NMG split decision looming
New Mardi Gras says it is “satisfied” with season 2010, despite smaller crowd numbers at the party, as everyone awaits a decision about the future of the split weekend for season 2011.
Party night gave revellers five acts throughout the evening. In return, they provided more than $1 million dollars in revenue for the organisation.
NMG CEO Michael Rollick said NMG was still pleased with the 12,000 person turn-out, down on the usual 15,000 attendees who flock to the Hordern after the parade.
“The separation between the parade and party always meant that we would struggle, but we are satisfied with the result,” he said. “It was enough to ensure the party still retained its big party feel.
“Mardi Gras party is the key fundraising event in our calendar. I’m delighted that, despite difficult circumstances, its brand and reputation have grown in 2010 and we can approach 2011 with confidence.”
Events NSW estimated the split, combined with the presence of the Atlantis Cruise, added up to $5 million extra revenue to the state’s coffers.
Questions about the future of the festival format are expected to be raised at a special NMG general meeting for members on March 28.
Saturday night’s party began with Mitzi Macintosh’s drag ode to Dame Shirley Bassey.
For some, it was a bittersweet way to start the party, knowing that this would be Mitzi’s — Graeme Browning’s — last party performance before moving to the UK.
The party continued with George Michael’s performance of Outside — the show many had come to see. Media were made to sign an agreement not to publish photos of his performance.
At 3am, when love was well and truly in the air, Kelly Rowland took to the stage for an anthemic performance of When Love Takes Over with DJ David Guetta, staged as an ode to same-sex marriage.
Amanda Lepore injected colour into the evening, surrounded by dancers in bright green cut-offs, as she performed a mash-up that included excerpts from her hit, My Hair Looks Fierce.
Adam Lambert — resplendent in a codpiece — put the final touches on the evening as he harnessed up and took to the stage for a performance of For Your Entertainment.
Police searched 102 people during the evening, 50 of whom were issued with court attendance notices for ecstasy, amphetamine, LSD and amyl nitrate possession.
Four people were issued with cautions over cannabis possession and eight others charged with attempting to discard their drugs.
The largest bust saw a 29-year-old Leichhardt man charged with supply of 61 ecstasy pills.
adam lambert was the best performer of the night. brilliant singer.
I remember in past Mardi Gras after-parties that people would panic about not being able to get tickets because all 17000 tickets would sell no doubt. Some years numbers were pushed to the limits. This year ticket sales were weak in comparison. In days past, we would have called this a sad turnout
Yes a lot of people enjoyed themselves, it’s Mardi Gras and it is a given that we will make the most of it and have a great time. It seems that most the people who enjoyed this season are still impartial to the split, however there are still many not happy about it.
We do have to ask ourselves again, what part of ourselves do we have to sell out to keep this event successful? Is it a festival and a forum of expression that acculminates into a night of climactic celebration or is it a drawn-out means of filling up the piggy bank until it breaks and there is no piggy bank left to fill anymore?
What is our drive to make this event happen? If it is money – as the article says “Events NSW estimated the split, combined with the presence of the Atlantis Cruise, added up to $5 million extra revenue to the state’s coffers.” Yet this article (http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/sydney-mardi-gras-worth-30-mllion-to-nsw-economy/) from 2009 implies we were down $25 million on expectations? I know of many Australians that left for overseas instead of doing Mardi Gras, many opted to spend their party money on tropical holidays and shopping trips in designer stores elsewhere.
NMG better be careful that they don’t bite the hand that feeds them. Most people were aware why the split occurred and only supported this season because they want Mardi Gras to survive, next year if NMG try to capitalize on the split in the interest of greed then maybe people wont be so forgiving. I know many many people who either boycotted this season, couldn’t afford both events or couldn’t afford the extra time off. I have many friends from overseas who wanted to come to Australia for it but delayed their Mardi Gras experience for next year in the hope that NMG will have their act together enough to lock in some solid dates and confirm venue bookings well before time. Lets hope they don’t disappoint..
I noticed in the article they talk about 15,000 tickets expected to be sold but the normal sales during the 2000-9 was 17,000 to 20,000 tickets see the Pink Board history of parties for details.
http://www.pinkboard.com.au/history/mardigras/mardigras00s.html
This means at the bottom end a 29% ticket sales downturn and at the worse case a 40% downturn.
It also has to be remembered in 2009 the economic recession was in full swing and a substantial drop in tourists but international and interstate occured so any economic numbers have to be very carefully read.
New Mardi Gras have been putting a lot of spin on the whole event. For example at Fair Day they turned down 120 applicants due to the exclusion clause which they had with Events NSW. To make matters worse they knew about this one year out and only told stall holders they were unsucessful just three weeks out from Fair Day.
