Q festival: THE RETURN OF MELT
BRISBANE POWERHOUSE SET TO SIZZLE WHEN MELT FESTIVAL RETURNS Brisbane's biggest celebration of equality, diversity and LGBTIQ+ culture sashays back to Brisbane Powerhouse in May when the popular MELT Festival returns.
An awe-inspiring festival of all things queer, MELT promises an unforgettable line-up of more than 20 productions and events across 11 nights of revelry, kick-starting 17 May to coincide with IDAHOT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
MELT Festival Director James Lees said MELT, now in its fourth year, was more significant than ever following an overwhelming ‘YES' vote for marriage equality.
“MELT is an annual celebration of Queensland’s vibrant queer community, providing an opportunity for our LGBTIQ+ friends and allies to come together for two weeks of revelry. In a climate of renewed optimism and positivity for LGBTIQ+ rights and outward support for the community, we are privileged and excited to present our biggest and most ambitious program to date,” Lees said.
The 2018 program features an eclectic range of international artists, home-grown heroes and MELT Festival favourites, spanning diverse genres including comedy, dance, circus, burlesque, visual arts and more.
Program highlights include the Camerata – Queensland's Chamber Orchestra and special guests reclaiming pop classics for LGBTIQ+ audiences in Coupling (19 May); and the world's hottest all-male boylesque stars BRIEFS returning with the crowd-pleasing Close Encounters, an epic show of galactic glamour, astroathleticism and interstellar aerials.
Showstopper event MELT Beauty Pageant (18 May) returns to crown this year's most charismatic drag queen, drag king or trans beauty with help from an all-star judging panel; while Gayming Night (24 May) by Hella Gay Games assures a hella queer and inclusive gaming experience for the local gayming community. For trivia buffs (aka Trivia Newton-Johns), Tragic Trivia (19 May) offers an utterly outrageous night as Brisbane's drag superstars take us through the colourful pages of the Queer herstory books for a pop culture comp with a difference.
Bringing the festival to a triumphant close is the The Bowery Haus: Closing Party (26 May); a costume party celebrating inclusivity, self-expression and one of Australia's most legendary queer icons, Leigh Bowery. Come as your interpretation of the Australian icon for this dazzling fashion and costume dance party featuring some of Brisbane's best DJs.
“MELT 2018 sparkles with pride, passion and humour, extending an invitation for people of all genders, sexual orientations, ages, ethnicities, abilities and artistic interests to join in the party,” Lees said.
Brisbane Powerhouse thanks our MELT 2018 Partners: Queensland Government, Herbert Smith Freehills, Queensland Aids Council, JCDecaux, The Johnson (Art Series Hotel Group) and QNews.
Thursday 17 – Sunday 27 May 2018 Powerhouse Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse 07 3358 8600 / www.brisbanepowerhouse.org