So Hot This Week: Feb 17
Saturday
Lunar New Year on Kensington Street
Bork in the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dog with a free event and a tribute to man’s best friend on Kensington Street. All pooches, their owners, canine fanatics, and those who are looking for a new way to party are welcome. Kensington Street Precinct, Chippendale, Saturday 17 February, 5-10pm, free.
Good Together ft. Kate Moennig
Good Together is Australia’s newest queer music festival launching in 2019, with a series of intro parties in 2018 starting with Kate Moennig, a taste of what is to come. With The L Word gearing up for a comeback, Kate Moennig has signed on as not only the lead but as Executive Producer for the show alongside Jennifer Beals. The L Word is a show that shaped a lot of us women. From helping us to come out, to understanding ourselves, to comforting us, entertaining us, making everything in our worlds feel right. Manning Bar, Camperdown, 8pm-3am, $51.55+bf
The Mardi Gras Bar of Love & Protest
Heaps Gay DJs brings a cracker of a set, a cleverly curated hour of power, fueled by unapologetic bangers and Queer anthems! Their feel good vibe is all about love, energy and relishing in the moment. Heaps Gay won “Best Music Event” at this years’ FBi Radio SMAC awards and Party Queen Of The Year at the Timeout Bar Awards, so strap in and strap it on honey as the closing set at Falls Festival 2018 is going to feature some of Australia’s best Kweens. National Art School, Darlinghurst, 5:30-10pm, free
Sunday
FAIR DAY is Mardi Gras’ beloved annual FREE family-friendly carnival of rainbow festivities – featuring a plethora of activities for the young and old, the tame and the bold! Kick off your heels and enjoy a picnic with friends and family, or kick up your heels at the dance tent. See an amazing array of performers on the Main Stage, get amongst it in the Sports Village, sample the food stalls and admire the drag queens in all corners of the park. There’ll be something for EVERYONE! Camperdown, 10am-8pm, free
VOLUMES Presents – Lucianblomkamp / Dive Bell
VOLUMES Presents, Good Manners and Cake Wines present a very special one off experience in the intimate settings of the Cellar Door in Redfern featuring the incredible LUCIANBLOMKAMP w/ breakout Sydney act, Dive Bell in support and VOLUMES DJs on cruise control. Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst, 6-11:59pm, free
Wednesday
Culture Up Late: Turning the Tide
The existential threat to the earth’s marine life and oceans posed by pollution and warming demands action. Join scientists, activists and artists to better understand the problem and discover how to be part of the solution. Australian Museum, Sydney, Wednesday 21 February, 5-9pm, $17-22.
40 years of Queer Art: Rebellion and Subversion
A celebration of 40 years of queer art in Australia showcasing works by over 20 LGBTQI artists who have created diverse, thought provoking, stylistically varied works that subversively engage with the politics of identity, community and activism. The works range across painting, drawing, prints, posters, photography and multimedia. The exhibition highlights the role of queer artists in changing societal attitudes, subverting the politics around LGBTIQ and contributing to queer culture. Comber Street Studios, Paddington, 6-8pm, free
Thursday
Homines Uniformis by Ross Watson
Watson’s world renowned paintings are a celebration of the male form, both in it’s uniformed and it’s natural glory. This exciting exhibition, homines uniformis at the iconic Yellow House Gallery features gay rugby players, naked surfers and pop-star Alfie Arcuri in various states of dress.Uniformed, or in complete contrast, naked – MEN unite the artworks. Military, Mounty, rugby or surfer – does the clothes make the man? Potts Point, 22-24 Feb, 6-8pm, free
Rainbow Evolution Art Exhibition Launch
Join Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) this Mardi Gras for the launch of ‘Rainbow Evolution – Anarchy to Acceptance’ – an exhibition of artworks produced by the participants of BGF’s 2017 Art Phoenix program.Rainbow Evolution will feature work from BGF’s Art Phoenix participants, who learned about the painting processes of various artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Yayoi Kusama and Ghada Amer who are known for expressing themes of sexuality and spirituality. The Shop Gallery, Glebe, 22-28 Feb, 6-7:30pm, free (pictured)
Friday
Curated by artist and cult survivor, Anney Bounpraseuth, say goodbye to summer in our evening of earthy delights! The MCA will be blossoming into an alternate Garden of Eden – a place existing in the here and now of spirituality without religion, pleasure and pain, unconditional love, community spirit and all that emanates from the potential divine in us all. Museum of Contemporary Art, The Rocks, Friday 23 February, 7pm, $18-28
