What can we do when there is so much to see and do and only 3 short weeks to do it all?
So tell us what you are looking forward to.
Or what you have seen and think was absolutely fabulous and that absolutely everyone must go and see.
And come and visit Pinkboard at Fair Day.
For discussion of membership issues, including bisexual membership, please use the SGLMG Graffiti Wall.
...Then let the doves fly... 
All the boards all filing up with off topic crap.....
Well better than filling up with nothing like this one I suppose. This wall sure feels lonely :(
Myabe would could invite some of the losers from the Mardi Gras wall to join us. Only jossing :)
Sorry, I should have thought of that myself :)
Both the Pool Party and Chinese New Year Party have sold out.
You should take a photo of the both of you for old times sake.
Can anyone tell me what the bodybuilding thing at mardi gras is like? Who was last years guest bodybuilder poser, and who is this years? Has anyone gone? If you've been or know, can you email me - thomas_thorton@rocketmail.com
Thanks.
one of the more interesting things in this years festival for pinkboarders would have to be 'tohave+tohold' (www.magooonsafari.com.au/tohave.html) which give you the chance to email guys off their pics and what they want in a partner... i (*blush*) emailed 3 and got two replies! It is easier than bars or personals and whats more it is easy to access! (but who knows there are 2 cocks so the govt will prob want it pulled down!) oh i didn't declair undieing love for them..
after all the festival is only as boring as you are...
unofficial festival event:
"Girls" Day at the Gym
for all drag queens, transwomen,& show scene queens
this Tuesday 8 Feb at Broadway Gym
starts 12 noon. special yoga class 1PM
*Free*, presented by the Sensible Buzzing Project
emaler, u sound like a bit of a loser. but hey its better than you approching me in a bar! might take a look at the site just the same....
This is the most inspiring wall I've seen. Sheeekkkkss - you Sydney people are boring
Looking forward to the Launch tomorrow. It's always been one of the best times to see so many familiar faces from the community. It doesn't have the popularity of the party, so there are less of the friends, friends of friends, friends of friends' friends and people who have very little understanding of what the event is about. It's a much higher concetration of Sydney Queers than at any of the other major MG events.
The launch was fantastic. Well done Mardi Gras - a great start to festivaties.
Was that not the most boring MG Launch ever!......lets see Fords logo on all the MG promotion Material, rather than just at the MG events.....If they are serious about supporting Gays and Lesbians.....instead of just using the launch as a maketing exercise to target hairdresses for the new poof products. lets see them support us in the wider community....if not then lets not bother having them. Some how i dont hting they will.
Wow! Mardi Gras ought to be congratulated. There's more to life than gym, dance parties and central station playlists sweetie! Try some thing new! Live music, dog shows and oh yeah, and 60,000 punters. Perhaps you could try Blackmarket that afternoon?
Are we caught in a loop in the time-space continium?
It was a rather tired and boring Launch, don't you think? Apart from the off-the-cuff speech by Georgina Beyer's and Julie McCrossin's and Bob Downe's little stand up bits, it was all rather boring and uninspiring. Especially boring was David's speech. What happened?? He gave such a great speech at last year's Launch so we all know he is capable of delivering the goods, that this year's speech was a huge let down. Let's hope the rest of the festival improves, because first the parade lost it's edge and now the has Launch too. We need to lift our game.
It seems we may have outgrown the Opera House as the venue for the launch... Its a great space to have it, but I think we may have to look for some place where everyone can fit!
Bondi Beach?
Queens have been such a huge part of the Sydney scene for many many years now, but after chatting to my friend tonight, we need to ask "are we ready for them in female competition sport" what I hear from todays aerobics comp it seems not?
Sun Feb 13 12:53:11 2000 - Now you know how the rest of our diverse community feels. Grow up little boy, you have a heap of things to look forward with the Festival, and yes they are made specifically for Gay men like you.
Just home from the Chinese New Year Party. What a great night! I have not had so much fun in a long time. After all the entertainment the dance floor went off. Congratulations to the organisers. Our president was seen dancing with a group of Asian boys and seemed right at home!!!
See you there again next year!
What does Free FM have to do with our diverse communities? As far as I'm aware it is a commercial dance music radio station pretending to be a Gay and Lesbian community radio station, personally I'm insulted that they believe they have the right to dictate to a community organisation with over 20 years history, especially since all they do is use us for their own cause.
Free FM's whinging and arrogant demands to have a dance tent at Fair Day clearly show why they should not get a community radio licence. They are so out of touch with the community. Really when you listen to it (if you can bear more than two minutes) it offers nothing to the GLBT communities it claims to represent. When you see Free at fair day ask them why it is dominated by white gay party boys! Thank god for Out FM at least its diverse like us!!!
