Gasworks Arts Park has once again been selected as a major festival hub for Midsumma 2008 with a massive and varied program of events.
Gasworks @ Midsumma offers dynamic queer programming across theatre, spoken word, circus, visual arts and music.
Highlights include Rachel Forgasz and Nik Willmott in the their dykonic new show Your Life as a Dyke; the trans* community symposium - Transdestinations, featuring Midsumma’s interstate guests Tiwi sistergirls; party performance nights including Tranzlezbian Gendermash, ButchFemmeTrans Melbourne’s Sunset Soiree, Upstart Alley and Rock Strip; Midsumma Festival’s series of short plays by queer writers - PinkShorts, a new play about porn star Aiden Shaw - 25 Frames; and Quiche Lorraine’s bent circus Fringe highlight - Domestic Bliss.
Midsumma 2008 opens with Midsumma Carnival on Saturday January 19 and runs for three weeks until Sunday Feb 10.
Join Midsumma's Volunteer program: t: 9415 9819, w: midsumma.org.au
Midsumma @ Gasworks Events:
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| Theatre: |
Pink Shorts
Midsumma in association with Short & Sweet presents this short play season. |
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A season of 10 minute short plays written by our very own fabulous GLBT community.
Produced by Mark Wilson in association with Kevin McGreal, writers include Geoffrey Masters, Liza Darfouli, Declan Greene, Rick Viede and Jessica Letch.
Supported by the skills of directors and actors from around Melbourne’s theatre scene, it is a celebration of our community presented in a new, exciting and edgy style.
Midsumma Festival has no other program like it. All our artists in Pink Shorts have been chosen to present works that are visually spectacular, confronting and thought provoking. Midsumma is proud to present Pink Shorts to us to support the artists process and to give audiences the opportunity to experience our own stories.
Don’t miss this innovative Midsumma event that is sure to put a smile on your dial.
Venue: Gasworks Theatre
Dates: Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 January 2008, 7.30 pm
Tickets: $20/$15
Bookings: t: 9699 3253, or book online now! |
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| Theatre: |
Your Life As A Dyke
Your tales from the dyke side |
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Irreverent, intelligent, and improvised… Strap yourselves in for a new concept in lesbotainment from the “My Life as a Dyke” team. Settle in for a tell-all confessional as you get the opportunity to share stories from YOUR life as a dyke! Then sit in stitches as the girls present your stories back to you in the distinctive comic style you’ve come to expect from dyknamic duo Nik and Rach.
Set in two parts with a dinner break in between (bring your own or choose from our very affordable menu), Your Life as a Dyke is a whole night’s entertainment that everyone will enjoy.
“This clever, funny and engaging show is first class, and its performers are a delight.” Helen Thomson, The Age
Venue: Gasworks Theatre
Dates: Wednesday 30 January to Saturday 2 February 2008, Tuesday 5 February to Saturday 9 February 2008
7:30 pm, dinner break at 8:15 pm
Tickets: $28/$20, Groups (8+) $21.50
Bookings: t: 9699 3253, or book online now! |
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| Transgender Community Symposium: |
TransDestinations
A two-day Trans* Celebration |
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Held over one day and two nights, Transdestinations surveys the current state of play and future possibilities for trans-connected communities. It includes forums, workshops and arts programming including spoken word, performance, music, visual arts exhibitions.
Transdestination runs in association with A Sunset Soiree, Tranzlezbian Gendermash and Upstart Alley (see other Gasworks event listings).
Tthe event features artists, activists, facilitators and guests from across Australia. Transdestinations explores where the transgender and trans-connected communities are today, where we have come from and what lies ahead.
All welcome.
Check out the full program and details now.
Venue: Gasworks Theatre and Foyer
Dates: Sunday 27 January 2008, 9.30am-5pm
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| Visual Arts Exhibition: |
TransMen TransLated
A Cross-media exhibition exploring the female-to-male transition experience. |
 
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Featuring the documentary I Like To Take Out The Trash, Bye bye boobies and Surgery film by video artist Wednesday, Melbourne performer Jeremy Wiggins reveals pre- and post-transition experiences. The exhibition includes a photographic wall of images shared by members of the female to male and transgendered & butch community. The project is curated by artist Jesslyn Moss for Midsumma and Gasworks Arts Park.
Artists include: Claire Henry, Jeremy Wiggins, Jesslyn Moss & anonymous others.
