South-East Queensland will see its first LGBTIQ festival later this year when The Arts Centre Gold Coast hosts the Glitter Festival Gold Coast.
“The Gold Coast is finally coming of age and it’s starting to show its own identity,” says Destry Puia, General Manager – The Arts Centre Gold Coast. “With maturity comes this need for people to form a community and that’s the Festival’s main goal, to bring the community together and show everyone that we’re here.”
Running from Monday 28 September through to the Labour Day long weekend in early October, the week-long celebration of arts and culture will feature cabaret, theatre, art gallery displays, and films.
Other events planned include a race day at the Gold Coast Turf Club, a ‘marketta’ around The Arts Centre lake with live performers and street vendors, and a final day recovery event that will showcase Catalina’s at the Southport Aquatic Centre.
“The gay and lesbian community on the Gold Coast needs an event like this,” says Programming Manager, Brad Rush. “The community has provided enough anecdotal feedback to warrant the event. They have been looking for something to bring them together. The Festival will offer a variety of performances and social events so people can pick and choose what they like.”
The Arts Centre Gold Coast is passionate about providing unique programming platforms and opportunities for artists and community alike. The Festival will provide a new platform and opportunity for local Gold Coasters to develop their talent and showcase it.
Festival organisers are encouraging Gold Coast based LGBTIQ artists who can sing, dance, act, make music, make art, walk on a tight rope in high heels!, and who would like to be part of the festival to register their interest by contacting Brad Rush on (07) 5588 4018 or rush@theartscentregc.com.au
The Glitter Festival is not just for the gay and lesbian community. It’s an all-encompassing, inclusive community event and that’s what we’re striving to achieve. Certainly some events will appeal to different people but it’s a festival for the whole community.
The 2015 Glitter Festival runs from Monday 28 September to Monday 5 October. Full program will be available early August. For more information, visit: www.theartscentregc.com.au for details.
Image: courtesy of The Arts Centre Gold Coast