Family Trip - Day 3 (Mardi Gras Day)

Today was to be the biggest and longest day of them all..

As any gayboy knows, Mardi Gras day there is a lot of running around preparing for the evening, and so with showing my family around Sydney, it was always going to be a long slogg..

First thing the family ended up doing was head down to Darling Harbour to walk around the general area. While they were doing that, I went to Fox Studios to get my pass to the Mardi Gras party from the box office. Then I joined the family and we had brunch at the Paddys Markets before jumping on the monorail and heading to the Sydney Aquarium..

The Aquarium has changed a little since I was there last, primarily as they have added the Sydney Wildlife World to the site. It was great to be back there again, as it's always so magical..







After a quick bite to eat, we moved on to the Chinese Garden of Friendship. I was stuffed by that stage, and the family went on through without me.. Now I have seen the photos though, I wish I went in!

I have been in there before with my boyfriend during the day on a weekday, so that it would be at it's quietest. There were 3 wedding parties taking pictures in the Gardens, but you wouldn't even know from the pictures.. Looks so quiet and peaceful..







It was now time to head home.. Clearly, as you can see below, my brother was tired! In fact we all were exhausted! We jumped on a train to Kings Cross from Central and went home for a rest.. Well some of us!

Once home, I started to get ready for the 5 shows I was to do over the night. First was Stonewall Hotel, 10pm/11pm/12am and then Imperial 1am/2am.

Realising there was too little time to get ready before heading to the parade (I was informed the parade route crossings were closing earlier than expected), we headed off, with all costumes and bags in tow, to Stonewall Hotel. And so from there my family were looked after by the boyfriend while I got transformed..

I missed most of the parade, but listened out for some key floats going by and watched the footage on the large plasma screens in the venue when they did.

Coming out and saying hello to the family was the big moment! My brother and his wife, Jessie, were fine as they had seen pictures and some footage from my shows when I visited Perth for their wedding last November. Anna was great about it too.. All my worry was about my Dad..

I was not sure what to expect with my Dad's reaction. I left some photos up of me in drag (among others) in my studio where they were staying as a test. Dad did not say anything to me about them, but certainly looked surprised by the pictures when he was taking a look. After talking with my brother, I found out that my Dad didn't have an inkling that I was working in drag... Great!

Anyways, back to Stonewall..

My Dad seemed to be fine with me in drag and didn't treat me different at all. It was such a relief!

The family were getting a bit freaked out with gayboys and gaygirls falling all over them kissing and having simulated sex. Admittedly for the first night in a gay pub, it was a bit confrontational. I considered getting them tickets in the Glamstands, but I wanted them to see me perform - so I made a call on it. I think they enjoyed the parade, what they saw of it..

So now I had to do some great spot numbers for them.. After all they had been so great with me in my second "coming out". I performed "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Baby", "Don't Rain On My Parade" and "Last Dance". They were in the front row, right at my feet the whole time watching - and seemed to have a good time.

Dad said that I did really well and that was all I needed to hear.. Phew!

Unfortunately they were really tired (and probably too scared to go to the Imperial), so they went home when I had to leave for the Imperial shows. It's a pity cos I wanted them to watch a production show, not spots.. Oh well..

As far as the rest of my night was concerned, the Imperial was packed of course and the vibe was really positive. The shows went down exceptionally - much to our delight. Charisma, Ru Bella and I had a ball - then all headed off to the Mardi Gras party.

Next was the final day for my family in Sydney, before the plane flight back to Perth..

Family Trip - Day 2

The second day of my family's visit to Sydney was to be another busy day.

Firstly, after waking up, they wanted to go to Bondi Junction to do some window shopping. So we hopped on a train from Kings Cross Station and headed there. After a while there we had some brunch and then headed off to the next pit stop, Luna Park.


It was a beautiful day to be outside, and with the Pride flags flying above the Luna Park face, it was another smiling and proud welcome to the city for them!

As you can see however, a Friday day-time (no school holidays) means it's quite dead in the Park, but I guess that means no queues too!

Anna was dying to get onto the bumper cars with my brother, so that was the first ride they went for..


Next was the wild mouse, of which Anna, my brother Matt, and I went on.. You can get a picture of yourself on the ride at the end, and my bro got one.. I will have to get a digital copy and post it.. It was very funny! Below is my camera shots of us before the ride starts..

After an exhausting day walking about and having fun, we headed home for a sleep..

We woke them up a few hours later to get dressed for the theatre - in particular, Priscilla! They were very excited about the show, which excited me - I knew it would be the most amazing thing they have ever seen and was dying to see their reaction..

My family, boyfriend and I headed off to Star City for food at the buffet before the show. To our surprise the buffet was actually quite good, and for vegetarians such as myself, plenty to choose from!

None of my family visiting Sydney had ever seen a musical, and although they had seen the movie, were blown away completely by the experience. We were third row centre (I think I wrote in a previous post we were 2nd row..) and they were fantastic seats! They were only too close for one moment - the shoe on top of the bus/opera scene.. apart from that it was the best place to watch from EVER! My experience in selling the tickets is most people say it's too close.. I'm here to say, after watching it now 8 times, it has been the best position by far!

