It’s that time of the year again. Turn up the Kylie, don your glitter, and clear the calendar: Mardi Gras is back for its 47th year and Sydney is simply bursting at the (sequined) seams with LGBTIQA+ forward festival moments. Here are the dates we think you’ll want to mark in your calendar.
The Children’s Hour by Lillian Hellman
The Old Fitz Theatre
Feb 14-March 1
The Children’s Hour joins the Sydney Mardi Gras line-up 90 years on from its initial debut on Broadway all the way back in 1934. Originally banned in London and other capital cities, Lillian Helman’s seminal play offers a poignant look at deceit, lies, insidious homophobia, and fear-mongering. Showing at The Old Fitz theatre as part of their Mardi Gras programming and presented by Tiny Dog Productions and Dead Fly Productions, The Children’s Hour is an important reminder for us all that tolerance, love and understanding.
Head Over Heels
Rockdale Town Hall
Feb 14-23
The iconic music of The Go-Gos is reimagined in this hilarious, queer musical comedy. Head Over Heels takes on legendary hits like “We Got the Beat,” “Vacation,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” and “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” in a vivacious celebration of one of music’s most successful (all female-identifying) rock bands. A loose adaptation of The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia, Head Over Heels promises to be pure camp and an unapologetic celebration of queer joy.
Queer Materials
Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios
Feb 14-March 2
Queer Materials’ showcases the works of seven LGBTQIA+ textile artists to present a patchwork of queer stories. Textiles remain an important tool in queer storytelling and this exhibition celebrates its legacy through a diverse cohort of artists. A testament of the multilayered and many-voiced nature of queer histories, Queer Materials will celebrate varied, intersectional forms of queer representation across its multi-week run at Gallery Lane Cove.
Ultra Violet
National Art School
Feb 22
Back for its second year, Ultra Violet returns to take over the hallowed grounds of National Art School with another day-to-night party. On the line-up, you’ll find international, interstate and local DJs, bands and performers with live performances across four stages. Ultra Violet promises to bring unforgettable dance, pop, punk and funk to Darlinghurst for another year as one of Mardi Gras most anticipated LGBTQIA+ women’s events.
Queer Art After Hours
The Art Gallery of New South Wales
Feb 26
Hosted in collaboration with the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Queer Art After Hours unites LGBTQIA+ artists, performers, and storytellers to celebrate the vibrancy of queer culture in Sydney. The program curated by the likes of Ayebatonye Abrakasa, Kai Clancy and Gusta Silky, Queer Art After Hours will be taking over The Art Gallery of New South Wales’ two buildings. Experience a kaleidoscope of experiences throughout the evening with workshops, installations, and performances.
Trixie Mattel
Home the Venue
Feb 28
This bona fide queen of drag returns to Australia, more blonde and plastic than ever. Trixie is set to kick off Mardi Gras weekend at the biggest club in Australia (Home the Venue) with her Solid Pink Disco: Blonde Ball. Expect a night of classic disco dressed up in house music drag, coupled with showstopping looks and some fabulous hijinks for good measure.
‘Stories from the Heart’
The Rebel Theatre
March 9
Eight queer teens team up with established queer writers, directors and actors to create and stage their own performance pieces—which come to life in this one-night-only showcase. A celebration of cross-generational connection, this live showcase empowers young voices to share their stories to audiences. Described as a life-affirming opportunity, Stories from the Heart marks a rare chance to hear direction from a diverse cohort of young queer voices.
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