All posts tagged: Western Australia

Review: ‘Club Swizzle’ From the Creators of Award-Winning LA SOIRÉE

Published by thequeerav

The Creators of award-winning La Soirée present the Perth debut of their show ‘Club Swizzle’ at Fringe World 2018, and it’s deliciously saucy. Following it’s world premiere at Sydney Opera House, and ahead of it’s international tour in 2018, Club Swizzle has graced Perth’s hottest new venue, The Ice Cream Factory, with a bang! Filled with everything from outrageous cabaret to air-defying acrobatics and infectious musical revelry, there’s no doubt you’ll be in for an unforgettable night. The show is hosted by cabaret wunderkind Reuben Kaye, described as “the evil love child of Liza Minelli and Jim Carrey”, who uses their amazing voice and queer hilarity to introduce a diverse range of talent. This talent includes the acrobatic wonders of The Swizzle Boys (yes they are just as enticing they sound), live music from The Unexpected Perks, tap and jazz from Harlem born and raised Dandy Wellington, naughty burlesque from Laurie Hagen, and cabaret from the skating, singing and ukulele playing Amy G. This is the perfect show for a care-free and immersive night out …

Perth Holds Candlelight Vigil for Orlando

Published by thequeerav

On Wednesday night, June 15, a vigil for those lost in the Pulse Orlando shooting was held at Perth Cultural Centre in Northbridge. Though it had only been days since news of the horrific attack had hit, hundreds of people were present to stand in solidarity with the victims, friends and families affected. Speakers at the event included Freedom Centre‘s Stephen Boccaletti, Lynn MacLaren, Louise Pratt, and many other passionate community members and professionals. Gay and Lesbian Singers of WA also made an appearance performing a chilling rendition of “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway musical Rent. In being at this event, seeing people coming together and hearing people speak so emotionally about their experiences of being LGBTIQ+, I’m reminded of how resilient this community I’m a part of really is. The lives lost in this tragedy will never be forgotten, though the voices of the Perth community, and of voices from people at events like this all around the world give me hope for a better future. Because I know, when faced with tragedies …

Review: Angels in America, Part 1 Millennium Approaches

Published by thequeerav

Angels in America, Part 1 Millennium Approaches, one of the most important and groundbreaking plays of the 20th century, made it’s WA premier over the weekend at the Heath Ledger Theatre in Perth. Set in 1985 New York City, the play explores the intertwining lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS amidst the AIDS crisis of the 80’s and 90’s. Prior Walter takes centre stage, diagnosed with AIDS and left by his lover Louis Ironson. Walter is then visited by an angel who brands him a prophet, tasked with saving humanity. Tony Kushner’s iconic play, Angels in America, has won many awards including the Tony Award for Best Play, twice, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was made into a mini series in 2003 starring an array of well known names such as Al Pacino and Meryl Streep and for which it won 11 Emmy awards, a record at the time. Most importantly though, the stories told in the play depict the very realities of people who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. It’s impossible, for those …

FRINGE REVIEW: #madashell The Musical

Published by thequeerav

Fringe World Perth went out with a bang this year with Dean Misdale’s show “#madashell The Musical” gracing the stage of Four5Nine Bar on Saturday and Sunday night to sold out audiences. The show, performed by Misdale’s alter ego Feminem,  brought to life YouTube series #madashell in comedy cabaret form, and was full of real life encounters and parody songs to boot. To the sound of some familiar tunes, and in sequinned attire, Feminem takes you on a journey of epic proportions, and gives insight into what makes her #madeashell; something not to be missed. After all, hell hath no fury like an angry drag queen. From singing about curious strangers who think it’s ok to touch drag queens without permission, to the finger lickin’ goodness that is KFC, there was something in there for everyone! And, to round off the performance: a costume change, some lip-syncing (what’s a drag show without it), and an all round bitch session on what made people in the audience #madashell. Feminem had the audience laughing from start to …

FRINGE REVIEW: Gender Spanner

Published by thequeerav

Jessica McKerlie’s “Gender Spanner” made it’s WA premiere at Perth Fringe World  on Tuesday night at The Ellington Jazz Club. The show is part burlesque, part cabaret and 100% full of “labels that just don’t stick”, a reference you’ll understand on a whole new level if you see the performance for yourself. Inspired by McKerlie’s own explorations and understanding of gender fluidity, the show touches base on areas not often openly talked about or explored in performance pieces. Armed with a ukulele and many other props (potato and gravy anyone?), McKerlie presents an honest and empowering performance filled with thought provoking ideas and questions about what it means to be a man, a woman, or somewhere in between. Though I felt some acts didn’t flow from one to the next as well as they could have, there’s no denying the acts themselves were well thought out and entertaining on so many levels. McKerlie’s ability to hold the crowds attention, and to use their quick wit to stop mid performance to clarify any misunderstandings was hilarious, leaving …

