[Asherbella]

I declare the time up until Mardi Gras a time for sensuality.

Mardi-Gras inspires us not only to celebrate the progression of political & sexual visibility, freedom & the notion of same sex equality; but it also assists us to feel SEXY!

I want us all to think about how the sexiness & sensuality of your sexuality embodies itself....& how that relates to expressing yourself on the night of Saturday, 7th March 2009.

How can you make yourself more SEXY and SENSUAL for Mardi Gras? Think about your bodies; how they look; how they register sensation; how they respond to same-sex arousal.....

How are you going to convey all this come Mardi Gras?

[barabin]

I love Sydney in the lead up to Mardi Gras, there is such a great energy in the atmosphere with people from all around the world - everyone smiles, I love it!!

I'm sad I am not going to be there this year but I hope you are all enjoying yourselves. xx

[candle21]

I've never been to a single Mardi Gras lol.

This year will probably be my first!

[Asherbella]

Originally Posted by candle21

I've never been to a single Mardi Gras lol.

This year will probably be my first!

Let me strip you of your Mardi Gras training wheels slowly, Candles.
It'd be an honour!
(I mean that in a brotherly way, not a sexual one...)

[candle21]

lol

Why thank you...

[Chancethegardener]

I went to Mardi Gras only once, a few of years ago now. It was great. We have some very dear old friends who got tickets to some VIP tent for the march, and then got us into the VIP section at the after party. I met famous people whose names I can't remember! I remember it being a blast though.

My man went for an entire 14 year period consecutively, despite living in Newcastle, Canberra and Brisbane throughout that time.

It really is such an incredible atmosphere on the day, as well as the week leading up to it.

[barabin]

I'll stitch the pink Aussie flag to a bit of clothing, is it the 7th of March I am required to do this?

Will anyone be willing to post me a pink aussie flag?? I would be most grateful

[dreadcircus]

I love Mardi Gras.. I normally work my ass of over the 3 weeks.. As MG is not just about the parade. It's 3 weeks of celebration many people tend to forget. Make sure you all get along and see some of our fine queer homegrown talent doing what they do best before the parade because many of us put our heart and souls into it...

It sadens me that many people forget there is so much on.. The parade is fab but it's the entire festivities and getting fully involved that help to build it all up to the finale

[GenesisInVain]

Love Mardi Gras, it's such a celebration!

I'll be feeling sexy in my short shorts again this year Ash. it's always hot on Mardi Gras!

[coreyfrench]

I love Mardi Gras and my best would of been when I march for Mardi Gras being a roman solider after weeks of rehearsal it was all worth it,

But my favourite thing about MG is Fair Day this is my favourite day of the whole festival and I have already got my thing planned. I get there really early to set up my picnic shelter and we stay there until the end. I have done that the last few years and doing it agian this year. But this year I am detox for month of Feb so sparkling water for me,

[ecclipse83]

Originally Posted by Asherbella

Mardi-Gras inspires us not only to celebrate the progression of political & sexual visibility, freedom & the notion of same sex equality; but it also assists us to feel SEXY!

Do you honestly think this is what Mardi Gras prepresents these days, Mardi Gras, though having never have been sounds and looks to me liek a parade of "Pretty" pooftas and "Big Bull Dykes".

Seriously it has no associacations with any international Pride organaisation (Ie InterPride) and does not make that state that over Pride events across Australia represents.

i have grave concerns that Mardi Gras does not represent what it is meant too.

Events like Pride March Victoria is a 100% Free Event which snakes down Fitzroy Street in St Kilda and attracks some 94 Community & Business Entries, there are no frills and frocks, its on big cross representation of our community coming together as one. The day ends with offical speaches from the Federal, Victorian and local government and a Free 4 hour concert in the park.

THIS IS PRIDE!

[Asherbella]

Ecclipse: this thread is aimed at SYDNEY posters who are preparing for Mardi Gras. Hypothetical for you: IF you were coming to Sydney for Mardi Gras, how would you express your sensuality on the night of the parade?

