MELT: Festival of Queer Arts and Culture 2021 Program Guide

FESTIVAL OF

QUEER ARTS

20 - 30 MAY 2021

Suddenly it’s 2021… and at long last we are putting our lives back together and also our communities.

While the pandemic split us apart and isolated us, it also offered unexpected connections, and during this time I have wondered about the unique ways our LGBTIQ+ world connects and creates its own energy. At the other end of this experience, there is a story of resilience, strength, humour and love – four qualities that embody our communities so profoundly.

And so to the return of the extraordinary community experience that is MELT: Festival of Queer Arts and Culture! Back with vigour after it was cancelled last year alongside so many other cultural events. This makes our 2021 Festival an even more exciting celebration of queer arts and culture.

I am so thrilled that several of the artists and shows have been able to carry over into this year’s Festival. A big thank you to the amazing Emily Gilhome who guest directed the 2019 and 2020 programs.

So as we progress through this year – with eyes, ears and hearts wide open – I invite you all to join us for MELT, to celebrate our strengths, and feel the joy of being together again.

James Lees Guest Director 1

~ WELCOME ~

It’s time to shake off the dust of 2020 and celebrate!

Brisbane Powerhouse has been a home for the LGBTIQ+ community since we opened our doors, and we are so excited to celebrate all things queer and culture again with a unique festival that pushes boundaries, explores unique art forms and shares important stories.

MELT: Festival of Queer Arts and Culture belongs authentically to the local community and is our most creatively diverse event, featuring large scale works to intimate shows that are personal and honest.

This year MELT will highlight Jeremy Goldstein’s internationally acclaimed Truth to Power Café, welcome back the outrageous Reuben Kaye, feature musical innovator Mo’Ju plus showcase homegrown premieres Showguys, God is in the House, People of Colours, Queer as Flux and Violet-Crowned… and that’s just the beginning!

Thank you to our many collaborators for their generosity and commitment, and to YOU, our MELT devotees. We couldn’t do this without you.

Now let’s have some fun!

Kris Stewart Artistic Director Brisbane Powerhouse

It gives me great pleasure to welcome back MELT: Festival of Queer Arts and Culture to Brisbane Powerhouse – Brisbane City Council’s premier venue for arts and culture.

Each year, the venue comes alive with colour, entertainment and exhibitions, celebrating the LGBTIQ+ community and showcasing our inclusive Brisbane. One of Brisbane’s greatest strengths is that we respect and embrace diverse backgrounds and experiences. I want Brisbane to be a city where talent can thrive, and MELT provides just that, an essential lifeline for our creative community and talented local artists.

I encourage you to share in the experiences on offer at MELT in 2021; important storytelling whether it be poignant, funny or heartwarming, or all combined.

Adrian Schrinner Lord Mayor

We respectfully acknowledge the Jagera/Turrbal peoples, the First Nation Traditional Owners of the land on which we work. We pay respects to all Elders past and present and acknowledge the young leaders who are working beside our Elders in our cultural industries.

~ WELCOME ~

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Mo’Ju

STRENGTH and

soul

Singer-songwriter and ARIA-nominated Australian musician Mo’Ju (formerly known as Mojo Juju), brings her profound, soulful energy and mesmerising voice to our stage for one night only.

Following on from her chart-topping and award-winning debut album Native Tongue, Mo’Ju brings us a catalogue of new music that reflects and celebrates the wider Australian cultural and music landscape.

”

Mo’Ju has finally arrived and, as she says, watch out:

I came here to kick ass and chew gum. And I’m all outta gum.

DATE Sat 22 May TIME 7.30pm TICKETS $45 (A Res), $42 (a), $38 (c) + $6.90 transaction fee PRESENTED BY Brisbane Powerhouse

Suitable for 12+ | Contains coarse language

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~ MUSIC ~

~ MUSIC ~

4

5

~ CABARET ~

REUBEN

Kaye

THE

BUTCH is Back

Multi-award winning, Australian comedian, singer and self-proclaimed part-time hood ornament Reuben Kaye returns with a new show, a new band and new looks to die for. With acid wit and casual sensationalism that is simply delicious, Kaye is fast, on the edge and brutally funny.

“

Imagine if Joan Collins, Tim Curry and Meow Meow all dropped a stack of narcotics and had an orgy... now roll it in jewels and bathtub gin, and you’re halfway there.

… You can’t take your eyes off him: he’s beautiful, hilarious, knowing, wicked.

