Youth Festival Launches With A Splash

Local News, By SSHQ, 8th February, 2010

Last week Twenty10 launched the line up for the third annual Mardi Gras Youth Festival, an eclectic series of events, performances and parties.

New for 2010, the flagship event of the festival will be Aqueerium, a full day, aquatic themed event, consisting of workshops, performance, art, music and discussions for young people of diverse gender and sexuality.

Check out the photos from the Mardi Gras Youth Festival launch.

“With this year’s aquatic theme, we wanted to say to queer young people while it seems scary out there, you can come and explore safely with us and see the world is really exciting and colourful,” said Rebecca Reynolds, the Managing Director of organiser Twenty10.

Returning for a fourth year is 21 Down – the hugely successful under-21 Mardi Gras party at Slide on Oxford Street. This drug and alcohol free event is presented by ACON and Courtney Act and gives queer youth the opportunity to party safely and kick off their Mardi Gras festivities with a bang!

In addition to these events is a tour through the secret history of Sydney’s gay communities to a ‘Fashion House’ perfect for conceiving and creating the perfect Mardi Gras Parade outfit or banner.

Rebecca Reynolds continues: “Celebrating gender and sexual diversity is about so much more than just partying, sometimes young people feel like small fish in a big pond when it comes to the whole Mardi Gras festival – or even just a fish out of water in finding events that match their age and interests… this festival makes the pond smaller, meaning young people are more likely to find others that are likeminded.”

Festival Executive Producer, Danielle Harvey of New Mardi Gras said: “The Mardi Gras Youth Festival is the gateway for young people to get their first taste of what the whole Mardi Gras Festival is all about – fun, education, meeting new people and celebrating who and what you are. We hope that as these young people get older they look back on their first Mardi Gras experience via the accessible and non-confronting Youth Festival and think ‘Gosh I’m glad I did that!’.”

ACON Chief Executive Officer, Nicolas Parkhill, agreed.
“Having a program of Mardi Gras events specifically for young people ensures they can participate in the festivities in a range of safe and supportive environments. This year, we’re delighted to be providing a range of opportunities for young GLBT people to improve their health and wellbeing and we look forward to working with Twenty10, New Mardi Gras and our other Festival partners to provide an enjoyable experience for all”.

Further details on the festival can be found at Twenty10’s website.