The 2008 Brisbane Pride will host the event’s largest schedule of GLBTI performances, fundraisers and parties than ever before. This year’s festival theme is Freedom. Scheduled to run from May 15 to June 30, the festival includes a GLBT 2020 summit for Queensland run by PFLAG; Wigfest; Trashy Treasure; the Pink Pub Prowl; and Holes and Poles music fundraiser. June 14 is a huge day with the rally, march and Fair Day. New for this year is an exciting event called IMPROV in the heart – a secret event which organisers say will make headlines! Don’t delay – book your flights now for a rainbow winter warming holiday.
Brisbane Pride
May 15 to June
Details: www.pridebrisbane.org.au

A bitchin’ blow wave
Local party band, The Blow Waves are launching their debut single, Little Bitch on Saturday June 7 at Toff in Town. Featuring members of The Mavis’s, Love Outside Andromeda and Something for Kate’s touring band, this camped-up group of musos offers a virtual explosion of punk, disco and cock-rock. Nice. The Blow Waves will perform on the night supported by Sydney’s finest electro pop princesses, The Blush Foundation.
The Blow Waves debut single launch
Toff in Town, 252 Swanston Street, city
Details: www.myspace.com/theblowwaves

Calling western men
Melbourne’s western suburbs guys group, Out West Men, is being given a makeover. The social group for men in the west (not just cowboys...) will meet on the third Saturday of every month from 9pm at The Junction Hotel, 15 Hall Street, Newport.  This will be a night welcoming all shapes, sizes, age and sexuality, this includes out gay guys, blokes, twinks and men either gay, straight or bi.
Out West Men
Third Saturday of every month
The Junction Hotel, 15 Hall Street, Newport
Details: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dorian Gray’s portrait
Foggy London streets, the sound of horse-drawn hansom cabs, visits to the opera in top hat and tails and descent into the lower depths of debauchery and moral corruption – the scene is set for Monash University’s new production of The Picture of Dorian Gray beginning May 22. A commentary on the tragic choice of revering youth and beauty above all else, the play is one of Oscar Wilde’s most iconic works.
Featuring lavish costumes, an innovative set and an original score, the production introduces a remarkable cast of emerging young actors.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Monash University Student Theatre
Building 10, Clayton Campus
Details: www.thepictureofdoriangray.com.au 
(Pictured artwork by Sean Murphy, www.spiderwilcox.com)
 
Everybody loves Vanessa
Singer Vanessa Amorosi is on a career high. Her forthcoming album, Somewhere in the Real World will make its public debut on May 24, but the secret is already out.  Her current hit single Perfect is top 10 on the Motorola ARIA Singles Chart, number 8 on the National Airplay Chart and Top 10 on iTunes. Catch the Aussie songstress at one of her upcoming tour dates: June 8 at The Palais, Hepburn Springs; June 27 at Trak Centre; and June 28 at Chelsea Heights Hotel.
Vanessa Amorosi
Somewhere in the Real World
Album release May 24
Details: www.universalonline.com.au

Love your monkey
The third and final show is a series created by Irish storyteller John-Paul Hussey begins at Northcote Town Hall on May 30. Love Monkey follows on from Burnt Monkey and Chocolate Monkey. Audiences are advised to expect a funny, fast paced, highly physical and visually stunning performance, combining original video projections, hypnotic music scores and highly inventive lighting designs with character-based storytelling. Chocolate Monkey was nominated for two Green Room Awards, named Best Show of the Year by Radio National in 2002.
Love Monkey
From May 30 – June 15
Details: myspace.com/johnpauldshussey