THE TIMES LONDON

DATE Thu 27 May TIME 7.30pm TICKETS $45 (A Res), $42 + $6.90 transaction fee PRESENTED BY Brisbane Powerhouse Suitable for ages 18+ Contains coarse language, adult themes + sexual references

~ CABARET ~

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Truth to POWER Café

London Artists Projects

Jeremy Goldstein’s Truth to Power Café is a profound theatrical reflection on loss, hope and resistance. This internationally acclaimed performance event is told through memoir, image, poetry, music and live testimony from community participants with stories to tell in response to the question: ‘Who has power over you and what do you want to say to them?’

Speaking truth to power is a non-violent means of conflict resolution, the origins of which lie in the anti-war movement.

Is it to your parents, sibling, politician, landlord, neighbour, banker, or simply your best friend? It’s time to tell them the truth before it’s too late.

Truth to Power Café is inspired by the political and philosophical beliefs of Nobel prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter and his Hackney Gang.

Created, written and performed by Jeremy Goldstein with Henry Woolf.

Directed by Jen Heyes, Associate Director Anne-Louise Rentell.

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~ SPECIAL EVENT ~

“

The revolutionary potential of theatre at its simplest and most direct.

THE GUARDIAN

DATE Thu 20 May TIME 7.30pm TICKETS $39 (A Res), $35 + $6.90 transaction fee PRESENTED BY Brisbane Powerhouse

Suitable for ages 16+ | Contains coarse language, adult themes, sexual + drug references + trigger warnings

~ SPECIAL EVENT ~

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Killer

QUEENS She Will Rock You

Five ferocious females ascend the glam rock throne. Embracing the exaggerated pomp of prog rock and heavy metal, as well as vaudevillian music hall, the KILLER QUEENS return to immerse audiences in the music of Mercury, as well as original infusions from other glam rock royals - Bowie and Prince. An electrifying fusion of jaw-dropping vocals and camp theatrics complete with tight shorts, leather and leotards.

DATE Sat 29 May TIME 7.30pm TICKETS $65 (a), $59 (c + Group 8+) + $6.90 transaction fee PRESENTED BY Oscar Production Company in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse Suitable for ages 15+ | Contains coarse language + adult themes 9

~ MUSIC ~

SHOW

Guys

If you’re looking for a Goddess, then you clearly don’t Nomi!

Joel Devereux presents a tribute to the 1995 cult classic Showgirls that is more satisfying than a doggy chow and Cristal lunch.

With an all-star boylesque and drag cast (who are full of brown rice and vegetables), they’re ready to serve up some tantalising tease in celebration of the once notorious flop, now eccentric cult masterpiece.

DATE Fri 28 May TIME 7.30pm TICKETS $55 (A Res), $49 + $6.90 transaction fee PRESENTED BY Joel Devereux in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse Suitable for ages 18+ | Contains coarse language, nudity, adult themes + sexual references ~ CABARET ~

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People of

COLOURS

What happens when a group of mostly-irresponsible queers face the ultimate group-assignment: a house inspection?

People of Colours is an under-repair property with the lease coming up, it is a late-night conversation over a durrie you can’t afford, it is that house in the corner everyone is kicking-on at after The Beat shuts.

Welcome to the party!

DATE Thu 27 – Sat 29 May TIME Thu + Sat 8.30pm, Fri 6.30pm TICKETS $35 (a), $25 (c) + $6.90 transaction fee PRESENTED BY Naavikaran and Grace Edward in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse Suitable for ages 16+ | Contains references to suicide, sexual violence, complex mental health + drug use.

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~ THEATRE ~

GODis in the House Damned to the hell realms or continue to rise defiant?

In a cloistered cabaret space where sublime sexuality and spiritual matters meet, A Company of Sinners perform dirty, gritty God songs: a setlist that rips out your soul while inviting you inside for a sweet conversation.

DATE Thu 20 – Sat 22 May TIME Thu + Sat 6.30pm, Fri 9pm TICKETS $30 (a), $25 (c + Group 6+) + $6.90 transaction fee PRESENTED BY A Company of Sinners in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse Suitable for ages 15+ | Contains adult themes, coarse language, sexual references + trigger warnings ~ CABARET ~

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Beauty MELT

PAGEANT

13

~ SPECIAL EVENT ~

MELT’s showstopper event returns to crown the best of the best with MELT Beauty Pageant! Join us as some of Brisbane’s best drag talent battle it out to win the ultimate title of MELT Beauty 2021.

