One of New Mardi Gras’ major fundraising events reported record low attendance last month despite efforts to bolster falling support in Sydney.
Nearly 1,000 fewer people attended this year’s Sleaze Ball despite an announcement it could be the last, reduced ticket prices and a youth concession rate — while the Hallowe’en fundraiser party planned for October has been cancelled.
New Mardi Gras (NMG) put the number of people who attended the October long weekend dance party at just over 4,000, down a thousand from the 5,000 who attended in 2009.
Last year’s result led former NMG co-chair Nick Parker to describe 2009’s Sleaze as ‘the fundraiser that didn’t’.
NMG said the 2010 event had been positive as larger numbers of younger people and women had attended.
NMG CEO Michael Rolik said the loss of the Hordern (Pavilion) would have affected some people’s decisions, but the overall reason for the drop in attendance was not clear.
‘We face a general decline in numbers for large format dance parties right across Australia, increased competition from many angles and there is no doubt that the police presence at last year’s Sleaze Ball did much to mar an otherwise well-produced and exciting party and that hurt us this year.’
Rolik said despite the drop in attendance, the feedback NMG was receiving from revellers was that the party had been ‘wonderful’ and people had had an enjoyable night.
Yesterday New Mardi Gras announced the cancellation of the Hallowe’en fundraising party scheduled for October 30.
Andrew M Potts, Sydney Star Observer
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