Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras Fair Day 2009 will be held on Sunday 15 February 2009 in Sydney’s Victoria Park and this year, for the first time, marks the launch of Mardi Gras’ three-week long festival. Fair Day gets bigger and more exciting every year and is now one of the most popular single events in the Mardi Gras calendar.

Favourites returning including the Doggywood pooches, the huge Food Zone, the Bitch Lounge Tent and, later in the evening, the now famous Fair Day official after party at Newtown’s Bank Hotel. And the Main Stage and Broadway Stage are chockas.

Fair Day is still under wraps but to check out what’s happening come back here for updates or visit the official Mardi Gras website at: http://www.mardigras.org.au/fairday. You can also find out about volunteering from this page.

Melbourne Midsumma Festival

Celebrating its 21st birthday this year is Midsumma, Melbourne’s annual arts and cultural festival that, within a safe and healthy environment, celebrates the pride and diversity of Victoria’s lesbian, gay and allied communities.

The vast array of performing arts, visual arts and music comprises a Carnival and T Dance at the Alexandra Gardens, Queer City – The City of Melbourne’s Queer Visual Arts exhibition series, Yarra Arts – The City of
Yarra’s Queer Visual Arts exhibition and Pink Shorts, Midsumma’s queer short play competition at the RMIT Kaleide Theatre from 3 Feb to 7 February.

Midsumma is now recruiting volunteers to assist in all aspects of the 2009 Festival, whether it’s front of house for one of our premier events or assisting with Carnival. There is also the opportunity to gain great experience in Visual Arts and Theatre production from set-up to promotion. Whatever your interests and skills, we want you to join us in making Midsumma’s Queer Coming of Age the very best it can be!

http://www.midsumma.org.au/newsflash/midsumma-2009-festival-dates-2.html

New! C31 TV Sponsorship Managers Required

Calling out for volunteer Sponsorship Managers to be part of a new female youth program to be broadcast on C31.

C31 is looking for Sponsorship Managers with experience in approaching sponsors and writing applications for grants and funding.

This is for a short term project and will include building a contact list, contacting leads, closing sales, writing funding applications and reaching sponsorship targets within tight timeframes.

The program is targeted at young females and aims to be empowering and inspiring to viewers. Volunteers should be passionate about youth and female issues and possess strong communication skills. The role will require initiative and the ability to self manage.

Candidates need to be able to commit at least 10 hours per week and will need to work from home.

If you’re keen to help and get a new youth program broadcast that will reach out and help young girls deal with and learn about life, then this role is for you!

Please send your CV and cover letter of interest to: kat@c31.org.au

Closing date for applications: Friday 12 December 2008

For more information on the organisation behind the show, please see http://www.indigo4girls.com

Blast Theory in Australia – call for local team/volunteers

Blast Theory is coming to Sydney in February 2009 to present Rider Spoke at the Museum of Contemporary Art (in association with British Council and Sydney Foreshore Harbour Authority).

They’re looking for a team of capable and enthusiastic local volunteers to work closely with Blast Theory over the 2-week season. Local team members will have demonstrated performing skills, experience working with members of the public, and experience and confidence using bikes. If you have a background in performance, media or visual arts and want to play an integral part in this project, please send your CV and an expression of interest (300 words max) to Anneke Jaspers at the British Council by December 12th.

<Anneke.Jaspers@britishcouncil.org.au>

Editor’s note: Hmmm not sure why the Blast Theory kidz chose Sydney instead of Melbourne to do an interactive art work re: bikes: these flat plains would seem the place to be. Anyway bit of a hike on your bike to Sydney — but you decide.

More on Blast Theory at http://www.blasttheory.co.uk/bt/about.html