Category: LGBTIQ

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

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?

Street art to stop AIDS: PAINT (RED) SAVE LIVES

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Washington DC today took step to end AIDS. The city launched the first global street art campaign created to drive urgency and action in the fight to end the incurable virus. What’s involved? Massive names in the street art game like Add Fuel, Bisco Smith, BRUSK, DALeast, Faile, Faith XLVII, Hera, HOW & NOSM, Inside Out Project, Karabo Poppy Moletsane, Ludo, Olek, Ron English, Shepard Fairey, Stephen Powers, Trevor & Cosmo, and WK Interact will create (RED)-inspired street art to engage people and encourage political leaders to fully fund the AIDS fight, ahead of The Global Fund’s Sixth Replenishment Conference, hosted by President Emmanuel Macron on October 10th in Lyon. Where’s it happening? Legit everywhere. Some of best sites can be found in London, New York, Washington D.C., Berlin and Paris will be transformed by artists during September and early October 2019, culminating in Lyon as the world’s leaders gather to pledge funding to the Global Fund for the next three years. A successful replenishment will help save 16 million lives and cut the mortality rate from HIV, TB and malaria in half. Bono, co-founder, said; “Street artists have been raising the alarm in the fight against AIDS since HIV appeared — from the streets of New York in the 1980s, and now in the next weeks in cities around the world with Paint (RED) Save Lives. There has been a lot of progress, more than many experts predicted, but not enough yet to put the sirens to rest. Young women continue to bear the brunt of this disease and maddeningly, every week 6,000… Read More

Category: FEATURES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE

Trixie & Katya LIVE: The UNHhhh Tour! is coming to Australia

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

For the first time since 2015, drag superstars Trixie and Katya will return to the Australian stage with their YouTube famous series UNHhhh in tour. The two, rich, famous, beloved and – genuinely – hilarious high-achieving women will be on stage all over the country in series of 90-minute, raw, unedited chatter that will either be a dizzying success, or bomb out in flames. First city’s Brisbane on 11 June, so look out. For major fans, there’s the option of a new platinum level of VIP ticket, including a VIP Lanyard and a limited edition signed print along with a meet & greet with Trixie and Katya, and have a professional photographer snap your picture with them. Buckle up and get ready to scream laugh like Trixie all the way through this full length show where they talk about what they want, because it’s their show and not yours. Trixie and Katya tour dates BRISBANE Thursday 11 June 2020, QPAC ADELAIDE Friday 12 June 2020, Thebarton Theatre MELBOURNE Saturday 13 June 2020, Plenary, MCEC PERTH Tuesday 16 June 2020, Astor Theatre SYDNEY Friday 19 June 2020, State Theatre CANBERRA Sunday 21 June 2020, Llewellyn Hall WELLINGTON Thursday 25 June 2020, TSB Arena AUCKLAND Saturday 27 June 2020, Logan Campbell Centre CHRISTCHURCH Sunday 28 June 2020, Isaac Theatre Royal Pre-register and get your tickets from the girls’ website.

Category: FEATURES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE

Tags: drag queen, drag queens

Queens presents Pride on Ice to end World Pride London

by James Banham

Posted: 06/07/2019

On the weekend after Pride London, Saturday 13 July, Queens will put on a finale celebration of the joy that was, in its own unique way. Queens is an ice rink and bowling alley on Queensway, right in the middle of London and this month, they’ll turn out a partnership with Pride in London to host the official ultimate post-Pride cool down. Pride In London will dominate the 1200m2 ice rink and the Sin-Bin Bar by MEATliquor to celebrate and monumentalise the Pride Jubilee, as well as marking the conclusion of this year’s celebrations which have truly made us all proud to be Londoners. It’ll be an all ice-skating, all performing, DJ-fuelled, psychedelically-lit, eating and drinking extravaganza all under one roof. Complete with entertainment throughout by hosts including Crayola the Queen and her Drag Team, live PAs from Pride’s Got Talent & Flawless Talent and even a special guest DJ, set to be spinning over rink till Midnight, there’s a lot happening. See more at the Queens website.

