The 2012 Melbourne Queer Film Festival program was launched in grand style at ACMI on Wednesday 22 February. Look for the printed program guide in the usual locations, or you can buy online at www.mqff.com.au or via the iPhone app from 24 February. This year the opening night film, Cloudburst, will be simultaneously screened in both ACMI cinemas, followed by the Gala Opening Night Party just down the escalators in the ACMI Lightwell.
The Devil’s Playhouse presents a Labour Day long weekend day and night party like no other on Sunday 11 March. First the Day Party at Spice Market from 2-10pm, followed by the After Party at DnM Bar & Nightclub from 9:30pm-3am. The day party alone will have 15 DJs and 20+ non-stop performing artists, acts, strippers & erotic dancers including: Peyton - LIVE (Hed Kandi, Fierce Angel); Kitty Glitter (SYD); Franky D (Betterdays); Arlen De Silva (Freakazoid); Playhouse (666. Eden, Devils Playhouse); Lee Lee - LIVE (Dirty Laundry); Gaz Kempster (LIVE & percussion); Sammy Boon (sax); Rio Carnival acts, artists and performers; Midsumma Festival acts; and guests. Get more details and book tickets via midsumma.org.au.
Congratulations to Teri from Prahran who won a pass to both parties courtesy of Midsumma.
The Green Room Awards Association has announced the nominations for their 2011 Awards for excellence on the Melbourne stage for 2011. Several nominations have been made for 2011 Midsumma events:
Temporality, the latest exhibition from one of Melbourne’s most successful gay
artists, is both seductive and alluring. In addition to regularly showing at Midsumma (City Gallery, fortyfivedownstairs, Tacit Contemporary Art, 69 Smith St) in both solo and group shows, Tim Bateson was curator of the Midsumma Visual Arts program from 2008-2010 and remains convenor of the Men On Men competition at The Laird Hotel. He is also an independent curator and art educator.
Opening: Tuesday 28 February, 6-8pm
Exhibition: 28 February – 25 March 2012
Info: tacitart.com.au
In less than a week Russian lawmakers are expected to pass a law that will silence millions by making it a crime to read, write or even discuss anything “gay”. Even worse, if this law passes in “liberal” St Petersburg, the home of the famous gay Russian composer Tchaikovksy, the ruling party’s next step is to push this law nationwide. Please take a moment to sign the www.allout.org/stpetersburg-dont-go petition to let Russian leaders know that not only is this not on, but it will markedly impact on their tourism income - the monetary argument is the only one that some people will listen to!
The Melbourne Cabaret Festival have launched their ‘make or break’ fundraising campaign to fund their expansion to a 10-day festival, from Thu 12 to Sat 21 July. They’re offering unique items of real value that you can’t buy elsewhere. The campaign is supported by performers such as the Dresden Dolls, Paul Capsis, Sammy J & Randy and the Jane Austen Argument as well as politicians who are offering “High Afternoon Tea” or lunch at Parliament House among the items on sale. Check out the amazing items on offer (to the right - scroll down to see the complete list).
SheBar Grrrlz rocks at the new Royal Derby playground with a one-off mixed night when the Grrrlz can bring in the boyz as your guests. Entertainment for the evening will be Laura & the Awkward Moments, Bumpa Love & guest DJ Taryn. Pop beats spun by two DJs across two dance floors. Free Parking along Queen’s Parade both sides. Tram 112 past the front door. Night Rider bus stop @ The Front Door. Pub meals $5. Drinks @ bar prices with specials happening all night.
Where: Royal Derby Hotel, 466 Brunswick St (cnr Alexandra Parade)
When: Sat 25 Feb, 9:30pm till late
Entry: $15 at the door
Info: www.shebar.org or 0419 992 966
Within days, a horrific Anti-Homosexuality Bill that would impose criminal penalties for so-called “promotion of homosexuality”, could be passed by Uganda’s Parliament. Notoriously referred to as the “Kill the Gays” bill, it could impose life sentences - even the death penalty - for people in consensual same-sex relationships. Global pressure from world leaders and advocates stopped the bill in its tracks when it was last tabled in April 2011. If we speak out together now, we could get it shelved again before it goes to vote.
