Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2007 Graffiti Wall 1

So much to do, so little time. Christmas ... New Year ... Sydney Festival ... and to cap it all off Mardi Gras! If you aren't worn out by the start of Mardi Gras, you will be by the end.

Fair Day (18th February) is all about Fs: Fun, Flamboyance, Festivities, Frolicking, Food. This is when our community comes together.

The Pool Party is back on 24th February. And so it The Great Debate. These are just a few of the favourites.

Mardi Gras, as usual, concludes with the Parade and Party.

Please feel free to talk about all the Mardi Gras events. Tell us which you have bought tickets for and are look forward to. Tell us what gets you excited. Tell us how good it was for you.

Mardi Gras Graffiti Wall 2007 #2
Mardi Gras Graffiti Wall 2006 #1, #2
Mardi Gras home page

Here we are again

Its very exciting

Can you believe it ????

There are 87 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 87 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 87 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 87 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

When are they announcing the DJs?

I have heard on the grapevine that DJ's have already been chosen. A bit of a surprise this far out in my opinion. A good mate of mine (and a well known DJ name) told me he sent Brad Wright an email about 2 to 3 weeks back asking for his name to be considered for selection only to get an email back saying "sorry we've already picked the DJ's"

Shouldnt the DJ community have been alerted to the fact that NMG were going to pick DJ's so extraordinarily earlier than they usually do ? How many others didnt get consideration because the time frames being so much earlier than in previous years ?

I also hear there are TWO Overseas DJ's and two locals playing the RHI this year.

I hope this wall doesn't once again degenerate into a "party" wall. There's so much more to Mardi Gras than the final party.

This is our party people.
Let's keep it positive here.
Too many want to take us down...
be strong, be enthusiastic, be optomistic

Big up to a wonderful 2007! Party and Parade and Festival and Pool Party and more!

There's been pretty good covereage of the festival launch:
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,20886484-10388,00.html

Pity about the opening sentence, but anyway...

The launch was great - hosted by Claire de Lune, the guide was officially launched by Mark Trevorrow with performances by iOTA, Josh Quong Tart & Byron Tart.

i live a long way from sydney, and next year will be my fourth mardi gras in a row, i normally try to get up there for as long as possible, next year, alas, it will only be for four days over the weekend of the party. i have been planning my trip since about august, taking advantage of cheap flight deals (2 for 1 - thank you jetstar!), finding the cheapest accommodation (may not be sleeping all that much!!!), and waiting with baited breath for the 2007 festival to be launched.

the though of mardi gras sends a tingle down my spine and brings a tear to my eye, being able to walk down a street, into a pub or into a packed party full of smiling, like-minded, happy people who have come together for the same reason is something that so fills me with joy i cannot properly describe it. it is not a feeling that i can experience anywhere else in the world. this feeling is the reason that i come to sydney for mardi gras.

those of you who live in sydney, please do not underestimate how lucky you are to have such easy access to mardi gras and all that it brings with it. your lifestyle in sydney is a direct result of mardi gras and vice versa - enjoy the symbiosis. treat it kindly and celebrate it to the full.

i'll be spending the next few months remembering my fondest mardi gras memories (looking down on my first big party experience from the top of the bleachers in the hordern and realising that i wouldn't be straight for quids - 2004, courtney act's closing kylie ballad - 2005, falling madly deeply in love with a new zealander for 5 days - 2006) and wondering how this next mardi gras is going to top all of that - as i'm sure it will.

so, now that mardi gras has been launched, i can start letting myself get properly excited - countdown boy won't let it be any other way.

PS: my one peev is that no info has been put up on the mardi gras website yet!!! it still reads "Full details of the almost 100 different events taking place during Mardi Gras will be available when we launch our Season Guide on December 6th." c'mon mardi gras, there are people who have been waiting excitedly for the launch - let those of us outside of sydney have a look!!!!

I saw Hedwig and the Angry Inch earlier this year when it was playing at the @Newtown and must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. iOTA is a fantastic performing. Go along and see his performances if you get a chance.

Good to see they are bringing Holding The Man back for Mardi Gras season - will give alot of overseas and interstate punters a chance to see this wonderful play.

Went to see it last night.........was fantastic, well done to the great cast and writer.

The entire festival got uploaded on the calendar... press refresh on your browser to make sure you're not seeing a cached version...

the festival looks great!

I love the orange wallpaper , Its very Mardi Gras !!!!!!!!!

The plain white box with basic black text font is rather dull and not so Mardi Gras

Is this better? (I was actually working on improving it as the comment was posted.)

OUTSTANDING !!!!!!!!!!!!

An awesome story about the MG Festival here:
http://www.samesame.com.au/features/151/Mardi_Gras_2007_Spreading_The_Love

its not outstanding. it is hard to read. black on dark orange.hello?

"its not outstanding. it is hard to read. black on dark orange.hello?"

Somebody has obviously let their annual visit to the optometrist lapse haven't they ? Tisk Tisk.

"I have heard on the grapevine that DJ's have already been chosen. A bit of a surprise this far out in my opinion. A good mate of mine (and a well known DJ name) told me he sent Brad Wright an email about 2 to 3 weeks back asking for his name to be considered for selection only to get an email back saying "sorry we've already picked the DJ's" Shouldnt the DJ community have been alerted to the fact that NMG were going to pick DJ's so extraordinarily earlier than they usually do ? How many others didnt get consideration because the time frames being so much earlier than in previous years ? I also hear there are TWO Overseas DJ's and two locals playing the RHI this year."

