Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2007 Graffiti Wall 2

The Mardi Gras Festival is barely a week old and already I have been to five festival events and one that was so gay it should have been. There are two more events tonight. The rest of my festival looks similarly busy culminating with the Parade and Party. I'll be doing theatre, music, film, art, talk and of course partying. Whew! Many events are already sold out, so it is best to book early.

For the parade this year I am doing something different. I have been in the parade probably 15 times, the last two years with the Boys on Bikes (Kawasaki ZZR600). This year I will be marshalling. If you want the best view and a discount party ticket then you can still volunteer here.

The other big big event still coming up is Fair Day on 18th February. A wonderful day in Victoria Park with shopping, eating, drinking, eye candy and shows. What more could a proud community member want! A party? Well then, head off to the official Fair Day after party at the newly renovated Bank Hotel.

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 #1
Mardi Gras Graffiti Wall 2006 #1, #2
Mardi Gras home page and festival calendar

New Wall yaye....

keep the mardi fever alive!

yup I have to agree, between countdown boy and Panther even the resident nay-sayer has been convinced to go to the party.

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 20 Days to Mardi Gras !!

Club Arak was fantastic last night - congratulations to everyone involved in putting it on. The mix of arabic music, sultry sexy boys and a good venue worked brilliantly.

This has to become a 'must-do' event on the Mardi Gras Calender (but next year get in early as it sold out a few days before the event).

Off to 'Hats Off' at Starcity tonight - another favourate Mardi Gras event.

Hello All,

I have volunteered to be a parade marshal this year and would like to know if anybody can tell me what normally happens with regard to party tickets for volunteers. There has been no mention of it in the emails from NMG to volunteers. As this year looks like it may sell out, I don't want to miss out, but would like to get a discounted ticket if it is available. Thought I would post here before asking NMG, as I am sure they are very busy at the moment, and I don't want it to look like the reason I have volunteered is for a cheap ticket (I genuinely want to contribute to the community).

Thanks everyone, see you at the Parade and Party!!!

iOTA .... what a talent!

Kids, beg, borrow, steal and see this guy sparkle, shimmer and burn the stage like no-one you know!

I'm still reeling from the experience.

NMG, thank you for bringing him back to Sydney.

Off to book more tickets to see him again, ciao!

Club Arak was great. I have been a number of times now and it is always lots of fun. The dance floor really goes off, and there is plenty of space outside to chill and chat. The music just makes you want to move.

Hey BBC, maybe you can get together with ABC and ad to your 'Grumpy Old' series with two, maybe three more episodes. You could include 'Grumpy Old Poof's', 'Grumpy Old Dyke's' and 'Grumpy Old Mardi Gras'.

I am sure you will find plenty of candidates for these episodes through the Graffiti Walls on Pinkboard.

And you could show them next year during Mardi Gras' 30th Anniversary Festival/Party season.

And to top it all off, we could have a Great Debate with the Grumpy Old Farts vs the Whiny Young Welps on "What Mardi Gras Means To Me". What ya think NMG?

Looking forward to it.......

I guess NMG read this site! Question answered. Discounted ticket for volunteers if you attend the briefing and actually help. Ticket is issued on the night.

See you at the party and parade!!!

Hedwig has now been extended to 4 March
http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=HEDWIGAN07

Apparantly every show last week sold out, so get in quick!

BTW - Hats Off last night was fantastic (aside from a few audio problems early on), and was only a few tickets short of a sellout and apparantly raised well over $40,000 for ACON. Congratulations to Trevor Ashley, Laurence Stark and Craig Renshaw and all the performers, musicians and others who donated their time and talent.

There were so many highlights it's hard to single them out, but Trevor/Cleo delivered a showstopper with Everybody's Girl, and Margi de Ferranti brought the house down with The World Goes Round. The boys from Priscilla doing the Cell Block Tango was pretty special too, as was Genevieve Lemon stealing Caroline O'Connor's 'moment' with All That Jazz. Finishing the night with Geraldine Turner and Nancye Hayes reprising their roles from the original 1981 Australian production of Chicago was almost too much for a (not so) old show queen who was too young too see it the first time round

(Although realising that last night was the 10th Hats Off! I've attended was a little scary)

Tomorrow night - Short Story Competition winners event.

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 19 days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

How many MG TIX are they selling this year? How many has been sold so far?

