Bear Essentials 16

A
publication
HARBOU R C I T Y B E A R S FO R M O R E I N FO R M AT I O N V I S I T : www. bearessentials. com . au | starobserver . com . au
Set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most
beautiful cities, on a stunning harbour during the
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Bear Essentials
is now the largest gay festival for Bears and Cubs in
the southern hemisphere.
Put simply, Bear Essentials is all about celebrating
Bear culture, by having fun and participating in the
community.
In 2012 we’re promising a whole new ball game
to bring you everything from sports to arts, history to
movies, great parties, special guests and hundreds of
the sexiest, Beariest men from around the globe.
Plus we’ll be raising money for local gay sporting
groups, as well as holding our major fundraiser to
benefit the Inspire Foundation once again, which
empowers young people to lead happier lives. If
you see us shaking a bucket for Inspire, please give
generously.
We’ve also teamed up with ACON’s Anti-Violence
Project, the City of Sydney and the South Eastern
Sydney Local Health District to bring you NSW’s first
community health and wellbeing campaign targeted
specifically at Bears.
If you’ve not been to Sydney before, now’s the time
to visit our great city and be part of the action. Please
visit www.bearessentials.com.au for all the details.
Woof! … Jonny & the Harbour City Bears
Committee x
The Harbour City Bears have made a vital contribution
to the City of Sydney by encouraging acceptance and
fellowship in the community for over 16 years.
The annual Bear Essentials festival attracts
visitors to Sydney from interstate and overseas and is
an important celebration of diversity within Sydney’s
GLBT and wider community.
I wish you every success with this year’s festival
as you celebrate your 16th anniversary in 2012 with
fellow Bears from around the world.
Clover Moore MP
Lord Mayor of Sydney
INSIDE:
16 years of acceptance
05 Chunky
07 Sports Day
09 Underbear
10 Bear Essentials
13 Wet Furr
15 Bears On Film
17 Cubz With Balls
20 In The Picture
22 Victory Parade
PREM IER EVEN TS
Welcome to Bear Essentials 16:
It’s a whole new ball game
HARBOU R C I T Y B E A R S FO R M O R E I N FO R M AT I O N V I S I T : www. B E A R essentia ls. com . au | starobserver . com . au
Kick off Bear Essentials with
Chunky FC, a footy-themed party
featuring our star player DJ HiFi
Sean (pictured) from the UK.
Come play with the big boys in
this action-packed night, featuring
our sexy soccer show, hot movies
and even footy pies — you’re
bound to score at Chunky FC.
Afterwards, head down to UP our official recovery at Phoenix.
SATURDAY,
February 11
Pool Room: djmikeyb (Brisbane),
DJ Man
Vegas Lounge DJ Rob,
34B Bar: Matt Effect, HiFi Sean
(London), Troy Cox
Sponsored by
HairyBoyz.com
Date: Saturday February 11, 9pm
Venue: Q Bar
Address: 38 Oxford St, Darlinghurst.
(Nearest station – Museum)
Tickets: Online $20 HCB members/
$30 non-members inc booking fee.
From: www.daisytickets.com
More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Season Opener
Date: Thursday, February 16 Venue: Cinema Paris, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park Description:
Queer Screen kicks off the Mardi Gras Film Festival. The featured movie, plus the full film festival
program, will be announced by Queer Screen in January. Tickets: www.foxtix.com.au More: www.
queerscreen.com.au
Footy Frenzy
Date: Friday, February 17 Time: 9pm Venue: Oxford Hotel, Taylor Square, Darlinghurst Description:
Get a kick out of our charity night with points awarded for the best Bears in footy shorts. Tunes by
DJ Rob (main bar) and Tim McLoone (Underground) plus competitions, footy videos and Go Go Bears
dancing for a good cause. Entry: By gold coin donation More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Club History
Date: Monday, February 13 Time: 6.30pm Venue: Polo Lounge, Oxford Hotel, Taylor Square,
Darlinghurst. Description: Like a good goalie, nothing gets past historian Garry Wotherspoon. Garry’s
written a booklet about the history of Harbour City Bears which is launched today at our old stomping
ground — The Beresford. Sponsored by the Star Observer and the Bookshop Darlinghurst. Tickets:
FREE entry More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Fair Day Recovery
Date: Sunday, February 12 Time: 10am then 6pm Venue: Mardi Gras Fair Day, Victoria Park, followed
by Bears on Sunday at the Lord Roberts Hotel. Description: Recover from Chunky FC at the Bear Tree,
including free self-defence classes courtesy of the City of Sydney. Then go into extra time with beers
and bears at the Lord Roberts Hotel. Tickets: FREE entry More: www.bearessentials.com.au
PREM IER EVEN TS
Bear Essentials
Kick Off with
Chunky FC
www.BEAR essentia l s .com .au | starobserver.com . au
Photo: Paul D Wade Photography
Date: Friday, March 2, 2pm
Venue: Bicentennial Park
Address: Glebe Foreshore
(Nearest tram stop – Jubilee
Park)
Tickets: FREE entry
More: www.bearessentials.
com.au
It’s like the Olympics but for
Bears and Cubs.
