After Hours Circus Extravaganza to Launch at the Powerhouse Museum

The Powerhouse Museum has plenty of weird and wonderful on offer during daylight hours. But things are about to get even more adventurous with the launch of MAASive Lates, a monthly after-hours series featuring circus acts, extreme sideshows, go-go dancing, body art, catering by Black Star Pastry and more.

The first event, titled 'Circus Follies', is happening on January 15. It's promising a circus extravaganza, set within the Powerhouse's Circus Factory exhibition. There'll be left-of-field circus performances from Phantasia, fire shows by Circaholics Anonymous, live music and a one hundred-year-old carousel that you can actually ride. And if you've been contemplating getting in touch with your inner circus, your participation is welcomed with opportunities to make articulated circus characters and dress up in provided costumes.

The second MAASive Late, scheduled for February 26, and dubbed 'Queer Bigtop', is all about embracing Mardi Gras — with a circus-inspired approach. Heading up proceedings will be Sydney's legendary drag queen Prada Clutch, acting as ringmistress, while the soundtrack will be delivered by DJ Kitty Glitter, official DJ for the 2015 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival. By way of visual feast, there'll be outrageous tricks and extraordinary treats from Belladonna Brabazon and go-go dancing from the Go-Gettes. You're invited to get in on the action, with a drop-in go-go class running all night, and a game of drag queen bingo hosted by Conchita Grande.

The third in the series, set for March 26 and named 'Undressed', heads away from the circus theme and towards, well, underwear. It'll be hosted within the Museum’s new exhibition, Undressed: 350 Years of Underwear in Fashion. Expect pole dancing, burlesque performances, live body art and a showcase from local lingerie designers. And, if you're keen to get creative, you'll be able to join the Museum’s lace experts for hands-on lace-making workshops.

"In 2014, we presented a hugely successful Late Night at the Museum as part of the Sydney Design Festival, attended by over 600 people and attracting new audiences to the Museum whose interests were piqued at the after-hours antics on offer. In 2015, we're looking forward to making late nights part of our regular program," said Janson Hews, partnerships and festivals manager at the Museum of Arts and Applied Sciences. "MAASive Lates are specifically programmed with 18-35 year olds in mind, and we're thrilled to be partnering with some of Australia's finest live performers who will help bring our exhibitions to life after dark."

MAASive Lates will be happening between 6pm and 9pm on January 15, February 26 and March 26 at Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo. Tickets are $30 at door and $25 online. Combine Circus Follies and Queer Bigtop for $40.

Image credit: Brooke Degiorgio