SYDNEY WORLDPRIDE

Friday 17 February to Monday 6 March

Always for everyone. Abercrombie encourages and champions a culture of inclusivity, creativity, and expression. Worldpride season we will be hub, a gateway, and a party destination for all LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and allies as we converge to celebrate the biggest party in the world, Worldpride. We have a two-week program of the best queer parties and events, curated by one of Australia’s preeminent house DJ’s, Kate Monroe, and nightlife artist and curator, Xander Khoury. From Friday 17 February to Monday 6 March, The Abercrombie will be home to some of Australia’s best queer house and techno parties including Heaps Gay, Kerfew, Barba, SUGAR, Angels Only, Canned Fruit, Fur Ball, Queer Techno Collective, Queer House Collective as well as DJ workshops by Irregular Fit, rooftop parties and more.

15th Feb - 4th March

Presenting nine events as part of Sydney WorldPride

A diverse program featuring a kaleidoscope of comedy, cabaret, dance, and drama from a host of much-loved local and international LGBTQIA+ artists.

The festivities begin with Elias Jamieson Brown’s brandnew play, CAMP, charting the birth of Australia’s fierce gay rights movement. Then comes Gay Sydney: A Memoir, an evocative new work from renowned storyteller and artist, William Yang, recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Sydney Theatre Awards. The party continues with All Out Comedy, a spectacular night of stand-up featuring Geraldine Hickey, Nath Valvo, and Coco Jumbo.

To follow, Dan Daw presents the Australian premiere of his critically acclaimed work, The Dan Daw Show, named one of the five best dance shows of 2022 by The Guardian UK. Plus, Shaun Parker & Company return with their cuttingedge dance piece, KING, the Briefs boys return with their new cabaret show, Dirty Laundry, and EnQueer/ Sydney Queer Writers’ Festival presents two thought-provoking panel events.

And there’s free offerings to be enjoyed, too: Seymour’s popular outdoor music series, Seymour Nights, also returns for Sydney WorldPride, offering free performances from some of Australia’s most vibrant voices and wickedest DJs, all in the leafy, summery surrounds of the Seymour Centre courtyard. Get out your planner, get your tickets, and experience Sydney WorldPride arts at the Seymour. seymourcentre.com/what-s-on/sydney-worldpride-2023

A Hilarious Lesbian Break-Up

Comedy Starring Danielle Cormack And Maude Davey.

BLESSED UNION

11 Feb – 11 Mar

Belvoir St Theatre

25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills

IIN ASSOCIATION with Sydney WorldPride, Belvoir St Theatre presents a brand new play written by the host and curator of Queerstories, Maeve Marsden.

Ruth and Judith have been a couple for decades. They have two kids and have fought hard for recognition, for rights, just to be themselves. They’ve lived at the forefront as Australia changed, while their home remained a haven.

Now, their marriage is over. They’ve always told themselves, and others, that theirs was a different union. That they could do this reasonably, politically, calmly. Without hurt.

“Look, we aren’t going to just fall apart like, like, like - a straight couple”, says Ruth.

But are we bigger than our institutions? What will their children say? And what of the human heart?

A funny and moving tale of idealism, love, and the messy business of being alive, from the wicked mind of Maeve Marsden. Blessed Union is sharp, poignant, and very pertinent. A sad comedy, a hilarious tragedy, this is a great play about us.

Playwright Maeve Marsden said, “Blessed Union is a celebration of lesbian families, but it is also a loving and playful critique. It’s taken me a long time to realise what a privilege it is to laugh at the worst of ourselves. When you grow up in a queer family, on the political back foot, you spend a lot of time not giving the other side cannon fodder; having space to be messy and flawed in public, and on stage, feels like freedom to me.”

Belvoir Resident Director, Hannah Goodwin said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be directing the premiere production of Blessed Union. Maeve is an extraordinary mind. Her play is both ferociously witty and deeply loving. We’re having an excellent time putting it together and can’t wait to share it with audiences at Belvoir.”

A tale of a family falling apart as it struggles to stay together, Blessed Union features Danielle Cormack (TV’s Wentworth, ABC’s Rake), Maude Davey (MTC’s The Heartbreak Choir, The Dry), Emma Diaz (TV’s After the Verdict) and Jasper LeeLindsay.

Blessed Union paves the way in representation for lesbian family stories. A celebration of the triumphs of the LGBTQI+ community, and a self-aware contemplation of what’s still to come.

Book now: belvoir.com.au/blessed-union