[Asherbella]

Originally Posted by dreadcircus

I love Mardi Gras.. I normally work my ass of over the 3 weeks.. As MG is not just about the parade. It's 3 weeks of celebration many people tend to forget. Make sure you all get along and see some of our fine queer homegrown talent doing what they do best before the parade because many of us put our heart and souls into it...

It sadens me that many people forget there is so much on.. The parade is fab but it's the entire festivities and getting fully involved that help to build it all up to the finale

I appreciate what you're saying but no arty-farty photographic exhibition on gay beat sex for Mardi Gras can ever replace the electric energy of the parade itself.

I love Fair Day for the community feel.
I love the parade for the party feel.
But I find half of the Mardi Gras film festival features to be a wank job.

[dreadcircus]

Originally Posted by Asherbella

I appreciate what you're saying but no arty-farty photographic exhibition on gay beat sex for Mardi Gras can ever replace the electric energy of the parade itself.

I love Fair Day for the community feel.
I love the parade for the party feel.
But I find half of the Mardi Gras film festival features to be a wank job.

Well this is why it's dieing just like Sydney's pathetic music scene. It's all good to jump around in some shallow of a parade that basically reflects stuff all of what it used to be but to snub the amazing queer artists who throw themselves out there creating art, music, film, writing etc is pathetic and shows a genuine lack of community to me. No wonder Mardi Gras has lost it's spirit to so many.

I have been involved with Mardi Gras for 3 years now. I've performed and been in parades each year and covered the events put on by our amazing queer performers who are out there STILL challenging and bringing our issues to the forefront. These performers tell individual stories through their art form and dont just dance around walking up a street. Don't get me wrong I love it all, it's a great chance to be a REAL part of our community to envelop it all.

I'm glad some people are too busy wasting their pink dollars on pills and ice to dance their nuts off over the festival, meanwhile alot of work goes into providing the best talent going around for the festivals three weeks. So next time you think the festival is a pile of pish well maybe then realize your uninclusion makes it so much more a non event.

It's our festival after all so if nobody comes along you really have to question just what we are fighting for and how much community there really is?

[Asherbella]

Originally Posted by dreadcircus

Well this is why it's dieing just like Sydney's pathetic music scene. It's all good to jump around in some shallow of a parade that basically reflects stuff all of what it used to be but to snub the amazing queer artists who throw themselves out there creating art, music, film, writing etc is pathetic and shows a genuine lack of community to me. No wonder Mardi Gras has lost it's spirit to so many.

I have been involved with Mardi Gras for 3 years now. I've performed and been in parades each year and covered the events put on by our amazing queer performers who are out there STILL challenging and bringing our issues to the forefront. These performers tell individual stories through their art form and dont just dance around walking up a street. Don't get me wrong I love it all, it's a great chance to be a REAL part of our community to envelop it all.

I'm glad some people are too busy wasting their pink dollars on pills and ice to dance their nuts off over the festival, meanwhile alot of work goes into providing the best talent going around for the festivals three weeks. So next time you think the festival is a pile of pish well maybe then realize your uninclusion makes it so much more a non event.

It's our festival after all so if nobody comes along you really have to question just what we are fighting for and how much community there really is?

Great post.

But to what extent do gays and lesbians have to appreciate artistic expression to celebrate the community during Mardi Gras? Not all gay people are inclined to make short films, or paint, or write, or act or even enjoy these mediums as audience members.
Jade, you are a talent. You write, you sing, you tour, you do stand up comedy. You contribute heaps. Not every queer person can do what you do. So does the individual artistic inclinations of a gay person determine how 'gay' they are or how much they're included in the community?

[dreadcircus]

Um Ash for somebody who consistently sits behind a pc screen and judges people in point form like a social worker which you are I find it hilarious that you speak of community then question why should queer people come out and support other queer people who happen to be artists. We have sat through debate recently that poor Mr Mitchem can't get sponsorship and yet there are no queer people putting their hands up to do so. Much like many queer artist we are not accepted by mainstream media and need the support of our community.

Sure not everything on the MG calender will please but I'm sure there is something that would tickle a funny bone or encourage somebody to come out and see a show that maybe doesn't represent who they are. Maybe thats the problem not enough people want to step out side their own comfort zone to see a show they might not have seen because it doesn't appeal to them.

