Written by Jafar Abdus-Samad & Matt Akersten | Photo ‘Live From Stonewall’ by Ann-Marie Calilhanna
Even though we’re staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s no shortage of innovative LGBTQI+ community talent going live online. To shine a spotlight on them, we thought we’d put together this list of shows we can see and support.
Many of our favourite parties and performers have been coming up with ways to make sure you can still experience all the wonderful things they produce. The LGBTQI+ arts industry is awash with a clever bunch of people who can quickly change course with the wind and keep us connected to our communities at this tough time.
Follow the links below to check them out, and please give generously to support them if you can. Together, we can help ensure our amazing queer creators survive these trying times and we can all come out of this pandemic with a thriving LGBTQI+ arts industry.
SO WHAT’S ON WHERE AND WHEN?
EVERY DAY:
GRUMBLE BOOGIE by Bettie Grumble | 10AM Daily
Let’s dance lovers! LIVE on Facebook and Instagram, every morning until we can hug again. Except maybe Sundays. Donations: GRUMBLE LOVE
LUNCHTIME LOCKDOWN with DJ Dan Murphy and Penny Tration | 1PM Daily
An Aussie Drag Megastar and Flight Attendant by day currently isolated due to extending my extravagant Mexican holiday just a few days tooooooo many. Guests have so far included Dannii Minogue, Courtney Act & Perry Meek. Donations: LUNCHTIME LOCKDOWN
ISODISCO presented by DJ DOM DE SOUSA | 8PM Most days except for Saturday – check Facebook group for times
Get the party started at your place. Great evening non-stop music mixes with DJ Dom de Sousa, live from his home. Donations: DJ Dom de Sousa
WEEKLY:
KIDS STORYTIME with Hannah Conda | 2:30PM Mondays
Join Sydney Drag Queen, Hannah Conda, each Monday at 2:30PM to listen to this weeks’ chosen childrens book.
MAXI’S COUCH POTATO with Maxi Shield | 9:30PM Mondays
Join Maxi Shields LIVE on Instagram every Monday night. Maxi’s Couch Potato is a Chat Show full of Carbs, sugar and all the fats you need to start your week. Maxi chats with international guests, TV show reviews and an extra serve of giggles. Donations: MAXI SHIELD
THE FABULOUS WONDER MAMA | 2PM Wednesdays
Weekly, family-friendly, Storytime. LIVE on Facebook with The Fabulous Wonder Mama; the super hero adventuress from Paradise Island who spreads messages of love, equality and joy all around the world! Merch: WONDER MAMA SHOP
@HOME | 7PM Wednesdays
InViewTV hosts William Brougham and Belinda Joh interview interesting people from the arts, music, sport and business world.
SLAY LIVE! by Universal and Drag Royalty | 9PM Wednesdays
Universal’s popular Wednesday night competition is now online! Join Carmen Geddit & Charisma Belle (Drag Royalty) as they present Slay LIVE! Each week witness some of Sydney’s fiercest Drag talent compete to win what’s in the coveted SLAY BOX! Donations: SYDNEY DRAG ROYALTY
LEZZO IN LOCKDOWN | Thursdays
This is the fabulous Shauna Jensen’s live cabaret show. She’s excellent company and takes requests. If you’re enjoying it, hit the donate button and you can buy her a drink. Cheers! Donations: Shauna Jensen
DARLINGHURST LIFE DRAWING | 7PM Thursdays
Life drawing with a male or female nude model. Classes run for two hours with a professional teacher and all materials provided. Social and fun. Happens via Zoom. Bookings: Darlinghurst Life Drawing
IN VIEW TV with Michael El-Bacha & Joanne Ellias | 7PM Thursdays
InViewTV interviews the amazing people that makeup sport, music, the arts and business across Australia. “InViewTV is a fun, friendly and safe environment to tell YOUR story and from the old to the young, we want YOU on our show.”
BREKO’S MUSIC BINGO FROM HOME by The Breko Show | 7:30-9PM Thursdays
Join Sydney’s unemployed Trivia Host James Breko for Music Bingo from Home! Free to play and all are welcome. HALL OF FAME & PRIZE GIVEAWAYS! Get your Bingo Cards emailed to you (closes 3pm Thursday – instructions in event page). Then just print or load your Bingo card onto your device and play from home! Donations: THE BREKO SHOW
LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX with Verushka Darling | 7PM Fridays
Let the inimitable Verushka Darling solve your intimate problems in her very special, soothing way. She’s got your back… so to speak! Donations: Verushka’s tips
LOUD N QUEER TV by Heaps Gay and Create Or Die | 8PM Fridays
A Live Streamed Party In Your Lounge room – Each episode will feature Queer content across live music, performance art, weird stuff, random chats and promo of all the great things everyone else is doing on the net. This is a collaboration between a production company dplr, An arts organisation Create Or Die, A mental health org Listen Up Music , A queer events platform Heaps Gay, a proactive artist RACKETT & a wholllllleeee lotta artists musicians and legends who like many no longer have any work due to Covid 19. Donations: LOUD N QUEER PRESENTED BY HEAPS GAY AND CREATE OR DIE
LIVE FROM STONEWALL | 8PM Saturdays
The Stonewall Hotel, Create & Cast and Undefine Media present this exciting new weekly multi-camera LIVE stream community entertainment show starring Minnie Cooper. Donations: Live from Stonewall Production Fund
LOUNGE ROOM SESSIONS | 8PM Saturdays
We have a big list of amazing Aussie stand up comedians, drag queens, burlesque performers and DJs every week. The performance industry in Australia has been temporarily paused so we want to bring fun and entertainment back to your weekends. Donations: THE LOUNGE ROOM SESSIONS
POOF DOOF DIRECT | 9PM – 2AM Saturdays
The music never stops. Join POOF DOOF DJs and keep the Saturday night party going. They’re live from Melbourne, and are planning some live sets from Sydney soon too. Donations: POOF DOOF tips
RUBY TUBE with DJ Ruby | 8PM Saturdays and Sundays
The team at Ruby Dance treat you to free streams of trance sets. Some of these are historical parties; some will be streamed live from an empty club, but with full production lighting and laser shows. Soar like an eagle on the wings of the music!
