Sleaze’s future in doubt

New Mardi Gras has flagged that this year’s Sleaze party could be the last.

In a circular to members late yesterday NMG co-chairs Peter Urmson and Steph Sands announced plans for a forum to discuss the future of the organisation’s fundraising strategies, including the ailing dance party.

At this year’s NMG annual general meeting former co-chair Nick Parker described the October long weekend dance party as “the fundraiser that didn’t”, saying attendance had been trending downwards for years.

Starting life as a 500-person party at the Paddington Town Hall in 1982, Sleaze now faces stiff competition from a range of parties across the October long weekend, including newcomer Suburban Sleaze, and others during the weekend including Extra Dirty, LaLeche!, Daywash, Love Child and Underwhere.

Urmson told Sydney Star Observer competition from other parties was not the issue.

“They’re not really a major factor,” he said. “Whenever we put on an event there will be peripheral events that come up around it.

“If it was on another weekend there would be other events that would come up to compete.”

Urmson said his board felt it important to make members aware of the party’s circumstances in advance.

“If this is the last Sleaze Ball, we have to make sure people are aware so they have a good enough opportunity to consider if they want to attend or not. We wouldn’t want to make that announcement after the fact, and we just think that it’s due courtesy to the community for us to do that.”

The consultation will review the effectiveness of Sleaze, the shifting needs and tastes of the GLBT community and NMG members, and the challenges that presents for the organisation’s future fundraising strategies.

In yesterday’s circular Urmson and Sands described Sleaze as one of NMG’s proudest achievements.

“We are prepared for the outcome that this may be the last Sleaze Ball we produce and we wanted to ensure that you, our members, were also prepared for this,” they wrote.

“We feel it is time to explore new ideas so we remain an exciting and relevant organisation that can provide the kind of events our communities want today.”

Sands and Urmson said the move to the Forum was part of New Mardi Gras’ commitment to remaining connected and engaged with the community and its membership.

“When these kinds of important discussions and decisions arise, we will seek some level of involvement from you. We look forward to hearing a range of opinions.

“We’re proud that we can provide a Sleaze Ball with an emphasis on youth and women, multiple venues and reduced ticket prices, while retaining the dark and edgy atmosphere that the event is famous for.”

The NMG special Membership  and Community Forum will be in mid-October, with a date and venue yet to be announced.

It also announced yesterday that Zoe Badwi and Mary Kiani will perform at this year’s party.