There are 18 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 18 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 18 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 18 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 18 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

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There are 18 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 18 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 18 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

not sure on total numbers but we got ours on the weekend and they were in the 5000's

I thought I read something about 16,000 ? but be nice if I'm wrong.
As for ticket numbers in the 5,000 , it seems to be traditional that a lot buy only a week or so before a
party now.
Everyone of my friends is going and I cant wait for the
Hordern and Dome.................

*sigh*

I thought this has been explained time and time again but here we go once more.

each ticketing venue has an allocation of tickets all with different number ranges. Just because your tickets have a certain number on them, doesn't mean that's the number that has been sold so far.

We got our yesterday and our tickets are in a lower number range. Also there may be a different number range for members tickets and non-members tickets (not sure but it's very likely).

I was told by someone in the know that tickets will sell out before the day of the party, hence the reason I got mine this week.

Don't leave it to the last minute guys & gals, this is going to be a huge party and you don't want to miss out!

yeah we brought ours and tick is in mid 5000's

mine were in the mid 9000s... and seem to be moving fast. The ticket office was busy and looked more like a gay bar! The fever is on peoples.

Just heard on an SMS i received that the parade and party have been moved to Sunday afternoon to accomodate a DJ's schedule!!!!

What rubbish. Ticketek venues are linked by computer otherwise they wouldn't be able to verify if you are a member or not. The ticketing is sequential.

Does anyone know why Showgirls has been cancelled? Got a call from Tickmaster today to let me know but when I asked why they said they didn't have any information.

When I got my Club Arak tickets last week I showed my BF and said how ell the tickets were selling as we had ticket number 102101. There didn't seem to be that many people at the party.

me too...mine said 19,000
And there were people queing around the block ..lol
go mardi gras go!
no.... go!

Apparently ticket sales are way ahead of the same point last year so expect it to sell out people!

Absolutely everyone that I know is going this year! It is definately going to sell out! Cannot wait!

would assume that more tickets are on sale than last year as they have added more venues. I would guess 17,000 - 18,000? have mine as there is no way in the world im missing freemasons and young divas

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

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There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 17 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

From the Mardi Gras website:

STOP PRESS! Media Release
Due to circumstances beyond their control the Producers of SHOWGIRLS LIVE have had to cancel the show scheduled for the State Theatre on Wed 21st February.
The Producers have every intention of remounting the production in the future but at this stage are unable to proceed.

They'd like to thank you for your support and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

That's a pity. Oh well, will look forward to seeing it some time in the future...

BTW, the Short Story Competition at the Colombian last night had a great crowd, and a very high standard of winners. The winning stories will be published shortly by http://www.gay-ebooks.com.au/

I'm having a festival-free night tonight (so far...) Off to 10 Days On Earth at the Sydney Opera House tomorrow night.
http://www.mardigras.org.au/calendar_detail.cfm?id=102

My Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake tickets arrived yesterday - *really* looking forward to that one!
http://www.mardigras.org.au/calendar_detail.cfm?id=112

Since when did MG have a interest in broadcasting the parade?

Whats the whole idea with diversifying into tv?

In recent years the free-tv coverage was sloppy and granted that TV1 has done a immense amount to better the cause, what makes you think people are going to pay money to see the parade streamed to their loungeroom.

Previous years people have tried this concept and it hasn't worked. The mardigras site states that they will using their media partner viocorp. Why re-invent the wheel when they can just licence the TV1 Broadcast, they produce tv not BOREDroom videoconfrencing?

What does everyone think about this - if it's broadcast on the net it should at least be free, making people pay for it is again cutting off members of our community. Particularly closeted youth...

This is something that MG does very well...

Here we go again. Someone's found a new thing to complain about.

What do you mean "since when did MG have a interest in broadcasting the parade"? For a few years there it was being broadcast on channel 10!

I hardly think that a pay per view webcast is "cutting off members of our community" if it's never been done before! This is something new and it's getting the message out there to wider audience than ever before. This stuff aint cheap so I doubt they will make any money from the $10.

Also I think the webcast is aimed more at international audiences who wouldn't see it on Australian free to air TV in any case. If you look at the Mardi Gras website they provide international broadcast times plus cost in US dollars.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Sorry, "What Rubbish", I work for a ticketing agency and the other person (sigh)is correct when they say that the ticket number has nothing to do with the tickets sales to date.Tickets are certainly distributed in blocks. Its to do with cost centres,agency turnover etc. However the fact that there are tickets numbered up to 19000 is a sign that things are going well for Mardi Gras to date.

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 16 Days to Mardi Gras !!

