Category: LGBTIQ

Celebrate World Pride London at the LaLit Hotel

LaLiT Pride brunch 3

London’s gone rainbow for World Pride 2019, which will hit the city this Saturday, 6 July and what better way to celebrate than with food and drink? Hotel icon the LaLit London will put on a spread across two days, one for celebrating and the other for lamenting how hard you went; ideal for any party-goer. Friday 5 July will see them turn their Indian offering at Baluchi into an explosion of gay goodness, featuring drag, dining and debauchery. Think, a decadent four course dinner, canapes and drinks, all curated by chef Santosh Shah and an-hour-and-a-half of free-flowing prosecco, wine or beer. Star studded acts include trans icon Amanda Lepore, and the wildly distorted and ever avant-garde Hungry, plus many more. Diner’s £130 per person and you can grab tickets here. Meanwhile, the morning after wouldn’t be complete with a stylish simmer session, putting on all kinds of glamorousness to help ease the headache away. A hearty brunch comprising hair of the dog, the Pride brunch menu will include the likes of samosa chaat with sweet yogurt and tamarind chutney, and slow-braised pork belly with honey and chilli glaze. All from 12-2 it’s £40 a pop. Get tickets here.

Gay and Loathing in Bris Vegas: The series starts

Gay Loathing Bris Vegas 2

Australia’s own gay comedy series, Gay and Loathing in Bris Vegas is but days away from episode one, turning out the country’s first TV homage to the progress we’ve made, one one hand and the comedy behind being a gay man, on the other. Already a hit at festivals, the series recently opened the Brisbane Queer Film Festival and is in official selection at the Sicily Webfest and Web Series Festival Global in Los Angeles.  The show was even selected to compete in the the semi-finals of the International Online Web Festival. The self-funded series was shot in Brisbane and the Gold Coast and was made with almost 40 local cast and crew.  “It’s been the ‘Gone with the Wind’ of Australian web series”, say co-creator John Cahill. “But, if recent audience reaction to the three episodes that screened at the Brisbane Queer Film Festival is anything to go by, we’ve managed to create a great product that is funny and engaging. You can’t ask for more.  Except maybe for an Emmy!”  Set in Australia’s third largest city over a 2-day weekend, the series showcases the lives of 7 gay men as they traverse the cul-de-sacs of the sub-tropical suburbia (fondly referred to Barack Obama during the G20 Summit as Bris Vegas).  The series is intentionally farcical, with the city a key character. “We wanted to tell an intrinsically Brisbane story because the city often takes a backseat to Melbourne and Sydney”, says John.  While the title and the synopsis might suggest otherwise, the writers are quick… Read More

Keep Mardi Gras going: A new type of anal play with Aneros

Man abs

The glitter has settled – even though the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras didn’t endorse its use this year – guests have gone home and international visitors have boarded their planes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the party stops. And much like the Sydney Mardi Gras, which is one of the most socially accepting and creative events in the world on any calendar year that isn’t just for gay men and women, neither is what they practise outside of the public’s eye. Aneros knows this all too well. They’re one of the favourite producers and brand keepers of anal pleasure for men and women, to be honest, producing some of the finest tools on the market to get all kinds of jobs done. They’re the leaders in the world of men’s prostate massagers and have just launched a new one for their bands of customers, the Helix Syn Trident, which they say is the most advanced product of its kind on the market. It’s the second iteration of the first Helix Syn massager, which was all about ergonomics and health, as it provided relief from prostate complications and preventative measures for erectile dysfunction (ED). It was made with a lot of qualities, like a specially balanced body that provided a greater range of motion, increased responsiveness, and more focused internal stimulation. The latest version though, produces a spring-like action with a unique “cradling” sensation, for more external stimulation, with greater stability. This new arm configuration is more form-fitting, making the Helix Syn Trident comfortable for… Read More

And you thought you nailed choreography? Sydney Dance Company has a Mardi Gras float

