Not Enough Support For Mardi Gras' AGM
Mardi Gras' Annual General Meeting was postponed on the weekend because of a lack of numbers. It's now been moved to this Wednesday.
Mardi Gras' Annual General Meeting was postponed on the weekend because of a lack of numbers. It's now been moved to this Wednesday.
The Mardi Gras Festival is the brightest, diverse and most exciting three weeks on Sydney's events calendar. Applications are now open for those of you who want to be part of the 2009 festival season.
Mardi Gras is arguably one of Australia’s most famous events – its contribution to gay rights, culture and social change has been felt right around the world. But can its future be just as amazing as its past?
Change is afoot at Mardi Gras, as the organisation moves into what new Chair David Imrie is calling "the next generation". Next year, for the first time in Mardi Gras' history, season launch will be incorporated into Fair Day.
Since the announcement of the theme of this year's Sleaze Ball - The Villain's Lair - tongues are already wagging about who'll be headlining the party. Well, Same Same has got the scoop.
Following her hugely successful international tour One World Alliance, comes the release of Pam Ann’s first DVD, Come Fly With Me.
This year I was lucky enough to score tickets to the Glamour Bar. I'll admit I was a little confused as to what exactly the Glamour Bar was. I knew it was a BGF fundraiser and I knew it had free drinks involved - and that was enough for me!
Since her explosion into the music industry via Australian Idol back in 2003, Courtney Act has wowed audiences all over the world.
After the premature closure of last year’s disastrous Azure Party ordered by NSW Police, many watched on with great interest to see what would happen next to Harbour Party.
Darren and Sharon Carpenter packed the crowds in to Will & Toby’s Supper Club for their Carpenters tribute show. We laughed, cringed and danced up a storm, but one thing was for certain, everyone loved it and had an absolute ball!
They say “fear is the mind killer”. For those of you who have jumped out of an aeroplane you will understand what I'm talking about, but if you truly want to understand fear try throwing yourself onstage in a packed out club and attempt stand up.
Walking into the Petersham Metropolitan Community Church, one could be forgiven for feeling a little underwhelmed. Yet as the music softly took flight, and the lights dimmed to a temporary slumber, a strange world began to unravel infront of us.
Touted as a cross between Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Moulin Rouge with puppets, the show is an off-beat explosion of adults only humour and puppetry, all set to a groovy, jazzy soundtrack.
To celebrate the 30th birthday of the Mardi Gras this year, ACON challenged the audiences with an age defying question - ‘Is 50 The New 30?’ The Great Debate presented another year of argument and laughter at Sydney’s Seymour Centre.
Welcome to the wonderfully unique world of Glace Chase. Strap yourself in for one hell of a ride as Glace takes you on an adventure that is hard to forget.
Blowing Whistles is the kind of theatre every gay man should see. Whilst rooted in cunning humour and quotable one-liners, there are some serious truths to consider in British playwright Matthew Todd’s work. Here’s why…
It's amazing to think how much things can change in 29 years. What was once a protest borne from the total disregard of gay and lesbian rights is, today, one of the biggest, boldest and most ostentatious Gay Pride events in the world.
So we all know that the Azure Party at Mrs Macquarie's Chair was closed down due to police action at around 9pm on Sunday evening. Unfortunately I don’t think we will ever get a true insight into the events that led to this action being taken.
Well the girls behind Tongue Twister said that their aim was to include music and gals from the clubbing scene from the 70’s onwards and they certainly delivered.
We were far too early for the performance of Al Takes a Bride. I thought we’d be able to slip in for a pre show drink at the bar, which shows I’ve never been to The Kirk on Cleveland St before.
Lemon Tart is just as you’d expect - a bittersweet delight, slightly tangy, overall quite filling. It’s an evening of cabaret, sung predominantly by Genevieve Lemon and Josh Quong-Tart, with the occasional inclusion of Josh's brother Byron.
Mardi Gras is arguably one of Australia’s most famous events – its contribution to gay rights, culture and social change has been felt right around the world. But can its future be just as amazing as its past?
If you missed the amazing shows at Mardi Gras - or even if you didn't and you want to relive the magic - then please take your seats.
The day was finally upon us and nobody was going to rain on this parade. We all hoped for an awesome day and the sun came out of the closet just at the right time as Sydney geared up for what was one of the biggest Mardi Gras parades ever!
Same Same's Angus Paterson spoke to Agnelli & Nelson about the new wave of players in trance, their place within the current scene as well as their upcoming gig at Sydney's Mardi Gras Party.
Same Same spoke with Ken Davis, one of the original Mardi Gras 78ers, who told his story about the first Mardi Gras, the years that followed and what still lies ahead.
