Inspired by the colour and vibrancy of their very own ‘glitter strip’ – The Arts Centre Gold Coast has launched the highly anticipated Glitter Festival 2015 program, the Gold Coast’s first ever LGBTIQ celebration running 28 September to 5 October this year.
In an extremely varied and multi-layered schedule, organisers are promising something for everyone! From comedy to cabaret, visual arts to long lunches, motion pictures and a race day at the Turf Club; Glitter is an inclusive festival that demonstrates the city’s coming of age and showcases our readiness to be proud and sophisticated in our creative aspirations.
In addition to shows and performances there are a number of opportunities for the community to express themselves and genuinely get involved in the delivery of the festival. There’s a mixture of both ticketed and free events to ensure easy accessibility.
Highlights of the 2015 festival include: Liza (on an E) – Currently starring in the national tour of Les Miserables, Trevor Ashley channels the iconic Liza Minelli in a show stopping power packed cabaret performance. Australian comedian now in popular demand following his TV appearance in I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Joel Creasey returns to the Gold Coast to entertain fans with his intelligent observations and pop-culture expertise.
Take a trip back to the ’80s with the forever young Michael Griffiths and his piano in Adolescent. A wonderfully nostalgic show that seamlessly transitions between cabaret and storytelling, Michael’s memories evoke renditions of new wave pop music, while telling the story of his journey from home-grown roots of Adelaide to the Broadway stage.
Earth may be on the brink of destruction, but nothing could be worse than… meat in a quiche! 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche is an uproarious, award winning, Off-Broadway smash, that has audiences coming back for second helpings! From the mischievous mind of one of Queensland’s favourite actors, Dash Kruck comes the story of Lionel and the reluctant world-premier of his debut cabaret show, I Might Take Might Shirt Off – a musical evening of sex, booze, boys and mythical beasts.
An unconventional exploration into the life of a young man who’s just trying to figure out what the fuck it’s all about, Him is a tragic comedy exploring that painfully awkward yet exhilarating transition of how we grow up. Co-created by David Geddes and Daisy Brown (The Misery Children) and inspired by true events, this production entertains, interacts and inspires its audience to find answers they didn’t know they were looking for!
Carlotta: Life’s Still a Drag exposes the private dramas of the iconic Australian entertainer in a unique look into her life from Les Girls of Kings Cross to appearances on hit TV shows. Take a ride through Carlotta’s life as it peels away the mask of an iconic Australian entertainer, laying bare both the struggle and thrill of living life as a ground-breaking female performer.
The eagerly anticipated movie screening on the Gold Coast for the very first time, Holding the Man – based on Tim Conigrave’s novel of the same-name, Tim and John fell in love while teenagers at their all-boys high school. Their romance endured for 15 years to laugh in the face of everything life threw at it – the separations, the discrimination, the temptations, the jealousies and the losses – until the only problem that love can’t solve, tried to destroy them.
Also screening is Dean Francis’ Drown – In the cloistered world of competitive surf-lifesaving, an Australian hero is de-throned as the reigning champion by a younger, gay competitor. A booze-fuelled night out that brings jealousy, homophobic fear and unrequited lust to a tragic and shocking climax.
Get your glitter on and mingle with local and national celebrities, fashions on the field (best dressed femme, best dressed butch), live music and a whole lot of horse at the inaugural Glitter Race Day – a spectacular spring day of fillies, fascinators and fabulous fun on Saturday 3 October.
Following the inaugural Pride Run on Sunday 4 October, join in a full day program of outdoor games and activity, community sharing, markets, music, service provider stalls, bands, DJs, food and drink. Come celebrate the Glitter Fair Day as a united and inclusive Gold Coast community when the Evandale Lake becomes the perfect outdoor backdrop for a jam-packed day of entertainment, activity, picnicking, networking and community pride.
Beneath the surface of the stereotypical image of the Gold Coast, lies an expressive past and present that reveals freedom of expression and the exploration of identity and belonging. Inclusive at the City Gallery looks optimistically to a unified community that provides no boundary on the individual’s need to express, create, live and thrive in a non-judgmental world.
Running from 28 September to 5 October 2015 and proudly presented by The Arts Centre Gold Coast with the blessing of the City and the Mayor, the Glitter Festival is an inclusive event that aims to bring the community together through the medium of art and culture. For more information, visit: www.theartscentregc.com.au for details.
Image: Carlotta in Life’s Still a Drag (supplied)