It's Party Time!

This has to be the most anticipated Mardi Gras Party in the history of the event. The confirmed (and rumoured) acts are beyond compare!

Mardi Gras 2010 knows how to go out with a bang, and in 2010 the best is saved for last.

Saturday 6th March sees sheer queer glamour and unforgettable party mayhem explode over four spectacular venues at the Entertainment Quarter for an all-night, dance-til-dawn fiesta that’s unrivalled worldwide.

Mardi Gras Party is your wildest night of the year, and 2010 is no exception. Apart from the frenetic lasers, gorgeous design and the beautiful party people, the DJ line-up is set to treat you to such an aurally delicious and irresistible night that you’ll never leave the dancefloor.

Try walking away from legendary French house DJ and producer David Guetta as he drops one of his countless number ones with Kelly Rowland, Akon, Estelle or the Black Eyed Peas.

And don’t miss one of the biggest headliners in Party history - DJ Carl Cox. Voted No.1 DJ of the past 25 years by MixMag and No.1 DJ in the world by DJ Magazine, his night Carl Cox & Friends has been held in Space Ibiza and Heaven London alongside Freemasons, Fatboy Slim and Pendulum.

All the way from Italy the prodigious techno talent and openly gay DJ Dusty Kid will set the Hordern alight. The UK’s Bimbo Jones joins the line-up as well, world renowned for their extremely fun sets and with some 30 club chart number ones under their belt for remixes with everyone from Lady Gaga to Britney to Annie Lennox.

Paris’s progressive house maestro Leomeo will make The Dome unmissable, while the best of Australian DJ talent will be joining them throughout the venues, including Dan Murphy, Jake Kilby, Alan Thompson, Sveta, Gemma, Ben Drayton, Mandy Rollins and many more.

Add the promise of huge name special guests to the party and you’re sure to be left breathless. It’s bigger than ever, and won’t disappoint.

So don’t disappoint yourself – get your ticket to Mardi Gras Party 2010 now.

Location: Entertainment Quarter, Lang Road,
Moore Park, New South Wales
When: 6th March, 10.00pm - 8.00am

Racing Can Be Such a Drag at Bondi Beach

Considered the domain of bronzed Aussies, Bondi Beach is soon to be transcended upon by hordes of drag kings and queens.

Feathers will fly and the make up will also run for the Mardi Gras Drag Races, hosted by Vanessa Wagner. Will the kings reign supreme? Or will the queens top the podium?

A light hearted accompaniment to the Mardi Gras Beach Party, on the same day, the Drag Races will test each athlete to the very edge with challenges designed to measure their endurance, physical prowess and creativity. The roster of Olympic style events include: Competitive Feminine Posing; Beached Volleyball; Three Heeled/Tripod Racing; Handbag Discus and the Dainty Dune Dash. Between the heels, fake beards and soft Bondi sand, hilarity and utter spectacle is guaranteed.

No experience in cross dressing required! Drag kings and queens looking to participate in the Mardi Gras Drag Races can sign up here.

Location: Bondi Beach, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach, New South Wales
When: 5 March, 5pm
Cost: Free event

Mardi Gras is for the Animals...

Dine out with those not normally accustomed to culinary manners - the animals at Australia's most famous zoo whilst raising money to help the fight for marriage equality.

A landmark new event for Mardi Gras, this luxurious dinner at Sydney’s celebrated Taronga Zoo is in aid of campaigning group Australian Marriage Equality.

Once the doors close to the general public, Mardi Gras’ guests will enjoy exclusive access to the zoo, including a viewing of the famous bird show, a chance to meet some of the park’s most exotic residents and learn about the less-than-straight inhabitants of the animal kingdom from the experts at Taronga.

After the exploration it’s time to indulge yourself with a truly delicious three course dining experience. Take your seat in Taronga Zoo’s Harbourview Ballroom where you will be entertained by two amazing entertainers from New York, the fabulous Drag Queen Shequida (finalist from America's Got Talent) and DJ Corey Craig, as well as a speech from Prof Kerryn Phelps on same-sex marriage. With a wedding cake designed by Gay Cakes and beautiful bonbonniere from Zen Diva, you will get to witness just how fabulous a gay wedding can be, while enjoying the stunning views of the Sydney skyline.

Price includes three course dinner, drinks, zoo experiences, bird show and entertainment.

