Click your ruby reds together and go ‘Beyond the Rainbow’ to join in a celebration of diversity in all its forms.
There’s something for everyone in this 11 day celebration of the LGBTIQA+ community including performances, dining experiences, education opportunities, tours and sharing all wrapped up in a fun festival experience. Now in it’s 8th year, the OUTintheOPEN Festival has a line up of regular favourites and new events so there is something for everyone.
October 31st brings not just the first day of the festival but the first time for two new events in the festival calendar. Join in the morning entertainment opportunity for the whole family, Rainbow Storytime, which will be held at the GV Library featuring the amazing Frock Hudson reading 10,000 Dresses and other great titles and in the evening the festival welcomes the addition of a new dinnertime celebration “United we Feast” at the Philippine House.
“It’s so important to provide a safe space for regional-living, culturally and linguistically diverse people who are LGBTIQA+,” says Damien Stevens-Todd, Festival Director.
Eleven Day Festival
The eleven day festival combines not just these new events and others but also brings the return of past favourites including the ever popular Carnival Day in the Queen’s Gardens on Sunday November 3rd from 10.30am.
Carnival Day includes more than fifty attractions, combining a variety of food, stalls and fun family activities with a fabulous line up of live music to provide a full day of celebrations. This year’s list of live performers includes Cry Club, Huntly, Krystal Ring, Bailey Slade, Phoebe Belle, Parmy Dhillon & The New Science, Past Present, Jeffry’s Cabbage and The Murks.
With food trucks, a wildlife petting zoo and a jumping castle you can bring the whole family along and join in the celebrations with this FREE day OUTintheOPEN. Can’t make it on the day? Tune in to ONE FM for a LIVE on-site radio broadcast.
Join the audience and watch others perform in The Laramie Project brought to you by STAG, Transmansplaining by Ben MacEllen or a surprise experience as part of The Secret Garden Gig, a very special mystery musical experience. Feeling a little more dramatic? Try your hand on stage when Krystal Ring presents the Search for Shepparton’s Star at the Aussie Hotel on Friday November 1st.
GOTAFE offers the perfect venue for forums and activities during the festival. Join in at 2pm on November 6th for the “About a Girl” book event and signing. This book tells the story of a mother’s journey of raising her transgender child, Georgie Stone.
Visiting the area or in the mood for a tour?
November 6th offers the opportunity for an Art Silo Tour while on the 7th you can cruise the river from Echuca. Don’t forget to check out the Open Connections Concert: the Rainbow Band & Shep Brass and Wind Saturday night 9th November at Westside PAC.
The $50 Festival Pass is back again this year but there are a limited number available so purchase yours now! The pass entitles you to entry into the GLITZ Party on Saturday night and the Big Lemon Tree Brunch on Sunday morning as well as all other Festival events including films, forums, mixers and more!
Check out the full line up of activities included in the OUTintheOPEN Festival and take the opportunity to buy your tickets. Stay up to date by following the OUTintheOPEN Festival in Shepparton on Facebook.
