27th Midsumma Festival launches

Black Faggot_editorialGet ready for a celebration of Melbourne’s queer culture as the 27th Midsumma Festival reveals its 2015 program featuring 141 events across 100 venues spanning exhibitions, performing arts, live music, film, literature and community events.

Premier events include: the critically acclaimed Black Faggot at the Gasworks Theatre; Dolly Diamond under a Big Top; the Walk with Pride photographic exhibition: and the return season of Red Stitch’s Jumpers for Goalposts.

Other highlights include the Melbourne premiere of Wayne Tunks’ Silvertop Ash – the story of gay teen suicide and one boy’s struggle for acceptance; Hares & Hyenas hosts a season of spoken word, panels, performance and more at the 2015 Word is Out; and Midsumma favourite Michael Griffiths returns with a brand new cabaret, Adolescent.

Outcast Theatre presents the highly anticipated sequel to The Art Of Being Still – The Gathering of Vampires; Dean Arcuri is back with Please Don’t Look at Me; Matthew Mitcham presents a special return season of Twist and Turns at Art Centre Melbourne; and Luigi Lucente takes a glimpse into the curious mind of a rock ‘n’ roll revolutionary in Jim Morrison: Kaleidoscope.

Explore your inner geek at Cartooning with Pride; Daniel Witthaus is a Man On A Mission as he reflects on his published works, including the very popular Beyond Priscilla: one gay man, one gay truck, one big idea; and the second instalment of the Company of Men returns to BrightSpace Gallery featuring up to 20 local, interstate and international visual, performance and video artists.

Showcasing new theatre with a queer focus, Playtime is an exciting partnership between Gasworks Arts Park and Midsumma to identify, support and develop new talent and get queer issues out there for mainstream audiences to consider and enjoy.

The Festival attracts in excess of 200,000 attendees over three weeks, bringing people from regional Victoria, interstate and internationally. The festival is a key part of Melbourne’s art and festival calendar and is recognised as an international GLBTI event.

“Midsumma is a true celebration and showcase of the talent that exists within the queer community and a chance to understand the diversity of Melbourne that truly makes it one of the best places to live,” says Midsumma Chair, Aaron Hockly.

“The Festival is Melbourne’s premier queer arts and culture festival that proudly kicks the festival year both in Melbourne and for Australia’s GLBTIQ festival scene.”

The 2015 Midsumma Festival runs from Sunday 18 January to Sunday 8 February. For more information and to view the online program, visit: www.midsumma.org.au for details.

Image: Black Faggot