Midsumma Festival 2019

Overview

Midsumma Festival returns to Melbourne this month, bringing together communities and artists in the LGBTQI+ from across the state for its annual cultural festival. It spans from January 19 through February 10 and takes place in venues all over Melbourne.

The massive program kicks off with a bang at the Midsumma Carnival, on Sunday, January 20, in the Alexandra Gardens. There'll be 11 hours of live music and entertainment on the main stage, heaps of food stalls and bars, plus the return of the Midsumma Dog Show which is just an absolute delight. Then, once the sun starts to set, the park is transformed into one enormous dance floor, with DJs and artists performing well into the night. And it's 100 percent free.

Other program highlights include Dancing Qweens, a social history of queer dance by James Welsby; a live show by Nocturnal (featuring Nakhane), a South African, queer rights musician at the Melbourne Museum; a visual art installation by Melbourne artist Debris Facility, titled De/Afficiency, at North Melbourne's Art House; and BodMod Salon, a body casting workshop that explores identity.

Arts House is hosting a range of shows, from Beast by Krishna Istha (a mix of stand-up comedy and performance art) to Habits and Friends, a late-night party with 'dark-techno' by HABITS and famed Italian intersex artist Silvia Calderoni. Premieres include the brand new ballet-opera Orpheus — a retelling of the ancient Greek myth that follows an unexpressed gay relationship. And returning this year is Little Ones Theatre, award-winning theatrical sketches based on the writings of author Christos Tsiokas.

In film, The Movies in My Mind by Cazeleon (winner of Best Emerging Artist at Adelaide Fringe) will show alongside the artist's live cabaret at The Melba Spiegeltent. No Vacancy Gallery will again host the Midsumma and Australia Post Art Prize, which will award up to $10,000 to the winning artist for a production in next year's festival.

Images: Midsumma Carnival, Jackson Grant.