Mardi Gras - Your Verdict?

[AussieG]

- Loved Hex Hector.... I don't do drugs, so some great house/90s remixes were perfection. A variety of music styles in different venues is a must for what is still a community celebration.

- Loved Livvy - why just one song?

- Loved Cyndi - but bad sound and.... why 8am? everyone was off their faces

- Totally over the endless Kylie/Dannii rumours..... Mardi Gras is the boy who cried 'Minogue'

[jackie87]

Hex Hector is the shiznit! Loved every minute of his Whitney sets!!!

As for Livvy - it couldn't have been summed up better by that particular song

Cyndi - even though it was a bit odd and everyone including myself were off their tits reckoned it was thoroughly enjoyable

[daniel_son]

WOW!! That is all i have to say. Last nights party was the best event i have EVER been to!! Well done everyone who put it on!! Time for Toybox now... ;) LOL

[jamieavenger]

Well organised, plenty of music spaces and styles to choose from, and nice to see The Forum offering something different from the usual hands in the air RHI girle pop

The party was not worth $150 by a long shot. I really couldn't differentiate between this year and previous parties. Overall fun but not outstanding and not value for money.

[coby]

I'd say the party was a success: impressing and entertaining that many gays at once is a tough ask, and I didn't see anyone not having a good time. As jamieavenger says, there was lots to choose from too.

That said, it wasn't the best party I've ever been to. I found Hex Hector's set way too repetitive, and WHAT IS WITH THE KYLIE RUMOURS?! I even heard from Mary Murphy (So You Think You Can Dance, America) that Kylie was performing! It's getting ridiculous.

Not worth $150, but as long as it's going to Mardi Gras and they continue to raise visibility of our communities, then I'm ok.

[leverarchfile]

hmmm not worth $150 dollars, I would beg to differ, I dont think I have ever heard so many positive comments about a party, and the rhi was looking brilliant the best use of the space I have seen since I have been going.........well done. I an all my friends had an absolute ball:)

[Forteetu]

Awesome night! Great parade and I had a blast filming all the floats and bikes. The after party was HUGE, but unfortunately I had to bail out a bit early. Congrats and a huge thanks to all those who were a part of this fantastic day!

[Tim D]

I really enjoyed the whole season this year.

Being in the parade was a real hoot, the Party was lots of fun. The music wasn't my thing in the Hordern and RHI, but my god I love love loved the Forum.

Grafton Primary were hot, Mark Murphy is a god and the Potbelleez changed my life.

[Tim D]

PS. Was anyone else in the RHI when the music stopped right in the middle of Rhianna's "Please Don't Stop The Music"? My friends and I have been arguing for days if it was irony or just a coincidence..

[David DC]

Ditto Tim!

Great season... Margaret Cho you are the shit!

Getting to play Xanadu to Olivia on the Middle Bar balacony whilst DJing the parade VIP viewing area and the crowd going nuts... total moment!

And the Forum totally took it to another level and made my party... HOT!

Not to mention that the weather came good on all the key dates (except for that whole rain episode on Sunday morning!)... the gods do love the gays!

Is there room for improvement? Sure... but it's all about perspective. So well done all involved and everyone that got into the spirit... I think Sydney might just be getting it's vibe back. :)

[David DC]

PS. Was anyone else in the RHI when the music stopped right in the middle of Rhianna's "Please Don't Stop The Music"? My friends and I have been arguing for days if it was irony or just a coincidence..

sure was! first i thought it was on purpose to be all tricky and mess with everyone. then when it continued to happen i thought technical difficulties. but my spies tell me the DJ in question was a little under the influence and had a bit of a moment shall we say... :p

[Christian Taylor]

check out the videos on the timeout website - minnie cooper is running about on the parade route - loads of fun...

http://www.timeoutsydney.com.au/gaylesbian/mardi-gras-video.aspx

[DeepBlueDreamer]

PS. Was anyone else in the RHI when the music stopped right in the middle of Rhianna's "Please Don't Stop The Music"? My friends and I have been arguing for days if it was irony or just a coincidence..

