International pop icon and Grammy Hall of Famer Cher will visit Sydney this year to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Minister for the Arts Don Harwin announced today.
12 January 2018“When it comes to international recording artists, they don’t get much bigger than Cher and as one of the LGBTQI community’s most vocal advocates, she is the perfect person to help celebrate Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras,” Mr Harwin said.
“Mardi Gras is one of the biggest annual events on the NSW major events calendar and last year attracted more than 38,000 overnight visitors, injecting approximately $40 million into the State’s visitor economy.”
Mr Harwin said there is a lot to celebrate at this year’s Mardi Gras in Sydney.
“This year’s Mardi Gras will be a momentous occasion for LGBTQI Australians and I have no doubt it will be the biggest and best yet. From commemorating 40 years since the first Mardi Gras took place through the streets of Darlinghurst and Kings Cross to reaching marriage equality, there will be a lot to celebrate. Cher fits this celebratory mood perfectly,” Mr Harwin said.
“Events such as the highly anticipated Parade, Fair Day, exhibitions, workshops and performances mean that there is plenty of entertainment and activities scheduled throughout the city. I encourage those planning their trips to take some extra time to enjoy all the festivities on offer as part of Mardi Gras.”
Cher is a Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe and Academy Award winning global gay icon and with more than 100 million records sold worldwide, she is one of the best-selling music artists in history. Cher last toured in 2005.
Cher will perform at the Mardi Gras Party, Australia’s LGBTQI party of the year, on Saturday, March 3 2018. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will take place from 16 February – 4 March, 2018. For a full schedule of events and for Mardi Gras Party tickets, please visit www.mardigras.org.au.
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