Mardi Gras Film Festival 2010

Get set for the Mardi Gras Film Festival 2010, which runs from February 12 - March 6. The full program has now been announced and tickets are now on sale. This year's festival pays homage to time and place, with a nod to the history and heroes of our beloved 'hood, the postcode 2 0 1 0. With a program that reflects upon our community's shapers, faces and sacred spaces, highlights of the three week event include:

The History of My Queer Career. In 2010 we honour the history of the world’s largest competition for locally produced LGBT short films. For more then a decade and a half, My Queer Career has unearthed the latest and greatest in Aussie queer filmmaking, and launched some impressive careers. This special event will feature highlights from the first decade of the competition, including all-time audience favourites: Cousin by Adam Elliot, Exposed by Tony Ayres, Strap on Olympia by Cate Shortland, Urn by Miro Bilbrough, and Tales from the Powder Room by Darren Burgess.

2010 My Queer Career Competition. The Mardi Gras Film Festival will open with a fresh batch of new Australian LGBT shorts, a gala awards ceremony, and our fabulous opening night party over three levels at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place. This year’s My Queer Career Judges are Neil Armfield, Courtney Gibson, Amy Gebhardt and Andrew Mercado, and they will present their winning selection to you on the night.

An Englishman in New York. In this long awaited sequel to The Naked Civil Servant, John Hurt returns with his unparalleled portrait of Quentin Crisp. This legendary tale of Britain’s most notorious homosexual turned American socialite, reprises the Crisp chronicle as an older fey gentleman overwhelmed by a fast moving culture of gay and lesbian activism, political correctness and the horror of AIDS. Bursting with Crisp-quips, powerful performances and a host of impressive cameos, this festival highlight is a must for any queer culture aficionado.

Maggots and Men. In a cinematic first, a cast of over 100 Trans Men come together in recreation of the Konstadt uprising of 1921. This (mostly) silent feature paints an idyllic portrait of pre-Soviet sailors, languid and luscious to view, with stylish stylised execution. Think Battleship Potemkin meets Querelle with FTM sailor-bois rebelling against the Bolshevik state. Curious, aren’t you…?

Little Ashes. Before he was every teen’s favourite blood-sucker, Robert Pattinson played a troubled young Salvador Dali, in this poetic biopic on the love affair between the great painter and Garcia Lorca. The two men try to fight their affections as their social group (consisting of luminary Spanish contemporaries such as Luis Buñuel) become suspicious and the civil war escalates…

And Then Came Lola. Germany’s seminal split-narrative film, Run Lola Run, gets a San Franciscan reworking in what is already the most popular lesbian film of the year. Commitment-phobic Lola, has one chance to salvage her job and her relationship, but time is running out and a wrong turn or detour will cost her everything. Navigating an obstacle course by sprinting, hitching, flirting and fooling, she must do whatever it takes to keep her girlfriend from the arms of her hot and headstrong ex. The Fish Child Mysticism and epic love meet in this Latin American thriller. Lala is the privileged daughter of a powerful judge, in love with the family’s young maid, La Guayi. As the two prepare to run away together, Lala’s father is mysteriously murdered and La Guayi appears to be prime suspect. Lala soon finds herself negotiating in a world of poverty, crime and extraordinary danger, as she battle’s to save her lover.

Drool. In this queer comic take on Thelma and Louise, salvation takes unfamiliar forms, mostly, in the beautiful guise of a travelling cosmetics saleswoman. Imogene, from Kathy K Cosmetics, moves in next door to the Fleece family and into troubled housewife, Anora’s life. Forbidden lust, homicide and a cross-country road-chase ensue, as these two women fly, taking racism, the sexual awakenings of teenagers, patricide and lesbian love all in their stride.

Hollywood Je T’aime. Melancholic man-candy, Jerome, needs to escape Paris and the reminders of his boyfriend in the arms of another guy. Where to go to escape reality…? Los Angeles, of course. In true fish-out-of-water style, Jerome is soon living in a house of We-Ho oddballs, dating a drug dealer, taking acting lessons and auditioning for pizza commercials. But will this sensitive, lovelorn Frenchman survive the Hollywood machine?

For more information on this year's festival visit the website: http://queerscreen.com.au

Warm up for Mardi Gras with Fair Day

The biggest and best-loved community event of the Season, Fair Day will officially launch this year’s Mardi Gras and promises a fun, relaxed day out for all the family, even the pets!

Up to 70,000 routinely turn out to sit on the grass, browse the stalls, gorge themselves on the plethora of delicacies available at the stalls, have a few drinks, but most of all to catch up with old friends – and make some new ones.

