Please note that this page is an archive of a news or events page and is out-of-date. Please visit the SpringOut 2006 page for more current information.
\SpringOut is Canberra's annual queer festival, and it runs throughout November. There is lots to do, all month long!
Who says nothing ever happens in Canberra? With more than 20 events, there are events for everybody. Check out the calendar on the SpringOut website.
Events in SpringOut are organised by community groups around Canberra. Going along to these events is a great way to find out more about these groups and how to get involved!
Here are some more events that might be of interest to young queer people (note that some events are sadly 18+ only):
Becoming Visible art exhibition - opening night
When: 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Thursday, 10th November.
Where: Westlund House, 16 Gordon Street, Acton.
Cost: FREE
Exhibition of 2-dimensional artwork by local Queer visual artists.
Exhibition continues: 14th - 18th November (9:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Capital Queer Film Festival - opening night
When: Friday, 11th November. Drinks from 6.15pm, film begins 7.30pm.
Where: National Film and Sound Archive McCoy Circuit, Acton.
Cost: $20 full / $12 concession. 18+ only.
This film was the hit of the 2003 Sundance Film Festival.
Die Mommy Die
A You slipped into my life as easily as vermouth into a glass of gin"...Die Mommie Die is a hilarious, campy homage to 1950s tearjerkers.
Staring Jason Priestly (90210) and Natasha Lyonne (But I'm a Cheerleader). Don't miss this!
Come dressed in your favourite "Martini Lounge" outfit, prizes for best costume.
Fairday!
When: 11:00am - 3:00 pm - Saturday, 12th November.
Where: Westlund House, 16 Gordon Street, Acton
Cost: FREE
There will be over 25 stalls including:
- Fairy Floss
- A beer tent
- Dawn Drifters giving away a balloon flight
- Volunteers doing Devonshire tea
- PLWHA doing a sausage sizzle.
At 1.30 there will be a pet parade with Chief Minister Jon Stanhope judging the best animal. (Please note that pets must be on a leash.)
The Tulleys and the Canberra Gay and Lesbian QWIRE will be performing during the day, and view the Becoming Visible exhibtion.
SpringLit
When: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm Sunday, 13th November
Where: Vivaldi's Restaurant, Union Court, ANU
Cost: $20 full / $12 concession
A wonderful showcase of GLBTI literature & a wicked afternoon-tea.
Tickets: Electric Shadows Bookshop.
Capital Queer Film Festival - Short film competition - Finalists screening
When: Friday, 18th November. Drinks from 6.15pm, films begin 7pm.
Where: ScreenSound Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: $12 full price or $7 concession/members. 18+ only.
"HOT PINK SHORTS"
The HIT event of the Capital Queer Film Festival. Come and watch a selection of the top queer shorts from Australia and overseas.
Films:
Hitch-Cock (2005) Dir. Stuart Vauvert, Australia, 10 mins
Steve and his wife live a picture perfect existence..But looking through the telescope more closely, all is not what it seems.
California Dreaming (2005) Dir. Tamara Jungwirth and Vicky Jones, Australia, 25mins
Two women are promoting their short film at a Film festival in San Francisco. They meet all the right people, attend all the right parties, but will the film sell?
Pookie (2005) Dir. Chris Castro, Australia, 6.5 mins
Two men and their love for a cutesy-wootsie.what is it exactly?
What Grown Ups Know (2004) Dir. Jonathan Wald, Australia, 30 mins
A woman and her son are on the run after leaving their husband/father. They have no money but convince a caravan park owner to allow them to stay and pay later. A friendship develops between the young man and the park owner.
The Homolulu Show (2004) Dir. Frank Mosvold, Norway, 1 Min
Love is love, no matter what..
Transient (2005) Dir. Craig Boreham, Australia, 10 mins
Half documentary half storytelling, the film tells the story of a realtionship breakdown through beautiful images.
Sum total (a Matrimonial) (1999) Dir. Sonali Gulati, 5 mins
A young Indian lesbian plays with and rearranges various images of herself and of things that represent the different elements of her, finally creating something like a visual poem.
Barefeet (2004) Dir. Sonali Gulati, 7 mins
Barefeet is an experimental narrative of an Indian woman who attempts to reveal a secret to her family.
Joyce in Space (2004) Dir. Robbie Baldwin, Australia, 8.5 mins
The misadventures of a Joyce Mange trying to make her way to the "Trop Fest" screening..
Dodge ball competition
When: Saturday, 19th November. 9:00am - afternoon. BBQ at 12:30.
Where: Belconnen Community Centre Hall (Swanson Court, Belconnen - near the Belconnen Bus Interchange)
Cost: $5 per person
Teams of 8-10 (individuals will be placed in groups)
Open to all ages and genders
Dress: Themed (Super Hero, goth, leather, rubber etc.)
Contact: bit_bent@hotmail.com
Purple Party
When: 7:00 pm Saturday, 19th November
Where: Majura Community Centre, Rosevear St Dickson
Cost: $15 full / $12 concession
Canberra's unique women only night out - including great music, dancing, entertainment. 18+ only.
Website: http://www.purpleparty.info/
SpringOUT Canasta
When: 7:30 pm Thursday, 24th November
Contact: 0412 064 167 (John)
The Three Hs: Homophobia, Health and Human Rights
When: 7:00 pm Friday, 25th November
Where: Amnesty International Activist Resource Centre, Level 1, 175 City Walk, Civic (upstairs from Dymocks)
Cost: FREE
Seminar focusing on homophobic human rights abuses
Contact: bcarmody@amnesty.org.au
Capital Queer Film Festival - Documentary special
When: Friday, 25th November. Drinks at 6.15, Movie at 7pm.
