Serial nudist, Frankie van Kan (AKA Frankie Valentine--Stripped Queer, Club Briefs, Baby Got Back, Seen & Heard Cabaret) achieves the improbable task of exposing more of herself than ever before, in this deeply intimate piece of confessional theatre. Dubbed "A dynamite piece of theatre" by ArtsHub, A Body at Work, directed by theatre Alumni Maude Davey, is the tale of a queer woman's seventeen years, and counting, in the sex industry. 
Beginning in a strip club, with insightfully refreshing antics of strip club culture and the perceived power dynamics between workers and clients, Frankie unpacks her own whorephobia and the unravelling of boundaries. As she regales you with stories of the body as a commodity and navigating queerness in this honest, humorous and heartfelt journey, Frankie asks the question--will they love me at my Madonna when they've relished me at my whore? 
"A Body at Work is a dynamite piece of theatre * * * * * -- ARTS HUB 
"Van Kan's writing is poetic and lyrical... exhilarating choreography" * * * * 1/2 -- InReview 
"A powerful stage presence" -- Stage whispers 
"feminist and perverse" -- Second Sighter 
"A Body at Work offers a humanist and deeply personal perspective on sex work... A very moving experience" * * * * -- The Clothesline

Come break the glass ceiling with a night of laughs from a hilarious cast of stand-up comics who are women, trans, and/or non-binary, and see what talent lies beyond the boys club! 
This special event is presented by Pride Comedy, who produce our popular monthly queer stand-up comedy night at Pride of our Footscray. 
This event was previously known as Womxn/Womyn of Comedy. Past performers have included Maddy Weeks, Tina del Twist, Anna Piper Scott, Sez, Bea Barbeau-Scurla, Tarsh Jago, Annie Louey, Jordan Barr, Sunada, and Kirsty Webeck. 2025 cast to be announced soon!

Originally established by Victorian AIDS Council volunteers over 30 years ago, the AIDS Memorial Garden remains a treasured resource and place of quiet reflection. The Garden is located on the grounds of the old Fairfield Hospital which was responsible for the care of the majority of HIV/AIDS patients in Victoria. 
Fairfield Hospital was originally opened in 1904. Diseases treated included typhoid, cholera, scarlet fever and in its final years HIV/AIDS. Despite plans for its closure in the early 1990s, an unprecedented community campaign kept the hospital open. By the time it closed in 1996 it was the last specific infectious diseases hospital in Australia. 
In 2004, after the site was acquired by Melbourne Polytechnic Fairfield (previously NMIT), the Garden was transformed into a valuable learning space for Horticulture and Landscape students. Interest in the old hospital grounds was rekindled in recent years with the release of the 2015 movie Holding The Man. This walking tour provides a rare opportunity to have a guided tour by community members who helped to establish the Memorial Garden and had a close relationship with the Fairfield Hospital, from friends to family who had been cared for.

In 1977 a group of friends created A.K.O.E. - the Greek Homosexual Liberation Movement. The movement spawned a magazine, Amfi, whose offices at the legendary basement on Zalongou Street were to become a place of refuge and organisation for the Greek queer community until 1990. This astounding documentary presents an insider's view of the queer rights movement in Greece, from nascence and consciousness-raising to agitating for the rights to exist, to happiness, to love. The movement's story is told for the first time by director Iossif Vardakis, who was a member of A.K.O.E. from 1985 to '88, a member of the Amfi editorial team and responsible for the art direction of two of its issues. His beautiful film features a treasure trove of archival footage, music, animation and great use of talking heads, testifying to the challenging political backdrop to A.K.O.E.'s emergence, intra-community rivalries and community prejudice against trans people, and ultimately to the surmounting of such impediments to progress and self-determination.

It's Footscray's famous drag bingo! Get ready for a night of pure fabulousness hosted by our resident queens, HollyPop and Amanduh, with special guests to be announced. 
We've got number bingo, musical bingo, HEAPS of prizes, and the most delicious cocktails in the west, PLUS your ticket includes entry to our late night drag and dance floor! 
This event sells out every year, so get your tickets now!

