Oxtravaganza To Party On The Pink Mile At Mardi Gras

After a brilliant debut in 2017, Oxtravaganza will return to the Pink Mile in Oxford Street for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival.

The 12-hour party in February promises exclusive live performances, food & drink, a SSM wedding market, and a mobile outdoor disco.

Sydney’s Oxford Street has historically been a stomping ground for oddballs, queers, bohemians, and artists, whose influences delightfully combine to form a unique cultural hub - an unconventional and non-judgmental space where anything goes and everyone is welcome.

Oxtravaganza celebrates the rich and diverse community of the Pink Mile boasting a slew of one-day-only events including, but not limited to, free make-up applications, classes with Darlo Drama, expert Shibari performances, live music, marquee stalls sprinkled up and down the strip and even a silent disco, to highlight the unique and vibrant character of this iconic piece of Sydney.

In addition to all the events put on by local retailers, this year, Oxtravaganza will be celebrating the history-making YES vote. In partnership with Young Henrys, the organisers – Darlinghurst Business Partnership – has arranged their own version of the Karma Keg for Oxtravaganza, called the YES! KEG. These kegs will be available at participating bars, pubs and restaurants who will have a fully donated keg of Young Henrys Cloudy Cider or Newtowner serving $5 schooners with all proceeds going to Twenty10+GLCS.


There'll also be a very special outdoor wedding market with local vendors, businesses and artisans coming together to help plan the most beautiful and perfect weddings. From jewellers, to florists, bakers, celebrants and more, the Oxtravaganza Wedding Market will have something for everybody’s special day along with a sublime soundtrack provided by Ricardo’s Mobile Disco.

Each year Oxtravaganza supports a different local charity. For 2018 all fund-raising efforts, will be donated to Twenty10+GLCS NSW, who proudly provide LGBTIQA+ social support, counselling, housing, mental health in Sydney for young people, those most in need of compassion and care.

Oxtravaganza goes off on Saturday 24th February on Oxford St, Darlinghurst

OXTRAVAGANZA 2018 PROGRAMME

Ariel Bookshop

The Australian launch of “The House of Impossible Beauties” by Joseph Cassara, which is “a gritty and gorgeous debut that follows a cast of gay and transgender club kids navigating the Harlem ball scene of the 80s and 90s, inspired by the real House of Xtravaganza made famous by the seminal documentary 'Paris is Burning'"

Australian Design Centre

Meet the Maker sessions with a special guest LGBTI artist

Bitter Phew

Launch of specially brewed beers for Mardi Gras and Oxtravaganza

Bollicio Restaurant

Greek Taverner special tapas menu with outdoor seating and Greek music on the street

Café Lounge

Hosting a free party with a Young Henrys YES! KEG.

Ching a Lings

Special guest DJs

Colombian

Oxtravaganza drag shows and special guest DJs

Darlinghurst Dental

Dr Frank Farrelly will provide free oral cancer checks

Darlo Bar

Young Henrys YES! Kegs

Darlo Drama

11am - Free one hour Acting Class in Courtyard.
1pm & 4pm - String Quartet performance by Australian Haydn Ensemble.
2pm - Oxford Street Themed Improv Performance by Darlo Drama students

Della Hyde

Mardi Gras Oxtravaganza takeover - Absolut Vodka collaboration with PRIDE cocktail list.

Dove and Olive

Young Henrys YES! Kegs

ESCAC

The Flying Nun is proud to present TEMPLE; a space for Asian Australian contemporary performing artists, writers, musicians, performers, comedians, for cross-discipline and emerging artists to stage their works including pop-up installations and experimental performance. Tickets.

Gay Radio

Live broadcast from 12pm

Greenpark Hotel

Young Henrys YES! Kegs

Kinsleas

Young Henrys YES! Kegs

Kryolan

Free Glitter Lip or Glitter Eye Makeup Application at Kryolan station set up outside the store. Special rates and free gifts when a Bridal Makeup Service is booked and paid for.

Planetdwellers

12pm – 2pm Dream Cruises is providing an Oxtravaganza merman in the front window

Sax Fetish

Shibari performances and buzz cuts from Dick Savv between 1pm - 5pm

Stonewall

Live music and guest DJs. Fund-raising Twenty10 BBQ on the street

The Darlinghurst Bookshop

Oxtravaganza special discounts

The Makery

Artists Sharon Williams, Trena Lowe and friends continue their exhibition of mixed media artworks, small soft sculptures, body painting, collaborations on paper, fabric and found materials to provide artworks that will be used to create window displays and installations. A live soundtrack and local tattoo artist working in the window.

The Oxford Hotel

Special guest DJs. Young Henrys YES! Kegs

The Record Store

Live DJ’s in store and BBQ out the front of the store raising money for twenty10+GLCS.

The OXTRAVAGANZA programme is growing and expanding constantly, with new events added daily. The full programme can be viewed here.