Category: LGBTIQ

A Night in Paris at Beresford Sundays in Sydney

Posted: 28/10/2020

Paris is camp and now the Beresford is serving itself as its rival. Welcome to a Night in Paris at Sydney’s Beresford by Merivale. It’ll be gay. It’ll be colourful. It’ll be new and exciting and it’ll be happening weekly from now. Partnering with Absolut as they’ve done for many Pride activities in the past, they’re proud to present a brand new night of entertainment – A Night in Paris live cabaret show at Upstairs Beresford. The first show went live and sold out within 48 hours! Starring Minnie Cooper, Jacqui St Hyde and Mynx Moscato with the eye candy of Troy and Hayden. Minnie Cooper is very excited to be combing her singing talents with her love of production drag shows. Guests can enjoy an Absolut cocktail on arrival, 3 course meal and 2 half-hour shows, including cabaret, comedy and sex of the Moulin Rouge.Tickets are $65 and can be purchased from the Beresford site.

Category: CITIES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: beresford, Beresford Night in Paris, Beresford Paris, Beresford Sydney, Sydney gay bars

Let’s get gay: POOF DOOF’s HALLOQWEEN Bloody Banquet feat. Kitty Glitter at ivy

by THE F

Posted: 21/10/2020

Sydney’s ivy, right in the heart of town, is hosting a Halloween bash worthy of getting excited about – Halloqween! Yas. A 3-hour jam-packed haunt will serve you a seated service event and show, with food by Totti’s, a costume extravaganza, and red carpet arrivals. It’ll be camp. There will be a full line-up of bloody valentines including drag devils, vampiric vocalists and so many more horrors. First release tickets on sale now from here and include entry, entertainment, inclusive drinks package, two-course meal by Totti’s plus a trick or treat dessert goodie bag.

Category: FOOD & DRINK, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Let's get gay POOF DOOF's HALLOQWEEN Bloody Banquet feat Kitty Glitter at ivy, merivale sydney, THE F Beresford, THE F Merivale

Rood Food is back in Sydney: Priscilla’s revives the dinnertime favourite

by James Banham

Updated: 17/09/2020

It was back in 2018 that the girls at the Imperial Erskineville in Sydney’s inner-west brought out their finest foods and roodest ‘toods for the entertainment of a packed room of diners. Then Covid; but now, we’re back! The Imperial Erskineville’s award-winning Priscilla’s restaurant has announced the return of Rood Food, a seductively designed X-Rated menu by head Chef, Christopher Dale Tolcidas. Think: a hen’s night gone wrong in all the right ways. Top quality food, prepared on site – and visibly – paired with a strictly adults-only drag review by the venues industry-renowned queens designed to stimulate your senses and launching on September 25. Think of it as a sensory experience. Emphasis on looks and tastes. As to be expected from dinner and a show that tantalises your tastebuds while delivering a plethora of tongue-in-cheek sexual innuendos performed by a roster of Australia’s leading drag divas. Priscilla’s head Chef, Christopher Dale Tolcidas has gone all out this round, producing dishes like Pussy Paté, Bring Back the Bush and the return of Rood Food favourites, the Panna-Knockers. “I’ve retained what Priscilla’s is best-known for, our plant-based menu and slow-cooked meats, and given the dishes a colourful dressing-up much like our queens,” says head Chef, Christopher Dale Tolcidas. Directed by The Imperial Erskineville’s resident queen, Etcetera Etcetera and starring favourites Peach Fuzz, Dammit Janet, Dakota Fann’ee and Riot, the nightly stage production consists of a three-part line up including an Uber Eats drag delivery spoof, a self-saucing dinner party, and an erect banana-themed number topped by… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