The music sort of stopped (only for a tick, but abruptly) in the Hordern as well; The only reason i remember it is cos my quick-witted friend screamed "hello!? refund!!!" lol

[Stev_]

First MG party in about 5 years...what a fantastic one to come back to!

[wayne1980]

MG was exceptional this year Marcus and the MG board and volunteers did us proud and once again put Sydney on the map.

The most moving moment for me was the 78'ers. Where would we be now?

PS - Did anyone see BatGirl clear the fence's between stonewall and oxford before the parade started? GOLD!

[Baker]

loved the party,one of the best, great music,and livvy was sensational. Congratulations

[Baker]

some say not worth $150 Considering that the NYE party at the Hordern ONLY cost $125 the MG party was a steal

[DeepBlueDreamer]

I thought 150.00AUD was well worth it...more tickets would've been good. I hope the people who thought it wasn't worth it didn't buy tickets...cos there were plenty of people who wanted to go but missed out!

[Mitzi Macintosh]

Well I am a little biased. Being involved in the Parade is the most incredible experience. From our first meetings, approving applications, laughing at proposals for a big pink elephant, an Australian tribute to Bollywood, a globe spinning on a penis and others to discussions with the 78’ers, the elders of our community then finally walking into the start area to see all the colour, hear the thumping excitement and feel our community rise up with one voice, join hands and march with dignity and pride is an experience that money can’t buy. We are Mardi Gras and she is part of us. I’m so proud to live in Sydney. Viva La Ockers. x Mitzi:eek:

[chalet1]

We were in the Glamour bar, thanks to the Bobby Goldsmith oundation who did an amazing job, the food and drinks flowed all night, the volunteers were lovely, the vibe excellent. A fabulous time was had by all , I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Marvellous Mardi Gras, thanks NMG for putting on a special parade, the highlight for me was seeing the 78ers, without them where would be be but still so much more to be done.

[Tim D]

Well I am a little biased. Being involved in the Parade is the most incredible experience. From our first meetings, approving applications, laughing at proposals for a big pink elephant, an Australian tribute to Bollywood, a globe spinning on a penis and others to discussions with the 78’ers, the elders of our community then finally walking into the start area to see all the colour, hear the thumping excitement and feel our community rise up with one voice, join hands and march with dignity and pride is an experience that money can’t buy. We are Mardi Gras and she is part of us. I’m so proud to live in Sydney. Viva La Ockers. x Mitzi:eek:

Great point Mitzi. I've done a float for three years running now and love it so much. I get a bunch of my mates together, we dress up and dance down the street with 350,000 people cheering us. Where else in the world can you do that?

x

[daixiong]

Loved the parade but hated the crowd: Drunken teenagers yelling homophobic abuse and throwing drinks over all near them, westie boys off their tits picking fights, tourists trying to push their way to the front, the awful rabble at the end storming up after the volunteers... I don't think I'll go again, unless I somehow get invited to a balcony party

[alanmug]

Cant believe people are saying its not worth $150....TEN hours of fun..nothing is that cheap...i got a parking tix yeaterday $97 for being a minute over the time limit.
At $250 MG would still be cheap!

[Christian Taylor]

it's true - $150 is a steal. esp. when you consider that on top of an amazing party we also get a parade, a lot of free festival events, not to mention fair day. ..

what else do you get for $150 these days? a 2 hour concert at the sydney entertainment centre? a pair of jeans? a pair of shoes? a trolley full of groceries? i mean come on people! lets put it in perspective!

i would so not be living in sydney if we didn't have mardi gras.

if people can't afford the party tickets then volunteer some of your time beforehand and get one at a cheaper rate. volunteering not only saves you cash, but it also weaves you into the fabric of gay sydney, and you never know who you'll meet or what you'll get out of it.

[peterr3445w]

God must be gay - what wonderful weather he sent us at the end of a month of rain!

