Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to be biggest yet

By Jen Crothers February is Mardi Gras month in Sydney. While most of the attention is given to the parade, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is also a month-long festival. Now in its 18th year, the Mardi Gras encompasses art, sport, politics and shopping. It was reputed to have been worth $40 million to Sydney last year, and it keeps getting bigger. There are many interesting events from a range of local and international (mostly) lesbian and gay talent. A number of theatre performances are of particular interest, including (M)alice from the Mad Women Theatre Company and Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, inspired by the AIDS Memorial Quilt Project. The Powerhouse Museum will be exhibiting Absolutely Mardi Gras, a history of Parade costumes, design and floats. Maree Azzopardi's latest exhibition, Chrysalis, will also be a highlight. During the past months Azzopardi has been the artist in residence at St Vincent's Hospital. Chrysalis addresses unresolved issues that surround people living with HIV/AIDS, and has a particular focus on people from non-English speaking backgrounds. Queer Screen, the organisation responsible for the Mardi Gras film festival, has secured more than 30 new feature films from around the world. Also returning is the popular competition for queer shorts, My Queer Career.

From GLW issue 216