Interesting. Why would NMG pick the DJ's so far in advance when traditionally they have normally been finalised in the first week or two of January ? You'd have to feel sorry for the DJ who asked to be considered in mid November only to be told you're too late. Why doesn't NMG tell the DJ community when the selection process is so people can at least let NMG know they want to be considered. It all seems a bit dodgy to me.

The party committee have been planning this party since the last Sleaze party. Heres a tip - get involved with the working group. You can have your say.

"Dodgy?" Dodgy is a promoter making a dj sign an exclusivity contract on Mardi Gras weekend so the will only play the private profit party, not the MG party.

The vollunteers work hours and hours for no $ return. They want a great event. So do I! Rumours are always flying this time of year, its part of the fun leading up to the night.

There is always a disgruntled Dj getting on here spewing bile about the evils of MG, and how they will burn their membership ect ect. Poor souls. Imagine having to play records for a living... they really need our support

Keep it happy people. I am excited about the line up for next years party. Looking forward to the big announcement soon.

Isn't this just a case of head hunting? ie. NMG knows who they want for the party so they go out and hire them. Happens in workplaces all the time. My brother is constantly asked to move to XYZ company because they know his reputation and not because there is a job on offering and he is asked to interview for it. They want him and they ask him Yes or No.

i have also heard that the dj's have been chosen already.

i have heard that there are BIG name headliner DJs for the hordern and the rhi. international.

that may have had some impact on the dj selection process (?)

Heard a rumour from a talent agent in Melbourne who recently brought out some international DJ's to Australia. Brad worked with him to secure a Sydney gig and looks like they have more on the cards.

i think maybe 'shivers' will be getting a play in the hordern

i think maybe 'mezmerized' will be getting a play in the rhi

Please... give up on the community selection process crap that comes up each year. You don't get a world class party through selection by committee (sounds very public service).

What you need is people with talent searching out the best DJ's from Australia and overseas... knowing who's hot right now and who has the ability to play to large crowds. I reckon Mardi Gras has got it right this year.

it's great to see so many old festival events coming back in 2007.

The Great Debate
Comedy Club
Short Story story competition
Pool party
etc etc

THIS is what is so good about Mardi Gras, the fact that there are so many events to attend throughout February!

Here is one for your diaries. Next Friday 15th December Mardi Gras will be holding a Christmas party at Arq and would love it if you came along.

There will be lots of little yuletide surprises in store for you, but predictably Marcus Bourget will be available all night under the mistletoe hoping to spread some cheer.

Entry will be $10 with all proceeds from the door going to the Parade Grants Scheme so just by attending you'll be helping make the 2007 Mardi Gras Parade our best ever.

I just got off the phone to Britney, Whitney, Cyndi,
Stevie & Kylie - they're all performing live on stage at the Mardi Gras party as the Old Diveys.

When do tickets go on sale ?

I want to buy mine as soon as they come out. It's my way of supporting MY COMMUNITY.

hopefully this week

There are only 80 Days to Mardi Gras !

There are only 80 Days to Mardi Gras !

There are only 80 Days to Mardi Gras !

There are only 80 Days to Mardi Gras !

There are only 80 Days to Mardi Gras !

There are only 80 Days to Mardi Gras !

I have a couple of questions and a comment for NMG , so I hope an official type from NMG might answer on this board. (I've never had a whole lot of success getting questions answered on phoning or emailing the organsiation direct..either old MG or NMG!)I think the programme for the festival looks great and I am already writing dates in my diary BUT:

a) I read in the guide that you have to register your number to get the clues re the launch. Usually when these types of systems are used, the cost of the calls and cost of registering have to be displayed. How much will these calls cost and does any of that cost go back to NMG as income or does it all go to the telephone provider?

b) Is there any way you can get detail about the time, place of the launch before the day of the event. I realise that may not be in keeping with the whole concept of the flash mob set up, but there are those of us who like to go to launch but need to plan ahead to be able to get away from work early and travel to Sydney from the south coast. The whole flash mob idea is great for those that have a flexible work schedule and are located in the CBD (assuming that is where the launch will be) but for those of us who need to plan getting to Sydney, child care arrangements etc etc we need some advance notice. I would hate to miss a launch after gonig to every one for 14 years...altho last years effort did make me wonder if it was ever worth gonig again!

c) I also thought that the Red Carpet launch was something I would like to go to...until I saw the price! $85 +BF for 2.5 hours of entertainment with alcohol and canapes!! In a month where I am spending a lot of money on parties, parade entries, movies, plays, other festival events I think it may drop off my radar becasue for me there are events to go to that offer more bang for my buck. Around $45-50, I would have gone

If anyone at mardi gras gets back to you please post the response here. I want to be a part of Mardi Gras but cant afford a $85 launch and i dont have a mobile phone.

no response from mg yet?

Probably been answered here already, but the timing of DJ selection is the same as last year. The DJs were decided in mid NOvember 2005 - same as this year.

Not an 'official' response exactly, but as I understand it, it's not a premium text service, so just standard sms fee to send, and free to receive - hence there were no prices included. I'd assume there'll be enough hints sent out to know pretty much when and the general vicinity in advance. I think it's also safe to assume it's going to be at the start of the festival

I don't think too many people would argue against the fact that Launch needed a fairly radical shakeup.

Otherwise - if you want to keep up to date with this and other festival stuff, subscribe to the Mardi Gras email newsletter from the website.