During the show, I got to be part of the audience interaction scene, and had an absolute ball! Thank you to Cleo Coupe (Trevor Ashley) who pulled me up there..!

After the show, the family went up to the Priscilla Bar for a few drinks, and to meet some of the cast. They had a great time, and even got in the spirit by jumping into position for the above picture!

I'm so glad that they loved the show and that, especially for my Dad, that the whole Drag Queen thing was not a put off - cos if it was, it would be an interesting night the next night when they were to watch me perform in drag for the first time ever!

After a hug with Trevor, who plays (among other characters) "Miss Understood" in the show, we headed home for some sleep before the biggest day of them all.. Mardi Gras Parade Day!

Family Trip - Day 1

It has been an eventful (and very busy) few weeks, but even busier with my family in Sydney for the Mardi Gras parade..

My brother Matthew, his wife Jessie, sister-in-law Anna and my Dad arrived on Wednesday evening the 28th Feb. After picking them up from the airport, we made our way home and out for a very late dinner (11pm). They had a quick walk around the main strip of the Cross (at their request!), then we settled them in for the big day ahead..

Thursday morning, after breakfast at Tropicana, was the trip to Toronga Zoo by ferry.


It's always so much fun showing new-comers to Sydney the harbour, and this way you hit two birds with one stone! Plus of course the views of the Opera House & Bridge never disappoint!

They had a great time walking around. It was a long day with lots to see and do. In fact the zoo has changed a lot since I was there last, with the new "Wild Asia" exhibit (pictured below) and the "Great Southern Oceans" exhibit being built.



I got some great shots of the animals and my family (can you pick which one is which? Haha )


Above: Even the Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence were at the Zoo for Mardi Gras with their Annual Tour!



Above: Getting into the Mardi Gras spirit!


After a long day at the Zoo, we hopped back onto the ferry for the ride back to Circular Quay..


The family wanted to have a closer look at the Opera House, so we walked along the Quay and found out we were in the middle of an episode for "The Bold and the Beautiful"! We were lucky enough to be asked to hang around and be "tourists" in the background.. So I took a few tourist shots of my own! (Brooke & Ridge were both there..!)


We got home, had a change of clothes and a little rest, then the family decided it would be good to get back onto the Harbour for the trip to Manly. So we made our way back to Circular Quay and had a lovely trip to Manly, taking in the city views at night. After a nice dinner on the main strip of Manly Beach, we were definitely ready for bed, and made our way back home with sleepy heads..

The next day would be another big day for us all..

Pool Party

The Pool Party was held last night, rain and all, but it seems everyone enjoyed themselves!

I have been working on the Pool Party Committee as the Entertainment Producer since late last year. Of course things were cruisy in the early days, but then, as you would expect, all the long nights and hundreds of phone calls happen in these last few weeks! I was switched on to Shelley-hyperdrive!

With the NMG costume workshop unable to help costume pool party show (compounded with being only told this just weeks before the party night when there wasn't a spare Janome in Sydney not already busy!), I was the one who was left to make the costumes for the show - my first set of costumes EVER - and even I was surprised that they looked good! (BTW, thanks to my gorgeous friend, Tim, who overlocked for me when needed!)

Unfortunately I don't have a group picture of the show cast (it got accidentally deleted from my digital camera) but I'm sure I can find a shot or two somewhere and post it..

As far as the Pool Party show - it went well. We had no stage lights (they went out and stayed out when it poured down raining!), but the pool's normal floodlights kept us lit. Fortunately showtime had clear skies, so we weren't battling any wind or rain. Everyone was so excited as we made our way to the stage!

Disappointingly, there were a few issues with the crowd & photographers in the way and not marshaled while the show was on - which made performing difficult, but we managed to make it work in the end and we had heaps of fun doing it!

The story was that we were on a cruise ship, dancing away to "Copacabana" when we strike a storm (fortunately the real one had already been by earlier in the night!). My nod to Priscilla ("The Morning After"), was in the middle of the show, as we abandoned the cruise ship and made our way an island.. (Ironically "The Poseidon Adventure was on TV earlier that day - Spooky!) There we meet the natives! With Ru Bella cast as the Tribal Queen, she quickly seduces my lover, the Captain of the ship, and I am unceremoniously dumped. In the finale, I end up in the water and I can tell you, after the show looked like a drowned rat making my way back to the dressingroom! When I think of that, it brings a smile to my face.. It was a hoot..

The New Mardi Gras chair, Marcus, said he loved the show and started talking about next years parties to me.. so fingers crossed I guess I might end up doing it again next year! I already have some other show ideas in the pipeline - so planning has already started! :-)

There was some big lessons I learnt from working on the show, not only as the Producer creating the show, but also within the Working Group for the NMG Pool Party. I have produced dance party shows before, but when you add a pool to the mix, there is more to think about for sure!

My thanks go out to all the people who have helped me with the show - especially over the last few weeks! To the whole Pool Party Committee, everyone I spoke to at NMG, Marcus, Mark, Kerry, Leah, Brad and of course all the performers - thank you so much! The biggest thank you goes to my boyfriend who pitched in and helped me whenever he could! I love you sweetie..

