Over a thousand lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) seniors are set to celebrate all things queer and silver on the big screen, when for the first time ACON’s highly anticipated annual Afternoon Delight event will be held in six locations across NSW.
Part of the NSW Senior’s Festival, Afternoon Delight is a series of FREE movie matinees and afternoon tea parties for LGBTI seniors and their friends, presented by ACON.
Joining the event this year is NSW Seniors Festival Ambassador, Robina Beard OAM, As Madge the manicurist, Robina’s unforgettable delivery of the famous line ‘you’re soaking in it’ from the Palmolive dishwashing liquid television commercial of the seventies etched her into our collective consciousness.
The six event locations include Sydney, Newcastle, Sawtell, Shellharbour, Wagga Wagga and Lismore. The acclaimed feature film, Tab Hunter Confidential will be screened as well as a selection of LGBTI themed short films followed by a delicious afternoon tea, networking and access to local community health information. Tab Hunter Confidential is about the 1950’s Hollywood heartthrob who came out as gay in 2006.
“This is our annual premiere event for the LGBTI seniors, family and friends that has been running now for eight years,” said ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill. “From very humble beginnings in Sydney, we’ve seen it grow and this year, for the first time, it will be held in six locations around the state and we couldn’t be happier.”
“NSW has a significant older LGBTI population,” continues Parkhill. “In fact, over 100,000 people in NSW over the age of 55 identify as LGBTI and they play a vital and valued role in our community. We’re delighted as always to be partnering with Queer Screen and NSW Seniors Festival to provide this wonderful opportunity for the more mature members of our community to get together and have a good time and also reduce a very real sense of social isolation that many experience.”
“During the afternoon tea, which in selected locations will be served by drag performers, guests will have the chance to mingle, chat and have an opportunity to pick up local health information as well as take photos and discuss the movies. It is a fun, light event that engages with all the diversity of our community.”
“It’s great that the organisers like NSW Seniors Festival continue to recognise the LGBTI community in their celebrations and we look forward to working more closely with a range of government and community organisations to help provide more opportunities for older LGBTI people in NSW.”
Afternoon Delight will take place at the following locations and dates:
SAWTELL
Saturday 2 April: 2.00pm – 5.30pm
Sawtell Cinema, First Avenue, Sawtell
RSVP: Click here before 31 March 2016
SHELLHARBOUR
Saturday 2 April: 2.00pm – 5.30pm
Event Cinemas, 4 Memorial Drive, Shellharbour
RSVP: Click here before 31 March 2016
WAGGA WAGGA
Saturday 2 April: 2.00pm – 5.30pm
Museum of the Riverina, Morrow Street and Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga
RSVP: Click here before 31 March 2016
SYDNEY
Sunday 3 April: 2.00pm – 5.30pm
Event Cinemas, 505-525 George Street, Sydney
RSVP: Click here before 31 March 2016
LISMORE
Sunday 3 April: 2.00pm – 5.30pm
Birch Carroll Coyle, Corner Keen and Zadoc Streets, Lismore
RSVP: Click here before 31 March 2016
NEWCASTLE
Sunday 10 April: 2.00pm – 5.30pm
Tower Cinemas , 183 King Street, Newcastle
RSVP: Click here before 8 April 2016
Afternoon Delight is a community event for LGBTI seniors and their friends – young and old. Cost: free, though a gold-coin donation appreciated. For more information,visit: www.acon.org.au for details.
Image: Tab Hunter Confidential