The 2018 Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras will be celebrating its 40th anniversary milestone with the theme '40 Years Of Evolution’.
Beginning on 16 February and running for seventeen days it will feature parties, performances, exhibitions, family and community events and of course, the famous Parade to be held on 3 March.
Beginning in 1978 as a street-festival-turned-protest, the coming year will “celebrate all the amazing activists and leaders, including our ‘78ers, who have fought tirelessly for our rights over the last four decades. We also invite and welcome new friends to join the festivities and celebrate 40 years of fabulousness,” Mardi Gras CEO Terese Casu says.
The festival has a significant cultural resonance with the LGBT+ community and 2018 will be no different. With the recent marriage equality campaigning, the community and its allies have banded together more than ever – and Mardi Gras is the perfect place to enjoy what the community has to offer. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore says “this is a major milestone in the history of one of Sydney’s most important events, and one that represents our city at its best – diverse, open, creative and irreverent.”
Image © Ann-Marie Calihanna
Among the events planned for next year is one of the 40th Anniversary’s signature events, the Museum Of Love & Protest. The exhibition will bring together costumes, photographs, rarely seen film and video footage, iconic posters, storytelling, music and artefacts. The immersive exhibition will create moments of intimacy for visitors as they learn extraordinary stories, discover artists and see images and communities from Mardi Gras’ history.
Queer Thinking will also return to illuminate ideas, create discussion and debate; and with a focus on social justice, will look back over the 40 years of Mardi Gras from its revolutionary beginning through to now. ‘78er Julie McCrossin will appear to talk about how far we’ve come and what fights are still left to fight. Also at Queer Thinking in 2018 will be Trans Stories 40 Years, which brings together a diverse range of trans people to share their stories.
After his sold-out 'Diamonds Are For Trevor', Trevor Ashley’s 'Mardi Gala' will be held at the Opera House for a night of comedy, music and all-round entertainment. He will be joined by Todd McKenney, Paul Capsis, Casey Donovan, Joel Creasey, Carlotta and an accompanying 14-piece orchestra to create a variety gala with a lot to offer.
There are piles of other events on offer including Sissy Ball, Pool Party, Queer Art After Hours, Koori Gras, Fair Day, the 25th Mardi Gras Film Festival and Laneway – which is set to feature Aussie star Samantha Jade.
OK….. YOU BOYS?KNOW WHERE I’LL ?IN MARCH
— Cher (@cher) December 30, 2017
✨?✨#PutSomeShrimpOmTheBar?
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Global superstar Cher recently confirmed, in her own Cher way, that she'll be heading to Sydney for Mardi Gras too!
Of course, one of the main attractions of the festival is the Parade, which in 2018 will be a procession of over 200 groups. The 40th anniversary is sure to be a big one, as it delivers exciting new floats, familiar favourites and allows many groups and allies to showcase their talent and shine a light on the issues affecting LGBT+ people nationally and all over the globe. Of course, the parade will be followed by the official Mardi Gras Party which features five dance spaces, local and international DJs, lighting and theatrics and as per every year – many surprises on the night!