Is Australia ready for Kathy Griffin? Wherever she goes drama follows. Kathy sat down with Same Same to talk about life on the D-List, the weather, her plans for Mardi Gras and why she'll be calling Olivia Newton-John names.
Next week is going to be big - Pam Ann, Cyndi Lauper, Margaret Cho, Kathy Griffin - not to mention a massive Parade and a sold out Party. Are you ready? Danielle Harvey, Mardi Gras Festival Producer, tells us her Festival picks for next week.
Melbourne’s marching groups have reported record numbers of participants for this year’s Mardi Gras 30th Anniversary Parade. Melbourne Mardi Gras Group, Vic Presence and Melbourne Marching Girls will represent Melbourne with a 300+ contingent.
How was your Fair Day? Same Same's Jade Starr takes us backstage to chat to the performers from Fair Day to find out what they thought.
It's the second week of Mardi Gras Festival and the city is abuzz with energy. Same Same sat down with Danielle Harvey, Festival Executive Producer, to get her choice picks for the coming week.
Mardi Gras Festival kicks off this weekend and with so much on, we don't want you missing a thing. Same Same sat down with Danielle Harvey, Festival Executive Producer, to ask her for her pick of the bunch for the festival's first week.
Do you feel beautiful? If you don't, you should. And Margaret Cho is here to tell you why.
She's not playing at this year's Mardi Gras after all, but she does have a new album on its way. Same Same sat down with Dannii Minogue to chat about luck, longevity and baptisms of fire.
There's no denying that The Potbelleez hit Don't Hold Back has become the bonafide anthem of this summer. What is it about this track that has us begging for more? Same Same sat down with Dave and Johnny to find out.
Pam Ann is the undisputed camp queen of the skies – she's gone from playing in gay bars in Australia to working with Cher and Elton John. Fasten your seatbelts - Pam's about to touch down in Australia as part of this year's Mardi Gras Festival.
Jody Ekert is back again this year with Giggling Gertie – a women’s comedy workshop and showcase that truly encompasses what Mardi Gras festival is all about – broadening horizons, making friends and of course, laughing. A lot.
Mardi Gras' 2008 Festival is a solid program of events with strong ties to the city's major venues and pitches top notch international performers alongside the best of our homegrown talent.
As we head towards Mardi Gras' 30th year, we're putting the party scene under the microscope and asking the searing question - why are we so fond of dancing? This week, we look back to Chicago and New York in the '70s at how it all began.
If anyone has had a full plate lately it's Mardi Gras Chair Marcus Bourget. We chatted to a more relaxed, relieved Marcus and hit him with a few tough questions about homophobia, the future of Mardi Gras and of course - Maggie Thatcher on all fours.
Not long to go now and Mardi Gras 2007 will be hitting Sydney streets. Partygoers from 35 countries and 7000 parade participants will make up a large chunk of the 17,000 strong crowd expected to hit the official after party. The stage is set.
In typical Mardi-Gras style, Glace Chase encapsulates the glamour, punk and trash of the party season. Farrel Brest sat down with Glace Chase over a few double vodka sodas and discussed Cyndi Lauper, leopard print and picking up.
The news reports a story a bit like this. Girl loves Girl. Madly. Truly. Deeply. They decide they’ll get married and start planning. They buy rings and host an engagement. However they then discover that two girls CAN’T get married.
When news of Paul Mac’s appearance at this year’s Mardi Gras Party was released, it was billed as “Paul Mac and Friends.” A pretty vague headline - with the diversity of the people he's worked with, that could mean just about anybody!
Last week, disguising my excitement as an extremely cool, calm and camp interviewer, I caught up with Russell Small, one part of the duo that is the Freemasons. He was in his studio and on his first coffee of the morning getting sucked into MySpace.
When The Presets' Julian Hamilton was in school his headmaster used to tell the kids that Mardi Gras was evil. Now he's gearing up to play at the party.
What is it with girls’ nights in Sydney? It seems they’re just not complete without some reference to sex. We must be a horny bunch. Moist, G-Spot, Fingers First and now - Tongue Twister, which isn’t too bad as far as this naming trend goes.
“I’m never going to be on the cover of TV Week” declares Paul Capsis, followed by a sigh of relief and a passionate “Thank God” from me. Mainstream exposure is about the only thing that could dilute the brilliance of this amazingly diverse artist.
Stars knocked off their chairs, two obsessive nanna fans and one die hard musical stalker? Priscilla’s behind the scenes antics seem as colourful as the cocks in frocks on stage. Well, almost.
