Kylie. Cher. Cyndi. Dua Lipa.
Following in the well-heeled footsteps of the GREATS, Dua Lipa has been confirmed to headline the 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Previous headliners include Kylie Minogue, Cyndi Lauper, Olivia Newton-John, and Cher, so she’s in very, very good company.)
“I am so excited to come down to Sydney this February for the LGBTQ Mardi Gras,” the singer said in a video posted to social media. “It’s going to be so massive. See you in 2020.”
Then she blew a kiss at the camera. When I tell you I swooned…
She’s got new rules, she’ll count ‘em! Mardi Gras revellers can prepare for a night of soaring anthems and pumping dance beats as the electrifying @DUALIPA is set to headline this year’s Mardi Gras Party on Saturday 29 February! Get tickets at https://t.co/H4WUgjOx2J pic.twitter.com/L8aKstiJ9P
— Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (@sydneymardigras) November 8, 2019
Dua Lipa – who is also locked in for the ARIAs in a couple weeks – is part of a massive 2020 lineup, which also includes Conchita Wurst, Trevor Ashley and what organisers have called “a smorgasbord of eccentric and extraordinary performers and DJs” from Australia and overseas.
The theme for 2020 is “What matters”, with a keen focus on marginalised groups in a post-marriage equality Australia.
“This year we celebrate those at the forefront of the fight for equality,” Mardi Gras Arts Interim CEO Grant Lowe said.
“From ground-breaking queer artists to trailblazing thought leaders, Mardi Gras 2020 is an opportunity to visit the next destinations on our journey of diversity, inclusion and social justice.”
That includes, as per a release, the neo-punk cabaret variety show Fuck Fabulous, the sassy, genre-defying smash-hit Hot Brown Honey, electrifying trans and gender-diverse performance Gender Euphoria, the outrageous drag and burlesque infused YUMMY UNLEASHED, award-winning circus extravaganza You & I from Casus Circus, the return of Koori Gras, thought-provoking workshops and community events from Queer Thinking and a night of quintessential queer bangers from LGBTQI+ artists at Homage.
It’s about uplifting “every shade of the rainbow”, Lowe said, pointing to Sydney being named as host city for WorldPride 2023 as yet another good reason to showcase Australia’s fabulous, resilient, extraordinary queer community.
Festivities run from Friday 1 February 2020 to Sunday 1 March 2020, with tickets on sale from next Monday at 10am. Have a squiz at the full Mardi Gras program here.
If you need me, I’ll be watching this on repeat:
