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Olivia Newton-John capped off three weeks of festival celebrations that saw Mardi Gras return to form.
The 2008 Mardi Gras Festival might have gotten off on a soggy start but there was no denying that it finished with a bang. On Saturday night, up to 350,000 revellers lined Oxford Street to cheer on more than 10,000 participants march with 150 floats. It was one of the biggest and best parades in the festival’s 30 year history and a fitting end to three weeks of celebrations, parties, shows and controversies.
This year’s festival was leaner and more compact, having been shortened from three weeks to the usual four. Events featured were chosen based on what they could bring to festvial. It wasn’t enough that you had an act, organisers said – your schtick also had to fit the puzzle. And it was good move, with the result being a program that was, by and large, diverse, energetic, insightful, empowering and entertaining
The best of the best were undoubtedly those that brought in the laughter and music, such as Pam Ann, Cyndi Lauper and Margaret Cho, whose show Beautiful made its world premiere at the festival. The Sydney Theatre was packed to the rafters and Cho, with her unique blend of political and sexual humour, had the audience in stitches from beginning to end. Her support act, incisive transgender comedian Ian Harvie, was a delightful and captivating surprise.
On the theatrical stage, Gaiety Theatre’s production of Michael John Lachuisa Hello Again was a surprise hit, as was Matthew Todd’s Blowing Whistles, which returned this year as a full-scale production following its success as a staged reading at last year’s festival. The Australian Ballet’s Bodytorque, Canada’s Cabaret Decadanse and countertenor Andreas Scholl were all understated successes. Smaller productions brought to life by the New Mardi Gras Theatre Project Initiatives also enthralled, including Cary Curran’s Cary From the Cock and Two Old Queens at the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta.
Mardi Gras is well known for its robust visual arts component and this year it did not disappoint, with retrospection being a strong focal point for many. The Mardi Gras Art Gallery, William Yang’s Claiming China, Peter Skirrow’s Now and Then and Ross Watson’s Silence Paintings were illuminating treats that offered a window into the world of GLBT art, culture and history. Also a highlight was Carl Hopgood’s Fuck Love installation, which made the underground public toilets on Taylor Square one of the festival’s must-visit destinations.
The mini-festivals in the program also provided plenty of entertainment with Giggling Gertie, Courtney Act and 'E-volution' being the highlights at the Mardi Gras Festival Bar at The Supper Club. 'E-volution' had local favourite Shauna Jensen belt out tunes with house vocalist Peyton, who appeared at several events throughout the festival. Twenty 10’s Youth Festival was all-inclusive, while the Sports Festival presented by Team Sydney was lively and entertaining, particularly the hilarious 'Little Black Dress Run'. The Mardi Gras Film Festival presented by Queer Screen was, as always, stimulating, as was a range of discussions and forums, including A Night with Mazz.
Of course, this year’s festival was not without its share of hiccups and controversy, starting with the launch of the festival guide in December when New Mardi Gras Chair Marcus Bourget voiced his frustration in not being able to share in the millions the events raise for the economy. The festival launch, which included a symbolic tree planting ceremony, was also a wash out and had to be hastily relocated to The Supper Club from Moore Park. And Corpus Christi garnered headlines and strong criticism for its depiction of Jesus and the disciples as gay men. The rhetoric from the religious camp extended all the way to the Parade, with many decrying the inclusion of 100 ministers who marched to say ‘sorry’ to the GLBT community.
But while the stormy weather frayed a few nerves, it was sunny skies for much of the duration of the festival. Community favourite Fair Day was a dazzling success and, despite a small number of complaints, garnered positive reviews.
This year’s Harbour Party, the first time it was organised by New Mardi Gras, was also memorable, not least for the historic meeting of the two Queens on the water, but for the magnificent weather, DJs and live entertainment. And the Pool Party, though it wasn’t sold out, nevertheless provided plenty of clean fun and amusement.
Which brings us to the piece de resistance – the Mardi Gras Parade and Party. According to organisers, this year’s parade was one of the biggest yet, operating at full capacity. Margaret Cho was Chief of Parade and she was joined by gay bashing victims Craig Gee and Shane Brennen, whose plight helped put homophobia back on the Mardi Gras agenda.
As for the Party, a sold out event which saw more than 18,000 people dance the night away at the Hordern Pavilion, Cyndi Lauper, David Campbell, Carlotta and Faker were the picks of the bunch, as was Laser Man and The Potbelleez, who certainly did not hold back during their signature song. But the crown went to Olivia Newton-John, whose performance of ‘Xanadu’ set another Mardi Gras benchmark. As with the festival itself, it was truly one for the history books.
Time will only tell what next year’s festival will bring, but if this year is anything to go by, then we are definitely in for another treat.
Bring on 2009.
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