Post by Inside Australian Idol on Feb 5, 2004 23:08:46 GMT 10
You're invited
February 6, 2004
You no longer have to join the club to go to the party, reports Brad Johnston.
MARDI GRAS CLOSING PARTY
Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park
March 6, 10pm
$99 before February 13, after which tickets cost $120 for non-members, then $140 on the night
Bookings 9266 4800
Paulini.
"It could be the B-52's, although someone has heard it's definitely going to be an Australian Idol.
But which one? Well, if there's an Idol performing, it better be Paulini!"
That's just one of the many passionate opinions posted on Pinkboard's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Graffiti Wall.
Pinkboard is an online forum for members of the gay community to gossip, talk gender politics and have their two pink cents' worth on the big topics.
Right now, who will be performing at the Mardi Gras closing party is a very popular point of conjecture.
It also reveals the fierce sense of ownership over the event: who's best out of Paulini, Guy and Courtney Act (Paulini's ahead); whether or not there should be men-only and women-only spaces (there won't be); the DJ line-up and running order (the "retro space" concept is getting snaps).
For Mardi Gras organisers, well aware of Pinkboard as a barometer of community sentiment, the party poses a unique challenge: how on earth do you keep all these punters happy?
The answer is, you don't. At its peak in 1998, the party had about 25,000 revellers, some of whom are undoubtedly still bitching about the final set in the Hordern Pavilion.
However, the financial benefit of such numbers is unquestioned. Last year's party, hailed as a 17,000-strong sell-out success, would result in a $350,000 budget surplus, New Mardi Gras co-chair Michael Woodhouse told the Sydney Star Observer at the time. This party is more than an excuse to lower inhibitions and raise spirits. It's crucial to the future of the organisation.
Still, exactly who should or shouldn't be allowed into the party has proved controversial. A few years ago, access required Mardi Gras membership, and even then members were allowed only three tickets each.
Tobin Saunders (aka drag act Vanessa Wagner) thinks it was a mistake.
"Through the popularity of dance-party culture and some isolated incidents of violence there was an overreaction, and so the parties became very protected and separatist, I found," says Saunders.
"And it appears now they're desperate for numbers, so they're opening the gates up and saying, 'You're all welcome again.' I think the general public gets a bit pissed off with all of that - this push-me-pull-me."
Nevertheless, Woodhouse says ticket sales are above projections.
"And in any case," says New Mardi Gras co-chair Steph Sands, "I wouldn't say we've opened up our doors to increase the value; that's not in our values at all.
"The parade has always been for everyone, it's our display to the world, whereas our party is where we celebrate. You realise it's a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender party when you buy a ticket.
But sure, anyone can buy one."
So, if you buy a ticket, you can experience 12 hours of drag extravaganzas, muscle boys and everyone else in that delicious mouthful that is the GLBT community.
And maybe, just maybe, Paulini getting her sweet revenge.
www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/05/1075853988027.html
February 6, 2004
You no longer have to join the club to go to the party, reports Brad Johnston.
MARDI GRAS CLOSING PARTY
Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park
March 6, 10pm
$99 before February 13, after which tickets cost $120 for non-members, then $140 on the night
Bookings 9266 4800
Paulini.
"It could be the B-52's, although someone has heard it's definitely going to be an Australian Idol.
But which one? Well, if there's an Idol performing, it better be Paulini!"
That's just one of the many passionate opinions posted on Pinkboard's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Graffiti Wall.
Pinkboard is an online forum for members of the gay community to gossip, talk gender politics and have their two pink cents' worth on the big topics.
Right now, who will be performing at the Mardi Gras closing party is a very popular point of conjecture.
It also reveals the fierce sense of ownership over the event: who's best out of Paulini, Guy and Courtney Act (Paulini's ahead); whether or not there should be men-only and women-only spaces (there won't be); the DJ line-up and running order (the "retro space" concept is getting snaps).
For Mardi Gras organisers, well aware of Pinkboard as a barometer of community sentiment, the party poses a unique challenge: how on earth do you keep all these punters happy?
The answer is, you don't. At its peak in 1998, the party had about 25,000 revellers, some of whom are undoubtedly still bitching about the final set in the Hordern Pavilion.
However, the financial benefit of such numbers is unquestioned. Last year's party, hailed as a 17,000-strong sell-out success, would result in a $350,000 budget surplus, New Mardi Gras co-chair Michael Woodhouse told the Sydney Star Observer at the time. This party is more than an excuse to lower inhibitions and raise spirits. It's crucial to the future of the organisation.
Still, exactly who should or shouldn't be allowed into the party has proved controversial. A few years ago, access required Mardi Gras membership, and even then members were allowed only three tickets each.
Tobin Saunders (aka drag act Vanessa Wagner) thinks it was a mistake.
"Through the popularity of dance-party culture and some isolated incidents of violence there was an overreaction, and so the parties became very protected and separatist, I found," says Saunders.
"And it appears now they're desperate for numbers, so they're opening the gates up and saying, 'You're all welcome again.' I think the general public gets a bit pissed off with all of that - this push-me-pull-me."
Nevertheless, Woodhouse says ticket sales are above projections.
"And in any case," says New Mardi Gras co-chair Steph Sands, "I wouldn't say we've opened up our doors to increase the value; that's not in our values at all.
"The parade has always been for everyone, it's our display to the world, whereas our party is where we celebrate. You realise it's a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender party when you buy a ticket.
But sure, anyone can buy one."
So, if you buy a ticket, you can experience 12 hours of drag extravaganzas, muscle boys and everyone else in that delicious mouthful that is the GLBT community.
And maybe, just maybe, Paulini getting her sweet revenge.
www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/05/1075853988027.html
