Let's dance! Six weeks worth of parties will kick off in Chinatown from September 22 until October 31 in a bid to perk up Sydney's CBD.
Organised by Kat Dopper, the founder of Heaps Gay and Summer Camp Festival, Pleasures Playhouse is merging the best things about Sydney, for over a month of delicious food, banging drinks, electrifying music, cinema and parties. Organisers have tapped the abandoned Harbour City Cinema in Haymarket to host the festivities, which will open its doors for the first time in over 15 years. Maurice Terzini of Icebergs is onboard as one of the many guest curators, while Michael Rodrigues, NSW 24-Economy Commissioner and overall legend has thrown his support behind the events.
In the spirit of its location, on Tuesdays Pleasures Playhouse will hold arthouse film screenings, showing cult flicks like Set it Off, a 1996 robbery drama featuring Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett-Smith, along with Wild At Heart by David Lynch and 1991 documentary In Bed With Madonna. There will be noodles by Biang Biang and a selection of wine as curated by Mike Bennie from P&V.
Peppered over the six weeks will be a slew of parties. Xander Khoury will kick off spooky season with Xaddy's Book Party, and Monster Children and Heaps Gay are to host their own separate hoedowns.
As far as music is concerned, expect to hear from new voices as well as those long-established. Donny Benét is headlining the evening of October 28, and he's roping all of his friends into the performance. Broods will deliver a DJ set to remember along with Diola, who will be joined by Liyah Knight for a live set.
More than anything, Pleasures Playhouse is for the girls, the gays and the theys, with FUR BALL, an evening of queer excellence showcasing performers across cabaret, drag and burlesque featuring names like Amyl Clooney, and Queer Powerpoint. Although at this stage, most of the lineups are yet to be announced.
Explore the full Pleasures Playhouse program at the event website and be sure to snap up tickets which will no doubt go on sale soon.
