Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival is a three-week extravaganza of queer arts and culture held annually in late January and early February.
Midsumma was created in 1988 by the Gay Business Association in conjunction with other community groups such as the ALSO Foundation and Victorian AIDS Council. The very first festival included a film festival, a writers’ week, two art exhibitions and a sporting carnival but has since grown to include over 100 events each year.
Celebrating its 22nd birthday in 2010, Midsumma organisers say they have great plans for next year’s festival.
‘Twenty-one years of experience is solely attributable to the queer community’s ongoing commitment to participation in this annual three-week event,’ said Midsumma General Manager, Adam Lowe.
‘The 2010 festival will again support this participation through the community produced events program and festival hubs.’
The 2010 festival kicks-off with the Midsumma Carnival, held in Alexandra Gardens, right in the heart of the city opposite the Victorian Arts Centre. The day is the single biggest event on the Midsumma calendar, attracting over 15,000 people last year. The Carnival includes the obligatory dog show, concerts and a huge range of stalls by businesses and community groups, then at the end of the day when the kiddies go home and the picnics get packed away, the Carnival T Dance (an open-air dance party) continues in the park until midnight.
As the closing event for the 2010 Midsumma Festival, the 15th annual Pride March will make its way through the streets of St Kilda in a sea of camp and colour. An estimated 45,000 people attended this year’s march with 4,000 people participating as part of the 92 registered entries. Pride March Victoria is predicting the numbers will rise to 50,000 for the 2010 march. After traveling down Fitzroy Street, Pride March ends at Catani Gardens on the St Kilda foreshore where live entertainment is spread across two stages and the crowds flock to the Beach Party.
The three weeks between opening and closing events are jam-packed with art exhibitions, theatre, cabaret, dance parties, live music and much more. The full program of events for Midsumma 2010 will be released on December 1 and can be viewed on the official website or by picking up a copy of the printed guide, which is distributed nation-wide.
The 2010 Midsumma Festival will run from January 17 to February 7. For more information go to www.midsumma.org.au
Getting There:
Virgin Blue is the official airline partner of Midsumma 2010 and is offering ‘fly and stay’ packages with Blue Holidays, which can incorporate tickets to T Dance and other festival events.
www.virginblue.com.au/Holidays/Specialsoffers/MidsummaFestival/
Where to Stay:
Art Series Hotel Group is a new collection of six boutique hotels that aim to give guests a ‘unique visual experience’. Each of the six hotels is to be named after an Australian artist and the first, ‘The Cullen’ is due for completion in November 2009, just in time for Midsumma.
The $30 million, 115 room, six-level hotel will be situated on Commercial Rd, home to a large number of Melbourne’s GLBT clubs and pubs.
Art Series Hotel Group is an official partner of the Midsumma Festival so mention Midsumma when making a booking to take advantage of special promotional deals.
1800 278 468
www.artserieshotels.com.au
169 Drummond Street offers both private room and guest-house accommodation in a fully renovated 19th Century terrace. It is within walking distance of Lygon Street and the CBD, and is a part of the IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association).
(03) 9663 3081
www.169drummond.com.au
The Opium Den has played host to some of Melbourne’s longest running and most popular GLBT cabaret shows including King Victoria drag kings and the Asian-themed Lotus Nite. Reasonably priced accommodation is available in the upstairs rooms and guests receive free entry to cabaret shows held in the downstairs bar.
(03) 9417 2696
www.opiumden.com.au
galstays is a comprehensive website with lists of GLBT-friendly accommodation in all capital cities and some regional areas. It also has links to all major GLBT festivals and tourist information for most destinations, maps, flights and weather reports.
Nightlife:
The Market – 143 Commercial Road, South Yarra
GLBT mixed, local and international DJs, live performances and dance productions
Xchange – 119 Commercial Road, South Yarra
Drag shows, DJ’s, pool tables, open 7 days till late
Priscilla’s @ 153 – 153 Commercial Rd, South Yarra
Live shows and entertainment, cabaret bar, no door charge
The Peel Hotel – Corner Peel and Wellington Streets, Collingwood
DJs, all-boy shows on Fridays and drag shows on Saturdays, predominantly gay men
The Glasshouse – 51-55 Gipps Street, Collingwood
Women and mixed, dance floor, three bar areas, beer garden, open 7 days for lunch and dinner
Things to do:
Melbourne not only has a vibrant and creative GLBT community, it is renowned for its fabulous retail shopping and factory outlets, art galleries, award-winning restaurants and unique small bars.
Shopping – Bargain hunters should head directly to Bridge Rd in Richmond for an extensive array of factory direct and retail outlets, while those looking for designer and top-end fashion will find exactly what they need on Chapel St in South Yarra. If you’re looking for that offbeat and unusual outfit that attracts endless ‘where did you get that?’ comments, check out Brunswick St in Fitzroy.
Arts – There are so many independent galleries and innovative arts spaces in Melbourne it would be impossible to get to them all but why not try the Heide Museum of Modern Art in Bulleen, about a 15 minute drive from the CBD. It is touted as one of Australia’s leading art galleries and the birthplace of Australian Modernism and its permanent collection includes works by the great Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd and Albert Tucker.
www.heide.com.au
If you’re looking for something innovative and new, the Bus Gallery is an artist-run space with studios and exhibition spaces. Right in the heart of the CBD it includes a sound gallery and supports emerging local and international artists.
www.busprojects.com.au
The National Gallery of Victoria houses an impressive collection of European, Asian, Oceanic and American art that spans hundreds of years. It is located on St Kilda Rd, behind the Victorian Arts Centre and its sister gallery, The Ian Potter Centre across the road in Federation Square houses the National Gallery’s modern Australian collection.
www.ngv.vic.gov.au
Dining and bars –
Red Orange Restaurant and Bar is just across the road from Pricilla’s and the Market, making it an ideal GLBT hang-out. It is open till late, the décor is stylish and the menu is reasonably priced.
194 Commercial Rd, Prahran
Phone: (03) 9510 – 3654
The Hairy Canary is a funky and well-known bar/restaurant in the CBD with an extensive menu of bar snacks, tapas and pizzas. The cocktails are fantastic and the atmosphere quintessentially Melbourne.
212 Lt Collins St, Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9654-2471
Number 8 offers modern Australian cuisine in a very stylish environment. Located on the terrace level of the Crown Casino complex, the restaurant has an extensive wine list of over 800 wines and has won numerous awards. It’s not cheap but well worth the experience.
Riverside at Crown
Phone: (03) 9292 7899
Handy websites:
www.sstar.net.au – For all the news, entertainment and up-to-the minute events in Melbourne see OUTinPerth’s sister publication in Victoria, Southern Star.
www.we-love-melbourne.net – Fantastic info on arts, entertainment, accommodation, shopping, tours, festivals, weather and much more.
www.visitvictoria.com – The official site of Tourism Victoria including maps, planning tips and a specialist gay and lesbian tourism fact sheet.
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