As to the Red Carpet event - I appreciate it's not a cheap night out, but I actually thought "$85 +BF for 2.5 hours of entertainment with alcohol and canapes" was pretty good value for a summer's evening by the harbour! Have a look at what the standard catering charges are at MCA (http://www.mca.com.au/default.asp?page_id=30), factor in the entertainment and that the night benefits PLWHA and the Luncheon Club - there's not a lot of fat there... compare it to what you pay for dinner & show (without drinks) at Slide - as lovely as that is, this event is and should be a bit more of a special occassion.

Personally, I'm quite looking forward to an event where I can get a bit dressed up, arrive as the sun sets and share a few drinks and good food with old and new friends, discuss what we're going to see and do over the next month in a fabulous location with classy entertainment, then depending on my mood decide to either kick on elsewhere or be home by midnight...

And as you point out, there are also plenty of less expensive (and free) events during the festival, as well as some that are much more expensive. I guess the point of a festival is to provide that range of options.

Just received this via email:

You won't know when, you won't know what and you won't know where until the day, but if you follow the clues then you're in for a totally new Launch experience!

To get clues and rumours about the free Flash Mob Launch text your name to 1300 764 413*

It'll be fast, fun, free and festive! Be in on the secret ­ text now!

*This text campaign will end mid February, 2007. To unsubscribe at anytime text STOP to 1300 764 413. The cost of the text from you to the number above is the standard sms cost (as per your indidvidual contract), per the registration or unregistration text message YOU send. There is NO cost to you to receive sms messages from us.

Also, tickets are now on sale at Ticketek.

I know this won't go down well with some of you, for whom it's compulsory to love MG (and everything about Gay Sydney) but I, for one, just can't get excited about MG season '07. Hedwig? It's a re-run of the show we had a few months ago. Holding The Man? Ditto. As is Miaow Miaow.

Meanwhile, we have Shauna Jensen, who specialises in singing other people's songs, headlining a host of performers at Slide throughout MG, almost all of whom are part of the furniture there! Shauna Jensen, Jeremy Brennan, Edna Markey, Aunty Mavis etc etc. They're just Slide's ususal roster, yet here they are being trumpeted as part of the Festival!

And as for the "cool" Flash Mob launch - LOL. Flash mobbing was "cool" five years ago. It's completely over now. Yet here MG is touting it as a "totally new" experience. Please.

I'm sorry, I know it sounds bitter, but I doubt I could be less interested. The vague feeling of disappointment that this bunch of cobbled together, also-ran events passes for a MG "festival" is about as passionate as I can get.

Thankyou Cee Jay for the info. I also got the email today re the cost fo the SMS's and I am glad it is not going to be one of those services that cost and arm and a leg. I still think that $85 + BF is a bit much for the Red Carpet launch, but hey thats me. I really hope for NMG's sake that there are a lot more people that think like you. I remember there was a very similar event after the launch at Customs House a few years ago (in the times of old MG) and it was a dismal (and somewhat costly failure) as people didn't seem to want to pay that much in what is an expensive month. The event itself was fabulous (yes I went) but there was hardly anybody there. There is a limit to what people think an event is worth. I notice that Azure has already starting price cutting its tickets (prerelease tickets were initally I think $132, now you can buy 3 tickets at $88 or a single ticket online at $99. I also notice that MG party tickets for members are $100. Cee Jay, is there no early bird cheaper member tickets this year??

But I will enjoy the festival as I always do, pick out my faves like fair day, movies, some plays and of course parade and party and have a great time.

One heads up Cee Jay to pass back to NMG...I went to buy tickets for a concert at Fish record in Newtown a few weeks ago and apparently they are no longer a Ticketek outlet. I had to go to the box office at the Enmore theatre to buy Ticketek tickets. Fish records said they only do Moshtix now.

isoboy

it's great that you saw Hedwig a few months ago, Holding the Man when it first appeared, heard all that Shuana Jensen has to offfer, and expereinced being one of the original Flash Mob

It's great you've been there done that.

Myself, I have not experienced any of those things. That might make me behind the times, and not an elite trend setter, but I'm still gonna enjoy Mardi Gras!

I'm running a couple of Mardi Gras events but I'm going to need a bit of help! I've got a grant to do Stand-Up Comedy workshops for women - now I need to find the women! So if you know anyone who you reckon should be a comic then let me know! I'll be hunting high and low for the next few months!

Hi, here are some official answers for you:

I am really glad you like the festival, it's been a lot of work and I really do believe there is something for everyone. Regarding the flash mob, you pay your mobile plans standard cost of an sms for the text you send to register (or unregister) and it costs you NOTHING to receive the messages back. So if you register and it costs you 20 cents per sms you send then that's how much you pay for the whole kit and caboodle.

As to getting the details of the flash mob earlier, you're spot on about it defeating the purpose and 'surprise' nature of this event. NMG has gone for a new format and it is not like past launches at all. It’s new, it's fresh and it's fast. It’s primarily about visibility and fun, not long speeches, bars or bands. I am sure though, knowing the rumour mill that this town is built around, you will have a fairly solid idea of when it is going to be... If people don't understand what a flash mob is I suggest you Google it, as there are some great examples. Essentially people find out info via sms or email and descend upon a location on mass to all engage in an activity for a short amount of time. Examples include in America a pillow fight, in the UK a 'silent' dance party, where everyone danced listening to their iPods.

So I am sure you can see the potential FUN we will have doing this. It's different to be sure, and not 'traditional' but I think it's time to just try something new. Let's just try it and see what happens!

