Marri Madung Butbut (Many Brave Hearts): Sydney WorldPride’s First Nations Gathering Space opens this evening at renowned multi-arts space Carriageworks.
Taking place over six days (23-28 Feb) on Gadigal land, Carriageworks will come alive with a celebration of LGBTQIA+SB First Nations brilliance, artistry and culture, as part Sydney WorldPride 2023.
The first night of events includes a deadly free-to-attend opening night party, Djarraba Disco (23 Feb), curated by The Huxleys; Klub Village (23-27 Feb), a high octane variety show curated by Kween Kong; and Daddy (23-24 Feb), a hilarious, provocative and heartfelt play by and starring Joel Bray.
Other ticketed shows include:
- Miss First Nation: Supreme Queen (26, 27, 28 Feb) – the ultimate drag competition, which sees eight queens battle it out over three nights to be crowned First Nations drag royalty.
- Camp Culture (25-26 Feb) – an all-ages, interactive, family-friendly circus show with Dale Woodbridge-Brown.
- Ailan Songs Project (26 Feb) – enjoy an evening of historical songs from the Torres Strait with a mix of ancient languages and tropical island reggae grooves
- Chase (26-28 Feb) – experimental theatre and arthouse cinema collide with First Nation identity in this biting satire by Carly Sheppard and Kamarra Bell-Wykes, and starring Carly Sheppard as the titular character Chase.
Ben Graetz, Festival Creative Director for Sydney WorldPride, said: “Marri Madung Butbut will be the largest Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and global First Nation LGBTQIA+SB celebration ever to take place in Australia.
“I feel very proud to be putting First Nations creativity and culture on such a major stage and to showcase our queer mob’s talents as part of Sydney WorldPride.”
As well as ticketed events, there will be a range of free events, parties, art installations and talks, for guests to enjoy including:
- Tidda Bingo (27 Feb) – Tyra Bankstown hosts a game of bingo on steroids, accompanied by some fabulous drag performances.
- Ōvah Ōvah (26 Feb) – a Pasifika variety show celebrating femme Fa’afafine performers, including Jaycee Tanuvasa, Killia, Jamaica Moana and the House of Iman.
- Deadly Queer Deaf Mob (26 Feb) – a panel discussion providing insights into the Deaf First Nations community.
In addition, the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress – a work of art created from the national flags of the 71 countries where it is illegal to be LGBTQI+ on penalty of imprisonment, torture of death – has returned to Australia to be exhibited at Carriageworks throughout the duration of Marri Madung Butbut.
As well as events and installations, Trading Blak Shop will be offering a curated selection of First Nations wares from First Nations owned and operated businesses across the six days of the Gathering Space.
Food and beverage will also be available, with Aboriginal-owned catering business Indigiearth operating out of the Carriagework’s café, Cornerstone, and serving up delicious food and native ingredients.
$20+bf tickets for all shows at Marri Madung Butbut: the First Nations Gathering Space are available for First Nations people of any nation via the MobTix program (click here to apply). General admission tickets are also available via the Sydney WorldPride website (click here).
The events at Carriageworks complements Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert (2 三月) with tickets available via MobTix ($49+bf).
Sydney WorldPride 2023 runs for 17 days, from 17 二月 to 5 三月 2023 incorporating Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Tickets for Official events via SydneyWorldPride.com. Tickets for community events at prideamplified.au.
The full festival program over 300 events across WorldPride Official, WorldPride Arts, WorldPride Sports and Pride Amplified is available on the Sydney WorldPride website.
