Saturday 25th February: Super Saturday

It's Saturday and it's super, our Super Saturday has a hat rick of events for you to choose between.

Yum Cha, 10:30am Golden Harbour Restaurant, Dixon Street, Haymarket.
It's bear versus fare, cub versus grub and lard versus larder as today's Yum Cha lineup pits East against West. So walk under the Paifang archway into Chinatown and down to the Golden Harbour Restaurant for a feast that will make you forfeit your appetite. There's both bears and food involved, so get your tickets early, as this one will sell out.

Tickets through Daisy Tickets www.daisytickets.com

(Nearest Tramstop - Haymarket or Monorail - Chinatown.)

Queer Thinking, 12noon at the Seymour Centre, corner Cleveland Street and City Road, Darlington.
This Mardi Gras ideas and discussion forum is just the place to tackle those hot topics from a queer perspective. If you think your mind's already made up, be prepared for a conversion.

Tickets through Seymour Centre sydney.edu.au/seymour/

(Nearest Station – Redfern or Central then walk to Cleveland St.)

Mardi Gras Harbour Party, 3pm to 11pm Fleet Steps, Mrs Macqauries Point, Sydney.
There's no penalty for partying in the evening on the dance floor at Harbour '12. Cocktails and great DJs will keep you onside, and with the beautiful Sydney Harbour as your field of play, you'll feel like you've won the minor premiership. A caution from the ref: stay on side of the law; don't be a dummy and get caught in possession, or you may be charged down.

Tickets through Moshtix www.moshtix.com.au

(Nearest Station – St James then walk to Botanical Gardens.)

Image © Paul D Wade Photography

Sunday 26th February: Scrum Together

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.

FREE event.

Bears on Sunday from 4.00pm @ The Lord Roberts Hotel, corner of Stanley St & Riley St, East Sydney.
(Nearest station – King's Cross, then walk down William St.)

Monday 27th February: Surf Carnival

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 from 2:00pm.

FREE event.

Beach Safety Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C9FrpB3VmI&feature=player_embedded

From 2pm @ North Bondi Beach, Bondi.
(Nearest station - Bondi Junction then buses X84, 380, 381, 382, 389 or 333 to the beach.)

Image © Paul D Wade Photography

Tuesday 28th February: Walkabout

Learn the ins and outs of your home turf on an evening stroll through Sydney's historic heart.

Meet at 7pm at Taylor Square, covering all the bases as we pass down Oxford Street 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 past the Andrew (Boy) Charlton pool, through Woolloomooloo and into Sydney's original and famous Harry's Café de Wheels for a meat pie. FREE event.

Meet 7pm at Taylor Square, Darlinghust for our stroll
(Nearest station – Kings Cross or Museum then walk to Taylor Square.)

Image © Paul D Wade Photography

Wednesday 29th February: Away Game

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. It's impressive seeing from the sidelines the blue mist given off by the native Eucalypt trees, but up close the mountains are nothing short of spectacular.

The day includes trips on the Skyway, the Gondola and the famed Scenic Railway, plus a steamy bout of training on the Zig Zag Railway and even a visit to Jenolan's famous limestone caves.

It's hard to believe you can do all that and still be back in time for tonight's Main Event, our Underbear party.

Tickets through Daisy Tickets www.daisytickets.com

Meet 6.45am at Sydney Travelodge Hotel, Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills
(Nearest station –Museum.)

Download the brochure

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iPhone/Android Version

Wednesday 29th February: The Main Event - Underbear

Underbear at the Oxford Art Factory on Oxford Street 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 electro pop duo Garçon Garçon and an international DJ line-up including; Tim McLoone (London, UK), Francisco Guerra (USA), George Roussos (Sydney, Australia), Frankie Shin (Seoul, Korea), Vinny Vero (New York City, USA) and Nathan Mahon (Sydney, Australia).

UnderBear 2012 could well be the grizzliest, and downright dirtiest bear game ever played.