By Sarah Austin and Co 
An Uncertain Time uses song, sound, physical theatre and projection to take audiences on an exploration through ideas of love, loss, hope and uncertainty. It is a tactile, sensory and visual experience that will captivate babies and adults alike. The 30-minute performance is followed by optional playtime in the space. 
This work is for babies and their carers only, to ensure a focused experience and bonding time. Parents and carers, make arrangements for other children to be cared for during the performance time. 
"My baby was captivated from start to finish! It was so well though through for both children and adults!" - Audience feedback, An Uncertain Time

Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities are invited to join our Auslan-interpreted guided tour to learn about the Victorian Pride Centre's award-winning architecture, its resident organisations, bookable spaces, and events calendar while also having an opportunity to explore the Pride Gallery and Hares and Hyenas bookshop. 
Note that all parts of the tour are accessible by wheelchair.

"A burgeoning, boundary-pushing drag scene has been enlivening Athens in recent years. In Fil Ieropoulos' exhilarating, kaleidoscopic documentary, which enjoyed its World Premiere at the prestigious International Film Festival Rotterdam, you'll meet a tight-knit clutch of ten defiant, determinedly activistic Athenian drag performers who find solace in one another as they dismantle constructs of gender, ethnicity, religion and sexuality in the highly conservative contemporary Greek context. The Orthodox Church retains a lot of control over the Greek body politic, but the Church's patriarchal power is far from the only orthodoxy these inspirational drag artistes are hellbent on challenging... Through the highly politicised antics of Kangela Tromokratisch, Er Libido, Aurora Paola Morado, et al, you'll discover how the art of drag, operating at a few removes from the mainstream reach of the likes of the Drag Race franchises, can still be a radical force at street level to transform reality and create safe spaces for people marginalised in a too-often hostile society."

Get ready to experience the ultimate fusion of Pride and Oktoberfest at Midsumma 2025! Join us for an afternoon (with two available performance dates!) that's set to be a highlight of the festival season - where music, mates, and merriment collide in the most fabulous way. Whether you're a die-hard Eurovision fan, a Spice Girls devotee, or just someone who can't resist belting out George Michael's greatest hits, this event is for you! Picture this: you and your mates, dressed in your finest lederhosen (or not, but they're always a hit), surrounded by the sound of joyful sing-alongs, the scent of sizzling sausages, and the clinking of steins. 
This year's inaugural 'Bangers, Beers and Bears' bash is more than just a party - it's a celebration of all things camp, cheeky, and utterly joyous. Start your Midsumma day's plans with us, soaking up the vibrant sing-a-long atmosphere, enjoying delicious brews, and indulging in mouth-watering pretzels and other Oktoberfest treats. With every song, every laugh, and every toast, you'll be part of a uniquely Melbourne moment - one that celebrates Pride in the most deliciously fun way possible. Prost to that! 
So, gather your mates, bring your best party spirit, and get ready for a day of unforgettable fun. Whether you're here for the music, the food, the beer, or just the good vibes, this is one Midsumma event you won't want to miss. Get ready to raise your stein and sing your heart out - this is Prost to Pride like never before! 
"Gather your mates for Midsumma's most deliciously camp, beer-soaked celebration - PROST!" *****

Come join us for our Midsumma Special 'Furocious' Bear Night! Enjoy the 25m heated pool, dance to the amazing beats of our sexy DJs and play your way across a multi-level labyrinth of play spaces. 
It's going to be a grizzly time!

If wearing a mask wasn't mysterious enough, then a murder should bring more mystery to the evening! You're invited to our Masquerade Ball. While guests enjoy an included glass of champagne on arrival and a selection of finger food hors-d'oeuvres waitered through the room of guests, tragedy suddenly strikes and the ball room becomes locked down. Follow a trail of clues that will lead you closer to unmasking the killer! Remember that your costume and mask could hide your killer intentions!! Be Creative.

Join us on Saturday 25 January 2025 from 12pm-3pm 
Edinburgh Gardens - The Rotunda (note the new location!) 
This event is for all multi gender attracted folk, their friends and family. 
Enjoy a chill afternoon in the park with local DJ playing a mix of chill vibes and upbeat classics. Challenge your friends to a game of Finska, have a dance, relax on the grass and connect with new friends. Some toys will be provided for kids and they are also welcome to bring their own. 
This is a no alcohol / no smoking event. 
BYO food, drink and rugs. 
Wheelchair accessible (grassed areas).

