Playtime

CLUBS

HARD ON
On Saturday October 24, Handle Bar presents Hard On! at Phoenix bar on Oxford St from 10pm-5am: it’s sexy, it’s sleazy, it’s hard. DJs include Seymour Butz, Mark Murphy and Lovertits. Cheap drinks from 10pm-2am, entry $5/$10.

IVY HALLOWEEN
On October 31, Ivy celebrates Halloween in style with a lush costume party thanks to Absolut Vodka, with an ‘Absolut Rock Cocktail’ available on arrival. You can party from 6pm till late to tunes from DJs including Bang Gang and Cassian. It’s $35 on the door — no dress-ups, no entry.

BEAR FACTORY
Join the line to bundy-on as Bear Factory returns to give you a workout. Clock on, then rock on at the Oxford Art Factory on Sunday November 1 from 2pm. This is where the rubber hits the road in an event that is more play than work. Keeping your mind on the job are DJs Gavyn Vincze and special guest Mandy Rollins. Tickets available at the door.

LOOSE ENDS
Loose Ends at Phoenix Bar on Oxford St is kicking off again for spring. The weekly party happens every Sunday night from 10pm, with resident DJ Matt Vaughan and regular special guests playing a swag of dirty electro, house, punk and disco tunes.
info: www.exchangehotel.biz

BOYS

SKINNY DIPS
Skinny Dips Resort and Spa will hold its annual five-night Gathering of Natural Men in October. This year’s gathering includes a welcome barbecue, underwear dance party and a beer and pizza pool party. The party kicks off on Friday, October 23.
info: www.skinnydips.com.au

BEARS ON SUNDAY
From 4pm-9pm each Sunday at the Lord Roberts Hotel, the Harbour City Bears present Bears On Sunday. It’s a relaxed vibe with furry fun and chilled music, plus a weekly HCB prize draw. Free bar snacks and free entry.
info: www.hcbears.com

MOVEMBER
The month of November is also Movember, when men across the country let their mo’s grow to help raise money in the fight against prostate cancer. This year, Warner Home Video is donating $1 from 31 of its Blu-Ray titles — including The Hangover and The Dark Knight — to the cause. Look out for the Movember sticker on eligible Blu-Ray discs instore.

FOCUS ON MEN
For the month of October, RAW Gallery in Hunter St Mall, Newcastle presents A Focus On Men, a photographic exhibition of the male in all his forms. The exhibition reflects on the diversity of men in the community. The gallery is open Thursday-Saturday 10am-4pm.
info: www.workingwithmen.org.au
GAY DADS
Gay Dads NSW will hold their monthly social dinner on Monday, November 2, at the Bank Hotel’s Thai restaurant. The dinner starts at 7pm. info: www.gaydadsaustralia.com

COMMUNITY

CELEBRATING 35 YEARS
The Feminist Bookshop will hold a trivia night to celebrate 35 years of operation on Thursday, October 22, at the Toxteth Hotel in Glebe. Doors open at 6pm with a $25 cover charge, which includes finger food.
info: Bookings on 9810 2666 or email [email protected]

PFLAG
The support group for parents, family and friends of lesbian and gay children, PFLAG, will hold their monthly family support meeting on Wednesday October 28 at Wesley Lodge Motel, cnr of Hawkesbury & Queens Rds, Westmead, commencing at 7.30pm.
info: www.pflagaustralia.org.au

OKTOBERKFEST
This Thursday October 22, grab your favourite pair of lederhosen or dirndl and join CareFlight and the Starlight Children’s Foundation to celebrate Oktoberfest at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. Feast on traditional pork knuckle, drink from giant steins and enjoy Bavarian-style entertainment — and all for a good cause!
info: www.oktoberfest.com.au

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Sydney Leather Pride Association is seeking volunteers to work the coat check at their Halloween party on Saturday October 31 at the former Shift Dancefloor, 85 Oxford St. Shifts are three hours long, starting at 9pm, midnight and 3am. If you or a group of your friends are able to help, please contact the SLPA volunteer coordinator Felic at [email protected] or 0411 471 373.

ZOO DINNER
New Mardi Gras and Australian Marriage Equality have announced Mardi Gras’ Dinner at the Zoo, a gala dinner at Taronga Zoo to raise money for the fight for marriage equality and a highlight of the 2010 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Happening on March 3, it’s a lush community fundraiser that’s sure to be one of the hottest tickets at Mardi Gras.
info: Tickets are on sale now via www.moshtix.com.au

DIARY

CATS
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Cats returns to Sydney, at Star City’s Lyric Theatre, from May 18.  It’s been 15 years since Mr Mistoffelees and his feline friends purred on Australian stages. Tickets on sale now.
info: Book through Ticketmaster on 1300 795 267 or www.ticketmaster.com.au

canned laughter
This year’s Canned Laughter comedy night brings together Australia’s best-loved comedians, including Rove McManus, Merrick & Rosso, Kitty Flanagan, Tom Ballard, The Umbilical Brothers, and The Kransky Sisters, live on one stage, for one night, for one cause — CanTeen. It’s on at the Hordern Pavilion on November 6, tickets through Ticketek.

