First South Australia Multi-Arts and Cultural Festival to Proceed Since COVID-19
Will they or won’t they happen? That’s been the hot topic when it comes to cultural events in Adelaide and at long last, hooray for the arts and LGBTIQ+ communities as they rejoice, as Feast Festival must (and very much needs to) go on for its 24th season.
Coming out of the COVID-19 coma for Adelaideans never looked so good with a queer rainbow shining proudly in the sky revealing the Feast Festival pot of gold, set to launch its 2020 program Thursday 8 October at Treasury 1860.
The program features a staggering line-up of over 100 events during the newly coined and treasured “Pridevember” running from 7 – 29 November across various Adelaide venues. South Australia’s successful response means Feast can offer a large and diverse range of events that will inspire audiences to come out and discover what our local LGBTIQ+ artists and change-makers have been up to during the pandemic.
The announcement of the festival returning is welcome news to the arts and events industries who have been financially and psychologically haemorrhaging ever since the pandemic.
Feast CEO and General Manager Helen Sheldon is proud of this year’s program with artists and event producers adapting creatively to these COVID times.
“First it’s a relief we are able to present Feast this year! Thanks to funding from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet Arts SA we were able to offer free registrations to artists and event organisers to participate. Similarly Feast venues offered free venue hire to offset costs involved for those participating,” said Ms Sheldon
The sheer size of the program reflects the artists’ enthusiasm and necessity to return to work, entertain and shed light on a community that still has many important stories to tell! The program includes more events than the last 5 years, so there is plenty to see and do.
As you would expect, South Australian LGBTIQ+ artists will be front and centre of this year’s program, audiences both in Adelaide and anywhere in the world can get involved by heading out to a venue or by joining a range of online events.
“We have collaborated with other South Australian arts and community organisations which has also enabled more people to participate which is fantastic. Honestly, so many people have just assumed Feast wouldn’t happen so to see the LGBTIQ+ and ally communities rally together for the festival, and with a pandemic, we have collectively created one of our biggest programs yet!” said Ms Sheldon.
This year’s celebratory opening will be a little different starting with, Quiz by Twilight but still delivering all the glitz and glamour you would expect of a Queer Festival. South Australia’s Queen of comedy, Lori Bell will host the event with special (virtual) appearances from social media sensation Christian Hull, and Real Housewives of Melbourne star Gamble Breaux and a host of other special guest presenters.
This night of nights features hilarious quiz questions followed by cabaret-style entertainment headed up by Feast Ambassador Indy Stanton.
Feast celebrates all that is Queer Culture this year presenting Australian premieres, comedy, live performance, film, literary events, community happenings and the much-loved Picnic in the Park at Pinky Flat/Tarntanya Wama.
