30 years of pride...
Thirty years ago, the world was not as accepting of diversity. But Mardi Gras has been a force of positive change and celebration.
Born in 1978 Mardi Gras pioneer Ron Austin gets in on the Act from a bolthole over Taylor Square
Foreword
Welcome to the 30th anniversary of Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Thirty years ago, the world was not as accepting of diversity. But Mardi Gras has been a force of positive change and celebration. So I raise a glass (and a false eyelash) to all the brave men and women who led the way and put Sydney on the map as the gay capital of the world. Having performed twice at the Mardi Gras party, I know there's no hotter place in the world than Sydney right now. Whether you're a newbie or an old hand, get your party shoes on and let Time Out be your guide.
Love, kisses and peace, Dannii xx
Dannii Minogue
Ambassador for Young People, Terrence Higgins Trust (www.tht.org.uk)
Festival highlights
A Mardi Gras feast
Our yearly queer event is all quality entertainment. Andrew Georgiou picks the best art, music, comedy and cinema Mardi Gras 2008 has to offer
Margaret Cho
The irreverent Ms Cho has entertained and shocked US audiences for over a decade. This wickedly funny comic comes to Sydney with her brand new show Beautiful, which looks at the concept of beauty and gives us her take on what it means. Raunchy, dirty, sexy, shocking comedy at its best. Feb 27 & 28, Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay 2000. $65. Bookings 02 9250 1999.
Cyndi Lauper
Lauper has sold over 50 million albums worldwide since 1983 and involvement in the gay and lesbian community has always been a big priority. Her most recent work with the Straight For Equality Pledge saw her fighting for equal rights for gay, lesbian and transgender people. She will grace Mardi Gras with shows at the State. Feb 29, March 1 & 2, State Theatre, 49 Market St, Sydney 2000. $99-135. Bookings 136 100
Pam Ann
Giving a whole new meaning to the Mile High Club, the hilarious Pam Ann touches down for this year's 30th anniversary celebrations. Having had Sir Elton and Dannii on board for her remarkable comedy, Pam is also one of the only trolley dollies who can boast of touring with Cher. "She asked me if I could turn back time for her," says PA. The incorrigible performer will serve her shows straight from the Bain Marie at The Lyric Theatre, Star City. Suitably camp. Feb 22, 23, Lyric Theatre, Star City, Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont 2009. $65, Bookings: 1300 795 267
Queer Screen
Aussie queer directors make great films, and Queer Screen has been exhibiting them to the community for more than 16 years. The Mardi Gras Film Festival traditionally kicks off with My Queer Career, the Australian queer shorts screening at Angel Place. The festival will showcase the cream of queer short filmmakers. On 15 February, the rest of the Mardi Gras Film Festival brings us the finest gay, lesbian and transgender cinema the world has to offer. Feb 14-28. For session times and bookings go to www.queerscreen.com.au
Mardi Gras Art Gallery & Fuck Love - Installation
The Mardi Gras Art Gallery is a collection of work from queer artists responding to their place in their culture. With artists such as celebrated photographers William Yang and Mazz Image, as well as illustrator Jozef Szekeres and a myriad of other artists, the Mardi Gras Art Gallery is a must-see event that celebrates the significant role art plays in the community. Fuck Love is an installation, which addresses themes based on and around the body and sexual politics. Artist Carl Hopgood tells the tale of a stereotypical world of hedonistic beauty, which meets a tragic seedy underground world.
Mardi Gras Art Gallery: Feb 12-Mar 1, Tap Gallery, 278 Palmer St, Darlinghurst 2010. Gold Coin Donation.
Fuck Love Installation: Feb 15-29, Taylor Square Public Lavatory, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst 2010. Free
Pool Party
One of the sexiest events on the Mardi Gras calendar is the Pool Party. Flesh is the garment du jour at this wet day out. From muscle queen to twink, from furry bears to lezzos in boardies, this is where Sydney's diverse community comes together to make a splash. If you ain't the swimming type, you can twist by the pool.
Feb 16, Victoria Park Pool, Camperdown 2050, 7pm, $40, Tickets: www.mardigras.org.au
Parade & Party
The sign-off to Mardi Gras 2008 is the city's most famous parade and party. Saturday 1 March will see crowds jostling for a prime parade perving position. With this year's Brave New Worlds theme, Sydney salutes its past and future with solidarity and pride. The celebrations continue with 2008's hottest party. Legendary DJ Hex Hextor headlines a line-up of local and international deck spinners to keep a 20,000 strong crowd happy. Mardi Gras Parade: Sat 1 Mar, 7.45pm, anywhere along Oxford Street Darlinghurst 2010. Mardi Gras Party: Sat 1 Mar, 10pm-8am, RHI, Moore Park 2021. $150, Ticketek 132849.
Calendar
Saturday 09th
Blowing Whistles by Matthew Todd t
6 Feb-2 Mar. Belvoir St. Theatre, 25 Belvoir St Surry Hills 2011. $32, (02 9699 3444).
Club Arak Manning Bar Manning Rd, Sydney Uni, Camperdown 2050. $35 + $3 booking fee. (www.clubarak.com)
Polly's Harbour Cruise $45, (02 9558 0400).
