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WorldPride

The First Nations Program at Sydney World Pride

The First Nations Program at Sydney World Pride

Some of the Indigenous artists performin at Sydney WorldPride's Marri Madung Butbut
Sydney WorldPride

The largest Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander & global First Nation LGBTQ+ program to take place in Australia

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.

Location

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.

Sydney WorldPride & First Nations

Ben Graetz as Miss Ellaneous

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.”

Marri Madung Butbut

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.

​·Koori Gras

Moogahlin_Blak Nulla

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.

Bloodlines

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)

Klub Village

Kween Kong

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

Camp Culture

Dale Woodbridge-Brown

by Joel Devereux

Camp Culture (February 25-26) is an all-ages, interactive, family-friendly circus show with Dale Woodbridge-Brown.

Allan Songs Project

Allan Songs. Project

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

Daddy

Daddy star Joel Brey

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

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.

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