Sydney Mardi Gras

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Permalink Reply by Anna Scrivenger on February 13, 2009 at 8:08am

I've been a few times. It's basically a big crazy street parade followed by lots of parties at nightspots around Paddington and Darlinghurst.

I've never managed to get into any of these parties, which are ticket-only events and kind of depend who you know. The Sleaze Ball is the big one but there's heaps going on. Apparently they are wild and very eye-opening affairs! To have better luck than me, go to www.sydneymardigras.org.au and book a ticket to something.

In any case, the free street parade that opens the Mardi Gras is definitely worth turning out for. The streets are packed - think Notting Hill Carnival - but all the way between Hyde Park and most of the way down Oxford Street, the outrageous carnival floats rumble through the crowds, adorned with writhing, oiled near-naked men and outridden by the crowd-pleasing Dykes on Bikes.

If you want to see very much at all, either:
a) bagsy a spot right on the barricade and don't move all night (this means making preparations that will eliminate the need to leave your spot for toilets, food or drink), or
b) Bring a milk crate, the Mardi Gras standard essential, to stand on. Most other people have one so you won't see over their backs if you don't procure one
c) Street vendors sell these rather clever little cardboard periscopes that you can look up and see over everyone's heads.

If you do nothing else, take a wander around Oxford Street during Mardi Gras and soak up the flamboyance. It's Sydney celebrating its myriad colourful countercultures, hedonism and joie de vivre, and it's a smorgasboard for your eyes. Just keep an open mind, because anything could happen.

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