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[title]Start your engines and pull out your best rainbow coloured looks: Sydney WorldPride is about to kick off, meaning the Emerald City will come alive with fabulous parties, marches and festivities celebrating our city’s diversity and all things queer.
Proving it’s not just a pretty (face) hotel with top restaurants and bars, The Star Sydney is throwing its wig into the ring and showing up as a fierce ally and supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community, transforming into Rainbow Central from Friday, February 17 until Saturday, March 4. From performances by Australia’s fiercest drag queens to a new exhibition by a famed queer artist, disco dancing and rainbow cocktails, plus a spectacular acrobatic aerial show, The Star is going all out this WorldPride. And the best bit is, all the entertainment at The Star is free, so even if you missed out on a ticket to Kylie, you can sashay on down to celebrate.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best things to see and experience at The Star this WorldPride, plus you can find out more here.
Grand Foyer stage performances
Mark your calendars: each Friday and Saturday evening during WorldPride The Star’s Grand Foyer will turn rainbow as some of the hottest drag performers from Australia and New Zealand take to the stage. From the queen of Western Sydney, Carla From Bankstown, to the season one winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, Kita Mean, plus local stars Coco Jumbo and Beverly Kills, guests at The Star will be treated to high-energy, dazzling and camp performances from the best in the biz, accompanied by colourful animations and aqua art. Rainbow Central acts will kick off at 7pm and 8pm, and are free for everyone to view.
Drag queens, DJ sets and cocktails at Cherry Bar
The good times keep on rolling at The Star. So much so that after their brilliant performances in the Grand Foyer, the queens will head to Cherry Bar and hit the dancefloor, turning the intimate cocktail bar into a rainbow disco affair. Expect to see everyone from Kiwi sensation Anita Wigl'it to the wonderful Kita Mean, who will take to the turntables in her first ever Sydney DJ gig on Friday, March 3. Groove to electric disco beats while enjoying fruity and fun colourful cocktails such as the rainbow-layered Belvedere vodka spritz. Head to Cherry Bar every Friday and Saturday from 8pm for this colourful mix.
Gerwyn Davies’ exhibition at Michael Reid Art Bar
Did you know that The Star has its very own art gallery and bar – the Michael Reid Art Bar. Well, you know now. And to celebrate WorldPride, they will be unveiling Australian photographer, artist and costume maker Gerwyn Davies’ latest exhibition, Mustang. Davies is known for creating bright and elaborate costumes using everyday materials that conceal, transform and abstract the body to highlight the narratives we construct for ourselves. In Mustang, Davies showcases never-before-seen photography and video footage where he explores, in a humorous light, the unruly narrative of an imaginary queer blockbuster complete with camp costumes. Grab a drink, stroll around the exhibition and prepare to be wowed.
Aqualume’s WorldPride makeover
Last but certainly not least, The Star’s acrobatic aerial performance Aqualume will be extending its popular performance dates over this period! Aqualume will include impressive vibrant costumes, multi-coloured silks and aerialist performance complete with lasers and water, of course. Aqualume will be illuminating the Grand Foyer every Thursday to Sunday evenings at 8.30pm, 10.15pm and 11.15pm, and again, is free for everyone to experience. BYO snacks, or afterwards, head to one of the Star’s great places to eat and drink.