Sydney Mardi-Gras: Last News

EXCLUSIVE: Australian outfit Bronte Pictures is lining up musical feature film 1978, written by Peter McTighe, whose credits include Doctor Who, A Discovery of Witches, The Rising and The Pact.

Eurovision Champion 2014 and legendary drag queen Conchita Wurst performed at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day on Sunday, February 19.The free all-day outdoor event served as a kick-off for the Sydney WorldPride 2023 festivities.  A post shared by Conchita Wurst (@conchitawurst)According to organisers, an estimated 70,000 people attended, making this one of the largest Fair Days ever, even with the intense heat and humidity.The day featured live performances, the mini-Vogue Ball, the Doggywood Pageant, bars, family-friendly picnic areas, and over 300 retail, food, and community stalls from business, sports, political, government, religious and health groups.The all-day Queer extravaganza also had multiple entertainment stages, dance floors, and drag performances. The First Nations Circle, back for the second year, celebrated Queer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.Image: Jess Gleeson“We are thrilled with the success of Fair Day yesterday, which was the perfect way to kick off the next two weeks of Mardi Gras and Sydney WorldPride,” Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger said.“With 70,000 attendees throughout the day, the event was a true celebration of diversity, community, and inclusion. This was local resident, Bryan Tabada’s first Mardi Gras Fair Day. He enjoyed celebrating among the community and spent the day galavanting with friends. “My favourite part was seeing the most number of queer people I’ve ever seen in my life,” Tabada shared.“It feels so good being surrounded by people that I identify with and have shared experiences with.

Fair Day returns to Sydney’s Victoria Park on Sunday, February 19, to kick off Sydney WorldPride 2023. The all-day Queer extravaganza will also have multiple entertainment stages, dance floors, and drag performances. On the Main Stage, experience the inaugural Drag King Games, hosted by Sexy Galexy and Donny Piccolo. There will also be a Sissy Ball vogue showcase, the Molly Poppinz Drag Show, as well as performances by Nana Miss Koori, Penelope, Jamaica Moana, Seann Miley Moore, The Buoys, Beks, Carla Wehbe, and Toni Pearan.Closing out the day on the Main Stage will be Eurovision Champion Conchita Wurst.   A post shared by Sydney Mardi Gras (@sydneymardigras)At the Wonderful, Proud & Free Stage, there will be Drag Storytime with drag performers Charisma Belle and Annie Mation, as well as a Junior Drag competition, and a Kiddo Disco with performances by Nic Pes and Ray Isaac.At the Optus Arena, bring your dog friends and people friends to watch the Doggywood Parade and Pageant.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras chief executive Albert Kruger has called for a full NSW police investigation into the circumstances that led to the ejection of one of the original ‘78ers Barbara Karpinski from her seat in the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the Mardi Gras parade on Saturday night. He has also initiated an internal Mardi Gras investigation. Kruger told the Star Observer that he is in no doubt that the incident happened. He said that the police action was “unacceptable” and that he is “upset about it to be honest”. Karpinski was removed after standing briefly in the stadium seating area holding a handmade poster calling for peace and an end to the war in Ukraine.

A week after the NSW police deleted photos of its officers posing with ‘nuns’ at Mardi Gras Fair Day, the Order of Perpetual Indulgence has finally broken their silence. Sr Rowena Keeper of the Holy Doyley, who was tasked with responding to our queries, told Star Observer that the Holy Order was surprised by the controversy that erupted over a seemingly innocuous photo shoot.  Sisters of the Order of Perpetual Indulgence delivers the opening blessing for Sydney Mardi Gras Fair Day 2022.Image: Supplied.Sr Roweena revealed the photo with NSW police officers was in fact a photo bomb.