Imagine a city filled with rainbows, glitter, sequins and all things fabulous. This is about to be true for Gadigal (Sydney) in around 35 days. After the Olympic style announcement in 2019, Sydney will host WorldPride 2023 in an historic event that is set to activate and invigorate all senses.
The first in its history to be hosted in the southern hemisphere and the first ever to engage in a First Nations focus, the 17-day extravaganza is a not-for-profit festival incorporating Sydney's iconic Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and will be held in various pop up events and installations all over greater Sydney and Newcastle.
Alongside a 16 person advisory group, WorldPride First Nations Creative Director, Malak Malak, Iwaidja and Torres Strait Islander Ben Graetz has worked tirelessly over the last four years to put together an array of events to celebrate and acknowledge First Nations brotherboys and sistergirls from all over the country including creating a First Nations only hub called Marri Madung ButBut meaning 'Many Brave Hearts' where Mob can come to share their stories, their cultures and their achievements in a culturally safe space.
"Its really going to be a space for people to come and experience the oldest surviving Culture on the planet and to really celebrate our First Nations queer community," said Graetz.
"This is just for Mob and I think that is really important for us to create a space that is culturally safe where Mob can come to connect and share."
The festival set to also include ticketed shows and free events for First Nations peoples to attend in the First Nations only space with food and beverage available, visual arts installations and the opportunity to buy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander products from local, First Nations owned businesses.
Other events include Miss First Nations Supreme Queen, where all previous winners of Miss First Nations will come back to battle it out on stage to be crowned as drag royalty. Held over two heats and leading into the grand finale our nations top queens will sashay away in perfectly timed choreography and only the best of front laced corsets and sparkling sequins as they lip sync for the lives.
Perhaps the biggest event of the First Nations calendar for the festival will be Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert which is set to be held in the world famous Sydney Opera House. The finest in the fashion, art and entertainment industries are expected to adorn the red carpet event and will feature some of our biggest names including Electric Fields, Casey Donovan and Jessica Mauboy with Steven Oliver named to emcee the star studded event.
Graetz said: "Its going to be an event we can dress up for and feel deadly, walk the red carpet and really reclaim that space then also enjoy an incredible show."
Special First Nations guests of the festival also include Joel Bray, Carly Sheppard and Dale Woodbridge Brown who is launching the world premiere of his show called Camp, a family circus interactive show.
As Mardi Gras also celebrates its 45th year since its inaugural march in the 70's, the festival will also pay tribute to those who have deeply contributed to the movement over this time. Forty-five champions to represent forty-five years include some of our very own First Nations powerhouses in Narelda Jacobs, Casey Donavan, JoJo Zaho, Electric Fields and Jessica Johnson of Nungala Creative. All people from the LGBTQIA+ community who have contributed to the Pride movement over a long period of time and have worked tirelessly in their communities and for Mob.
WorldPride has something for everyone with the festival offering arts, sports, theatre, concerts, parties, First Nations programming and a human rights conference focusing on the rights of the LGBTQIA+ peoples.
The festival runs from the 17th of February to the 5th of March 2023.
You can find more information and tickets at: https://sydneyworldpride.com/mobtix-application/.
