A Eurovision star headlining last year was big, and a Minogue this year is bigger.
For its 20th anniversary celebration, South Australia’s queer arts extravaganza Feast has delivered a programme that features an international rock band, a Helpmann Award winner and a member of Australian pop music’s royal family.
Danni Minogue will transform Hyde Street into “the queerest dance party Adelaide has ever seen” for the Opening Night Street Party. The iconic Picnic in the Park event will feature London blues rock duo Z-Star Delta and a Fresh 92.7 sponsored after-party. We can expect to see lycra, maracas and roller skates as Helpmann Award winning cabaret innovator Michael Griffiths collaborates with diva next door Amelia Ryan for the Australian premier of ‘Livvie and Pete’: a tribute to the music of Peter Allen and Olivia Newton-John.
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While the event is predominately arts-centric, it also contains sporting and community events, such as ‘SA Samesex Dancesport’ and ‘Huge Gay Bingo’, as well as forums for the debating of queer ideas, which is as important now as ever. This year’s festival, though, perhaps most excitingly marks the commencement of a new era, with a permanent Queer Hub being established in Raj House. This announcement builds upon the surging momentum that is driving the reinvigoration of public spaces by artists and entrepreneurs across the city. The immense success of the Adelaide Fringe has transformed the entire artistic eco-system: the giant Fringe red gum has provided shelter and nourishment for sapling festivals like Umbrella and endangered species like Feast, which has overcome financial hardship in recent years.
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While it is important to attract big name national and international acts, a sustainable festival will be one that flourishes at the grass roots. The programme is packed with artists of all genres, who have honed their craft during Fringe, SALA, Cabaret Festival and other avenues; local shows include 'I Sing Piaf' and Two Brunettes & A Gay, who performed at the programme launch.
