New Mardi Gras (NMG) today launched its program of over 80 events running over two weeks leading up to the world famous Parade on March 5th, with stars like Lily Tomlin, Armistead Maupin and Peter Tatchell as well as parties at the Ivy, Luna Park, Sydney Tower, Bondi Beach and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
This year’s Parade promises to raise the bar in a big way with Ignatius Jones joining the Mardi Gras team as Consulting Artistic Director. Jones is the powerhouse behind some of the world’s biggest events (including Sydney Olympic Opening Ceremony, 2010 Shanghai World Expo, 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Ceremonies). Ignatius leads a creative team that is exhorting Sydneysiders to ‘Say Something’ at Mardi Gras 2011 and to say it fabulously!
The Mardi Gras Festival includes over 80 events with the best queer theatre, art, comedy, cabaret and so much more from Sydney and around the world. This year US comedienne and actress Lily Tomlin joins the Festival, performing her award-winning stand-up at the Enmore Theatre on Friday 4th March.
Sydney Opera House brings world-class entertainment to Mardi Gras 2011. Spend a night with "Tales of the City" author Armistead Maupin as he discusses his work, or enjoy the theatrical genius of Taylor Mac with his show "The Ziggy Stardust Meets Tiny Tim Songbook or Comparison is Violence" at The Studio.
Courageous activist Peter Tatchell returns to Australia to share his passionate views about same-sex marriage as debate and discussion day Queer Thinking returns to the Seymour Centre.
Australian legends Reg Livermore and Nancye Hayes take to the stage with pantomime madness in Turns, and the all-star, all-singing Hats’ Off returns for another sell-out year to raise money for HIV/AIDS charities.
The diverse 2011 program also includes our first ever Harbour Cruise, the Mardi Gras Film Festival (which recently won Best Australian Film Festival at the if Awards) and everyone’s favourite day in the sun Fair Day – which is set to see 70,000 people descend on Victoria Park.
The Mardi Gras season is packed with parties this year. Get wet and wild with the return of the Pool Party at Ivy Pool Club, or look out over iconic Bondi Beach with our first ever Beach Party, hosted by Tora Hymen at Cream Tangerine. Get ready for spectacular views, with our first ever Top party at Sydney Tower (Centrepoint) – the high point of your Mardi Gras weekend
Watch hilarious drag kings and queens battle it out in the sand for the ultimate crown at our Bondi Beach Drag Races, or let loose under the Big Top as Toybox returns at Luna Park as our official recovery party. Not forgetting of course the spectacular Harbour ’11 at the Botanic Gardens, one of the most famous parties in the gay world and this year with the added excitement of a co-production with Johan Khoury, the man behind the Daywash parties.
Biggest of the lot is Mardi Gras Party, one of the world’s most celebrated dance parties. Last year’s Party saw secret performances from George Michael, Kelly Rowland and Adam Lambert, with DJs David Guetta and Carl Cox on the decks. The big question on March 5th will be who is playing that party.
All events are now on sale, and more information is available from the official Mardi Gras website (www.mardigras.org.au).
