4,000 REASONS TO LOVE MARDI GRAS IN 2015

As news broke on social media today that the mighty Tina Arena will be performing at this year’s Mardi Gras Party on Saturday 01 March, the team behind Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras were already looking ahead, announcing the news that 4,000 travelers will be visiting for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2015 festival.

Fabulous Australian icon and upcoming contender in season six of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Courtney Act, welcomed travel agents and media at a special event at the W Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles where Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Michael Rolik and Atlantis Events CEO Rich Campbell announced the new venture.

At a time when America is coming out of one of its coldest winters in history, the news that an Atlantis Events cruise ship and Olivia cruise ship would be in sizzling Sydney around Mardi Gras time warmed the hearts of many. The exciting new initiative marks the first time in history that two gay and lesbian cruise ships have docked on our shores in Sydney and boy ‘o’ buoy this party is going to be huge!

Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Michael Rolik says “An influx of 4,000 people at Mardi Gras time in 2015 is incredibly thrilling. The impact that this will have on not just the scale of our 2015 celebrations, but also the NSW economy, is huge.”

The world’s largest company dedicated to creating unique vacations for the gay and lesbian community – Atlantis Events - announced that reservations are being accepted now. The cruise will take place over 12 days, from Auckland to Sydney for Mardi Gras, staying overnight during the night of the Parade and Party. As an extra incentive for travel agents, Mardi Gras is offering commissionable tickets to their key events in 2015. Olivia - the travel company for lesbians, have already started selling their tickets

Atlantis Events CEO Rich Campbell says “We’re thrilled to sail into Mardi Gras for our third all-gay cruise into Sydney.  This cruise marks a milestone of 20 years bringing guests from around the world to the most spectacular gay event on the planet.”

But back to 2014! With news of Arena bringing her triumphant return to the Mardi Gras stage, another songstress was announced for the Party. Blonde Bombshell and Drag Diva Courtney Act will be kicking up her heels and taking centre stage for a special performance at The Party on Saturday 01 March 2014.   

As well as the legendary Tina and Courtney, other acts already confirmed for Mardi Gras 2014 include fabulous globetrotting New York DJ Kim Ann Foxman, top Australian artists DJ Dan Slater and Yo! M.A.F.I.A., and one of the world’s best known and widely regarded house DJs, Derrick Carter.

Sydney’s iconic Mardi Gras is the most colourful gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex celebration in the world attracting over 29,000 visitors each year.

Tickets to the Mardi Gras Party can be purchased at www.theparty.org.au

For more information about Mardi Gras’ jam-packed calendar of summer events, head to www.mardigras.org.au 

ABOUT SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is the world’s most spectacular celebration of LGBTQI pride and diversity. Each year, tens of thousands of international and interstate visitors come to Sydney to experience a three-week festival of over 100 events, culminating in the iconic Mardi Gras Parade and Party.