The Red Carpet Launch is a different festival event, not a replacement or alternative launch. It will be a classy event at the Museum of Contemporary Art and like Rupert Everett In Conversation With Bob Downe & Mitzi Macintosh or the Pool Party it is simply another event NMG is putting on to offer something for everyone. We know that some people want to go to a glitzy event but don't want to do Party, for whatever reason, and this event is catering to them. The venue, catering done by a top catering company and fact that you get booze too along with entertainment is a pretty bloody good deal! This event is all about offering something new. It’s another avenue for people to appreciate artists from the GLBTQ community and their friends for a night, because that's what Mardi Gras is all about, celebrating, showcasing and this year loving ourselves sick!

Have a fabulous Mardi Gras,
Danielle - Festival Coordinator

Hi Jason,

My point is that these are not Mardi Gras events - they were already happening! The Festival seems just a case of putting the MG rubber stamp on upcoming shows and events, or also-rans. 'Priscilla' is another example. And Sing-a-Long-a-Sound of Music. And Courtney Act, and 'A Tribute to Dusty Springfield' and the 'Grand Dinners' with Claire de Lune. (Don't they happen all the time anyway?) And Slide's 'Soda Parties', which seem to be on every bloody week! What's THAT doing in the MG guide?

On the positive side, it's good to see they're bringing back the pool party and short story comp. And I'll probably see David Hoyle and Desire Dubonet, who look rather fab. Rupert Everett flogging his book might be slightly interesting.

Holding The Man's current season sold out in record time and absolutely deserves a wider audience, particularly people visiting Sydney for Mardi Gras - and if you look at the availability of tickets on Griffin Theatre's site, it seems the public agrees! I believe the best way to guarantee tickets is to subscribe to the Griffin season (which also means you get to see more good Australian plays through the year).

Hedwig also should be seen by as many people as possible, and had waiting lists for cancellations during its initial Sydney season. These 2 shows are among the most outstanding I've seen seen in a long time (and I've seen quite a few). I'm absolutely looking forward to seeing them both again, and taking friends who missed out the 1st time.

I haven't seen Meow Meow, but everyone I know who has says she is fabulous. You may notice there are several other shows at the Sydney Opera House, including David Hoyle (aka the Divine David) from the UK and Ronnie Burkett's Theatre of Marionettes. His previous 2 visits to Oz have been as part of the Melbourne Festival - this time he's coming to be part of Mardi Gras. This is the first time this show will be seen outside of Canada, before touring to Auckland, London, Manchester & Vienna. Here's just one review:
“10 Days on Earth is art of the highest order. Burkett is an artist. And having painted the marionette equivalent of the Sistine Chapel in all its flash and colour, he’s now content to step back and show us the delight and humanity he can find in a single piece of stone.” ::Toronto Sun (Toronto, Canada)

There are also twenty listings under theatre - new Australian plays, camp classics like Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, plays set in Argentina, Sri Lanka, US (including a whole company coming out from NY), UK, and from Canada. Plus of course music, visual arts, forums, worshops, sport etc...

Isoboy, I'd hope there was something in that lot you havent seen before. BTW Enda & Mavis aren't performing at Slide. Mavis isn't actually doing a show during the festival this year, but will be acting as hostess for the degustation lunch at Bentley Bar with Rupert Everett. Don't know about you, but I haven't experienced that before...

Now if only I was a lesbian (and funny...) I might enrol in the Giggling Gertie workshop as well...

from the party wall. Congratulations to Mardi Gras!

Wow - Boy George at MG
http://www.samesame.com.au/news/local/180/Boy_George_To_Headline_Mardi_Gras_Party

- Fri 15 Dec 2006 17:00:29 Replies: 1, add

Does this mean Boy George is doing a show or DJ'ing at Mardi Gras ?????????

I'm pretty sure it will be a DJ set.

Dear Mardi Gras,

I have registered for the flash mob with the phone number on in the guide/website. I received an email the other day with a different number. Am I registered or do I need to register again?

Directly from a Mardi Gras email sent today...

If you picked up today's Daily Telegraph you'll see there's been some speculation over our line-up. We had planned to give you the news first, but you can't keep a good story quiet!

So here goes. We're pleased to confirm that Boy George will be performing a DJ set at Mardi Gras Party. He's headlining what we think is our best, most diverse line-up yet. We'll be announcing full details to you our members next week.

Boy George is an astonishing talent across many fields: from the millions of records he has sold as a performer and songwriter with Culture Club and as a solo artist, to over ten years as a one of the world's most successful and in-demand International DJ's. He's a successful radio presenter, newspaper columnist, author of a macrobiotic cookbook, and is the co-producer, songwriter and on-stage star of the award-Winning musical 'Taboo' on both London's West End and Broadway in New York.

He's also a member of the world's designer fashion hierarchy. He has been an inspirational and iconic figure for over two decades of street-style. He's also an emerging New York fashion photographer in his own right and the creator of his own B-Rude Fashion Label with outlets in New York, Los Angeles and London

Whatever, whenever and wherever, George has made his mark with an enduring, hugely respected, and resonant series of achievements.

George, you can expect a warm welcome in Sydney

.
Re the comment above that "No one is to whinge about the price of Toybox tickets anymore. Mardi Gras 07 Party general admission tickets on the Ticketek website are $130."

PLEASE give me a break. Toybox tickets are $149!!! At least Mardi Gras has member tickets available at $100. Plus Mardi Gras gives you more hours of partying, more Dj's, more different music styles, more shows. Have a look at all the big straight events and you'll see that $100 (members) and $130 (general) is great value. OR go to Toybox and pay more.
.

Well now that the cat is out of the bag with Boy George DJ'ing at the party the jigsaw puzzle is in place for me.

