Open Air Mardi Gras Events

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras chief executive Albert Kruger has called for a full NSW police investigation into the circumstances that led to the ejection of one of the original ‘78ers Barbara Karpinski from her seat in the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the Mardi Gras parade on Saturday night. He has also initiated an internal Mardi Gras investigation. Kruger told the Star Observer that he is in no doubt that the incident happened. He said that the police action was “unacceptable” and that he is “upset about it to be honest”. Karpinski was removed after standing briefly in the stadium seating area holding a handmade poster calling for peace and an end to the war in Ukraine.

2 min read The Sydney Cricket Ground was awash in a vibrant display of pride and self-expression on Saturday night as the iconic Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade united LGBTQIA+ communities from all over Australia.

Yesterday, LGBTQI communities and their friends celebrated the 44th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade in a supernova of glitter, glitz, and glam.Performers included singer-songwriter Darren Hayes, Vanessa Amorosi, The Wiggles, and Timothy Springs.Darren Hayes, former member of bestselling Australian pop duo Savage Garden, performed The Animal Song, Affirmation, and Do You Remember, and the crowd was ecstatic.Matt Akersten, Pride and Diversity Officer for Sydney WorldPride 2023, tweeted, “What a night! How’s how the 2022 [Sydney Mardi Gras] Parade ended, a dazzling show with [Darren Hayes]”What a night! How’s how the 2022 @sydneymardigras Parade ended, a dazzling show with @darrenhayes!

As Mardi Gras festivities set their place onto my calendar I always save some space to hold my annual “camp” film festival. Camp films are an integral part of LGBTQI culture, and while “camp” films are often mistaken as bad films, this isn’t entirely correct. Many “camp” films (including some on this list) are excellent but are considered camp due to highly exaggerated elements, particularly in the script or performances.

This Saturday, March 5, the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the second year in a row.  In order to attend, visitors will have to pay for a ticket, which has raised equity concerns among members of Sydney’s LGBTQI Communities. The Parade was free to attend when it was held along  Oxford Street in Darlinghurst. Wei Thai-Haynes, a member of the SGLMG Board and activist group Pride in Protest, told Star Observer that “Mardi Gras should be free and accessible to all those who wish to attend.

For the last week, Sydney has been hit with what seems like a never-ending deluge of torrential rain, and it isn’t over yet.With the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade happening this Saturday, many in the community are wondering what this will mean for the festivities and celebrations at the  Sydney Cricket Grounds.File photo of the Sydney Mardi Gras 2021 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Photo: Ann-Marie CalilhannaWell, rest assured.

COVID-19 required only in indoor public spaces.Parade routes are shorter than usual, because there aren’t enough police for the standard ones, even with officers working 12-hour shifts as they always do on Mardi Gras and the end of the Carnival season leading up to it.But with COVID-19 hospitalizations and case numbers falling worldwide and 92% of the city’s adults at least partly vaccinated, parades are back on after a season without them.And people are out and ready to let the good times roll.The crowd Sunday, when the huge Krewe of Bacchus paraded, “was a record for us in the 10 years we’ve been open,” said Thomas Houston, bar manager at Superior Seafood and Oyster Bar, located at the start of the truncated parade route.He expected similar crowds on Fat Tuesday — a state holiday — if the weather is good.

An online publication published photos of Jay-Z and Beyonce out to dinner and misidentified a famous actress as Barack Obama and Michelle Obama‘s daughter, former First Daughter Sasha Obama, 20.

March 5,  Sydney Cricket Ground at 6pmIn his first live performance in Australia for a decade, singer-songwriter Darren Hayes returns home to head up a superstar line-up for the 2022 Mardi Gras Parade at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 5 March 2022. Fresh off the back of the release of his new track ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’, Hayes’ Mardi Gras performance will mark his 20th year as a solo recording artist, as well the 25th anniversary of Savage Garden’s acclaimed debut, self-titled album.The Parade will also feature a special performance from Australian music legend Vanessa Amorosi, presented by Principal Partner, American Express.

