Let Mardi Gras begin!
The next event on Sydney’s fun calendar is its original party, the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. It’s three weeks of events culminating in the famous street parade and party on 7 March. This year’s theme is Nations United.
It all launches this Saturday with the Mardi Gras Fair Day at Victoria Park, Camperdown where 70,000 people are expected to savour the fun, the food and entertainment including pop band Chasing Bailey, Melbourne electro-pop trio She Said Yes and comedian Bob Downe.
Mardi Gras Launch will take over the main stage at 12noon following an opening spectacular throughout the park. Performers Shauna Jensen and broadcaster Julie McCrossin will host Launch with Neighbour Day founder and GLBTI advocate Andrew Heslop providing the keynote address.
New Mardi Gras Chair David Imrie said Fair Day would have some new features following a survey amongst members. ‘Our survey showed many people were looking for more fun activities on the day and a wider variety of stalls. So we’re pleased that in 2009 Fair Day will feature the ‘Play Pen’ with a variety of games like a bucking bronco and giant Twister. While a new gourmet food and wine area will see a Nations United of tastes from organic olive oils to connoisseur wine tasting.’
Sectsy pilgrims wanted for Mardi Gras
Meanwhile, groups are gearing up their floats for the parade.
The City News spoke to Sue-Ellen Cox, artistic director of 20-year parade veterans ethel yarwood enterprises about their entry.
‘This year we will stage a parody of a Pentecostal Christian church, representing the all-encompassing community values of ‘diversity, respect and inclusion’. Our mission statement is to achieve a world with the DENOMINATIONS UNITED.’
The parade entry will star God as a DJ spinning discs from heaven’s console in the sky, atop a representation of a ‘religiou$’ multimedia empire. A bus will transport pilgrims from the parade Start Area near Central Station to the place of worship, our sister multimedia empire ‘Jox Studios’.
Hundreds of believers will make a choreographed pilgrimage in costume representing lots and lots of ‘dirty, sectsy denominations’.
A fundraiser will be held at The Clarence Hotel, 450 Parramatta Road (cnr Crystal Street), Petersham, with pilgrim registration during two sermons at 9pm and 11pm on Friday 13 February.
For more information on how to register as a pilgrim or attend the fundraising events, please refer to: www.yarwood.comau/mg2009 or email ethel@yarwood.com.au
