The annual Feast Festival returns with a flurry of pink feathers as it is set to descend upon Adelaide for two weeks in November. Bursting with queer art and culture, the majestic and elegant pink flamingo is this year’s theme for a program that supports LGBTIQ+ South Australian artists and event producers across a range of genres.
This year Feast introduces three Ambassadors aka Feast Alumni, music legend and 2012 Feast Ambassador Libby O’Donovan who met her wife Beccy Cole at the 2012 Feast Festival; Daniel Clarke, former 2007 Artistic Director for Feast whose career has gone from strength to strength across the nation including Creative Producer Arts Centre Melbourne; and Will Sergeant whose alter ego Dr. Gertrude Glossip has participated in every Feast since its inception in 1997.
Each year the Festival kicks off with the Pride March followed by all the glitter and glam of the Opening Night Party which will be headlined by the Real Housewives of Melbourne star, Gamble Breaux. After releasing her first single This Time (feat. Jason Singh) earlier this year Gamble is ready to perform live to a 2,000 plus crowd at the event and will be treating Feast goers to an exclusive song written for the Festival’s Opening Night.
“I am thrilled to be part of the Opening Night Party, not only because I love the city and people of Adelaide but the LGBT community have been such a huge support to my career so I want to return the favour,” said Gamble.
Gamble recently released another single I Can’t Tell You Why – a soulful easy rock track but Gamble wants to change things up and get the Opening Night Party crowd dancing the night away. “I’m laying down a few dance tracks at the moment which I hope the Adelaide crowd will love and I’m also currently writing a song especially for Feast – so it’ll be one night to remember,” said Gamble.
Joining Gamble on the Opening Night Party stage will be Miss Burlesque Adelaide 2018 winner, Vivienne Von Coffin, band Bad Habits delivering their powerhouse alt-country soul with smoky harmonies and Adelaide DJ sensation Seb Jay to name a few.
Feast Festival runs for 16 days and includes a variety of events including cabaret, theatre, comedy, music, literature, conversations and concludes with the family friendly event Picnic in the Park – a great day to be out in the sun where you can bring along your picnic blankets and baskets and enjoy the serenity of Pinky Flat.
There will be an assortment of local market stalls, food vendors and community information stands. The day is fun for the whole family – with the annual dog show taking place, as well as the SA firefighters tug-of-war all to the backdrop of musical beats from radio station Hit 107 – it will be a great day for all.
As always, Feast celebrates all that is Queer Culture including outrageous Drag Queens and inclusive community events to gut-wrenching performances that examine what it means to be queer, and how hard it still is, even with same sex marriage now being legalised in Australia. Highlights of the 2018 Festival includes:
Beccy Cole and Libby O’Donovan In Concert
Norwood Hotel: Friday 16 November
SA’s favourite lesbian love-birds, Beccy Cole and Libby O’Donovan are coming back to where it all began! The pair met and fell in love at Feast, 2012 and have been intertwined in music and love ever since. Showcasing songs from each of their brand new albums plus duets and featuring all girl band, The Sisters of Twang, prepare to be entertained!
The Purple List
Holden Street Theatres: 11 – 18 November
This Five Star UK production opens on Sam and Derek’s wedding day and explores their lives as Derek’s dementia progresses. Told from Sam’s point of view, the play is a compelling, honest, moving yet often funny insight into the lives of these two gay men as they navigate their way through the care system and the changes in their relationship. ** SA Premiere **
Birds of a Feather
Adelaide Zoo: Sunday 11 and Saturday 17 November
To complement this years fabulous flamingo theme, Dr Gertrude Glossip (Adelaide Drag Icon) revisits Adelaide Zoo with a feast of her favourite animal ‘tails’. Celebrate the wondrous queer diversity of animal and bird life and the important preservation work of a modern zoo. Honour the memory of Adelaide Zoo’s much loved and sadly departed flamingos. Do birds of a feather ‘frock’ together?
Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again
Holden Street Theatres: 20 – 25 November
Equal parts belly-laugh funny and gut-wrenchingly real. Women take their rightful place center stage becoming the aggressor in seductions, demanding what they want from work and trashing supermarkets and with them the fragile masculine ego. Ferocious energy courses through this sharp shock of a play. A thrilling ride for anyone with a taste for rebellion. From the award winning House of Sand.
The Measure of a Man
Holden Street Theatres: 22 – 24 November
How do you measure a man? Is it the way he walks, the way he talks? Does he have to be hung, uncut and thick? Or somewhere in between? Told in Gavin Roach’s trademark humorous, raw and deeply candid style. Stare into the heart of one man’s sexual anxieties and stories shrouded in years of embarrassment and shame. Daring queer theatre at its best.
Dames and Divas
Raj House: 23 – 24 November
Back with more flair and sass than ever, Princess Laya presents the ultimate tribute, showcasing the glamourous dames and divas from Hollywood to London who’ve influenced and inspired generations. From tragedies to accomplishments, Laya covers it all in her bigger than Broadway production as she impersonates the icons who’ve inspired her as the show girl drag artist she is today.
My Fairy Godmother Sucks
The Girls Place: Saturday 24 November
Adelaide’s equivalent to Kath and Kim will take you on a journey as Georgia wishes for a fairy Godmother. POOF! Her supernatural psycho dyko appears and turns out to be a tongue twisting tart who enjoys messing with Georgia’s mind. Steampunk songs, French tango and much hilarity as Georgia tries not to succumb to the screwy speech.
The 2018 Feast Festival runs 10 – 25 November. For more information and full program, visit: www.feast.org.au for details.
Image: Gamble Breaux (supplied)