Sydney Dance Company Mardi Gras parade 1

OK, so, if you’ve ever seen the Sydney Dance Company dancers on stage, then you know what you’re in for. Prepare to pack up your dancing shoes, rip apart your pom-poms and go home if you’re in this year’s parade, because shit is about to get turned up. The world renowned dance troupe is, for the first time ever, making its debut in the 2019 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade down Oxford Street in front of millions. In honour of the Company’s 50th anniversary in 2019, the Sydney Dance Company’s choreography features a high energy, tightly rehearsed dance routine with 80 members of Sydney Dance Company’s community, led by dance class manager Ramon Doringo. If you need a taste of the kind of magic that awaits, have a look at what they did at their most recent presentation. Ramon will lead the synchronised marching troupe from the back of a golden Sydney Dance Company Studio float, complete with ballet bar, mirrors and performing drag queens. Doesn’t matter if you’re gay, or just love the energy of the LGBTIQ festival and show of pride, missing the dance rendition from the Sydney Dance Company along the full parade track is more of a sin than the life we’re all living. So get trackside! See what’s on at this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras at their program.

Fat burners before Mardi Gras? Bulk Nutrients explains how to drop that last little layer

Elevated view of a young man bench-pressing barbell in the gym

When you’re living in as sun-soaked a city as Sydney, if you identify as LGBTIQ or their friends, or you plan on going to the gay party to end all gay parties, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras after party, then showing skin almost feels like a prerequisite. Of course, it’s not; but you’d be kidding yourself if you thought you’d go without gawking at a few finely tuned torsos and their hangers-on as your prowl the grounds of Hordern Pavillion in the dead of night. The good thing about the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is, though, that regardless of who you are, what you look like and what you like to do with who, you’re welcome; and if keeping up with the Joneses if your thing, then we’ve done some of the hard work for you. Bulk Nutrients are Australia’s own, and the people to go to for your protein and health nutrition and supplements and this Mardi Gras, we’re talking all thing fat burners and protein to aid you in your quest to shred that last little layer of love to look at your optimum prime. We spoke to Brodie West, marketing manager and pro-LGBTIQ-er himself about bods, burners and how to do both, best. When it comes to the big Mardi Gras after party night, there’s a lot of perceived pressure to look good, but as Brodie says, it’s not all about what you look like. “I think there is an element of perceived pressure to look good for Mardi Gras,… Read More

Carbs for Mardi Gras: Textbook Patisserie does a Golden Gaytime croissant

Golden Gaytime croissant 1

If you’re in Sydney’s inner south and know Textbook Patisserie, then prepare to have your pre-Gras diet shot to shit: they’re doing gay croissants. Because the art of butter, crispy, bread-like pastries from the pretty, wrought iron-clad streets of gay Paris just simply aren’t gay enough, John Railey is going next level. Multicoloured croissants made by the Callebaut Chocolate hero Railey will adorn the display cabinets of the Botany Road bakery this Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras season, celebrating in a more delicious way, the freedoms we’re so afforded in this wonderful era, city and country as gays and their friends. The pastry is literally rainbow coloured and bursting with coloured Callebaut Chocolate pieces, caramel, chantilly and caramel peptides for an extra little somethin’. Get them from Saturday 2 – Sunday 3 March for $12.50. Find Textbook Patisserie at 274 Botany Road, Alexandria.

Mardi Gras drinks: Parade views from the Pullman Hyde Park

James Banham Pullman Rainbow Lounge

There’s nothing quite as gay as Mardi Gras, so if glitter, rainbows, hot bods, banging music and drinks are your thing, then heading to the Pullman Hyde Park in Sydney is where you need to be. From beside the marshalling area of the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras down Oxford Street, the Pullman is serving drinks, food, rainbows and fabulosity like no other venue along the strip. The level 1 full length windows provide prime position to look down upon the parade’s rabble, in all their semi-nude, musically-fuelled, pro-LGBTIQ glory. Aptly named the Rainbow Room, it’s the place to be this 2 March 2019. Found at the top of College Street, just metres from Oxford Street’s official parade starting line, Pullman Hyde Park is serving up tickets for $149 per person that include exclusive entry to the bright and bold Rainbow Room, bottomless beverages from pop-up bars by event sponsors Gayle, Australia’s first equality conscious beer and cider. Top that off with Absolut – don’t miss their Absolut recovery brunch at the Beresford – canapés and fabulous entertainment from drag queen hosts Shebeast & Tora Hymen, with music by DJ Victoria Anthony. Following on after the fabulous pre-parade festivities, guests can make an exit, flashing their wrist bands to be given exclusive access to a College Street viewing area, allowing them to make their way through the glittering explosion that is the Mardi Gras Parade. Get your tickets at the Pullman’s website.

