Playtime – issue 1045

Boys

FURRY FRIDAYS
Fridays have always been furry for Harbour City Bears members. In practice, this is represented by a few drinks at members prices at the Oxford Hotel’s Main Bar, accompanied by sweet sounds from DJ Rob from 9pm. Once the deck has closed at 10pm, it’s time for the Underground to open. The more playful head down to listen to DJ George Roussos (woof) among the hypnotic flashing walls and vibrating dancefloor. info: www.hcbears.com

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

MOVIE NIGHT
Harbour City Bears launches a monthly movie night at the Supper Club commencing Saturday, 30 October at 6pm. The first feature is the 1984 film Another Country, introduced by critic Kerry Bashford. The film sees a Cold War scandal breaking in Britain when a group of upper class men are revealed to be Soviet spies. Among them is Guy Burgess, an intelligence officer whose homosexuality disguise his acts of treason.

SEX WORK
For six weeks from Thursday, November 4, ACON is holding a Better Sex Workshop for gay men, with topics including sex toys, giving good head and anal pleasure and health. Places are strictly limited, so enquire now on 02 9206 2000 or groups@acon.org.au. info: www.acon.org.au/workshops

Clubs

I’D RATHER JACK
Jack is back at the Oxford Hotel’s Polo Lounge for October on Friday, October 29, featuring DJs Mark Murphy (Spank!) and Magda (Syd, Speakeasy). The music is everything house, from disco to Detroit; from Chicago to boogie. Free entry, 9pm til late.

BIG BASH
On Saturday, October 30, Gay Bash is taking over all four levels of The Oxford Hotel for a Halloween party that will leave you scared stiff. Featuring 40 DJs over four levels, there’ll be prizes for scariest costume, plus an array of razor blade flavoured lollies, creepies, crawlies, tricks and treats so scary you’ll wake in a sweat. 10pm-7am, $20 entry.

PISS UP
Head to Phoenix Bar on October 30 for Piss Up, a big night of fun to celebrate the 50th birthday of Sydney dance music icon Stephen Allkins, a local treasure with over 30 years’ experience under his belt. Allkins will play extended sets of his all-time favourite songs through the night with a little help from DJ Matt Vaughan. $15 entry, 10pm-late.

Clubs

foster forum
Fostering Young Lives is holding a foster care information event for Sydney’s GLBT community. Foster care can involve days, months or even years. All carers receive financial assistance and ongoing training, and support is available 24/7. Head to the Imperial from 6pm-8pm on Thursday, November 4 to find out more about becoming a foster carer.

LAW LECTURE
The John Marsden Memorial Lecture to be given by Professor Jenni Millbank this year on November 9 at the Masonic Centre. Millbank is Professor of Law at UTS with expertise in family and relationship law, reproductive rights and refugee law. She is also Australia’s leading expert on same-sex relationship recognition. It’s a free event, but RSVP is essential to office@nswccl.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 gay and lesbian community. Bent Yoga offers services from private classes to corporate packages. info: www.bentyoga.com

Free

FREE DYLAN
The critically acclaimed production The Chronic Ills of Robert Zimmerman AKA Bob Dylan (A Lie), brings to life the story of one of the 20th Century’s most important cultural icons – Bob Dylan, and it’s now showing at the Seymour Centre. ‘Dylan’ (played by Matt Ralph) will also be performing three post-show gigs on each Wednesday throughout the run, to get you through the midweek blues. info: www.seymourcentre.com

DIY SHOPPING
Get involved in printing your own produce bag with designers from local Darlinghurst design studio Green is a Beautiful Colour and Los Angeles based GriffinMade. Discover The Produce Bag Project, where retired restaurant linen is repurposed and handmade into re-usable produce bags for weekly fruit and vegetable shopping. The Project launches at Taylor Square on October 30 from 10am.

HERE’S GRACE
Head to the Oxford Hotel’s Supper Club any Thursday in October to enjoy Kiwi sensation Sheba in her fierce and fabulous Grace Jones tribute show. Featuring all of Grace’s iconic hits like Slave to the Rhythm and Pull Up To the Bumper, it’s as close as you’ll get to the real Grace – and entry is free. info: www.myspace.com/shebawilliams

Girls

MOIST MAMA
The next installment of Moist, coming to ARQ this Friday, October 29, is a wicked Halloween-themed party. DJs Sandi Hotrod, Bella and Shalyn Gray will entertain the crowd and spooky, sexy floor shows are also promised. $10 entry, 9pm til late.

KAKI’S BACK
Master guitarist and lesbian idol Kaki King returns to Australia next month, for her umpteenth tour in the past few years. The frequent visitor to our shores has a new album, Junior, under her belt, so expect a set of old favourites and brand new tracks when she plays Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory on Friday, November 19 and Melbourne’s Corner Hotel on Friday, November 26.
info: Visit www.kakiking.com

CARERS NEEDED
Have you thought about becoming a foster carer? There are around 16,000 kids in NSW who can’t live with their birth family. That’s why the Benevolent Society is seeking a range of foster carers across Sydney who can help to transform these children’s future. Remember, all kinds of kids need all kinds of carers. To find out more, call 9504 6694 or visit www.fosterachild.org.au

Pubs & Bars

SUMPTUOUS SUPPER
The next outing to be organised by Points of Difference events on October 29, takes diners to the new buzz restaurant in Pyrmont, Signorelli Gastronomia. Punters will dine on a specially selected long table menu, over three courses. You can also peruse the venue’s wine cellar to select your own wine for the evening. info: www.pointsofdifference.com

BINGO WITH BITE
Bingay gets a Halloween makeover on October 29 with Big Bang Fangers at the Paddo RSL from 7.30pm. Expect weird rules, singalongs, penalties and hilarious stories with prizes that range from the silly and camp to great theatre tickets or restaurant vouchers. Tickets are $37 – book via events2010@acon.org.au or call David on 9206 2110.

CASTROS
Every Saturday night at Castros Nightclub in Wollongong is GLBT night, hosted by Ms Deedee Lamar with special guests. It’s free before 11pm and $10 after, with shows at midnight and 1am. Join the Castros Facebook page for more info.

Song

BEST BETTE
The Divine Miss Bette hits the Sydney stage! Following Bette Milder’s visit over 10 years ago, Catherine Alcorn’s The Divine Miss Bette is the next best thing. Dirty, funny, crass and just as glamorous as the original Midler, Miss Bette will push all your boundaries. Alcorn has been trained by the very man who discovered Bette Midler herself in New York back in the ‘70s, Steve Ostrow. Catherine will take the Sydney stage for the first time at Slide on November 11. info: www.thedivinemissbette.com

WORK OF ART
The inimitable Mikelangelo is rolling into town with his new posse of gunslingers – The Tin Star. After years of traversing the globe with his band of ruffians, The Black Sea Gentlemen and La Clique, the charming crooner has returned to Australia making Melbourne his home. He has wasted no time in deputising a motley crew who will be touring here in November, playing Notes in Newtown on November 6. info: www.myspace.com/thetinstar

AURAL PORN
In celebration of their fifth album, Together, Canadian-US super-collective The New Pornographers are primed to make their return to Australia, performing at Manning Bar on November 10. Featuring the haunting vocals of successful solo singer Neko Case, the bright yet often bittersweet nature of the band is an even better experience in the live setting.