Bingay gets more Charisma as Tora bids sad farewell

The ever-popular Bingay at the Imperial Hotel will hold a special Christmas edition tonight with Tora Hymen to host her final show after presiding over the numbers at the camp and outrageous fundraiser for the past two years.

Multi DIVA Award winning drag star Charisma Belle will take over as the new queen of numbers for the weekly ACON fundraiser in the New Year.

On every Tuesday night from 8pm at Erskineville’s Imperial Hotel, Bingay can best be described as bingo with a gay twist, which means there’s weird rules, sing-a-longs, penalties and hilarious stories with prizes that range from the silly and camp.

Charisma, who will be Bingay’s third hostess, says she’s looking forward to soon adding her own shameless twist to the madcap proceedings.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to take the reins of what has become a Sydney institution,” she says.

“While I’ll certainly be adding my own unique allure to the event, there’ll continue to be the outrageous antics, hilarious repartee and those deliciously lewd bingo calls which have made Bingay such a popular night out for GLBT people and their friends.”

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill paid tribute to Tora for and says he’s looking forward to locals and visitors embracing Bingay’s new hostess.

“Bingay is one of the longest running GLBT fundraising events in Australia and certainly one of the most popular,” Parkill says.

“In the 13 years it’s been operating, Bingay has raised over one million dollars for ACON, and it also gives us a chance to engage directly with community members in a fun and relaxed environment.

“On behalf of ACON, I’d like to thank Tora for her contribution over the last two years and wish Charisma all the best in her new role as the belle of the balls.”

Management at the Imperial Hotel have also passed on their best wishes to Tora and have encouraged the local community to send her off with aplomb. 

“The staff and management of The Imperial Hotel ... would like to thank Tora Hymen for her dedication, fun and laughs over the past two years as hostess of Bingay,” hotel management said.

“Come along tonight and say ‘Goodbye’ at her last Bingay – Christmas Bingay.”

Bingay is on every Tuesday night from 7.30pm at the Imperial Hotel, Erskineville. For more information visit, www.acon.org.au/bingay