Sydney Mardi Gras Unveils Massive 2015 Program

Sydney's annual street-conquering celebration, the Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, has announced its full program of performance, events, exhibitions and activities for 2015, with the music side of things led by international heavyweights such as David Morales and JD Samson.

Amid the near-two-week duration of the festival, punters will be treated to a sensual smorgasbord of free and ticketed attractions in line with the year's theme of "Passion", kicking off with returning favourite Queer Thinking, billed as "a thought-provoking day of ideas, literature, academia and culture, exploring what it is to be LGBTQI in 2015". On the same day — Saturday 21 Feb — attendees will be able to celebrate and explore the lives of trans* pioneers in the Calpernia Addams-hosted Gender Trailblazers.

The family-friendly Fair Day is also back in 2015, on Sunday 22 Feb, featuring culinary treats, children's rides, market stalls, comedy, dancing and live music, plus the renowned DoggyWood dog show, all of which gives way to the free-entry After The Fair party once the sun sets. Women Say Something: Cirque Du Femme showcases a selection of particularly inspiring women such as Magda Szubanski, Dr Kerryn Phelps and Dr Dorothy Mcrae-McMahon with discussion focusing on the achievements of women from all communities; that event goes down at Fairground Follies on Friday 27 Feb.

The following evening, on Saturday 28 Feb, the famed Harbour Party hits Sydney Harbour once more, headlined for 2015 by Canadian hit-maker Kiesza. This one is ticketed, so you'll want to move fast, but it's not the only event to take over Darling Harbour — Wow Me! It's Mardi Gras brings another family-friendly hub to proceedings with pop-up drag shows, kids' workshops, and the renowned Little Black Dress Run for charity on Sunday 1 Mar.

The Mardi Gras season is stuffed full of events the whole way through to its final day on Sunday 8 Mar, when the party winds down with The Laneway event, which boasts live music, diva drop-ins, pop-up drag shows and DJ performances. There is, of course, the annual Parade, on Saturday 7 Mar, and the natural follow-up, the official Mardi Gras Party at Playbill Venues and Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park — that's where you'll be able to catch Morales and Samson, alongside Paul Mac and Sammy Jo — plus opportunities throughout the calendar to catch alterna-queer party event Bar Bitch Chew Art (Sunday 1 Mar), ex-Ru Paul's Drag Race contestant Bianca Del Rio (Friday 27 Feb), the Nick Coyle-helmed Blue Wizard (Thursday 19 Feb to Sunday 15 Mar), Mike Bartlett's COCK (Tuesday 3 Feb to Friday 6 Mar) and Helpmann Award-winner Dean Bryant's Gaybies (Friday 6 Feb to Sunday 8 Mar).

In addition, Mardi Gras pays homage to the best in visual arts, will stage the always-popular Mardi Gras Film Festival (Thursday 19 Feb to Thursday 5 Mar), and offer alluring events such as the Mardi Gras Disco Climb (Wednesday 25 Feb to Sunday 8 Mar) and Stargayzing (Friday 20 Feb).

It's far too voluminous a program to fully detail here, but you can get across the full spread of activities, performances, events, sports, youth workshops and parties at Mardi Gras' official website: www.mardigras.org.au

Source: http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2014/12/12/sydney-mardi-gras-unveils-massive-2015-program/

Sports Events Australia: Welcome to the Bingham Cup Sydney

With thousands of visitors and a host of events, Bingham Cup Sydney will be a tournament to remember.

The wait is over – the world cup of gay rugby is finally here. The 2014 Bingham Cup will be held in Sydney on August 24-31.

Over 1,000 players from 30 gay rugby teams from around the world, plus many more staff, supporters, friends and family, will descend on Sydney for the biennial tournament, which also features a week-long program of social events.

“We’re very excited to be hosting the Bingham Cup in Sydney – it’s the first time it’s been held in the Southern Hemisphere,” said Bingham Cup Week Events Manager Jon Bastin.

“We want to put on the best Bingham Cup ever – one that appealed not only to those taking part in the rugby tournament, but also the locals.

“To achieve this we’ve partnered with some of Sydney’s best known community groups to put on a diverse program of events – Queer Screen,  Harbour City Bears, the Lifesavers with Pride, Sydney Rangers FC and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras have all given us tremendous support – plus the Australian Rugby Union, Woollahra Colleagues RUFC and Eastern Suburbs RUFC have been great partners, ensuring that we put on a great tournament.”

Indeed, Bastin has program a dynamic and diverse line-up of events, ranging from drinks at popular Sydney venues to friendly matches at iconic location.

“Get out there and join in the fun,” Bastin says. “If you’re not into the footy then you can still be part of the atmosphere at one of the other events. With over 20 events and 30 gay rugby teams in town, you’ll be sure to have lot of fun.”

Bingham Cup Week is on August 24-31. 