Battle of the drag queens: The Winery hosts a rumble for mental health

Sydney drag queen

Elizabeth, who? The real Queens of Sydney are about to turn up, do battle and do some good while they’re at it at Surry Hills’ The Winery, who’re putting on a gay royal rumble to donate dollars to the Black Dog Institute, for mental health. It’s all a part of the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Queens Minnie Cooper and Hanna Conda will battle it out to Lady Gaga and Freddie Mercury; Charisma Belle and Sia Tequila duelling Tina Turner, Cher and Dolly Parton on Wednesday and Sia Tequila and Jaquie St Hyde channelling Madonna and Kylie Minogue on Thursday, before the ultimate Battle of the Legends on Friday 1 March. It’s a full line-up that will donate 25% of ticket sales to Black Dog Institute, a research institute that works to reduce the incidence of mental illness and the stigma attached to it. Tickets for The Mardi Gras Tribute Nights are $20 with an Absolut cocktail on arrival and will run from Tuesday 26 February to Friday 1 March from 5pm. Tickets can be purchased from The Winery’s website.

Beresford Hotel and Absolut Vodka celebrate Mardi Gras with

Absolut Mardi Gras bottles

Because vodka is happiness and happiness is gay and gay is the Sydney Mardi Gras, the Beresford Hotel and Beresford Sundays are joining the celebrations in an epic way. MORE: See how Mardi Gras is saving the planet Beresford Hotel from 16 February – 4 March will host a series of experiences including Absolut Mardi Gras brunches, trivia nights, a special edition Absolut cocktail, live-stream of the parade on the big screen and Laneway Party. Here’s what’s on. MORE: What’s on at this year’s Mardi Gras after party The First Mardi Gras Inc. Trivia Night When? Wednesday 20 February The First Mardi Gras Inc, Trivia Night is back by popular demand and will again be supporting events for 78ers, a not for profit organised founded by the participants in the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Bonnie Bocamp and Alissar Gazal will entertain the crowd, Young Henrys have generously donated a brewery tour for the winning table, and a raffle will be held with prizes from Sydney Theatre Company, Dendy, Sydney Symphony, Art Gallery of NSW and many more. Get tickets here. Absolut Mardi Gras Brunch and Recovery Brunch When? 24 February, 11-1 and 4 March, 12-3 These special Mardi Gras brunch editions at The Beresford will be hosted by the ever-fabulous Maxi Shields, one of the faces of the original We Are Colourful campaign when it launched in 2018. The brunch package offers a bespoke brunch menu of five delicious mains, alongside a range of Absolut cocktails specially created for the series. Think ‘The Bero Toastie’ with Sonoma sourdough, smoked ham, comté, mustard and preserves, or the poached… Read More

KING by Shaun Parker for Sydney Mardi Gras: A Review

KING Shaun Parker 3

Being a gay man in 2019 really is a revelation. In 30-or-so years, gay men and women have gone from the ostracised outcasts of abnormality, to something few people bat an eyelid to. But it’s the underlying tone of masculinity and what exactly that is, and the questioning of it, that has been the most rocking of qualities of the homosexual existence since it first came into common parlance in the mid 20th century. Fast forward to today, when we’re looking at KING, a dance production choreographed by Shaun Parker and musically backed by Ivo Dimchev and you have a culmination of the story of males that could only be done in collaboration with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival 2019. KING is a dance production of 10 male dancers and Dimchev himself, a Bulgarian choreographer, visual artist, singer-songwriter that explores Parker’s (choreographer) trademark highly physical choreography in an articulate interrogation of male power, control and group dynamic, expertly exposing the brutality of macho ritual and the human toll of toxic masculinity. In short: KING is the Queen of Mardi Gras in 2019 that is a visually striking, musically intoxicating and artistically rousing performance that makes you three things: proud to be gay, proud to be around gays and proud to be in an age where the concept of masculinity can be picked apart, dissected and danced away as a farce, open to artistic interpretation and playfulness, welcoming of all. And then, of course, there’s the striking vocals of Dimchev who’s obviously a… Read More