1 February 2011

Getting out and about this Mardi Gras? Expand your horizons and help create a stronger and more vibrant GLBT community by attending one of ACON's fabulous Mardi Gras events.

Details of all ACON events are available on the ACON website: www.acon.org.au/mardigras

1) FAIR DAY

Want to find out how to look after yourself, connect with other community members or volunteer to help people in need? Then get along to ACON Alley at this year's Fair Day. Our friendly staff will be on hand to answer all your questions about men's health, women's health, living with HIV, alcohol and other drugs, and staying safe on the street, in the workplace and at home. Staff from our Aboriginal, Asian, Mature Gay Men and Western Sydney projects can help you connect with other members from your community. And you can also volunteer to help people living with HIV through our Community Support Network, pick up some cool giveaways or become a financial supporter through our 25for5 program.

When: Sun 20 Feb 2011, 10am - 8pm
Where: Victoria Park, Camperdown
Cost: Entry by gold coin donation
Info: www.mardigras.org.au

2) THE FABTABULOUS WALK OF HISTORICAL AND MODERN CURIOSITIES
Ever wondered why Oxford St is the best known gay and lesbian precinct in Australia? Want to get all the goss on the history of this world renowned area? Join other young GLBT people on an amazing walk through the historical heart of queer Sydney and hear the forbidden stories and dusty secrets of Oxford St from local GLBT historian Robert French. This drug and alcohol free event is open to GLBT people aged 26 and under. Light refreshments will be provided.

When: Sun 20 Feb 2011, 12pm - 2pm
Where: Meet at Paddington Town Hall, 249 Oxford St, Paddington
Cost: FREE

Info/Bookings: (02) 9206 2076 or youth@acon.org.au

Web: Fabtabulous Walk of Historical and Modern Curiosities

3) HATS OFF!
Get ready for a non-stop evening of fabulous entertainment featuring the stars of Australian musical theatre, comedy, dance and cabaret, all donating their time and talent to help raise much-needed funds for ACON and the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation. Hats Off! is always a highlight of the Mardi Gras Festival and this year will feature the hysterical Bob Downe as MC. Directed by Stuart Maunder with Musical Director Anne-Maree McDonald. Produced by Jonathan Mill and Laurence Stark. Book early as this event will sell out! Presented by Oz Showbiz Cares Equity Fights HIV/AIDS & New Mardi Gras.

When: Mon 21 Feb 2011, 8pm
Where: Seymour Centre, cnr City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale
Cost: $90 / $75 / $25 + bf

Info/Bookings: www.seymourcentre.com.au or (02) 9351 7940

4) THE GREAT DEBATE
ACON's favourite referee Bob Downe is in form and getting physical with six of Sydney's funniest sexpots and sports-nuts to argue that ‘Sport is better than sex!' Join the search for our best and fairest as they debate the merits of working out vs making out, coits vs coitus, interchanges vs intercourse, platform diving vs muff diving and ballsports vs..... ballsports! So, lovers and fighters, strap on your sports-bras and jockstraps, and book now. It's game on!

When: Wed 23 Feb 2011, 7:30pm
Where: Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville
Cost: $37.50 / $35 + bf
Info/Bookings: www.factorytheatre.com.au or (02) 9550 3666

Web: The Great Debate

5) BIG BINGAY...AT THE BEACH
Lifesavers With Pride, a social group of gay and lesbian lifesavers, has teamed up with drag diva Tora Hymen plus singing sensation Naomi Palmer to present a special beach-themed edition of BIG Bingay for this year's Mardi Gras festival. Bingay is bingo with a queer twist! Expect weird rules, singalongs, penalties and hilarious stories with prizes that range from mobile phones and harbour cruises to heaps of theatre, movie and party tickets. There's also a special trivia quiz plus great free snacks served up by a contingent of Speedo-clad representatives from Lifesavers With Pride will be on duty to help guests enjoy the rip-roaring fun! And all proceeds go to ACON.

When: Fri 25 Feb 2011, 7:30 pm
Where: Paddo RSL 226 Oxford St Paddington
Cost: $37 for all games

Info/Bookings: (02) 9206 2110 or events2011@acon.org.au

Web: Big Bingay

6) 21 DOWN
21 Down is back again for its fifth year running as a centrepiece of the Mardi Gras Youth Festival. Hosted by the one and only Courtney Act, this five-hour extravaganza is set to explode with top DJs, drag kings, circus acts, showbags, mocktails and an awesome photo booth + a top secret special guest! Dance, meet new friends and be dazzled by the atmosphere at Slide, one of the hottest nightclubs on Oxford Street! This collaboration between ACON's Youth Team and Courtney Act is a drug, alcohol and smoke free event aimed at GLBT people under-21 and their friends,

When: Sat 26 Feb 2011, 12pm - 5pm
Where: Slide Nightclub & Lounge, 41 Oxford St Darlinghurst
Cost: FREE

Info/Bookings: (02) 9206 2076 or youth@acon.org.au

Web: 21 Down

7) SASSY SAFARI
Lace up your sensible lesbian hiking boots before we swing from vine to vine exploring the jungle of our feelings and minds! Come along to see fierce art and performances. This is a drug and alcohol free event for all ages.

When: Wed 2 Mar 2011, 6pm - 9pm
Where: The Red Rattler Theatre, 6 Faversham St, Marrickville
Cost: FREE (no RSVP required)

Info: (02) 9206 2029 or youngwomen@acon.org.au

Web: Sassy Safari

8) ACON's PARADE FLOATS

Registrations for two of ACON's Mardi Gras floats are now closed.

All registration information will be sent to participants on Wednesday March 2.

There are a limited number of spaces available for participants in the First Australians float.

To register, please contact Meggan Grose on 02 9206 2042 or 1800 063 060, or email mgrose@acon.org.au.

Deadline for registrations of the First Australians Float is Thursday 3 March 2011.

Members of the GLBT community are on board the following ACON floats:

• ACON Float - Join hundreds of ACON volunteers and supporters and help celebrate our community’s incredible culture of care (Registrations closed for this float)
• First Australians Float - Celebrate Mardi Gras with members of NSW’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
• Pride In Diversity Float - Members of ACON’s Pride In Diversity workplace equality program are invited to join in the fun of the parade and show how gay-friendly their workplace is (Registrations closed for this float)

When: Sat 5 Mar 2011
Where: ACON, 9 Commonwealth St, Sydney then parade route
Cost: FREE
Info/Bookings: www.acon.org.au/mardigras