The perfect opportunity to get together with a group of friends and book a table for ten, or come along by yourself and meet some new ones!

A unique event at a unique location. Not to be missed!

Happy Mardi Gras Everyone!

This year's Mardi Gras parade, themed 'History of the World' starts tonight at 7.45pm. The parade will take you on a sexy and bawdy rollercoaster ride through the ages, looking at gay history and shining a pink spotlight on some of mankind’s great figures and events.

Pay homage to the pioneers of the queer world as we take a trip down the memory lane that is Oxford Street. From gay culture of the modern world right back to ancient times, queer icons of all Ages will be marching together for one night only.

The History of the World theme will be brought to life along the Parade route by six stunning artworks created by Sydney artists Scott Elk.

Whatever you do, be part of this magical journey of colour, energy, dance and costume as we deliver a historical night at the 2010 Mardi Gras Parade!

Join hundreds of thousands of visitors in Sydneysiders along the Parade route. It's very much first come, first served and people get out early to get a great spot.

Get Your Racing Best on for the First Ever Pink Stiletto

Everyone’s coming out for the ‘Sport of Kings’ (and Queens) in aid of the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (Australia’s longest-running HIV charity)

The Pink Stiletto is the World’s first gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender race day.

Located trackside at the prestigious Royal Randwick, the home of Australia horse racing, it is set to be the ultimate social event in the lead up to 2010 Mardi Gras.

$15 ticket includes : racecourse entry, a $5 Bobby Goldsmith Foundation donation and entry into a prize draw.

* Location ~ Randwick Racecourse, Alison Road, Randwick, Sydney, 2031
* Date ~ Friday 26th February, 11:00am to Saturday 27th February, 12:00am
* Tickets ~ $15 General Admission

C'mon and Shake it for Mardi Gras

Shake It is celebrating Mardi Gras with a new gay dance party held in one of the city’s gems, The Argyle in The Rocks.

Special Guest Performers – INAYA DAY & PEYTON

INAYA DAY is famous for:
Horny * I Am Tha 1 * Stand By Me * Movin’ Up (Take My Problems To The Dancefloor) * Nasty Girl * Breakaway * Glamorous Life

PEYTON’s hits include:
A Higher Place * Ride Like The Wind * Never Give Up * Love Is The Answer (with Freemasons) * I’ll Rise * Trapped

Local DJs will be spinning music thats funky, fresh and gotta a whole lotta soul.

* Jake Kilby
* Troy Cox
* Dan Murphy
* Chip

Location ~ The Argyle, The Rocks, Sydney, Sydney, 2000
Date ~ Thursday 25th February, 8:00pm to Friday 26th February, 3:00am
Tickets ~ $20:Pre-sale $30:Door
Music Styling ~ Soul, Dance/Club, Top 40, Pop, House

Tickets are available online through SX:
http://e-p.com.au/shop/product_book_info.html?products_id=518

Available from Sydney outlets:
* Soleil Tanning – Taylor Square
* Bang Clothing – Taylor Square
* Totally Pierced – Taylor Square

Lifesavers with Pride Beach BBQ

For those of you who want a gentle ramp-up to the big party and the chance to put the finishing touches to your tan, today’s the day to head to beautiful Tamarama Beach, next door to Bondi. Expect the locals and visitors to be out in force, joined by a little roving entertainment throughout the day...

Plus you can refuel at Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club where Lifesavers with Pride will be running a beach BBQ to raise funds for their organisation and Tamarama Surf Club. What could be more Australian than the beach barbie prepared by some gorgeous lifesavers!

Food and drinks available from 1pm to 2.30pm.

Location: Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club, Tamarama Beach, Tamarama, New South Wales

When: 6 March From 1pm

Cost: Free event

Get Wet for Mardi Gras for Wet Furr

Get ready to make a splash at Bear Essentials.

You'll be joining literally hundreds of other cubs, bears and admirers at play. Your first choice will be which pool to try first: the large leisure pool with waterspouts and waves, or the more cosy hydrotherapy pool where the heat definitely is on.

The final hour of the evening is reserved just for us, when there’ll be Wet Furr as far as the eye can see. Whether you spend the whole evening paddling in the shallows or trying to squeeze into an inflatable donut, or just soaking with your pals letting your skin go like a prune, it's sure to be as fun as it is furry.

