The Mother City Queer Project (or MCQP, as its fondly known) is one of Cape Town’s biggest parties of the year. Last weekend was the 19th event, which drew thousands of revellers to the Cape Town Stadium for a night of ‘Fairytale Fantasy’.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from my first MCQP, but I ended up having a mega-jol. I loved the friendly vibe and lack of pretentiousness, the themed dance floors and of course, the fabulous outfits. There were a few glitches on the evening (long queues to get in, bars ran out of water fairly early on, beers were warm) but otherwise it was an awesome party.
1. Dressing up is legally required
MCQP is probably the best costume party I’ve ever been to. I didn’t spot a single person who didn’t come dressed up in some form or other. Outfits ranged from the sedate (elf hats) to the outrageous (the description is not fit for this blog). It was like an entire Grimm’s Fairytales book came to life in the campest way possible. Plan to arrive at MCQP fairly early to see the outfits in all their glory – the fairytale characters didn’t quite look the same at 3am.
2. Less is more
It was hotter than a hot yoga class on the dancefloors, due to a December heatwave and thousands of crammed dancing bodies. After becoming sweat-soaked Snow White in my polyester costume, I realised why so many people were wearing hot pants and not much else. Note for next year: body paint may be the way forward.
3. You can never have too much glitter on
Enough said. Good luck trying to get it out of your hair, clothes and carpet the next day though.
4. Wear dancing shoes
With multiple dance floors and pumping music, MCQP is the kind of party you should come to if you like to shake your boogie. This is not the night to bring out those stilettos.
5. Bring an inflatable whale
At some point in the night I become the new owner of a red-and-white inflatable killer whale. This became my signature party piece – it was incorporated into my dance routines and served as a handy marker for lost friends.
6. Don’t try and share a stage with a burly lady doing cabaret on the gay anthems dance floor
I learnt this the hard way.
