It’s official and you better Believe it. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras have confirmed that pop superstar, LGBTQI icon and prolific tweeter, Cher, will headline the Official 2018 Mardi Gras Party on Saturday 3 March, 2018.

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Announcing the news that they’ve signed the superstar singer to perform at their huge 40th birthday celebrations. Mardi Gras said that even before word of Cher’s headline performance began to circulate, this year’s Mardi Gras Party was already selling in record time and sold out just before the New Year hit.

Don;t worry they’ve also just announced an increased capacity by adding the iconic Dome venue at the Sydney showgrounds, additional eateries and outside areas to the Party footprint and there will also be some more tickets for sale.

Existing Mardi Gras members will have exclusive access to purchase an additional two full price tickets over a 48 hour period or until sold out. A strictly limited number of newly released tickets to The Party will go on sale Monday 15 January at 10am AEDT for members only.

The final release tickets for the general public are on sale 10am AEDT Wednesday 17 January. All tickets available from www.mardigras.org.au.

Described as the Goddess of Pop and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, Cher’s exclusive Australian performance firmly places the world-class 2018 Mardi Gras Party as the most iconic in its history.

With a No. 1 hit record in each of the last five decades and over 100 million album sales world-wide, Cher is one of the longest-reigning divas in show business, winning a best-actress Oscar, three Golden Globes, an Emmy, and a Grammy.

Her chart-topping hits include Believe, Strong Enough, All or Nothing, The Shoop Shoop Song, I Got You Babe, If I Could Turn Back Time, Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down), Take Me Home, Half-Breed and Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves.

Alongside her incredible music career, Cher has also made her mark in television, Broadway and film, culminating with a ‘Best Actress’ win at the Academy Awards in 1988 for her performance in Moonstruck.

Mardi Gras CEO, Terese Casu said Cher was the perfect guest for their 40th anniversary celebrations.

“Cher has established herself as an influential, hard-hitting voice in global politics, and throughout her career has been at the forefront of LGBTQI campaigns and numerous charities. Cher represents the same unapologetic and fearless freedom that makes the LGBTQI community so enduring and strong—positioning herself as a true gay icon.”

As well as the unmissable opportunity to see Cher perform live, the multi-venue, multi-sensory Party experience will include an all-star Mardi Gras royalty line-up, including your favourite Australian legends from the past 40 years of Mardi Gras, leading international DJs, and Australians making it big overseas.

Australian DJs confirmed to play the 2018 Party include DJ Alex Taylor, Annabelle Gasper, Ben Drayton, DJ Dan Murphy, DJ Dan Slater, DJ De Jour, DJ Gemma, Kate Doherty, DJ Kate Monroe, DJ Kitty Glitter, Sezzo Snot, DJ Smithers, Stephen Allkins, Sveta and Yo! Mafia.

Cher will join an illustrious list of some of the biggest international and Australian acts who have performed at the Party over its 40 year history, including George Michael, Village People, Jimmy Somerville, Cyndi Lauper, Calvin Harris, Nick Jonas, Tina Arena, Thelma Houston, Marcia Hines, Chaka Khan, Olivia Newton-John, Jake Shears, The Veronicas, Kylie and Dannii Minogue and many more.

The exclusive performance of Cher is presented by Mardi Gras with support from the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW and sponsors Qantas, SBS and KIIS 1065.

NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said Mardi Gras 2018 would undoubtedly be the best yet.

“This year’s Mardi Gras will be a momentous occasion for LGBTQI Australians and I have no doubt it will be the biggest and best yet. From commemorating 40 years since the first Mardi Gras took place through the streets of Darlinghurst and Kings Cross to reaching marriage equality, there will be a lot to celebrate. Cher fits this celebratory mood perfectly.”

Cher will be featured in the official 2018 Mardi Gras Parade television broadcast on SBS on Sunday 4 March. The 2018 Mardi Gras Parade: Full Live Stream will be available Saturday 3 March at 7pm on SBS On Demand.

Saturday 3 March, 2018, Limited tickets are on sale 10am AEDT Wednesday 17 January at www.mardigras.org.au or www.ticketek.com.au. All transactions are capped at 2 tickets per person.

Source: Media Release, party image: Ann-Marie Calilhanna