FLOATS WITH THE MOST IN THE Mardi Gras parade
The Parade that stops the nation – the
37th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade – is set to descend upon Sydney in just twelve day’s time. On
Saturday March 7, 2015, Sydney will be afire with passionate
people, all marching, dancing, walking, skating, riding and boogieing
their way along Oxford Street to celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQI
community.
So,
you’ve picked your viewing point, got your rainbow flag, glitter face
paint and a party horn, all you need to know is who to look out for as
you
cheer on the parade from the sidelines.
The
University of Western Sydney will join the Mardi Gras fun and
festivities for the first time with their UWS/Ally Network. Their
message is that UWS is a place that is fundamentally for all, by all and
with all.
Mardi Gras regulars, the multi-award winning
Dr Mark’s Marching Academy, will be back this year with another show-stopping
routine. Last year, their memorable parade entry, ‘Putin’ on the
Ritz’ lampooned Russian president Vladimir Putin and his anti-gay
propaganda laws. This year they’ve opted for something a little more
light-hearted; passionfruits! Don’t miss this talented
group and yearly favourite.
The
Glamazon All-Stars are going Grecian for this year’s Mardi Gras
Parade, with a chariot pulled by muscly equine men, topped by the Mother
of Justice, in glimmering silver and white robes, carrying her scales.
Fighters for love, untiy, valor and equality,
the Glamazon All-Stars are this year’s Justice Family!
From Greece to South Asia,
Trikone is parading to proclaim that Bollywood is the new black! One of the oldest groups of its kind in the world, Trikone
supports South Asian LGBTQI people. You couldn’t miss this
ultra-colourful group if you tried! They’ll be decked out in beautiful
rainbow coloured Indian clothes and jewellery, showing off their
Bollywood dancing talents.
Sydney Stingers,
a gay and lesbian waterpolo club, will be putting on an
Amazonian pool party for Mardi Gras! Colourful birds, snakes and
flowers will bedeck their float, and the centrepiece – an actual pool!
You won’t be able to resist getting a bit splishy splashy with the
gorgeous guys and girls from Sydney Stingers.
A parade float to remember in this year’s Mardi Gras without a doubt will be the
Beyonce G Spot Memorial float. Dedicated to one of Sydney’s
premier drag performers who passed away tragically in 2013, Beyonce G
Spot (aka Sascha Fierce), known to his close friends as Zaine, the float
will pay tribute to this talented performer and
the legacy he has left. It will recreate one of Zaine’s most memorable
performances, ‘The Little Merdrag’, with an elaborate set of giant clams
on a rocky outcrop, draped with Ariel and her six sisters. The poignant
message is one of acceptance and being a
“Part of Your World.”
If you find yourself showered in green glitter and shamrocks, no doubt the
Irish Dancing Queen float is passing you by! Led by Ireland’s High Queen and accidental activist,
Panti Bliss, who will be blissfully wedded to a sexy Aussie
lifesaver atop a fabulous wedding cake, this Irish Australian float will
champion marriage equality in both countries. This is particularly
relevant with the upcoming Irish referendum on marriage
equality in May.
The
Parade will have representation from Melbourne, South Australia and the
Northern Territory, as well as several floats from regional NSW. Watch
out for the tongue-in-cheek Way Out West float, with line-dancers decked out in flannies and blundstones.
Member for Coogee Bruce Notley-Smith
said, “The Sydney Gay and Lesbian
Mardi Gras Parade is a highlight of Sydney’s events calendar,
attracting tens of thousands of locals and visitors who line the streets
to enjoy the night’s festivities.
“The
NSW Government is proud to support the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi
Gras Parade through our tourism and major events agency, Destination
NSW.
This year’s Parade promises to be one of the most spectacular yet,
encouraging people from all walks of life to share their ‘Passion’ in
celebration of inclusion and diversity.”
For the best Parade experience, you can’t go past the official Parade Viewing areas.
The Diamond Club at Taylor Square is exclusive to Members of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Parade Sideshow, just a couple of blocks away on Flinders
Street, and this year hosted by the fabulous Gretel Killeen and Rhys
Nicholson, is a family-friendly area right on the Parade route with
seating, food stalls, bars, toilets and live event
screens capturing all the action.
WHAT:
The 37th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade
WHEN:
Saturday 7 March, 2015
TIME:
7:45pm start
Tickets for
The Diamond Club and Parade Sideshow are available at
www.mardigras.org.au
Share your photos of the Parade using #parade and
RSVP on Facebook for updates.
Motorists
are advised to avoid the Sydney CBD and Moore Park areas this weekend
while roads are closed for the annual Sydney Mardi Gras Parade.
Road
closures will affect many roads in the Sydney CBD, Darlinghurst, Surry
Hills and Moore Park from 3pm Saturday until 4am on Sunday.
Significant road closures will be in place from 3pm. For more information go to
www.livetraffic.com, or call 132 701.
For information on changes to public transport go to
www.transportnsw.info or call 131 500 Transport Info Line.
posted by Jason at
8:13 PM
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