Midsumma is particularly excited about this intimate, fun, creative collage of short dance pieces created entirely for Midsumma by individual, world class dance performers. Come prepared to be surprised, moved, excited and entertained by this series of inter-connecting styles such as contemporary dance, physical theatre and hip hop with Butoh, Flamenco, circus and puppetry. Nexus features work by leading and emerging dancers devised and curated by Gerard Veltre and Phunktional, exploring the themes of personal relationships and interactions.

Internationally acclaimed Flamenco dancer Tomas Arroquero performs Pasodoble and Circus Oz artist Rockie Stone performs Facet - as duets with dancers from other styles, collapsing the boundaries between movement disciplines and exploring the multifaceted and very personal relationships that spring from artistic collaboration.

Melbourne's Tony Yap Company presents Lumière, a work that extends upon the company's aim to develop internationally significant work within a context of contemporary Asian arts practice. Jacob Boehme, a Melbourne-born artist of Narangga (Yorke Peninsula, SA) and Kaurna (Adelaide, SA) heritage, presents an excerpt from his contemporary dance and puppetry work-in-progress, Lu’arn, which is based on a traditional Boonwurrung story as told by senior elder, Aunty Carolyn Briggs.

From Queensland comes a short work by students of the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts, exemplifying the centre's passion to develop new work that connects with Australian Indigenous culture while using a contemporary aesthetic that speaks to the current generation. One of these dancers is Jesse Martin, an Aboriginal/Spanish/Dutch dancer who has only danced for two years, but totally blew the judges away last Sunday on So You Think You Can Dance, projecting him directly to the next stage in Sydney.

Guest performers include Carlee Mellow presenting an excerpt from Episode, a work-in-progress that blends original music composition and choreography with movement improvisation.

Where: Gasworks Arts Park (Main Theatre) Wed 3 Feb to Sat 6 Feb @ 8.30pm. Don't miss this show - it's destined to be a highlight of the 2010 Queer calendar!

The 15th Annual Pride March Victoria will be held this Sunday 7 February.

Assembly: midday on the corner of Fitzroy Street and Lakeside Drive.

March: 2pm sharp - down Fitzroy Street to Catani Gardens.

Over 95 groups will be marching, led by the Dykes on Bikes and the Pride March Victoria Board and friends. The route will remain the same as in previous years.

If you are unable to attend, you can listen to JOY 94.9 for a blow by blow account of the proceedings. Catani Gardens entertainment will continue until 10pm, bars till 11pm. The official after-party will be at Heavens Door.  

From 4 February, pick up this week's MCV with a special Pride March Victoria feature: maps, entertainment, the order in which groups will march and much, much more.

At the Catani Gardens, official speeches will commence at around 3.30pm with one minute's silence to recognise the anniversary of Black Saturday, then Brett Hayhoe – President, Pride March Victoria; Hon Rob Hulls – Deputy Premier & Attorney General; Cr Frank O'Connor – Mayor of the City of Port Phillip and Simon Overland - Chief Commissioner

The Gaydar.com.au Main Stage which kicks off at 4pm will be compered by the wonderful Linzi and will feature: Adrian Li Donni and Raelene Isbester – Proudly Walking; the Tracy Bartram Band; Burlesque and his Dancers; Katie Underwood and the Matt Dwyer Quartet; The Butchery of Morph and Substance; Heavens Door Drag and Dance; Troupe; Kodiak; Macho Underwear / Sagami Original Condom's Fashion Parade; Loka Nunda; Vinyl Pusher DJs

The Skinovate Karaoke Bar starts at 6pm with Matt and Damian.

Tram Ride to Pride: what better way to travel to Pride than on a tram filled with like-minded community members? So for the ride of your life take the 112 Tram from Regent Street Preston to Fitzroy Street St Kilda, arriving in perfect time for Pride March.

Those who intend riding with Kaye should book by phone on 0422 973 592 so that Kaye can get a handle on the numbers for logistics around tickets etc. People can join the tram along the route if they so desire but they will need to buy their own tram ticket in that case. Kaye will contact everyone who books to clarify times and location - she wouldn't want anyone to miss out.

For more details check out the Tram Ride to Pride details on the Midsumma website.

The recipients of this year’s MCV Community Grants have been announced. Various community groups will be able to use their grants to access advertising in MCV, helping them get the word out on fundraisers and special events, and driving new memberships. Read more...

A SINGLE MAN: special Midsumma preview screening: Wed 3 Feb, 7pm.

A special Midsumma preview screening of fashion designer and style icon Tom Ford's highly-anticipated debut: A SINGLE MAN.

This stylish adaptation of Christopher Isherwood's seminal novel stars Julianne Moore and Colin Firth in his Venice Film Festival award-winning role for Best Actor. 

Showing at Cinema Nova on Wed 3 Feb at 7pm.
Price: Full $16.50; Concession $13.50.
For further info see www.cinemanova.com.au/events.html.

Sugar, presented by 'Back to Basics Theatre': 2-20 Feb, Tue-Sat 8pm

Back to Basics Theatre invites you to the world premiere of "Sugar", a slightly surreal contemporary comedy, which takes a squinty eyed look at the cloning process and its implication for our never ending obsession with physical perfection.

Playing at Trades Hall, Old Council Chambers (Carlton South) on Tue-Sat until 20 Feb.

For more info & bookings go to: bellaunion.com.au.