It's not a new way to complain about something at all. It's a opinion. If everyone can whine about the launch two weeks on then I can voice my opinion!

It is cutting off members of our community. When I was young and growing up, MG cut me off because I wasnt 18.

The parade has been broadcast freely on ABC/TEN and on TV1 every year now. The only coverage on freetv atm is highlights packages.

Youth look to MG and the parade is a big part of it. I dont know about you but I personally would not have been able to tell my parents I needed their credit card information to watch a MG parade on the internet.

It's very cheap to stream. Viostream has partnering with Akamai who are a peering telehouse. This effectivley minimises half the load issues with webcasts as their are local mirrors in every city it's being watched. It's not a issue of cost, it's a money making opportunity (and very little at that) and I think it's sad that MG has again cut off their own audience.

"Here we go again?" Turn your hearing aid down if you don't like the feedback love...

Didn't you hear the news? NMG has decided that next year's Launch will be held online. No need to worry about how many people turn up then!

Seriously though, it just sounds like another ill-thought out idea to raise some revenue. Overseas visitors don't know that theyll be getting a crappy coverage and even when they do, NMG isn't likely to care that they've alienated that bunch of people as well.

So what to wear?

Having a MAJOR fashion crisis at the moment. Do I wear a little black number or go all glitz and glamour?

How on earth can you "cut off members of our community" if the webcast service has NEVER been offered before. By definition nothing has been cut off and in fact a new service has been added.

"Overseas visitors don't know that theyll be getting a crappy coverage and even when they do, NMG isn't likely to care "... do we really even need to respond to such a ridiculous comment?

"...As you know Beat FM Online will be broadcasting this year's Mardi Gras parade from the balcony of the Flinders Hotel, and in addition to our hostess with the mostest, Sandy Bottom and DJ Rob Marshall (who will mix it up throughout the parade itself) we have confirmed a who's who of Sydney's best DJ's to get you in the mood for Australia's biggest gay event.

Starting off with Alex Taylor between 3 and 4pm, then Justin Scott between 4 and 5pm, followed by Mark Alsop between 5 and 6pm.

This year will be the best web broadcast by far!!!"

After 20 years of these parties - comfortable
is my recommendation

"do we really even need to respond to such a ridiculous comment?" Apparently you did...

Payment for 'webcast' *cough cough* is via paypal. To pay via paypal you must hold a valid credit card. To hold a credit card you must be over the age of 18 years.

Any young queer person or even a questioning person wanting to know more won't be able to see it. (Legally anyway until people start posting rips of content on youtube)

Cut Cut Cut.
Do your research first and stop picking about everything. Smarty pants...

Its not new at all - BeatFM have had a webcam out a window for years. MG thought they could make money off it...

"DJ Rob Marshall"

Now there's a name I haven't heard from the days of the Taxi Club!

Providing a high quality webcast does cost money - not only ensuring sufficient bandwidth to guarantee availability, but also to set up the production on site.

Everyone is always telling New Mardi Gras they need to broaden their income streams beyond the parties and this looks like a sensible way of doing it.

I'm sure they'd rather be earning money from TV rights from a big broadcaster and be transmitted into every house in the country. Unfortunately that won't happen till the Parade is back to the standard it used to be and that is up to all of us, not New Mardi Gras.

Who here is going to be in the Parade? Now that's a useful way to contribute.

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 15 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

Go nude, El Nakedo....it gets the most attention and is extremely cost effective on the budget. Plus it can make a lasting impression.

Signed,
Phantom of the Mardi Gras

Yeah but if they really wanted to make money off it they could have used queerTV who always donate their stuff to mg. Oh well, next year.

What a great way to sum it up though...

" Unfortunately that won't happen till the Parade is back to the standard it used to be and that is up to all of us, not New Mardi Gras."

Totally! However, I think it is up to NMG to but the leader back in leadership before the sheep follow. Let's hope the 30th birthday has a national tv parade broadcast.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Will there be a darkroom of such at Mardi Gras party this year.......been missing then heaps.

After being disappointed with the lame launch this year I was wondering if that Festival February feeling would ever kick in. Well I'm glad to say that I had a great time at the Film Festival Opening last night.

The standard was pretty much quite high this time around and most of the film hit the mark. It was great that one film would make us all laugh out loud, and then the next would make us feel something completely different.

Stand outs this year for me were:

Australian Tails - very funny and put us all in the mood to laugh for the rest of the night.

The Manual - interesting, sad and serious film that was very well made.

