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CLUBS

GAY WATCH
Gay Watch is back at Slide on November 7. The gorgeous boys from Lifesavers With Pride will be joined at this LWP fundraising event by host Joyce Maynge and DJs Kitty Glitter and Luna T, who are ready to entertain the speedos off your beached bums. Doors open 9pm, with $15 cover charge. Just remember to dance between the flags…

HOMESEXUAL
This New Year’s Day, Homesexual Sydney takes on an Ipanema Beach theme — expect sun, sand and a whole lotta skin. The party, to be held from 11pm to 7am at Home The Venue, will feature headline acts including DJ Aimee Newman (Dance Music Diva), Kitty Glitter, Jayson Forbes, Justin Scott, Harry K & Mikey C plus many more. Pre-sale tix start at $39 and are on sale via Moshtix.

LEPORE LAUNCHES SFN
Saturday Fucking Night, the new rather foul-mouthed Saturday event at Nevermind, begins with a bang on November 7, with a special performance from pop culture icon Amanda Lepore. The trashtastic Lepore will jet into Australia from New York City to perform at the launch of the night, starting at 10pm. Entry is $15 before midnight.

NEWTOWN FESTIVAL
After a full day of fun at the Newtown Festival this weekend, kick on at the Bank Hotel after-party. From 3pm to midnight on November 8, the unofficial after-party will feature fantastic entertainment on both levels, international DJ Damian Saint’s Australian debut with DJs Sam Piper & Alex Almeida from 3pm.

MONGREL
Are you all bark or do you have bite? Find out at Mongrel, on Saturday November 7 at Phoenix Bar on Oxford St. From 10pm-late, enjoy music from Steve Sonius and Ben Drayton, plus a 10pm-midnight Happy Hour. It’s $15 entry — $10 if you’re wearing footy shorts.

PERFECT NIGHT
After raw and sexy house music in a dark and sweaty club? Try Perfect Night, held every Sunday night at the Gaff on Oxford St. With DJs on rotation and T-dance performances by regular special guests, its a sexy new addition to Oxford St. On Sunday November 1, Perfect Night hosts a Halloween special with T-dancers in black leather outfits.
info: www.perfectdayclub.com.au

MIRAGE
Saturday nights at the Stonewall Hotel, you can catch the sexy spectacular Mirage. Three big shows with Decoda and her luscious dancers Wil and Dan. $5 cover charge, but VIP members get in free.

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

PUBS+BARS

SUpport movember
On Sunday November 15, Firefly Walsh Bay will be lighting up the Barbie with Macs Brewery and Magners Cider to support Movember 2009. Come relax by beautiful Sydney harbour and join in the fun while supporting the fight against one of the most virulent male diseases, prostate cancer. The event runs from 3pm till sunset. Tickets $30 pre-sale or on the door.

ALL SORTS
Thursday nights at the Supper Club, from 8pm to 1am, get a taste of All Sorts, a cheap as chips (free before 10pm, $5 after) night of music from DJs including Tobin Saunders and Seymour Butz. Opening night this Thursday November 5 even includes a special performance by Vanessa Wagner.

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.
info: www.cruisebar.com.au

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]


COMMUNITY

SAME-SEX SALSA
From Friday November 6, take part in a six-week course of same-sex salsa for both beginners and experienced dancers. Running from 7pm-8pm at 10 Brown St, Newtown, the course costs $60 for six weeks. If you bring three friends you’ll learn for half-price. To book a place in the course or for more information, email [email protected] or call 0411808451.

