David Imrie, Chair of New Mardi Gras (NMG), announced on Saturday the theme for this year’s Sleaze Ball at a function for NMG members.

Recognising the simple fact that it’s the bad guy who has the most fun NMG will be bringing together thousands of evil geniuses, scoundrels, deviants and monstrous freaks of nature on 4^th October for Sleaze Ball 2008 – The Villain’s Lair.

Maybe you grew up feeling you were different from the other kids? Perhaps they didn’t understand your unique talents? It’s sometimes tough being different and the only way to deal with it is by destroying anyone who gets in your way. For anyone who has dreamt of world domination this will be the party of a lifetime.

From the Joker to Agent Smith and from Catwoman to Agent Spalko the Entertainment Quarter will be populated by some of the most colourful characters ever conceived.

“Last year’s Zirkus party was a real milestone in putting Sleaze Ball back on its pedestal as Sydney’s dress up night of the year,” said Imrie. “The creative opportunities opened up by this year’s theme The Villain’s Lair are immense. I can’t wait to see what people come up with.”

“There’s been a lot of speculation about this year’s theme. It’s nice to see the community fully engaged in what we are doing,” said Imrie.

After the enormous acclaim given to Zirkus and the sell-out Mardi Gras Party NMG has high hopes that Sleaze Ball will sell out this year.

“Mardi Gras is a huge party and it’s an enormous credit to the team that we managed to sell out,” said Imrie. “I think the local community was reminded just how much it values our parties and I am confident that by September Sleaze Ball is going to be seen as the golden ticket as we head into summer.”

Glen Hanson, who created the iconic posters for Ghetto Fabulous and Zirkus will be creating the artwork again this year, realising a unique trilogy of Sleaze Ball posters.

“It’s wonderful to be working with Glen again”, said Damien Eames, Head of Brand and Creative Strategy at NMG. “His unique style has contributed greatly to creating a distinctive Sleaze Ball brand. It’s all about the style and the attitude and fits perfectly with our aim to make this Australia’s pre-eminent costume party.”

Last year’s successful costume competition Project Sleazeway will again be a big feature of the party.

“Last year was really a bit of a trial run for Project Sleazeway,” said Eames. “Despite only having about four week’s notice of the competition around seventy people ended up strutting their stuff on the runway in the forecourt. It brought a big injection of colour and creativity into the party. This year we will really take it up a level.”

Details of this year’s Project Sleazeway will be available before the end of June.

The full line up for the party, ticket prices and on-sale date

Tags: mardi gras, new mardi gras, sleaze