Seeya Rach - A great film that just goes to show you don't need a huge budget to make something memorable. I felt like I knew the one actress who appeared on screen for the entirety of the film. And a great twist at the end that don't think anyone saw coming. (and a great opening line to the film when you think back on it).

Prada Handbag - So funny and warm. It really was "queer" film in that the central character wasn't a homo, but was definitely one of us!

I'm really glad that Prada Handbag won the audience particiption award. In the past these awards tend to go to the people with the most friends in the audience, but it was good to see that the film that got the loudest applause from friends wasn't necessarily the overall audience favourite. A well deserved win for them!

Well done Queerscreen on your opening night. Look forward to seeing more of the Film Festival over the next couple of weeks.

PS. Does anyone know which of the films made it onto the DVD this year?

PPS. After 14 years of the My Queer Career competition, it would be great if they could to a retrospective DVD so we can relive some of the winners and standouts from the past.

have the UAC dj winners been announced?

Mister S and Tim Graham

Yeah we get it Gloria... not everyone has access to a credit card. My point is that since the service has never been offered before Mardi Gras are not suddenly cutting off a section of the community. The poor in the closet under 18's at home with thier parents have never had access to the parade.

The alternate view is that this service opens the parade up to a worldwide audience who have never had access to the parade before.

Im getting tired of people who always go straight for the negative and want everything for free! It costs a tonne of money to put the parade on so good on Mardi Gras for trying to recover costs!

I heard there's going to be a little "unannounced" surprise on the big night ! Hooray !

RHI
10.00-1.00 Jake Kilby B2B Greg Boladian
1.00-4.00 Freemasons
4.00-7.00 Paul Goodyear
7.00-10.00 Dan Murphy

Forecourt
10.00-12.00 Mister S
12.00-2.00 Renae Stanton
2.00-4.00 Tim Graham
4.00-6.00 Scott Pullen
6.00-8.00 Sista P
4.00-8.00 Kyla Sexton (Live Vocalist)
8.00-10.00 Alex Taylor

Hordern
10.00-1.00 Sveta
1.00-3.00 Boy George
3.00-6.00 Mike Kelly
6.00-10.00 Mandy Rollins and Feisty

Dome
10.00-12.30 Seymour Butz with Gemma
12.30-1.00 Paul Mac (live)
1.00-1.30 Sterogamous
1.30-2.15 The Presets (live)
2.15-4.15 Bang Gang DJ's
4.15-6.15 Ben Drayton
6.15-8.15 Mark Murphy

The Forum
10.00-12.00 Justin Scott
12.00-1.30 Bob Downe
1.30-3.00 Vanessa Wagner
3.00-6.00 David Hiscock
6.00-8.00 Jimmy Dee

Fuse Bar (Women's Space)
10.00-12.00 Madem J
12.00-2.00 Alexandra
2.00-4.00 Beaker
4.00-6.00 Beatrix

Fox and Lion
10.00-4.00 Craig-o-rama
12.30-1.00 Hosted by Courtney Act, Brielle Davis, Lesley Hancock & Sylvana
1.30-2.00 Hosted by Shauna Jensen, Jeremy Brennan & King Casual
2.30-3.00 Hosted By Claire De Lune, Fiona Leigh Jones & Keren Minshull
3.30-4.00 Hosted by Chelsea Bun, Hugh Monroe, Doreen Maganni & Darlene

I am really disappointed how the flow of the retro space is going to be butchered by Bob Downe and Vanessa Wagner from 12.00 - 3.00 in the Forum.

These persons are talented show people who from all accounts use the microphone heavily. Bob Downe in particular has been known to sing over tunes that he plays when he takes on a dj role.

I'm not sure at all that this is going to work.

As for me , well I'll explore the rest of the party till David Hiscock starts at 3am and then can get some serious retro music in without having the tunes sung over like a bad kareoke machine !

what are the show times?

Check out the interactive party map that the've just posted on the website http://mardigras.org.au/map/

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

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There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

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There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

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There are 14 Days to Mardi Gras !!

I'm a boy and my girlfriend likes to have fun with girls.
Is the Girls room at MG party for girls and their friends or girls ONLY this year? Last year I thought it all worked well from our perspective. I was in there with her at times and other times it was all hers (and her “new” friends), she is such a tease and flirt with such a tiny skirt on the podium.

I've been a happy member for well over 10 years
and have got our tickets.

count-down boy revs me up!
Love the member benefits.