The LGBTQ Community, workplace sexual harassment and discrimination

by THE F

Updated: 26/07/2023

Workplace sexual harassment is a serious and widespread issue. The #MeToo movement has brought it to the public’s attention, which is certainly helpful. Anyone can face discrimination or sexual harassment at work. However, disproportionate targeting over the years has long been a reality for the LGBTQ community when it comes to workplace sexual harassment. A community member whose sexual predilections are common knowledge might be a target, and those situations can be tough to deal with for the individual. Here are some workplace sexual harassment aspects about which the LGBTQ community should be aware. It Can Happen Anywhere Workplace sexual harassment can happen in any field. LGBTQ military members face it frequently. Other areas where it can be an issue include: In a nutshell, no industry is safe from this problem, so it can pop up in virtually any workplace scenario. LGBTQ individuals choose to face this in different ways and one of those might be securing the help of a legal person, like from Dhillon Law. Some of them never address what is going on, fearing retribution or job loss. Others report what’s happening to HR or they go higher up the corporate ladder. Still, others feel so pressured that they leave to pursue another work situation. You can’t be terminated for sexual preference or gender identity A landmark case just decided by the Supreme Court guaranteed protections to LGBTQ individuals. Now, there is protection from job termination for people who are: This victory, coming during Pride Month, is terrific news for the cause. Going forward, it seems as… Read More

Category: LGBTIQ

Tags: The LGBTQ Community, workplace sexual harassment and discrimination

Saturday night done right: Poof Doof is streaming this weekend from Sydney

by James Banham

Posted: 29/04/2020

Gay or not, we’re all bored and we all love a camp night out. Poof Doof to the rescue. From Sydney, the weekly gay-splosion from Sydney’s ivy right in the middle of the city will take to your screens at home, bringing you the best of gay Australia right to your living room. It will live stream the iconic LGBTQI+ club night from ivy this Saturday 2 May, bringing the fierce, fabulous and forward-thinking funhouse of dance into living rooms across Australia. Dance icons Sneaky Sound System will headline the extravaganza, joined by host Jimi The Kween and an epic lineup of local LGBTQI+ DJs including Sveta, Troy Beman, James Alexandr, and drag artists Danni Issues, Hannah Conda and Faux Fur. Saturday’s performance at ivy is the latest instalment of POOF DOOF Direct, a new series of live streams that have taken the iconic club night online. Since the lockdown restrictions were implemented in March, the legendary party masters have been entertaining 30,000 viewers each week with the fiercest mix of house and techno at home. POOF DOOF arrived in Sydney for a new weekly residency at ivy last November. It is the biggest nightclub of its kind in Australia, with a global reputation for keeping dance floors future-forward, inclusive and unashamedly queer. POOF DOOF Direct Sydney will be streamed from 9pm AEST on POOF DOOF’s Facebook, Twitch and YouTube channels.

Category: CITIES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Gay party Australia, gay sydney, ivy Sydney Poof Doof, Merivale Poof Doof, Poof Doof, Streaming DJs, Streaming gay party, Sydney gay party streaming

8 super gay things to do at the Beresford this Sydney Mardi Gras

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is on again and the Beresford by Merivale, right in the middle of Surry Hills is serving up all the things. Minnie Cooper Cabaret Show Tuesday 25 February, 7pm-late Minnie Cooper is ready to bring it, with an all new cabaret and drag show, ‘It’s Not Just for Gays Anymore’. This 2 ½ hour spectacular is set to be all things fabulous upstairs at The Beresford. Book to avoid disappointment: 02 9114 7328. Bingay Wednesday 26 February, 7pm-late Bingo? Hell no. Say hello to Bingay – a night of fabulous tunes and crazy-ass rules, with hilariously camp prizes to boot. Bookings are essential: 02 9114 7328. Passport Party Thursday 27 February, 9.30pm-late The annual Mardi Gras Passport Party will welcome international guests with open arms and show them how we party down under, with a great line-up of DJs and a special performance by drag queen hostess, Decoda Secret. Free entry. Super Camp Friday 28 February, 8pm-late Beresford Sundays, Absolut and DJ Dan Murphy are bringing a super-sized CAMP Party to The Beresford for one night only. Get in and get down to all your favourite camp anthems, from the 90s onwards. Think Kylie, Tina Arena, The Spice Girls, Mariah Carey, Shania Twain and more. Big production, big energy, drag shows and camp AF DJs guaranteed. Tickets on sale now: $10 presale from this link. Mardi Gras Parade Saturday 29 February, 7pm-late Revellers can don their wildest attire and join the party at The Beresford for Gay Christmas, where… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: 8 super gay things to do at the Beresford this Sydney Mardi Gras, beresford, Sydney Mardi Gras Mardi Gras