Some of the Mardi Gras festival’s best talents will entertain the crowds from the main stage, along with some special guests. There will be plenty of colour away from the stages too. Look out for those who’ve come out to win the Mr and Mrs Fair Day competitions. Get in early to see the grand final of Mr. AXN, Australia’s next gay cover model. You’ll also see some incredibly creative group picnics – a real Fair Day tradition.

Fair Day is also where many of our community and groups get together. The bears have their tree; the dykes their bikes; the sports teams their tug-o-war and many more.

All kinds of community groups use Fair Day as their chance to recruit, provide information, share resources and give things away. You certainly won’t leave empty-handed! You might well come away with a new hobby, a cause you want to commit to or at the very least a fridge magnet!

For Kids there is Kidzone and for our furry friends there is the ever popular Doggywood, where it’s pampered pups galore – all strutting their manicured stuff.

Victoria Park is just a 10 minute walk from Central or Newtown stations.

Location: Victoria Park, City Road, Chippendale, New South Wales

When: 21 Feb 10.00am to 8.00pm

Cost: Gold coin donation

Get Downe With Bob for Mardi Gras

Last year the hottest cabaret ticket in town at the 2009 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival was Bob Downe's Retro Gras at the Supper Club - a mad mix of dancing, cabaret, drag, music and comedy hosted by Australia's Prince of Polyester.

By popular demand, RETRO GRAS is back for 2010, this time on Friday nights - again co-hosted by Bob, along with San Francisco performance art legends, Mister Tina and Mrs Vera - who will be hosting their own exhibition during the run. You never know who will turn up to perform!

Location: Mardi Gras Festival Bar, Supper Club at the Oxford Hotel, 134 Oxford St,, Darlinghurst, New South Wales

When: 19, 26 February & 5 March

Time: 9.00pm (doors open 8.00pm)

Cost: $15 (Door Only)

Get Ready Pool Boys and Girls for the Mardi Gras Pool Party

This year Sydney's favourite DJs and performers will be rocking at the Ivy Pool for the first time. Get your gear off, grab a cocktail and make a splash at the sexiest party of the season, the Mardi Gras Pool Party.

The Ivy Pool bar is a pretty special location. Even the changing rooms have their own dance floor and DJ.

Hang out by the pool, soak up the sun and checking out the talent, while the DJs keep the party going well into the night. Featuring live performances from some of Sydney’s best acts, and attracting the hottest party-goers the city has to offer, the Ivy Pool Bar is the place to see and be seen.

Location - Ivy Pool Bar
320 George Street,
Sydney, New South Wales

When: 1 March, 2.00pm - 10.00pm
Cost: $45 + booking fee. NMG Member or concessions $35 + booking fee.

STIs nothing to be ashamed of: campaign

The Australian government has launched a national campaign on January 2nd 2010 after a worrying rise in chlamydia, HIV/AIDS and syphilis infections.
Young people who have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) should not be ashamed, urges the new campaign encouraging Australians to get tested.
With the message: "STIs are spreading fast - always use a condom", it targets young people and encourages those who have had unprotected sex to see a doctor to discuss getting tested. Health Minister Nical Roxon stated : "The new year and holiday period is the season of parties and celebration - it's important to be aware of the risks of unprotected sex,"
Research conducted before phase one of the campaign in May and June 2009 revealed that Australians are not well informed about the benefits of condom use, Ms Roxon said.
It found heterosexuals mainly use condoms to prevent pregnancy, while gay men are becoming complacent about the risk of HIV.
The campaign, which will also target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youths living in outer regional and remote communities, urges people not to be ashamed if they have an STI.
"This can prevent them seeking help and treatment," Ms Roxon said, adding that early detection and treatment is important."If left untreated, STIs can have serious, lasting health implications."

Older gays not happy about their future

Recent health surveys show an alarmingly high number of senior gays would rather commit suicide than risk abuse from a ''prudish and conservative'' aged health-care system. Australia's ageing ''gay pride'' baby boomers face an increased risk of social isolation, depression and suicide because of a lack of supportive health-care services, a Senate inquiry has heard.
An estimate of more than 37,200 gay men and lesbians will be affected by dementia over the next 20 years, but aged-care policies fail to recognise their specific health, social, legal and financial needs, according to a recent report by Alzheimer's Australia
It said gay seniors feared health workers ''will judge them, pity them, avoid physical contact, harass them, treat them as an object of curiosity, betray confidences, provide poor quality services or reject them''.
Launching the recent Alzheimer's Australia report, Justice Michael Kirby said that many of these special needs ''may be traced to the much higher levels of loneliness suffered by sexual minorities''.
The Senate Community Affairs Committee's inquiry into suicide in Australia shows some severe examples of harassment of gay seniors by health-care staff. For example: the director of a day-care centre ordering a gay senior to ''wear latex gloves at all times or leave'', in the mistaken belief he was an AIDS risk…