Oh, and keep your Wet Furr wrist band on, because it will get you to the front of the queue at the Oxford Hotel later that night where we have we'll have our favourite "bear-friendly DJ's spinning the tunes including US DJ Rotten Robbie.

Details: Friday 5th March 2010 at 7:00 pm Cook and Phillip Park Aquatic Centre, College Street (next to St Mary's Cathedral)

Tickets: refer: http://www.bearessentials.com.au

Infamous Diva Amanda Lepore to Lead Mardi Gras Parade

Amanda Lepore, American travestite, fashion icon, nightlife hostess and performer, will be leading this year’s Mardi Gras parade.

Lepore has said to be "thrilled and honoured" to be invited as head of the parade.

Lepore caused a stir on her first visit to Australia late last year, with a short but sweet appearance and performance at Sydney’s Nevermind.

If you don’t get a chance to ride front and centre with Amanda on parade night, the only other chance to get up close and personal with the fascinating Ms Lepore is at Nevermind’s Mardi Bar.

Amanda will be hosting the second week of Mardi Bar, after porn star Brent Corrigan relinquishes hosting duties. Mardi Bar will take over Nevermind on Oxford St from Wednesday, February 24.

Bent Theatre for Mardi Gras

From the decadence of 1930s Berlin to the inhumane excesses of the Nazi concentration camps, Bent, by Martin Sherma, explores one gay man’s fight for self-acceptance in the face of hatred and persecution.

Thirty years after Bent premiered in London, Focus Theatre (Blowing Whistles, Bison, Natural Born Hooker) and B Sharp are thrilled to present Martin Sherman’s bold and compassionate play in which love transcends the most unimaginable circumstances.

Directed by Pete Nettell

Associate Director: Alice Livingstone

Set: Tom Bannerman

Lighting: Luiz Pampolha

Composer/Sound: Rosie Chase

Costumes: Cassandra Pascoli

Graphics: Wayne Harris

Photograph: Heidrun Lohr

Featuring: Walter Grkovic, Sam Haft, Garth Holcombe, Radek Jonak, Lachlan Mantell, Ant Sullivan and John Turnbull

For Telephone Bookings call Company B Box Office on 02 9699 3444.

Mardi Gras Mardi Bar

The Pop Up Mardi Bar that started during the 2009 Mardi Gras and packed out every night returns bigger and longer in 2010.

The popular Same Same Mardi Bar will return for two weeks only at Nevermind around Mardi Gras time, starting on Wednesday February 24 and closing on Saturday March 6.

This time around, the return of the Mardi Bar is even more exciting with the announcement of two very special hosts for the two weeks of fun, adult entertainer Brent Corrigan and transsexual Amanda Lepore.

Brent Corrigan has squeezed more into his life than most 23 year-olds. He blazed into the porn world in underage controversy, and hasn’t stopped making headlines since then. From murder trials to countless adult awards, Brent’s story is as interesting as it is diverse. He’s currently running his own production company and forging a promising career in mainstream films appearing in Gus Van Sant’s Milk and a key role in Another Gay Sequel. Brent will be appearing at the Mardi Bar on Wednesday February 24 and Thursday February 25.

The second week of the Same Same Mardi Bar will be hosted by the number one transsexual in the world, Amanda Lepore. After her road-blocking Australian debut in November, Amanda is returning to the country so you can get to know her a little bit better.

The fashion and pop culture icon makes waves everywhere she goes, and it’s not hard to see why. With a style that’s copied all around the world, she wowed Sydney audiences with her performances last year, and will return to Nevermind on Wednesday March 3 and Thursday March 4 to make the 2010 Mardi Bar truly memorable.

The Same Same Mardi Bar takes over Nevermind on Oxford Street, Darlinghurst from Wednesday February 24. The full schedule of events will be announced closer to the launch, but one thing is certain – you’re not going to want to miss one night of this highly anticipated annual event series.

Mardi Ha for Mardi Gras

Mardi Ha - OPENING NIGHT!

Tuesday 9th February at 8:30pm marks the opening of Sydney’s first GLBT Comedy Showcase at the Comedy Store in Moore Park.

$15 + BF gets you entry to opening night, a complimentary drink, reserved priority seating, and access to the exclusive after show party.

Go to www.comedystore.com.au and use the special code CULTURECLUB to access this ticket.

