Sleaze debate on Saturday

Sleaze debate on Saturday

The meeting which may decide the future of Sydney’s Sleaze Ball will be held this weekend.

The New Mardi Gras’ Membership and Community Forum, at Heffron Hall in Darlinghurst on Saturday, will discuss the future of fundraising strategies needed to produce the annual Mardi Gras Parade and Festival season.

The Forum was announced by New Mardi Gras in September prior to this year’s Sleaze Ball, with the organisation then warning that this year’s party could be the last.

Despite that and reduced ticket prices, attendance at the October long weekend party was down close to a thousand on the previous year.

Shortly after Sleaze, the organisation cancelled another planned fundraiser, the Hallowe’en ‘Trick or Treat’ party.

Both events will be up for discussion, as will the future format of the Mardi Gras Party and the role these play as the organisation’s primary source of funds.

The community will also be asked to consider new fundraising opportunities relating to the Mardi Gras Parade, Fair Day and other activities in the Festival season that could be used to support Mardi Gras in the coming years.

“Fundraising events are what fund the Parade and Mardi Gras season, and we’re glad we can consult with the community about these important issues and future directions,” New Mardi Gras CEO Michael Rolik said.

Rolik said the organisation welcomed fresh ideas and contributions on fundraising at the meeting as well as feedback on options that New Mardi Gras was already considering.

New Mardi Gras co-chair Peter Urmson said there were decisions that needed to be made, but he hoped the meeting would investigate some fresh and creative ideas with community members and the New Mardi Gras membership.

“Everyone is encouraged to join us for a constructive and informative morning,” Urmson said.

New Mardi Gras will evaluate the output from the forum as part of its overall fundraising and events strategy.

info: The Member and Community forum begins at 10.30am Saturday October 23 at Heffron Hall, cnr Burton and Palmer St, Darlinghurst.

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5 responses to “Sleaze debate on Saturday”

  1. Agree with Brad it makes it difficult for us who don’t live in Sydney to plan, same night is the way to go.

  2. i think a simple poll on send out via facebook to all NMG followers would clear up any bold decisions about venues and ideas, regarding what is right and what is wrong for the setup of these events. Clearly this years idea to have Mardigraz party a week after the parade was a stupid idea. A simple poll would have told you people didn’t want that. its about time you listen to what people really want, not just a few committee members ideas on what will work. You have one shot each year to get these events right. Lets not see a repeat of bad mismanagement like The Newtown Hotel and The imperial.

  3. As a Brisbane person, I can see your points about the Forum rather than the Hordern having been to many events there, including last June. But I just think some of these things have had their time, Brisbane Sleaze finished in 2005 as people move on. Frankly, and I don’t think any city is really ready for this in Australia, but a Folsom Fair is the way to go with a dance area but make it an all day thing. I can’t see prissy places like Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide doing this but Sydney, for sure and you can mask the sex that will take place. I just think to me a bunch of DJ’s and some S & M are passe and the time for something new in parties is to emerge.

  4. Note to NMG: What about consulting with actual Fundraisers, and either employ people who are skilled to do so, or attract them to the board?

  5. I think a lot of the problems with this years Sleaze was down to the venue’s. A lot of people I know didn’t go simply due to it being held in the Dome and Forum. That’s probably one of the main reasons attendance was down, and the people who went, myself included were less than impressed by the queues to get in the Forum.