Courtney Act's Search For A Bent Covermodel is currently underway. We spoke to both her and Leigh Harris, Editor of Bent Magazine about the things that matter most - world peace, job satisfaction and beautiful, bronzed boys.
Di Smith, star of The Great Outdoors and A Country Practice, now adds another coveted role to her CV. She's returning to the stage in Gaiety Theatre's production of Boston Marriage as part of the Mardi Gras Festival.
Boy George is in a talkative mood. In fact, I can barely get a word in edgeways for the first 5 minutes of our conversation. Oddly, he's not raving about his new single ‘Time Machine’ or even his impending visit to our shores to play at Mardi Gras.
"My musical journey has been like life I suppose, It's been up, down, shithouse and wonderful. It may sound wanky, but it's been the soundtrack to my life". iOTA’s unaffected honesty becomes glaringly apparent within the first few seconds...
What does one say about UK performer David Hoyle? He’s been called everything from a comic genius to a decomposing Liza Minnelli and in many ways, both comments ring true. He’s relatively unknown in Australia, although that’s all about to change.
Mardi Gras' Annual General Meeting was postponed on the weekend because of a lack of numbers. It's now been moved to this Wednesday.
The Mardi Gras Festival is the brightest, diverse and most exciting three weeks on Sydney's events calendar. Applications are now open for those of you who want to be part of the 2009 festival season.
Change is afoot at Mardi Gras, as the organisation moves into what new Chair David Imrie is calling "the next generation". Next year, for the first time in Mardi Gras' history, season launch will be incorporated into Fair Day.
Since the announcement of the theme of this year's Sleaze Ball - The Villain's Lair - tongues are already wagging about who'll be headlining the party. Well, Same Same has got the scoop.
If you've been hanging for Kathy Griffin's Mardi Gras episode of My Life On The D-List, wait no longer! Season 3 is screening in Australia right now, but Season 4 is in full swing in America, with the Mardi Gras special airing last week.
Mardi Gras' 30th anniversary party almost didn't go ahead, thanks to "erupting" toilets in the Hordern Pavillion.
This week after three years in the role, Marcus Bourget stepped down as Chair of New Mardi Gras. The board have appointed his replacement - David Imrie. He was unanimously voted as the new chair a couple of days ago.
March was the biggest month in Same Same history. We almost hit a million pages and it was thanks to two big things - our list of the Gayest Songs Of All Time and our coverage of Mardi Gras' 30th Anniversary.
What an awesome month we've just had! With Australia awash with delicious Mardi Gras madness, there was plenty to keep us all busy throughout February. So, what were the stories that sizzled the Same Same frying pan last month?
As the dust settles on the 30th Anniversary of Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the momentous occasion that many thought we would never reach has been hailed a huge success. Same Same was there every moment of the Parade and Party.
The scramble for Mardi Gras tickets is over. At the Elizabeth St Ticketek outlet keen punters were queueing as early as 4am for their ticket into the Party.
Okay folks, print this out and pop it in your back pocket. We don't want you to miss a thing this Mardi Gras Party.
It’s the juiciest rumour we've heard this decade - is Kylie Minogue going to make a surprise appearance at the 30th Anniversary of Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras this weekend?
Air New Zealand's pink flight from San Francisco has landed in Sydney for Mardi Gras. With Kathy Griffin, drag queens and loads of gays and lesbians onboard, one can only imagine what happened a mile high in the sky.
If you haven't seen Carl Hopgood's 'Fuck Love' exhibition in Taylor Square Lavatories, you've got until Friday before the doors are locked and closed.
New Mardi Gras announced today details of how the remaining tickets to the Mardi Gras party will be sold.
If you were one of the unlucky few who missed out on getting a Mardi Gras ticket, we've got the news you've been waiting for. Same Same can reveal that some more Mardi Gras tickets will be going on sale, most likely at the end of this week.
Mardi Gras Party has officially now sold out. If you haven’t bought your ticket yet, unfortunately it’s time to start looking at ebay or begging your friends to sell you theirs.
Jeez - some people just can't keep a secret, can they? Olivia Newton-John has just spoken to media about her much anticipated Mardi Gras Party show, telling them the time as well as the song!
With less than two weeks to go before the Mardi Gras Parade, time is running out if you want to hang in the Bobby Goldsmith Glamstand.
If you haven't bought your ticket to Mardi Gras Party yet then you'd better rush. Our sources tell us it could sell out as early as tomorrow and definitely by the end of the week.
Not long now until Cyndi Lauper makes her way to our shores. While her performances have been locked in as part of the Mardi Gras festival, everyone's been wondering whether or not she'll be doing a show at the Mardi Gras Party.