MCC SYDNEY
The Metropolitan Community Church Sydney prides itself on being an inclusive church: proud, courageous and loving. Weekly services are held every Sunday at 10am (traditional) and 6.30pm (Crave contemporary), although you’re welcome to drop by for a cup of coffee or a chat any time — just ring ahead on 9569 5122. The church is at 96 Crystal St, Petersham.
info: www.mccsydney.org

PUBLIC INFO SESSIONS
The NSW Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby is holding information sessions this month to help educate the community about the impact of the Government’s reforms to laws regarding same-sex relationships and parental recognition. The first session, on tax and superannuation, is to be held at the Colombian Hotel on Oxford St from 6.30pm on November 10. There are three further sessions to be held in the coming weeks.
info: www.glrl.org.au

KICKBOXING COURSE
GLMA (Gay & Lesbian Martial Arts) is a small martial arts club with a focus on on kung fu, kickboxing and self-defense, run by sixth dan black belt Penny Gulliver. The club is running a new kickboxing course, starting on November 5 at 6pm. Aspiring kickboxers should meet at the Erskineville Community Centre, Erskineville Rd.

DRUG STUDY
If you are gay, lesbian or bisexual and a regular user of the drugs crystal, speed, base or ice, ACON and the National Dug and Alcohol Research Centre would like to hear your story. The study involves a confidential one-hour interview, and you’ll be paid $50 for your time. For more information, please contact Emma on 0400 547 777.

GAY MEDITATION
The Sydney Gay Meditation Group is a social gathering of gay and gay-friendly people interested in spiritual development. The group is not specific to any religion or meditation technique, and novices are welcome. They meet 7pm Tuesdays at Club Swans in Kings Cross. Silent meditation is followed by discussions and herbal tea at the free meetings.
info: www.sydneygaymeditationgroup.com

GAY INDIAN PRINCE
His Highness Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil is the only openly gay royal in the world. A member of the Indian royal family, he’s also a tireless campaigner for HIV prevention and gay rights across the Asia Pacific. Hear this unique man speak at a free forum on 7pm November 4 at the Paddington Woollahra RSL.
info: www.acon.org.au

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

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

BOYS

UNDERWHERE PARTY
Lovers of underwear, swimwear and sportswear unite on November 6 at Arq for the Underwhere Party. From 10pm, rock out in your jocks to music from DJs including Dan Murphy and Sandi Hotrod. Tickets are $25 pre-sale or $30 on the door.

NO MORE BUTTS
If you’re HIV-positive and struggling to give up smoking, No More Butts can help. The program can give you the tools you need to overcome your nicotine addiction and better care for your health. For more information, ask your doctor or visit www.nomorebutts.org.au

PACK A LUNCH
Kingsteam sauna on Oxford St is offering the cheapest (and possibly most satisfying) lunch deal around — $10 entry between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday. Ideal if you’d prefer a hand job to a hand roll on your lunch break.
info: www.kingsteam.com

TESTOSTERONE STUDY
If you’re a man aged 55 or over and have no problems with your prostate, do not have diabetes and are not taking cholestorol-lowering drugs, you may be eligible to take part in an important treatment study with testosterone. The study aims to measure the benefit of testosterone in the repair of heart and blood vessels in the 55+ population.
info: [email protected]

NORTH SYDNEY BEARS
Furry North Sydneysiders might be interested in joining a couple of Bears for lunch once a month. The next date for the lunch, drinking and gossip session is Thursday 5 November 2009 at 12.30pm. The venue can change each month, so email [email protected] if you’re interested in coming along.

CHUNKY
Calling all beefy blokes, furry fellas and cute cubs! Chunky comes to the Clarence Hotel on November 14 from 9pm-late, with tunes provided by a big list of DJs playing over two rooms — including DJ Rob and Troy Cox. Tickets on the door. $10 HCB members, $20 non-members.

GET BETTER SEX
The Better Sex workshop is a six-week course for gay men covering all those topics you were too afraid to ask about — giving better head, anal pleasure and health, the joy of sex toys, and more. The group, run by ACON, is for men aged 26 and over.
info: www.acon.org.au/workshops

NAKED BARBER
Looking for a close shave? The naked barber is a men’s mobile grooming service that specialises in body shaving/clippering, haircuts, cutthroat shaving and hair colouring.
info: www.thenakedbarber.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

JELLY WRESTLING
SLICK Season III, gay men’s jelly wrestling, is back at the Clarence Hotel every Wednesday night from 7pm. Every contestant receives a gift bag with the swimwear they’ll wrestle in, a session at Sunlounge, sample lube, a six-pack of Pure Blonde, plus more. Entry is $5.
info: Contestant entry forms are available to download by visiting www.clarencehotel.com.au

