The 2020 Mardi Gras festival kicks off on Friday 14 February, featuring a fabulously eclectic program of events including dazzling dance parties, top-tier theatre, music, world-class workshops and family focused fun!
“Our phenomenal 2020 Festival program of arts and cultural events features a superb selection of diverse local and global talent,” says Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger. “Traversing themes of inclusion and social justice, as well as celebrating the achievements of our community, this year’s program places the focus on WHAT MATTERS.”
Mardi Gras Creative Director Kat Dopper adds: “We have some phenomenal events lined up at this year’s Festival ranging from the spectacularly naughty queer cabaret Fuck Fabulous to our quintessential summertime parties, Pool Party & Kaftan Party and Australia’s largest cast of gender-diverse performers come together in the endlessly entertaining variety show Gender Euphoria.
“Also new in 2020 is the expansion of the Mardi Gras Hub at the Seymour Centre. The Hub will be home to late-night parties at the Festival Club from Thursday to Sunday, as well as 15 incredible events including inspiring discussions, comedy, theatre, music, dance, circus, burlesque and drag.”
Boobs, butts, balls and a cheeky appearance from Scott Morrison’s anal alter-ego Scatmo, queer cabaret icon Yana Alana presents a sensational spectacle of sass and sex so naughty we can’t even market it. Featuring a fierce line-up of dance, circus, drag, comedy and performance artists, this cabaret variety show is a protest against the commodification of queer culture and a collective reimagining of what it means to be queer and fabulous. Prepare for an unforgettable night of debauchery at the world premiere of Fuck Fabulous. Catch it live from Wednesday 19 February – Sunday 23 February.
Australia’s biggest line-up of trans and gender-diverse performers to ever share a main stage come together for Gender Euphoria, to flip gender dysphoria on its head and explore the distinctive joys that come with being trans. Music, dance, comedy, burlesque, circus, poetry and performance that defies labels will come together to seduce and transport you, as emerging talents rub shoulders with some of our stage greats from Saturday 15 February – Sunday 16 February.
Blending absurd and outrageous drag and burlesque with scintillating choreography, YUMMY has developed a world-wide cult following. After winning major awards such as “Best Production” (Green Room Awards 2018) and “Best Cabaret” (Fringe World 2019), this legendary ensemble is coming to the Seymour Centre for the first time ever with their latest wild offering, YUMMY UNLEASHED (Wednesday 26 February – Friday 27 February).
Hot Brown Honey turns up the heat with lashings of sass and a hot pinch of empowerment in the smash-hit, genre defying, firecracker of a show that’s taken the world by storm. Unapologetically fierce, Hot Brown Honey defiantly shatters preconceptions in an explosion of colour, culture and controversy. Fighting the Power never tasted so sweet. From Tuesday 25 February – Friday 28 February.
For the third consecutive year, Mardi Gras transforms Sydney’s world famous Luna Park into a rainbow wonderland for LGBTQI+ families and friends on Family Fun Day. Enjoy unlimited rides, plus DJs and surprise performances. Children will marvel at the array of materials on offer for them to get crafty, and create their own piece of Mardi Gras art on Sunday 23 February.
Warm up for the closing week of Mardi Gras 2020 at the sun-soaked Pool Party, held high up in the city’s favourite rooftop oasis, Ivy Pool Club on Monday 24 February. Sip on delicious cocktails by the poolside, survey the talent from the decadent cabana lounges and make a splash as local DJs spin the funkiest, vocal house. A summertime tradition amongst locals and visitors from around the globe, Pool Party is the hottest party of the summer – let’s get wet!
After two phenomenal sell-out years, Sissy Ball has established itself as Australia’s pre-eminent vogue ball. Taking over the Enmore Theatre on Saturday 22 February, expect attitude, fluidity and finesse on the runway in an evening of extreme excess, celebrating self-expression and identity as vogue houses and individual walkers take centre stage and fiercely battle it out for each category title.
Sydney’s most stunning tropical rooftop Ivy Pool Club transforms into La Isla Bonita for Kaftan Party on Wednesday 19 February, for our inimitable retro poolside soiree. Join us with cocktail in hand as the summer sun sets, wearing your finest poolside couture – all kaftans, moo moos and chic loungewear welcome, with prizes for Best Kaftan, Best Cabana Lounging Ensemble and Most Outrageous Summer Accessory.