-)$35--! #%,%"2!4).' 15%%2#5,452% WELCOME -)$35--! CONTENTS #%,%"2!4).' 15%%2#5,452% MIDSUMMA—All Grown Up! PREMIER EVENTS Carnival 8 This year’s theme is “A Queer Coming of Age” TDance 9 and marks 21years of Midsumma. In 2009 you Pink Shorts 11 Pride March 13 can experience-)$3 the5- latest-! queer culture, art VGLRL Humane Rights Forum 15 and performance#%,%"2 at! our4) .four' festival hubs and MILK 15 other venues across Melbourne…more than 100 Classic De Novo 17 15%%2#5,452% The Genuine Exhibition 17 unique performances and events in fact! VISUAL ARTS Most cultures hold ceremonies to celebrate the Queer City 18 coming of age. Carnival is one of our commu- Yarra Arts 20 nity’s ceremonies; both new and familiar. For Destinations 22 some this Midsumma and Carnival will be their FESTIVAL HUBS first. For others it will be the annual return to a The Butterfly Club 24 Gasworks Arts Park 30 large, vibrant gathering and a chance to feel Chapel Off Chapel 36 connected to friends and experience a little The Glasshouse Hotel 38 Midsumma madness. COMMUNITY EVENTS In 2009 we have a new visual identity, and the Performing Arts 42 Live Music 48 refreshed logo and new tagline reflects our Film 50 desire to keep Midsumma inclusive and reflective Literature 54 of our broad, diverse community. Community 56 Community Guys 62 To all those involved with creating the festival Community Sport 64 Parties 70 over the past 21 years –we thank you. To the current festival team under Adam’s leadership, FESTIVAL DETAILS Program Matrix 76 particularly Molly, Simon and Tom; congratu- Ticketing Information 80 lations and well done from the Board. To our Credits & Involvement 81 government partners and corporate sponsors, Venue Details 82 thanks for your support. We know and appreci- ate how much energy and generosity goes into making such a fantastic festival happen. Have a superb Midsumma! Lisa Watts TICKETING FESTIVAL ICONS Festival Chair This year tickets to the majority Your Key to the Symbols in this of Midsumma events will be guide. available online. For the first Venue is wheelchair time there is one simple way accessible to purchase tickets, a one stop shop if you will! Over 18 event Head to midsumma.org.au Food available and be the first to secure your Children/Family friendly place at the best festival in event town! Tickets are also available at Hearing Services Hares & Hyenas, 63 Johnston available St Fitzroy. For further information VENUE Details regarding ticketing please turn to page 80 Venue’s are listed inside each event listing. For venue addresses and public transport details please turn to page 76. 3 WELCOME WELCOME WHO IS MIDSUMMA Midsumma is brought to you by a volunteer Board of Manage- ment, elected by the membership. The Board directs all aspects of the festival, working with The Adam Lowe Group, and over 150 volunteers and various contracted agencies. OUR MISSION LYNNE KOSKY MP DR KATHY ALEXANDER CR JUDY MORTON TIM HOLDING MP CHRISTINE NIXON APM PETER TATCHELL Minister for the Arts Chief Executive Officer Mayor, City of Yarra Minister for Tourism Chief Commissioner Gay Human Rights campaigner Midsumma is committed to presenting an annual arts and City of Melbourne (2008) and Major Events Victoria Police cultural festival that, within a safe and healthy environment, celebrates the pride and diversity of Victoria’s lesbian, gay and allied communities. Midsumma Festival Inc is a non-profit associa- Victorian Government is With 21 years of gay and The arts play an important Welcome to the 21st Midsum- Twenty one years of continual- I began coming out at the tion incorporated in Victoria under the Associations Incorpora- proud to support the 2009 lesbian festivities under its role in celebrating and explor- ma Festival. ly producing a strong, vibrant age of 17, in 1969. Homosexu- tions Act and is overseen by a Board of Management, elected Midsumma festival. belt, Midsumma has much to ing the diverse stories and and colourful community ality was then totally illegal in by the Membership. The Brumby Government is celebrate this year. identities in Yarra. Our GLBTI arts and cultural festival is no Victoria. You could be jailed 2009 marks the 21st Midsum- proud to support Midsumma, communities are an integral mean feat and on behalf of and be forced toundergo ma festival. What began as Melbourne is a city for artists which comes of age this part of our municipality and Victoria Police I would like to psychiatric treatment. a ten-day visual arts event in and creative industries, where year with a growing number contribute significantly to the congratulate Midsumma on its 1988 has truly come of age. queer art and culture is of events showcasing the There were no gay helplines vibrancy of our City. coming of age in 2009. Midsumma is now recognised sought out and celebrated, diversity of Victoria’s gay and ororganisations. I suggested