Act now: sign the Amnesty International petition to tell Uganda’s Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition to block this outrageous bill.
Congratulations to Stephen from Brunswick East and Suzette from South Kingsville who each won double passes to Ruth Wilkin’s 9pm show on Thursday 23 February: “Just a little something I’ve been working on”. Ruth, composer and co-writer of “Court! (A cabaret about netball)” and winner of Best Cabaret, Best Writing and People’s Choice awards at Short + Sweet Cabaret 2011, presents her full show, with more original music and helpful anecdotes.
When: Thu 23-Sun 26 Feb, Thu-Sat at 9pm, Sun at 8pm
Where: The Butterfly Club, 204 Bank Street, South Melbourne
Bookings: The Butterfly Club (via SABO)
‘I Do’ Day on 2 March 2012 is an opportunity to show your support for equal marriage rights for all Australians and say ‘I Do’ support marriage equality. Sign the petition on www.ido.org.au or check out www.facebook.com/IDoDay. They are also seeking volunteer and corporate support in all capital cities to contribute to this special day. Email idoday2012@gmail.com to be part of the ‘I Do’ Day team and to make a difference to this special cause.
The L Project will be releasing their charity single “It Does Get Better” on 11 Feb. Their aim with this first project is to raise as much money as possible to help combat LGBT bullying using the most talented UK lesbian performers. The song will be released on 11 February 2012 as a digital download available on iTunes. Everyone involved, artists, supporters and promoters, have done this for free. The chosen charities, Diversity Role Models and Stonewall, will benefit directly from all sales of the single. More details from thel-project.com.
Self-medicate to the seductive tunes of “Footscray I’m In Love” every Friday night. Inhibitions are gone as soon as you step through the front door of Footscray’s Exchange Hotel. The generous serve of cheesy 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s tunes fill your immediate surroundings. The sport and music video clips on the television sets give way to Australian television commercials from the 1970s and 1980s. $5 gets you a drink with change, and punters seem more focussed on a boogie rather than looking chic at the bar or obsessed by their hair and designer label apparel.
This week’s Line Up includes: Dirty Garry (Barbarella & Swizzle); Brad Spalding (Soul a go go); De’Cameron (Rubber Soul); El Bastardo (Gimme Shelter); DJ Ivy (Autonomous Republic of Wendouree); Owen D’Vinyl (Swizzle); plus DJ Miss Del Campo, special guest from Santa Barbara, USA
Where: The Footscray Exchange (Hotel), 28 Napier St, Footscray
When: Friday from 7pm
Info: www.facebook.com/events/227391027352180/
SheBar Grrrlz rocks at the new Royal Derby playground. Pop beats spun by DJ Trish and DJ Catronia Constance across two dance floors. Designated driver has free soft drinks or water all night. Free Parking along Queen’s Parade both sides (short walking distance, near the park). Tram 112 past the front door. Night Rider bus stop @ The Front Door. Pub meals $5. Drinks @ bar prices with specials happening all night. Lounge area. Fox Sports. Billiard Table. Heating & cooling. Large heated beer garden with covered area. ATM facilities x 2. Projector with large screen. Heaps of giveways.
