NOVEL CONVERSATIONS V

Novel Conversations, Midsumma Festival's signature spoken word event, is back featuring yet another great line-up of acclaimed Australian authors: Neal Drinnan (Sydney), Alicia Bennett (Brisbane) join locals Dorothy Porter, Lindy Cameron and Tom Cho.

Set in a relaxed, panel-style setting, this event is a rare opportunity for the audience to get up close and personal with some of Australia's best, newest and favourite queer lit authors. Ask the questions you've always wondered about and hear the authors' personal perspectives. A sure-fire sell out, get in quick! Emceed by Crusader Hillis. Authors will be signing their books, available to purchase on the night. AUSLAN signers must be booked by 10 Jan 08.

Call Midsumma on 9415 9819 or email admin@midsumma.org.au

VENUE: Hares & Hyenas, 63 Johnston Street, Fitzroy (b/w Nicholson & Brunswick Sts)
MELWAYS: 2C A7
DATE: Thur 24 Jan
TIME: 7.30pm to 10.30pm
PRICE: $15 full, $10 conc.
INFO / BOOKINGS: 03 9495 6589, contactus@hares-hyenas.com.au
For more information on the authors, click here

TRANSMEN TRANSLATED

TransMen TransLated is a cross-media exhibition exploring the female to male transition experience.
Featuring the documentary 'I Like To Take Out The Trash', Bye bye boobies and Surgery film by video artist Wednesday, Melbourne performer Jeremy Wiggins reveals pre and post transition experiences. The exhibition includes a photographic wall of images shared by members of the F2M and transgendered & butch community. The project is curated by artist Jesslyn Moss for Gasworks Arts Park.

Venue: Angela Robarts-Bird Gallery (Gasworks Arts Park) Cnr Graham and Pickles Sts, Albert Park
Transport: Tram: No 1 - Stop 31
Melway Ref: 2J H7
Opening: Tue 15 Jan, 6 pm
Date: Tue 15 Jan to Sat 2 Feb
Time: 9am - 5pm daily
Price: Free
Info / Bookings: 03 9699 3253; frontdesk@gasworks.org.au; www.gasworks.org.au

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible main entry, Wheelchair access to Gallery, Wheelchair accessible lavatory / Gender-Neutral lavatory; outdoor smoking area..

GODDESS GROOVES - Supporting and celebrating dykes who rock!

Goddess Grooves is a showcase and a celebration of some of our community's finest singer/songwriter musicians, both well known and up and coming., brought together in one evening for scintillating entertainment.

This year as always, local dyke singer/songwriters and their guests will treat you to a feast of fabulous music. Enjoy the skilful musicianship of Michelle Chandler, whose beautifully rich voice and evocative music will move you. Be entertained by Scotland-born local Kaz Mitchell as she struts her jazz-tinged soul swept funky pop tunes.

Be mesmerised by Rose Burgess whose music is at times edgy and intense, at times raw and beautiful but always original and gripping. Applaud Di Watson's husky vocals as you soak up her earthy, folksy blues.
Goddess Grooves supporting and celebrating dykes who rock! Be there for another fantastic Midsumma event!

Venue: The Artery, 87 - 89 Moor Street, Fitzroy
Transport: Tram 112 - Stop 14 or 15
Melway Ref: 2C A9
Date: Sat 26 Jan
Time: 7:30 pm
Price: $15 full; $10 conc; $12 per person groups of 12 or more
Info / Bookings: 0422 950 558 / tickets at the door
Accessibility: Licensed bar; outdoor smoking area.

MOONING 2008 – Going Bare for Charity

More than just flashing your butt, Mooning is about raising much needed funds for the North and South Drop In Centers (supporting HIV people). Use your imagination and have fun: paint something on it; use a flashing light; go into a $2 shop and find a toy; or use a plug! Or just come along & have a good look at some great arses.

A bare arse contest with a difference! More than just flashing your butt, Mooning is about raising much needed funds for the North and South Drop In Centers (providing a safe and supportive environment for HIV+ people).

NAG! No Attitude Guys! have been fundraising for 18 years and have raised much needed funds for The Gay and Lesbian Switchboard, PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support), Gay and Lesbian Archives, Ward 7 at the Alfred, David Williams Fund and the North and South Drop in Centres.

VENUE:          Laird Hotel, 149 Gipps St, Abbotsford
TRANSPORT:             Bus: 246, Gipps St stop
Train: Epping & Hurstbridge Line - Collingwood Station
MELWAYS:    2C H11
DATE:             Sat 26 Jan
TIME: 9:30 pm till late
PRICE:            $10
INFO: No Pre-sale tickets; Website: www.laird.com.au

The Laugh Out Loud Big Gay Comedy Night

A night of stand up comedy and queer antics from Australia's best gay comics.

An assorted mix of your favourite gay comedy stars from radio, TV, stage and screen plus the odd international "surprise guest".
See them all for the price of one!
A must see night of laugh's.

Venue: The Artery, 87 - 89 Moor Street, Fitzroy
Transport: Tram 112 - Stop 14 or 15
Melway Ref: 2C A9
Date: Thur 24, 31 Jan & Thur 7 Feb
Time: 8 pm
Price: $15 full; $12 conc; $10 per person groups of 3 or more
Info / Bookings: 03 9415 9200
Accessibility: Licensed bar; outdoor smoking area.