Move on will you.

You cant have 1 hall totally to your satisfaction ! Vanessa and Bob have a following so there will be people there who love them ! No need to slag them just cause there not your cup of tea. How would you feel if someone came up to you at the party and said you dont fit so get lost ?????????????????????????????????????

You have the right idea though. Try the many other halls for those few hours. There are DJ's in the Hordern and Dome that I LOVE and others I am not fussed on but am very happy to move between halls with slagging off at the poor DJ's/Hosts.

Here we go again.

The Answer ? Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Against the law.

Why do you need a dedicated spot pointed out to you to have some fun ?
Cant you have fun no matter where you are ?

I have to agree with the original poster on this. I question the DJ'ing credentials of these performers and thought they would have been better as the shows in the retro space.

Where do they DJ on a weekly basis and why were they considered ahead of other REAL retro DJ's such as Rodney Deane from the Shift?

Id like to see MG podcast the party as well.
Nice marketing tool. Multi cam action from all over.
Then we can see how bad we really look in the morning.

I'll be there, thanks for asking! Just got my outfit together for the party, fly on Wednesday! YAY!
Jamesnsf

mg has had videos made of all their partys
their on youtube
sleaze last year and the party last year
just doo a lil search
queer tv has party podcasts on their site

And I have to disagree.

You version of retro is different to others ideas of
retro. Get it ?

Give them a go. If you dont like what they do , then go to one of the other 6 spaces.

Actually quite simple without having to question/slag our entertainers.

can't wait kittens, we're flying in from zürich on friday. mg is going to be the best!

how many peeps are doing the double = mg party + toybox?
looking forward to both parties...im one who "came home" grin to the party last year..and hope this year's will be good...i saw culture club way back in 1984 and now to see the boy at MG will be interesting.. i'll think about how i was then and how i am now and think about boy and how he is today compared to the old "beatlemania" days of 1984!..good to see him still punching or should that be "sweeping" go boy and glad to see you still involved in music in shape or form.. i hope everyone has a fun time..wherever..stay safe play safe..Happy MG..phoenixgirl

There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

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There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are 13 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

My point is they should have been given a go elsewhere, not at the years premier party when they don't have the credentials.

I'm not questioning their performing skills, in fact I've been to a number of Bob Downe shows and loved them all. Vanessa as well puts on a good show but NOT as a DJ.

Put both in the cabaret hall and it would have been brilliant fun. Putting them on as DJ's ahead of people who have paid their dues as DJ's is insulting.

Vanessa, also known as Tobin Saunders, has been DJing for many years now - in particlar as a regular at Tropical Fruits. Credentials as a main party DJ? We think so.

The credentials of the nasty piece of work being a total bitch here? We think not.

I suppose you cant please 16,000 people at the same time.

Poor NMG.

So, who went and what was the verdict? I went with my girlfriend and met heaps of friends there. I had a go at the mechanical bull and fell off and practically broke my leg! Then we went around selling raffle tickets for Monika's Doggie Rescue for a couple of hours. Had a fab day, although felt that people could have been a little more generous with their money... still, I know there were a lot of charities there collecting and not everyone supports the charities that I do.... anyway, thanks Mardi Gras for a top day! I loved Fair Day and we had a fantastic day for it, weather-wise too... sucked in Fred Nile, you pigdog! :D

I dont know about the ages of any of the people commenting here, but maybe they were too young to remember the 'Jamie and Vanessa' dance parties? I think Vanessa proved herself back then.
As for Bob doing voice overs, well perhaps he will, but if youre going to get seriously retro then thats how it was in the original discos - all voice overs and 'that was by's...
There didnt seem to be any complaints when the Dutch DJ (cant remember his name) actually stopped and chatted to the crowd several times during his set a few years back... The Hordern was packed to the rafters the whole time then.

If anything it sounds like the retro hall is going to be very different to the rest of the place for a few hours; not as serious or obsessive as the RHI, or as agro as the Hordern has been of late. Basically a lot of fun.

So lets see how it goes?

See you there

A good day and a good crowd of people. I was a silly billy though, I presumed that there would be buses again this year as in previous Fair Days. Not so, so after 20 minutes of standing near the Pleasure Chest( not a good look!), which also happens to be the bus stop on Oxford St I got the hint and took a cab from Oxford St. I didn't stay long as the sun was getting to me and most of the shady spots were taken.
It was still great to feel that vibe!!!
My gut instincts are telling me this is going to be a big Mardi Gras!!