Category: CITIES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: London Pride, Queens, Queens ice skating, Queens London, Queens Pride in London

Free gay exhibition for London Pride: Kiss My Genders

by James Banham

Posted: 05/07/2019

Southbank Centre’s Hayward Gallery is offering free admission to all visitors for its latest exhibition, Kiss My Genders from 11am – 7pm on Saturday 6 July. The new exhibition Kiss My Genders is all about celebrating more than 30 international artists whose work explores and engages with gender identity. Spanning the past 50 years, Kiss My Genders brings together over 100 artworks by different generations of artists from around the world. Employing a wide range of approaches, these artists share an interest in articulating and engaging with gender fluidity, as well as with non-binary, trans and intersex identities. If acceptance, joy and tolerance are your thing, then this exhibition is for you. Give it a shot at the Southbank Centre and see more at the website.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Gay London, Gay London blog, Kiss My Genders, london, London blogger, THE F Kiss My Genders, The F London

Rainbow brunch for London Pride: VIVI Restaurant and Bar goes gay

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

As rainbows descend on the city of London for Pride this month, you can’t hide away from the fact that as sure as gay is here to stay, you need to eat. So, with that in mind, VIVI Restaurant and Bar in London – see more of it here – is putting on a spread worthy of a kween. Kicking off at 11.30am, VIVI will open up the menu for anyone to enjoy three courses of delicious colourful brunch dishes and bottomless bubbles, Bloody Marys or Aperol Spritzes alongside live music from London’s hottest DJs playing the best of Cher, Gaga and much more! Tickets are £35 for the three-course brunch, and you can go bottomless for just £17.50 extra. VIVI will donate £1 from each ticket to LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity akt. Get your ticket at this website.

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: London LGBTIQ restaurants, London Pride, London restaurants, Rainbow brunch for London Pride: VIVI Restaurant and Bar goes gay, Vivi, Vivi London, Where to eat London Pride

ARTS & CULTURE

British Museum and Huw Locke explore legacies of Empire

28/04/2024

By James Banham

The British Museum has embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration with the esteemed Guyanese-British artist, Hew Locke, for a significant new exhibition delving into how the Museum’s collection reflects the enduring legacies of British imperial power from centuries past to the present day. This innovative exhibition, co-curated by Locke, will showcase iconic objects from the Museum’s vast collection alongside specially commissioned new works by the artist himself. Throughout his illustrious career, Locke has demonstrated a profound interest in objects and the narratives they harbor. His connection to the British Museum collection dates back to his formative years as a student in London, where he frequented the Museum of Mankind to draw inspiration from its ethnographic collections. This forthcoming exhibition marks a milestone as Locke’s first venture into artist-curated museum exhibitions, offering him a unique opportunity to delve deeply into a museum collection unlike ever before. The rich history and holdings of the British Museum intertwine closely with the narrative of the British Empire. This exhibition is poised to dissect these intertwined histories while engaging with the contemporary debates swirling around cultural heritage. By focusing on Britain’s historical interactions with Africa, India, and the Caribbean—regions that significantly influenced Guyana, Locke’s place of upbringing—the exhibition will serve as a personal exploration by utilizing interventionist techniques to reframe historical objects within the collection. Locke’s exploration aims to unravel the intricate ways in which museums are entangled in the legacies of Empire, embracing the complexities and ambiguities of these narratives. Rather than providing definitive answers, Locke seeks to provoke introspection… Read More

Michelangelo last decades exhibition at British Museum this spring

28/04/2024

By James Banham

Delving deep into the intricate tapestry of the Renaissance master’s late career, this immersive showcase promises a revelatory exploration of how art and faith intertwined in the twilight years of an iconic artist.

breakdance head spin pexels pixabay 159273

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