Poor old Fred Nile must be gnashing his teeth!

[Tim D]

The weather for MG this year was just spectacular every big event (except launch, but hey.....)

[jackie87]

Poor old Fred Nile must be gnashing his teeth!

Does he have any left?

[mrhotdog]

I enjoyed it very much, the parade-apart from the trashy afterwards-was brilliant with all the floats and there was such good energy where I viewed it from (in front of Burger King-perhaps everyone was well fed on high sodium food).

The Party was amazing, had such a good time, bopping around from venue to venue but enjoyed the members tent near the coat check the most :) I'm glad it ended at 8am too, I went a few years ago and it lasted to 10am and I was spent the entire day. It seemed more reasonable this time around.

Especially liked the Gaydar fans, it came in handy in the ultra steamy Hall!! so many men, so little time....

[Tim D]

I think the 8am closing time was great as well. It's long enough, but not too long. 10am is just too far!

[Tim D]

PS. I'm totally having Mardi Gras withdrawal. I want to do the whole thing all over again..

[mattsyd]

potbelleez were farking awesome!!!

[meezon04]

My first ever Mardi Gras, and it was unlike anything I've ever experienced before. Unbelieavable!

[GenesisInVain]

I marched with twenty 10 and I got to shake the hands of the 78'ers. Both experiences we're so phenomenal. It was exhilarating to be part of such history! And the feeling I got after finishing the parade was so surreal. Long live us!

[Christian Taylor]

i have to say, it's encouraging to hear all this positivity surrounding mardi gras. also good to see that according to the poll (at the moment) only 3.6% of you thought that this year's mardi gras wasn't up to scratch.

not bad, eh?

[David DC]

PS. I'm totally having Mardi Gras withdrawal. I want to do the whole thing all over again..

ME TOO! :(

[acidjasmine]

apparently, all media were removed from the front of the stage before Olivia came on because she did not want to be photographed from that angle

[criddy79]

The Madigra has three sides. the politica,l the fun and the too far.

We are all hoping to be accepted some day but some take things too far making it harder for some of us who just have quiet little life in loving relationships.

[Christian Taylor]

We are all hoping to be accepted some day but some take things too far making it harder for some of us who just have quiet little life in loving relationships.

sorry - completely disagree with this point of view. firstly, don't criticise and also sit back and lap up the good things that have been created in this country by mardi gras - because it's done a lot for people in your position in terms of political agitation.

secondly, a 'quiet little life' that is won by hiding away or by making other people behave in a way that isn't them is the same as the closet. the gay community is a big, diverse group - mardi gras is one part of that. the straight world gets to express their sexuality in all different ways - we should be able to as well.

[DeepBlueDreamer]

The Madigra has three sides. the politica,l the fun and the too far.

We are all hoping to be accepted some day but some take things too far making it harder for some of us who just have quiet little life in loving relationships.

Few points to think about' and since I don't know you, I'd just have to stick to what's stated in the post. I think you are lucky to be able to live the life that makes you happy. But not everyone can, more to the point, that's because they are not allowed to.

I have to admit, some life styles look like they are way over the top to me....everything is relative. But everyone has the right to live in a way that makes them happy. There's a cute little dialogged in one of the X-Men films when what's his name ask what's her name why she is fighting when she can change her appearance and fit in. The reply was "because we shouldn't have to..."

This is one of my strongest beliefs. There is no cutoff point for equal human rights; there are no acceptable set of conditions attached. If someone else's rights to live a comfortable life is a problem for me, then it's a problem I have and something I have to work on, on myself...shock therapy perhaps?

Mardi Gras (and many other organisations and individuals) continue to do a very good job to highlight the plight of minorities. Once it was for people like me to feel comfortable living in inner city suburbs etc, but still there are many others whose rights needs to be respected by the wider society (and apparently a few people in the community as well.)

Hopefully, there will come a day when no one in Australia will think Mardi Gras is over the top and openly frown on people who try to enforce their beliefs and life styles on others.