OBJECTIVES as one of the top five gay and where differences are The City of Yarra has support- lesbian community. Midsumma is a fantastic annu- setting up a gay campaign and lesbian arts and cultural viewed as opportunities for ed Midsumma since 1995 al event which relies heavily group. All myfriends thought I Midsumma offers something festivals in the world; each exploration and understand- and we are extremely proud on the involvement of the was mad. So I began chal- The Board of the Midsumma Festival Inc aims to produce an an- for everyone, with a range of year attracting over 100,000 ing. Midsumma captures to have consolidated our community, many of whom lenging homophobia by nual arts and cultural festival that: exciting activities celebrating people to a range of events these qualities and pres- support for this world-class are volunteers, to produce writing letters to the Herald • is inclusive of and responsive to the lesbian, gay, queer, bisexu- fashion, music, film, sport, family including visual arts, theatre, ents them to the people of event with a three-year and promote the range of and Sun newspapers. At first, I al, transgendered and pansexual sections of the community; and culture. It’s no surprise that live music, film, cabaret, Melbourne through exciting, partnership, funded through events that make the festival was scared to sign my name. the event attracts thousands • supports and encourages all community activities it perceives poetry, forums and commu- challenging and entertaining our Community Partnerships so successful. I congratulate I feared the editors might turn of interstate and international as having cultural relevance within the community; nity and family activities over events and activities. Grants Program. all of the talented artists who me in to the police. Forty years visitors each year. three weeks. have submitted such fantastic later, Melbourne is a different • promotes opportunities for new artistic talent; Melbourne will host a carni- Congratulations to Midsumma While visiting Victoria, be sure work this year. world, thanks to the efforts of • is diverse and challenging; is committed to excellence; Midsumma 2009 will kick val day at the Alexandra on 21 fabulous years thriving to take the time to discover countless queers who fought off Melbourne’s festival Gardens, the ‘Pink Shorts’ in the celebration of queer Once again I am proud that • educates the community to become consumers of lesbian the culture and natural beauty for justice. calendar in style with a free queer plays at the RMIT arts and culture. Victoria Police will be involved and gay arts and culture; of our regional areas, and all-ages carnival in Alexandra Theatre and an impressive in 2009’s Midsumma Festival. Celebrate and enjoy the victo- • more broadly promotes lesbian and gay arts and culture in be swept up by Melbourne’s Gardens. The festival then city-based visual arts program. Gay and Lesbian Liaison Offi- ries won, and keep pressing for Melbourne, Victoria and Australia; vibrant nightlife, food and wine, grabs the keys to the city cers play an important part in the freedoms yet to come. The City of Melbourne is theatre, museums and events. • is recognised as a principal arts and cultural festival interstate and will present a range of connecting police and creat- proud to be a major sponsor and internationally; events that celebrate, and I hope you enjoy all the ing mutual trust with the GLBTI of Midsumma. establishes and builds strategic alliances with other margina- give a voice to, Victoria’s communities. Liaison officers • festivities of 2009 Midsumma. lised arts and cultural communities including indigenous and diverse GLBTI community to will be attending the Carni- multicultural communities; more than 60 different venues val Day, Pride March and a across Melbourne. range of other festival events • maximizes access and equality and and I encourage you to go is financially responsible. Festivals play an important • up and say hello to them as role is celebrating our commu- well as the many general nities, expressing and explor- duties police who will also be ing identity, fostering social working hard throughout this cohesion and providing new period. opportunities for both artists and audiences. That’s why I wish you all a happy, and the Victoria Government is safe, Midsumma. committed to supporting arts and cultural festivals across the State. Best wishes for a very happy 21st and have a fantastic festival. Copyright © 2008-2009. This is your official Midsumma Festival Guide. It is produced annually to provide information about the Midsumma Festival. Copyright in the guide or in any part of the guide is and remains the property of Midsumma Festival Inc. Neither the guide, in whole or in part, may be reproduced in any manner or by any process without the written permission of Midsumma Festival Inc.