Sydney Australia: Mardi Gras 2008
Mardi Gras web site: www.MardiGras.org.au
The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras really showed
the rest of the world what it meant to come of age as the iconic event returned
for its 30th anniversary this year. The 3 week festival kicked off on
Saturday 9 February with a commemorative tree planting ceremony in
Marcus Bourget, the Mardi Gras Chairman said; “Mardi Gras’
30th anniversary is a milestone that would have looked like a distant reality
to Mardi Gras founders. Thirty years on and we continue to draw motivation by
looking back at the hard work and dedication of thousands of volunteers that
have helped bring Mardi Gras this far and will continue to inspire us in the
future.”
The 2008 arts, sports and cultural festival, infamous parade
and party saw a wealth of international and national performers and visitors.
Multiple Grammy, Emmy and American Music Award winner Cyndi Lauper, Grammy Award-winner,
English-born, Australian-raised pop singer, songwriter and actress Olivia
Newton-John. 2001 Grammy winning DJ
Hex Hector and internationally acclaimed stand up comic Margaret Cho were just some of the
talent headlining the 30th anniversary celebrations.
The ever-popular Fair Day was on Sunday 17 February
and attracted more than 60,000 people as it does every year. For many, the ‘big
gay picnic day in the park’ is the highlight of the season with its relaxed
atmosphere, live entertainment and food and shopping stalls offering something
for everyone.
Another big piece of news this
year was that Harbour Party which is
To conclude the three week festival, the spectacular Mardi
Gras Parade, watched by almost 300,000 people each year, wound its way along
Brimming with social and cultural benefits, Mardi Gras has
contributing to
Here are 8 galleries of photos and a video from our
time at
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Sydney Mardi Gras 2008 video |
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Duration 16:35
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Speech & Show: I Am What I Am |
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Duration 15:29
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The
Mardi Gras Parade…
The parade is a celebration of
pride, diversity and acceptance and showcases the city of
105 floats and thousands of
participants danced and celebrated their way towards a “Brave New World” along
The Chief of Parade is one of the
most anticipated posts of the Mardi Gras Parade, with past representation from
actor Rupert Everett in 2007 and opera singer Deborah Cheetham in 2006. This
year, international comic sensation Margaret Cho lead the parade after wowing Australian crowds
the following week with the World Premiere of her show – “Beautiful”.
Accompanying the Chief of Parade
was the
The stars of this years parade
featured a diverse mix of Australian and international participants with floats
from
For many, the excitement was their
first Mardi Gras experience. Among them, 100 revs who are marching as an open
apology to gays and lesbians for their treatment by Christian church, as well
as the Australian Defence Force.
Key floats in this years parade
also included the iconic Dykes on Bikes who kicked off the parade in their
usual fanfare followed by Boys on Bikes, an ode controversial Britney Spears
and
Thirty years after a momentous
time in the gay and lesbian history, the fight for acceptance and equality is
still going. The original participants in the original Parade, affectionately
called the 78er’s, were also present as the lead float in this years Parade,
marching once again for greater equality as they did thirty years ago.
More info at www.MardiGras.org.au
The
Mardi Gras Party…
Four spectacular dance worlds and over 20 DJs all created an explosive end to the 30th
anniversary celebrations for Mardi Gras 2008 “Brave New Worlds”. DJs flew in
from across the planet, coming from
For the 30th anniversary the Dome returned to its traditional tribal and
animalistic roots becoming “Zootopia”. Jack Chang, sailing down from
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