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 The future of New Mardi Gras lies not in the Parade and Party but in the Festival itself, say current and former officials.
But that is not to dismiss the importance of the Parade and Party. Rather it is about recognising the vital role the Festival plays in the long term.
Former Chair Marcus Bourget (pictured) said that while the Parade might be the event that draws international focus, it is the Festival that has “the potential to prolong that focus on Sydney and to drive news streams of revenue into the organisation”.
“Mardi Gras is uniquely placed on the world stage to develop and grow the Festival into a world-class first-tier event celebrating gay and lesbian arts and culture,” he wrote in the organisation’s annual report, released on July 31. “But it will need all stakeholders working purposefully together to realise this opportunity.”
NMG General Manager Anna McInerney said that focusing on the Festival will not only establish Mardi Gras as a leading, alternative gay and lesbian arts and cultural event, it will also enable the organisation to diversify its income stream.
“It’s not just about the dance party; it’s about recognising we have a younger and older audience,” she told SX.
“Some like to dance, some like to go to arts, sports and cultural events. Of course, we’ll still have our major events such as Fair Day, the Parade and Party. But we are also looking to expand to a festival of arts, sport and cultural events.”
This renewed focus on the organisation’s festival arm was particularly evident this year when, for the first time, the season was shortened from four weeks to three. New Mardi Gras also took a semi-curatorial role in organising the calendar, placing an emphasis on quality, not quantity. The sold-out figures of Margaret Cho’s Mardi Gras-funded show, Beautiful, which made its world premiere in Sydney, was proof of the Festival’s broad appeal and potential.
McInerney said that New Mardi Gras talks with government agencies such as Events NSW are continuing. And the organisation will continue to foster and build its relationships with arts institutions to help secure the Festival’s future.
“We’ve obviously gone out there to create strategic alliances with all the major arts institutions like the Opera House, Carriageworks, the MCA and Sydney Theatre,” she said.
“So because all those conversations are happening and we have had such amazing traction with the arts institutions, that’s where I see the future of Mardi Gras,” McInerney said.
“Of course, it’s about celebrating and having a party. But it’s also about taking Mardi Gras back to where it was a number of years ago, without betting the farm, and creating a much stronger arts, sports and cultural festival.”
New Mardi Gras’ Annual General Meeting will be held on August 23, 11am at the Metropolitan Community Church, 96 Crystal Street, Petersham.
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