Selling 12,000 tickets to MG’s Party is a significant decline of 20%. It’ll mean a big reduction in revenue from the party. The nosedive in sales happened despite an all out effort at promotion and a stellar line-up of DJ’s and performers. The party was simply a whole lot less popular when split from the Parade.
New Mardi Gras has promoted the idea that many people would welcome the split because they would have the more energy to enjoy both Parade and Party but in the end that wasn’t what happened. At best any extra party attendees who needed a separation to regain their energies were far outnumbered by people who only wanted the big (expensive)party with the accompanying Parade buzz you usually get when they’re held on the same night.
It makes sense that the main market for an all night party wouldn’t be the type of people to be exhausted after the Parade but rather are driven on by the adrenaline of the Parade celebrations to enjoy the accompanying Party.
Put Parade and Party back together for next year New Mardi Gras!!
This was my first madi gras & it was ruined by having to decide between the Parade & the party- who has 11 days off to travel interstate & stay for both- no one i know.
The NMG r ignoring guidelines with their “secret” meeting to avoid the voice of the majority GLTB community shows they r not interested in our needs but the bigger picture.
The Atlantis wont be back next year & there are other ways to accomadate such things in the future without splitting the parade & party.
Mardi Gras felt like it finished on parade night. Mardi Gras lost the additional attendees of the parties to other events that were held on the same night as the parade when everyone is the Mardi Gras mood. Subsequently why would anyone go to the MG Party when Toybox is on the next day and is a much better party! Come on MG… Don’t give us this rubbish that it was a success!
What’s this about a NMG Special General Meeting for MEMBERS to discuss 2010 Mardi Gras!? Wasn’t there a promise of a PUBLIC meeting to discuss 2010 Mardi Gras problems?
You need to promote this as an OPEN meeting to the whole GLTB… community or a members meeting only. Given the various complaints about the Parade, Carnival & Dance Party etc it should be an open public meeting!!!!
NMG wrote – Questions about the future of the festival format are expected to be raised at a special NMG general meeting for members on March 28.(2010)
– Stella
I also want the old format back. The Parade and Party should be together and there is plenty of information out there from Party ticket sales and internet blogs to show that most in the community feel this way. Both events have more energy and excitement together, each adding to the sense of occasion on the night, an effective double climax to the festival.
I’m suspicious about the lack of publicity given to the upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting. Mardi Gras is not facilitating debate as it should when it gives the EGM such a low profile. The mention in the media of the EGM was in the Inner City local newspaper “Central” a few weeks ago and the only mention in the gay press has been the formal legal Notice on p18 of the 4/3/10 SX. We still do not know what the Mardi Gras management is thinking.
The latest argument put forward in favour of the shift to split Parade and Party is that extra money poured into the economy this season. Yet when you look at Events NSW figures there is an increase attributed to a combination of the Atlantis cruise ship docking during the festival and people staying longer to catch both Parade and Party. (a combined $3-$5 mill) There is no figure attributable to the split alone. In any case this is an argument for the benefit of the wider economy, not the GLBTQ communities’ own interests or the health of the core ‘lighthouse’ events.
This year a number of new crowd pleasing events were added to the festival: the one off strip for Spencer Tunic at the Opera House, Race Day and Drag Races, but these could also be programmed for the lead up to the reunited Parade & Party night adding to the build up to the big night and giving people a choice as to whether to stay in Sydney longer for the extra events. To impose a Parde/Party split on the festival means sacrificing the needs of a great many interstate and regional NSW visitors to Sydney in favour of a smaller number of bigger spenders able to stay longer. Why not build up the number of people staying longer by offering a better festival in the build up to the joint Party/Parade night?
Yet another sly move from NMG… Advertise a meeting only in a magazine that is read by gay men in the inner eastern suburbs, not in the publisher’s female-oriented magazine, and not in the Star Observer which is at least read by the broader community and available in the west, both inner and outer.
Trying to sweep under the carpet the long-argued issue of intellectual property rights at an almost secret meeting is typical of the arrogant disgregard the current powers at NMG have for the community they are supposed to serve.
the split of the parade and party is a mistake as i see it. this year the party while fun had little of the post parade energy, the numbers were down. could we have the old format please, the party IS the closer to the parade and the entire season
And has anyonelse noticed that there are still no “official” numbers for how many people attended the parade? Given that the NSW Police make estimates every year, does this indicate that numbers were down?
2 weeks of a festival is a disgrace. we need to go back to a 4 week festival so things can get spread out and people can actually get to the things they want to get to, instead of having to choose between one or the other. The grass roots community groups helped save Mardi Gras when they were at their lowest by putting on events for the festival but with a 2 week festival(DON
2 weeks of a festival is a disgrace. we need to go back to a 4 week festival so things can get spread out and people can actually get to the things they want to get to, instead of having to choose between on or the other. The grass roots community groups helped save Mardi Gras when they were at their lowest by putting on events for the festival but with a 2 week (DON”T even think about making it one week) they’ve been the ones to lose out because people choose the bigger events to go to instead. Shame on you Mardi Gras for turning yourbacks on those who saved you!