Where: Canberra Museum and Gallery, London Circuit
Cost: $12 full price or $7 concession/members. Fundraiser for Good Process. 18+ only.
Documentary Special. Theme: Marriage
Say I Do
2004, USA, Carol Stanger and Jennifer Uihlein; DVD, 34 min)
Decades after Stonewall, the gay community is fighting back-this time over the right to marry. Based on the award-winning story behind the Supreme Court Ruling that gives same-sex couples the right to marry in Massachusetts . This documentary tells the story of how Hillary was blocked from visiting Julie after she gave birth to their daughter, and the bureaucratic red tape she had to undermine in order to reach her spouse's bedside. Review courtesy of http://www.cinemarosa.org/
Late Wedding
The Netherlands, Director, Jehoshua Rozenman, 57 mins, DVD (Dutch with English subtitles)
Gay marriage has been legal in the Netherlands since 2001. Ale van Dijk and Oscar Janssen have been together for 48 years when they decide to get married . Never hiding the truth about their lives, they managed to exist openly as a couple even in repressive times. Although homosexuality was taboo in the 50s they were always accepted as a couple in their parents� homes. After their mothers� deaths, they discover the two women shared a secret correspondence. This pair exhibits a wonderful chemistry as they reminisce about their childhoods, their first time sharing a bed, their relationships with each other�s mothers, and their wide network of friends.
ACTOUT Mt Corree Mountain Bike Ride
When: 9:30am Saturday, 26th November
Where: Meet at Curtin Shops
Cost: FREE
Full day mountain bike adventure ride along the top of the Brindabellas. Riders need to be fit and well prepared. Not suitable for road bikes.
Bookings essential
Contact: 0432 948 538 ( Peter) or 0439 967 724 (Frank).
BUSHDANCE 2005
When: 7:30 pm Saturday, 26th November
Where: Yarralumla Woolshed, off Cotter Road
Cost: $20.00 full / $15.00 concession
The Canberra Gay and Lesbian Tennis Club's Bushdance is the premier event of the Canberra GLBT community. It's a hoot! 18+ only.
Contact: gltc@webone.com.au
Website: http://www.springout.interact.com.au/Bushdance.htm
Fishbowl
When: 6:00 pm Wednesday, 30th November
Where: Das Kapital, 16 Iluka St, Narrabundah
Cost: FREE
Lesbian Young Professional Networking Event. 18+ only.
Contact: canberrafishbowl@gmail.com
Capital Queer Film Festival & Pride Awards
When: Friday, 2nd December. 6:00pm Drinks & Pride Awards 7.30 Movie.
Where: National Film and Sound Archive
Cost: $12 full price or $7 concession/members. 18+ only.
Campfire/Kampvuur
(1999) Belgium (English subtitles), 19 mins, Writer/Director: Bavo Defurne
A "coming-out" story set within a college field trip to the woods by a coed group of young people. There is an obvious attraction between two of the young men, Tijl and Wout. But Tijl has a girlfriend, Ineke. Tijl's attraction to Wout becomes so overwhelming that he breaks it off with Ineke shortly before the two young men take their own overnight trip. The overnight trip does not go well and there are some morning after regrets. Wout not only avoids Tijl, but the two later fight. Tijl learns an important lesson in the fickle, emotional world of teenagers as he comes to grips with his journey through the transition from youth to adulthood.
NB - Bavo Defurne has kindly asked that the screening fee for this film be donated to the: AIDS Action Council
I Think I Do
(1999) USA, 94mins, Director: Brian Sloan
Matt has Carol, Carol has Prozac. Beth has everyone. Bob wants Brendan-and has done for years. Sarah wants Brendan-for old times' sake. Sterling loves himself and themed weddings. Eric just loves getting stoned... Question is, what does Brendan want...? The screwball "who will marry who" antics of The Philadelphia Story are given a gay update in this deliriously romantic and sexy comedy.
Christmas reQWIREd
When: Saturday, 3rd December. 5:00 pm Bar & BBQ; 7:30 pm Concert; 8:30 pm Sing along.
Where: Corroboree Park Hall, Ainslie
Cost: Entry by donation.
Website: www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/1494/
Capital Queer Film Festival - Films for the Girls
When: Saturday, 3rd December. 6:00 pm Drinks; 7:30 Movie.
Where: National Film and Sound Archive
Cost: $12 full price or $7 concession/members. 18+ only.
Short Films:
Who's the Top
Who's The Top?, Alixe, longing for a kinkier sex life finds herself being choreographed and all tied up by Shelly Mars, Steve Buscemi, Reno, and dozens of Busby Berkeley dancers. Top premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February and won Best Short (Lesbian) at the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Jennie Livingston produced and directed the award-winning feature documentary Paris is Burning.
Shed
Ray's world is turned upside down when he receives a phone call that threatens to destroy his relationship with his daughter. Shed is a local production and first film by Kathryn Goldie it premiered at the National Museum of Australia and since then has been a finalist at SnowyFEST International Film Festival, short listed for the Canberra Short Film Festival and is being prepared for other festivals.
Dyke: Just be it
If we are going to recruit, we need commercials.
Feature:
Sugar Sweet
Naomi is an aspiring TV director who pays the bills by directing lesbian porn and spends her nights talking to "Sugar" in an online chat room. The first ever lesbian feature from Japan has been a hit screening at queer film festivals around the world.