Sydney World Pride 2023 which runs February 17-March 5, has announced the addition of free events to the line-up of First Nations events and performers already scheduled as part of the Marri Madung Butbut (Many Brave Hearts): Sydney WorldPride’s First Nations Gathering Space.
Marri Madung Butbut (pronounced: Mah-ree Mah-dung, Bootboot) is the largest Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander & global First Nation LGBTQIA+SB program to take place in Australia.
Burning Love at The Carriageworks Night Market by Daniel Boud
From February 23-28, the multi-arts space Carriageworks will play host to the "celebration of LGBTQIA+SB First Nations brilliance, artistry and culture," as part Sydney WorldPride 2023.
By Anna Kucera
“It’s so important that we celebrate the creativity and brilliance of not only the oldest living culture on the planet, but the oldest LGBTQIA+ culture as well," Ben Graetz, festival creative director for Sydney WorldPride, said in a statement to press.
Graetz, pictured above as Miss Ellaneous is a descendant of the Iwaidja and Malak Malak clans in the Northern Territory and of Badu Island in the Torres Strait. “I’m proud to be putting LGBTQIA+SB performers on a such a major stage and sharing their talents with mob and the world," he said. "Marri Madung Butbut is a place where everyone is welcome to experience the rainbow heart of the oldest surviving culture on the planet.”
Ben Graetz (left) with other First Nation performers by Katherine Griffiths
Marri Madung Butbut will kick off with a free-to-attend opening night party, Djarraba Disco (23 Feb), curated by The Huxleys, and 11 free events.
Moogahlin Blak Nulla by Jamie James
Koori Gras (February 28) is a free event featuring an evening of variety performance from Warrane (Sydney’s) LGBTQIA+SB community. The event is co-produced by Moogahlin Performing Arts and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and will include performances from Nana Miss Koori, Nova Gina and BeeDazzled Shanks.
The Husleys
Another free events is Bloodlines, created by artists The Huxleys, as a multi-artform exhibition which honors artists lost to HIV/AIDS. (January 5 - March 5)
Courtesy Kween Kong
Klub Village (February 23) is a cabaret experience hosted by Kween Kong (above0 that centers First Nation and queer allied artist storytelling. The performances combiine drag, circus, and dance and feature rotating cast of dancers and performers include Sela Vai, Humxn, Bizzi Body, Chocolate Boxx, and Aboriginal comedy All Star Jay Wymarra
by Joel Devereux
Camp Culture (February 25-26) is an all-ages, interactive, family-friendly circus show with Dale Woodbridge-Brown.
Courtesy Sydney WorldPride
Ailan Songs Project (February 26) is an evening of historical songs from the Torres Strait with a mix of ancient languages and tropical island reggae grooves
James Henry
Daddy (February 23-24 ) – is hilarious, provocative and heartfelt play by and starring Joel Bray that meshes the impact of colonialisation with the quest for love in the Grindr era and includes the theatrical use of powdered sugar!
Miss First Nation
Miss First Nation: Supreme Queen (February 26-28 Feb) is the ultimate drag competition, where eight queens battle it out over three nights to be crowned First Nations drag royalty.
