31 January 2012

Getting out and about this Mardi Gras?

Expand your horizons and help create a stronger and more vibrant GLBT community by attending one of ACON's fabulous Mardi Gras events (listed below in chronological order).

Which event will be your favourite? Vote now.

1) DRAG JAM

This unique event is part of ACON's new Oxford St Safety Program and builds on last year's successful Drag Tag.

Community members are invited to come dressed in their interpretation of ‘drag' and join a celebration of diverse sexuality and gender as participants move from venue to venue on Oxford Street, enjoying the atmosphere and working with venues, police and community groups to help address prejudice, homophobia and transphobia.

When: Sat 11 Feb 2012, from 9pm
Where: Meet at Oxford Hotel, Taylor Square, Darlinghurst
Cost: FREE

2) ACON ALLEY AT FAIR DAY

Want to find out how to look after yourself, connect with other community members or volunteer to help people in need? Or what about recharging you mobile phone...for FREE?

Then get along to ACON Alley at this year's Fair Day. Our friendly staff will be on hand to answer all your questions about men's health, women's health, living with HIV, alcohol and other drugs, and staying safe on the street, in the workplace and at home.

Staff from our Aboriginal, Asian, Mature Gay Men and Western Sydney projects can help you connect with other members from your community.

And you can also volunteer to help people living with HIV through our Community Support Network, pick up some cool giveaways, get your photo taken for the This Is Oz social inclusion project or get your phone recharged for free at The Big Picture charge bar.

When: Sun 12 Feb 2012, 10am - 8pm
Where: Victoria Park, City Rd, Chippendale
Cost: Entry by gold coin donation
Info: mardigras.org.au

3) GAY PERIODIC SURVEY

The Sydney Gay Community Periodic Survey is designed to improve our understanding of gay men's health issues in Sydney by gathering data on sexual behaviour, sexual health, drug use and community engagement.

The survey occurs twice a year and is conducted by the National Centre in HIV Social Research and the Kirby Institute in collaboration with ACON and Positive Life NSW. Recruiters will be at Fair Day as well as 20 GLBT-friendly venues throughout Sydney during the Mardi Gras Festival including clinics, pubs, clubs, sex venues and gyms.

It's completely confidential, only takes 10 minutes and there are great prizes to be won so please help out if you can.

When: Fri 10 - Sun 19 Feb 2012
Where: Fair Day and selected venues
Cost: FREE

4) S.W.A.S.H. SURVEY

The Sydney Women and Sexual Health Survey is conducted every two years and is designed to improve understanding of health issues experienced by lesbians and same sex attracted women in Sydney.

The survey gathers data on sexual behaviour, sexual health, drug use, identities and relationships and is conducted by ACON in partnership with Sydney University. Recruiters will be at Fair Day as well as GLBT-friendly venues throughout Sydney during the Mardi Gras Festival.

It's completely confidential, only takes 10 minutes and there are great prizes to be won so please help out if you can.

When: Sun 12 - Sun 26 Feb 2012
Where: Fair Day and selected venues/events
Cost: FREE

5) HATS OFF!

Get ready for a non-stop evening of fabulous entertainment featuring the stars of Australian musical theatre, comedy, dance and cabaret, all donating their time and talent to help raise much-needed funds for ACON and the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation.

Hats Off! is always a highlight of the Mardi Gras Festival and this year's inspiration comes from Coney Island and the touring tent shows of old. Singers, dancers, jugglers, magicians and beauties of all possible shapes and sizes will swing through the air and soar above us with their freakish talents.

Book early as this event will sell out! Presented by Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights HIV/AIDS & New Mardi Gras.

When: Mon 13 Feb 2012, 8pm
Where: Seymour Centre, cnr City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale
Cost: $90 / $75 / $25 + bf
Info/Bookings: seymourcentre.com.au or (02) 9351 7940

6) LOVE ME

Get loved up on Valentine's Day by an extraordinary line-up of Australian and international artists as they take you on a musical safari through the jungle of love.

From rock cabaret to post-pop, musical comedy to operatic burlesque, expect unexpected collaborations, surprising interpretations, high drama, low humour, and a whole lotta love.

Featuring Paul Capsis, The Wau Wau Sisters, Le Gateau Chocolat and Queenie van de Zandt. A percentage of proceeds will go to ACON's Anti-Violence Project.

When: Tue 14 Feb 2012, 8:30pm (doors 7pm)
Where: The Standard, Lv 3 383 Bourke St Surry Hills (above Kinselas)
Cost: $35
Info/Bookings: moshtix.com.au

7) BEAR ESSENTIALS: TIME OUT

ACON is teaming up with Harbour City Bears to present a special Bear Essentials community forum centred around HCB's current Time Out campaign about care and wellbeing.

Speakers from HCB and ACON will lead a light-hearted discussion about sexual health, alcohol and other drugs, domestic violence and street safety.

Light refreshments will be served.

When: Wed 15 Feb 2012
Where: ACON Wellness Café, 414 Elizabeth St Surry Hills
Cost: FREE

8) WOMEN SAY SOMETHING: HEALTH CHECK

Explore the health and wellbeing issues that are affecting lesbians and same sex attracted women in Sydney as a panel of health experts, policymakers and community personalities discuss the research gathered by ACON's Sydney Women's Sexual Health Survey (SWASH) over the past eight years.

