From the phenomenal parade to poignant think-pieces, pampered picnicking pooches and parties; the passion really pops in the programme for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2015.
With a jam-packed programme of events, performances, exhibitions and activities, there’s something for everyone at the dazzling celebration of pride and diversity. Focusing the festival theme on 'passion', 2015 encourages everyone to find your passion – feed it, explore it, express it, shout it from the rooftops.
Co-Chairs of the celebration, Fran Bowron and Paul Savage, are encouraging people to share their passions with one another and the world. “It’s what drives us, connects us, inspires us and makes us an unstoppable force for change. Without passion we only have apathy. Passion is what has pulled us through the dark periods, in the face of discrimination, inequality, brutality, and conflict. Passion is what has united us to come together. Passion is what Mardi Gras is all about,” Savage says.{youtube}Z0Hjy_ZztvY{/youtube}
Bowron adds, “In 2015 we want to hear about what you are passionate about, what is important to you, what inspires you. We invite you to give voice to your passions. Find your people, your music, and your style. Because to find your passion is to discover who you are, and there’s nothing worth celebrating more than that.”
Highlights of the Mardi Gras '15 season include: Queer Thinking, a thought-provoking day of ideas, literature, academia and culture, exploring what it is to be LGBTQI in 2015; Fair Day; carnival and quirk sideshow 'Women Say Something: Cirque du Femme; Harbour Party'; 'Wow Me! It’s Mardi Gras' will feature pop-up drag shows, hands-on workshops for the kids as well as the famous 'Little Black Dress Run'. There will be a pool party, sunset cruises, parades, parties, visual arts, film, experiences, sports and community events – and did we mention parties?
Performances throughout the Mardi Gras will include alterna-queer Bar Bitch Crew Art, RuPaul's season six winner Bianca Del Rio, theatrical magician Blue Wizard, unconventional love triangle COCK, exhibition/performance/dance collaboration 'Day For Night', real-life theatre piece 'Gaybies' and Sandra Berhard's 'Sandyland'.