Cheers,
TS

Congrats to the Mardi Gras volunteers for organising a great day. I thought the crowd numbers seemed way up on previous years and noticed too that there each year there are more and more picnicers and people making a day of it... fantastic!

Well I guess all the whingers are wrong... Mardi Gras is as relevant to the community as ever.

The crowds loved the shade of the fig trees.

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

There are only 12 Days to Mardi Gras 2007 !!

What a great day....well done Mardi Gras!

In the past the "Retro" has been cheesey house remixes of old tunes - and not really retro at all! Go Mardi Gras for putting on the Homo Icons! I first heard Vanessa Wagner dj in 1988 - with Ben Drayton. Bob used to dj in melbs in the 80s too. They are genius performers and will bring a spark to a much maligned space. We can here Roddy at the shift every week. Bob and Vanessa rule!!
Congrats on giving us The Best Part Line Up Ever!!!

How was the Bank after Fair Day? I heard it was packed to the rafters, but I was too bushed to make it...

so whats everyone thinking of wearing to the party

i must nothing but agree! i think it is a great idea to have bob & vanessa playing classics with talking over it.
isnt it how djing started anyway? and arent they playing in the retro space? D'oh
it'll be nothing but fun.
i remember paul goodyear could pull out a set full of original 70s & 80s tracks. also remember walking into retro space once while jake kilby played - the original 12's.
and to be honest with you post helped me to made up my mind - i am going to MG. (also must say i sold my azure ticket after a very dissapointing line up was announced)

This year was my first Fair Day, and I have to say that it was Awesome Thank you to everyone who made the event possible - the volunteers, the organisers, the performers, and the people at the stalls.
Mardi Gras Parade, here I come! :D

And guess what ? someone elses point is...............
they cant wait for Vanessa and Bob.

So are we going to have slanging match over the Retro
Space ?

Fair Day was the usual great and diverse mix that makes Sydney so famous. Shame the sound on the main stage was riddled with that screeching sound when a mic comes too close to a speaker. I asked the guy sitting out front why this happens and he said that it can happen anytime. Really? So I asked a mate who works in sound (and does many of our parties) and he asked what kind of desk was out front. There wasn't one I replied - just a laptop I said. Ah, that's the problem he said. "Since when will a $1200 laptop be able to give the operator the ability to quickly and properly fix eq issues (?) over a $10,000-100,000 proper sound desk designed for the job". Was this a cheap option? Shame as it affected many of the live acts on. The speeches were fine but not the musical parts.

Anyway I'm a bit of a sound nazi loving what is given to us at Mardi Gras and Toybox - hope there isn't cheap audio solutions being used for the rest of the Festival.

A slanging match on the disco floor while on a cocktail of treats, fabulous!!!!. Or should we say murder on the dance floor??
The entertainment is getting better by the hour.
Should I start up bets??

punchin judy...

As little as possible.

A red and white leather neckband and a light spray of baby oil all over the pecs, followed by some sic c thru camo hotpantz.

And a horse riding whip to spank myself silly when I feel lonely.

cant wait to get trashbagged baby

when you walk with a microphone in front of most sound systems, this will happen. it usually more clever to place to microphone or speakers in the right place, but i guess there are other things you can do too

Hey sound natzi, I agree... mardi gras have so done a cheap 'price is right deal' on audio production sofar with this festival. it's nice that we have guys that put on the party understand why you need a really expensive speaker system and not some garage junk that we saw everywhere on fair day.

what happened to the company that did it last year - i actually had a interest in the music then because it sounded good. my partner knows this little kid that does sound and apparently it was "some old fart with a beard"...

best left to the professionals i say... nobody likes a queeny screaming speaker, my ears are important to me...

sure everyones a critic but i've been to enough partys to know what sounds good. fair day didnt, regardless of the weather!

Some of these new breed of "performers" need to learn microphone technique.

As an example, over the past few months I've done the sound at a venue while 2 singers who are involved in different shows during the MG festival, sang in the club.

One is a seasoned professional with great technique. Not once did we get any feedback and she helped me keep the mix of voice & music balanced by using her mic beautifully.

The other performer (who has a MASSIVE ego), flails his arms around all over the place resulting in the microphone pointing directly into the clubs speakers for more than 50% of his performance. Each time the inevitable feedback occurs, he shoots filthy looks at me or whoever is doing the sound at the time. Heaven help anyone who tries to give him tips or hints about what not to do as he seems to think he's a star of some sort.

