Parramatta is preparing for the return of one of the City's most raw and beautiful LGBTIQ+ performances as Sydney's Mardi Gras festival gets underway with Maeve Marsden's Queerstories.
Queerstories, set to take the stage at Riverside Theatres on Friday 23 February, celebrates the culture and creativity of the LGBTQI+ community one true story at a time with the seven guest speakers invited to share the story they want to tell. Expect the unexpected with tales of pride, prejudice, resilience, and resistance.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Pierre Esber said it's great to see the show returning to the heart of Greater Sydney.
"Our LGBTIQ+ community are an important part of the vibrant cultural fabric of Parramatta," Cr Esber said.
"Everyone has a story. This is the perfect opportunity to gain an insight into the lives and experience the joy, trials and tribulations of our LGBTIQ+ community.
"We welcome everyone from all backgrounds and cultures here."
Queerstories has played to crowds big and small, from Mudgee to Murwillumbah, Albury to Adelaide, Brisbane and beyond, with an award-winning podcast featuring an archive of nearly 400 queer tales.
Riverside Theatres Director Craig McMaster said Queerstories is part of a suite of performances and activities promoting the LGBTIQ+ community at the venue.
"Riverside's proud history of support for Mardi Gras and our LGBTIQ+ patrons and members has been celebrated through our programming and community engagement activities over many years," Mr McMaster said.
"We have always championed Riverside as being 'a welcoming house for all' and with the return of the fabulous Queerstories this year, we are looking forward to again celebrating LGBTIQ+ visitors to celebrate with us in Parramatta."
Elsewhere, Parramatta Square will come alive with a rainbow decal added to the stairs near the Smith Street end during Mardi Gras.
Queerstories is on Friday, 23 February at Riverside Theatres and to book, please visit riversideparramatta.com.au/whats-on/queerstories/
