Dragged through the limelight

With Mardi Gras glitter still lining the streets how can anyone be disappointed with the proceedings of last weekend. Granted I was a little nervous when I arrived at the Midnight Shift at 5.30pm on Saturday and Oxford St still looked bare. But like old troopers, Sydneysiders were soon out in full force.

Now some say that numbers were down or it didn’t have the same feeling as other years. Bullshit! Myself and Penny Tration marched all the way to the party and believe me the Mardi Gras buzz is still alive and well.

I have to admit I was stunned at how elaborate some costumes were in the pageant this year. Costumes flowed in and out of the party so gracefully that it was hard to imagine that they could be so heavy at all. Hosted by the sultry Lance Leopard and the ever so glamorous Victoria Bitter, not only did the audience get to see some amazing costumes but had a hoot as well.

As for the party, let’s just say Stella still has her groove. I guess being a showgirl for the last six years, I have developed a close bond with other showgirls and dancers. So when you are in the RHI and close friends blast onto the stage, what else can you do but beam with pride? Now if you didn’t go to the party for whatever reason you did miss out but here is a brief show list.

Midnight: Starring Claire de lune and Verushka Darling and an amazing group of dancers. A very camp fire and wind show. Definitely Verushka’s fabulous hair and Shane Dunn’s costumes a highlight.

4am: Starring Suzanne Palmer, Ashley Swift, Vanity Faire, Courtney Act, Matt Eaton and Simon Drew as well as group of amazing dancers. Once again I was a slobbering mess cheering and screaming at the back.

5.30-6am: Now when it comes to voices this show proved that GodDamn, we can belt out a song. Starring: Michael Nicholas, Robyn Loau, Gerry DeVeaux and a personal favourite singing DIVA Shauna Jensen. WOW!

10am: Starring: Tess Tickle and some of the sexiest dancers I have ever seen. I was absolutely exhausted by this time but I have to admit I did get up for one last boogie.

All in all we must agree that Mardi Gras was a success. Okay, you may not have liked the music in one hall or it was too hot or too cold but the sense of community togetherness was just astonishing. Congratulations New Mardi Gras!