Mardi Ha features the amazing talents of:
Hannah Gadsby
Anthony Menchetti
Tom Ballard
Rhys Nicholson

And prices for the other nights are as follows:

TUE to THU night: $10
FRI night: $25
SAT night: $30

Location ~ The Comedy Store, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park, Sydney, 2021

Mardi Gras Gallery 2010

The Mardi Gras Gallery returns for the 2010 Festival! Featuring the work of local and international artists, the Gallery showcases the exciting queer talent our community has on offer. This year’s Gallery has a special focus on portraits, reflecting on our Festival theme: “Mardi Gras’ History of the World”, so be sure to check out the interpretations by our artists! Also on display is the Mardi Gras Festival season artwork, by artist Scott Elk.

In 2010, with the support of the CAL Cultural Fund, the Gallery will be awarding one of the artists with the New Mardi Gras Gallery Art Prize – a $500 cash prize. The winner will be chosen by a panel of judges and announced on Wednesday 24 February, from 6.00pm, at a special launch event. Gallery audiences will also be able to vote for their favourite work, as part of SX’s Festival Favourite Award – a $400 cash prize. Take a moment, spend some time enjoying the visual delights and vote for what you think should be the Prize-winning work! The winner of the SX award will be announced after the last day of exhibition.

Location: Tap Gallery, 278 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst, New South Wales
When: 20 February - 6 March, 2010, 12.00pm - 6.00pm (Daily), 6.00pm - 8.00pm (Wed 24 Feb)
Cost: Free

Grab Your L.B.D. and Get Ready, Get Set, GO!

Boys get shopping for the one wardrobe essential - the Little Black Dress... Chanel established it as the epitome of chic, Audrey wore it with nonchalance and pearls, Jackie donned it on every occasion ... get ready to don your very own version ... and join the Sydney Frontrunners for our annual fundraiser, the Little Black Dress Run! This is your chance to frock up, be fabulous and parade around the park whilst raising funds for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Camp Good Time for kids living with HIV. Join our hostess, superstar style-icon Joyce Maynge, in a hilariously short, fun, 4km run/walk, with plenty of opportunities to flash your fash!

Location: Paddington Gates, Centennial Park, Paddington, New South Wales
When: 20 February, 9.00am
Cost: Entry by donation/sponsorship
Website: www.sydneyfrontrunners.org

Mardi Gras Film Festival 2010

Get set for the Mardi Gras Film Festival 2010, which runs from February 12 - March 6. The full program has now been announced and tickets are now on sale. This year's festival pays homage to time and place, with a nod to the history and heroes of our beloved 'hood, the postcode 2 0 1 0. With a program that reflects upon our community's shapers, faces and sacred spaces, highlights of the three week event include:

The History of My Queer Career. In 2010 we honour the history of the world’s largest competition for locally produced LGBT short films. For more then a decade and a half, My Queer Career has unearthed the latest and greatest in Aussie queer filmmaking, and launched some impressive careers. This special event will feature highlights from the first decade of the competition, including all-time audience favourites: Cousin by Adam Elliot, Exposed by Tony Ayres, Strap on Olympia by Cate Shortland, Urn by Miro Bilbrough, and Tales from the Powder Room by Darren Burgess.

2010 My Queer Career Competition. The Mardi Gras Film Festival will open with a fresh batch of new Australian LGBT shorts, a gala awards ceremony, and our fabulous opening night party over three levels at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place. This year’s My Queer Career Judges are Neil Armfield, Courtney Gibson, Amy Gebhardt and Andrew Mercado, and they will present their winning selection to you on the night.

An Englishman in New York. In this long awaited sequel to The Naked Civil Servant, John Hurt returns with his unparalleled portrait of Quentin Crisp. This legendary tale of Britain’s most notorious homosexual turned American socialite, reprises the Crisp chronicle as an older fey gentleman overwhelmed by a fast moving culture of gay and lesbian activism, political correctness and the horror of AIDS. Bursting with Crisp-quips, powerful performances and a host of impressive cameos, this festival highlight is a must for any queer culture aficionado.

Maggots and Men. In a cinematic first, a cast of over 100 Trans Men come together in recreation of the Konstadt uprising of 1921. This (mostly) silent feature paints an idyllic portrait of pre-Soviet sailors, languid and luscious to view, with stylish stylised execution. Think Battleship Potemkin meets Querelle with FTM sailor-bois rebelling against the Bolshevik state. Curious, aren’t you…?

