Queer Sydney: Powerhouse Late x Vivid Ideas

Join our celebration of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ history and explore the lineage from the original Mardi Gras 78ers to now, before ending the night with a little ‘Disco Conversion Therapy’ and a big ol' party. 

Join dance floor anthropologist, Aunty Jonny for ‘Disco Conversion Therapy’, an edifying lecture on the history of radical music, sexed up dance floors and the people your mother warned you about. 

Expect a fabulous fashion parade featuring a line-up of stars in the drag world, alongside talks and archival footage and photos of Sydney’s queer party scene. Hear different perspectives on the topic ‘From Camp to Gay to Queer – a Continuum or a Disconnection?’ and learn more about Sydney’s internationally acclaimed response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There is also the chance for a queer sound healing experience – let yourself be bathed in the dulcet tones of Paul Capsis.

Curated by Johnny Allen, C Moore Hardy, Dino Dimitriadis and proudly presented by Vivid Ideas and Powerhouse. 

PERFORMANCE  

Entrance, Level 3 

5–6 pm Meet and greet 

Escalators, Level 2 

7.45–8.15 pm Queer fashion parade 

Featuring: 

Miss 3D aka Glenn Lewis 

Cindy Pastel 

Fabian Lo Schiavo 

Blake Lawrence 

Aaron Manhattan 

Tackie Onassis 

Holly Golightly 

Porcelain Alice 

Felicia Foxx 

Jamaica Moana 

Jude Bowler 

Sexy Galexy 

SCREENINGS 

Kings Cinema 

5–6 pm Queer short films 

6 pm Vegas in Space, directed by Phillip R Ford 

LAUNCH 

The Lab Gallery, Level 2 

7.15–7.45 pm Launch of QTopia, a permanent exhibition and space opening on Oxford Street in 2023 which will celebrate Sydney’s history and acknowledge the impact of AIDS. 

QUEER SOUND HEALING 

Microcars, Level 3 

5.30–6.30 pm and 6.45–7.45 pm Matt Bergan leads a sound bath meditation with soundscape by Stereogamous and narration by Paul Capsis 

TALKS 

Theatrette, Level 2 

5:30–6.15 pm Stages podcast recording. Peter Eyers interviews Miss 3D and Cindy Pastel, two iconic drag queens from 1970s Sydney still performing today. Pre-registrations required here. 

Theatre, Level 2 

6.15–7.00 pm ‘From Camp to Gay to Queer a Continuum or a Disconnection?’ Panel with Dennis Altman, C Moore Hardy, Dino Dimitriadis moderated by Shirleene Robinson 

6.30–7.30 pm Stages podcast recording. Peter Eyers interviews Declan Greene, artistic director of Griffin Theatre Company and founder of renowned queer theatre company Sisters Grimm. Pre-registrations required here. 

DISCO CONVERSION THERAPY 

Theatre, Level 2 

7.15–8.15 pm Aunty Jonny from the Dollar Bin Darlings present a lecture on the history of disco – its informative, fun and a little bit sexy.

Powerhouse bar, Level 3 

8.15–9 pm Parade and disco with Dollar Bin Darlings 

VISUALS 

The Lab Gallery, Level 3 

5-9 pm Images from the Powerhouse collection curated by Anni Turnbull, and queer images by photographers Lexy Potts and Jamie James 

BAR 

Café, Level 3 

5–9 pm Bombay Sapphire bar

MUSIC 

Curated by FBi Radio

FREE event as part of Vivid Ideas x Powerhouse Late. No bookings required. 

Over three nights, we celebrate what makes Sydney unique: the artists who push boundaries, the creative leaders who build community, and our city’s distinct diversity and queer history.