Tracee Ellis Ross is opening up about her friendship with Michelle Obama, revealing that she refuses to call the former First Lady by her first name.The 49-year-old actress talked with Jimmy Fallon about her experience filming the eight and final season of ‘Black-ish,’ which includes a special cameo of Michelle on the popular show.And while Tracee and Michelle have become great friends, the Hollywood star says she still calls her Mrs. Obama, even though Michelle has repeatedly asked her to call her by her first name.“I was raised in the generation where your teachers and your friends‘ parents are Mr and Mrs. So, in public she’s Mrs Obama, former First Lady.

Shaun White just concluded his final Olympic performance. The snowboarder, who’s been an Olympian five times and has won three gold medals, said he got some retirement inspiration from President Barack Obama.Nina Dobrev gushes over boyfriend Shaun White ahead of his fifth Winter OlympicsShaun White quickly crossed one thing off his bucket list following retirementA post shared by Shaun White (@shaunwhite)In an appearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” White spoke about ending his career. “You know, when I was thinking of retirement, I kept thinking of Obama when he left office,” he said.

Viola Davis stars in Showtime’s The First Lady in the role of Michelle Obama, and she admits she’s nervous about what the former First Lady will think of her performance. The anthology drama is set to premiere on April 17.

“I think it’s the fun, the camaraderie, and what we’re doing for the community, and being part of that community spirit,” says O’Riordan.Volunteers have varying qualifications: consultants, interns, registrars, specialist and enrolled nurses, paramedics, first aiders, and occasionally, physiotherapists and social workers.They all require first aid training at a minimum, but there are other less tangible requisites.“Can you chat with someone, can you socially engage with someone? Can you have fun on the night? Those other skills are vitally important,” says O’Riordan.“I remember using all my first aid equipment to put stilettos back on for one of the drag queens,” laughs O’Riordan.Another time, someone was coming out for the first time and was completely overwhelmed.“Nothing wrong with them medically. They just needed a hug.”Every year, after the parade and party, Mardi Gras gathers feedback on the types of injuries treated by medical volunteers.

Actor, model and socialite Christian Wilkins has slammed media coverage of his dress at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day event on Sunday.Trigger Warning: This story has details of homophobic media coverage and homophobic slurs, which might be distressing to some readers. For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.Christian, son of veteran Channel Nine reporter Richard Wilkins, was dressed in a fabulous, pink halter neck mini dress for a Fair Day event at Victoria Park, Sydney. Christian Wilkins (left) calls out the Daily Telegraph’s homophobic headline (right).The experience was however marred, when on Monday Daily Telegraph’s Sydney Confidential section featured Christian’s photos with a homophobic headline.“Dude looks like a lady! Richard Wilkins’ flamboyant son Christian flaunts his VERY toned figure in a skin-tight pink mini dress with daring cut-outs”, the headline screamed. Christian, who came out as gay in public in March 2018 on the front cover of a magazine, did not mince his words when calling out the publication over its homophobic coverage.   A post shared by CHRISTIAN WILKINS (@theprincewilkins)In 2021, Christian had made his acting debut in the Stan Original series Eden, in an LGBTQI role, playing a twin named Leander. Christian has previously been a fashion correspondent for E News and starred in shows Dancing With The Stars and Filthy Rich and Homeless. In his coming out interview, Christian had said that he had “taken it upon myself to become the best damn gay I can be!”  A post shared by CHRISTIAN WILKINS (@theprincewilkins)Christian had in an interview said that he had never come

Three of America’s most influential first ladies are at the center of Showtime’s historical drama, “The First Lady.” The trailer for the first season, directed and executive produced by Susanne Bier, sees Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt.

EXCLUSIVE: Following a first season that saw strong reviews and record viewing numbers, Marvel is now getting the wheels in motion for the second season of Loki as Deadline is hearing Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead have come on to co-direct a majority of the episodes for the upcoming season two with Tom Hiddleston returning in the role of Loki. Hiddleston and Michael Waldron, who wrote and served as show runner of season 1, will exec produce with Eric Martin penning all six episodes.

Double the icons! Acclaimed actress Viola Davis is gearing up to portray an equally beloved individual: Michelle Obama.

The debut trailer for Showtime’s The First Lady just debuted online and features our first look at Viola Davis portraying former First Lady Michelle Obama!