The first quarter of the year has slipped by so quickly.
All at Midsumma are excited to have now launched applications for our Midsumma Futures mentoring program. Help us spread the word amongst early career artists and culture-makers about this eight-month program of support. We were also thrilled to be successful in securing a capacity building grant from the Victorian Government that will enable us to boost marketing and promotional support for the festival.
We are now hard at work putting the finishing touches on plans for our Midwinta Ball; details will be released very soon. In the meantime put a big circle around the evening of Saturday 12 August and save the date for what will be a wonderful way to celebrate with us and help raise funds towards our artist and event support initiatives for the coming year.
Wishing everyone a safe and fun Easter. See you on the other side.
Karen
CEO, Midsumma
Zoe Brinnand wins Playtime Staged Readings with ‘My Big Fat Lesbian Greek Wedding’
Gasworks Arts Park, in partnership with Midsumma, is proud to announce that Zoe Brinnand has won the Playtime Staged Readings and the opportunity to take her work to full development. Playtime Staged Readings invite developing voices in queer theatre to submit works for consideration. These are then shared with a Midsumma at Gasworks audience, with a panel of judges providing feedback. More >>
Victorian Government awards $900K in LGBTQIA+ Community Grants
The Victorian Government has announced that $900,000 in community grants will go to 38 organisations and individuals working in the LGBTQIA+ community, including Midsumma Festival. More >>
Sydney Dance Company’s ORB: 17 – 20 May
Be captured by Sydney Dance Company’s ORB at Arts Centre Melbourne – an extraordinary lunar mystery featuring the world premiere of Ocho by Rafael Bonachela and Full Moon by Cheng Tsung-lung, the Artistic Director of Taiwan’s phenomenal Cloud Gate 2. Email enews@midsumma.org.au with subject ORB to enter the draw for a double pass for Thu 18 May. More >>
Fringe Festival @ Testing Grounds: EOIs open
One of Midsumma’s favourite arts venues, Testing Grounds will curate a multi-disciplinary Melbourne Fringe Festival program (14 Sep – 1 Oct) of visual art, new media art, live-art, dance and performance projects that are site-responsive, take calculated risk and are experimental in their form. There will be no venue hire fees for all selected projects. EOIs now open. More >>
Comedy Festival: YUMMY 20% discount
Directed by James Welsby (BRIEFS, Finucane and Smith), and featuring a Midsumma alumni powerhouse team of drag, circus and burlesque performers, YUMMY has become something of a phenomenon that looks set to leave its mark on Australia’s drag history. View trailer >>
Enter code midsumma when booking tickets to get adult tickets at concession prices – that’s 20% off (expires 3pm Sat 15 Apr). More >>
Move In May: Fun Run or Walk for IDAHOTIB
This large-scale community fun run/walk on Sunday 21 May is an open-minded, all inclusive event in support of IDAHOTIB that welcomes anyone who believes in equality and inclusion, regardless of their sexuality and/or gender, which will have you entertained from start to finish. Proceeds go towards Stand Up Events’ preventative programs, to be implemented into junior sporting clubs in order to eradicate sexual & gender discrimination. Register to Participate >>
Studio Welder: A Week of Free Acting Classes
The Owl & Cat Theatre and Studio Welder present a six week Beginner part-time class for actors. “Acting Essentials” has been designed for people who are new to the field of acting, or haven’t been in the game for a long time and want to break into the industry. More >>
The Queer News Shortlist
Sarah Waters: ‘The Handmaiden turns pornography into a spectacle – but it’s true to my novel’ by Claire Armitstead
“Waters’ hit novel Fingersmith, about a lesbian love affair in Victorian England, has been transported to 1930s Korea for a new film. The author explains how it remains faithful to her original.” via The Guardian
Activists are helping gay men flee from Russia’s Chechen region by OIP Staff
“Gay men in the Russian region of The Chechen Republic are fleeing as authorities reportedly round up people who are gay, or perceived to be gay.” via OUTinPerth
Tasmania moves to wipe gay sex convictions by Jess Jones
“Sex between men should never have been a crime.” via Star Observer
And finally…
Dutch protest after attack on gay couple
“Hundreds demonstrated in Dutch cities on Saturday in a show of support for gay rights after a male couple were attacked last week while walking hand-in-hand.” via SBS
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