FLICKERFEST ENTERS IT’S 19TH YEAR

Flickerfest, Sydney’s unique outdoor Short Film Festival, has received an impressive record-breaking 1600 entries in 2010. Flickerfest is Australia’s only Academy® Award accredited short film festival with a program that offers competitive categories, International, Australian and Documentary.
45 Australian films, 39 International films and 13 documentaries have been chosen for competition with the majority of the films screening World Premieres and Australian Premieres. Official selection includes Australian films The Clearing, Franswa Sharl and Drowning, all world premieres and Logorama (France), The Nail (Iceland) and Runaway (Canada) all Australian premieres.
The total of 97 films in competition are all vying for key prizes, which include the Coopers Award for Best Film and the Yoram Gross Award for Best Animation both of which are Academy® Accredited. Other prestigious awards include the SAE Award For Best Digital Production, Movie EXTRA Special Jury Prize, National Geographic Award for Best Documentary and a new award, the Madman Award for Best Australian Short Film

“I am extremely thrilled by the caliber of talent that have been selected for the festival this year. Short film is made out of passion without a box office imperative and because of this, this area of the industry represents the most original and creative film making in cinema today” according to festival director Bronwyn Kidd.
The Full Flickerfest competitive programmes of International, Australian and Documentary Competitive shorts and Flickerfest special showcases on Human Rights, The Oscars, Short Beats and Flickerkids are all available for viewing at http://www.flickerfest.com.au/.
The Sydney Flickerfest wlll be held at the Bondi Pavilion in Bondi.After the Sydney season, Flickerfest will tour to 23 venues nationally.
Tickets are on sale and available at: www.mca-tix.com.au

NaviGAYtion 2 Sets Sail

Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the water… The long-rumored NaviGAYtion 2 Cruise is now a reality, sailing next February from Adelaide aboard the Luxury Cruise Ship Athena. The fully chartered ship offers 600 guests an unforgettable intimate and pampering experience.

Setting sail Friday Feb 5th and return Monday Feb 8th, Adelaide to Adelaide with a port stop in Kangaroo Island. Join us the Athena where schedules disappear into magical sunsets and your toughest decision is where to meet your friends on deck. The Cruise departs and sails the southern Australian Ocean where you will bask in the summer sun while sailing with AllGayCruises.com.au

Location ~ Undisclosed
Date ~ Friday 5th February, 1:00pm to Monday 8th February, 3:00pm

Sam Sparro to Play in Melbourne

Gay performer Sam Sparro is set to perfrom in Melbourne. From his hits ‘Black and Gold’ and ‘21st Century Life’ to his grammy nominated self titled album, Australian artist Sam Sparro is without doubt an international music sensation.

As inspired by Jeremy Scott and Gareth Pugh as he is by SWV and Hot Ch!p, the 25 year-old is utterly engaging. Firstly there’s the voice; a big and beautiful scale-defying vocal that dips from bold and beautiful to low, sultry and slow.

This guy has serious soul. With 5 Aria and a Grammy Nomination under his belt, collaborations with the likes of Bassment Jaxx and Mark Ronson, and no.1 hits all over the world, this is a performance not to be missed.

Featuring support from Closet residents MEGAPHONE, MAFIA and OOH-EE, plus HANS DC,

Tickets from:

http://www.moshtix.com.au/event.aspx?id=32540

Melburnians Here's Your Invite to a Grouse Party

GROUSE PARTY
Neverwhere Bar, 185 Smith Street (Next to Coconut Palms), Fitzroy, will be holding a Grouse Party Friday 8th January, from 9:00pm

Fot only $10 come along to hear a great lineup of Melbourne's favourite girls:

* 9pm: ANN OMINOUS destined to bring you a wild array of ear-candy to enjoy during happy hour.
* 11pm: SAMAR KAUSS (SYD/BRAZIL). Originally from BRAZIL and residing in SYDNEY, this Brazilian babe is gonna seriously heat things up on the dance floor.
* 1am: MELODEE MAKER will be crunking out the late-set party jams till early in the A.M.

Get ready to party peoples. Dance like no one is watching.