Playtime

STAGE

COOK AND MOORE
Two of Australia’s finest comic actors have joined forces to bring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore’s classic sketches to life at the Sydney Opera House from December 2. Performed by the hilarious Shaun Micallef and Stephen Curry, Good Evening is a rip-roaring journey through the best these dearly departed comedians had to offer.
info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

RUBY MOON
Digging under the veneer of comfortable suburbia, Ruby Moon tells the disturbing story of a little girl who sets off to visit her grandmother at the end of the street… but never arrives. The Matthew Cameron-written two-hander deals with the aftermath of this mysterious disappearance for Ruby’s grieving parents. It’s playing at the Newtown Theatre until December 12.
info: www,newtowntheatre.com.au

KATH & KIM CHRISTMAS
Friday nights through December, the wickedly funny double act of Trevor Ashley and Lesley Hancock take to the stage at Café 212 on Riley St, Surry Hills with their Kath & Kim Christmas comedy show. Lovers of the Australian comedy classic will enjoy Ashley and Hancock’s spot-on impersonations of the iconic characters. Dinner from 7pm. Dinner and show $55 all-inclusive. Bookings: 02 9215 5137

PUBS AND BARS

MANLY COCKTAILS
The Manly Gay and Lesbian Community launch party kicks off on Sunday December 6 at the Sugar Lounge. The fun starts at 4pm with the announcement of the winner of the MGLC cocktail competition. Canapes and nibbles are provided by The Sugar Lounge, so get there early for a nibble and some networking. There’ll also be drag shows, guest speakers and a prize raffle. It’s guest list only, so RSVP via the MGLC Facebook page.

CAMP CAMPERDOWN
How’s this for a sweet deal: RSVP to confirm your attendance at Camp Camperdown, on every Thursday night from 8pm at the Camperdown Hotel, and you’ll receive a complimentary cocktail on arrival. Once you’re through the door, you’ll be able to enjoy iconic gay DJs and drag and Absolut cocktail specials. RSVP to [email protected]

MEET PORN STARS
Come to the Midnight Shift from 9pm on December 4 to meet porn stars Steve Cruz and Bruno Bond. The real life boyfriends are in town to talk about safe sex and search for some aspiring Aussie porn stars. Have a drink with the sexy stars, get a photo and ask any burning questions you might have.

SONG

OPERA DEAL
Sydney’s Pinchgut Opera is offering to refund the ticket price to anyone who has not seen a Pinchgut production before (an ‘opera virgin’) and who does not enjoy its new production of Cavalli’s L’Ormindo. And it will add $5 to cover the bus or train fare. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to us — L’Ormindo plays four performances only from December 2-7 at the City Recital Hall.
info: www.pinchgutopera.com.au

RENEE CASSAR
Following the release of her debut single It’s Not You, Australia’s newest grrl pop-rocker Renee Cassar will perform with her five-piece band at the Oxford Art Factory on December 10. Her debut album Live & Learn will be released early next year, so expect a set heavy with future hits.
info: www.reneecassar.com

MODULAR XMAS
’Tis the season to be jolly, and jolly you will be at the Modular Xmas Party on December 12 at the Beach Road Hotel, Bondi. The event features a mix of live and DJ sets from a selection of the hip dance label’s latest and greatest, including Tame Impala, Jonathan Boulet, Ladyhawke, Kim from the Presets and Bang Gang DJs. Tickets through Moshtix and via www.modularpeople.com

ON SCREEN

SUMMER TREATS
Traditionally the dumping ground for a whole lot of crap TV, this summer’s off-ratings season is shaping up to be a winner for lovers of cult comedies. Channel 10 have announced that their summer line-up includes new episodes of the brilliant US version of The Office, Futurama and the Family Guy spin-off, The Cleveland Show. Check out TV listings to see when these underrated gems are screening.

WHat’s eating darlo?
Each week in the lead-up to Christmas, The Darlo Bar in Darlinghurst hosts the Tuesday Night Movie, a free film screening to be viewed under the stars. On December 8, it’s the dark cult classic A Clockwork Orange. The following week, bring the tissues and watch early-’90s weepie What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? info: www.darlobar.com.au0

THE BEST MAN
From 10pm on Tuesday December 8, 13th Street, Foxtel’s home of murder mysteries, screens The Best Man, a thriller centring on the oddly close relationship between two men. Peter and Michael are best friends but they share a dark secret that binds them together in an obsessive, destructive relationship. When Michael gets engaged, Peter becomes furious that his friend has found his soul mate, and soon the secrets they share start to spill forth.