Queing for harbour Party tickets was a bloody disgrace. All those creeps who pushed in, while others waited over 4 hours. And all the mess - pizza, discarded chairs, bottles, newspapers just dumped on Oxford st. Finally thanks Toolshed for great security ie. none except the blonde chick ushering her mates to the front. Is this really a community party?
Out fm will be at fair day too. anyone know what they're doing?
here is a quote from Craig Payne free fm boss about fair day from the SSO "They’re telling us that we’re not what Fair Day is
about, but what I can’t get is what Fair Day is about". This guy really is in touch with the community isn't he - just like Free - not!
Where were the boys on stage at the MG launch?? The speeches were great (David is so hot!! and he has a brain!!! what a man!!) Georgina was fantastic - once everyone got over the initial shock of such a broad NZ accent. Bob and Julie - great - but where were the male performers? where was a big number with the great drag talent we have? Overall a good night - but a bit boring in the 'show' sense
FreeFM - have you been to Fair Day??????????
Who wants a dance tent at this great community event? There are about a trillion other opportunities for gay boys, gay girls and trans boys/girls and every other person to have a little dance throughout the festival (let alone every other day of the year) Stop treating Fair Day like a great marketing opportunity (Goodness knows you need it tho - your station often borders on the tragic)and let the community (that you think you speak for) have a great day in the sun with family and friends
The Stars Come Out - overall a fairly enjoyable night I suppose. A few more big production numbers needed as some of the items were a little self-indulgent. What the F*%# were the stage crew and stage manager doing?? the huge gaps got the silly little titters that they deserved. when people pay $65 for a ticket they dont expect to see an amateur concert. i liked most of the items - the 'one voice' thing was a tradegy and i actually felt embarrased for the people doing it - where was the quality control? the nude pom poms were fun - especially when they had a little slip occasionally (Ok ok i am a voyeur at heart!!)Phillip Quast was great as was Nancye, Shauna, Mitchell & Jason, Paul Capsis. The lifesavers number was great , despite the table incident (mind you I think if I were fortunate to be under Mark Hodge I would crumble as well!!!), the Olymics thing was good. Tim Draxl - a very polished performance - when is he actually going to say he is a poof - or was that his way of letting us know????? A bit of tidy up work needs to be done if the Stars Come Out is going to retain that star-like sparkle it has had in previous years
The Chinese New Year Party was again the highlight of my festival (and it has only just begun). It will be hard to top.
I agree, the Chinese Party was fantastic. Such a great community event, so relaxed and friendly and best of all there was no bitchy attitude present. Even though I barely knew anyone there everyone was friendly with a warm open smile on their face. Not something you see too often anymore.
4th Annual Twilight Tea Dance - Sydney Opera House - mardi gras
Event Date; Friday 3 March 2000
Event Time; 5-11 PM
Event Location: Under the Stars; Sydney Opera House, Northern Broadwalk
Over 2000 mardi gras revelers from around the world will dance to the custom mix of noted DJ artist Paul Goodyear. Lasers and light show crafted by Steven Hales of Oracle Lighting. Stage
entertainment and dancers directed by Focus Events. Twilight has garnered a loyal following of Mardi Gras participants due
to the breathtaking location and spectacular shows. The 4th annual event will see even more lasers and site tuned acoustic
refinements. Also emphasized this year is the flavor of
social responsibility that is often ignored at events of this type. A portion of the proceeds will benefit ACON; the Aids Council Of New South Wales and Health Card holders will recieve special reduced ticket prices.
Tickets go on sale 13 February.
Tue Feb 15 8:55:57 2000
Book Launch for Multicultural Quuer: Australian Narratives
5.30 pm Tuesday 22 February 2000
The Newtown Hotel upstairs bar
A new book describing the lives of non-Anglo gay men and lesbians in Australia will be launched on 22 February 2000
during this year’s Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. With
contributions from 16 authors, Multicultural Queer: Australian Narratives is the first book to provide detailed accounts of
the complex intersections of ethnicity, culture, gender
and homosexuality in this country. The book includes both personal narratives and academic analyses and shows how
Australian lesbians and gay men from ethnic minorities negotiate their sexuality amidst often competing pressures from their
cultures of origin and the gay and lesbian communities. Issues relating to family and community life, racism, desire, and
diversity within the lesbian and gay communities are discussed.
Tue Feb 15 9:05:58 2000
I was under the impression that the Centennial Park concert was for the dykes and that my prescence there as a gay man would have been insensistive. Besides Melissa absolutely rocks and she is so much more amazing when you hear her play live.
The concert is for everyone, not just dykes, and you know what, they would be happy to see some gay men there....really!
Why do you wish that we need to be represented by 3 men/women dressed in business suits. We should be accepted on our terms not theirs. Sure there were better looks to be shown than Drag Queens, but why choose the "hey we look like you, please accept us" line.
there's the old saying, "be the sun not the wind", ie. go with the flow, emphasise your similarities instead of digging your heels in and saying "i won't change!" because that'll never win you any friends.
