Category: LGBTIQ

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

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

Time to limber up, bitches: Sissy Ball is dipping into Enmore this Sydney Mardi Gras

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Category is: Whatever you fucking want! Back, more bold and fierce than ever, Australia’s pre-eminent vogue ball, Sissy Ball is returning for the 2020 Sydney Mardi Gras. It came, it saw, it served cunt; and this year’s she’s back again, 22 Feb at Enmore Theatre. The Sissy Ball’s all about self-expression, identity, fluidity and finesse and this year’s event is set to showcase the Asia Pacific’s ballroom scene featuring legendary house battles, live music, DJs and phenomenal performing artists. Houses and individual entrants will vogue off for the chance to win Sissy Ball’s seven coveted category titles. On the local front, competing houses include House of Slé, led by house mother Bhenji Ra. Slé’s members include Western Sydney-based artists with cultural and urban skill sets, all belonging to the greater Asia Pacific diaspora. They walk alongside House of Silky, one of Oceania’s leading kiki vogue houses, Melbourne’s original House of Dévine, House of IMAN, headed by house mother Jaycee Baybee, as well as New Zealand based House AITU, plus up-and-coming stars of the local ballroom scene. Categories and more to be announced soon – keep an eye out! Get in quick, third release tickets are on sale now and selling fast!

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: mardi gras, Sissy Ball, sydney mardi gras, Sydney Mardi Gras Sissy Ball

Pride Melbourne: Midsumma turned up the rainbow in St Kilda

by James Banham

Posted: 01/02/2020

Twenty-five years on and with nothing but the joy and campness of what it is to be LBGTIQ in the 21st century to fuel it, Pride is overtaking Melbourne again. With the annual Pride March heading down Fitzroy Street to Catani Gardens, over 10,500 people are expected to march with spectators and crowds expected to reach over 45,000. With all the regulars like Dykes on Bikes, and the march being lead by Boon Wurrung Elders and a Rainbow Aboriginal Float, it’s an inclusive celebration of equality that you want to be apart of. Find it all on 2 February from 11am – 4pm at Catani Gardens for the Summa Pride Stage hosting performances by Laura Imbruglia, DJ Semi Precious and Porpoise Spit, food and beverages and plenty of entertainment. Find out more at Midsumma.

Category: CITIES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Melbourne gay, Pride Melbourne, Pride Melbourne: Midsumma turned up the rainbow in St Kilda

Sydney Mardi Gras' headliner's been announced

by James Banham

Posted: 23/01/2020

It’s almost time for the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and that means one thing: It’s about to get gay. Legendary singer Sam Smith has just been announced as the headliner for the globally renowned after party at Hordern Pavillion! Sam, who now goes by they, has a performance on the main stage, tantalising the more often than not, repeat crowds, who are used to such major fellow headliners as Kylie, the Veronicas and Cher! And if you don’t know them (shame on you), Sam Smith has established themselves as one of the world’s most soulful voices and has topped the charts worldwide with hits including: “Money on My Mind”, “Stay With Me”, “Writings on the Wall”, “Too Good at Goodbyes” and 2018 dancefloor anthem “Promises” (with Calvin Harris). Don’t miss out on an unforgettable night, final release tickets are on sale now and selling fast! To book, go to www.mardigras.org.au.

Category: LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Mardi Gras headliner, Same Smith, sydney mardi gras

The 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras theme and program has been revealed and it’s magical

