Brisbane audiences will be treated to decadent spree of arts and culture when the annual MELT festival gets underway at the Brisbane Powerhouse until Sunday 14 February 2016.
Presenting a rainbow of music, theatre, dance, comedy, circus and cabaret over 12 exhilarating days, MELT Director Adam Gardnir describes the festival “invitation to the whole of Brisbane to celebrate the LGBTI communities”, noting the addition of three significant community events to the 2016 program.
“This point in time is so special to Queensland’s queer community. Marriage equality is on the national agenda, Queensland’s Adoption Act is under review, an end to HIV is within our sights and a Trans diversity champion and Military Officer has been named Queensland Australian of the Year.
“To expand these incredible social movements, we’ve commenced three new large participation events: MELT Picnic, MELT Portrait Prize and MELT Beauty Pageant. Each event welcomes community members to centre stage with audiences ready to engage.”
Highlights of MELT 2016 includes: Australia’s Queen of Queens, Carlotta, the most wicked update of Dangerous Liaisons you’ll ever see, David Bowie’s trailblazing album Ziggy Stardust performed live in its entirety, and Brisbane Powerhouse Artistic Director Kris Stewart directing a Brisbane only production of Gaybies.
Be charmed by Simon Burke in Something About Always, journey to a sleazy Parisian underworld where a homeless bi-sexual queen wrenches you into her fringe-dwelling existence in Appalling Behaviour, as Joseph Simons explores the art of ‘getting used to it’ in this mind-blowing display of virtuosic dance and physical theatre in First Things First.
Following it’s premiere at Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival, prepare to be taken on an uproarious journey in Gone, as this hilarious new queer comedy tackles the ultimate conundrum, or frock up for a cabaret of queer artists and friends as the Vulcana Women’s Circus present Fluid, or savour the sultry sounds of Georgia-born singer Cat Power as she returns to Australia this summer.
Armed with a ukulele, spinning plates and an array of costumes that traverse gender stereotypes, Jessica McKerlie presents Gender Spanner, while international star Courtney Act and acclaimed writer, musical director and performer Trevor Ashley team up for Gentlemen Prefer Blokes.
In addition, the 17th annual Brisbane Queer Film Festival (BQFF) will be held from 18 – 28 February 2016 – directly following MELT, forming a month long spree of queer celebrations.
MELT continues to Sunday 14 February 2016. For more information, visit: www.brisbanepowerhouse.org for details.
Image: courtesy of Brisbane Powerhouse