The Mardi Gras juggernaut takes over Sydney in February and March. AXN picks the best of the bunch. 

WHEN GUETTA TAKES OVER

Superstar French DJ David Guetta whose latest album One Love features the worldwide hits ‘When Love Take Over’ with Kelly Rowland, ‘Sexy Bitch’  with Akon, and ‘One Love’ with Estelle, plays the Mardi Gras Party on March 6. 

MARDI GRAS PARTY

Superstar DJs David Guetta, Bimbo Jones, Carl Cox and Leomeo are among the leading lights set to shine at the Mardi Gras Party. They’ll be joined by a host of local and international acts, including Italian tech prodigy Dusty Kid; dance pioneers Itch-e and Scratch-e and Sydney band Chaingang. Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg, so expect plenty of more announcements in the lead-up to the event, and surprise guests on the night. March 6, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. Tickets through ticketek.com.au . 

MARDI GRAS POOL PARTY

It’s back and it’s sexier and flashier than ever. The Mardi Gras Pool Party makes a spectacular return in 2010 and they’re setting up shop at Sydney’s sexiest venue, the Ivy Pool. Located at the Ivy complex, the venue boast multiple dance spaces including a change room with its own bar and DJ. This is one Mardi Gras event that’s not to be missed. March 1, Ivy Pool Bar, Sydney. Tickets through moshtix.com.au .

MARDI GRAS PARADE

Camp and colourful, ballsy and brash, outspoken and out there – it’s the annual Mardi Gras Parade. Stretching from Darlinghurst to Moore Park, it’s the world’s biggest gay and lesbian celebration. This year’s event takes on the theme, ‘Mardi Gras’ History of the World’ so expect a fun rollercoaster trip down gay memory lane. Look out for popular Mardi Gras entries Lifesavers with Pride and Asian Marching Boys. February 27, Oxford Street and Flinders Street, Darlinghurst.

HARBOUR ‘10

With expansive views of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, there’s no better place for a summer dance, and fling, than at Harbour ’10. Taking place at lush surrounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens, this year’s party will feature the best local DJs along with UK favourites Wayne G and Paul Heron. Look out for the influx of guys from the Atlantis Cruise. Sweet. February 28, Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquarie’s Point. Tickets through moshtix.com.au

SPENCER TUNICK

The man who gets people to undress in the name of art will use thousands of naked participants on the steps of the Opera House for his debut large-scale installation in Sydney, The Base. He has created almost 80 temporary installations around the world, each with hundreds or thousands of naked participants, in public locations all around the world. In Mexico City in 2007, 18,000 people posed for his lens. March 1, Sydney Opera House forecourt. Sign up at mardigras.org.au/tunick.

WHITNEY HOUSTON

The ultimate pop-soul diva, Whitney Houston, will be performing all of her greatest hits, along with some new material from her recent album, I Look To You. Supporting Houston will be Australian Idol alumnus Anthony Callea. February 24, Acer Arena. Tickets through ticketek.com.au .

JOHN WATERS

Focusing on Waters’s early artistic influences and his fascination with true crime, exploitation films, fashion lunacy, and the extremes of the contemporary art world, This Filthy World is a joyously devious monologue that elevates all that is trashy in like into a call-to-arms to filth followers everywhere. March 2, Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. Tickets through sydneyoperahouse.com.

BENT

Written in 1979 by gay Jewish playwright Martin Sherman, Bent brings to light the treatment of homosexuals during the Third Reich. It is a brutally honest and powerful drama that moves from the decadence of 1930s Berlin to the inhumane excesses of the Nazi regime, all the time exploring how love can overcome the direst of circumstances.  February 18 – March 14, Belvoir Street downstairs theatre. Tickets through belvoir.com.au .

FRISKY & MANNISH

Frisky and Mannish will twist and shout you through 50 years of pop with astonishing musical skill and a death-defying lack of restraint. The show, titled School of Pop, had packed-house run at the 2009 Edinburgh Fringe. February 23 – March 7, The Studio, Sydney Opera House. Tickets through sydneyoperahouse.com .

HARDCORE

Four guys trying to crack the bizarre world of gay porn discover that it’s not all sex and glamour and there’s a big different between making it and watching it. Hardcore is a funny, painfully honest, and enlightening look at what leads porn actors to commit the most intimate acts to film. February 20 – March 6, New Theatre, Newtown. Tickets through mca-tix.com.au .

The 2010 Sydney Mardi Gras Season runs from February 21-March 7. For full event details, go to mardigras.org.au