I'm not trying to twist peoples arms to come out and see everything but I kind of get sick of hearing the same bullshit every year that even many queer people don't realize there are other events on over MG not just the parade and a party of people off chops dancing in different halls. You talked about expressing sexuality in this thread and I'm trying to point out that there are many performers doing such things not just dancing in a one night only street party full of str8 people cheering us on and then a bunch of them left cruising streets creating violence as the rest of us queer lot head to a big party away from the animals and mess left behind.

I guess next time people complain there is nothing on at MG maybe they should question why they don't challenge themselves to go out and see something they may not have even thought of looking at. You may be surprised...

[Asherbella]

Originally Posted by dreadcircus

Um Ash for somebody who consistently sits behind a pc screen and judges people in point form like a social worker which you are I find it hilarious that you speak of community then question why should queer people come out and support other queer people who happen to be artists. We have sat through debate recently that poor Mr Mitchem can't get sponsorship and yet there are no queer people putting their hands up to do so. Much like many queer artist we are not accepted by mainstream media and need the support of our community.

Sure not everything on the MG calender will please but I'm sure there is something that would tickle a funny bone or encourage somebody to come out and see a show that maybe doesn't represent who they are. Maybe thats the problem not enough people want to step out side their own comfort zone to see a show they might not have seen because it doesn't appeal to them.

I'm not trying to twist peoples arms to come out and see everything but I kind of get sick of hearing the same bullshit every year that even many queer people don't realize there are other events on over MG not just the parade and a party of people off chops dancing in different halls. You talked about expressing sexuality in this thread and I'm trying to point out that there are many performers doing such things not just dancing in a one night only street party full of str8 people cheering us on and then a bunch of them left cruising streets creating violence as the rest of us queer lot head to a big party away from the animals and mess left behind.

I guess next time people complain there is nothing on at MG maybe they should question why they don't challenge themselves to go out and see something they may not have even thought of looking at. You may be surprised...

True, but this thread is about the sensuality of the parade, not the latte-sipping art critic set who think that the height of queerdom is creating abstract art for the sake of being seen, not necessarily making a meaningful statement. Some queer artists get lost and swept up in promoting themselves instead of promoting a message (that was not directed at you personally. I was thinking of an old drag queen friend of mine who staged a charity event for deaf gays & lesbians but ended up cancelling the fundraiser because he got offered a private corporate gig he couldn't refuse. Some community spirit! pffft. Being a gay artist doesn't automatically make one responsible or civic-minded).

Yeah, we should ALL try to at least 'think outside the box' and attend events. Grow, change and challenge. Yeah, I'd love to attend lots. I can't. Reality dictates I work 2 jobs, one that requires me to work 7pm-11pm in a pizza shop. Rent gotta be paid. Surviving is more important to me than gay art this year...

[weathervain]

Originally Posted by barabin

I'll stitch the pink Aussie flag to a bit of clothing, is it the 7th of March I am required to do this?

Will anyone be willing to post me a pink aussie flag?? I would be most grateful

Yup Benji, I'll grab you one at fair day. What Tim Tams would you like sent along? Original or?

P.M. Me your postal details.

[dreadcircus]

Originally Posted by Asherbella

True, but this thread is about the sensuality of the parade, not the latte-sipping art critic set who think that the height of queerdom is creating abstract art for the sake of being seen, not necessarily making a meaningful statement. Some queer artists get lost and swept up in promoting themselves instead of promoting a message (that was not directed at you personally. I was thinking of an old drag queen friend of mine who staged a charity event for deaf gays & lesbians but ended up cancelling the fundraiser because he got offered a private corporate gig he couldn't refuse. Some community spirit! pffft. Being a gay artist doesn't automatically make one responsible or civic-minded).

Yeah, we should ALL try to at least 'think outside the box' and attend events. Grow, change and challenge. Yeah, I'd love to attend lots. I can't. Reality dictates I work 2 jobs, one that requires me to work 7pm-11pm in a pizza shop. Rent gotta be paid. Surviving is more important to me than gay art this year...

And it's comments like this that make me smile to know asher is gone