Our highly trained
athletes will run, jump and
battle their way through a
number of heats throughout
the afternoon including the
Egg and Spoon Race, Drag
Race, Hairy Sack Race and,
for the strong men, the Tugof-War.
Which team will claim
victory and walk away with
the inaugural Furry Cup?
FRIDAY,
MARCH 2
Bring a picnic, your
mates, your pets and may
the best creatures win.
To register a team,
email us at be@
bearessentials.com.au
PRE MI ER E VEN T S
Bears
Sports Day
HARBOU R C I T Y B E A R S FO R M O R E I N FO R M AT I O N V I S I T : www. B E A R E S S ENTIALS . com . au | starobserver . com . au
UnderBear at the Oxford Art
Factory on Oxford St will see
every manner of grizzly scrum
together in just jocks, footy
shorts or briefs, proving that
Bears just wanna have fun!
Hundreds of Bears and
Cubs from across the globe
will tackle the dancefloor,
partying the night away to this
year’s theme, ‘It’s A Whole
New Ball Game’.
With spectacular shows
from our star players
including Australian electropop duo Garcon Garcon and
an international DJ line-up
including Tim McLoone (London,
UK), Francisco Guerra (USA),
George Roussos (Sydney,
Australia), Frankie Shin (Seoul,
South Korea), Vinny Vero (New
Date: Wednesday, February 29, 8pm
Venue: Oxford Art Factory
Address: 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst.
(Nearest station – Museum)
Tickets: Online $40 HCB members/
$60 non-members inc booking fee.
From: www.daisytickets.com
More: www.
bearessentials.com.au
York City, USA) and Nathan
Mahon (Sydney, Australia),
UnderBear 2012 could well be
the grizzliest and downright
dirtiest Bear game ever played.
WEDNESDAY,
February 29
Pool Comp
Date: Sunday, February 19 Time: 4pm Venue: Lord Roberts Hotel, Stanley St, East Sydney
Description: Whether you’re into pots or shots, the Pool Competition will be a welcome attraction
at Bears on Sunday. Always drink in moderation — you don’t want to get behind the eight-ball.
Tickets: FREE event More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Super Saturday
Date: Saturday, February 25 Time: 10.30am - 11pm. Venues: Yum Cha (Golden Harbour); Queer
Thinking (Seymour Centre) and Harbour Party (First Fleet Steps). Description: It’s Saturday and
it’s super, our Super Saturday has a hat-trick of events for you to choose from: Bears Yum Cha at
10am; Mardi Gras Queer Thinking at noon and the Mardi Gras Harbour Party from 3pm. Tickets:
Yum Cha (Daisy Tickets); Queer Thinking (Seymour Centre) and Harbour Party (Foxtix). More: www.
bearessentials.com.au and www.mardigras.org.au
Game On
Date: Wednesday, February 22 Time: 9pm Venue: HeadQuarters, rear entry off Lower Campbell
St, Surry Hills. Description: Playing a field full of hot men, watching X-rated Bear movies on the
sidelines or shaking your tight end to the sounds of the sexy party beats — our Play Party will tempt
you into the sin bin. With special guest from the UK, DJ Paul Coals. Tickets: Online through Daisy
Tickets $25 HCB member/ $35 non-member inc. booking fee. More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Our Defence
Date: Mon, February 20 Time: 7pm Venue: Harmony Park, Goulburn St, Surry Hills. Description:
With our self-defence class you’ll quickly learn to be part of a defensive line that one day could save
your life. Sponsored by the City of Sydney. Tickets: FREE event More: www.bearessentials.com.au
PREM IER EVEN TS
The MainEvent:
UnderBear
w w w. BEAR ES S ENTIALS . com . au
Photo: Paul D Wade Photography
PR EM IE R EVE NTS
Time Out
Whether you’re a pitcher
or a catcher, you’ll find our
community forum on love
and sex covers all the bases.