GAY NUDISTS
Gay Sydney Nudists is a social organisation for gay or bisexual male nudists and host parties at members’ homes, dinners at restaurants, harbour cruises and any other legal activities the committee decides upon.
info: To join the group call 4972 5357 or email [email protected]

GIRLS

FASHIONISTAS
From the organisers of Fashion Weekend Sydney, where over 13,000 Sydneysiders shopped up a storm and splurged on the hottest looks for winter, comes Fashion Weekend Summer. Featuring more designers than ever before, Fashion Weekend Summer takes place at the Royal Hall of Industries from November 12-15, and is a definite fashion go-to for when it comes to summer fashion.
info: www.fashionweekend.com.au

BITCH IN SPRING
Its your final Spring Fling for 2009 at the November Bitch sessionon November 6 at the Oxford Art Factory. This month’s event includes a few special L Word-related prizes: you could win a Meet and Greet with one of the characters coming down under for The L Word convention in January. All you have to do is make a video diary entry in the booth at the club explaining why you should win in 10 seconds or less using as many L words as you can. Bitch are also giving away a ticket worth $350 to the three-day conference.

JULIA MORRIS
Camp as a row of tents but beloved of lesbians everywhere, comedian Julia Morris returns to Sydney this month with an encore performance of her sell-out Sydney Comedy Festival show Don’t You Know Who I Used To Be? Playing at the Metro Theatre at 7.30pm, November 14/
info: www.metrotheatre.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
LIPPS INDOORS
Due to continuing bad weather, the regular LIPPS picnic has been replaced with an indoor event from now on. The first is Pocket the Girls, an afternoon of pool with the girls on Sunday November 15 from 2pm until 5pm at Club Marconi, Restwell Rd, Bossley Park. Refreshments including woodfired pizza, homemade pastries, coffee and gelato are available, as well as drinks at the bar.
info: [email protected]

STAGE

MORE CARNAGE
With a cast including Sacha Horler and Marcus Graham, the Sydney Theatre Company’s staging of Yasmina Reza’s God Of Carnage was always going to be a popular show. So popular, in fact, that the season’s just been extended to November 21. Check out the brutally funny satire before it really has to close.
info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au

THREE 2 TANGO
What happens when you combine an urban expression from the streets of Buenos Aires with high fashion, electronic beats, acrobatic lifts and three of Australia’s most exciting versatile dancers? The result is Three 2 Tango, a completely new take on the Argentine tango. The fiery dance spectacular plays at Slide Bar on November 4 and 11.
info: www.slide.com.au

THEATRE OF BLOOD
The cult of horror meets erotic comedy as Newtown goes far beyond goth in Theatre Of Blood, a new show coming to the Newtown Theatre on Friday nights. Featuring a mix of extreme horror, lust, murder, revenge, violent perversions, gore… and laughs, the late show features translations of original horror period pieces from Paris. As is tradition in Parisian horror shows, a doctor will be present at every performance in case of injury or illness. To audience… or cast.
info: www.thetheatreofblood.com

ADDRESS UNKNOWN
When the novella Address Unknown was first published in 1938, The New York Times called it “the most effective indictment of Nazism to appear in fiction”. Now the gripping story of the unlikely friendship — and subsequent betrayal — between a German-born Aryan and a German Jew living in San Francisco comes to the stage. It’s running at the Downstairs Theatre at the Seymour Centre until November 7.
info: www.seymourcentre.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

SONG

FOUR ELVISES
A quartet of American Elvis impersonators — Shawn Klush, Donny Edwards, Stephen Kabakos and Justin Shandor — will bring to the stage an array of the king of rock’n’roll’s unforgettable hits including Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, Burning Love and many more at the State and Evan Theatres on November 7 and 8. The jampacked, two and a half hour extravaganza Completely Elvis commemorates Elvis in four different stages of his career.
info: www.completelyelvis.com.au

CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN
The raven-haired beauty with her heart on her sleeve and a voice to die for returns to the Sydney Opera House this month with a brand new show. Hear her unique interpretations of songs by the likes of Tom Waits, David Bowie and Jacques Brel. O’Sullivan is playing until November 14 at The Studio, Sydney Opera House.
info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

AIDA
The Metropolitan Opera’s Captured Live in HD season continues on November 7 and 8 with screenings of the classic opera Aida. Daniele Gatti returns for the first time in 14 years to conduct a cast of powerful voices in Verdi’s masterpiece. Violeta Urmana sings the title role, while Dolora Zajick returns in one of her most acclaimed portrayals as the Egyptian princess Amneris. The screenings are hosted by Australian opera goddess Renee Fleming.
info: www.theMetinAustralia.info

ARREBATO ENSEMBLE
Following sold-out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and the Apollo Bay and Camden Haven Festivals, the Arrebato Ensemble — winners of the 2008 MusicOz award for Best World/Folk artist — play The Vanguard for one night only on November 14. Their Spanish/jazz fusion will be supported by the saxophone stylings of the Eddie Bronson Trio.
info: www.thevanguard.com.au

JILL BARBER
In the midst of an extraordinary tour with Jeff Lang, Jill Barber is stepping into the spotlight with a trio of solo shows at Notes Live (November 4), Newtown Festival(November 8) and the Brass Monkey Cronulla (November 8). Barber’s enchanting performances have been seducing audiences across the country for the past few weeks. In her solo show she’s complemented beautifully on stage by fellow accomplished Canadian musicians Les Cooper and Robbie Grunwald.
info: www.jillbarber.com

ON SCREEN

JEWISH CINEMA
The Festival of Jewish Cinema runs from November 11-30. at the Event Cinemas, Bondi Junction, and one particular queer highlight is Eyes Wide Open, the taboo-breaking film about an ultra-Orthodox married father who falls in love with a young male student in Jerusalem. It’s one of several queer-themed films screening at the festival, including romantic comedy He’s My Girl.
info: www.jewishfilmfestival.com.au

AMAZING RACE
If you have trouble keeping track of what’s going on with The Amazing Race (it’s up to season 15 now), here’s an incentive to tune in: this season features a couple of hot gay jock brothers, Sam and Dan. We’ve been glued to the screen for weeks eagerly anticipating a roadblock in which teams have to mudwrestle in jockstraps, but alas, nothing yet. See for yourself on Thursdays at 9.30pm on Channel 7.

IVY cinema
In the coming months, The Ivy laneway will be transformed into a cosy outdoor cinema, screening a selection of great food-themed arthouse flicks every Monday night. For November, the theme will be big films, including the 1978 surfing classic Big Wednesday on November 9, a youthful-looking Tom Hanks in Big, Luc Besson’s visually stunning The Big Blue and the steamy New Orleans crime drama The Big Easy. For $35, film buffs will receive a plate of tapas + glass of wine or beer and a front row seat to a great outdoor film night.
info: www.merivale.com

NO-TORI-OUS
If you’d like to check out what Tori Spelling’s malformed breasts have been up to lately, check out Tori and Dean: Inn Love, a tack-o-rama reality show screening 8.30pm on Friday November 6 on Arena, Foxtel. Since she was cut off from the family’s inheritance, Spelling and hubby Dean have been forced to open their own inn and cameras follow their every haphazard move. Thrilling.

COFA SCREENING
In the COFA (College of Fine Arts) annual ’09 screening, graduating digital media and time-based art students show video, animation, motion graphics and time-based works on the big screen at the Chauvel Cinema in Paddington. It’s a great opportunity to see the work of fresh young talent on the big screen. The screening runs from 6pm-10pm on November 17.
info: www.cofa.unsw.edu.au

QUEER FRUITS
The Queer Fruits Film Festival is held at the Star Court Theatre, Lismore, and will screen an award-winning program of local, national and international queer films on December 29 & 30.
info: Bookings on www.tropicalfruits.org.au

FREE

NEWTOWN FESTIVAL
Newtown Festival is on November 8. The feelgood day includes live music across three stages, the infamous dog show, the Writers Tent, eco and kids zones plus 300 stalls of goodies to peruse. It’s running from 10pm-6am at the Camperdown Memorial Rest Park.