Yes the sound setup at Fair Day wasn't great but the true performers had no problems dealing with it.

.
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There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are only 11 Days to Mardi Gras !!

I had a fantastic day at Fair Day and the After Party at the Bank Hotel went off! The volunteers who made this all possible are amazing - thanks guys and girls we had a ball!

Highlights for me were:
* The Pony winning in the dog show
* The bigger badder lounge tent
* All the new activities and performers this year

Everyone needs to rememeber how lucky we are to have a free event like this in Sydney.

Thank you New Mardi Gras and Volunteers, see you at the Pool Party.

"You pay peanuts, you get monkeys"

"I thought the crowd numbers seemed way up on previous years and noticed too that there each year there are more and more picnicers and people making a day of it... fantastic!"

So participation numbers ARE an indication of an events success?? Or aren't they?? or are they only when it suits you??

Just because lots of people turn up to fair day doesn't mean the rest of the festival is relevant to people.

I would like to complain to Mardi Gras about the line up of this years party.

It is too good. Boy George // Paul Mac // BoB Downe // vanessa Wagner // The Presets // The Fremasons // DJ Gemma (club arak) // . . . . .

Why should we be subjected to such great talent?

And can I just say that it would be nice for those who attended the free Fair Day to support the Party ? where the majority of $'s are made ?

I know so many that only do the free events , bitch about everything else and Pooh Pah's any idea of the
Party. No party then all your free events would not be held or would be so scaled down you could hold it in Taylor Square

This years MG has so much going for it and if you dont like the doof doof doof in the Halls then hang out in the Fox and Lion or Forecourt areas or Retro area.

It will be mayhem at the party, I might bring a motorised scooter and wear a watch, so I can zoom zoom zoom tween venues 2 hear my fav dj's.

Its just 2 much all on 1 nite and with the TB recov pacing is going 2 b the name of the game.

bring it bloody well on

"So participation numbers ARE an indication of an events success?? Or aren't they?? or are they only when it suits you?? Just because lots of people turn up to fair day doesn't mean the rest of the festival is relevant to people."

What's your point??? You're not happy with things being a success? You obviously have a chip on your shoulder about Mardi Gras so I hope you don't go to any events then...

The bottom line is simple regarding this year's Mardi Gras Party:

* It pays for the Parade (the reason we are here doing all this in the first place - June 1978);
* It pays for the company to run through the 'quiet' times;
* It has been carefully put together to cover a very (almost complete) diverse musical journey;
* It has people that volunteer and work their butts off to give the community a great night out and do so for all of us (and don't really get to relax until the next day, or weekend, if they are lucky);
* "It's our Mardi Gras and she ain't going anywhere" - a comment I heard not long after the MG saving 2003 party.

So, it's the cash cow that keeps us going, it's the celebration we enjoy after the political statement that, especially in an election year, makes us too hard to ignore. It's a time to reflect on other times, people, friends, lives - hey, quite simply, it's our Mardi Gras Party and she ain't going anywhere....

Enjoy!... and Embrace her

Hi guys I may have missed it but with 11 days to go I still haven't seen the times for the shows. Can anyone help out with this?

will any of the DJs in the Fuse Bar be playing rock ? I get a bit bored of disco music all night long & rock is the best music for some girl/girl action. cant wait !

genius site
http://www.mardigras.org.au/map/
all the info you need... check the venues - its all there...

sorry show times are never announced in advance - its a health and safety issue.

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are 10 Days to Mardi Gras !!

I could be wrong but I believe that changed in the last couple of years. I remember for one party (can't remember if it was Sleaze or Mardi Gras), MG members got the show times on the day of the party. I can imagine that something similar will happen this time round too.
And Noisy Gypsy, here here! I love Mardi Gras, I love anything Queer full stop and I put my hard earned where my mouth is by supporting events and being a member of groups/clubs/organisations/etc. Guys, seriously, would you be happier if we DIDN'T have these events? If so, then fair enough, vote with your feet, otherwise some CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, I'm sure, is always welcome by Mardi Gras... note the word constructive.... and let's maybe try to be positive about it?

Tonight is the Mardi Gras Great Debate. The topic is Gaydar vs Gaybar.

Pinkboard has played an important part in the development of the "Gaydar" phenomenon. At the turn of the century Pinkboard was Australia's most popular website for the gay and lesbian community. And the most popular part of Pinkboard has always been the Personals. Many people have met through Pinkboard and formed long term committed relationships (20 years in one case I know of). Many others have had intense relationships of much shorter durations. For over 20 years Pinkboard has been providing an alternative to "Gaybars".