It starts at 7pm at ACON’s
home ground, and includes
a special Bears “Ass Class”
with free showbags.
Supported by the
Anti-Violence Project.
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 7pm
Venue: ACON
Address: 414 Elizabeth St, Surry
Hills. (Nearest station – Central,
Devonshire St exit).
Tickets: FREE entry
More: www.bearessentials.com.au
WEDNESDAY,
February 15
Scrum Together
Date: Sunday, February 26 Time: 4pm Venue: Lord Roberts Hotel, Stanley St, East Sydney.
Description: It’s time to pack down, crouch and touch. Bears on Sunday restarts play in its second
half. And what better place to find a forward pack of Bears? Grab a jug of beer for your table (if it’s not
standing room only) and celebrate Bear Unity as we share our common goals. Tickets: FREE entry
More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Surf Carnival
Date: Monday, February 27 Time: 2pm Venue: Bondi Beach (North) Description: The crescent of sand
and the wall of sandstone are world-famous: welcome to Bondi Beach. Bring your balls or bring a book.
Our Bears Beach Day will be as active — or not — as you like. But don’t forget to bring a hat and some
sunscreen and perhaps the iconic Bondi Lifesavers might give you a semi. Look for the big Bear flag
Tickets: FREE entry More: www.bearessentials.com.au
w w w.BE ARessentia l s .com . au | starobserver. com . au
Photo: Paul D Wade Photography
Swimming Gala
Date: Friday, February 24, 6.30pm
Venue: Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic Centre
Address: 4 College St, Sydney. (Nearest station
– St James)
Tickets: Online $10 HCB members/$15 non
members inc booking fee.
From: www.daisytickets.com
More: www.bearessentials.com.au
hydro-pool.
Watch out for a special poolside show
and be sure to check out the courtyard
with DJ Box spinning the tunes and the
guys from Sydney Rangers Football Club
sizzling their sausages on the BBQ.
Don’t forget to keep your Wet Furr
wristband on for priority entry to Furry
Friday at the Oxford Hotel later that
evening with special guest DJ Sean Mac
(USA) in the Underground from 10pm.
Walkabout
Date: Tuesday, February 28 Time: 7pm Meet: Outside the Oxford Hotel, Taylor Square, Darlinghurst
Description: Learn the ins and outs of your home turf on an evening’s stroll through Sydney’s historic heart.
Meet at 7pm at Taylor Square, covering all the bases as we pass down Oxford St to Hyde Park, the ANZAC
War Memorial and the Archibald Fountain. Get to second base behind St Mary’s Cathedral, then on to the
Art Gallery of NSW, the Royal Botanic Gardens and picturesque Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. From there we slide
into home base past the Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton pool, through Woolloomooloo and into Sydney’s original and
famous Harry’s Café de Wheels for a meat pie. Entry: FREE event More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Away Game
Date: Wednesday, February 29 Time: 6.45am Pick Up: Travelodge, Wentworth Ave. Description: In a
rematch by popular demand, our Blue Mountains Tour run by Planetdwellers returns. Jump on our team bus
to be part of this full day excursion to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Tickets: Online through
Daisy Tickets. Price: $197 +BF More: www.bearessentials.com.au
PRE MI ER E VEN T S
FRIDAY,
February 24
Aussies love a pool party and Wet Furr
will have the Bears clogging up the
pool filter again at Cook + Phillip Park
Aquatic Centre. Our annual “swimming
gala” is one of the most hilarious homogatherings ever assembled.
Squeeze into your togs and join
hundreds of other Cubs, Bears and
admirers at play in the water, where
you’ll soon learn that the mating call of
the Bear leads to curious hands in the
HARBOU R C I T Y B E A R S FO R M O R E I N FO R M AT I O N V I S I T : www. bear E ssentials. com . au | starobserver . com . au
Bears On Film
SATURDAY,
February 18
Date: Saturday, February 18, 6.45pm
Venue: Riverside Theatre
Address: Corner of Church &
Market Sts, Parramatta (Nearest
station – Parramatta then walk. Or
catch the Rivercat to Parramatta
then walk).
Tickets: $18 From Foxtix in January.
More: www.queerscreen.com.au
Bear Essentials 16 Raffle
Date: Drawn Sun, March 4 Time: 6pm Venue: Lord Roberts Hotel, Stanley St, East Sydney
Description: The raffle benefits the Bears’ favourite charity — Inspire — which helps young people
lead happier lives. Every $50 raised means five young people are helped by Inspire and reachout.com
First prize is a 32GB iPad with 3G and WiFi. Tickets: $5 each More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Play Off
Date: Thursday, March 1 Time: 4am Venue: Kingsteam, Level 1, 38-42 Oxford St, Darlinghurst.