An immersive dive into the musical journey inspired by the Cotton Club Era. Reflecting a time when you dressed to the nines and every moment from electrifying rhythm with smooth velvety vocals accompanied a myriad of emotions heightened by music, melody, and ambiance. 
From the Duke Ellington to Eubie Blake to Cab Calloway to Luther Vandross, Joti Van Carlos Gore has many stories to tell. 
Orchestrator and Band Director Adrian Szondy, Vocal Director and repertoire by Victoria Theodore, and Daniel Mallari, Costume Designer Isaac Lummis, and Creative Fashion Design Consultant Todd Anthony with the First Nations Fashion Design team. 
"Vigorous, Graceful with a Spark" - SF Chronicle
"Serving Up Mellifluous Vocals Every time They Croon" - The Guardian
"Uses his rich velvety vocals as an instrument" - Trente Morant (Conductor, Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra)

An intimate but upbeat evening of First Nations performance and discussion, featuring current reigning Miss First Nations Supreme Queen - Cerulean! 
 Throughout the event we'll enjoy live shows and Q&A sessions with each of our performers in a fun, respectful setting. 
Full cast to be announced soon.

In celebration of the Queer community and allies, Carlton Baths will host an afternoon of family-friendly fun including live music, swimming, giveaways and activities for all to enjoy. 
Come and enjoy performances from your favourite LGBTQIA+ artists, connect with local community organisations and experience a range of fun, recreational activities throughout the centre.

In partnership with Casey Cardinia Pride Inc., we bring you the Casey Rainbow Community Picnic which has something for everyone including live music, art & craft activities & more. Bring your picnic goodies including food, blankets, family and friends and join in with our performers onstage! 
Don't forget to take a wander through the beautiful gardens.

We are really excited to bring you the next instalment of the Collingwood Underground Roller Disco as part of this year's Midsumma Festival. Set in the car park of one of Collingwood's most iconic and prominent landmarks, the high rise tower is the home of the Underground Roller Disco. With skating, dancing and a games room on the programme for the day in addition to food and drink, it's an all-ages event you don't want to miss. Expect only good vibes with Le Soul and more to take you on an underground journey from soul and hip hop through to house and disco. With all your needs taken care of, the one thing to do is "push and kick" down in the roller rink. If you don't have your own skates, we have a hook up with skates for hire. 
Coming to you from the underground car park at the Collingwood commission housing, our mission is not only to put on great events, but also to break down social barriers and use the profits to invest back into the community on the estate. 
This event takes place on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Divisi and Queerstories partner to produce Compose Queer x Queerstories. We connect 12 queer composers, some established, some emerging, with 12 queer writers to produce an anthology concert of completely new work. 
This project marks the second iteration of Divisi's Compose queer programming - workshopping and developing work by emerging queer composers to tell our stories in new ways. Although there is a thriving amateur queer music scene of community organisations and hobby musicians, there is limited opportunity for composers to express their queerness at a professional level. These programs give voice to tell stories at a professional quality of musical expression. 
Don't expect your usual, stuffy, classical music concert. 
Expect to be involved, to be moved, to commiserate and celebrate. 
Divisi Chamber Singers is a youth-led, not-for-profit organisation that supports early-career creative artists. We strive to break down established norms of classical music through commissioning and performing innovative creative works and projects. 
Queerstories, run by Maeve Marsden, has been running events for eight years all around Australia, from Sydney to Melbourne, Hobart to Shepparton, Newcastle to Brisbane, to Albury, Adelaide, Mullumbimby, Mudgee and beyond. Each event, 6 LGBTQI+ storytellers share a tale from their lives, small windows into the magnificence of the queer community, experienced live and recorded for you. 
"Precise blending of parts, even at the most demandingly close intervals, plus the bright purity of steady upper voices and the resonance of the lower voices impressed throughout." - Heather Leviston, Classic Melbourne. 
"A warm and inviting anthology, Queerstories welcomes you in with open arms and draws you into a rich conversation with some fresh and entertaining LGBTQI+ writers. Let's hope there are more volumes to come." - The AU Review

