SYDNEY: Fresh from her break-out role in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, Elizabeth Debicki is now taking to the stage with Cate Blanchett and Isabelle Huppert in The Maids, writes Garrett Bithell.

2013 Fringe Award winner Tommy Bradson returns to Adelaide for the world premiere of Reg, a tribute to the legendary Reg Livermore, a role he may just have been born to play.

Ahead of the opening of Belvoir’s hugely anticipated production of Tony Kushner’s seminal masterpiece Angels in America, actors Marcus Graham, Luke Mullins and Mitchell Butel sat down with Garrett Bithell to discuss how the play forever changed the conversation around AIDS and homosexuality, and challenged America to think about the scope of community. 

HELL FOR LEATHER

Leather up and shine those boots, because it’s that time of year again! BootCo. is proud to present one of its signature events, Hell For Leather, a night of dark leather fun and hanky codes. Who doesn't love a man in leather, and with a very sexy stage show planned what's not to love? New kid on the block DJ Ensel will be hitting the BootCo. decks for the first time to dish up some hot and sexy tunes and also new is the BootCo. dungeon space, where those interested in BDSM can watch or experience in a safe space. Cloak facilities are available to check in your gear, and don't forget you can always wear your rubber, denim or fetish gear along as the theme is not compulsory.

BootCo. Hell For Leather, Sportsman Hotel, June 1, 2013. bootco.com.au

ARE YOU MS PRIDE 2013?

This is not your typical beauty contest! Pride Festival is looking for a woman with charisma, positive energy, sex appeal and confidence. A woman who is savvy, smart and able to represent the lesbian community as Ms Pride 2013. Ms Pride Brisbane will be expected to positively promote the goals and aims of the competition and its producers (Brisbane Pride Festival and City Lickers) throughout  the year. She will represent Brisbane Pride with integrity and competence and act as  a spokesperson for the Brisbane Pride Festival. Heats will be held at Scarlet on July 13, Feathers on July 20, Zip Grrl Factory TBA.

For more information visit citylickers.com/ms_pride_2013

FREE BACH AT ST JOHN’S

For those in the city on Thursday, May 30, St John’s Anglican Cathedral has invited Queensland Pride readers and those who are fans of classical to a free lunchtime concert by Kathy Williams-De Vries. A former student at the Royal College of Music in London, Kathy will be playing sonatas by Bach and Handel in this beautiful setting.

Kathy Williams-De Vries, St John’s Anglican Cathedral, May 30, 2013. stjohnscathedral.com.au

RENEE GEYER’S BIG BAND SWING

Renée Geyer is one of Australia’s true musical treasures and has been recently voted one of Australia’s greatest singers of all time by her peers. To celebrate her 40th year in the music business she has delivered a recording that can only be described as a tour de force. Swing is recorded with an 18 piece band and has Renée perform standards with her own spin and interpretation, including 'I’ve Got Rhythm', 'Somewhere', 'It’s a Man’s Man’s World' and 'Fly me to the Moon'. Renée’s live shows will be a momentous occasion in the singer’s career. Audiences will be treated to a two hour show with Renée performing in front of an 18 piece big band.

Swing live, July 20, QPAC Concert Hall. QPAC.com.au

This year’s Sydney Writers’ Festival features a strong contingent of queer authors and thinkers. Jason Bartlett reports.

SYDNEY: Paddington’s Maunsell Wickes gallery is celebrating Head On, Australia’s largest photography festival, with a diverse group exhibition featuring celebrated photographer William Yang, writes Garrett Bithell. 

Brisbane book club Queer Readers hosted hip-and-happening writer Benjamin Law for its April meeting, report Alistair Sutton and Lucy Gunner.

Now a staple of the Adelaide scene, Vonni’s Big Arvo is about to celebrate its first birthday.

SYDNEY: Like an intensely brilliant red rose in time-lapse so Opera Australia’s Carmen seems plucked out of the darkness and put on stage to unfold at the edge of Sydney Harbour.

Anthony Smith takes a look at what's happening in Brisbane arts and the scene this fortnight.

A Matter of Time is an exhibition of images of women who lived through a time of intolerance.

Love, passion, betrayal, murder: Carmen has the lot. Add to that the grandeur of a floating stage on Sydney Harbour, and a magical night is guaranteed, writes Garrett Bithell.

MELBOURNE: Performance artist and writer Tim Miller is bringing a work to Australia created out of his personal experiences of the inequality of marriage laws. He tells Michael Magnusson about his journey and how he will be helping others create a performance out of their own stories.

SYDNEY: Brazilian-born, New Zealand-raised Ricky Beirao offers an insight into life as a drag queen in this intimate and revealing show, part of the Mardi Gras Festival. By Lachlan Bennett.

SYDNEY: Four notorious figures in queer history are brought to life in this bold one-woman show, part of the Mardi Gras Festival. By Lachlan Bennett.