It's A Whole New Ball Game Furry Fact – Australian diver Mathew Mitcham won the gold medal in the 10m platform at the 2008 Olympic Games. He was one of the few openly gay athletes at the games.

Tickets through Daisy Tickets www.daisytickets.com

From 8:00pm @ the Oxford Art Factory, 38-46 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
(Nearest Station – Museum.)

Image © Paul D Wade Photography

Thursday 1st March: Play Off

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!

What more need we say? Play safe, have fun.

Door sales only.

From 4am @ Kingsteam, Level 1, 38-42 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
(Nearest station – Museum.)

Image © Paul D Wade Photography

Thursday 1st March: Team Photo

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.

Conceived by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened in 1973 it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Smile for the camera.

FREE event.

Afterwards we'll head to the Opera Bar for a casual drink.

From 4pm on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
(Nearest station or ferry wharf - Circular Quay.)

Image © Paul D Wade Photography

Friday 2nd March: Bears Sports Day

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 & Spoon Race, Drag Race, Hairy Sack Race and for the strong men the Tug of War.

Which team will claim victory and walk away with the inaugural Furry Cup?

(To register a team email us at: be@bearessentials.com.au)

It's A Whole New Ball Game Furry Fact – Welsh Rugby Union captain Gareth Thomas was the first ever rugby player to come out as gay in December 2009.

FREE event.

From 2:00pm @ Bicentennial Park, Glebe Foreshore
(Nearest Tramstop – Jubilee Park.)

Image © Paul D Wade Photography

Friday 2nd March: Mega Furry Friday – 4 levels of fur

There'll be on-field antics of a different kind spread over four levels of our club house, the Oxford Hotel.

Check out our star players from teams across the globe:

Dirty Den – The Underground
Tim McLoone (London, UK)
Kam Shafaati (Melbourne, Australia)

Disco & Divas – The Ground Floor
Corey Craig (New York City, USA)
Scottie Lupton (Sydney, Australia)

The Cub Lounge – Supper Club (Level 1)
Matt Effect (Sydney, Australia)
International Circuit Kub Barney Philly (Philadelphia, USA)

Hairy House – Polo Lounge (Level 2)
Colin Gaff (Sydney, Australia)
Paul Coals (London, UK)

FREE event

From 9.00pm at the Oxford Hotel, Taylor Square, Darlinghurst.
(Nearest station – King's Cross or Museum then walk to Oxford St).

Image © Paul D Wade Photography

Saturday 3rd March: 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 team mates before Sydney's infamous Mardi Gras Parade, and whether you're a watcher or a walker, come to the Lord Roberts Hotel to grab a bite to eat.

If you're planning to walk in the parade, it is essential you register online via www.daisytickets.com

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

Our Mardi Gras Parade entry will once again be spectacular: both visually, as it's designed by Rick McGill; and aurally as we have 2010 International Bear DJ of the Year George Roussos on board to keep us and the crowds entertained.

It's A Whole New Ball Game Furry Fact – Straight English Rugby Union star Ben Cohen is not only hot he's also a good bloke. Ben started his "Stand Up Foundation" in 2011 to fight against bullying and homophobia.

Parade Video: http://vimeo.com/32731268

*** From 4.00pm @ The Lord Roberts Hotel, corner of Stanley St & Riley St, East Sydney.
(Nearest station – King's Cross, then walk down William St.)

Image © Paul D Wade Photography

Saturday 3rd March: Grand Final "Mardigrasland"

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.

Full details of the line-up can be found on the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras website:
www.mardigras.org.au

Please support Habour City Bears when purchasing tickets to the Mardi Gras Party by using the special PETS code "CHASE" to donate $10.00 from the purchase price of your ticket to our Mardi Gras float.

Sunday 4th March: Send Off

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 ole Aussie barbecue.

We may not see you for another year, but oh! The memories we'll have! FREE event.

Travel safely.

Bears on Sunday from 4.00pm @ The Lord Roberts Hotel, corner of Stanley St & Riley St, East Sydney. (Nearest station – King's Cross, then walk down William St.)