The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras will kick off its 30^th anniversary festival with a commemorative tree planting ceremony at Moore Park on Saturday 9 February from 4pm. The symbolic 2008 Mardi Gras tree will stand at the end of the world-famous Parade route and will serve as a reminder of the past and provide hope for a brighter future.

Co-hosted by Geoff Field and Julie McCrossin, the 2008 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras launch is supported by a $5,000 donation to Centennial Parklands Foundation to purchase shrubs and trees to offset carbon emissions from the Parade and a brand new partnership with social networking site MySpace.

During the launch, MySpace will capture messages of support, memories of Mardi Gras’ past and coming out stories.  These will be uploaded to the official MySpace Mardi Gras profile. The new customised Mardi Gras MySpace profile launches on Saturday 9 February and will provide a global forum for the gay and lesbian community to share their stories, hopes and dreams for a “Brave New World” - the theme chosen for this years’ 30^th anniversary milestone.

 Marcus Bourget, New Mardi Gras Chair says “In 2007 we reinvented the Mardi Gras launch with a ‘flash mob’ event, this year we’re harnessing the increasing popularity of social networking by partnering with MySpace. In the spirit of the 2008 theme; “Brave New Worlds” we will also hold a tree planting ceremony in Moore Park East near Moore Park Road. The commemorative tree will represent all of Mardi Gras’ struggles and achievements; past, present and future”.

The launch will be marked by LIVE performances from Bob Downe, Jeremy Brennan and the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir. Key note speakers Marcus Bourget, Jonathan Welsh (Choir of Hard Knox) and Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore will officially invite all Australians and the world to join in and celebrate the 30^th Anniversary celebrations.

The three week arts, sports and cultural festival, infamous parade and party will see a wealth of international and national performers and visitors in Sydney including; Cyndi Lauper, Margaret Cho, Faker, the Potbelleez, Carlotta and Olivia Newtown-John.

Mardi Gras is a celebration of pride and diversity – the festival brings all members of the gay and lesbian community together and is loved and enjoyed by all people from across Australia and the world.   

Tags: gay australia, mardi gras, sydney gay and lesbian mardi gras