With an all-star judging panel and the infamous Tina Bikki as host, who will be crowned Brisbane’s most vivacious drag queen, drag king or gender blending beauty?

“ DATE Fri 21 May TIME 7.30pm TICKETS $49 (A Res), $44 + $6.90 transaction fee PRESENTED BY Brisbane Powerhouse Suitable for ages 18+ Contains coarse language, nudity, adult themes + sexual references ~ SPECIAL EVENT ~

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QUEER ASFlux The personal intersects the political as Stace Callaghan intimately packs and unpacks fluid identities and the idea of transitioning. With the help of their Drag Queen Fairy Godmother, Polly Tickle, they question what it means to be queer in a society obsessed with binaries and fixing what isn’t broken.

Iconic queer anthems meet embodied storytelling in this journey of a boy - who “passed” as a woman following the yellow brick road to top surgery and “T”.

Originally supported by The Blue Room Theatre as part of Winter Nights.

DATE Thu 27 – Sat 29 May TIME Thu + Sat 6.30pm, Fri 8.30pm TICKETS $32 (a), $28 (c) + $6.90 transaction fee PRESENTED BY The Nest Ensemble in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse Suitable for ages 16+ | Contains adult themes, coarse language, nudity, drug, sexual and surgical references 15

~ THEATRE ~

Violet-Crowned

Part historical appreciation and part modern gay nonsense, Violet-Crowned is not only about who we love, but how we love.

Peek into the hearts and minds of three women who love women as they rediscover the poetry of Sappho and search for meaning in the re-telling of their love stories.

DATE Thu 20 – Sat 22 May TIME Thu + Sat 8.30pm, Fri 6.30pm TICKETS $25 + $6.90 transaction fee PRESENTED BY Magnetic North Theatre Company in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse Suitable for ages 18+ | Contains coarse language, nudity, adult themes, sexual references + trigger warnings ~ THEATRE ~

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QUEER

Lit

Some of Australia’s finest queer writers join in conversation to discuss their recent works and more as part of Writers+Ideas.

Planting seeds of inspiration and sharing their own personal stories, this joyously devious, honest and raw event will be a highlight of MELT 2021.

Hosted by Ed Ayres, the lineup will include musician and compelling author Holly Throsby, Holden Sheppard discussing his highly acclaimed young adult novel Invisible Boys and Ellen van Neervan, poet and local Mununjali author.

Storytelling at its finest!

DATE Sun 23 May TIME 2pm TICKETS $35 (A Res), $32 + $6.90 transaction fee PRESENTED BY Brisbane Powerhouse Suitable for 15+ | Contains adult themes, coarse language + sexual references Writers+Ideas is supported by O’Neill Architecture.

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~ MELT TALKS ~

~ MELT TALKS ~

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MELT PORTRAIT

Prize

The annual MELT Portrait Prize returns, celebrating heroes in the LGBTIQ+ community, attracting exceptional artworks from across Australia.

Discover the icons that make up our LGBTIQ+ community and visit the MELT Portrait Prize exhibition.

Tim Wang: Becalmed (2019 Melt Portrait Prize People's Choice)

EXHIBITION 20 May – 13 June TIME Wed - Sun 11.30am – 5.30pm TICKETS Free PRESENTED BY Brisbane Powerhouse Suitable for ages 15+ | Contains adult themes. May contain nudity.

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~ VISUAL ARTS ~

SilencedIN THE Shadows

BY DAN MOLLOY

A series of strikingly raw photographs portraying the emotional internal battle LGBTIQ+ Pacific Islander and Indigenous people often face. These intimate portraits explore and represent the reality of living in silence due to their sexuality and gender identity, alongside the fear of being ostracised and abandoned by their loved ones.

EXHIBITION 20 May – 13 June TIME Wed - Sun 11.30am – 5.30pm TICKETS Free PRESENTED BY Dan Molloy in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse Suitable for ages 15+ | Contains adult themes ~ VISUAL ARTS ~

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SpillTEA THE

Are you thirsty? Richie LeStrange and Christina Draguilera have just the TEA for you!

Grab a drink and join this king and queen as they host the biggest and best evening chat show this side of the Brisbane river.

Get the parTEA started as your hosts catch up on current events, get saucy with distinguished MELT guests including stars of featured shows, and get blown away with out-of-this-world performances.