GREEN WORKSHOPS
The Australian Conservation Foundation’s GreenHome program will this week present the latest sustainable ideas and solutions for energy saving at three free workshops aimed at showing people how to make real changes in their homes and reduce energy bills. The workshops, on November 4, 5 and 6, are running in Glebe, Surry Hills and Ultimo.
info: www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome

FREE TWERPS
If you want a free taster of the warm lo-fo pop magic of The Twerps, head to their instore appearance at Repressed Records in Newtown this Sunday November 8 at 1pm.

QUEER NEWCASTLE
You Are Here Now is a historical exhibition at Newcastle University, with an accompanying photographic competition, that celebrates gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer staff and students, past and present. Gregg Heathcote and Leni and Marguerite Johnson have been slaving away on the research and construction of the exhibition in the Auchmuty Library, and are more than happy to guide visitors through.
MARSDEN LECTURE
This year’s annual John Marsden Lecture will be given by Anand Grover, the senior lead advocate in the Supreme Court of India. Entry to the lecture at 6.30pm November 30 at the Grand Lodge Room, Sydney Masonic Centre is free.

GLEBE LOCALS
From now until November 28, an entire Sydney suburb is being transformed into an art exhibition to debut the Grand Tour Gallery, a new outdoor exhibition space that spans the suburb of Glebe. To celebrate the launch, 150 life-size photographic portraits showcasing Glebe’s vibrant community will be displayed throughout the suburb as part of a unique exhibition titled 150 Locals.
info: www.glebe.com.au/glebe150locals

SURF MARKET
Manly will soon play host to Australia’s first ever Surf Market. Located along the suburb’s famous beachfront, the Surf Market runs from November 5-8 with a program that embraces all things surfing and more: concerts, art exhibitions, book signings, dinners and surfing activities for every skill level.
info: www.manlymarkets.com.au/surf

MAKE FREE ANIMALS
On November 14, Object Gallery is hosting a free animal-making workshop in association with the groundbreaking exhibition Menagerie: Contemporary Indigenous Sculpture currently on show. In the exhibition, children will be able to see how Australia’s Indigenous artists have been inspired by animals and will be able to make a sculpture of their own to take home. The workshop is suitable for children aged 3-12, but ‘kidults’ are welcome too.
info: www.australianmuseum.net.au

FUTURE FUN

FEAST FESTIVAL
If you’re looking for an excuse for a mini-break within Australia, Adelaide’s Feast Festival could be it. The two week gay and lesbian festival, running from November 14-29, is a veritable feast of riches, including performances, community events and parties. Our pick? Who could go past Aussie actresses like Jacki Weaver starring in the stage version of the weepy camp classic Steel Magnolias.
info: Check out the full program at www.feast.org.au

BOAT PARTY
The official Frantic Boat Party will kick off from Star Casino Wharf at 10am on Saturday, November 14. DJs include Steve Hill, Yoshi, Micky D, Paul Doran and Allure. Tickets are $40.
info: [email protected]

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

BLUESFEST LINE-UP
Bluesfest have announced the first round of acts booked in for the 2010 21st-anniversary festival, and there are some unlikely gems among the usual suspects. While we wouldn’t call Jessica Mauboy a blues artist, it’s a pleasure to see her on the bill alongside luminaries such as Crowded House, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Barnes.
info: www.bluesfest.com.au

FROCKS AFLOAT
Frocks Afloat is back and it’s going to be a Frockin’ beach party as the all-girl band rock out on Sydney harbour during a four-hour cruise. Drinks at pub prices, complimentary pizza and half-naked frockers all on one boat with a view to die for. Tickets are on sale now for $45 at all Frocks gigs. Frocks Afloat will be on Saturday December 12 from 11.45am, boarding at the Maritime Museum.

GET LISTED
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