FRINGE REVIEW: PANTS! (and other things)

Published by thequeerav

Nestled in the corner of The Rosemount Hotel is Four5Nine Bar, a cosy space home to many Fringe World performances this season including Lexie McGee’s debut show; “PANTS! (and other things). I had the pleasure of going to see the show on Monday night, the third of five performances gracing the Fringe World stage, surrounded by an almost sold out crowd. Launching her self-titled debut EP, the show follows the thoughts, ideas and teachings of Lexie as she navigates her way through topics such as gender diversity, gay mermen and bowl cuts, through song and, of course, interpretive dance. The show begins with musician Maisie on stage alone with a guitar, playing the sweet introduction of the show’s first song. Lexie makes her first and very sudden appearance by bursting through the stage curtain, wide eyed and dapperly dressed, glitter and the colour red obviously key features in her outfit. The song was slow to begin, though soon picked up once the interpretive dancing kicked in, leaving the audience in fits of laughter with ever …

A Review on the TransTastic Talent Showcase: An Artist’s Perspective

Published by thequeerav

I was fortunate enough to be involved as a displaying artist in the inaugural TransTastic Talent Showcase in Perth last weekend. Fortunate because it was warming to the core to be surrounded by my community and by people who support my community on a night where I was there as myself. I am usually myself, flagrantly and unabashed when I can help it, but this was a whole different class of experience. To be a transgender androgyne at Connections on a night intended to celebrate the abilities and the power of the trans* and gender diverse community was an empowering experience. Inaugural because it had better not be the last time an event like that happens in Perth if I can help it. Along with my more visual artistic fellows Lex and Asher and their gorgeous creations, my work occupied that intimate corner of Connections with the soft couches. As someone who is innately a writer, there was a unique swell of pride and terror that came with watching individuals and groups negotiate their meandering …

Let’s Talk about the ‘I’ in LGBTI

Published by thequeerav

For a long time I didn’t know what it meant to be intersex. I’d briefly encountered the term in discussions and books but not enough to latch onto it’s actual definition and importance. Having just come to terms with my sexuality at 19, I was more focused on myself, and how my sexuality effected my life and those around me. In fact, it wasn’t until years later, when I started re-questioning my sexuality and for the first time, my gender, that I started becoming more interested and involved in the LGBTI community as a whole. I saw a BuzzFeed video today (below), talking about what it’s like to be intersex. I got really excited at the idea of mainstream media covering such a topic; though I wouldn’t expect anything less from BuzzFeed. It got me thinking though, about why I was so excited. The more I thought about it, the more I realised it was because of how little society actually knows about intersex people and how little they generally get talked about or represented in the media. …

Queers on the Lawn [PHOTOS]

Published by thequeerav

Last weekend the Curtin Student Guild Queer Department hosted Queers on the Lawn at Curtin University, in celebration of diversity. The event was open to everyone, queer or not, and had market stalls, face painting, Park’d food trucks, a bar area,  a magician, EMAS DJ’s and an amazing performance from Abbe May to top the night off! Take a look at the photos below from what was a very well organised, and fun event!

Gay Marriage Vs. Marriage Equality: Not the same thing

Published by thequeerav

As the world comes closer to reaching marriage equality (baby steps people), I thought it might be an appropriate time to point out what the term ‘marriage equality’ ACTUALLY means. Too often I see the terms same sex marriage, gay marriage and marriage equality used interchangeably and I have to point out that it is incorrect to do so. I know this issue has been written about a lot in the past but it’s still something that happens frequently, so I thought it might be time to revisit. Some people might think this is me being too picky and/or too concerned  with being politically and linguistically correct though I would have to disagree. If there’s anything I’ve learnt from being a part of the queer community, it’s that language IS VERY IMPORTANT and something that can’t just be ignored or generalised by the wider community for the sake of ease. Same sex marriage and gay marriage are terms frequently used by the wider community to refer to a marriage between two people of the same sex; 2 …