The panel will feature Greens MP Cate Feahrmann, Dr Kerryn Phelps, Sydney University Senior Lecturer and Researcher Dr Julie Mooney Sumers, and drag king Rocco D'Amore.

This event also includes dinner, live entertainment and another panel discussion on the diversity of GLBTQI family structures.

When: Wed 22 Feb 2012, 6pm
Where: Slide, 41 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
Cost: $50 (dinner) / $20
Info/Bookings: Facebook.com/womansaysomething

9) DANGEROUS DOUBLES

Leading a double life? Feeling dangerous? Iron your twin set and get ready to see double as the ACON Young Women's Project presents an event exploring alter-egos, secret identities and gender-bending through performance and visual arts.

Come along and check out work by several of Sydney's most daring young female artists. Be doubled-over by pair-ilous performances, boogie down to some breakneck beats, or submit your own work to this intrepid event.

There's a ‘Good To Be Bad' Award for best dressed so get your most deviant double denim or most eccentric evil twin on!

When: Fri 24 Feb 2012, from 6pm
Where: Serial Space, 33 Wellington St, Chippendale
Cost: FREE
Info: (02) 9206 2197 or youngwomen@acon.org.au

10) BIG SPORTY BINGAY

Get physical with drag diva Tora Hymen and singing sensation Naomi Palmer as they present a special sports-themed edition of BIG Bingay for this year's Mardi Gras festival.

Bingay is bingo with a queer twist! Expect weird rules, singalongs, penalties and hilarious stories with prizes that range from mobile phones and harbour cruises to heaps of theatre, movie and party tickets.

There's also a special trivia quiz plus great free snacks served up by a contingent of Speedo-clad representatives from Lifesavers With Pride who will be on duty to help guests enjoy the ballsport! And all proceeds go to ACON.

When: Fri 24 Feb 2012, 7:30 pm
Where: Paddo RSL 226 Oxford St Paddington
Cost: $37 for all games
Info/Bookings: (02) 9206 2110 or events2012@acon.org.au

11) MASQUE

Members of Sydney's Fillipino GLBT community and their friends will be treated to a thrilling evening of singing, dancing, and illusion as contestants vie for the coveted title of Mardi Gras King and Queen of the Night.

The variety show includes performances from Australian magic champion Jonas Jost, and dancing displays from Trikone and the Mindana dance troupe. Presented by Flagcom. A percentage of proceeds will go to ACON's Gay Asian Men's Project.

When: Sat 25 Feb 2012, 7:30pm
Where: Petersham RSL, 7 Regent St, Petersham
Cost: $35
Info/Bookings: Albert 0402 533 587

12) QUEER THINKING: DO YOU SEE ME? BEHIND THE MASK OF THE ASIAN GAY MAN

This session of Mardi Gras' popular series of discussion fourms seeks to explore the conflicting worlds of being Asian and gay, finally posing the question "Can sexual and cultural identities co-exist harmoniously".

Walking between multiple identities of ethnicity, sexuality, culture and religion, Asian gay men move through life like chameleons, adopting different roles and different masks to survive.

But behind these masks, is there a space of resilience, a celebration in spite of the facade? Presented by ACON's Asian Gay Men's Project and the Pride In Colour Working Group.

When: Sat 25 Feb 2012, 2pm - 3:30pm
Where: Seymour Centre, Cnr City Road & Cleveland Street, Chippendale
Cost: $15/$12
Info/Bookings: seymourcentre.com.au or (02) 9351 7940

13) UNMASK

This exhibition of photographs explores the diversity that exists in NSW's Asian gay community and aims to capture the essence of what it means to be Asian, male and gay.

The event will also include the launch of A-Men, a new photo essay book produced by ACON's Gay Asian Men's Project which captures the crossroads of art, sexuality and cultural identity.

The event will also include a fashion runway show as well as music and cultural dance performances.

When: Tue 28 Feb 2012, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: District 01, 74-76 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
Cost: FREE
Info/Bookings: http://www.facebook.com/#!/amensydney

14) ACON's PARADE FLOATS

Want to be in this year's Mardi Gras Parade? Members of the GLBT community are invited to get on board any of the following floats:

• ACON Float - Join hundreds of ACON volunteers and supporters as they celebrate sex and love and everything in between
• First Australians Float - Celebrate Mardi Gras with members of NSW's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
• A-Men Float - Gay Asian men and their friends are invited to join in the fun of the parade and celebrate the year of the dragon
  
• CSN Float - clients and volunteer carers from ACON's Community Support Network go oriental this year with inspiration from the land of the rising sun
• MAG - members of ACON's Mature Aged Gays support group will be Priscilly as a wheel with a unique tribute to the iconic Aussie film

To join any of these floats, all you need to do is visit www.acon.org.au/get-involved/mardigras2012 and fill out the online form. We'll then send you all the info you need a few days before the parade.

When: Sat 3 Mar 2012
Where: Hyde Park then Oxford St, Darlinghurst
Cost: FREE