Highlights of Mardi Gras 2017

words by sophie rennard

Sydney’s iconic Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is back for another year of all-embracing fun festivities, outrageous glamour, sparkle and the best form of self-expression the city has to offer.

Mardi Gras spreads across a full week, ending with the big-bang parade on the weekend of Saturday 4 March, which runs through Oxford Street entertaining and exciting crowds from far and wide.

The theme for this year is about celebrating all that’s been achieved over the 39-year history of Mardi Gras and shine a spotlight brightly on all the ways the community can work together to eliminate discrimination and prejudice in all its forms.

With signature and smaller events aplenty, the programs is brimming with something for all – from comedy, exhibitions, music, theatre, parties and community events, it’s an all-inclusive, all-singing, all-dancing celebration of Australia’s LGBTQI culture.

Here are our top three picks for events we think will ensure a gay ‘ol time:

The Vegas Lounge, February 3 – March 3, – Velma Vegas is back to rock the Seymour Centre in The Vegas Lounge, a raucous rollercoaster ride through the greatest disco, pop, funk, and diva classics from the 60’s to today.

The Mystery of Love and Sex, February 10 – March 12 – From Bathsheba Doran, writer of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and Showtime’s Masters of Sex comes a tender and funny story about love in all its forms, and that blurry space between friendship, romance and erotic desire.

February 25, Queer Thinking: Queer Wharhol – Presented in 2017 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in association with the exhibition Adman: Warhol before pop, Mardi Gras’ QUEER THINKING series provides new perspectives of identity and equality.

Check out the full program HERE