From my sources that means the RHI line up is Jake Kilby and Greg Boladian opening back to back , Paul Goodyear and Boy George taking on 2nd and 3rd spots (not sure which order) and Dan Murphy closing off in the morning.

The Boy George selection certainly adds a bit of spark to what I believe is a very predictable DJ selection. But the selection of George has certainly firmed up my interest in wanting to go to Mardi gras rather than Toybox.

Pinkboard of course cannot verify this statement *wink*

That would be a bizarre line up in the RHI as Boy George doesn't DJ anthems at all - last time I heard him it was kind of hard house more than anything else.

I think you've got the line up wrong as I'm guessing that there's another international DJ act playing in the RHI.

Re Mardi Gras DJ's for RHI - i think you'll find my source is spot on and that the DJ's I've mentioned above are correct. As for your claim about another international DJ in the RHi well yes there is - his name is Paul Goodyear who now resides in the UK

If you remove Greg and George, then welcome to the old ARQ saturday night line up.

I do wonder how much money could have been saved by hiring a local DJ instead of flying PG (and I presume mrs PG) back from London? I'm sure they ain't travelling economy so do the sums people.

Here we go!
George will be in the Horden. Paul Goodyear isnt the international dj, nor is Mike kelly, but they are both coming back to spin. There are some great live acts booked too......

whe will the full line up be announced?
is there an UAC section this year?

The DJ Spin-off is happening http://www.mardigras.org.au/calendar_detail.cfm?id=32 and it says that they will be playing at the party. So I would say yes to UAC. (I assumed you meant Up and Coming not University Admissions Centre)

OK, *now* I'm excited: a REAL queer icon at MG. George is, quite simply, one of the great gay/queer cultural statesmen, alongside the likes of Oscar Wilde, Quentin Crisp, Leigh Bowery, Andy Warhol, Stephen Fry, Sir Ian McKellan etc. If this story is true, then big congrats to MG.

Re: his DJ-ing skills, George is extremely under-rated in this regard. BG would make - to put it mildly - a nice change from the "sexy" house and the endless girlie trance that Sydney's DJs are apparently obliged to play.

.
.
I will go to that these parties again when I hear people walk away saying that was "amazing" ......not just
"yeah...alright ....yeah really good"
Sorry that doesn't cut it, for a $130 ticket price.

Boy George is a singer, have you heard him dj?

So... lets hope its amazing! then I'll be back for the 30th.
.
.

If this story is true, then big congrats to MG.
isoboy - Sun 17 Dec 2006 15:31:04

No reason to suspect it isn't true - after all, this won't be his first Mardi Gras. He performed Bow Down Mister at the 1995 party and anybody who remembers it will tell you how unbelievably beautiful it was.

Boy George is a singer, have you heard him dj?

That's a very good question, which prompted me to Google "Boy George DJ", and I found this link among many:

http://www.anthems.com/dj-boy-george-profile.php

He palys House and is apparently pretty good at it> I guess his music background gave him an ear for good music.

Yes, it's gimmicky... Yes it has denied another DJ a spot. But there are many other international DJ's that flopped badly at MG in past years so why not have Boy George if it sells tickets and lifts the profile of the event?

As for the $130 ticket price I think we all need to get our heads out of our bums. Theatre and concert tickets for like 2-3 hours enetertainment are over $100, we can't expect MG to put on a decent event that runs for 12 hours, using crepe paper and sticky tape.

i think getting BG for Mardi Gras is a big coup. Well done. He embodies a lot of the fun, camp things that MG used to be about, as well as the struggles that a high profile gay figure has had to deal with in the main stream press (when it wasnt fashionalble to be gay in middle australia/uk/usa etc). Good one! he's a great dj, yes - very underrated by those who don't know. someone at MG obviously does!

I just wanted to say how EXCITED i am that Hedwig is back for another season in Sydney, and as part of the Mardi Gras festival! I saw it twice last year - once in Sydney and again in Melbourne. I reckon its the most exciting stage show I've ever seen. Its for that reason I'm going to see it again this season - with 13 of my closest friends!

Actually that link is very interesting, especially when you get to the playlist link. If he plays half of those tracks it will frighten the bejeezus out of the normal RHI crowd. Meat Katie tracks being played in the RHI - too funny.

.... and what if those tracks get played in the Horden?... and someone much safer, more uplifting, & more commercial is in the rhi? And the dome is something else again...

Im glad you find it funny though....

Then you have never been to an Inquisition Party ? or
in the Dome for Sleaze or like an MG or 2 back they combined Hordern/Dome styles into the Hordern and it was AWESOME........................... not a single girlie
track to be heard.

There are DJ's out there who do not play the girlie stuff you just have to go look for them outside your typical Arq/Shift venues

Di Smith (who will be starring in David Mamet's Boston Marriage at Darlinghurst Theatre as part of the Mardi Gras festival) is featured in Stay In Touch in today's SMH:

Reassessments: Cute comes first if you're a woman on TV
http://blogs.smh.com.au/sit/archives/2006/12/cute_comes_first_if_youre_a_wo.html

More info on Boston Marriage here:
http://www.darlinghursttheatre.com/page/coming_soon.html

Like the Phoenix!

As they will be in Australia around the time of Mardi Gras, how cool would it be if they were headline acts!!

Boy George and Pet Shop Boys now that would be amazing!!

Or maybe scissor sisters??

Anyone heard any other rumours?

The CORRECT number to text your name to for registration of the Flash Mob Launch is 0429 920 370.