Description: After dancing the night away at Underbear, why not relax and enjoy breakfast at Sydney’s
Bear bathhouse? Kingsteam is located just a few doors down from the Oxford Art Factory and will open for
us from 4am, serving breakfast snacks and drinks. This is one Play Off where you’re expected to take one
for the team! Tickets: Door sales only – from $10 for HCB members. More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Do You Like Men?
Date: Wednesday, February 22 to Friday, March 2 Time: Noon-7pm (Opening night 6-8pm) Venue:
Me and Art Gallery, 62 Mary St, Surry Hills Description: With the simple theme of ‘The Male’, a
huge collection of images of men, created by Japanese artists, has been gathered. These works have
been specially created for this Sydney Mardi Gras event; including work by acclaimed Bear cartoonist
Gengoroh Tagame. Tickets: FREE event More: www.mardigras.org.au
Team Photo
Date: Thursday, March 1 Time: 4pm Venue: Sydney Opera House steps Description: In the late
afternoon we have a team photo like no other — on the steps of the most recognisable building in
the world, Sydney’s iconic Opera House. Afterwards we’ll head to the Opera Bar for a casual drink.
Tickets: FREE event. More: www.bearessentials.com.au
PREM IER EVEN TS
Our furry film debut out west is sure to score highly as
Harbour City Bears joins forces with Queer Screen as
part of the Mardi Gras Film Festival at the Riverside
Theatre complex in Parramatta.
We’ll be showing a blockbuster sizzler in Rafferty’s
Theatre – the Australian premiere of Sagat: The
Documentary (2011, France 60 mins, subtitles) a film
showcasing French porno star, bear icon and sex symbol
François Sagat (pictured).
It will be followed by some beary short movies in the
courtyard in a social setting with food and drinks.
HARBOU R C I T Y B E A R S FO R M O R E I N FO R M AT I O N V I S I T : www. bear E S S ENTIALS . com . au | starobserver . com . au
It’s almost guaranteed you’ll
score tonight.
Get your mind out of
the gutter — we’re talking
bowling and we’re talking
cute Cubs getting their
TUESDAY,
February 21
hands on some really big
balls. (We said out of the
gutter!)
HCB’s SydCubz take
over the Strike EQ for some
tenpin bowling and even if
you’ve never bowled a strike
in your life, with the right
cubs, every game can be a
perfect game.
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 6.30pm
Venue: Strike EQ
Address: Entertainment Quarter, 122
Lang Rd, Moore Park (Bus from Taylor
Square or Central to the Entertainment
Quarter)
Tickets: Online $28 plus booking fee.
From: www.daisytickets.com
More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Burly Beary Beefy Blokes
Date: February 27 to March 4 Time: Noon-6pm (Opening night 7-9pm) Venue: TAP Gallery, corner of Palmer
& Burton St, Darlinghurst. Description: Sydney artist Peter Skirrow’s love of hairy heavily-built men is the
subject of this exhibition. This Sydney Mardi Gras event sounds right up our alley! Tickets: Free.
More: www.mardigras.org.au
Mega Furry Friday
Date: Friday, March 2 Time: 9pm Venue: Oxford Hotel: Four Levels of Fur Description: There’ll be on-field
antics of a different kind spread over four levels of our clubhouse, the Oxford Hotel. Check out our star player
DJs from teams across the globe. Tickets: FREE event. More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Send Off
Date: Sunday, March 4 Time: 4pm Venue: Lord Roberts Hotel, Stanley St, East Sydney. Description:
And so you’ve exercised excellent ball skills for three weeks, and finally the siren sounds to bring our
games to an end. This afternoon will see hugs all round, male bonding aplenty, doing what Bears do best.
And doing it at a good ol’ Aussie barbecue. Tickets: FREE event. More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Bear Pride 2012
Photo: Paul D Wade Photography
If you enjoyed Bear Essentials 16, join us again in August 2012 for our woofy winter festival — Sydney
Bear Pride. We’ll be coming out of hibernation for five days from August 1 to celebrate Bear culture and of
course have lots of fun. Full details on all the events and ticket prices will be released at
www.bearpride.com.au in June 2012.
PREM IER EVEN TS
Cubz with Balls
HAR BO UR CI T Y BE ARS F OR M ORE I NF O R M AT I O N V I S I T : www. bear E S S E N T I A Ls . com . au | starobserver . com . au
PREM IER EVEN TS
Photo: Paul D Wade Photography
Tour de Bears
The Bears Artspace is our grand
tour of the Bear art scene as
artists from around the world
exhibit their work before an
appreciative crowd.