FREE

FRIENDS OF LEON
New gallery Friends of Leon opens its doors on Friday December 4 with the works of dynamic artist/designer duo LvsP. This show will be officially opened by Olympian and Celebrity Masterchef contestant Eamon Sullivan. Kimono My House is LvsP’s fifth show together and their first show in Sydney. The gallery will exhibit a genre of work heavily influenced by fashion, illustration, design, graffiti and pop imagery. info: www.friendsofleon.com

FRINGE MARKET
The Fringe Bar Markets have become a breeding ground for some of Sydney’s most exciting and diverse new designers, giving them an opprtunity to showcase their wares. They’re also a great way to spend a Saturday wandering around and just window-shopping, if that’s all you want to do. The markets run every Saturday (come rain or shine) at Fringe Bar, 106 Oxford St, Paddington. 10am-5pm.

FORGOTTEN SONGS
Forming part of Sydney’s laneway arts project, Forgotten Songs allows city dwellers to get back to nature. From a canopy of birdcages above Angel Place the songs of Sydney’s lost birds can be heard again. Hear fifty species of birds that once sang in central Sydney, before Europeans settled and gradually forced them away. The eastern whipbird, rockwarbler, regent honeyeater, and Australian owlet-nightjar are some of the many birds which may once have lived in Angel Place before the city replaced their native habitats. info: www.lanewaysbygeorge.com.au

CLUBS

TOTALLY ’90S
Arq pays tribute to the decade that defined dance music on December 4, with music from classic groups like Livin Joy, Black Box, M People and many more. Plus there’ll be shows by Arq’s youngest drag queens performing ’90s songs. The event is on the Vortex level, $10 entry.

LOOSE ENDS
Loose Ends at Phoenix Bar on Oxford St is kicking on as the weather heats up. The weekly party happens every Sunday night from 10pm, with resident DJ Matt Vaughan and regular special guests playing a swag of dirty electro, house, punk and disco tunes.
info: www.exchangehotel.biz

ALL SORTS
Thursdays at the Supper Club, a collection of weird, wonderful and chic DJs come together for All Sorts, from 8pm to 1am. Regular DJs include Tobin Saunders, Ben Drayton and Seymour Butz, plus weekly special guests. Saunders’ other half, the delectable Vanessa Wagner, might even make an appearance from time to time.

FANTASIA
On December 11 a new event begins at ARQ for the Asian gay community and their friends, lovers and admirers. The brainchild of DJs Sandi Hotrod and Danny T, Fantasia promises to provide a fun, attitude-free space for people to dance, meet, and be entertained, with fantastic drag shows by Miss Sara Lee and the Asian Marching Boys as well as other surprises throughout the evening. Doors open at 9pm, $10 entry.

PUBS + BARS

COMMUNITY

COASTCARE WEEK
Coastcare Week 2009 runs from December 7-13 and is a great chance to get involved with the dedicated volunteers and outstanding Coastcare projects happening around Australia. The Australia-wide network of approximately 2000 volunteer Coastcare groups (around 60,000 people) tackles environmental issues through grassroots projects such as dune restoration, marine life rescue, coastal revegetation, beach clean-ups and the reintroduction and monitoring of crucial plant and animal species. To find or start a Coastcare group or to help volunteer, visit www.coastcare.com.au

DALAI LAMA
In a world that confronts us every day with difficult and often upsetting situations, the wisdom of the Dalai Lama challenges us and invites us to seek alternatives which not only achieve our own wellbeing but which also contribute to the good of all. As part of his Australian visit, the Dalai Lama will give a talk entitled ‘Our Future, Who Is Responsible?’ at the Sydney Entertainment Centre at 2pm on December 3.
info: www.dalailamainaustralia.org

POLLYS ON SHOW
Pollys 2009 Christmas dance and show, Naughty But Nice, will be held from 7pm at Marrickville Town Hall on Saturday December 5. The December show is always one of the biggest Pollys events of the year, and will be produced by Sue Ellen, along with a cast of Pollys members old and new. The night will also be supporting The Haven charity, with a raffle and tickets available at the door. info: www.thepollysclub.com.au

DRUG STUDY
If you are gay, lesbian or bisexual and a regular user of the drugs crystal, speed, base or ice, ACON and the National Dug and Alcohol Research Centre would like to hear your story. The study involves a confidential one-hour interview, and you’ll be paid $50 for your time. For more information, please contact Emma on 0400 547 777.