Among the eels, there is now a mermaid made of cement looking at herself in a
pond at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
"She is looking at her own reflection, and within her own reflection she can see other people. When you look into other people's eyes you actually see yourself reflected," said Sydney artist Philippa Playford, who installed her yesterday. "It's a bit narcissistic really."
The three-metre work, She loves me, she loves me not, is made of cement, polystyrene and shells and forms part of the Queer Reflections exhibition, for which various works will be set up across Sydney during the 2000 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival.
From Sydney Morning Herald, 14th Feb 2000 - Wed Feb 16 9:09:20 2000
Does anyone know if a band is going to be playing at Fair Day this year? The Mavises were excellent last year. Will they be there again (probably not), or someone different?
But why in business suits. Whats that about.
Representing their own interest Darling
I think all the drag queens should be banished to the Free Fm tent as punishment!
Robyn Archer and Deborah Cheetham are also doing the Concert in Centennial Park. I Can't wait. Did anyone hear Deborah at The Stars Come Out singing Summertime? Awesome!
I'm disturbed by Ilana whats-her-name's comment that the Fair is a "family event". Family?! The sanitisation continues.
It is a family event - a queer family event! It is not a commercial marketing opportunity for some crappy radio station plugging Central Station records 24 hours a day and having no connection with the queer family at all - yes that's you Free!
Good comeback - I accept your point. But at least those products you mention have a use. Free FM is about as useful as a drug dealer with no drugs. Do they think they own fair day or something?
Well, Lets see the sponsors advertise vacant positions in our papers ... and employ?
Dots - And have you notaced how the flags also have the rainbow colors/MG2000
logo upside down???? Everyone knows that the red is at the top!!! It's a physically
unalterable fact weaved into the fabric of the universe that red is at the top.
To all the people who are questioning the major sponsors loyalty to our community, do what I do. See it for what it is - a marketing campaign foolishly aimed at this (enlightened) target audience. Ignore the advertising, don't let it influence your decision when buying a product, let them waste there money sponsoring us, that way WE reap the benefits of all that money being poured into our community without having to give anything back in return.
I want my Foxtel. especially now that big Rupe has got the Mardi Gras official seal of approval for a live telecast of the action mens toilets. Only $20 on the Fox Troughman Channel - what a piss!
Saw Foursome last night at the Seymour Centre downstairs. Two of the pieces were very good, one was good and the other one might have been better without the dancing. It is well worth seeing just for the 2 good pieces.
Conspiracies? If they really are televising the shows — and I know they wanted to but I'll believe it when I see it — then something is very rotten in the state of Mardi Gras. ut is it true or just another wild rumour?
Without Doubt, something is Rotten
W`at's the problem with telecasting the shows? I think that it'll improve the popularity of the party and ensure that this fundraising event gets sold out even earlier next year.
I caught "Boys on the Verge", the boys' coming out short films, this afternoon at the Film Festival. There were five short films of varying quality, from so-so to fantastic. But it was all worth the price of admission for "Crush". This short was absolutely hilarious, the topic of fag hags has never been covered like the way it has in this film. I think that it'll become a classic just like Beautiful Thing but funnier. There are still two more sessions of these shorts scheduled and I recommend anyone to see them, they're great. The Film Festival has always been one of my favourite parts of MG, hopefully I'll get a chance to catch some more of the films next week.
PS. If anyone from Queer Screen is reading this - How about having a repeat screening of Baby Dreams as most of us who are i nterested in that topic will be at Fair Day the day it screens. It's a pity that so many of the good films have been scheduled to conflict with Fair Day.
I had my most enjoyable Fair Day ever. Loved every moment of it. It made me proud to be gay and queer. Now I'm looking forward to a few more good movies and an awesome Harbour Party.
The Concert on Saturday night in Centennial Park was wonderful. Congrats to all at Mardi Gras. If you missed it you missed the best event this year so far.
Fair Day! Just wonderful. Congrats to everyone involved in the organisation of it and who put effort into it. And rock music at a gay event! Fantastic! (Stuff you, Free FM! :-) )
What a great Fair Day & the biggest ever according to Out FM News - 80,000 queers!! We are everywhere :)
Give me that sausage sizzle boy in speedos !!!!
Happy Queer, now if we can only have Fair Day moved to outside Parliament House the next time an important GL amendment bill is debated.
Tina C is great fun. Make sure you get to the Festival Club to see her.
Does anyone know if there is a costume competition at this year's Pool Party?
Gay in the Life all aussie & queer CD. Artists include Stella One Eleven and bluehouse. A true reflection of the commmunity's diversity. Check it out!