Brent Thorpe DADDY is back in 2025 with his new show DADDY DON'T DROP THE SOAP. Still committed to ageing disgracefully and throwing off the shackles of shame, DADDY is here to set the worst example to people young and old that he possibly can. He is paying homage to our queer past, disrupting the zeitgeist and looking forward to a fabulous future where all people live shamelessly and embrace life to its absolute fullest. DADDY says, 'You're never too old to take a pill and dance on a podium in a jockstrap.' 
'This is not just a show, it's an experience.' - DanceLife Magazine 
'He bursts out of backstage like a cum-filled cannonball. A student and prophet of gay culture at its most camp.' - Sydney Arts Guide 
'The show shoots from the hip, with acid-tongued bile and Aussie brashness at its finest, but below the surface is poignancy, vulnerability and a search for self. Like all the great performance artists, satirists and provocateurs, there is a powerful, political punch at play.' - Emerson & Ward Productions, Manchester

Mother Peta and daughter Kelly venture into the wilderness together; one of them comes out. Hiking Victoria's Great Ocean Walk has been a long-awaited dream for recent empty-nester Peta, who is surprised that her 25-year-old dirt, camping, and spending-time-with-mum-averse daughter has agreed to join her. However, Peta's anticipation is soon overshadowed by the secret Kelly has been keeping, and it's a pretty juicy one. As they are left with nothing to do but walk, Peta must confront a reality she didn't anticipate -- and it's not the only one. 
In the world premiere of this heartfelt comedic drama, the duo navigates blisters, identity, tangled tent poles, grief, unexpected detours and an unprecedented amount of time together. Spanning six days and 100 kilometres of rugged coastline, they traverse terrain that is both painfully familiar and completely unknown, until they find themselves standing on the brink of their respective metaphorical cliffs and prepare to leap. The real challenge? Not pushing each other off. 
The spiritual offspring of 'Please Like Me' and 'Fun Home,' 'Day For It' delves into familial dynamics and queerness in a muddy, uphill journey that pays homage to the complexities of intergenerational relationships. Originally developed for Gasworks' 2024 Queer Playwriting Awards Showcase and honoured with the inaugural People's Choice Award, 'Day For It' is co-written and directed by Sally Q Davies (she/her), co-written and performed by Anna Lindstedt (she/her), and features performer Roz Hammond (she/her).

Join comedian and confirmed bachelor Matt Bell for a walking ghost tour through Melbourne's storied streets and fabled haunts where you will encounter terrifying tales inspired by single life. 
Get the gory details about the horrors of running into exes in the street, being literally ghosted, and having dates miraculously return from the dead. Hunt down old flames, visit historic sites of abandoned romances and bask in the conspiratorial glow of a love life in jeopardy. 
And if the ghost stories aren't scary enough, a 32-year-old desperately single gay man will be! 
Golden Gibbo Award Nomination - Melbourne Comedy Festival 2024 
***** "An extremely talented comedian . . . the most innovative experience you'll have" - The AU Review 
**** "A marvellous revelation" - The Age 
"Punches you in the gut! . . . I'm really glad theatre like this exists in the world" - Praise Dionysus!

Kick off this year's festival at Chapel Off Chapel in style with Dolly Diamond's Midsumma Piano Bar. Prepare yourself for a night of music, laughter, and unapologetic glamour as the sensational Dolly Diamond takes the stage in the intimate setting of the Chapel Off Chapel foyer. With the exceptionally talented Cameron Thomas on piano, this free event promises a captivating blend of humour, heart and show-stopping performances. 
Expect an evening brimming with vocal brilliance and unforgettable moments. Dolly and Cameron have wowed audiences around the globe, and now they're bringing their dazzling chemistry and musical flair to Melbourne's beloved Chapel Off Chapel. 
The night includes surprise special guests, each set to light up the stage with their own unique style. 
This event is free, but bookings are required as seats are limited for what promises to be a truly magical evening. Let Dolly Diamond sweep you off your feet and into a world where the music is divine, the humour is razor-sharp and the good times are guaranteed!

Join us for a free afternoon of plein air queer (and rainbow family-friendly) drag life drawing. Facilitated by artist and educator Matto Lucas. Materials provided, however feel free to bring your own preferred media. 
Create and network with other LGBTQIA+ artists as we attempt to capture the beauty, humour and glamour of our drag model.

Stuck in a bathroom, outside a sharehouse party. 
Follow two lost souls on their journey to finding middle ground as they argue over every emotion that comes with moving away from your hometown. 
A culmination of a widely felt Melbourne experience, this city is big and cold and lonely, and, in the beginning, it can feel like all you have is yourself. 
Watch them quack like ducks, relate to Joan of Arc, do the Nutbush, and figure out their super objectives. This one's for the small town kids. 
EQUALS is a short, heartfelt, comedy duologue written and directed by Cynda Beare, and performed by Annabel Hunter and Eli Biernoff-Giles, produced by Claudia Harris, stage management and set design by Ivy Miller, and lighting design by Alyssa Jayde.