by Emi Berry

Updated: 10/11/2019

What Matters has been revealed as the theme for the 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and it promises to be bigger and bolder than ever. The theme builds on the legacy of Mardi Gras – a platform for activism, encouraging the community to think about creating a more inclusive future. “This year we celebrate those at the forefront of the fight for equality. From ground-breaking queer artists to trailblazing thought leaders, Mardi Gras 2020 is an opportunity to visit the next destinations on our journey of diversity, inclusion and social justice,” says Mardi Gras Arts Interim CEO, Grant Lowe. Mark it on your calendars! Friday 14 February 2020 is when the festivities kick off, with a diverse program of events running until Sunday 1 March 2020. They’ll be dazzling dance parties, top-tier theatre, music, world-class workshops and family-focused fun, with the iconic Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade taking place on Saturday 29 February, 2020. The post-Mardi Gras Parade celebrations will continue with the iconic Mardi Gras Party happening at the Hordern Pavilion with the electrifying Dua Lipa headlining. The pavillion and its surrounding areas will be transformed into a brand-new adult playland with the party starting at 11pm – 8am. Fourth release tickets are on sale now. There’s a supersized program on offer including the pre-eminent vogue ball, Sissy Ball and iconic festival classics such as Fair Day and Laneway, the traditional closing event of Mardi Gras. There’s no shortage of thought-provoking workshops and community events, with Queer Thinking taking over… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, DRAG, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, MUSIC, SYDNEY, THEATRE

Tags: gay, gay sydney, mardi gras, mardi gras parade, sydney gay lesbian mardi gras, Sydney Gay Lesbian Mardi Gras Seymour Centre

What do you see when you look at an ink blot? And how gay are you?

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

For anyone keen on the history of psychology, sexuality and pretty ink pictures, Queer Ink is the book for you. It’s a journey through academia, exploring the history of the Rorschach inkblot test and its deep roots in the history of homosexuality. Queer Ink: A blotted history towards liberation contextualises the Rorschach ink blot test and embeds it within feminist action and queer liberation. Who’d’ve thought, right? The book uses the ink blot test as a tool through which we can explore and reveal a queer feminist history of Psychology. For example, by unpicking the work of psychologists past, it’s pretty clear that their work was influenced by their own takes on feminism and often queer lives. The author, Katherine Hubbard’s a PhD sociologist who wrote her work titled, ‘A history of the Rorschach ink blot test in Britain: an interdisciplinary, queer feminist approach to one bleeding test’ and now, her work’s made it to book form. Find it at Routledge.

Category: BOOKS, FEATURES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE

Tags: gay blog, Gay book, Ink blot test, Ink test, LGBTIQ blog, Queer ink blot test, Rorschach ink test, Rorschach test, What do you see when you look at an ink blot? And how gay are you?

ARTS & CULTURE

NGV Architecture Commission 2024: Home Truth by Breathe

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In a bold reimagining of Australian home design, Home Truth by Breathe has been announced as the winner of the NGV Architecture Commission for 2024. This captivating installation takes the form of a labyrinthine house-within-a-house, challenging the notion of ever-expanding home sizes in Australia. At the heart of this design is a powerful message: rethink how we build to create more sustainable, higher-quality, and community-orientated living spaces. Home Truth invites visitors to step into a space that questions the ethical and ecological ramifications of the sprawling, oversized homes that have become prevalent across the nation. An external frame mirrors the silhouette of the average Australian home, which, at 236 square metres, ranks as the largest globally. Nestled within this silhouette is a serene timber structure, representing a smaller, more sustainable living footprint. This juxtaposition of scales is not just an architectural statement but a call to action. By contrasting these two structures, Home Truth shines a light on how smaller, more considered homes could help reduce suburban sprawl, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance community wellbeing. It is a thought-provoking invitation for audiences to consider alternative, sustainable housing models that could lead to positive lifestyle changes. Visitors entering through the expansive garage door of the larger house find themselves navigating a maze of rooms and corridors, eventually arriving at the intimate timber retreat. This wooden haven offers a space for meditation and reflection, presenting a tangible vision of a more sustainable housing future. Constructed from framing pine and Saveboard, Home Truth uses materials emblematic of current… Read More