POETRY OUTLOUD SLAM

Short listed from the Poetry OutLoud competition

If only the world had the chance to be enlightened by your moving words ... well here's your chance.

Get 3 minutes to wow the crowd - for the kitty.
Teams & individuals. Back by popular demand 2nd year running.
peaking of kitty's, we have as MC the meow feminist poet straight from Melbourne Fringe:

Yana Alana (aka Sarah Ward, comedian, also of SISTA She fame).
Venue: The Glasshouse Hotel, 51 Gipps Street, Collingwood, 3066
Transport: Tram 86 Stop 16 in Smith St - 600 metres; Epping or Hurstbridge train - Collingwood station - 500 metres
Melway 2C F10
Date: Wed 23 Jan
Time: 7pm for 7:30pm start
Price: $5
Info / Bookings: 03 9415 9819; admin@midsumma.org.au
Accessibility: Licensed; Meals; outdoor smoking area

RAINBOW FAMILIES PICNIC DAY
Join us at the third annual Rainbow Families Picnic Day!

A Midsumma get-together for Rainbow Families, prospective parents and friends at Hays Paddock. Designed for children of all abilities amid a shady natural environment, Hays Paddock is fully fenced and includes Braille signs, extra-wide and harnessed play equipment, covered sand pit, slides, swings and trampoline plus nearby ovals for cricket or soccer! BYO hats and balls!

The Rainbow Families Council invites our communities to get together and have fun. Picnic Day is a great opportunity for LGBTI parents, prospective parents, our friends and families to meet each other and for children of rainbow families to play together.

BYO everything. BBQ’s available. Kew Junction shops 10 minutes away.
FREE EVENT - BYO everything! Proudly presented by the Rainbow Families Council
For more information and wet weather venue: www.rainbowfamilies.org.au
For Hays Paddock information: www.playgroundfinder.com
VENUE: Hays Paddock, Longstaff St, off Kilby Road, Kew East
TRANSPORT: Tram 24 or 28 - stop 42, Bus 200 / 203 / 205 / 313 / 315
MELWAYS: 45 J1
DATE: Sat 26 Jan
TIME: 11am - 2pm
PRICE: Free
INFO / BOOKINGS: info@rainbowfamilies.org.au, www.rainbowfamilies.org.au

LOVE MAKES A FAMILY
Find out what’s what with the campaign for rainbow families law reform

Come along to the Love Makes A Family community meeting to discuss our 2008 plans and contribute ideas, comments and enthusiasm to our campaign for social and legal recognition of our rainbow families.

2007 was a monumental year for rainbow families across Victoria with the release of the long-awaited Victorian Law Reform Commission report on Access to Assisted Reproductive Technology and Adoption. 2008 could be an even better year for our families but we still need to be visible and vocal while our members of parliament debate and discuss this much needed law reform.

Want to know more? Then please come along to the one hour meeting, then join us over the road at Curtain Square children’s playground, grab some pizza, icecream or coffee from nearby cafes and enjoy a summer evening with other rainbow families.
Proudly presented by the Rainbow Families Council's Love Makes A Family campaign.

www.rainbowfamilies.org.au/pages/campaigns.php
VENUE: Carlton Library Upstairs Meeting Room, 667 Rathdowne St, North Carlton
TRANSPORT: Tram 1 & 8, Bus 251 / 252 / 253
MELWAYS: 2B J2
DATE: Sun 20 Jan
TIME: 2:30 to 3:30 pm
INFO / BOOKINGS:  info@rainbowfamilies.org.auThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.rainbowfamilies.org.au

JOY 94.9 - AUSTRALIA DAY PICNIC      
FOREST GLADE, MOUNT MACEDON

JOY 94.9's annual fundraiser is to be held on January 26th at Forest Glade, Mt Macedon and you’re invited! The picnic is held in 10 acres of beautiful European-style private gardens including a fern gully, oriental garden, lawns and pond. There’s plenty of shade area for your picnic blanket (but not your BBQ or pets, sorry) and you will be serenaded by the Rainbow Band, gay & lesbian chorus and motafrenz.

So spend a day in the company of friends - entry is $5 per person. JOY 94.9 thanks the owners of Forest Glade for their generosity in allowing this fundraiser picnic.
Forest Glade is about a 1.5 hour drive from Melbourne on the Calder highway. Forest Glade is on the right hand side after the township of Mt Macedon. There is plenty of street parking and JOY balloons will identify the place.

Bring your picnic lunch and drinks. BYO alcohol - please be responsible and mindful of the drink driving laws.

Contrary to some other notices, unfortunately BBQ's and pets are still not allowed.

VENUE:          Forest Glade, Mt Macedon Rd, Mt Macedon
MELWAYS:    609 G10, Vicroads: 60 B8, Town map 85
DATE:             Sat 26 Jan
TIME: Gates open 10am, Motafrenz car display from midday
Gates close 5pm
PRICE:            $15 full, $10 conc.
INFO / BOOKINGS: 1300 Joy 949, www.joy.org.au

Stay tuned to GenQ for our picks of Week 2 and 3 of Midsumma!

Tags: Midsumma Festival 2008