Explode the sex binary with dodgy musical comedy. Join Jack Brady, a bumbling academic come musical comedian, for an hour of toying with the fragile feelings of the manosphere-insecurity complex. From AUKUS to AWKASS, from gene testing to gymnastics, come get your plastic disc coated in gold plate on a nice ribbon in first place irony. 
After the one-night-only successes of God Hates Me, dispensing with the cult of capitalism and its obsession with genitals, Jack takes on the space right between the eyes of manfluencers. Who better to do this than a trans academic/comedian, who failed the family tradition by bailing out of the defence force in the 1990s? One night only, for an hour, less expensive than a pizza with a side of bodily autonomy.

Who doesn't love a story, especially when you can sing along! 
Frock Hudson is back with a fabulous new adventure for kids of all ages, rainbow families and of course, the young at heart. 
It's choose your own adventure, but the young people are steering the ship. 
A welcoming, interactive show where we take a story time sing-a-long journey into young peoples' imagination and build an adventure together. 
You're not just in the audience, you get to help make the story. 
There's no need to wish upon a star, just come along and be who you are!

Start your week with camp musical mayhem as Frock Hudson brings the shenanigans with their summer Piano Bar filled with fun. 
Joined by a gaggle of queer guests each week, come be dazzled with delight as you enjoy an aural experience like no other, in a fabulous evening of musical entertainment. 
And be ready to sing along!

Take a handful of Naarm's finest trans and gender-diverse improvisers, a sprinkling of anecdotes, a healthy dollop of laughs, and mix well! 
Gender Blender shakes up your night with a serving of long-form improv comedy, backed by their unique perspectives and a healthy cynicism of the cis-tem. 
Lovingly supported by Cornershop Comedy, Melbourne's not-for-profit comedy theatre.

Melbourne's Glamourhead Sharks is a club for all swimming queers and their allies. This Midsumma, the Glams are putting on a 90 minute swim clinic. You don't need to be a super fish to enjoy swimming. 
We will have a number of lanes for differing levels of experience. For beginners, there will be coaches on hand to give you tips on how to swim easier. Our coaches will take you through some simple swimming drills and introduce you to a few strokes other than freestyle. For those who are a bit more confident in their swimming, some of our squad will be there to join you in some of the typical sets we would do in a regular training session. 
Jump in and out at your leisure and start your weekend out the best way we know how - getting in some laps and then soaking up the sun.

After a smashing debut at the 2024 Midsumma Festival, Glitter Groove is back and sparklier than ever! 
Get ready for the South-East's ultimate summer queer celebration--Glitter Groove is the place to be for a night filled with music, food, drinks, and all things fabulous. We're bringing you an unforgettable evening of community, drag, dancing, and everything that makes our queer hearts beat faster. 
Following the incredible success of our first event, we're upping the ante this year with a selection of queer stallholders, selling their creations. The Main Stage will be hosted by none other than local icon Brenda Bressed, who's curated a stellar lineup of Melbourne's top drag performers to keep you entertained from start to finish. And don't worry, darling--our DJ will be spinning tunes all night long, so be sure to bring your dancing shoes! 
Gather your friends, put on your most fabulous outfit, and get ready to dance the night away at Glitter Groove!

Join triple j breakfast host and asexual icon Luka Muller as he presents a handpicked lineup of some of the best queer comedians in the country. Luka takes the reins as host and shows off some of his funniest friends for a Golden Gate-time. Expect big laughs, big names, and some razzle dazzle.

International superstar, sex symbol and piano accordionist, Hans (America's Got Talent) is heading to the beautiful Brunswick Ballroom for a very special intimate evening as part of MIDSUMMA festival 2025. 
Dripping in glitter and diamonds join Hans for a night to remember. Special and spectacular guests to be announced.

Why not kick off the last weekend of Midsumma with our Happy Hour! Going from 6:30pm through till 11pm! Enjoy cocktail specials and cheap beer, wine and spirits! 
It's the best way to start the weekend off!

