No Sleaze at the Hordern Pavilion

Sydney’s Sleaze Ball will not be held at the Hordern Pavilion this year.

A recent Mardi Gras communication to members stated the decision not to engage the Hordern Pavilion was twofold: it would allow New Mardi Gras “to fundraise and to keep our high production standards”, plus the venue’s owners had taken a dance party booking for the following night.

“It also allows us to lower prices across all ticket types, and to reintroduce our policy of two tickets per member,” the email stated.

“Despite the long-standing booking with the Hordern and a history of having several days either side to produce Sleaze, the owners accepted a rival production taking place the following night in the same venue.”

New Sydney Mardi Gras co-chair Nick Parker described the change as “unfortunate” stating “the issue of leaving the Hordern this year was unfortunate, but we found ourselves in the position of having to make a choice.

“Faced with the options of a restricted and more expensive party, or a shift to a different part of our usual footprint that allowed us to raise more funds, increase accessibility for our communities through lower pricing and put more into the event creatively – the decision was clear.

“In the end we remain on the same general footprint as every year, except we can now lower prices, enjoy multiple venues and explore innovative ways to produce the high quality event Sleaze Ball deserves to be. Our booking at the Hordern remains in place for next year, at which point we can re-evaluate.

New Sydney Mardi Gras Chief Executive Michael Rolik said the upside of being unable to use the Hordern Pavilion at this year’s Sleaze Ball was that ticket prices for the party would be less.

“As with all our events, quality and experience of our members and patrons are first and foremost,” Rolik stated.

“We want to be able to provide a choice of venues to our partygoers, and for them to be packed with exciting DJs, performers and to experience an outstanding party atmosphere. Now you can expect a reinvigorated Sleaze, and you’ll spend less.

“In the coming weeks we’ll announce a very sexy theme along with our exciting line-up and other surprises. We hope lower prices will encourage more partygoers to return to this community event. We are determined to arrest Sleaze’s shrinking of recent years, and grow numbers this year. This format allows us to do that.”

The Sleaze Ball will be held on 2nd October 2010.