Clara will perform at Fair Day – the annual all-day celebration at Victoria Park designed to entertain and enthral all who step through the gates. There's fun for everyone: community stalls, food, music, comedy and more.
Fair Day will start the Mardi Gras celebrations off with a bang as ABC's Josh Szep broadcasts from the park and triple j crosses live throughout the day.
Optus Arena will play host to the much-loved Doggywood Pageant hosted by Kevin Kaila, where primped pups and their owners will parade around with the hopes of being crowned Best In Show.
For the first time, Fair Day will feature First Nations Circle in partnership with BLAQ Aboriginal Corporation. It'll be a place to highlight the importance of safe, celebratory spaces for LGBTQIA+ First Nations communities, and also feature a community tent, elders tent, First Nations performances and stalls from Indigenous businesses.
Meanwhile, the American Express Show Ring Stage is the main stage at Fair Day – this is where you'll see a host of community talent and talks in the morning, before an afternoon of musical guests and performers including The Black Divaz, indie-pop musician Essie Holt, pop darling Katie Underwood, Zoe Badwi, Chase Zera, JEVA, Joelby, Eshaan, Midnight Pool Party and, of course, Clara Fable.
Here, we get Clara to list her five biggest influences before she takes to the stage.
One
'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'. This is a no-brainer, Tim Curry was my bisexual awakening at a VERY young age. The hair, the outfits, the MAKEUP, the music, the DRAMA. Everything about this cult camp classic has shaped me as a bisexual, drag-inspired performer. I don’t know anyone who has seen this incredible movie and NOT been inspired and moved by such chaotic musical energy.
Two
The pop classics. Gaga, Katy, Britney, Madonna, MJ – these are my musical blueprints. The creative process it takes to BE these artists is what inspires me most. How they choose to express their music visually is what sticks in my brain and stays with me when I’m writing for myself. 'How does this look' is a question I’m constantly asking myself when writing lyrics and music. How can I tell this story visually? I’m ALWAYS using the 'Paparazzi' video for visual influence, Forever bringing up 'Thriller' in EVERY video meeting and of course, nothing beats the iconic moment of 'California Gurls' and those crazy shake and go wigs, haha!
Three
A cheesy but important one for me. . . My mum! My mama was an incredible drag performer, go-go dancer and singer for most of her young life. The extremely powerful influence she had on me creatively when I was growing up has shaped my life immensely. Always pushing me to be my most authentic self and to express in ANY which way suited me most. My insane confidence absolutely comes from her side of the family! “Nothing is ever too far out of reach if you believe in yourself”. . . Something that sits with me, ALWAYS.
Four
Classic horror icons. I think this influence is pretty obvious for me. I’m so drawn to the insanity of classic horror. The subtle (low-key VERY obvious) queer undertones of some of our most loved horror icons is what drew me in at a young age. I loved the intense originality and campiness! Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Vampira, Elvira, even Frankenstein! Such CLEAR vamp queer vibes exuded from these characters in the way they walked, talked and dressed. Horror isn’t always gravestones and vials of blood (but they are pretty wonderful parts of course!) – it’s the intense love stories and storytelling in general that makes them so memorable and influential.
Five
Drag! For me, drag is such a powerful art form. It allows you to express who you are from the inside out in such an incredible and intimate way. Putting on my 'super hero cape' is how I describe how drag inspires my music sonically and visually. I’m able to step into a look and immediately transform. 'Drag Race', 'The Boulet Brothers' Dragula' and 'Queen Of The Universe' have completely changed how we absorb and view drag in mainstream media. It has made drag so much more accessible to people all over the world and I LOVE it. I wouldn’t be the artist/performer I am today if I hadn’t grown up with it and fallen in love at first sight!
Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day takes place at Victoria Park on 20 February.