Words do hurt: Why we need to stop the hate with #LoveSpeech

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Watch the video above (below on mobile). Triggering, right? There are, on average, 43 hateful anti-LGBT words posted a minute around the world. The time for that to end has long since passed. With the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras taking over the city of Sydney in March, it’s a timely reminder and firm shove in the right direction of acceptance, diversity, inclusion and people. And it’s good. There was some new research recently, which had some shocking findings, though. And all of this, despite how cosmopolitan Australia’s city centres wholly are. Here are some stand-out bits. Check it out: 74% of the Australian LGBTIQ+ community believe hurtful language directed at members of their community is a major issue in Australia today 26% of Australian LGBTIQ+ adults say the first time they were the victim of hurtful language specifically about their gender or sexual identity, it was from a friend or family member Online abuse has affected 40% of LGBTIQ+ millennials and 43% of LGBTIQ+ Australians under the age of 24 What the fuck?! The sad reality is that, though marriage is legal, equality is on the rise and acceptance is growing, the sad reality is that acceptance is still a major are for growth. Just look at the stats. That’s why, this Mardi Gras – and just throughout life in general – the #LoveSpeech campaign has such a powerful message. “Hurtful language can have a negative impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ people, and that’s why ANZ has launched this powerful and… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LGBTIQ, MELBOURNE, SYDNEY

Easiest way to get to the Sydney Mardi Gras from these 6 cities

by James Banham

Posted: 18/02/2020

You anywhere but Sydney and planning to go to Mardi Gras? Worry not; Sydney might be far, but it’s still connected. Here’s how with Cathay… New York: The origin of the historic 1969 Stonewall Riots, New York kicked off Pride marches and celebrations the world enjoys today. Visitors can be enriched by the historic gay liberation movements ignited in this city, as well as take part in the bustle of its June Pride events. From unique drag nights to inclusive street markets New York has something for everyone. London: Entering its 51st year, London Pride is one of UK’s biggest celebrations with a vast array of events including world famous cultural and political art scene, culminating in the Pride Parade on the 27 of June. Tel Aviv: Celebrate at the Middle East’s biggest Pride festival and take to the streets with more than 250,000 Pride attendees. With an abundance of inclusive activities, join the party and cheers to acceptance and inclusion during a week-long Pride festival. Amsterdam: Looking for a unique parade experience? Look no further than Amsterdam. Leaving the streets and hitting the water this city’s Canal Pride Parade is something no pride lover can miss. With parade watcher’s filing the edges of canals, be amazed by the literal floats. Taipei: Making history in 2019 as the first Asian nation to legalise marriage equality, Taiwan is now making its mark on the world LGBTQI+ scene. Hosted in October, Taiwan Pride attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the capital city, Taipei. San Francisco: One of the best represented LGBTQI+ communities… Read More

Category: CITIES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Easiest way to get to the Sydney Mardi Gras from these 6 cities, mardi gras, mardi gras parade, sydney mardi gras

The Winery Sydney goes gay this Mardi Gras

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

The Winery on Crown Street, Sydney, right at the epicentre of all things Mardi Gras this year, is turning it on. Think wine, champagne, men in dresses and all the entertainment you need in the lead-up to the climax that is the after party. Have a look at what they’ve done previously to get a taste. Expect to be dazzled by MC personality, James Breko as he hosts Chalk A Rainbow for the community; sing along with the Drag Diva Lip Sync Battles to favourites like Kylie vs Pink and Adele vs Madonna; escape the crowds but not the fun at the exclusive parade viewing party; and recover in style the morning after at their official ‘Recovery Party’ with tasty, alcohol-free cocktails and massages. For more, check The Winery’s website.

