Now in it’s 8th year, Shepparton’s OUTintheOPEN Festival has a line up of regular favourites and new events this November – so there is something for everyone.
Click your ruby reds together and go Beyond the Rainbow to join in a celebration of diversity in all its forms in this 11 day celebration of the LGBTIQA+ community including performances, dining experiences, education opportunities, tours and sharing all wrapped up in a fun festival experience.
“It’s so important to provide a safe space for regional-living, culturally and linguistically diverse people who are LGBTIQA+,” says Festival Director Damien Stevens-Todd.
The eleven day festival combines not just these new events and others but also brings the return of past favourites including the ever popular Carnival Day in the Queen’s Gardens on Sunday 3 November from 10.30am. Carnival Day includes more than fifty attractions, combining a variety of food, stalls and fun family activities with a fabulous line up of live music to provide a full day of celebrations.
This year’s list of live performers includes Cry Club, Huntly, Krystal Ring, Bailey Slade, Phoebe Belle, Parmy Dhillon & The New Science, Past Present, Jeffry’s Cabbage and The Murks. With food trucks, a wildlife petting zoo and a jumping castle you can bring the whole family along and join in the celebrations with this FREE event.
A new event for 2019, United We Feast is a celebration and coming together of multicultural/faith and LGBTIQA+ communities especially for the festival at Philippines House on Thursday 31 October. Come join us for some delicious free food, company, and entertainment including Heard Instinct Collective.
This crew of young artists hailing from Shepparton, Numurkah and Echuca in north east Victoria, take you on a lyrical journey from their roots in Yorta Yorta country, to African and gospel inspired hip hop music, to the smooth vocals and soul of the Pacific Islands.
GOTAFE offers the perfect venue for forums and activities during the festival. Wednesday 6 November sees the About a Girl book event and signing. This book tells the story of a mother’s journey of raising her transgender child, Georgie Stone.
Visiting the area or in the mood for a tour? Wednesday 6 November offers the opportunity for an Art Silo Tour while on Thursday 7 November you can cruise the river from Echuca. Don’t forget to check out the Open Connections Concert: featuring the Melbourne Rainbow Band & Shepparton Brass and Wind on Saturday 9 November at Westside PAC.
Join the audience and watch others perform in Shepparton Theatre Arts Group Inc’s presentation of The Laramie Project, Ben MacEllen’s Transmansplaining or enjoy a very special mystery musical experience as part of The Secret Garden Gig. Feeling a little more dramatic? Try your hand on stage when Krystal Ring presents the Search for Shepparton’s Star at the Aussie Hotel on Friday 1 November.
The $50 Festival Pass is back again this year but there are a limited number available so purchase yours now! The pass entitles you to entry into the GLITZ Party on Saturday 2 November and the Big Lemon Tree Brunch on Sunday 10 November as well as all other Festival events including films, forums, mixers and more!
The 2019 OUTintheOPEN Festival starts today and continues to Sunday 3 November. For more information, visit: www.outintheopen.org.au for details or download the Festival Guide.
Image: A young guest taking in the sights at OUTintheOPEN Carnival Day (supplied)