For the second year running,
Monstrosity Gallery presents
the world’s most talented Bear
photographers and artists in our
peloton show at this small artist-
run contemporary art space.
The launch is this evening from
6.30pm, by a surprise special
guest.
If you don’t like to be boxed in
by the crowd on opening night,
you can break away from the pack
as the artworks are on display
until March 1.
THURSDAY,
February 23
Date: Thursday, February 23, 6.30pm
Venue: Monstrosity Gallery
Address: 93 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo (Nearest
station St James or Kings Cross then walk).
Tickets: FREE entry
More: www.bearessentials.com.au
Grand Final Mardi Gras Party
Date: Saturday March 3 Time: 10pm Venue: Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
If you thought the Parade was infamous, you’ve never been to the Mardi Gras Party. And once you’ve
tried it, you’ll want a second innings. As far as parties go, these guys play hardball – especially in Bear
Corner in the RHI. Tickets: Ticketek. Details: www.mardigras.org.au
PREM IER EVEN TS
HAR BO UR CI T Y BE ARS F OR M ORE I NF O R M AT I O N V I S I T : www. bear E ssentia ls . com . au | starobserver . com . au
PUBLISHER
Scott Abrahams
SALES & MARKETING
Scott McKeown
Photo: Paul D Wade Photography
Victory Parade
It’s just minutes before the final whistle,
but it ain’t over ’til it’s over.
It’s your last chance to assemble
with your teammates before Sydney’s
infamous Mardi Gras Parade, and
whether you’re a watcher or a walker,
SATURDAY,
MARCH 3
come to the Lord Roberts Hotel to grab
a bite to eat.
If you’re planning to walk in the
parade with the Bears, it is essential you
register online via Daisy Tickets.
Registration is just $10 and includes
guaranteed entry, a T-Shirt to be worn in
the parade and a free BBQ at the pub.
*** Note: A ticket must be redeemed
for a wristband allowing you to take part
in the parade, so please get to the pub
on time. ***
Date: Saturday, March 3, 4pm
Venue: The Lord Roberts Hotel
Address: Corner of Stanley St &
Riley St, East Sydney. (Nearest
station – Kings Cross, then walk
down William St.)
Tickets: Online $10 inc
booking fee
From: www.daisytickets.
com
More: www.
bearessentials.com.
au
ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Mike Evans
Laurence Stark
Robert Tuitama
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Troy Murphy
Tomas Nemecek
WEBSITE
www.starobserver.com.au
FACEBOOK
Star Observer
TWITTER
@star_observer
SSO Media
PO BOX 939
Darlinghurst, NSW
AUSTRALIA 1300
E: [email protected]
The views expressed are
not necessarily those of the
publisher. No responsibility is
accepted by the publisher for
the accuracy of information
contained in any part of the
text or advertisements in this
publication. Advertisers are
responsible for advertising by
virtue of the Trades Practices
Act.
© SSO Media, 2011
With thanks … Harbour City Bears Committee; the Bear Essentials team and all our wonderful volunteers; Roger, Jess and all the bar staff at the Oxford;
Sam, Alan and everyone at the Lord Roberts; Jain and Lex at Queer Screen; Pip Ditzell and the City of Sydney Council; Amanda at Whirlwind Print;
Ben at Q Bar; Laurence Stark; Kevin at Fight Like a Girl; Andy G at Time Out; the team at Riverside, Parramatta; Garry Wotherspoon; Mark at the OAF;
Morgan Carpenter; Robb Barwick; ACON and Robert at the AVP; Sydney Rangers FC; all our friends at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras; Barry at
Planetdwellers; Denise at Kingsteam; Catherine at the Sydney Opera House; Clinton at Flight Centre; Jo and Atari from Inspire; Fred at Bearwww.com;
everyone at Daisy Tickets; Vic and Alex from BearNation (Melbourne); Joseph at XL Fruit; the Harbour City Wrestlers; HairyBoyz.com; John and the guys at
HQ; Les at the Bookshop, Darlinghurst; Monstrosity Gallery and all our fab DJs and all our promo & poster models.
Plus special Bear hugs to Vikingbear Ken for his great website; Paul D Wade for his awesome photos; to Grant Cook for his brilliant graphic design; Brian
& Scott for their fun promo video … and Scott Abrahams, Scott McKeown and all the team at the Star Observer.