Back due to popular demand – Uncle Aram returns! And with a very, very big grin plastered across his face, having come ‘straight’ from the Burlesque Shakedown at the Bakery. Hosted by Sugar Blue Burlesque – who first caught my attention at last year’s Pride party – it was a night of dance, comedy and some very, very sassy ladies. The Burlesque scene has historically embraced all things queer, and in turn been embraced by many queer things, so it’s great to see Perth catching up with the rest of the world’s emerging revival of the art form. These latest gigs were totally sold out, so if you plan to see more in the future, get in quick – you won’t be disappointed.
Otherwise, assuming you’re not on a New Year’s detox or all partied-out post-Australia day, there’s plenty of fun to be had all through February and beyond.
Whether you love it or hate it you can’t miss it – Valentine’s Day. Queer folk can’t get married legally in this country, but God knows they still get roped into this little hallmark event. So how do you spend it? Singles: get together in a group and try something different. (No – not that different). I’d recommend dinner at Ciccerello’s in Fremantle followed by a Fremantle Ghost Tour at the old Goal – loads of fun. Couples: Kings Park is fun for some but if you really want to show someone you care, cook for them. Unless you’re a terrible cook, in which case money really can buy happiness (at least for a night) at an expensive restaurant – Balthasar’s, C and the Cinnamon Club all spring to mind.
ClubWest are back with their first show in 2008 – Musical Ball. There will be wigs, glitter and bawdry aplenty at the Italian Club on Saturday, March 8th – get your tickets this month as these gigs always sell out.
Also returning for the first time in 2008 is Fremantle’s own queer night – Only Gay in the Village. If you think you might be (the only gay in Fremantle-town), then you better get yourself upstairs at the Sail and Anchor on Feb 30th to prove yourself wrong and mix with others of your kind. Entry is free and the beers are cold.
Speaking of Fremantle, if you loved Lisa Loud at the Pride Party, or heard how much everyone else loved her, then you have one very special opportunity to catch her again when she plays Metropolis Fremantle on Friday 15th February.
Krafty Kuts, purveyor of funky party Breaks, will be well worth catching. For all my fellow electro-heads out there, he’ll be making an appearance at Ambar on Feb 8th. Doors open at 10, and he’ll probably play sometime after midnight.
Also for the electro-heads is the annual return of Future Music Festival. This year it’s happening in Wellington Square, Sunday the 2nd of March. The line-up is pretty impressive – the Chemical Brothers, Datarock, Roger Sanchez, Elite Force and The Shapeshifters. It’s a pretty good consolation prize if you’re stuck in Perth, and unable to get over to Sydney for Mardi Gras.
That’s not all the local fun Mardi Gras weekend. The Court Hotel will be holding a Perth Mardi Gras party to raise money for Pride on Sunday, March 2nd. International artist Tina Cousins is booked to perform, and the Court hopes to raise $5,000 for Pride WA. Be you flying back red-eye from Sydney or shaking off a homegrown hangover, on Monday, chill out in the beer garden for the Court’s Recovery Party. Save your ticket from the Court’s Mardi Gras party Sunday night and exchange it for a free pizza.
And for a little taste of Mardi Gras to come, get down to the Court on Feb. 5th from 7pm as the WASAMBA drummers have their final rehearsal complete with full costume before heading for the bright lights over east.
Finally, February has all the usual suspects lined up and vying for your attention, namely:
- Thinly disguised lesbian cruising within the salubrious surrounds of Grapeskin at the Pride Women’s Sundowner on 14th Feb
- Undisguised lesbian cruising at the monthly Girls Who Kiss Girls – 28th Feb at the Court
- Cruising for the boys at Boys Who Kiss Boys – 6th March at the Court
- Cruising for hairy boys at the Bear’s monthly Den night on 9th March
- Cruising for guppies (gay urban professionals) at Pride Professionals sundowner on 21st Feb at the Brisbane Hotel
- Cruising after work on a Friday at Connections After Work Drinks on the Terrace from 6pm
- And finally, squishy, messy, cruising fun at Connections with Lesbian Mud Wrestling on the 13th and 27th
So go on. Get started breaking those New Year’s resolutions (it has to happen sooner or later anyway) and get out to one of the many fine offering available this February. I promise not to tell on ya.
