Tuesday, February 24, 2015

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.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

SAMANTHA JADE FOR HARBOUR PARTY


 
2012 X-Factor Winner Samantha Jade is set to heat up Harbour Party ’15 with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras today announcing that the singer will join the lineup for the event on Saturday 28 February, 2015.
 
The Aussie pop star is joining an already high energy line-up including the chart-topping Canadian powerhouse Kiesza, Bimbo Jones fronted by Lee Dagger (UK), DJ Kitty Glitter (Australia), DJ Dan Murphy (Australia), and DJ Du Jour (Australia).
 
Samantha Jade has been a constant name on the Aussie charts since breaking into the music scene in 2012. Her debut single “What You've Done To Me” was a #1 triple-platinum hit in Australia, and her follow-up singles “Firestarter” and “Soldier” went on to secure platinum accreditation. Her current single “Sweet Talk” is out now.
 
Harbour Party is a friendly, inclusive, uplifting, boutique dance party for LGBTQI and their friends. CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Michael Rolik says “This year’s Harbour Party is shaping up to be the best yet! What better way to celebrate our diverse city than dancing the night away with all your friends while overlooking the stunning Sydney Harbour.”
 
Diverse, sexy and bursting with energy, there are few parties quite like Harbour Party, set in the lush surrounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens alongside the most beautiful harbour in the world. Sip cocktails at the cocktail bar as the sun sets and the lights of the city shimmer over the water. Then dance the night away in the open-air setting with 3,000 of your new best friends. 
 
Don't miss out on this joyous, loud and proud, hands in the air affair.
 
Harbour Party ‘15
Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Sydney
Saturday 28 February 2015, 3pm-11pm
Final release tickets now on sale from $139 inc BF at www.mardigras.org.au

DANNII MINOGUE FOR MARDI GRAS PARTY

 
 
 
ONE NIGHT STAND WITH THE QUEEN OF CLUBS
 
This is it! She’s been teasing fans on social media and now Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras can confirm that singer/songwriter, international TV star, style icon and Mardi Gras favourite, Dannii Minogue is set to make a grand return to the Mardi Gras Party on Saturday 7 March, 2015.
 
It’s been sixteen years since Minogue graced the stage at the Mardi Gras Party and she’s promising a spectacle of stellar proportions. “See you at the party for my Minogue-Mardi-Gras-Madness – Mardi Gras Party ’15 is the space to create your favourite summer memories,” said Minogue.
 
Mardi Gras CEO, Michael Rolik says “Dannii is one of the community’s most treasured performers and always knows how to deliver a stand out performance. We’re so excited to welcome her back to the Mardi Gras Party.”
 
Minogue joins an already huge Mardi Gras Party line up of performers including; multi-talented recording artist and actor, Nick Jonas, one of Australia's biggest female vocalists, Jessica Mauboy, fabulous and fierce drag superstar Destiny Haz Arrived, pop songstress, Betty Who, plus RuPaul’s Drag Race Top 3 Finalist, Courtney Act and filthy/gorgeous Scissor Sisters front man Jake Shears.
 
The only place to be after the world’s biggest and most iconic night-time parade on Saturday 7 March, 2015, the Mardi Gras Party will be unstoppable, unbelievable, and totally unmissable.
 
So get ready, LGBTQI and friends, for a night of dance party fun straight from the Mardi Gras Parade, all the way to dawn and beyond. This will be where Mardi Gras magic happens, with the hottest DJs spinning across a sprawling landscape of fabulous party spaces, along with spectacular shows, and awe-inspiring performances.
 
Smother yourself in glitter body paint, adorn your eyes with some foot-long falsies, and pick out your shortest of short shorts – this is going to be one wild night.
 
5TH release tickets to the Mardi Gras Party are on sale now and selling fast so be quick to lock yours in. To book, go to www.mardigras.org.au.
 
Mardi Gras Party ‘15
Playbill Venues and Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Saturday 7 March, 2015
10pm – 8am
5th release tickets on sale now at$139.16 inc bf at mardigras.org.au
#sydneymardigras