Residents of the state’s Midwest are getting ready to celebrate queer culture. More than 350 people are expected to head to the Central Greenough Historical Settlement 20kms south of Geraldton for the third annual G-Fest.
Last year’s festival attracted more than 350 people and coordinator Raina Savage is hoping a new format will attract even more visitors.
“Last time it was only during the evening but this time there is a day event too called G-Feast,” she said.
“We’ve got farmers markets, delicious food and local vendors selling local produce and locally made goods. It’s a bit of a bent family fare day.”
The official launch will take place on the Friday evening at the Arts and Cultural Development Council in Geraldton marked by an invite only event featuring a photography exhibition by local LGBTI artists from the region.
Locals of the Midwest have been working with professional photographer and artist in residence Vanessa Hunter to produce the exhibition.
Hunter’s work has featured in national broadsheet newspapers and she has been involved with photography projects worldwide and Savage said her expertise in the area encouraged photography of the beautiful region.
Local artist Anthea da Silva’s contemporary figurative works with a ‘bent’ twist will also be on display as will Gabrielle Woodhams stunning prints of lingerie.
Savage said the response in past has been mostly positive.
“The first one was quite small and it has grown since then,” she said.
“We encourage different people from the community to come and the response has been overwhelming. And from the straight community, they’re been really supportive and we have a lot of sponsors.”
Savage anticipates this will be the most successful G-Fest yet with a line-up of performers that includes Paul Cordeiro, who has worked with the Sydney New Years Eve Pride party and worked on the choreography for the Sydney Olympic Games and Ben Palumbo, a sultry cabaret performer.
Also on the line-up is Sydney drag king Beau Heartbreaker, performed by Celina Jenkins, who Savage describes as a “sincere and lovable guy.”
“We also have a lot of wonderful volunteers whose tireless efforts are vital to success of the festival,” she said “the idea is to create a whole weekend so that people can come from everywhere to enjoy the weekend and our beautiful area.”
A bus will run between the GFest Site and Geraldton.
For more information or to purchase tickets online, head to www.gfest.com.au.
Joe Cassidy