Harry Ball is the most famous footy player you've never heard of. But one article is about to change that. The night before a tell-all article outing him is set to be published, Harry looks for the furthest place from the footy field he can find. The cabaret stage. Spurned by thoughts of his childhood watching classic musicals with his grandparents, Harry Ball takes his chance to tell his story HIS way before he changes from a footy nobody to the first openly gay footy player on the field. 
A story of kicking goals, facing betrayal, and how far you will go to chase your dreams, Harry Ball will keep you cheering through the night. Brought to you by Blaz award wining writer and performer, Jackson Vaughan, this cabaret will bring the energy of both an opening night on Broadway and a grand final all in one!!

Join the Queen of Icelandic Eurovision, Hera Björk, as she ditches her snow boots and dons her thongs in preparation for her maiden Australian tour in 2025! 
The self-titled, tongue-in-cheek Queen of Effing Everything is a fierce one-woman cabaret show that dives head first into the life of a Eurovision living legend, sharing hilarious candid stories of how a modest young Icelandic woman became the unofficial 'mother' of the Song Contest. A two-time representative for Iceland (2010 and 2024), Hera relives the highs and lows (and shares some saucy secrets) of the Eurovision inner circle, including the side-splitting antics you can have as an Icelandic backing singer. 
An evening of songs and stories, this is a not-to-be-missed intimate insight into the life of Iceland's unofficial leading lady, who is as comfortable in gumboots as she is in glittering gowns. The show is a dirt-dishing musical monologue on how a young girl from Reykjavík dreamed of becoming an Olympic gymnast, but instead succeeded in shaping her life as a go-getting, toilet-scrubbing Diva of the Eurovision scene: The Queen of Effing Everything, in her own words! 
There will be laughs, there will be songs, and yes, there will be plenty of Eurovision. The Queen of Effing Everything is filled with honesty and charm that has something for everyone. 
Audience sizes are limited, giving everyone the best seats in the house as they get an up-close glimpse into everything Eurovision.

"Always out to his peers and family, trailblazing American photographer George Platt Lynes (1907-1955) captured the zeitgeist of mid-20th century artistic society in his surreal celebrity portraits and extravagant fashion shoots. But to Lynes there was another creative desire: to advance the celebration of the male nude, and those surviving pictures of his male studies, radically explicit for their time, depict more than a surface homoeroticism but rather a deep, sensuous love for and championing of the male form. As an art director, Sam Shahid's portfolio includes remarkable work for Calvin Klein in the early '80s, Banana Republic in the '90s and Abercrombie & Fitch; who better then to bring Lynes' stunning photography from the 1930s through to the '50s to the big screen, and to uncover his long-term friendships with Gertrude Stein and Alfred Kinsey, in a transfixing documentary celebrating his lasting, if undersung, influence as one of the first openly gay, great American artists."

In case original musicals weren't queer enough, for one night only Home Grown becomes *Homo Grown*, a unique concert of original musical theatre songs by queer Australian composers and lyricists. As part of our 10th-year celebrations, this event features top queer artists and honours the rich tapestry of LGBTQIA+ experiences with authentic voices and infectious melodies for one evening. 
This special concert will showcase the immense talent within the LGBTQIA+ community, offering heartfelt performances that delve into stories of love, identity, struggle, and triumph. Each song is a testament to the diverse narratives that make up the vibrant fabric of queer life in Australia. 
Our 10th anniversary is not only a time to reflect on our journey but also a moment to celebrate our unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusivity in the arts. *Homo Grown* serves as an essential platform for queer representation in musical theatre, ensuring these powerful stories are told with pride and visibility. 
Join us for an enchanting night where creativity knows no bounds. Experience performances infused with passion and authenticity that capture what it truly means to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This celebration is more than just an event; it's a tribute to ten years of empowering voices through music--an evening you won't want to miss!

Homophonic! is bringing the disco ball to the concert hall and raising the roof of Theatre Works St Kilda for the 15th annual celebration of queer chamber music. Featuring the winner of Midsumma Presents: the Homophonic! Pride Prize by Ashleigh Hazel, RESPECT pieces telling the stories of LGBTIQ+ seniors in song, and established works from super gay icons of classical music.

A dark comedy about Alex, a self loathing gay man, struggling to navigate life, sex and hating his work in the lead up to turning 30.

