashing dishes to deliver the catchiest, pithiest protest shout-alongs you’ve heard. Stick around for Bracode, the operatic piss-taking feminist punk rockers with the best theatrical live show. It all happens on November 27 at the Red Rattler.
info: www.redrattler.org
PIAF REVISITED
International chanteuse Caroline Nin is currently performing her tribute to the legendary Edith Piaf, Hymne A Piaf, at the Vanguard until December 5. Expect soaring renditions of Piaf’s classic La Vie En Rose and others, delivered with Nin’s trademark wit and warmth in a cabaret-style setting.
info: www.thevanguard.com.au
WHITE BITCH
The girls from Bitch wrap up 2009 with their final monthly session on December 4 at the Oxford Art Factory — the last party until February. The venue will be decked out in a sea of white for the White Xmas Party, with North Pole dancers and a sexy she-Santa. Pressies for all on arrival to get into the spirit of the festive season. Best dressed prizes for those frocked up in white include L Word convention tickets and Bitch Xmas stockings.
info: www.bitchnews.com.au

ON SCREEN

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED
The ABC is currently casting for a new documentary series, and is looking for a range of people to participate. You need to reside in the Inner West, and fall under Marrickville Council. The documentary will focus on how to give a wide range of people more satisfying, happy lives. The documentary makers are keen to feature participants from the gay and lesbian community. For more information, contact Kirsty de Vallance on 8411 1045 or [email protected]
FAST TIMES AT DARLO
Each week in the lead-up to Christmas, The Darlo Bar in Darlinghurst hosts the Tuesday Night Movie, a free film screening to be viewed under the stars. On November 30, it’s back to the ’80s with the teen-rebel classic Fast Times At Ridgemont High. The following week, snuggle up on the couch to watch cult fave Casting Couch.
info: www.darlobar.com.au
IN THE MOONLIGHT
Moonlight Cinema is back for another season. The outdoor film festival opens on December 3 with the much anticipated Sydney premiere of Nowhere Boy, the untold story of Beatles legend John Lennon’s childhood, and closes on March 14 with James Cameron’s latest thriller, Avatar. In between, it’s a jam-packed summer of new releases and old favourites.
info: www.moonlight.com.au

PUBS AND BARS

POLITICS IN THE PUB
Get political on Friday November 27 from 6pm at the Gaelic Club in Surry Hills. Politics in the Pub is an informal political discussion in a relaxed pub environment. Prof. Michael Johnson from the School of Social Science and Public Policy and Tony Ramsay from the School of Business and Public Policy will be speaking, and there’ll be reasonably priced drinks at the bar.
info: www.politicsinthepub.org.au
VOLLEYBALL DRINKS
Freezone Volleyball Club host their annual Christmas drinks on December 5 at 7.30pm at the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel. There’ll be awards, presentations, music, nibbles and drinks, all to raise funds for teams going to the Cologne Gay Games next year. Tickets for the event cost $25 and are available from Freezone Committee Members.
info: www.freezonevolleyball.org
BINGAY
A special fun-filled fundraiser for World AIDS Day is taking place at the Paddington RSL from 7.30pm on November 27. Big Red Bingay is a night of uber-camp bingo and party games, with proceeds going to ACON. It’s $37 a ticket, but book fast as seats are filling. To book, call David on 9206 2110.
CAMP CAMPERDOWN
How’s this for a sweet deal: RSVP to confirm your attendance at Camp Camperdown, on every Thursday night from 8pm at the Camperdown Hotel, and you’ll receive a complimentary cocktail on arrival. Once you’re through the door, you’ll be able to enjoy iconic gay DJs and drag and Absolut cocktail specials. RSVP to [email protected]

SONG

B-52s & PROCLAIMERS
Two legendary bands perform in one amazing double bill when the B-52s and the Proclaimers rock the Enmore Theatre on November 25 and 26. Think of the hits: Rock Lobster, 500 Miles, Love Shack… it’s going to be the musical party of the year.
info: www.enmoretheatre.com.au
JONATHAN BOULET
The latest signing to the ultra-hip Modular label, Jonathan Boulet, drops his smashing debut album next week — it’s a fun mix of pop and dance. Catch him live in action at his album showcase performance at The Civic on December 3, with special guests and Modular DJs. info: www.moshtix.com.au

POWDER FOR CHARITY
Powderfinger will be performing a free live concert at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter from 5pm on December 6 to support the Australian Government’s Skin Cancer Awareness campaign. Skin cancer is particularly close to the band’s heart as Bernard Fanning’s brother passed away from a related issue. It’s a free, all-ages show with a mix of hits and material from their new album, Golden Rule.
info: www.powderfinger.com

OPERA DEAL
Sydney’s Pinchgut Opera is offering to refund the ticket price to anyone who has not seen a Pinchgut production before (an ‘opera virgin’) and who does not enjoy its new production of Cavalli’s L’Ormindo. And it will add $5 to cover the bus or train fare. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to us — L’Ormindo plays four performances only from December 2-7 at the City Recital Hall.
info: www.pinchgutopera.com.au

STAGE

LOVEBITES
A madcap song cycle about loving, leaving and leaping into the joyful (or not so joyful) world of falling in love, LoveBites is now on at the Seymour Centre. Starring an impressive troupe of musical theatre talent (including the dreamy David Harris), the show is comprised of a series of short stories about falling in love. It runs until December 5.
info: www.seymourcentre.com.au
A WICKED OFFER
Demand for tickets to Wicked, now showing at the Capitol Theatre, is intense. But a limited number of front row seats — specially priced at $30 per person — are held in reserve before each performance for the Wicked ballot. Fans who arrive at the box office two and a half hours ahead of every performance can enter the ballot. Their names are collected and placed in a barrel. The winners are drawn half an hour later and their names called. The winners must be at the draw and have valid photo ID. The winning tickets cost them just $30 and they can buy two, for themselves and a friend. (The tickets must not be sold to a third party.)
SYDNEY GHOST STORIES
The spooky Sydney Ghost Stories, playing until December 19 at the Old Fitzroy Theatre, sprang to life when a group of young theatre professionals came together and commissioned several great Sydney playwrights to create new work. Some of the stories told are based on true events including supernatural occurrences at the Old Fitzroy Theatre. Get ready to be intrigued — and frightened. Bookings: 1300 GET TIX (438 849)

You May Also Like

2 responses to “Playtime”

  1. On Screen, SBS TV is repeating “Here’s Looking At You, Boy” on Wednesday 2 December at 1:20AM. It is a history of gay cinema and goes for 1 hour.

  2. Another stage show currently playing is “Cabaret” at the New Theatre in Newtown. As well as having a gay hero, there are lots of famous songs, and entertaining cabaret dancing. More details at http://newtheatre.org.au/