The main drag, shop the golden mile

To celebrate this year’s Mardi Gras, Oxford Street is being transformed with live burlesque performances, Zumba classes, a pop-up yoga garden and Sydney’s most colourful window-dressing competition.

The Main Drag will show visitors and locals everything the iconic street has to offer, encouraging passers-by to stop in for some entertainment, take a moment to unwind, and, of course, shop ’til they drop.

The City of Sydney has joined forces with Darlinghurst business owners to celebrate the strip’s renowned glitz and glamour on Saturday, 25 February.

“Oxford Street is one of Sydney’s most loved streets, and it really comes to life during Mardi Gras, attracting tens of thousands of tourists from all corners of the globe,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said.

“This year The Main Drag will give residents, workers and visitors even more reason to explore the street.”
Shopping has long been a major attraction of the area and shop owners have been given colourful rainbow flags to help decorate their windows with prizes for the most show-stopping displays of glitz and glamour.

At the top of the mile at Taylor Square, crowds can enjoy free live drag shows courtesy of Midnight Shift and Stonewall, plus Bollywood performances, burlesque dancers, Zumba classes and mFIT cardio demonstrations from City Gym. The weekly Sydney Sustainable Markets will also have its usual selection of fresh produce on sale from 8am – 1pm.

Further down the strip, Oxford Square will be transformed into a pop-up relaxation garden with free massages, yoga classes by Finding Lotus Yoga and deckchairs, giving crowds the option of escaping the hustle and bustle. Nearby cafes are being encouraged to offer a Main Drag special for the day.

Those feeling creative are invited to come dressed as their favourite character from The Wizard of Oz, with celebrity drag queen Maxi Shield hosting a best-dressed competition live on stage.

“Many of us remember a time when Oxford Street was spilling over with colour, anticipation and of course, fabulous drag during Mardi Gras weekend,” Mardi Gras CEO Michael Rolik said.

“We are happy to join forces with the City of Sydney for The Main Drag to help bring that magic back to Oxford Street and the shops that line her, so people can take in the atmosphere and excitement that comes with this amazing time of year.”
Sydney’s Mardi Gras began as an act of defiance for gay equality in 1978 and has since evolved into a powerful celebration of Australia’s colourful gay and lesbian culture.

Marking its 34th year in 2012, the festival started yesterday with the annual Fair Day at Victoria Park, followed by two weeks of music, movies, meetings and parties, before closing with the world-famous parade and street party on 3 March.
The Main Drag is produced by the City of Sydney in partnership with the 2010 Business Partnership, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association and Mardi Gras.

TAYLOR SQUARE

12.00pm CABARET a la RETRO Stephen Carrington & Stephanie Q
featuring burlesque icon Mia Mortal

12.30pm Miss Gaynor Tension. Singing classics from the show My Broad Way

1.00pm Trikone Australasia’s Bollywood Dance Troupe

1.30pm City Gym Zumba performance – workout open to all

2.00pm Maxi Shield

2.10pm Judging of best dressed Wizard of Oz costume hosted by Maxi Shield

2.30pm The Midnight Shift and Controversy present the production show “Rio Carnivale” starring Decoda Secret and Will Sabin & featuring Natasha, John, Rory and Marie

3.00pm Mark Moon Fitness.com presents mFIT™ cardio & core workout. Get energized with this exhilarating 30 minute outdoor fitness class guaranteed to burn fat and tone up your body! Presented by International Australian Men’s Living cover model Mark Moon

3.30pm Tora Hymen & Christina Dior Showgirls extraordinaire

OXFORD SQUARE POP-UP PARK

11am, 12 & 2pm Bring your mat for Yoga with Finding Lotus