DATE Sat 22 + Fri 28 May TIME 6pm TICKETS Free PRESENTED BY Brisbane Powerhouse in partnership with Christina Draguilera and Richie LeStrange Suitable for 15+ | May contain coarse language + adult themes 21

~ FREE ~

Livespark MELT SPECIAL

Join us for a special MELT Livespark in May, featuring a lineup of extraordinary artists to celebrate the final day of MELT: Festival of Queer Arts and Culture celebrations for 2021.

Featuring stellar local musicians, this event will showcase the ever-evolving soulful sounds of Andrea Kirwin, blues and roots artist Nikolaine Martin and electronic, art-pop quartet, Umbriel (pictured).

DATE Sun 30 May TIME 3pm TICKETS Free PRESENTED BY Brisbane Powerhouse Suitable for all ages

RAINBOW

CRAFT & Storytime

Join Rainbow Families Queensland for an hour of sparkly stories and FUN craft for children! Fabulously frivolous former drag queen Jade will be joined by rainbow parent volunteers to bring you stories and songs about diverse families, celebrating people of all genders, body types and sexualities.

Don’t forget to dress-up!

DATE Sat 22 May TIME 10am TICKETS Free PRESENTED BY Brisbane Powerhouse in partnership with Rainbow Families Queensland Suitable for all ages ~ FREE ~

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at the outdoor gallery have a at the outdoor gallery

Phoebe Paradise, Beautiful One Day, Perfect the Next, 2020.

MORETON ISLAND, BRISBANE

QUEENSLAND IS

G O O D TO G O

QUEENSLAND.COM

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~ PARTNERS ~

OUR PARTNERS HELP US

Sparkle

Brisbane Powerhouse is Brisbane City Council’s centre for living art, ideas and experiences helping to deliver a vibrant and creative city.

FESTIVAL PARTNERS

BRISBANE MINI GARAGE

CREATIVE PARTNER

~ PARTNERS ~

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WEEK 1 SHOW

P.

Thu 20 May

Fri 21 May

Sat 22 May

Sun 23 May

POWERHOUSE THEATRE TRUTH TO POWER CAFÉ

7

MELT BEAUTY PAGEANT

13

MO'JU

3

QUEER LIT

17

7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2pm

THE STUDIO GOD IS IN THE HOUSE

12

6.30pm

9pm

6.30pm

VIOLET-CROWNED

16

8.30pm

6.30pm

8.30pm

TURBINE PLATFORM RAINBOW CRAFT & STORYTIME

22

10am

SPILL THE TEA

21

6pm

TURBINE FOYER MELT PORTRAIT PRIZE

19

11.30am - 5.30pm

UNDERGROUND FOYER SILENCED IN THE SHADOWS DAN MOLLOY

20

11.30am - 5.30pm

MELT

Merch 25

~ SCHEDULE ~

WEEK 2 SHOW

P.

Thu 27 May

Fri 28 May

Sat 29 May

Sun 30 May

POWERHOUSE THEATRE REUBEN KAYE

5

SHOWGUYS

10

KILLER QUEENS

9

7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm

THE STUDIO QUEER AS FLUX

15

6.30pm

8.30pm

6.30pm

PEOPLE OF COLOURS

11

8.30pm

6.30pm

8.30pm

TURBINE PLATFORM SPILL THE TEA

21

LIVESPARK: MELT SPECIAL

22

6pm 3pm

TURBINE FOYER MELT PORTRAIT PRIZE

19

11.30am - 5.30pm

UNDERGROUND FOYER SILENCED IN THE SHADOWS DAN MOLLOY

20

11.30am - 5.30pm

Our sparkly goodness is back!

Get your hands on this exclusive collection of MELT jewels including earrings and brooches while checking out a show.

PURCHASE FROM BOX OFFICE ~ SCHEDULE ~

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HOW TO

Book!

All MELT: Festival of Queer Arts and Culture shows are ticketed, including free events.

This year, we’ve made some changes to keep our MELT Festival vibes COVID-Safe.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Reduced festival footprint with fewer venue spaces occupied.

• Paperless ticketing and a cashless Box Office.

• More time between shows so audiences coming out, do not mix with audiences coming in.

• Regular cleaning of our venue spaces and public areas.

• Readily available hand sanitiser stations.

• Signage in venues to encourage physical distancing.

• Clearly delineated entry and exits.

• Collection of patron information to facilitate rapid contact tracing.

Brisbane Powerhouse Box Office is open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm, Sat 12pm – 4pm.

Box Office is also open 60 minutes prior to each performance and 30 minutes after performances commence.

BOOK ONLINE: meltfestival.com.au PHONE: Box Office on 07 3358 8600