Photo: Calamity Tash (middle) with Soprano Jessica Mills (left) and Mark Stefanoff of the State Opera South Australia, with Benny (ribbon) and Henry (scarf) – pic by Photojo
Adelaide is set to illuminate with the vibrancy of the LGBTQIA+ community as the annual Feast Festival, now in its 27th year, is set to launch on Saturday, November 9th at Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla. The festival’s iconic Picnic in the Park, expected to draw over 4000 attendees, will kick off a 15-day celebration teeming with arts, culture, and inclusivity.
This year’s Picnic in the Park boasts an expanded programme including the much-anticipated Feast Dog Show and performances from artists of the State Opera South Australia, a first for the event. Alongside, attendees can enjoy roving entertainers, DJs, market stalls, as well as the legendary Queerlympics which features playful competitions such as the handbag toss. New additions include a wellness corner, a variety of children’s activities, and ample space designed for groups, families, or individual festival-goers seeking leisure and entertainment.
Feast Festival CEO, Tish Naughton, highlighted the event’s broad appeal. “Picnic in the Park is a highlight of the Feast Festival calendar, and there’s something for everyone,” Naughton said. She added that the increased venue size allows for more activities and spaces where attendees can enjoy the Pridevember atmosphere.
A special treat this year comes from the collaboration with the State Opera South Australia, featuring performances on the main stage by soprano Jessica Mills and pianist Mark Stefanoff. “Mark and I are very excited to perform at Feast Festival. It is such a creative, diverse and inclusive space, and we are honoured to be a part of it,” Mills said, promising opera hits and glitter.
Mark Taylor, Executive Director of State Opera, shared his pleasure with this collaboration. “It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with audiences in an informal, unexpected, and spectacular way and celebrate the power of the human voice,” he stated.
The festival’s significance continues beyond the picnic with the Feast Hub taking centre stage from November 22th to 24th at the renovated Piccadilly. Here, audiences can expect performances from prominent Australian figures including feminist and author Clementine Ford, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under winner Spankie Jackzon, award-winning comedian Scout Boxall, and comedian Frankie McNair.
Alongside live performances, film lovers can delve into the Adelaide Queer Film Festival at Feast Hub showcasing premieres and beloved classics such as ‘Paris is Burning’. This film outing levels up the festival’s cinematic scope with features like the South Australian premiere of ‘The Astronaut Lovers’ and ‘Perfect Endings’, as well as cult and debut horror films catering to genre fans.
In an effort to make the arts accessible to everyone, 95% of the festival’s shows, hosted across 45 venues, are now accessible to those with mobility impairments and wheelchair users. Feast’s regional outreach will also bring six events to locations such as Port Augusta and Clare.
The Feast Festival spans a thrilling array of events from November 9th to 24th. With such a comprehensive and diversified programme, this year’s theme of Transformation covertly nods to the ongoing positive shift towards greater visibility and integration of the LGBTQIA+ community through creativity and connection.
Attendees can secure their spot at the festivities or the dog show, with registration closing at 2pm on November 8th, by visiting feast.org.au.
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