Barbara, I had wondered the same thing and thanks Maurice, thats very interesting. I don’t pick up SX so didn’t see that ad on page 18 I’ll certainly be there now that I know it is on. But being the good process queen that I am, I would like draw NMGs attention section 6.7 (b)i and section 6.8(b) of their constitution (below)….As a member I haven’t received an email or snail mail letter about this meeting, nor can i find it on the NMG website. Maybe its just me, but that makes me feel like NMG didn’t want to encourage members to attend! But if the rules weren’t followed, is it a properly constituted general meeting, I don’t think so but perhaps thats just me and if I am wrong I am happy to be corrected! I also hope that between now and the meeting, NMG will be releasing a discussion paper on the proposed motion and a discussion paer re their plans for future years as I would like to give the issues consideration prior to the meeting.
“6.7 Notice of general meeting must be given:
(a) not less than 21 days before the general meeting concerned;
(b) in writing to:
(i) each member at the address then current for that member on the Register; and
(ii) Mardi Gras’ auditor at the time of the notice.
6.8 In addition to the mode of notice described in the immediately preceding article, the Secretary
shall, not less than 21 days before the general meeting cause:
(a) a notice to be placed in a public area of New Mardi Gras
I must say I have very mixed feelings about the Parade / Party split. Having tried it, I actually enjoyed the new format. It actually showcased the entire festival better, and gave you time to explore it’s rich program and events. On the other hand, it cost a shit load more for us interstaters and internationals. Many complained about how much it cost them, and that they were so frustrated that they had to miss out because of related costs.
I’m sure NMG and NSW tourism are licking their lips over the tasty profits they made this year. Given their new association, i think it is highly likely that the split format will continue. As a business decision – it makes more sense – and it will also make Mardi gras mouch more NSW orientated. Isn’t that what NSW tourism want now that they are big sponsor?!
The rest of us just have to take it – It’s Sydney’s festival not Australia’s festival.
@Barbara, NMG did a quarter page ad in SX issue 477 page 18 4th March 2010.
I don’t think they emailed of mailed the membership on this one. I haven’t received an email on this one.
The ad said-
“New Mardi Gras
ACN 102 451 785
Notice is hereby given of a general meeting of New Mardi Gras Limited to be held Sunday, 28 March 2010, commencing at 2pm at the NIDA playhouse Theatre, 215 Anzac Parade, Kensington. the meeting has been requisitioned by the Co-Chairs, Steph Sands and Nick Parker. The following business will be transacted:
1. Season 2010
2. Board recommendation on IP Trust
In relation to item 2, the board will move the following motion:
That the issue of transferring the intellectual property rights of New Mardi Gras Limited to another entity be resolved by keeping the intellectual property rights within the ownership of New Mardi Gras limited and that this matter be closed.
Peter Munro
Company Secretary”
NMG- My friends and i enjoyed the new format. Not only did my friends enjoyed volunteering and myself in the parade, but we had alot more energy reserved to party til sunrise the following weekend.
Loved Carnival.Loved the outdoor setting. I heart it all. Looking forward to next year!!
Was there a Mardi Gras this year? The splitting of the parade and the party was the worst decision I have ever heard of, and took the wind out the season. It also is very revealing about the competence of the of the people currently in charge. Let’s see some real answers now once the final budgets are tallied up.
Question: How can NMG say here that they plan to hold a members general meeting on March 28 when according to the constitution a general meeting requires 21 days notice. I’m not aware of any notice going out a few days ago? Or did I miss it?
I loved the new format! Carnival was an excellent event for people who participated in the parade. Congratulations for NMG for staging something for the parade participants.
I agree with Nathan – this new format gives us more events & anyone who didn’t have fun at Carnival really wasn’t out to have a good time anyway. There were 2 excellent dance venues, as well as the main arena.
Carnival was one of the best organised events in the 20 years that I’ve been attending Mardigras Parades.
I was very apprehensive of the new format.
But having lived it, my friends and I all agree this was the best Mardi Gras season ever.
So I think I’m converted to the new format.
Well done NMG for putting on such a spectacular Mardi Gras festival. Power to you x
More NMG spin. Of course they’re happy — they’re still covering up for the atrocious situation that has spelled disaster for Australians from other states who want to come to both the parade and party.
NMG is happy. Some punters probably are. Many others are now wondering ‘why bother’?
We love Mardi Gras. Yes It lives..own it own and some. From from a gay man that has been moving it foor fourty years… with love.