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Sydney Mardi Gras: Fair Day is back and it's gay

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Get your tongues ready for poppin’, fans ready for sashaying and deaths ready for droppin’; Sydney’s Fair Day is back for Mardi Gras. At Victoria Park, as per usual, Fair Day will overtake the green to the tune of over 80,000 LGBTIQ people and their friends. The stage is set to host Jess B, Jamarz On Marz, Jamaica Moana and Hoodzy, electric live sets from Ngaiire, Bec Sandridge, Architects Of Sound and Huntly, show stopping drag performances by Felicia Foxx, plus sets from beloved community DJs Division 4, Danielle Rizk and Victoria Anthony, hosted by Faustina Agolley, so get excited. Bring your dog, bring your gaggle, bring your colour and celebrate inclusivity and diversity. It’s on 16 February from 10am-9pm. See more here.

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

ARTS & CULTURE

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Experience break dancing like never before this MAy

24/04/2024

By James Banham

Get ready to experience the ultimate celebration of hip hop culture, innovation, and artistry at Breakin’ Convention 2024. An international festival of Hip Hop dance theatre, it’ll be taking over Sadler’s Wells in Islington this coming May Bank Holiday. Enthusiastically helmed by the visionary UK hip hop maker and Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director Jonzi D, this festival has become a beacon for fans and creators of hip hop from around the globe. The excitement is palpable as we gear up for two days packed with jaw-dropping performances, interactive workshops, and live music that promise to electrify the Sadler’s Wells venues on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May. With an extraordinary lineup featuring international sensations like Femme Fatale (USA), Sons of Wind (France), and Jinjo crew (South Korea), alongside groundbreaking UK acts such as TRAPLORD, Boy Blue, and When Time Was New, this festival is set to showcase the dynamic and diverse world of hip hop dance theatre. Attendees of all ages can look forward to a vast array of activities including spectacular dance performances, bespoke graffiti workshops, freestyle sessions, and even live DJs sessions that guarantee to keep the energy high and the spirit of hip hop alive throughout the entire building. Not to mention, the festival coincides with the historic moment of breaking becoming an official Olympic sport at the Paris Olympics, adding an extra layer of exhilaration to the festivities. Beyond the performances, Breakin’ Convention 2024 invites audiences to engage directly with the hip hop community through unique events such as the Tiny… Read More

Opera Australia orchestrates a new era with Matthieu Arama as Concertmaster

24/04/2024

By James Banham

In a move that marks a significant milestone in its illustrious history, Opera Australia has announced the appointment of the renowned French violinist Matthieu Arama as the new Concertmaster of the Opera Australia Orchestra (OAO). This announcement follows an exhaustive global search, culminating in Mr. Arama’s selection, a testament to his extraordinary talent and leadership abilities. Set to join the OAO in August of this year, Arama brings with him a wealth of experience as the current Concertmaster of the Opéra National de Bordeaux, coupled with an impressive track record of performances with some of the world’s most distinguished conductors. View this post on Instagram A post shared by matthieu arama (@matthieu_arama) Arama’s role will be pivotal in steering the OAO towards achieving artistic brilliance across its broad annual repertoire, which spans over 250 opera, ballet, musical theatre, and concert performances for Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet. His recent engagements as Guest Concertmaster for Opera Australia on iconic productions such as La Traviata and Swan Lake, alongside The Australian Ballet, and a solo recital featuring opera and ballet excerpts, underscore his extraordinary versatility and musicianship. The enthusiasm within the OAO is palpable, with Acting Concertmaster Huy-Nguen Bui expressing excitement over welcoming Arama to the helm. “The OAO is excited to welcome an exceptional violinist and musician as our new Concertmaster. We look forward to reaching the highest levels of music-making through Mr. Arama’s artistic leadership,” said Bui. This sentiment is echoed by Opera Australia’s CEO Fiona Allan, Artistic Director Jo Davies, The Australian Ballet’s… Read More

