Good works for Mardi Gras
Among the many activities undertaken by the SGLBA, and the benefits derived from the work the Association performs, is the support for community organisations.
This may come in the form of promotion through communications to our membership and extensive subscriber base, or through direct financial support in the way of donations.
Over the past 12 months the SGLBA has supported organisations such as ACON, Australian Marriage Equality, and Ambassadors and Bridge Builders International. This Mardi Gras season, the SGLBA is proud to support Queer Screen and events such as blackcat lounge and the The Main Drag.
Queer Screen and Mardi Gras Film Festival
In supporting Queer Screen, the SGLBA is proudly supporting the 2012 Mardi Gras Film Festival, Sydney’s international LGBTIQ film festival, Queer Screen’s focus in February and March.
The festival will run February 16 – March 1 and will be held at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park; Dendy Newtown; Riverside Theatres, Parramatta; and The Red Rattler, with the official festival bar at the Bavarian Beer Café, EQ.
The festival is titled Projecting the Future in honour of the great work queer film festivals have done in shaking up and reshaping our film culture, and also the forward-thinking nature of the cinematic selections this year.
With 46 international LGBTQI dramatic features and 17 documentaries, this year’s films are a collection of the world’s best queer storytelling and entertainment.
INFO: www.mgff.queerscreen.com.au
blackcat lounge
Blackcat lounge isn’t drag and it ain’t burlesque. It’s playful, concept-driven, gutsy live music, performed by some of Sydney’s best queer musicians and their collaborators.
Enjoy femme reinventions of masculine anthems with Lady Sings it Better or the soulful jazz songstress Ali Hughes, torch singer Brett Every or an acoustic beer-fuelled ride through the songs of Disney with Beauty and the Bastard. Tom
Sharah offers refined cabaret sass; Lauren LaRouge brings sensual burlesque flair to her ukelele tunes; actor and singer/ songwriter Brendan Maclean offers an indie edge and a touch of fame.
For a taste of the season, catch all the male artists at the blackcat boys, or each Saturday see the featured artists play tribute to their queer musical heroes at HOMAGE. Playing covers of famous GLBTQI musicians, HOMAGE takes the audience on a trip down memory lane and introduces some undiscovered gems.
Bring a valentine along to opening night on February 14 for a taste of all the sumptuous acts on offer.
INFO: www.blackcatproductionsaustralia.wordpress.com
The Main Drag
On February 25, the Main Drag for hits Oxford St for Mardi Gras. On the Saturday before the Mardi Gras parade, the City of Sydney, the 2010 Darlinghurst and Surry Hills Business Partnership and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
will bring the drag queens back to the Golden Mile.
For years, Shop Yourself Stupid was a major part of the Mardi Gras calendar. The day was a crazy mixture of drag queens, shopping and cocktails.
Once again drag queens will stroll up and down the Golden Mile — generating interest, stopping traffic, attracting customers and promoting Oxford St as the premier destination for international, interstate and local visitors alike.
Drag performances will be staged outside key gay venues at Taylor Square and on Oxford St. A ‘Dorothy’ lookalike competition will be held.
In addition, there will be a wheel of fortune on the street, allowing shoppers to compete for prizes. There will be prizes for shoppers, free massages in Taylor Square, buskers, muscle boys and zumba classes.
The Main Drag is an initiative that ensures local businesses benefit from the tens of thousands of tourists who pour into Sydney for Mardi Gras.
INFO: Phone Alice Chatwood, Business Precinct Coordinator for the City of Sydney, on 02 9265 9831.
Photo: Nathan Thomas