Delta Goodrem Brings Teeth to Mardi Gras

Delta Goodrem's bright white smile will be working overtime at this weekend's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras when she performs as the new ambassador for a tooth-whitening product.
Goodrem will perform as toothpaste brand Oral Bs new ambassador at the event on Saturday night, it was announced on Monday.

"Smiles are infectious, they bring out confidence and powerful connections between people, so I'm delighted to be involved in this years Mardi Gras Parade and to be partnering with such an incredible brand," Goodrem gushed.

The Voice Kids judge will perform mid-parade on the Oral-B float.

The tooth whitener is the official sponsor of Mardi Gras photographers.

Sydney's Mardi Gras is celebrating 35 years of gay pride. This year's gay parade and festival will take the theme Generations of Love, a reference to the first Mardi Gras march in Sydney in 1978 and the ongoing struggle for equality.

Top Ten Must See Events at This Year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

1. THE MARDI GRAS DISCO CLIMB

Talk about getting high on life. If God is a DJ then this rainbow themed dancefloor atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge is surely heaven. Can you think of a better way to herald in Mardi Gras season than combining disco with bridge climb? Thought not.

The climb has limited departures and is only available during Mardi Gras. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Disco Climb. Mardi Gras 2014. Source: Supplied

2. THE 36TH ANNUAL SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS PARADE

Sydney is home to the loudest, proudest, largest and most-loved celebrations of the LGBTQI community on Earth. Join hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the route along Oxford and Flinders streets on Saturday, March 1. Plant a smile on your face and simply enjoy the wild ride.

Rain, hail or shine, revellers gather along the route. Source: News Limited

3. FAIR DAY

If Parade is the party then Fair Day is the fete of Mardi Gras season. Get along to Victoria Park on City Rd, Chippendale on Sunday, February 9 for this all-day family-friendly picnic celebration. Enjoy roving drag performers, gourmet food, loads of market stalls and the Doggywood tent for pampered pooches.

Performers Mrs Vera, Dob Downe and Mr Tina pictured at Mardi Gras Fair Day. Source: News Limited

4. JOHN WATERS LIVE AND IN PERSON

American filmmaker John Waters, he of the pencil-thin moustache, appears for one night only at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday, March 9. The cult figure, who appears on Sunday, March 9, is responsible for Hollywood gems Hairspray and Cry-Baby and is notoriously candid about the downside of fame.

Filmmaker, playwright, comedian and man for all seasons John Waters appears for one night only at the Sydney Opera House. Source: Supplied

5. PAM ANN presents PLANE FILTHY

Pam Ann is the anything-goes air hostess alter-ego of Australian comedian Caroline Reid. Get set for some seriously funny observations on air travel through the golden age. Not to be missed. Reid performs over two nights, February 27 and 28, at the State Theatre. Punters will also be presented with a complimentary glass of sparkly and a Pam Ann compact and fridge magnet. All class!

Pam Ann A plane sitting on the tarmac at an airport. Very high resolution 3D render. Source:Supplied

6. KINGS & QUEENS of CABARET

Enjoy a stellar Mardi Gras cabaret season at the Slide Lounge, Darlinghurst all this month. Among the headliners will be Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham, who will debut his own show. The multi-talented Mitcham is joined by queen of country Beccy Cole and a host of other performers. Check out the full program at mardigras.org.au

To get you warmed up for the main event, here's a little gold medal entree from Mr Mitcham

MATTHEW MITCHAM GOLD MEDAL DIVE

7. COURTNEY ACT in BOYS LIKE ME

Following sold-out seasons in New York and Los Angeles, Australia's own Courtney Act performs hit cabaret show Boys Like Me for one night only, February 25, at the Sydney Theatre, Walsh Bay. Act is a bona fide homegrown superstar at the top of her game. Boys Like Me tackles masculinity, femininity and dirty laundry.

COURTNEY ACT IN BOYS LIKE ME

8. HARBOUR PARTY

Summer sun, an iconic harbour and big dance beats combine to make the Mardi Gras Harbour Party a hot ticket item this season. Gather at the Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquarie's Point on Saturday, February 22 from 3pm. Bring your dancing shoes. Already confirmed acts include British DJ Joey Negro and Paul Goodyear from the US.

Joey Negro plays the Harbour Party on February 22. Source: Supplied

9. RAINBOW RUN

Fitness freaks unite and show your support for equal love by taking part in the Rainbow Run. Held Saturday, February 8 in Sydney Park, St Peters participants should be at the start line of the 6km course by 10am. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Equal Love initiatives in Australia. A DJ set broadcasted throughout the circuit has been designed to keep participants motived.

Show your support for marriage equality by taking part in the Rainbow Run. Source: News Limited

10. THE VAUDEVILLIANS featuring JINKX MONSOON

Those well abreast of the reality television hit RuPaul's Drag Race will already be familiar with irrepressible narcoleptic drag queen Jinkx Monsoon. The Season 5 champion makes her Australian debut with co-star Major Scales at the Vanguard, Newtown from February 18 until March 2.

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