BOYS

BEARS BBQ
Join the Harbour City Bears at the groovy Mr Big Stuff Cafe @ Maroubra Beach as they celebrate the start of the Sydney summer with a delicious BBQ from 4pm-9pm on December 12. The cafe will offer a specially priced Bear BBQ Menu for just $20 HCB members, $25 non-members, with lots of great food plus beer at reasonable prices. RSVP to [email protected] is essential.

SPEED DATING
Want to meet guys? Come to the Cocktail Bar of the Stonewall Hotel from 7.30pm on December 11 for gay speed dating. To register, email your name and phone number to [email protected]. The night is a fun opportunity to meet Mr Right, with hostess Minnie Cooper on hand to help you get over your jitters.

MONGREL
On Saturday December 5 from 10pm to late, Phoenix Bar gets down and dirty with Mongrel. Steve Sonius and Ben Drayton provide the tunes, and it’s $15 entry — $10 if you’re kitted up in footy shorts. Happy hour 10pm-midnight.

NAKED BARBER
Looking for a close shave? The Naked Barber is a men’s mobile grooming service that specialises in body shaving/clippering, haircuts, cutthroat shaving and hair colouring.
info: www.thenakedbarber.com.au

GAY NUDISTS
Gay Sydney Nudists is a social organisation for gay or bisexual male nudists and host parties at members’ homes, dinners at restaurants, harbour cruises and any other legal activities the committee decides upon.
info: To join the group call 4972 5357 or email [email protected]

GIRLS

HOTROD SUNDAYS
Every Sunday at the Colombian Hotel, girls can get their motors running with Hotrod. The line-up includes alternating guest DJs from 5pm and Sandi Hotrod spinning tunes from 9pm to 1am in the main bar. 117 Oxford St, Darlinghurst.

MUM OF THE YEAR
Love your mum, or know of a particularly special, outstanding mother? Nominations are now open for the Barnardos Mother of the Year award. You can nominate your favourite mum online. Who knows — this could be the year that a family with two mummies take the prize!
info: www.barnardos.org.au

KINGS & QUEENS
The Drag! Camp As Christmas show, at the Sydney Opera House until December 6, has a stellar line-up of drag queen talent, including Les Girls legend Penny Clifford and Courtney Act. Now added to the mix is — shock, horror — a drag king! Rocco D’Amore will be showing the ladies who’s boss each night.  info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

DYKES ’N’ DOGS
The Dykes & Their Dogs 2010 calendar features 12 diverse and beautiful photos of dykes and their delightful dogs. Buy the calendar online at www.dykescalendars.com (get in quick — order before December 3 for Christmas delivery) or pick it up from the Feminist Bookshop in Lilyfield.

FUTURE FUN

NURSES NYE
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in saucy style with a Doctors and Nurses party in Q Station’s grand ballroom. The $250 per person price tag includes a fancy dress four-course meal including drinks, canapés and platters, a DJ to keep you dancing all night, and a great central location only five minutes from Manly Wharf. Bookings are essential as it’s a limited capacity event. Call 9466 1500 or visit www.qstation.com.au

BALE DE RUA
With a pulsating mix of African dance, hip-hop, samba and capoeira, Brazil’s Balé de Rua will send temperatures soaring when they storm the Sydney Opera House for just 11 shows. As colourful as the streets from where they hail, the cast of 14 men and one woman will explode onto the Concert Hall stage in an adrenaline-fuelled spectacle of life, love and the Brazilian way from January 8-17. Tickets are on sale now.
info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Happy Xmas (War is Over) — A Christmas Gift For You is a rock’n’roll lover’s fairytale Christmas treat. The all-star line-up includes Paul Dempsey, Tim Rogers and Gin Wigmore. The concerts on December 22 and 23 bring together Australia’s hottest musicians in Sydney’s best location, the Opera House.
info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

IDAHO ART WANTED
IDAHO Sydney is inviting artists and students to contribute artworks expressing their personal responses to homophobia for the 2010 exhibition at Kudos Gallery in May 2010 for International Day Against Homophobia. The theme for the exhibition is ‘Love Combating Fear’. All participants are encouraged to explore issues surrounding homophobia and/or identity as gay, lesbian, transgender, intersex or queer and questioning members of the community.
info: www.idahosydney.org