Little Ashes. Before he was every teen’s favourite blood-sucker, Robert Pattinson played a troubled young Salvador Dali, in this poetic biopic on the love affair between the great painter and Garcia Lorca. The two men try to fight their affections as their social group (consisting of luminary Spanish contemporaries such as Luis Buñuel) become suspicious and the civil war escalates…

And Then Came Lola. Germany’s seminal split-narrative film, Run Lola Run, gets a San Franciscan reworking in what is already the most popular lesbian film of the year. Commitment-phobic Lola, has one chance to salvage her job and her relationship, but time is running out and a wrong turn or detour will cost her everything. Navigating an obstacle course by sprinting, hitching, flirting and fooling, she must do whatever it takes to keep her girlfriend from the arms of her hot and headstrong ex. The Fish Child Mysticism and epic love meet in this Latin American thriller. Lala is the privileged daughter of a powerful judge, in love with the family’s young maid, La Guayi. As the two prepare to run away together, Lala’s father is mysteriously murdered and La Guayi appears to be prime suspect. Lala soon finds herself negotiating in a world of poverty, crime and extraordinary danger, as she battle’s to save her lover.

Drool. In this queer comic take on Thelma and Louise, salvation takes unfamiliar forms, mostly, in the beautiful guise of a travelling cosmetics saleswoman. Imogene, from Kathy K Cosmetics, moves in next door to the Fleece family and into troubled housewife, Anora’s life. Forbidden lust, homicide and a cross-country road-chase ensue, as these two women fly, taking racism, the sexual awakenings of teenagers, patricide and lesbian love all in their stride.

Hollywood Je T’aime. Melancholic man-candy, Jerome, needs to escape Paris and the reminders of his boyfriend in the arms of another guy. Where to go to escape reality…? Los Angeles, of course. In true fish-out-of-water style, Jerome is soon living in a house of We-Ho oddballs, dating a drug dealer, taking acting lessons and auditioning for pizza commercials. But will this sensitive, lovelorn Frenchman survive the Hollywood machine?

For more information on this year's festival visit the website: http://queerscreen.com.au

Warm up for Mardi Gras with Fair Day

The biggest and best-loved community event of the Season, Fair Day will officially launch this year’s Mardi Gras and promises a fun, relaxed day out for all the family, even the pets!

Up to 70,000 routinely turn out to sit on the grass, browse the stalls, gorge themselves on the plethora of delicacies available at the stalls, have a few drinks, but most of all to catch up with old friends – and make some new ones.

Some of the Mardi Gras festival’s best talents will entertain the crowds from the main stage, along with some special guests. There will be plenty of colour away from the stages too. Look out for those who’ve come out to win the Mr and Mrs Fair Day competitions. Get in early to see the grand final of Mr. AXN, Australia’s next gay cover model. You’ll also see some incredibly creative group picnics – a real Fair Day tradition.

Fair Day is also where many of our community and groups get together. The bears have their tree; the dykes their bikes; the sports teams their tug-o-war and many more.

All kinds of community groups use Fair Day as their chance to recruit, provide information, share resources and give things away. You certainly won’t leave empty-handed! You might well come away with a new hobby, a cause you want to commit to or at the very least a fridge magnet!

For Kids there is Kidzone and for our furry friends there is the ever popular Doggywood, where it’s pampered pups galore – all strutting their manicured stuff.

Victoria Park is just a 10 minute walk from Central or Newtown stations.

Location: Victoria Park, City Road, Chippendale, New South Wales

When: 21 Feb 10.00am to 8.00pm

Cost: Gold coin donation

Get Downe With Bob for Mardi Gras

Last year the hottest cabaret ticket in town at the 2009 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival was Bob Downe's Retro Gras at the Supper Club - a mad mix of dancing, cabaret, drag, music and comedy hosted by Australia's Prince of Polyester.

By popular demand, RETRO GRAS is back for 2010, this time on Friday nights - again co-hosted by Bob, along with San Francisco performance art legends, Mister Tina and Mrs Vera - who will be hosting their own exhibition during the run. You never know who will turn up to perform!

Location: Mardi Gras Festival Bar, Supper Club at the Oxford Hotel, 134 Oxford St,, Darlinghurst, New South Wales

When: 19, 26 February & 5 March

Time: 9.00pm (doors open 8.00pm)

Cost: $15 (Door Only)