Sunday 10th
Hat's Off! Meets The Stars Come Out Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, Sydney 2000. $75, (02 9250 1999).
William Yang Free t 1 Feb-8 Mar. Australian Centre for Photography, 257 Oxford St, Paddington 2021.
DJ Spin Off Vinyl Wars Guys: 9 Feb Girls: 10 Feb. The Supper Club, 134 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010. Gold coin donation.
Tuesday 12th
Two Old Queens 12-16 Feb. Riverside Theatre, Cnr Church & Market Sts, Parramatta 2150. $46, (02 8839 3399).
Short Story Winners The Polo Lounge. 134 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010. $2 donation, (www.mardigras.org.au)
Mardi Gras Art Gallery 12 February-1 March. TAP Art Gallery, 278 Palmer St, Darlinghurst 2010. Gold coin donation.
Wednesday 13th
The Great Debate Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre, Cnr Cleveland St & City Rd, Chippendale 2008. $37.60, (02 9351 7940)
Hello Again By Michael John Lachiusa 30 Jan-23 Feb. Darlinghurst Theatre Compan, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point 2011. $30, (02 8356 9987).
Talking Turkey Free A Same Sex Parenting Information Forum Redfern Town Hall, 73 Pitt St, Redfern 2016.
Thursday 14th
Queerscreen & My Queer Career t 14 (My Queer Career) - 15-28 Feb.
(www.queerscreen.com.au)
She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not 13-16 Feb. Riverside Theatres Cnr Church & Markets Sts, Parramatta 2150. $28, (02 8839 3399).
Camp Queer BBQ Free This event is in the Macarthur area, (02 4625 2525).
Friday 15th
Outloud 08 12-23 Feb. TAP Art Gallery, Level 1, 278 Palmer St, Darlinghurst 2010. Free
Butterflies of the Mughal Garden 15-16 & 21-23 Feb. Metropolitan Community Church, 96 Crystal St, Petersham 2049. $20, (1300 306 776).
Get Salted Free Stonewall Hotel, 175 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010. (www.saltclinic.com.au)
Saturday 16th
Pool Party Victoria Park Pool, Victoria Park, Camperdown 2050. $40, (www.mardigras.org.au)
Evolution Mardi Gras Festival Bar. The Supper Club, Taylor Sq, 134 Oxford St, Darlingurst 2010. $20, (1300 438 849).
Sunday 17th
Smutty Salsa Free Spectacular Sly Fox, 199 Enmore Rd, Enmore 2042. Free
Fair Day Victoria Park, Camperdown 2050 10am-7.30pm.(www.mardigras.org.au)
Thursday 21st
Create Your World 18 Treacy St, Hurstville 2220. (02 9570 6743). Free
Bodytorque To The Pointe A New Movement In Ballet 21-23 Feb. Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay 2000. $59, (02 9250 1999).
3 Bands One Big Night The Supper Club, Taylor Square, 134 Oxford St, Darlingurst 2010. $20, (1300 438 849).
Friday 22nd
Pam Ann Live Lyric Theatre, Star City, Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont 2009. $65, (1300 795 267)
Fuck Love Free 15-29 Feb. Taylor Square Public Lavatory, Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010. (www.carlhopgood.com)
The Carpenters from Kempsey 22-23 Feb. The Supper Club, 134 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010. $30, (1300 438 849).
Saturday 23rd
Andreas Scholl Diary Of A Superstar
22, 23, 27, 29 Feb-1 Mar. City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney 2000. From $24.50,
(02 9328 7581).
Tongue Twister 2 Burdekin Hotel, 2-4 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010. $45, (www.moshtix.com.au).
Sunday 24th
Dykes On Bikes t Bike and Tattoo Show Hampshire Hotel, 21 Parramatta Rd, Camperdown 2050. (0409 226 329). Free
Tea With Tobin, Queer Is Dead Or Is It Back? Australian Centre for Photography, 257 Oxford St, Paddington 2021. $20
Sol Y Luna Harbour 2008 Mrs Macquaries Chair, Royal Botanic Gardens 2000
(13 2849).
Wednesday 27th
Margaret Cho t Beautiful tour 27 & 28 Feb. Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay 2000. $65, (02 9250 1999)
Jeanne Little In Marlene 26 & 27 Feb. AB Hotel, 225 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe 2037. $48 with three course dinner, $38 for two courses. (02 9660 1417).
Meet The 78ers t The Rex Centre, 58A Macleay St, Kings Cross 2011. (02 9558 9419). Free, donation appreciated.
Friday 29th
Cyndi Lauper Live 29 Feb, 1 & 2 Mar. State Theatre, 49 Market St, Sydney 2000. $99-$135, (136 100).
Courtney Act t The Supper Club, Taylor Square, 134 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010. $25, (1300 438 849).
Wentworth Falls and Valley of the Waters Bushwalk Free All Day. (02 4787 8029).
Saturday 1st
2008 Mardi Gras Parade t Hyde Park up Oxford St and ends at Moore Park Rd.
2008 Mardi Gras Party Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park. $150, (13 2849).