Melt OPEN, building off the success of its predecessor Melt (now in its seventh year at Brisbane Powerhouse) will make its mark in October/November of 2024.
Melt OPEN is a major new festival of queer art and culture, promising to be an unforgettable celebration of diversity, inclusivity and creative expression. It aims to raise the bar high with more venues, more artists and more LGBTQIA+ love in a city which is gearing up to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.
The festival is, as the name suggests, open access – similar to fringe events around the world. It will be staged at venues throughout central Brisbane including Fortitude Valley, Newstead, New Farm, Brisbane City, West End, and Wooloongabba.
Artists and producers are invited to be a part of the event – whether you’re a performer, visual artist or producer, Melt OPEN is welcoming all unique voices. It’s a platform for emerging and established talents alike. Melt OPEN is also seeking expressions of interest from Brisbane venues eager to be a part of the celebrations.
“Prepare to be enthralled by captivating events that engage the city and boundary-pushing art that challenges norms,” CEO/Artistic Director of Brisbane Powerhouse Kate Gould says.
“Expect mass community participation events that celebrate the rich diversity of Queensland’s LGBTQIA+ communities and their allies.”
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe is predicting that Melt OPEN will bring more than 4,000 interstate and international visitors to Brisbane.
“This is another in the Queensland capital’s glittering line-up of world-class events, sharing the State’s great lifestyle on our runway to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Mr Hinchliffe says.
“Anticipated to generate more than $8 million for the visitor economy, Melt OPEN is terrific news for the city’s accommodation, hospitality, transport and tourism operators and Queensland jobs.”
Melt OPEN expressions of interest (artists and venues) are open now. It runs in October-November of 2024.
This story originally appeared on our queer sister site, FROOTY.
