MELT: A CELEBRATION OF QUEER ARTS AND CULTURE
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+ BRISBANE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM DATES
Brisbane audiences will be treated to decadent spree of arts and culture when the annual MELT festival returns to Brisbane Powerhouse from 3-14 February 2016. From Carlotta to Cat Power and everything in between, MELT 2016 presents a rainbow of music, theatre, dance, comedy, circus and cabaret over 12 exhilarating days.
MELT Director Adam Gardnir describes the festival “invitation to the whole of Brisbane to celebrate the LGBTI communities”, noting the addition of three significant community events to the 2016 program.
“This point in time is so special to Queensland’s queer community. Marriage equality is on the national agenda, Queensland’s Adoption Act is under review, an end to HIV is within our sights and a Trans diversity champion and Military Officer has been named Queensland Australian of the Year.
“To expand these incredible social movements, we’ve commenced three new large participation events in MELT: MELT Picnic, MELT Portrait Prize and MELT Beauty Pageant. Each event welcomes community members to centre stage with audiences ready to engage.
“A few of my personal highlights of the festival include Australia’s Queen of Queens Carlotta, the most wicked update of Dangerous Liaisons you’ll ever see, David Bowie’s trailblazing album Ziggy Stardust performed live in its entirety, and Brisbane Powerhouse Artistic Director Kris Stewart directing a Brisbane only production of Gaybies”
Forming a month long spree of queer celebrations, the 17th annual Brisbane Queer Film Festival (BQFF) will also be held from 18-28 February 2016, directly following MELT.
“This year BQFF will take place at New Farm Six Cinemas on Brunswick Street, giving our audience the chance to see the very best of the world’s queer cinema in a locally owned cinema with great seats and awesome surround sound,” says Gardnir.
“BQFF Festival Curator Shanon King, a champion of the Brisbane film industry, has developed a stunning program which will be announced in early January.
“We invite audiences to come and be inspired, entertained and delighted by these two fantastic festivals that celebrate and encourage the diversity of our community.”