Lauren Brincat When Do I Breathe 2024. Performer Jasmin Lancaster. Photographer Zan Wimberley. Courtesy of the artist

Public performance in Randwick Sydney by artist Lauren Brincat

22/04/2024

By James Banham

This week, the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct will experience an exceptional infusion of art and community spirit through a public performance by the celebrated multidisciplinary artist Lauren Brincat. Scheduled for one-night only, on Wednesday, 24 April 2024, Brincat’s performance marks the launch of the new Laneway Art Program. This initiative, commissioned by the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct and supported by Transport for NSW’s Safer Cities program, seeks to enhance perceptions of safety for women, girls, and gender diverse people navigating the streets and laneways of the Precinct. Brincat, along with Rochelle Haley, another leading Australian artist, has been entrusted with the mission to improve night-time connectivity and comfort within the precinct through performance-based and site-specific artwork. Both artists have engaged directly with health workers in the area to shape their projects, aiming to make the public spaces more welcoming and to strengthen the sense of community, safety, and inclusiveness across the site. The artwork, titled When do I breathe?, is an ambitious collaboration with sound artist Evelyn Ida Morris, UNSW Choral Director Sonia Maddock, and choreographer Charmene Yap. It invites the public to actively participate in shaping new paths across the precinct, offering a unique experience that encompasses three activation sites within the UNSW Kensington and the hospital precinct. The performance, beginning at 5:00 pm on the UNSW Scientia Lawn, is a reflection on the interconnectedness of local communities, especially those separated by differing work shifts and daily rhythms. Aiming to reclaim public space through collective action, When do I breathe? presents an… Read More

Good news for National Gallery London: Eva Gonzalès piece acquired

22/04/2024

By James Banham

On the occasion of the artist’s 177th birthday on Friday 19th April, the National Gallery has acquired La Psyché (The Full-length Mirror), about 1869-70, by Eva Gonzalès (1849-1883) thanks to three generous legacy gifts from Mrs Martha Doris Bailey, Miss Gillian Cleaver, and Ms Sheila Mary Holmes, and the National Gallery Trust. This is the first acquisition by the Gallery of a work by Gonzalès and the second acquisition of its Bicentenary year. La Psyché has not been seen in public for over seventy years and joins only one other painting by her in a UK public collection, The Donkey Ride, about 1880?2, at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Gonzalès is the 20th female artist represented in the National Gallery Collection, marking a significant addition. The story of Gonzalès’s reputation, during and after her life, reflects some of the reasons why women artists are not well represented in the National Gallery. These include being offered fewer opportunities in life and the lack of interest shown, consciously or not, in works by women artists by collectors of the era and onwards, from whose acquisitions the National Gallery’s own collection was assembled. During her lifetime Gonzalès was an established artist who exhibited multiple times to acclaim at the official Paris Salon. She was the only official pupil of Edouard Manet (1832-83), with whom she studied from 1869. Gonzalès likely painted La Psyché around the same time that Manet was painting his portrait of her, Eva Gonzalès (1870). That work, in the Gallery collection, was the focal point of the recent exhibition, Discover Manet & Eva… Read More

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Shooshfest: Australia’s first ever silent short film competition

17/04/2024

By James Banham

Australia’s Shooshfest, an inaugural silent short film competition, invites diverse creators to innovate in storytelling sans speech. Promising an immersive experience, it will connect with audiences, honour silent film and catalyse cinematic culture.