The Butterfly Club: 204 Bank Street, South Melbourne

Gender Bender
Tue & Wed 2-3 Feb 8pm

Taught By Experts
4-7 Feb
Thu-Sat 7pm, Sun 6pm

Radio Husbands
Sun 7 Feb 8pm

Best of the Fest this week will feature: 

Friday 5 February: Sally Bourne (Shane Warne the Musical and about to star in 'Yummy'); David Peake (writer of the Pride March song 'Proudly Walking' and star of 'Crush Whore') and Nera (accoustic singer songwriter)

Saturday 6 February: Writing Angus (by Daniel Lammin, performed at La Mama Theatre) with other acts yet to be confirmed

Gasworks Arts Park: 21 Graham St, Albert Park

<-- Short & Physical: Drake, Switch, Bird
Three new works paired over three nights:

• Gender-queer Seeking: 3 & 5 Feb 7:15pm
• Switch Bits: 3 & 6 Feb 7:15pm
• Fire & Hurricane Survival Guide by Bird On Fence: 5 & 6 Feb 7:15pm

The Billing Method with Special Guests SLIT -->
Conceived by Shirley Billing & delivered by Andrea Lemon
Thu 4 Feb 7.15pm

The Glasshouse Hotel 51 Gipps St, Collingwood

Papa Don't Preach
Performers from a wide range of genders and sexualities converge to talk about fathers and fatherhood.
Thu 4 Feb 7pm

EASY Underground House
A night of underground house music, mayhem and madness plus bubble machine amongst the friendliest and EASY-est crowd in town.
Sat 6 Feb 11pm

The LOL Big Gay Comedy Night
Five gays for the price of one! A new line up each week hosted by Anthony Menchetti.
6 & 13 Feb; Sat 8pm 

Hares & Hyenas: 63 Johnston St, Fitzroy (Box Office & Spoken Word Hub)

Naked Desire
David Khan's new exhibition of art nudes and portraits featuring natural men, not models.
Launch: Thu 4 Feb 7pm
Exhibition: 1–28 Feb, daily 11am—7pm

Golden Class: Cinema, Listening Room and Multimedia Urinal: 16 Jan-6 Feb daily.
Sex Write Off Competition: First prize: $2000; Commendation Awards of $500 each. Open from 16 Jan-15 Mar.

The other Spoken Word event occurring this week is Queer zine night at Sticky Institute on Friday 5 Feb.

The Northcote Town Hall: 189 High St, Northcote

<-- The Pyramid
A dynamic theatrical work about love and secrets
27 Jan—7 Feb; Tue—Sat 8.30pm; Sun 5.30pm

A Narrow Time for Angels-->
A lesbian love triangle; a mysterious death, songs, and ... a very sharp knife
3—14 Feb, Tue—Sat 8pm; Sun 5pm
Preview 2 Feb; Fundraisers 4 & 9 Feb

Everyday People mini Music Festival

We'd like to draw your attention to this exciting event that you may have overlooked, buried within the Live Music section of the Midsumma Guide: Everyday People.

Headlining the day will be an explosive line up of Melbourne musicians and sound artists who have broken the shackles of modern identity tags presenting a diverse collection of sexual, gender and political hues including Guy Blackman; Rat Vs. Possum; Keith! Party; Owl + Moth; Flying Scribble; Space Cactus; Scout! Scout!; loveletting and the weeping hearts; Isle Adore; Courtney Barnett; He Said, She Said; Always; fuckyouastrology; Grouse DJ's plus more to be announced!

Housing the day’s delights will be the Penny Black on Sydney Road Brunswick offering two massive indoor performance areas and adjoining bars with outside croque lawn and beer garden offering a fantasm of underground film screenings and spontaneous performance art.

Where: The Penny Black (Brunswick) on Sat 6 Feb 2pm—3am. Price: $16. For more info check out www.myspace.com/everydaypeoplefestival.  

Ladies First

Let Kaye Sera entertain you around the piano in her own piano bar, gallery and community space, Kaye Sera's BiZARRE in St Kilda. Kaye's show left members from the Greenroom Awards Cabaret committee gushing things like "the best cabaret show I've seen in ages". Making the connection with what the Butterfly Club has been doing for years, one person described Kaye's show room as "the Caterpillar Club". She's not quite sure what that means, but is certain that it's a compliment! Ladies First is playing Thu 4 Feb—Sat 6 Feb 8pm with late shows Fri & Sat 10pm.

Acts of Deceit (Between Strangers In A Room)

When: 21 Jan—7 Feb; Tue, Wed & Sun 6.30pm; Thu—Sat 8pm
Where: Carlton (La Mama) Courthouse (Carlton).

• "This play is full of characters trying to deny their true selves, or trying fruitlessly to be someone they're not, but they never lose our sympathy for the failings we all share." - The Age, Tim Richards
• "Acts of Deceit is a thoughtful interpretation of James Baldwin's novel" - MCV, Andrew Shaw
• "... an expansion of the novella. Combined with the poetic dialogue and the graceful stage movements – this was a beautiful, beautiful play." - Queer Tastes  

Commercial Rd - Highway to the Hottest Dance Floor Hits.

Opening Sunday 7 February - Sundays 6pm until late.

Free entry until 8pm. $10 after. Members free all night.

The Market, 143 Commercial Rd, South Yarra: for further details check out markethotel.com.au.

The key to searching online is the What's On tab on the Midsumma website. Hover your mouse over the What's On tab and menus will appear, including the following:

• The various event categories
  (Film, Literature & Spoken Word, Live Music, Parties & Nightlife, Performing Arts, Premier Events, Social & Community, Sports and Visual Arts).
• Alphabetical Events List: a list of all 2010 Midsumma events, sorted alphabetically.
• Program: TODAY shows the current day's calendar of events (then use the arrows to see other days).
• Program: THIS WEEK shows what's happening in the current week.

Don't forget about the website Search (top right of any page) and the Festival Planner (pages 76 to 79 of the printed guide) or download a Festival Planner pdf.