As we are practically being catapulted into the second half of 2016, the time is quickly approaching to celebrate LGBTIQ culture! I’m talking about Feast Festival, which is an annual celebration in Adelaide. The festival unites artists and visitors from around the world for two things that are worth celebrating: Pride and Diversity. This time around, it’s Feast’s 20th anniversary, which means we’re in for quite a big one this October. I recently took a trip down to the Feast Program Launch and here’s what I can muster up.
The 2016 Program
First of all, take a deep breath and let’s talk headliners. The major act this year is the globally acclaimed Dannii Minogue – truly one of the pop-greats and an iconic figure! She will be coming to Adelaide to open the festival on October 21st. To spoil us that little bit more, Feast is also giving us Z-STAR, a British ‘rock goddess’ that will immerse us in a cocktail of blues, rock, psyche and soul. You’ll be able to catch Z-STAR as part of the Picnic After Party on November 6th.
The program launch was held at Piri & Co. Social Club. It grew crowded with people, which included some faces from the board and special guest, former Greens Senator Robert Simms.
I Sing Piaf
We were also given quite the foreshadowing with performances from a couple of acts. Firstly, I Sing Piaf gave us a clash in cultures as Georgia, along with her wife Louise, entered the stage carrying their luggage behind them. Their Aussie humour made us laugh, which was followed by amazement as Georgia started singing in French that captured the glamorous and legendary voice of Edith Piaf. You’ll be able to catch I Sing Piaf on Friday 4th November at 7pm.
Two Brunettes and a Gay
After, Two Brunettes and a Gay hit the dance floor with their energetic rendition of the wartime classic, ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’. Aaron, Celeste and Deanna will bring the classic hits back to life on Saturday 5th November at 8:15pm.
For 20 years, Feast has helped bring the LGBTIQ+ culture out into the spotlight in our small city of Adelaide. Chairman of the Feast Festival Board, Joshua Rayner, highlighted the struggles in funding that Feast endured in the past few years. He illustrated the importance of the festival by saying that the festival has a ‘tradition of providing a platform for young and emerging queer artists to showcase their talents, their art and their expression.’
The crowd at the Feast Festival launch
Being the second longest running queer festival in Australia, Feast is in for an explosively vibrant year. The festival will run from October 21st to November 6th in Adelaide, uniting queer talent from around Australia and overseas. You can buy tickets for events now here – this one’s going to be a ball.