Hope you all enjoy next weekend! My family will be arriving Wednesday, and I'm looking forward to showing them "Gay Sydney". Come up and say hello if you see us out... in the meantime...

HAPPY MARDI GRAS!

Hats Off 2007

Hats Off was an amazing success!

It raised a HUGE amount of money for ACON and proved why Laurence Stark and Trevor Ashley are DIVA Award winning producers.

With the cast of Priscilla making special cameos through the night, it was a fabulous night.

Speaking of Priscilla, we had the pleasure of working with Joel, one of the boys from Priscilla The Musical. He was a little nervous backstage before the show, so he hung out with us "girls" backstage..


He really got into the fun of it all!


After Joel brought the house down with "Don't Tell Mama" from Cabaret, we also got the chance to mingle with the other guests like...

Caroline O'Connor

Nikki Webster

If you missed the show this year, make sure you listen out for it next year - it's always a huge success and has never disappointed! With so many big names of the Australian musical theatre industry donating their time for charity, how can you go wrong?

Hats Off! 2007 - Mardi Gras Festival Event

This night is one of the most fun-filled nights on the Mardi Gras calender - I'm serious!

Those who love musical theatre will already know about this show - those that don't, ought to know about it! It stars the cream of Australia's musical theatre legends and is produced by Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, with all proceeds going to ACON.

Trevor Ashley and Laurence Stark, winners of the "DIVA Variety Award" 2006, are putting together a bigger and better show than last year - and I'm lucky to be part of it!

Hats off pays tribute to Kander & Ebb, and will feature songs from Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman and many more. Trevor promised me that the Showroom will be turned into the Kit Kat Club for the night.

This year I'm performing alongside Joel, one of the young boys playing the role of Mitzi's son in Priscilla, and we're opening Act 2. With some drag queens on his side, this talented young performer (who you might end up seeing in "Billy Elliot" when it premieres in Sydney later this year), will be singing "Don't Tell Mama" from Cabaret. "....

"Mama, doesn't even have an inkling, that I'm working in a drag show, in a pair of sequin pants.."

Camp! (although "Mama" has been at all rehearsals and knows all about his drag show shenanigans! She is such a sweet Mum, - not a stage-mum at all!)

Also performing is Caroline O'Connor (among some other huge names - I've been asked not to say much on here..), who is a huge supporter of this event, and always happy to raise funds for a good cause.

Come along to the Showroom tomorrow night (11 Feb - 8pm) for a memorable night's entertainment. You won't be disappointed.

Click here for tickets and more details..

Must See Events & Shows Over Mardi Gras & Beyond

There are a number of events that I recommend seeing, especially if you have friends and family coming to Sydney during Mardi Gras.. (like I do!)

SWEENEY TODD @ Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House

I went to see this production on the 23rd Jan, and it was such a fun show. Technically not an Opera, this musical's limelight is stolen by Judi Connelli in her lead role. I absolutely recommend seeing this production!

I'm going to watch La Traviata this week, so will tell you if you need to see that too!

PRISCILLA @ Lyric Theatre, Star City

I saw the show this week for the 7th time. New scripting and subtle changes have made the show snappier and even more fun! I basically know the choreography and script now from watching it so much.. I'll live in hope one day someone will break a leg and I get a call! (I shouldn't say that - it's awful.. but then I am a queen... ) As it seems, there is again one performer who is stealing the show and better in the role each time I watch - Tony Sheldon. Also working hard is Nick Hardcastle (understudy for Felicia). He has been in the role for a while and is doing very well too! Make sure you don't miss it! I'm booked in for Mardi Gras Eve with my family.. bring on number 8!

HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH @ Tom Mann Theatre, Surry Hills

I have previously reviewed this production last year, before it became the official "Show of the Year"! It is returning to Sydney for a encore season after touring interstate. It is a musical for those who hate musicals, and has a strong cult following. I had the pleasure of meeting iOTA, the lead performer in the show, at my Stonewall shows last week. He is such a sweet man, and a talented performer - an absolute star. Don't miss this show if you did last time! Redeem yourself!

HOLDING THE MAN @ SBW Stables Theatre, Kings Cross

I had the pleasure of meeting the script writer, Tommy Murphy at the Priscilla Opening Night Party, where he spoke for a short time about adapting the book to the stage. I have read the book when I was at WAAPA studying my dance degree, and it is a powerful story. I have heard the show is quite an emotional experience and highly recommended. Tickets are hard to get as they go fast, but there are regular release of tickets to look out for.. Check out the theatre's website for ticketing details.

THE TIMES OF MY LIFE @ Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli

Toni Lamond, mother of Tony Sheldon (mentioned above), has her one-woman show playing now at the Ensemble Theatre. Co-written by mother and son, this show has received rave reviews. My partner and I are dying to go, and I will have to try to organise a night off rehearsals just to see it!

MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL IS NOW ON! GET OUT THERE AND SUPPORT THE FESTIVAL WHICH HAS BEEN CREATED FOR YOU!