SUNGAYS live stream on Mixcloud | 1PM Sundays
A group of DJs from Lismore, Brisbane, Mt Tamborine and the Gold Coast, bringing the community together every Sunday afternoon. Join them for an afternoon of funky house tunes as you grab yourself a cocktail and relax after a busy weekend in isolation!
1998 LIVE STREAM with Greg Gould and guests | 7PM Sundays
Greg Gould launches his new ’90s duets album 1998 in a unique weekly live stream series with international special guests, interviews, live karaoke and games and exclusive live performances from some of the worlds best – guests include Home & Away’s Lynne McGranger, Jack Jack Jackie Joanne, iconic vocalist Inaya Day and Bardot’s Katie Underwood!
OUR HOUSE WITH LUV | 7-9PM Sundays
Lauren Neko / Glössy Is a multi-format performing DJ, vocalist, and force behind her UV Sound System, Lauren takes joy in creating an atmosphere for others to feel good and be themselves in. Lauren Neko / Glössy offers a 2-hour online DJ mix in a rainbow/UV setting every Sunday.
ONCE-OFF
GRIFFIN LOCK-IN | DON’T GO TO BED (EPISODE 4) by The Dollar Bin Darlings, Aya Productions and Griffin Theatre Company | 7-10:30PM – Friday 24 April
Griffin Theatre Company has commissioned artists to create made-for-livestream works with just a week’s notice. This episode has Sydney’s favourite analogue talk show goes digital! The Dollar Bin Darlings are streaming from their living rooms to yours – LIVE! They’ve got intimate chats, special performances, glittery games, half time oranges and by the grace of Donna Summer, they’ve got some really special guests: Clementine Ford, Tanya Plibersek, Sarah Snook, Tyson Koh, Hannah Reilly, Bron Batten, Al Grigg, Mr. & Mrs Liddy ( of Joseph Liddy & The Skeleton Horse) and Paul Capsis!
I REMEMBER HOUSE: LIVESTREAM #2 by I Remember House and DJ Dan Murphy | 4-8PM – Saturday 25 April
I Remember House is back in the house – your house, streaming LIVE on Facebook! We’ve upgraded the sound & video for the optimal sensory experience! See you back online for four hours of delicious house goodness. I Remember House is the friendliest house party for the LGBTQI+ community and their friends. Merch: I REMEMBER HOUSE
QUEER LOVE IN | 3-5PM – Saturday 2 May
Hosted by Equality Australia, Queer Love In will bring LGBTIQ+ artists and performers who have lost work due to COVID-19 to your homes, as we gather our community across Australia – online – to reconnect and celebrate. Hosted by Tom Ballard. Donations: QUEER LOVE IN
QUARANTINE CAMP: LIVESTREAM PARTY | 4-8PM – Saturday 2 May
Get ready to CAMP up your weekend with 4 hours of the funnest, hands-in-the-air, singalong tunes in town, with your fave DJs will be beaming in from around the country to play the biggest anthems!
MAMA ALTO’S SOUND GALLERY SESSION | 7PM – Wednesday 6 May
The acclaimed jazz cabaret diva, Mama Alto, returns to MLIVE for this special live-streamed performance of her signature luscious vocal arrangements of exquisite jazz standards.
GLOBAL PRIDE 2020 | 24 hours – 27/28 June
24 hours of Pride from across the globe! The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Pride organisations worldwide with hundreds of marches and events cancelled or postponed. Global Pride provides an opportunity for the LGBTI+ community around the world to come together and celebrate diversity and equality during these challenging times.
LIMITED SERIES
LOCKDOWN LADY with Felicity Frockaccino | 6pm – Wednesday May 13 and 20
An hour of fabulousity with Felicity, LIVE on Instagram. Felicity Frockaccino is if Mr Blobby & Miss Frizzle had a baby. Unfiltered love for all things fabulously over the top. Part clown, Part costume. 100% Camp. Might become weekly. Donations: FELICITY FROCKACCINO
THE GLOBAL VIRTUAL LGBTQI+ FESTIVAL by Curve Magazine | Now until 22 May
Curve Magazine is a Australia-based publication for the Global Lesbian Community. The Virtual Festival brings community members across the globe together, covering music, film, literature, cooking, fitness and comedy. A combination of Free and ticketed events.