LOEWE PRECO SS25 SUNA FUJITA CERAMICS RGB CROPPED 4X5 3 5

Suna Fujita, LOEWE & Melbourne Art Fair to exhibit works

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In an exciting fusion of art and fashion, Melbourne Art Fair has announced a groundbreaking partnership with LOEWE, the esteemed luxury fashion brand renowned for its dedication to craftsmanship since 1846. This collaboration brings to life an exquisite preview of Jonathan Anderson’s renewed partnership with the Kyoto-based ceramist duo, Suna Fujita, marking a world-first exhibition in Australasia. The LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection made its debut with an intimate showcase at LOEWE’s Melbourne Collins Street store, offering an exclusive viewing experience of twenty whimsical ceramic pieces. These delicate works, celebrated for their intricate hand-painted scenes featuring ocean creatures and cosmic animals, seamlessly blend artistry with everyday function, transforming accessories and ready-to-wear items into enchanting works of art. Fair Director Melissa Loughnan expressed her enthusiasm for this creative union, stating, “This partnership is a reflection of Melbourne Art Fair and LOEWE’s shared commitment to supporting living artists and creatives, and an exciting precursor to the 18th edition of the Fair, which promises to be one of our most dynamic and anticipated showcases yet.” The collaboration not only highlights the playful essence of Suna Fujita’s ceramics but also underscores the vibrant art scene that Melbourne Art Fair champions. Launching today, the LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection is available both in stores and online at loewe.com, continuing until 29th December 2024. This artistic venture paves the way for the 18th edition of Melbourne Art Fair, set to take place from 20-23 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair will present a remarkable assembly of… Read More

Labyrinth in Concert comes to London’s Royal Festival Hall

12/11/2024

By James Banham

Prepare to be whisked away to the mystical realm of Goblin City with a legendary twist, as “Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert” makes its grand debut at London’s Royal Festival Hall. On Friday, 28th November 2025, fans of this beloved musical fantasy film will experience a spectacular fusion of cinema and live music that promises to be nothing short of magical. For the first time ever, Jim Henson’s original masterpiece, starring the one and only David Bowie, will come alive on stage with a captivating live band performance. Audiences will be treated to the enchanting melodies of Bowie’s original vocals, accompanied by the band in perfect harmony, all set against the backdrop of the movie projected on a large HD cinema screen. It’s a chance to relive the unforgettable music and adventure that has captured hearts for nearly 40 years since the film’s release in 1986. Produced by Black Ink Presents, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, this unique concert experience is set to enthral long-time fans and newcomers alike. Known for breathing new life into iconic films with live orchestras and bands, Black Ink Presents has previously dazzled audiences with events like Batman, Ghostbusters, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. CEO John Kinsner shares his excitement, stating, “I have always been a huge fan of the groundbreaking collaboration of Jim Henson, George Lucas, David Bowie, and Trevor Jones on this film, and bringing it to fans in a live concert screening experience is a dream come true. Getting to hear Bowie’s vocals with a live… Read More

Why rush to National Art School postgrad show

12/11/2024

By James Banham

Step into the vibrant world of the arts at the National Art School (NAS) as it proudly unveils the 2024 Postgrad Show, a spectacular showcase of over 400 works by Australia’s next generation of emerging artists. Open to the public until 17 November 2024, this annual exhibition has firmly established itself as a pivotal event in Sydney’s cultural calendar, attracting gallerists, collectors, and art enthusiasts eager to discover fresh talent. The Postgrad Show serves as a launchpad for these budding artists, featuring the final bodies of work by the Master of Fine Art (MFA) graduates. This year’s exhibition offers an eclectic mix of mediums including painting, sculpture, printmaking, video, collage, 3D printing, performance, photography, drawing, and ceramics. Each piece is a testament to the diverse themes being explored—ranging from natural and digital ecosystems to identity, the Anthropocene, philosophy, and personal narratives. Ceramics take centre stage with artists like Benjamin Akuila, who delves into themes of construction, authenticity, and plasticity, informed by his Tongan heritage. His work offers a compelling exploration of queer and diasporic identity through hybrid cultural narratives. Meanwhile, Chrystie Longworth uses ceramic forms to navigate femininity, identity, and domesticity, drawing inspiration from historical subversive messages crafted by women in textiles. Her work, with its tactile terracotta and pigment surfaces, invites viewers to experience a subtle play of light and texture. From the drawing studios, Quan Zhu Ma marries traditional Chinese philosophy with contemporary practices, using innovative materials like heated charcoal and ash. His work reimagines traditional ink art, creating a fusion that resonates… Read More

Christmas music treat in Sydney: Handel’s Messiah returns

11/11/2024

By James Banham

This December, the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs are set to enchant audiences once again with their much-loved Messiah concerts, a cherished Sydney Christmas tradition that has spanned over a century.