Where: Royal Derby Hotel, 466 Brunswick St (cnr Alexandra Parade)
When: Sat 11 Feb, 9:30pm till late
Entry: $15 at the door
Info: www.shebar.org or 0419 992 966
Its the 17th annual Pride Day Festival and I’m stuck in a Port-A-Loo. Okay I’m not really stuck, but after I entered it, it started pouring down with rain quite heavily, and I’m way too precious to get myself wet with a little fall of rain. So I’m stuck here until that break between storms. Then again it is Melbourne and it’ll properly be over and done with in 15 minutes. So while I’m stuck in the Port-A-Loo I might as well mention a few interesting facts about the Pride Day Festival. According to the Master-of-Ceremonies at the opening of the Festival events this is the first Pride event of the year in the world. It takes place in the park across the road from the Prince of Wales Hotel and next to St Kilda Beach. Special guest speakers for the day include the Mayor of The City of Port Phillip (the local council that St Kilda is located in) and the Shadow Attorney General in the State Parliament, Martin Paluka. In more… Sunnier years… Everybody used to sit out on the grass and have picnics and maybe a drink or two, listen to the live music and look and buy stuff at the various stalls that set up. Telstra Citizen Reporter Robert Maher
I have to admit I much prefer marching in Pride Parades then watching them. In fact I don’t remember the last one I simply watched. Melbourne Pride Parade is held in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, and while it is small as parades go (Fitzroy Street isn’t that long!) it does have a few things going for it. In fact it’s the only Pride Parade I know that is subjected to a traffic light! Like the previous two parades I once again marched with my sporting team, the Melbourne Chargers Rugby Union Football Club. This year we’ve adopted new colours and the Parade was one of the perfect opportunities to show them off. We were situated towards the back third of the parade with all the other sporting teams, and we where in between a netball team and the gay rowers. In the Parade I help participate in some crowd pleasing line out drills (I was one of the lifters) as well as some mock ruck and maul drills
Telstra Citizen Reporter Robert Maher
FUORI! was Italy’s first major gay and lesbian rights group, founded in 1972. FUORI in Italian means to COME OUT. On Saturday night at the Italian piazza on Lygon ST Carlton hundreds of people did come out. Worlds collided and smashed beautifully- it was such a pivotal moment for me. Rainbowspheres and heterosheres came together and got in the spirit of the event. The band played old time italian favorites, we were taught to dance the traditional tarantella by experts and we just simply had the space to dance and be… together. Amazing.
Telstra citizen reporter Teresa
Well Wes can I say? Melbourne’s true king of cabaret returns with q shimmy to the left and a shimmy to the right! Lots of LOLs!
Telstra Midsumma Reporter Ryann
Hilarious team member at the Trivia Night hosted by Kaye Sera!
The trivia night held at Cruiser Bar and Cafe (oh my the bar boy is cute) was an absolute barrel of laughs for all in attendance!
A group of like minded people getting together to test their knowledge is a perfect way to wind down after a long weekend in the city.
These events are welcome to any festival like Midsumma because they give an opportunity to get to know others on a more intimate level, as well as to have some good clean fun!
GoWest was an excellent provider for this event - be sure to look out for their other events such as the Sailing day and Croquet with tea!
Midsumma Citizen Reporter Pete
Usually I would love a party like this, and thought that the Peel would be able to pull it off well, however unfortunately when we arrived it was segmented and cliquey, not very friendly or inviting. Maybe we were there too early, but hopes go out that next time events like this are held at night or on a Saturday so that there are more people there!
Awesome concept, awesome facilities, not so awesome turnout. I felt more at home at the nudist camp…now we just need to figure out if that says more about me or more about the event :-P
Midsumma Citizen Reporter Pete
Why, oh why, would you put this on at the time it was on?
Arriving well over four hours after the party started, the turnout was perfunctory at best. When I arrived with a couple of mates in tow, we felt like we were interrupting the “morning after the night before”.
Putting a party on at this time (12noon-10pm) in the middle of daylight savings meant that it was very light. And for some reason, the foam (there wasn’t much of it) was a bit pungent. The dim light of evening just wasn’t enough to protect us from the stares of the people who’d obviously been there for a few hours already, desperately trying to drink to make standing around bearable. A panoply of jiggly bits in too-small Lycra. And not the kind you’d be keen on.
The looks we got were like zombies staring at fresh meat… “Look!! Someone else arrived!!” (and subsequently left!)
Next time, Peel operators, I’d suggest you put it on at night, and maybe use it as an afterparty for something. Because something about it was just not quite right. Maybe the lack of serious music?
- Adam
The hot pink haired Cannndice McQueen (uh-huh … SNAP!) takes you on a spiritual journey thru time-travel and men, landing her sparkly stilettos firmly in the 90s.
This stand up, self confessed ice-hearted, soul bearing, singing Mister Sister has you laughing with the naughtiest giggles and noises you’ll ever hear and see come out of your mouth.
Her bongo tapping, guitar playing,ukulele strumming, harmonising idea kick catapulted the sparkly diva and had you swinging and then left you saying WHOO!!!!
A big hot pink YESSS covered in sparkles larkles from me!
Telstra Midsumma Reporter Ryann