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Wow, I'm so looking forward to MG in 07, mind you, I look forward to Mardi Gras all year round no matter what year... I love the vibe during the festival. I love the lead-up to the parade and then the hugeness of Party (obviously) so I won't bitch, got nothing to bitch about... only thing I'd like to request is maybe some Electro played at Party. I don't mind where but please give us some Electro, NMG! I love my House and I do like a bit of trance every now and then too but Electro just rocks and I reckon it's the way of the future, damn, a lot of the latest Minitry CDs seem to be Electro lately and they're simply yummy! :D

I hear word that Cher will be on Planet Earth at the time of MG... she's GOT to be odds-on for an appearance

The Pope, George Bush , the Dalai Lamar and Queen Elizabeth are forming a quartet and will be singing a few ABBA songs for the RHI 5am show. Madonna and Tom Cruise will be backup dancers.

whats a cher ?

Isn't Madonna in Tokyo sometime around then too?

JGirl - you're going to be a happy lassie.......

I would have thought the wording of the email from Mardi Gras would have got the usual rumours flowing.

They said they would "put our hands on our heart" and promise not to dissappoint with the line up.

Now having been labled a nay sayer further up the wall (of which I am quite proud as I won't blindly support something that is manifestly unfair to those who work hard on the local scene each week), I will say Boy George is a very good choice. I'm waiting to see the full line up before commenting completely.

Well the Pet Shop Boys will be here late March (see below link)

They probably wont get out here again for quite some time, if ever, so it's a little sad to think they might miss Mardi Gras by a matter of weeks... a wasted opportunity if ever there was.

Still, Mardi Gras isn't just about celebrity.

http://www.virtualfestivals.com/festivals/article.cfm?articleid=3098

Yippeeeee!!! Yay! Now I'm even MORE excited about MG (didn't really think it was possible but... :D ). I hope you're a Mardi Gras Party Working Group person saying that (that I'll be happy). Yay yay yay! Thanks Mardi Gras! Now, just get us Kylie for a show and it will be complete! Hehehehe.

Gosh,I feel like I need blinkers when on this site,

I feel like it's 1978,and i've just had some acid before going up to Capriccios to watch Trixie Lamont and her stray girls.
If this site's colour was green-we might all win tatts lotto,as green is a money attracter.

For those who don't know who Trixie Lamont is-

You must be under 50.

i posted this a while back and maybe it was a bit cryptic to be understood, i'll give it another go......

************************

prediction.......
i think maybe 'shivers' will be getting a play in the hordern

i think maybe 'mezmerized' will be getting a play in the rhi

lets wait and see........... - Sat 9 Dec 2006 18:44:18 Replies: add

*****************************

i hope it's true on both counts, would make for a GREAT party

I did see that before. I hope you mean Armin van Buuren for the Hordern? That would be cool. What would be absolutely fantastic would be if NMG could get Tiesto for the 30th anniversary!!!

Mesmerized = Freemasons & Shivers = Amin Van Bruuen
That's a lot of internationals.......

Perhaps you just need to adjust your computer monitor?

Is Nick Cave reforming the Boys Next Door and doing a show in the Hordern? That would be awesome - but he can be a bit morose.

mezmerized ??? no no no no no no no !!!

next you'll be asking for stranger in my house. no no no no no no !!!

I thought that it was the law in Sydney that every DJ had to play Mesmerized in their set - unless they have a tribal exemption. Apparently Manacle are now adopting this as their new door policy, ie, you need to be able to quote a couple of lines of Mesmerized to get in. Based on this, I would assume that I would be hearing Mesmerized multiple times in the RHI, if I was to be in there.

Having just seen a super zjushy pre-release screening of "Dreamgirls" here in San Francisco, my best buddy and I are betting on a "One Night Only" drag show at some point during the party. Jennifer Hudson showing up to belt out her showstopper would be amazing, but she's hitting your shores in January for the premiere (this per the Sydney Morning Herald). And, for the record, the Studio 54esque scene in which a glittering Beyonce and crew sing "One Night Only" is leather boy-licious and made for MG!!!

Congratulations to New Mardi Gras for winging Gay icon Boy George to our Party.
This is a reflection of what our party's are about :
Simply being Gay,and there is no one gayer than the Boy himself.
We are all going to have a hoot with this fond Gay identified celebrity coming to town to celebrate with us.
Well Done Board.

Gary Burns.

So for someone not on the scene every weekend what is the prediction for the Hordern style ?

Love the Hordern when it has its harder edge styles and if its too fluffy trance then we head into Dome for some
Tribal.

One Sleaze they only had the RHI/Hordern and the first half of the Hordern was trancey which was good then about 3am'ish it went harder/tribal and was one of the best nights we have had.

So Manacle have stopped playing "9 To 5"?

no. luke fry is back. we will get plenty of that this xmas too.

hmm, i am getting UNUSUALLY excited about the whole marid gras thing this far out from the festival. I am a fan of mr rupert everett for a LOOONG time, and he will finally be doing a chat/show for the festival! i've got to start thinking about my hair etc etc woo wee

ask kate monroe :-P

absolutely right i mean not
mesmerized should be played ad nauseum every time a dj steps into the box.
as well as i just wanna f*#king dance
best songs ever really
(nobody actually really plays them anymore do they?)

(nobody actually really plays them anymore do they?)

lol if only! I got 2 requests for Mezmerized on the weekend and 3 requests for IJWFD on the same night from different punters!

occasionally they do have to appear to placate the transient customers but neither should be heard at MG again.

who r you? did you play it for me when i asked?