Hypothetical will be broadcast on ABC Radio's Arts Today on Friday for those who weren't there. It was fun if a bit shallow.
702. Although I think that the Radio Arts show is on Radio National 576.
There's only one frequency worth tuning to in Sydney honey - 94.5 Out FM :)
I've just come back from collecting for BGF. I had a lot of fun and I'm pleased to say that our community is very generous. Shop Yourself Stupid is happening right now. Go and have some fun and support BGF. There's also some great art to see in Paving the Way!
What a fun day Shop yourself stupid was - anyone know how much money was raised?
Partook of several of the QueerScreen events this year. Congratulations to organisers for quite a mix. Can we have a venue with a tiny bit more space next year, tho?
Went to see Lipsynka. Good script, good lighting, pretty costumes (only 4 skirt changes), interesting facial controtions. It was just typical lip-synching. No spectacular dancing. No cute dancers, and about 3/4 hour too long.
Festival Club was fun after the show. A New York academic talking about her book on the dialectic of Freda's hair. (Could it have really been Tina C in disguise?) Jenny Loeb was fun. Then Tina C to top it off. A drag who actually sings and can say funny things.
Jocelyn Brown is supposedly doing a show...
Queerscreen has been excellent this year. So many good, quality movies from all
around the queer world. I've been so impressed by what I've seen, along with how
it's been organised and marketed, that I'm thinking about joining as a member.
Congratulations to all involved - you are turning it into a world class event.
Re Sound at Harbour Party - the conditions were perhaps the worst possible for the audio restrictions needed to not breach the act - flat harbour surface, low cloud cover and a southerly blowing. This pushed the sound straight into the residents of Kirribilli coupled with the noise coming from Tropfest. This was unfortunate and regretable leading to a very low level being obtainable for the middle part of the party (and unfortunately Kate's set). The level was able to be raised later after Tropfest ceased and the wind settled. Hope this explains the comments made regarding this element of the Party.
Osadia
- Hair-Raising Adventures - down a Customs House were very creative and clever.
Doll's bits, colour and stiff bits everywhere.
I will have to say that this is the best festival I've been to! Wish I could have seen more!
Thanks MG Board & Committees & Volunteers for a great festival. But please 4 weeks next year.
Mainstream society? That days Stay In touch was written by a crusty old queen who's been editing the Real Estate section for years. He's welcome to his view, but he is hardly mainstream
We have to be smarter than just "being ourselves" when we know that the media and homophobic individuals and institutions like the churches will only pick out those things that reinforce the stereotypes they have of us. Most years we have the glitter floats as well as community groups in the parade. But the community groups N E V E R get any attention because the glitter floats take all the attention away.
We have to be smarter and start emphasising the community groups, the everyday-run-of-the-mill people who make up the vast majority of our community. I'm not saying that the board is responsible in making a decision as to who should or shouldn't be in the parade. It has to come from the community. We have to decide as a whole that the marching boys have had their go, that their time is now up and that they must now make way for others to have their go at the spotlight. That'll insure the long term well being of the Glbt community is improved.
Thu Mar 9 23:03:32 2000
To quote 'What a lot of comment for a fun night out. Just enjoy it for what it is!'. Here in lies the burning question, what is the SGLMG Parade all about? Is it 'just a fun night out', just another Sydney event drawing in the tourist dollars for the state or the opportunity for our community to exhibit our artistic talents, eliminate the bigotry and make the 'mainstream society' aware the issues affecting us?
Considering the statement on the SGLMG membership application form;
"We all feel passionately about Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardis Gras. Join us and turn that passion into commitment for our future. Through protest and celebration we have achieved so much in the last twenty years. Join now and be part of the next twenty years."
I would hope that the parade demonstrates a balance of celebration and protest.
As with any community (political) occurrence that transpires regularly its evolution form part of cyclic pattern, and the SGLMG Parade is no exception. Our cycle seems to consist of two polarised points of view being; 1) a chance for political demonstration and making the broader community aware of the various community groups that form the G & L community, and 2) a spectacle (moving theatre) with all the glitter, shimmering costumes and glamour that the G & L community can muster up. Considering some of the comments about the recent Parade it appears that there was may be too much theatre at the expense of political protest. I would have to agree, and am concerned, that this emphasis on theatrical component is used by, the media, the churches, and the bigots to reinforce the stereotypes they have of us. But as with any cycle I believe (and have faith I have in the common sense of our community) that these concerns will be addressed by future parades. A solution may be the amalgamation of the political (community group) and theatrical floats. This would take some clever innovations, which I am sure we are capable of enacting. Imagine that, the marching boys girth by placards of political comment! At least the media would then be forced to give coverage to the political comment.
Sorry I disagree - Mardi Gras proves you can mix party tames with politics. I guess we'll agree to differ.
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