2 September 2010

ACON's famous ball-dropping fundraiser Bingay is heading back home to the famous and newly renovated Imperial Hotel in Erskineville.

Bingay began at the Imperial in 1999 but moved to Enmore's Sly Fox Hotel for three years while the Imperial was closed for refurbishment.

Now that the iconic gay and lesbian hotel has finally reopened, Bingay patrons will once again be able to experience the mad cap entertainment of Bingay at its traditional home.

Bingay is gay bingo which means there's weird rules, singalongs, penalties and hilarious stories with prizes that range from the silly and camp to great theatre tickets and restaurant vouchers.

Bingay is a weekly fundraiser for ACON, NSW's and Australia's largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) health and HIV/AIDS organisation.

ACON Events Coordinator David Wilkins says the Bingay team can't wait to get back to the Imperial.

"In a delightfully spooky way, our first night back at the Imperial, September 7, will be exactly 11 years and one day since Bingay first started at the venue way back on September 6, 1999.

"Over those 11 years, Bingay has become as much of a Sydney institution as the Imperial Hotel itself, so naturally we're delighted to be back where it all began," he says.

"Bingay has always been enormously popular with punters in the inner-west and the renovations made to the Imperial mean we'll be able to provide seating for almost twice as many players."

"Hostess Torah Hymen and her all singing side kick Naomi have been working on some new bits and pieces to freshen up the format and inject even more fun into the proceedings and there'll be lots of tasty treats and extra prizes to celebrate our homecoming.

"And of course there'll always be the outrageous antics, hilarious repartee and those deliciously lewd bingo calls which have made Bingay such a popular night out for GLBT people and their friends."

WHAT: Bingay

WHEN: Every Tuesday night

WHERE: The Imperial Hotel, 35 Erskineville Rd Erskineville NSW 2043

TIME: 7:30pm for an 8.30pm start. Bookings must be seated by 8.20pm.

COST: $30 / $20. All proceeds to ACON.

BOOKINGS: (02) 9206 2110 (24hrs) or 0413 510 172