So Manacle have stopped playing "9 To 5"?


god i hope not.its only 20 years old that track. its got another couple decades to go

Hey, hey, hey! Leave Mesmerised alone! I love that song (and I'm a lez!).
Damn, there are so many hot songs I'd love to hear (but I must admit, rarely do)... I'd go mental if Freemasons came back to play at Party. I was unlucky enough to miss out seeing them at Arq (and was soo soooo spewing about it). I reckon I'd love to hear Put Your Hands Up For Detroit or ANYTHING by The Knife (they totally go off) or Yeah Yeah by Bodyrox or Fade or I dunno... Yay for Party! I say YAY!!! :D Yay for Mardi Gras as a whole! :D

Royal Hall of Industries (RHI)- We Love a Sunburnt Country
Freemasons (UK)
Paul Goodyear (Exclusive Australian Performance)
Greg Boladian
Jake Kilby
Dan Murphy
Live performances by the Young Divas and Katie Noonan

Hordern - We Love the Journey
Boy George (DJ Set)
Mike Kelly
Sveta
Mandy Rollins
Feisty

Forecourt - Gaydar.com.au Parade float
Alex Taylor
Sista P
Renae Stanton
Scott Pullen
Plus the first and second place winners of the New Mardi Gras Up and Coming DJ Competition.

Dome- We Love Sensations
Bang Gang DJ’s
Stereogamous
Seymour Butz
Gemma
Ben Drayton
Mark Murphy
With live performances by Paul Mac and The Presets

The Forum- We Love Lycra
David Hiscock
Justin Scott
Jimmy Dee
With special guest DJ spots by Bob Downe and Vanessa Wagner

The Fuse Bar Women’s Space - We Love Girls, Girls, Girls
Beatrix
Beaker
Alexandra
Madame J

There will also be a dedicated members and guest area on the top floor of the Forum. A place away from the crowds to take the weight off your Espadrilles with access to your own bar and bathrooms.

This is taken from a NMG members newsletter...

In embracing our 2007 season theme ‘Objects of Love’, we have A LOT of love to give you.

Only at Mardi Gras can you hope to hear such diverse sounds at one party.

From Boy George to the Freemasons, from the Young Divas to Katie Noonan, from The Presets to Paul Mac.
And of course all of your favourite deck spinners from all over our beautiful country.

The objects of our affection will be on show all over the place at Mardi Gras Party 2007. In the Royal Hall of Industries we will demonstrate ‘Our Love for a Sunburnt Country’. In the Hordern Pavillion you will ‘Love the Journey’. And we know everyone in The Forum will ‘Love Lycra’, we certainly do! Those who hold the Dome dear are slaves to ‘Sensation’…all touchy feely…we love it!

Royal Hall of Industries (RHI)- We love a Sunburnt Country!

Step into the Australian outback surrounded by all of the icons that make our nation special, from chesty Bonds to the Big Banana.

Artists that will be playing/performing in the RHI are:

Freemasons (UK)
Paul Goodyear (Exclusive Australian Performance)
Greg Boladian
Jake Kilby
Dan Murphy

Live performances by the Young Divas and Katie Noonan

Hordern- We Love the Journey!

Whilst we just adore this country, we do love getting out and spreading ourselves around.

The fact that thousands of partygoers from all over the globe fly into Sydney and make this one of the best gay parties in the world makes us burst with pride. In the Hordern we are celebrating our passion for the Journey by turning back the clock to the 1920’s Art Deco era of decadence and opulence when romance and travel went hand in hand.

Artists that will be playing/performing in the Hordern are:

Boy George (UK)
Mike Kelly
Sveta
Mandy Rollins
Feisty

Forecourt

Party under the stars to the sounds from the Gaydar.com.au Parade float parked in the Entertainment Quarter Forecourt. Watch the night sky evolve into daylight.

Artists that will be playing/performing in the Forecourt are:

Alex Taylor
Sista P
Renae Stanton
Scott Pullen
Plus the first and second place winners of the New Mardi Gras Up and Coming DJ Competition.

Dome- We love Sensations!

Touch, explore, feel and taste your way through a world of Sensation. Enter the Dome- if you dare. Release your senses let them be nourished, feed them until they can’t take anymore.

Artists that will be playing/performing in the Dome are:

Bang Gang DJ’s
Stereogamous
Seymour Butz
Gemma
Ben Drayton
Mark Murphy

With live performances by Paul Mac and The Presets

The Forum- We Love Lycra!

‘Let’s get physical’ as Olivia would say, but not without your lycra bike shorts! Think back to a time when leotards and legwarmers were all the rage and aerobics moves made their way out of the gym and onto the dancefloor. The Forum will be transformed into pure retro gold…with a twist of course. Think lean athletes in Adidas, tight little jockey bums and crisp tennis whites.

Artists that will be playing/performing in the Forum are:

David Hiscock
Justin Scott
Jimmy Dee

With special guest DJ spots by Bob Downe and Vanessa Wagner

Fuse Women’s Space- We Love Girls, Girls, Girls!

Think sexy pole dancers, roaming performers, and a whole lot of girl on girl love. Low slung red lounges and a cosy dancefloor to bump and grind with the girl of your dreams.

Artists that will be playing/performing in The Fuse Women's Space:

Beatrix
Beaker
Alexandra
Madame J

For you, our Members priority entry and cloakroom will be just some of the benefits that can you can enjoy. There will also be a dedicated members and guest area on the top floor of the Forum. A place away from the crowds to rest your Espadrilles with access you your own bar and bathrooms.