Venue: Angela Robarts-Bird Gallery and Gasworks Darkroom
Dates: Tuesday 15 January - Saturday 2 February 2008, 9am to 5pm daily
Tickets: Free
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| Music/Dance/Performance: |
Tiwi Islands Gay And Sista Girls
Ceremonila Dance, Healing Rituals and Drag Performance |
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Midsumma’s special interstate guests, the Tiwi Island Gay & Sista Girls, a group of traditional Indigenous performers, will showcase their unique cultural traditions in guest appearances at Tranzlezbian Gendermash before their very own show as part of Transdestinations. In town for only a week, the group invite you to witness their very own mix of drag performance with traditional Tiwi ceremonial dance and healing rituals.
Venue: Gasworks Theatre
Dates: Sunday 27 January 2008, 4pm
Tickets: $10/$8; free to TransDestinations ticket holders.
Bookings: t: 9699 3253, or book online now! |
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| Music/Dance/Performance: |
Tranzlezbian Gendermash
A PJ and Bumpy Production |
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Tranzlesbian Gendermash is an event co produced by PJ Fotiades and Bumpy (King Victoria) which showcases translesbian / queer writers and songwriters.
Rap, ControVerse, Stories, Songs. Queer Porn, Juicy Secrets, GenderRevellers. Bent, Funny, Sad, Sweet, Opinionated, Short & Snappy! Auslan Interpreted.
Following on from the popular Translesbian Readings, held over the last 6 years at King Victoria drag kings, Gendermash is a deliberately controversial, positive, and sexed up journey starring Gender creators, morphers, questioners, revellers, Djs and Interstate Guests.
Venue: Gasworks Theatre
Dates: Saturday 26 January at 10.15pm till late
Tickets: $15/$10; Groups (10+) $10.
Bookings: t: 9699 3253, or book online now! |
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| Party Time: |
A Sunset Soiree
Join ButchFemmeTrans Melbourne for an evening of Jazz, cocktails, food and finery |
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ButchFemmeTrans Melbourne invites you to a Midsumma night’s cocktail party. Featuring live jazz by Yana Alana and The Paranas, gourmet fare, sumptuous cocktails – and you, in all your finery. Join us for an evening of sparkling drinks and even-more-sparkling conversation.
Following on from our fabulous dinners and other social events over the last 18 months, we have turned up the glamour and turned on the mood lighting for this special event. Dress glamorously, mingle freely, and revel in your gorgeousness.
We welcome anyone with a connection to butch/femme/trans identities. Over-dressing, dancing, flirtation and long chats over cocktails are absolutely encouraged.
Venue: Gasworks Theatre
Dates: Sunday 27 January, 5.30pm till 8pm
Tickets: $25/$18 - includes first drink
Bookings: t: 9699 3253, or book online now! |
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| Music/Dance/Performance: |
Upstart Alley
Queer/trans/freak friendly wheelchair accessible events with gender neutral bathrooms to boot! |
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Topping off Transdestinations is a night boasting a sit down cabaret performance show, jump up tunes and slutty side show entertainment. Belt yourselves into your seats to witness spectacular feats of gender defiance and glamorous rebellion by performers coming from near and far. Then shake your bootee and get filthy to some live tunes from a band and DJs.
Featuring performances from Azaria Universe, Byrne & Erge (NZ), Madam Cavity, Pluto (Syd), The Bastard Snowpeas, live music from Husny Thalib, DJs and much more.
Upstart Alley is a not-for-profit crew who have been exciting crowds with a range of bent and daring performance and music events. We welcome all you trannies, queers and misfits who punch and leak outta the boxes and beyond.
At Upstart Alley freaks and queers lurk in the dark corners doing dirty beautiful things and all the gender fuckers are dancing on the pavement, making their own meanings and building their own communities. Check us out at: www.myspace.com/upstartalley. upstartalley@yahoo.com.au.
Venue: Gasworks Theatre
Dates: Sunday 27 Januar, 9pm till late; bar open at 8.30pm
Tickets: $16/$12
Bookings: t: 9699 3253, or book online now! |
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| Music/Dance/Performance: |
RockStrip
Sexy ass kickin’ rock strippin’ action for women and trans* |
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It's LIVE, It's ROCK, It's STRIP and a whole lot MORE! ROCK STRIP's back after a hugely successful show for Midsumma 2007.Bringing together some of Australia’s finest musicians and performance artists for a saucy execution of live ROCK STRIP! The show melds the art forms of rock music, striptease, comedy and cabaret in a rarely seen style. Rock Strip will showcase great diversity thus denouncing unhealthy, damaging stereotypes around body image in a celebration of all shapes, sizes, sexualities and cultures, whilst providing a safe space to explore and engage in these art forms.
The show features Melbourne band The Purring Furmaids, MC Jimmy Sumlovin, Sprinkle Magic, Asphyxia, Yana Alana, Chic Magnet,
Anni Davey, Azaria Universe & MORE.
