Sydney’s closest regional neighbour, Central Coast NSW is set to fly its Rainbow Flag again with the much-anticipated Annual Coastal Twist LGBTIQ Arts and Culture Festival this January 2022.
Set across 5 summer days and hot nights: 19 – 23 January – after a 2-year absence from lockdowns, the festival is back with more surprises, vibrancy and fun and some of the biggest headliners to date!
Your next beach and bush Gaycation is only 75mins away from Sydney so pack up your drag bags & come join us on the seaside of Umina Beach, Woy Woy and Ettalong Beach.
“We are absolutely delighted to see things opening again and Coastal Twist Festival back, it’s a win, win for the Central Coast, for inclusion of all communities, for fun & celebration,” said Festival Director Glitta Supernova.
“We shifted from October 2021 to allow more people to participate in the event as our state reopens under the NSW Roadmap, January also gives us a better opportunity to provide the safest environment possible for all attendees, its more than time to smile and enjoy some of the good things in life.”
As the organisation continues to grow, so does the programming and activations, the festival this year amassing some real star power including a Global headliner making their way to the Central Coast for the 1st time.
Aboriginal Australian electronic music duo Electric Fields – who famously combine modern electric-soul music with language headline the bill; Etcetera Etcetera – direct from RuPaul’s Drag Race; and internationally acclaimed puppetry innovators, Erth – will also make an appearance at the January festival.
The list continues with one of Australia’s most significant DJs Jonny Seymour and Sydney’s hottest Vogue house the House of Silky on offer. Glitta Supernova added “plus there will also be more local & national LGBTIQA+ Performing Artists & Musicians than you can throw shade over this January!”
Coastal Twist Festival has also expanded on its community programs benefiting LGBTQ youth, Seniors and all abilities with Auslan across events in accessible spaces, the festival continues to authentically promote inclusion through variety with a wide range of fun and innovative content.
Festival Highlights are The Love Club Cabaret, The Futurismo Surrealist Dance Party, The Rainbow Youth teens Dance party, closing party comedy show & of coarse our biggest Community, free, family friendly events, the beach party picnic Life’s a Beach – with a Queer surf event & other beach activities, DJs & entertainment & the Coastal Twist Festival centrepiece, Fair Day – the biggest & most colourful event of the Festival.
“After such a challenging time on the planet, so much divisiveness, us and them, isolation for so many, we are so eager to celebrate as people from all walks of life, to highlight tolerance, difference and to have fun together, to embrace life,” said Festival Operations/ Board Director Juan Iocco.
“The January Festival programming is going to represent the beautiful diversity and intersectionality of the rainbow community.”
Having a safe and COVID compliant event is the top priority for the organisation with plans to implement multiple full-scale COVID19 Safety Plans including touchless transactions, open spaces, temperature checks, and sanitising stations.
The 2022 Coastal Twist Festival runs 19 – 23 January. For more information, including full program, ticket purchases, giveaways and opportunities, visit: www.coastaltwist.org.au for details.
Image: Electric Fields (supplied)