Tickets

Tickets are now on sale at $130 or $100 for NMG members/concessions.


As a NMG Member you must purchase your tickets in person or over the phone.

They are available from:

Ticketek Website

Ticketek outlets

Or by calling 132 849

Take care of yourselves over the festive season and we will be in touch in the New Year.

Big hugs,

The New Mardi Gras Team

JGirl,

Just got the email. Time for you to go mental!

Yah............. sounds like the Hordern has a harder edge to it !

Will be splitting the time between Hordern and Dome only.

Cant wait.

I have been going to these parties since 1994 and this is by far the strongest and most creative line up I have ever seen at a GLBTQ party.

Mardi Gras - well done. I predict a sell out in advance.

Hordern looks great! And Boy George IS a great DJ. I have one of his Ministry compliations from around 1997 period. He was hot then! Interested to hear what he plays now

WOW

Very strong line up - Party is gonna go off!

Congrats NMG.

As the resident nay-sayer, I do like the overall line up of MG.

I still object to the money wasted on the one DJ as discussed earlier but overall it's not bad.

I wrote the disparaging comment about Boy George being in the RHI and I'm happy to be proved wrong - it makes sense to have him in the Hordern. This is an interesting line up - well done on the DOme line up, it actually sounds like the 21st century has finally arrived.

wow!
thank you Mardi Gras!
Dome line up is totally tight! The Presets rocked Folsom Street Leather Fair in San Fran this year. And Homebake... Talk about versatile!
DJ Gemma too! And Seymour! And the Bang Gang!
I think this is the most unique party line up ever!
Heres to 2007!

I bought my Mardi Gras ticket today. I am excited.

Very very happy MG with the DJ lineup. Was disappointed with the monotony of last year's horden trance-cum-ego-stroke 16 hour set or whtever it was. Can't wait for Sveta to totally rock the room. Have heard Boy George DJ at Ageha in Tokyo...was pretty dull bam bam bam hard house without any sexy beats or funky bass to speak of and dancefloor was empty. Fingers crossed he does better at MG. If not, the dome is looking pretty damn fine too! This party is looking like some of the biggies in the mid-late '90s...if only we could go back to pre-crystal meth happy crowds too!

The simple answer to all of this is Join Mardi Gras then you get your tickets at member prices and it also allows you into the members area so even more value.

It also allows you to buy lots of the festival events at members prices. Musnt foget that as well! Its not all about the party.

yo ho ho

Although it seems a lot of people are very happy with the line-up for next year's Mardi Gras party based on the posts above, I was quite surprised to see that New Mardi Gras have (again) opted not to include a trance DJ. Fans of the "underground" and tribal styles should be very happy though....

I was quite surprised to see that New Mardi Gras have (again) opted not to include a trance DJ.


"again" where have you been the last 5 years? or the last 10 even??

Actually, there was no trance DJ at Sleaze 2006. Correct me if I'm wrong....

There are 70 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 70 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 70 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 70 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 70 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

Just saw the price for this years MG Party... Lost me I wont be paying that .. Sadly I believe it will mean a much smaller attendance and hence not the same HUGE vibe from MG 06 which was one of the best in ages...

I think the people responsible for this years party have got it wrong.!!! Bring back early bird ticket prices...

Shame shame shame

I love the idea of dancing in the Forecourt under the stars to Alex Taylor, Scott Pullen, Sista P & Renae Stanton.

What a line-up for the Forecourt!

Anybody know where tickets for the Toybox Party can be purchased? We are coming from California and have had no luck finding any information about this event.

Head on over to the Toy Box website... www.toyboxparty.com.au and you'll see ticket information on there. I don't believe it's sold out yet.

Nah, I so disagree. $100 a ticket (if you're a member) is pretty effing reasonable if you ask me. It's not as if it's just any night. The line-up is spectacular (IMO) and well, well worth it. I know MG will put on an outstanding party. Damn, even my girlfriend who is so so so not into going out anymore is excited about Party 07. I can't talk it up enough.... :D
PS I do, however, think it's a little rich that certain clubs on Oxford St think it's ok to charge $50 entry on NYE, now THAT is a rip-off!

Interesting there is no Trance at Mardi Gras considering their main rival Toybox is Trance and successfully so. You'd think NMG would have some trance to counter Toybox and make the decision for people contemplating going to TB a little harder. Particularly with the price difference ($100/$130 versus Toybox's $149). Trance at Mardi Gras has always been popular and in the last few years the hordern has been more crowded then it ever was.

As for those complaining about the price you need to wake up and look around. $130 is good value for music events of this size and $100, members price, is even better.

The deeper you dig the more interesting it gets. I know one of the Toybox dj's. Did you know that the "trance" Dj's playing at Toybox were made to sign an exclusivity agreement, making sure that they couldn't play at Mardi Gras!
I think you'll find Paul Goodyear, Freemasons, ect will play the "trance" that the punters want to hear.
This party is going to be amazing!

Freemason wont play trance, but goodyear might

Sounds like smart business to me?
Why would you want one of the "two" trance djs playing the night before.

good on them.

Mardi Gras membership is what $45 , gets discount at party but generally thats it, plus $100 for the after party ticket is pretty risky when on past events have been pretty hit and miss. Toybox on the otherhand which has increased in strength event on event and is playing trance for bout the same price.

I agree with Steve W, The DJ line up isnt impressive and the guest performers well enough said but yawn, Just hope they wont stuff the best chance they had for making the 30th Mardi Gras decent by loosing out with there choices on the 29th.

We will wait and see, But i will will see you at Toybox