Set to light up City Recital Hall at Angel Place on February 27, one of the biggest hits of Sydney WorldPride is back, with the 2025 Blak & Deadly: First Nations Gala Concert.
Faboriginal's Steven Oliver returns as host, joined by Aria-award winning Emily Wurramara, Bangarra Dance Theatre's Daniel Mateo, the smooth sounds of Sivillion, performance art icons The Huxleys (Will and Garrett), burlesque artist Kitty Obsidian, the beloved Nana Miss Koori and the Supreme Dream Girls Josie Baker, Felicia Foxx and Jojo Zaho.
Curated by the original creator of Blak & Deadly Ben Graetz (aka Miss Ellaneous) with associate curators Aunty Sue Pinckham and Liza-Mare Syron, Graetz shared his excitement about returning to the roll of Creative Director.
"I'm absolutely thrilled and deeply proud to return as Blak & Deadly Creative Director with associate curators Aunty Sue Pinckham and Liza-Mare Syron. It's an incredible honour to bring together such a diverse and fabulous lineup of performers from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander queer community, alongside our deadly allies and supportive mobs. This celebration of talent, culture, and pride is truly something special," he said.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras chief executive Gil Beckwith said the event's return is set to showcase a stellar line-up.
"Blak & Deadly is the premiere theatre event in our official event program, and we were ecstatic to have been able to secure City Recital Hall for the event's return. We welcome locals and visitors alike to experience this stellar line-up of First Nations talent, for what will be a very big night in the Mardi Gras festival," she said.
Guests are encouraged to arrive from 7PM as the venue's newly refurbished foyers are filled with the sound of guest DJs and special appearances by The Huxleys and Josie Baker. And after the show, stay for Ra Ra Kick Ons with performances by El Beauty and more.
City Recital Hall chief executive officer Kate Wickett said that the hall is the best location for the event thanks to its cultural significance.
"City Recital Hall sits atop the Tank Stream, a site of First Nations cultural significance and the original waterway that served and provided abundance to the Gadigal People. We are so honoured to host this rainbow explosion of First Nations talent and cannot wait for the Hall to be filled with the sounds of First Nations fabulous," she said.
Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert presented by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and City Recital Hall will take place on Thursday the 27th of February 2025 at City Recital Hall 2 Angel Place Sydney.
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