SHIFT IT UP
Last weekend saw one of Sydney’s leading gay and lesbian hotels celebrate its 27th birthday. The Midnight Shift can be proud to say it has been gay and lesbian from the start, and has been the scene of some of Sydney’s fondest gay memories.
In terms of drag we have seen shows such as DIVAstated, The Transformers, Queen, Thursday Night LIVE and even little ole me pop up on the Shift’s stages.
With performers such as Ashley Swift, Claire De Lune, Courtney Act, Mogadonna, Penny Tration, Chelsea Bun and Verushka Darling all having graced the Shift’s stage, it has been a venue of legends.
My first ever performance was at the Midnight Shift in 1997, at Shop Yourself Stupid to be exact. I stumbled into the Shift about a week before and was met by Rose Leaf. I had just come from a Christmas party at a five-star hotel I was working at and was greeted with a Come and have a shot of sambuca, darling.
I later learned that this was a common way to get girls to perform for free.
After downing many shots, the subject was raised, How -˜bout you come and do a number for me, next weekend? It’s charity, but you can have a few drinks for free.
I’m not sure if it was the booze or the fact that this stranger thought I could do a number that had me jumping out of my four pairs of thick stockings.
Nodding calmly I agreed and was told the details. Huge truck with full sound system, Rose announced, It’s going to be huge and all on the street.
The next afternoon I got a phone message: Just confirming your spot at 1pm this Saturday at the Midnight Shift. It was all happening -” a huge break for me that required lots of preparation.
To my dismay, instead of a huge truck, it was more of a ute, and the sound system was a portable CD player that jumped every time someone moved. But it was my big break and, at the time, the greatest three minutes of my life. The rest is history.
I am sure my tale is not unique -” but it is one I think is important as the Shift continues to serve our community and foster its talent.
So Happy Birthday to the Shift -” and make sure you get along this week to see any one of the great shows it puts on -” including mine … of course!