Pinkboard also provides the only comprehensive Guide to Australia's GLBT venues.

Debaters please feel free to add this information to your briefing notes. I will be there to see which side wins.

I'll be there too! Can't wait to see Bob Downe at his best!

just letting you all know that my fair day pics are now posted. you may even be in one :o)

My point is that people seem to be chopping and changing how an event's success is measured. As I said "is it the numbers attending or not?" It's really not difficult.

PS. I've been to lots of Festival events and had lots of fun (and posted about them on here too!) - just because I think that NMG completely stuffed up Launch, exluded entire groups of people and threw away a valuable tradition, doesn't mean that I don't participate in (nor volunteer for) Mardi Gras events.

"My point is that people seem to be chopping and changing how an event's success is measured. As I said "is it the numbers attending or not?" It's really not difficult."

Fair point but I think you need to balance that against the cost of putting these free events on. You may get lots of people attending (or not) but if it costs too much too stage or not enough people buy drinks at the bar then any event whether big or small is not sustainable in the long term. I guess this is why launch was down sized and why Mardi Gras encouraged people to buy from the bar at Fair day... "help keep Fair day free and unfenced" was the slogan they were using I think.

Gone are the days when the was a slush fund of money to throw around and we can thank ever rising venue and insurance costs plus competitor dance parties for that.

What absolute foolish nonsense that Mardi Gras stuffed up Launch.Things change, move with the times and make the effort to evolve and adapt! I made the effort to go to launch, for those people who couldn't due to other commitments, fine thats life! I can't attend all events either due to one reason or another. I don't become bitter and mean spirited.
Launch was brilliant, creative, inovative and original!
Lets get out of this RSL mentality and progress.
As the famous saying goes "what doesn't destroy me makes me stronger" We either learn this lesson or become obsolete and extinct!! And remember we almost were a few short years ago and as a community WE had to struggle to win back with conviction and commitment. In the face of a new gay generation that saw the Mardi Gras as having little or no relevance in their contemporary lifestyles.

"tell me again why lesbians need their own party within a party?"

Because there are less Lesbians then gay men at the party and they need a safe space away from the straight stalkers.

Gay men don't really need their own space because they dominate all the major halls already.

So why don't you stop stirring up people for the sake of it!

Message from Kylie (from her website)

I want to wish everyone participating in the ‘Kylie 2007’ float at this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras the very best of luck. Make the costumes great because you KNOW I’ll be watching! Whether you’re a Marching Boy, Mechanic or a Showgirl, enjoy yourselves and Happy Mardi Gras!

Love Kylie x

one reason could possibly be that an 80% (rough estimate) testosterone filled dancefloor can be pretty damn intimidating to someone who is not intrinsically a part of that collective. i don't think it's so much a "party within a party" but more a place to time out/catch up in a familiar environment with like minded people which can be an important part of someones party experience. this is not limited to dykes though and you'll often find other 'tribes' collecting in their own smaller groups in different areas/venues for the same reasons.
the inclusion of a seperate space can only increase ticket sales. btw im a guy - an observant one.

Hi all you lovely Sydney queens and gals.

I just wanted to wish all you party people out there a very happy Mardi Gras. I'm sure its going to be brilliant. I really am determined to attend one of your world renowned events one day. I promise I will come along soon.

Once again , Happy Mardi Gras to everybody and keep dancing !

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

There are just 9 Days to Mardi Gras !!

My post is genuine ! Happy Mardi Gras !

"one reason could possibly be that an 80% (rough estimate) testosterone filled dancefloor can be pretty damn intimidating to someone who is not intrinsically a part of that collective."

Oh come on, you only have to blow on those testosterone filled muscle marys and they would all fall over in a screaming heap. Even a lipstick lesbian could manage that.

How quickly some have forgotten the cyclone fencing disaster of the Hyde Park launch last year.
Anyone that was there at Launch this year knows it was dynamic, fun, playful and gay gay gay! It saved Mardi Gras!
This whole festival is going great. And the party is the best line up we have seen in the history of the party. It will sell out. Don't miss out !
The vitriol on this board is disrespectful to the people working their butts off to make the magic happen, to Panther for trying to bring this community together, and ultimately yourself - whatever your agenda is. Put a little love in your heart!

Go Mardi Gras - you put the LOVE in evolve!!!

Mado