Our lovely barrel girl (ok, well just Robbie), has rummaged around with all of the entries into the competition to Win The Best Mardi Gras Ever, and has selected a winner.
Next week marks 30th Anniversary of Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. We've rounded up some of the best photos of past Mardi Gras events - from launch to fair day, parade to party - and present our online Photo Exhibition of Mardi Gras Memories.
This year Fair Day is bigger and better than ever and will be staying open well after dark. You can now get a drink and have a boogie in the Bitch lounge and dance zone, which will be open until much later than previous years.
More than a 1000 gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual film-goers filled the City Recital Hall last night for the opening of the 15th Mardi Gras Film Festival presented by Queer Screen.
More than a 1000 gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual film-goers filled the City Recital Hall last night for the opening of the 15th Mardi Gras Film Festival presented by Queer Screen.
The Fabulous Punch And Judy Show is just like the famous children’s puppet show only it's not for children. Oh, and the puppets have been thrown out the door too.
So, less than two weeks now before Mardi Gras Harbour Party takes over Fleet Steps and Mrs Macquaries Point for the 30th anniversary. Who's going?
Yes, it's official. Sydney loves Margaret Cho! So much so that Mardi Gras have just added a fourth show to her season - 10pm on Wednesday 27 February.
Last year's Tongue Twister set tongues wagging. The ladies took over the Burdekin Hotel on Oxford Street - and how! This year's Tongue Twister promises to be the biggest girls party Sydney has ever seen.
Mardi Gras Festival launched on Saturday to an enthusiastic crowd. Rain drove the event indoors - Will & Toby's at Taylor Square to be precise - leaving most of those who came to show their support stranded on the pavement.
Due to extreme moisture, Mardi Gras' launch today will move from Moore Park into the sumptuous surroundings of the Supper Club at Will And Tobys.
The Sydney Morning Herald recently reported that Police are planning a "blitz" on upcoming dance parties and Mardi Gras events are firmly in their sights.
Mardi Gras' 30th anniversary kicks off this weekend with a launch at Moore Park on Saturday 9 February from 4pm. There's going to be a commemorative tree planting which will mark the anniversary and the end of the world-famous Parade route.
Finally we can announce the temporary location for Manacle during the Mardi Gras period - the top floor of the Taxi Club on Flinders Street, from Friday 22 February to Monday 3 March, except for the night of Mardi Gras party.
Kathy Griffin has just announced that she'll be doing a show at the Enmore Theatre the night before Mardi Gras - expect to see her at her loud mouthed, uncensored best.
Queer Screen, in collaboration with Google Australia and YouTube, are launching Queer Eye For My Valentine - an open invitation to queers around the globe to make a short film for their valentine.
It's been another busy month in here. Wanna know what melted the Same Same butter in January?
The Mardi Gras party line up just keeps on growing. This week Mardi Gras officially confirmed that Olivia Newton-John will be among the performers at the 30th anniversary bash.
Don't let this year's Mardi Gras parade pass you by. The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation Glamstand is the perfect way to experience this world famous spectacle - the space is reserved, the people are not!
Nathan Hudson, lead singer of Faker of Big Day Out and soon to be Mardi Gras Party fame, has told the Sunday Magazine he is gay and “is now happy to talk about it”.
2008 Mardi Gras festival is going to be extra special for a lot of young people experiencing it for the first time. Not only because it’s the 30th anniversary, but because this year's festival includes something designed especially for them.
There are some pieces of news that are just so good, it's practically impossible to keep them a secret. Like Olivia Newton-John performing at Mardi Gras for instance.
Religious leaders are not impressed with a new play about to open as part of Mardi Gras Festival. The play - Corpus Christi - depicts Jesus as a gay man who is seduced by Judas and conducts a gay marriage for two apostles.
Mardi Gras' 30th anniversary inches closer and closer and so do their all important deadlines! So if you plan on being one of the crowd of thousands who marches down Oxford Street this year, read on.
If you missed out on the first two, then today is your lucky day. The gorgeous Margaret Cho has just announced a third and final performance to her Sydney Mardi Gras show - 28 Feb at 10pm.
This morning Kylie appeared as a special guest on a particularly nauseating episode of Channel Seven's Sunrise and confirmed to the nation that she wouldn't be the special guest at this year's Mardi Gras party.
Four spectacular dance worlds and over 20 DJs will create an explosive end to the 30th anniversary celebrations for Mardi Gras 2008 Brave New Worlds. DJs are zooming in from across the planet - from New York, London, Barcelona, Berlin and Auckland.
