Candidates on Parade - Political Pundits

Political pundits have long known Clover Moore has a lock on gay community support, but the Greens, Labor and Liberal parties mobilised for this years Mardi Gras.

Labor's float committed the cardinal Mardi Gras sin looking daggy, replete with election corflutes, while Liberals Bruce Notley-Smith (Coogee), Adrian Bartels (Sydney) and James Falk (North Sydney) waved from the back of a glam convertible, JFK and Jackie O-style, accompanied by a beaming Don Harwin (Liberal MLC). Mr Bartels has been chasing the gay vote with particular alacrity, taking out full page ads in the pink press wishing readers a Happy Mardi Gras - but say little else.

(Source: Wentworth Courier, March 2011)

Mardi Grouse - Last Saturday was Sydney's 34th Gay and Lesbian mardi Gras parade

Last Saturday was Sydney's 34th Gay and Lesbian mardi Gras parade, and my 17th - although I hasten to add I'm usually a spectator, or a helper-outer, and only rarely have I been in the actual thing.

This year, I was part of a group called Dr Mark's marching Academy. Our schtick was a tribute to the TV show Glee, complete with pompoms. Dr Mark prides himself on having a totse fierce* parade entry each year; with great lights and the best sound system. And so, in the waiting-around hours before this year's event, Dr Mark cranked up his superior speakers to the delight of all.

The result? Instant disco. And dancing in the street.

The boogie continued for more than an hour, and a brief downpour did nothing to dampen enthusiasm of the particpants. As the rain came down, our cheers went up. Bring it on, we seemed to be saying. Nothings going to stop us.

Actually, that's not quite true. For a few parade participants, drunkeness and drug use threatened to stop their parade before they even left Hyde Park. This was more than a shame; it was a disgrace.

But those idiots were very few in number. I hope the rest of us put on a suitably fabulous show, and reminded our spectators - straight, gay and everything in-between - that being gay is OK, joy is infectious and Sydney really is the greatest city on the planet.

* Young-person-speak for "very good".

(Source: Opinion - Wentworth Courier; Our Say by David Mills, Editor Wentworth Courier, March 2011)

I have somewhat grown up with Kylie Minogue - EXTREME KYLIE FAN

Starting at the beginning I would say that I have somewhat grown up with Kylie Minogue through my childhood and this has since extended to my adulthood.

Kylie is an Australian Icon and everyone around the world knows the name KYLIE. From her humble beginnings in Neighbours and the relationships of which some made headlines around the world, Australia has always opened their hearts and minds to her.

Her first song/single “Locomotion” and the copious times that I used to stand in the Living Room of my parents house dancing and singing, I swear my parents got sick of that song my cousins who came over for dinners would also dance and sing with me.

In 1998 one of my cousins came to see me and asked if I wanted to go and see Kylie’s Intimate and Live Tour (14th June 1998), of course my answer was ‘YES’, but I was still hesitant. Being my first ever concert I did not know what to expect. Let’s say that I was not disappointed and that since then I have never ever missed one Kylie concert, regardless of price.
This now brings me to 2005, and anyone reading this will understand this year for Kylie. For those who do not know or remember, Kylie was scheduled to come to Australia to perform her Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour.

Whilst in Australia Kylie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, this made front headlines on newspapers all over the world, and shocked Australia.

Let alone I had just moved to Sydney with my partner and this was to be my birthdaypresent. I will be honest and say that I was nearly in tears that day; I did not know what to do, what to say or how to respond.

I could only imagine what was going through Kylie’s head at the time. The hardest announcement she had to make was that the Australian Leg of the Tour was cancelled until further notice. But a year later and with a new CD on its way Kylie re-entered Australia and thanked everyone for their wishes, and announced the Showgirl: Homecoming Tour.

This show was fantastic, with no expense spared. Soon after this Kylie released the album ‘X’ marking the tenth studio album, she immediately went into preparation for the KylieX2008 Tour which was phenomenal.

This now brings us all up-to-date with Aphrodite Les Folies World Tour, the first time Kylie will actually tour world wide. The entire tour is valued at approximately $25 million and Kylie Minogue will be joined on stage by a cast of dancers and aerial performers, along with her live band. A water feature which has been specifically created by the same company which is known for Las Vegas’ Bellagio Resort’s, Fountains of Bellagio. A total of 100 personnel and a fleet of over 25 semi-trailer trucks will be transporting this show around Australia.

I have specially made this package for our hotel for all the Kylie fans out there and also for those coming to have their first ever Kylie experience in Sydney, and believe me it is well worth the experience!

VIEW AND BOOK THE Kylie Aphrodite Package at Metro Hotel on Pitt

Written by Daniel Pearce – EXTREME KYLIE FAN

Kylie Aphrodite Package at Metro Hotel on Pitt @ Metro Hotel on Pitt - Metro Hotels

Kylie Aphrodite Package at Metro Hotel on Pitt @ Metro Hotel on Pitt - Metro Hotels

Mardi Gras Special at Metro Hotel Sydney Central @ Metro Hotel Sydney Central - Metro Hotels

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