Hey Sydneysiders! We know it's been a chaotic past few weeks getting back into the swing of study, but in case you haven’t noticed (based on the sheer amount of rainbow paraphernalia popping up around the harbour city), it's World Pride time!
There is a bunch of stuff going on, so to help out with the analysis paralysis we’ve compiled a masterlist of some events that are accessible, affordable and open to a range of ages! Basically, no matter your area of study or interest, we’ve done the hard #werk so you don’t have to. Although these events are for everyone, we know that our creative community will have an even deeper appreciation for their calibre and the effort that goes into producing such work. Check our reccs below…
Queer Art After Hours
When: Wednesday, Feb 22 @ 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Where: Art Gallery of NSW
What: Breathtaking art and performances from a myriad of LGBTQIA+ artists in the Art Gallery of NSW’s shiny new building! Enjoy music, performances, installations, DJs, workshops and pop-up bars, plus drop in to a queer youth space hosted by the Art Gallery’s Youth Collective. It’s a late night, choose your own adventure kind of soirée, so stimulation guaranteed.
Seymour Nights @ Sydney World Pride
When: Sat Feb 18 - Sat Mar 4
Where: Seymour Centre Courtyard
What: Free gigs at dusk in the Seymour courtyard championing local LGBTQI artists and new sounds? Sign us up. Select guest appearances include Seann Miley Moore, Tanzer, Dyan Tai, DJs and drag artists… need we Seymore?
Gender Euphoria: Mighty Real
When: Wed Mar 1 - Sun Mar 5
Where: Darlinghurst Theatre Company
What: The largest ensemble of trans and gender diverse performers to ever feature on an Australian main stage comes to Sydney WorldPride to flip gender dysphoria on its head. This joyous, binary-exploding celebration will make your heart sing. Goodbye gender dysphoria, hello gender euphoria! Created by Mama Alto and Maude Davey, this cabaret performance is a must see for all performance students.
Queer Screen’s 30th Mardi Gras Film Festival
When: Wed Feb 15 - Thu Mar 2
Where: Multiple Locations
What: Presented by Queer Screen, this is a Festival’s mind-blowing program promises to awaken all the senses and appeal to every taste. With 166 films to choose from and screening locations ranging from cinemas to outdoors to online, it’s very hard to pass up the opportunity to dip a toe into the glorious world of Queer cinema. This is a must see for all JMC film students and film fans alike! Check out the Queer Screen website for details about extra panel discussions, workshops, industry networking events, international guests and after parties surrounding each film!
Right Here - Stories from the Heart
When: Sun Mar 5
Where: The Rebel Theatre, Australian Theatre for Young People
What: Right Here - Stories from the Heart will equip Queer and Trans Youth with meaningful skills, connections, and experience valuable not only for their own careers but for their livelihood. Brought to you by the Australian Theatre for Young People, a company that has been empowering young people and centering their stories for nearly 60 years, Right Here - Stories from the Heart is a creative development program for Trans, Gender Queer, Non Binary, Queer & Agender teenagers aged 15-18. It’s only $5 to attend and guaranteed to be full of sensitivity and insights for all young people. If this is you, or you know someone who might benefit from this event, mark your calendar!
GENEXT x PRIDE
When: Sat Mar 4 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
What: WorldPride’s BIGGEST under 18s event! GENEXT x PRIDE will be a celebration of diversity, creativity and community, inviting all young people to contribute to a shared dream of a safe, proud and equitable future for LGBTIQA+ people globally.
Choir Boy
When: Tue Feb 14 - Sat Mar 11
Where: Riverside Theatres
What: Choir Boy is a Tony Award winning play – threaded throughout with soul-stirring a cappella gospel hymns. It is a moving story of sexuality, race, hope, gospel music, and a young gay man finding his voice. This is the show’s Australian premiere and an excellent opportunity for all acting students to sample history in the making!
Powerhouse Late: WorldPride
When: Thu Feb 16 - Thu Mar 2
Where: Powerhouse Ultimo
What: Powerhouse Late: WorldPride is a series of free after-hours events featuring live music, film screenings, workshops, talks and exhibition tours celebrating Sydney’s most inspiring queer creatives. Held every Thursday night during WorldPride, these events shine a spotlight on artists from the Powerhouse’s current exhibition, Absolutely Queer, and their creative process as well as some of Sydney’s most important LGBTQIA+ community members.
Blessed Union
When: Sat Feb 11 - Sat Mar 11
Where: Belvior St. Theatre
What: Blessed Union is the lesbian break up comedy you didn’t know you needed. It’s a funny and moving tale of idealism, love, and the messy business of being alive, from the wicked mind of Maeve Marsden. As an extra bonus, this show also features one of our JMC alumni, Jasper Lee Lindsey. We love to see it!
Tidda Bingo
When: Mon Feb 27 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Where: Carriageworks
What: Join Tyra Bankstown and friends for a game of bingo on steroids and take in some fabulous performances. Plus, with prizes up for grabs, you won’t want to miss out on all the excitement! Tyra Bankstown is a much-loved Western Sydney icon, a Managarai Queen, and guaranteed purveyor of good times. Brush up on your bingo lingo and get your legs eleven down to this dancing queen.
Marri Madung Butbut: First Nations Gathering Space
When: Thu Feb 23 - Tue Feb 28
Where: Carriageworks
What: Marri Madung Butbut (pronounced: Mah-ree Mah-dung, Bootboot) is the largest Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander & global First Nation LGBTQIA+SB program to take place in Australia. It’s a party, an artwork, and a gift – First Nation queer artists sharing their artistry and voices for the world to hear. From free exhibits, to theatre, dining and drag, Marri Madung Butbut: the First Nations Gathering Space will be the place where everyone is welcome to experience the rainbow heart of the oldest surviving culture on the planet.