CONCORD BALLET
From November 11 at the Sydney Opera House, The Australian Ballet unites three of the most exciting choreographers in the world today to present Concord. In this dynamic and stylistically diverse triple bill, stunning new ballets by British sensation Wayne McGregor and Russia’s Alexei Ratmansky are staged alongside the welcome return of Nacho Duato’s Spanish masterpiece Por vos muero.
info: www.australianballet.com.au

JOIN THE CIRCUS
Cirquinox returns to the Blue Mountains on Sunday, November 8. Held in Everglades, Cirquinox showcases the talent of local circus and physical theatre performers. Learn how to hula-hoop with the showgirls or be entertained by the amazing fire-breathers. From trapeze and aerial acts to clowns, stage shows, games and face-painting, the colour and thrill of the carnival will ensure a great day out for all. Entry is $10 with activities starting at 10am.info: www.cirquinox.org.au or call 0425 221 203

FREE

DESIGN MARKETS
The Pyd Design Markets are running over two days at the Pyd building in Waterloo, on October 24 and 25. Unlike other design markets, the event will only showcase high-end handmade furniture, lighting, textiles, home furnishings, ceramics and jewellery.  The first day of the event will feature live craftsman workshops and exhibitions including ‘History of the Chair’ and ‘Design Trends from Milan’.

DANKS STREET FESTIVAL
The 2009 Danks Street Festival is on Sunday October 25 at Danks and Young Sts, Waterloo, and will feature a Live Green Kitchen, with famous Sydney chefs giving sustainable cooking demonstrations, a market selling handcrafts, sweet treats and more for local artists and charities, a craft workshop area for children, and much more in the way of entertainment. Free shuttle buses will run from Redfern Station every 15 minutes.

NIGHT MARKET
The Chinatown Night Market is on every Friday night from 4pm-11pm at the Dixon St Mall, Sydney. The market features clothing, knickknacks and food stores.
info: www.chinatownnightmarket.com.au

HUNTER VALLEY UNCORKED
On November 1, the Hunter Valley Uncorked Balmoral event will host over 30 wineries and restaurants showcasing their first class wine and produce. Among the ample food and wine available for sampling, there’ll also be activities ranging from golf to boule to wine-spitting competitions. Best of all, it’s free to come along.
info: www.hunteruncorked.com.au

GIRLS
SEIDEL WITH STRINGS
Jazz diva Janet Seidel is performing for one night only at the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta on Saturday October 31. Described as Australia’s ‘first lady of jazz’, the incomparable singer/pianist will be accompanied by her outstanding trio, performing a warm mix of jazz and cabaret.
info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au
LIPPS PICNIC
LIPPS — or Lesbians In Parramatta Park Socialising — is a Western Sydney social group for lesbians and their children. They meet on the last Sunday of each month at 11am in Parramatta Park for a fun, social picnic with kids. Friends and family welcome. The next picnic is on October 25.
info: [email protected]
BEER DRINKING WOMAN
Machine Gun Fellatio’s resident riot grrl, Christa Hughes, presents a new show at the Vanguard every Sunday this month, Beer Drinking Woman. It’s a funny, sexy exploration of one woman’s love-hate relationship with the bottle.
info: www.thevanguard.com.au
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.
info: 9557 1016

ON SCREEN

SILENT FILMS
The Silent Film Festival is running until October 25, and it’s a real treat for lovers of vintage cinema. This weekend, you can catch films from as long ago as 1921, featuring such old-time stars as Charlie Chaplin and Greta Garbo. It’s all on over October 24 & 25 at the State Library of NSW.
info: www.ozsilentfilmfestival.com.au

COME DINE WITH ME
Lovers of faintly ridiculous gastronomic reality shows, have you checked out Come Dine With Me? The UK show pits four contestants in a series of dinner parties, all competing to win the title of best party host. The souffle never rises, someone always gets drunk and inappropriately leery after dessert and the host usually ends up in floods of tears. As you can imagine, it’s fabulous. Season four starts at 7.30pm Monday October 26 on Lifestyle FOOD, Foxtel.

TASPRIDE FILMS
If you’re looking for a quick break down south, the TasPride festival is the perfect excuse — a two-week gay and lesbian festival taking in Hobart and Launceston. Among the many activities on offer are a number of film screenings, including AIDS opera Fig Tree, lesbian comedy I Can’t Think Straight and doco Gorrrgeous Vonni! The festival runs from October 31 – November 15.
info: www.taspride.com

OPRAH GETS GOOD
In recent years, many viewers have drifted from Oprah as she’s abandoned her talk-show roots to find deeper spiritual fulfilment by showering her audience with free SUVs. But check out the title for the November 3 episode: ‘America’s First Face Transplant and the Only Living Mermaid Girl’. Come on, don’t tell us you’re not now considering faking a sickie to stay home and watch that.

