Sydney WorldPride is right around the corner! It’s so close we can nearly taste it.
While I’m sure you’re counting down the days ’till the various parties, concerts and parades you’ve got tickets to kick off, there is plenty more in the program to tickle any and all fancies.
For instance, if you’re an indoor kid who doesn’t love dancing, or would prefer to steer clear of crowds, there are stacks of ways to celebrate the festival in a low-key fashion.
We’ve pored over the program and pulled out seven banger events (but there is a zillion of them, so please suss the full list out, here), for you to bookmark.
Let’s go chronologically so all the Google calendar girlies don’t get mad at me:
February
The Party
Now – Apr 23
Don’t be fooled by the name, this isn’t actually a party. Rather, it’s an exhibition that looks back at the evolution of LGBTQIA+ nightlife and party culture in Sydney between 1973 and 2002.
Bloodlines: The Huxleys
Now – Mar 5
Bloodlines: The Huxleys is an art exhibit that’s part of Marri Madung Butbut: The First Nations Gathering Space. A tribute to the artists losts to the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and 90s, this moving exhibit can be seen at Carriageworks.
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Braving Time: Queer Art In Contemporary Australia
Feb 3 – Mar 18
In an exhibition that highlights the intersectional queer experience, Richard Perram OAM has curated artworks that acknowledge the struggles and triumphs of Australia’s LGBTQIA+ communities. Access Braving Time for free during the day at the NAS Galleries at The National Art School.
Unravelling Queerly
Feb 7 – Mar 22
Stroll through the Australian Design Centre during the day (and for free) to catch this exhibition. It celebrates artists who specialise in, and push the boundaries of, textile-based art like weaving, crochet, embroidering and quilting.
Queer Screen’s 30th Mardi Gras Film Festival
Feb 15 – Mar 2
Presented by Queer Screen, this festival spans multiple cinemas across Sydney to bring audiences films that explore the diversity of LGBTIQ+ experiences.
Absolutely Queer
Feb 17 – Dec 1
This free exhibition at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum showcases work from queer creatives who re-shape attitudes towards their communities. From performance artists to cartoonists, video game designers and fashion designers, the creatives skills span a wide spectrum.
Sex Magick
Feb 17 – Mar 25
For a big ol’ LOL, check out Nicholas Brown‘s play, Sex Magick. The wild show features a breakout performance by Raj Labade and explores queerness, masculinity and South Asian-Australian identity.
All Out Comedy
Feb 18
This queer stand-up special is set to be a hilarious Saturday night out at the Seymour Centre. This queer comedy gala is set to be a hilarious Friday night out at Enmore Theatre. Drag Race Down Under star Coco Jumbo will host the evening, and comedians Nath Valvo and Geraldine Hickey will take the stage to perform their sets.
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Queer Art After Hours
Feb 22
Look, this one is not entirely chill, but it gives you the option to choose your own adventure. You can duck into the Art Gallery of NSW to quietly enjoy some installations in one part of the gallery, and if the mood strikes you also have the option to journey to other parts of the joint to enjoy some pop-up bars, performances and workshops. The best of both worlds!
Queer Lit: Double Bill
Feb 23
Head to the Sydney Opera House for an evening filled with thought-provoking panel discussions by queer writers. The first panel is will be ‘Mixed Metaphors’, and explore the use of poetry to portray queer life, followed by a panel ‘On Queer East Asian Pride’ with names like Benjamin Law and Jason Om.
Briefs – Dirty Laundry
Feb 28 – Mar 4
Where to start with Dirty Laundry? Inspired by circus, drag, burlesque, music, dance and comedy, this show is a party cabaret. The juicy brains over at Briefs Factory – a creative collective that produces irreverent physical performances – are behind this one. You don’t want to miss it!
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March
Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference
Mar 1 – 3
Made up of keynote speakers, panels, roundtables and workshops, this three-day conference will dive into LGBTQIA+ human rights now and for the future to work towards a world where everyone feels safe and equal. If you’re keen to hear the discussions, there are day tickets to access main stage sessions for just $25.
Of course, if you want to keep things even chiller, plenty of events will be live streamed so you can celebrate from the comfort of your home.
Rainbow History Class: Live Show
Mar 2 – Mar 4
The Tikok stars behind Rainbow History Class – a place to learn LGBTQIA+ history that we missed in school – are bringing their fun classroom to the Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst. They’ll be teaching the audience all about the origin of Mardi Gras and the reason Alice Springs is a lesbian hotspot.