Queer Art After Hours, co-presented by the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, returns in 2019 with a sparkling line-up of free art, music and performance.

On Wednesday 27 February, visitors will experience the Gallery after dark with some of Australia’s best queer creatives, as we bring the art both on and off the walls to life in the third iteration of Queer Art After Hours.

Award-winning queer performing arts duo Fancy Piece will host an array of performances on the Queer Art After Hours main stage as well as presenting a special performance of their own.

Indigenous poet and rapper, actor, singer, dancer and writer, Stephen Oliver who is also the creative force behind the ABC’s cult TV show, Black comedy, will deliver a very special spoken word performance.

The Huxleys will roam the Gallery in their glamorous androgynous abandon and fresh from performing at The Sissy Ball while *Kilia Tipia*’s vogue trio will perform on the Queer Art After Hours stage.

Live music will be on offer with the husky-sweet voice of pop, LadyHood, making her debut Mardi Gras performance; a DJ set from Sophie Forrest; and the Dollar Bin Darlings who will be armed with their disco records that cost them no more than a dollar.

Visitors can examine the stunning art-shoe creations of choreographer and designer Novy, in Stiletto NB a display of outrageous wearable art or fall in love with one of Sydney’s most beloved drag kings, Jayvante Swing.

Not to be outdone, Verushka Darling returns to the Gallery with her outrageously popular art tours and Sheba Williams gives visitors the chance to star in her immersive pantomime Shebalicious.

Juicy facts about famous artworks will be shared in Queer art history talks from the Gallery’s library and archive team, and inspiration can be drawn from the evening’s performances for a mass drop in and draw workshop. With free live experiences taking place throughout the Gallery, Queer Art After Hours is a magnificent celebration of the LGBTQI creative community. Not to be missed!

With the Gallery open late, Queer Art After Hours is also an opportunity to explore our exhibitions including Heaven and Earth in Chinese Art: treasures from the National Palace Museum, Tapei and Brett Whiteley: drawing is everything. It is also the final week to see the major Sydney International Art Series exhibition Masters of modern art from the Hermitage before it returns to St Petersburg.

Queer Art After Hours is presented by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.