PUBS

TRIXXX OF THE TRADE
New to the Midnight Shift on Wednesdays, The Glamazons — Summer Salt, Millie Poppins and Ripley Waters — are performing their new drag show Trixxx of the Trade, a show about the trials and tribulations of organising trade online. Hilarity ensues when three horny little devils don’t quite get what they ordered. Three shows from 9pm.

MAD RACKET
On October 25, Mad Racket comes to the Beresford Hotel, with a very special international guest, soon to be announced on Twitter — so keep your eyes peeled. As well as the mystery guest, there’ll be music from Mark Pritchard (Warp), Peret Mako (Future Classic) and Simon Caldwell (Mad Racket).
info: www.theberesford.com.au

LIZA ON AN E
Trevor Ashley’s fabulous new drag show is a tribute to Ms Minnelli herself, Liza On An E! The all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza takes in all of Liza’s biggest hits, from Cabaret to New York, New York. It’s running at the Civic Hotel for five shows only from October 22. info: www.ticketek.com.au

DRAG FOR DOLLARS
Thursday nights from 9.30pm, Sydney’s budding drag queens will take to the stage to compete in Drag For Dollars at Arq. Come and see the best — and worst — of the city’s drag talent. Hosted by Mitzi Macintosh with music from DJs Kitty Glitter and Alex Taylor, it’s free entry to watch the comp.
info: www.arqsydney.com.au

GET SASSY
‘Sassy Sundays’ at Cruise Bar in the Rocks is the perfect Sunday arvo hangout — as Beyoncé Knowles can attest, seeing as she was spotted doing just that during her recent Aussie tour. Each Sunday there’s a new musical guest — this Sunday October 25, it’s the Soul Sheperds featuring Natalie Conway. Sounds bootylicious.
info: www.cruisebar.com.au

SONG

RHONDA BURCHMORE
Cabaret returns to Sydney with the launch of Civic Cabaret at the Civic Hotel in October, playing on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. The first season of Civic Cabaret will see the Sydney premiere of Rhonda Burchmore’s new show, Red Hot and Saucy. Her show is a tribute to the saucy and blue entertainers and opens Wednesday, October 21.
info: Bookings on 132 849 or visit www.ticketek.com.au
REVOLUTIONS
Since starting in June, Sagacious Arts has put on four concept evenings at the Petersham Town Hall and are ready for show number five — Revolutions. It’s happening on October 23 and features two of Sydney’s finest avant garde music acts — 3ofmillions and Simpatico. Doors at 7pm, live music from 8.30pm — and all for only $10.
info: www.sagaciousarts.org
MERENIA
Powerhouse performer Merenia will bring her own distinctive Latin-infused soul to the Notes Live stage on October 25. This multitalented musician sings in five languages and crafts her sound by using the traditional styles of her ancestry (Maori, Romany Gypsy and Welsh) as a platform for layering hypnotic beats and producing sultry, soaring vocals.
info: www.myspace.com/merenia
PALOMA FAITH
Flame-haired UK songstress Paloma Faith is an intriguing proposition: the bruised soul sounds of Amy Winehouse, but with an added dash of vaudeville theatricality. Clearly, the gays are gonna love her. Her second single, the epic ballad New York, has been bobbing around the UK charts for the past month. See what all the fuss is about when she performs a special showcase at Oxford Art Factory on November 2.
info: www.oxfordartfactory.com.au

STAGE

TAMING THE SHREW
The Bell Shakespeare Company presents a not-so-classic, all-female take on Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy at the Sydney Opera House until November 21. The gender-bending production mixes women playing men with women playing women in delicious style.
info: www.bellshakespeare.com.au
SHOCK N SHAME
London 1888. The Autumn of Terror. Whitechapel is gripped by fear. A monster lurks in the shadows with murder on his mind and blood on his hands. Who will be his next victim? It might sound grim, but Tony Taylor’s What A Shock N’ Shame is actually a rip-roaring (pun intended) look at Jack the Ripper and the world of bawdy prostitutes and low-life law-breakers he inhabited. It’s playing at the New Theatre in Newtown until November 7.
info: www.newtheatre.org.au
THREE AT SHOPFRONT
Join emerging artists David Buckley, Sam Dalley and Tim Spencer as the creatures of their imagination take over Shopfront in Carlton from October 23-25. This performance profiles the work of some exciting and talented young gay performers: expect stories and dreams with a healthy dose of love, fantasy and disrespect for authority, realised through shadow puppets and delicate paper installations, mime-infused drag, softly spoken introspections and flights of fancy.
info: www.shopfront.org.au