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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Sydney's Mardi Gras Parade Goes Alcohol Free

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade will be alcohol free from next year.

A Sydney City Council committee meeting last night approved the ban on alcohol along the entire parade route.

The decision followed a request from the Mardi Gras committee.

Council spokeswoman Susie Matthews says the ban will increase the enjoyment of the parade for many people.

"Really we're keen, as is Mardi Gras and the police, to promote the parade as a family friendly, safe accessible event for everyone," she said.

"Certainly in the past we've had some incidents of violence and antisocial behaviour that have been really closely linked with excessive drinking."

Gay Travel: Ten Things to Do at Sydney Mardi Gras

The incredible thing about Australia during the months of February and March is that this Aussie summer season makes for one hot Mardi Gras celebration! Thousands of people come together Down Under to mingle and meet for one special Sydney Mardi Gras. Events span over two weeks and will shake you to the core of your being with plenty of festivities to go around.

Whatever your celebratory style may be, you'll be sure to find many events that are just right for you. Start by checking out our Sydney Mardi Gras 2012 Top Ten List; we might even see you there!

Fair Day- February 12th

Fair Day is the ultimate way to kick off the official Mardi Gras season. Fill February 12th with a fun and relaxed day out in the park with friends, family, and pets too! Up to 70 000 people routinely show up to sit on the grass, browse the stalls, enjoy the wide range of delicacies available at food stands, and have a few drinks. Fair Day runs from 10am until 8pm, so you'll have plenty of time to get the whole family out and about to celebrate!
Homage- February 18th, 25th, and March 10th

Join local GLBTQI musicians as they pay Homage to their queer musical heroes in this cabaret tribute to our community's trailblazers. Top-notch young talent from Sydney's music scene will cover KD Lang, Antony & the Johnsons, Melissa Etheridge, Ricky Martin, Ani DiFranco, Gossip, the Village People, Dusty Springfield and so many more amazing queer artists. Come together in this musical celebration to record our history, celebrate our heroes, and reflect on the songs which are etched into the queer memory bank.

Every Saturday night 5 different bands will be featured at the Blackcat Lounge at the Sidetrack Theater for a different collection of tunes and talent, classic hits and few undiscovered gems.

Full Story from GayTravel.com

Sydney Madri Gras Festival 19 February - 6 March 2011

Sydney Madri Gras Festival 19 February - 6 March 2011

Get Accommodation now at Metro Hotels, there are 4 great properties within close proximity to the Mardi Gras Festivities.

Have your say on Gay Marriage

An online survey by Wentworth MP Malcolm Turnbull into gay marriage is proving extremely popular and you still have the chance to participate.

To take part in the survey simply log on to www.malcolmturnbull.com.au and follow the prompts.

According to a spokesperson for Mr Turnbull, “There has been an overwhelming response to this survey, which shows this issue is obviously very important for the community.”

To date, over 1100 responses have been received from constituents within the Wentworth electorate alone. “However, for the survey to be as accurate as possible, it is important that even more people take part.” Said the spokesperson.

Mardi Gras Party 2010

Images Photostream of the Sydney Mardi Gras Party in 2010

Images courtesy of www.mardigras.org.au

11 Queer trends & milestones for 2011

The Top 11 queer trends & milestones for 2011

Bonjour Newtown Hotel
After gathering cobwebs for 24 months, the Newtown Hotel has a new licensee and make inner-west queers happy in 2011.

Au revoir Live and Haus
The departure of Live and Haus from club One Six Nine will leave room for a few new straight club nights. We hope the punters to Oxford Street are lovers not fighters.

Pet Shop Boys fever
The rumour mill has the Pet Shop Boys touring in Sydney around Mardi Gras time.

Baby boom
Progress in adoption means more queer couples hearing the pitter patter of little feet. Expect plenty of pugs’ noses to be put out of joint.

Girls get to grindr
Love it or loathe it, the Grindr app (allowing you to instantly find other gay men wherever you are) is pretty popular in this town and finally the girls will get to grind with the announcement of a grrrrl Grindr, due this year.

Scruff
Scruff is Grindr for furry fellas and it is set to see more bears and other hairy bits in 2011.

Dolly Parton on tour
The songbird with the tiniest waist in country music will tour down under. We think we will see a few Dolly drag homages in the crowd.

Mainstream alert
Young gay men calling themselves ‘mainstreamers’ and ditching the label of ‘gay’ may see old-school and new-school queers divided in 2011. Brace yourselves for handbags at 50 paces.

The Sum of Us
In August, Glen ST Theatre is reviving David Stevens’ play about an ocker dad (Steve Bisley) and his gay son.

Time Out re-branding
After three years, Time Out Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian section is getting a nip’n’tuck. Watch this space.

Need Sydney Accommodation? Metro Hotels

(source: Time Out Sydney January 2011)