Mardi Gras this morning launched their festival guide for 2008 and also dropped a bombshell - how would the future of Mardi Gras look without the parade?
Rumour has it that Dannii Minogue will be one of the party headliners for Mardi Gras' 30th anniversary.
Hex Hector, one of the most famous dance remixers of the 1990s, and also one of the most well known in terms of mainstream crossover popularity, is coming to Sydney for Mardi Gras next year.
New Mardi Gras have just announced that they will be producing the annual Harbour Party party next year held at Mrs Macquaries Chair on the Sunday afternoon the week before the Mardi Gras parade.
Every night from 8pm the shop window of 72 Oxford Street comes to live with the Mardi Gras Memories exhibition. It includes photos from some of Sydney's hottest photographers, including some from Same Same contributors Billy Law and Morgan Carpenter.
Mardi Gras went off without a hitch on Saturday night, with 8000 colourful participants strutting their stuff in 120 floats along Oxford Street, in front of an estimated crowd of more than 300,000.
The closing of Azure party last Sunday night has indeed opened a can of worms. People are crying discrimination, others complaining that the scene is too drug focused. Some media have been alluding to threats that this weekend's Party will be closed.
Party-goers should keep their wits about them this weekend, because unfortunately along with Mardi Gras celebrations comes the usual surge in homophobic violence.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, revelers who plan to indulge in illicit substances at this weekend’s Mardi Gras party had better think again. Police say that they will not turn a blind eye to drugs this year.
This year if you want to see the Mardi Gras parade, you have a few options. You can wait at the barriers all day, you can scratch around for a milk crate or you can log onto Mardi Gras' website and watch it from the comfort of your swivel chair.
The Kylie 2007 float in this year’s Mardi Gras has just been given the endorsement they've been waiting for. With the parade less than two weeks away it looked as though Kylie wasn’t going to respond to their requests.
Anyone who came along to Sunday's Mardi Gras Fair Day will already know what a huge success it was. Crowds were predicted at 50,000 and with gorgeous weather and an even more gorgeous crowd, Victoria Park has never looked better.
Due to circumstances beyond their control the Producers of Mardi Gras event Showgirls Live have had to cancel the show scheduled for the State Theatre on Wed 21st February.
When the Young Divas hit the stage for Mardi Gras party and their performances at DnD Balls around the country in a few weeks, one of them won't be there. Ricki-Lee will be in America recording, leaving another past Idol to take her place.
Sometimes the gayest of moments happen in the most unlikely of places – like the backstage corridors of Channel Seven’s Sunrise program. When the Scissor Sisters bumped into the boys from Little Britain backstage it was a surprise for all concerned.
Mardi Gras got off to a great start over the weekend with a sumptuous red carpet affair, followed by a bright, colourful flash mob, where special guests Little Britain's Matt Lucas and David Walliams officially launched the 2007 Mardi Gras season.
What do the guys and gals from Mardi Gras have up their sleeves for launch? They've told us to dress brightly and gayly, they've told us that festivities are going to take place somewhere near Circular Quay, they've hinted at a special guest...
According to a recent report in the Sydney Morning Herald, well known online lesbian site The Pink Sofa has been locked out from participating in Mardi Gras’ Fair Day as well as parade, due to Mardi Gras’ sponsorship with online dating site Gaydar.
This Mardi Gras prepare to see sexy speedo clad lifesavers performing CPR and rescues, as Surf Lifesaving Australia enters a float in the parade for the very first time.
Are you under 21? Ever heard of 21Down? This event is part of Mardi Gras Festival and it essentially gives queer youth the chance to get together and meet not only each other, but community figures too.
Mardi Gras Launch date has been moved. Another clue was sent from Mardi Gras this morning, telling us it's now happening on Saturday, 3rd February. The message also hinted at a special guest to help the celebrations along.
Mardi Gras have just announced the line up for their Red Carpet Festival Launch and we think you'll agree, it's pretty impressive.
Ever wanted your moment in the spotlight? Have you dreamt of being part of a main show at Mardi Gras? Well slip on those dancin’ shoes and get ready to shake your moneymaker, cos Mardi Gras are holding open auditions for Party 2007 and they want you!
Mardi Gras are still keeping pretty tight lipped about their 2007 Flash Mob Launch, but today we all got one step closer to working out just what they have up their colourful sleeves.
You love the big shows, the amazing scenic, the fantastic music and the sexy boys and girls. And you know what? Mardi Gras love giving it to you.
Last night saw the opening of the Mardi Gras Film festival, with the traditional screening night of My Queer Career (version 14.0). Now in its 14th year the screening showcases the ten finalists in the My Queer Career short film competition.