A rockin' show for Women and Trans. 2 shows only so don't miss out!
Auslan interpreted on Saturday 9 only.
Venue: Gasworks Theatre
Dates: Friday 8 and Saturday 9 February 2008, 10:30pm till late
Tickets: $27.50
Bookings: t: 9699 3253, tty:
9699 4367
or book online now! |
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| Theatre: |
25 Frames
Beyond the porn legend: Aiden Shaw |
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An enthralling and hard-hitting new play about Aiden Shaw – a true legend of Gay Porn. He is strikingly handsome with the impossibly rugged yet sweet face. No one is madder, badder or more dangerous to know.
Aiden barely has time to remember the name of his latest conquest before he is off in search of the next.
With his witty insightfulness into our sex, status and youth obsessed culture, writer Kevin McGreal (Shakespeare’s boys, Cruising) looks beyond the legend by inserting Aiden Shaw into the overheated fleshpot of gay culture while he searches for acceptance, self – discovery and simplicity though Aiden does make sure none of these ever come his way.
Funny, sexy and bittersweet. Now Aiden Shaw can exist in perpetuity as a brilliant wandering soul along with that physical perfection that will never be destroyed for film,
Directed by Tim Hunter.
Venue: Studio Theatre
Dates: Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24, & Saturday 26 January, 9pm
Tuesday 29 January to Saturday 2 February, 10.30pm
Tickets: $20/$15
Bookings: t: 9699 3253, or book online now! |
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| Theatre: |
Domestic Bliss by Quiche Lorraine
The circus of domestic life is the inspiration of this domiciliary tableau exploring the objects of our everyday desires. |
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Harking back to the days when we knew who wore the pants and brought home the bacon, Quiche Lorraine, an exciting new ensemble of circus artists, explores the crevices of domesticity. Their show Domestic Bliss finds a world of unmentionable desires, strange neuroses, narcissistic chastity, splendid isolation, quirky couplings and menacing household objects.
Quiche Lorraine is Francesca Sculli, Sara Pheasant, Christy Flaws, Joh Fairley and Dylan Hodda. Teamed with Anni Davey of Circus Oz as Director these diversely talented performers use acrobatics, adagio, dance, Chinese pole, physical theatre, live music and images from the iconic postwar era of mythical domesticity in an inventive and entertaining look at repression and intimacy.
Come and enjoy their recipe for Domestic Bliss.
Ingredients: acrobatics, 1 kitchen table, 3 teacups, a handful of underwear, a pinch of dirty laundry. Method: Mix ingredients. Dress tarts. Serve hot.
Venue: Gasworks Theatre
Dates: Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 February 2008, 8pm
Tickets: $20/$15
Bookings: t: 9699 3253, or book online now! |
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| Visual Arts Exhibition : |
Mel Simpson: Classified M
Sexuality… Femininity… Visibility… |
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Mel Simpson’s exhibition Classified M explores themes of gender and sexuality through visual narratives based on female companionship, war and non-traditional female roles. These stories challenge stereotypes in both a playful and serious fashion, inviting the viewer to consider their own conditioned responses to these issues. Included in the Classified M exhibition are the Tattoo Series, Gridiron Series, and War Series.
Born in Queensland, Mel received her bachelor of Fine art in 2006 through the Queensland College of Art. In 2007 Mel was a finalist in both the prestigious Churchie Emerging Art Award and the Prometheus Art Award. This is the first solo show for Mel in Melbourne.
Venue: Angela Robarts-Bird Gallery
Dates: Sunday 3 to Saturday 17 February 2008, 9am to 5pm daily
Tickets: free
More info: t: 0417 786 990, w: melsimpsonart.com |
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| Kids Holiday Program : |
Midsumma Kids @ Gasworks
Theatre, music and workshops for kids |
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Kids Midsumma @ Gasworks features a range of performances and activities especially chosen to be queer family inclusive and fun for kids aged between three and eight.
Performances include the funky, fun sounds of Cha Cha Sam, an interactive music event for kids and families developed by singer, songwriter and composer, Andrea Rieniets; and the return of last year’s sell-out music theatre show, Fairytale Superstars! (Has Snow White got soul? Can Rapunzel rock out? Or will the Wicked Witch steal the crown? You decide in this music extravaganza!).
Programmed as part of Gasworks Holiday Program, the season includes classes and workshops in art and crafts, circus skills and much more! Ideal for kids between three and eight. Auslan interpreters upon request.
Venue: Gasworks Theatre
Dates: Monday 21 to Friday 25 January 2008 at various times
More Info: See the full program
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For general information about Midsumma 2008 Festival visit www.midsumma.org.au
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