Loading ...- Category:
- Soap Box
- Author:
- Phil Scott
- Posted:
- Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Last night a regular reader told me my columns had gotten soft. They used to be more biting, he said. What can I say? My blood pressure became an issue. I gotta relax!!
I still hate religion, bureaucracy, and small children in cafes -” none of that’s changed -” but let’s use the mad dog analogy: too much biting and you have to be put down.
The big topic this week is New Mardi Gras’ move to split the parade and party in 2010 and hold them on different weekends. There have been a billion comments online: mostly against, some for, others saying wait and see. I’m with the last lot.
Why be sharp and biting about this decision when we really don’t know what the impact will be?
A lot of people reckon the parade crowd and the party crowd are two distinct groups these days. They’re separated by age (too tired to party after the long parade), financial situation (the parade’s free, the party’s not), attitude (you’re -˜over’ one or the other), sexuality (the parade’s for straights) and aspirations: parade lovers have a political or socialising agenda, party people want to get shitfaced and do sex.
Interstate punters will be most affected if they can’t get time off or afford to stay to attend both events. (International visitors should stay for a week anyway: it’s ridiculous to come all that way otherwise.) My friend Ed from Brisbane flies down every two years for the big day. If he had to choose, it’d be the party for sure because I’ve never picked up at the parade.
Traditionalists and those who think in socio-political terms won’t like the change either, because combining the parade and party focuses our presence in the wider world. To dilute that focus could underline the political clout of Mardi Gras.
But look at it from a logistical point of view: NMG’s energy and man/womanpower is not limitless. At present they have to divide their resources on the day. With these changes they’ll get to concentrate fully on each event. The result could mean better organisation and more exciting presentation.
Both events will probably become smaller. There will be fewer interstate parade entries, for one thing. But most people think the parade’s too long, so maybe this is one unusual case where smaller is better.
The Festival will also be cut back to two weeks. That’s a worry. A show needs to cover its costs, and word of mouth takes time to build, so plays and exhibitions will probably go ahead and open before the official launch. NMG will need to be flexible here.
The organisation has not been famous for innovation, so we can hardly criticise them for doing nothing then slam them for making changes. As for not putting it to the members, fine: you want five years of argument and stalemate? I’d sooner take a little risk.
Tags: New Mardi Gras
