Victoria’s LGBTQIA+ communities will celebrate with pride thanks to a vibrant and iconic one-day street party supported by the Victorian Government.
Minister for Equality Harriet Shing has announced the line-up for Victoria’s Pride Street Party, to be held on Sunday 11 February on Gertrude and Smith Streets in Fitzroy and Collingwood.
“Along with our regional program, this street party is another brilliant opportunity for our LGBTQIA+ communities to come together to celebrate pride, identity and visibility,” said Minister for Equality Harriet Shing
“Events like this are so important for inclusion, respect, and diversity, and I can’t wait to join thousands of people in our iconic Gertrude and Smith Streets in February.”
First Nations artist, writer and producer Sycco, a.k.a Sash McLeod, will light up the stage as the headline act for the festival after a jam-packed year of touring.
Also featured in the line-up will be renowned queer pop artists JXCKY and Kira Puru, Tom Nethersole and indie-rock singer Rin McArdle.
The street party is a free and inclusive festival event featuring live entertainment and a diverse range of?LGBTQIA+ performances including music, comedy, circus, drag and art installations across multiple venues.
Running from 11.00am to 9.30pm, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the festival’s community and food stalls, take part in immersive activities and enjoy street performances.
Among them will be multi-award winning cabaret company Yummy, while Peel St Park will host an art collaboration between Yarra City Council and Dylan Mooney, a Yuwi, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander visual artist.
“Victoria’s Pride, for its third year, will once again shine a spotlight on exceptional LGBTQIA+ artists, performers and musicians,” said Midsumma CEO Karen Bryant. “The entire precinct will activate with non-stop artistic festivities for ten hours in an iconic celebration of pride.”
The Government has invested $6.8 million in the Victorian Budget 2022/23 in support of Victoria’s Pride events. The regional activation program for Victoria’s Pride, featuring 13 different arts and culture projects, is already underway at venues across regional and rural Victoria.
The program will continue to run throughout Victoria’s regions in the lead-up to the February street party and is delivered in partnership with Midsumma.
The Victoria’s Pride Street Party takes place on Sunday 11 February 2024. For more information and full program, visit: www.midsumma.org.au for details.
Image: Sycco (a.k.a Sash McLeod)