"This testament to a remarkable queer life lived, and for too long unsung, premiered as a Teddy Award contender at the 2024 Berlinale. Klára Tasovská's documentary celebrates "the Nan Goldin of Czechoslovakia", Libuše Jarcovjáková, whose artistic career is newly flourishing. For many years, her autobiographical photography was more an existential pursuit for the artist, rather than one acknowledged by the art world. Her story is extraordinary, from her coming of age amongst the margins of turbulent, 1960s Prague, before taking in periods in West Berlin, Tokyo, Berlin - as the Wall was falling - and Prague again. Jarcovjáková's diary readings, often accompanied by pseudo-stop-motion flurries of her evocative photography, offer precious insights into queer life during and after the Cold War, from both sides of what was once a great, seemingly insurmountable, divide."

It's Jacqui Randa Season! 
She's drop dead gorgeous, a talented singer and pianist, has escaped her small country town of Tambo in central Queensland and has been looking for love in the big city. 
Full Bloom is a cabaret show introducing Jacqui Randa to the world! 
She has BIG dreams to meet and sing with Tina Arena, and suffers from being a hopeless romantic that is often enduringly delusional. Who can relate?! 
Come and explore love, loss, the horrors of online dating and have a camp ol' time with the premier singing and piano playing drag queen, Jacqui Randa! 
Accompanied by her three piece band, Hectic Glitter, expect a few crowd sing-alongs as well as some unique, moving and exciting takes of well know tunes such as: Chains, Ain't No Body, Simply The Best, Maybe This Time & Lilac Wine to name a few.

Following the success of his acclaimed show "He's Every Woman" and after taking a few years off, Justin Clausen is thrilled to announce his return with "Back in Business," a one-night-only performance at the Loft. Known for his extraordinary ability to forge deep connections with his audience, Justin is set to deliver a show filled with humour, heart, and unforgettable characters. In "Back in Business," he introduces a slew of hilarious personalities, each with their own quirks and stories, ensuring the audience will be laughing from start to finish. From Dennis, the overly ambitious amateur theatre star, and his ever-suspicious wife Leslie, to Steven, the ultimate Sondheim enthusiast, and Joe, who thought his chance to shine was lost when Hiroshima hit--Justin brings these characters to life with his signature flair and comedic timing. This non-stop romp is a testament to his versatility as a performer, seamlessly transitioning between characters and engaging the audience with each new twist. 
***** - Theatrepeople 
**** - The Advertiser

Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready for a brand new sensory and interactive screening of the John Waters 1988 cult classic, Hairspray! 
Presented by Brimbank City Council in collaboration with Snivure and Scented Storytelling, this scented screening will leave your noses and eyes having the best time of your life! 
Jas Brooks (Snivure) and Tammy Burnstock (Scented Storytelling) are seasoned collaborators with a shared enthusiasm for the power of scent in cinema. Together, they boast an impressive portfolio of co-produced scent-infused projects, most recently a weekend of Whiff and Wonder at Cinema NOVA, Melbourne. Beyond their creative work, Jas and Tammy's collaboration extends to the preservation of the last known Smell-O-Vision! system from 1960, further underscoring their dedication to the legacy and future of scented cinema. 
For more information around Jas and Tammy, as well as the scented cinema experience, please visit the Creative Brimbank website.

It's ball season, so dust off your best formal looks and get ready for a sensory and immersive screening of the brand new New Zealand and Tongan LGBTQIA+ film, Inky Pinky Ponky! 
Presented by Brimbank City Council in collaboration with Snivure and Scented Storytelling, this scented screening will leave your noses and eyes having the best time of your life! 
Jas Brooks (Snivure) and Tammy Burnstock (Scented Storytelling) are seasoned collaborators with a shared enthusiasm for the power of scent in cinema. Together, they boast an impressive portfolio of co-produced scent-infused projects, most recently a weekend of Whiff and Wonder at Cinema NOVA, Melbourne. Beyond their creative work, Jas and Tammy's collaboration extends to the preservation of the last known Smell-O-Vision! system from 1960, further underscoring their dedication to the legacy and future of scented cinema. 
For more information around Jas and Tammy as well as the scented cinema experience please visit the Creative Brimbank website.

Play and explore your s*xual desires in a safe and non-judgmental environment in an environment full of feminine energy. Watch others play, join in the fun, have a spa or enjoy a cocktail at the bar... the night is yours! 
Sorry gentlemen, no boys allowed. We welcome women and theybies of all sizes, ages and experiences. We welcome all Trans women, Cis women, trans femme and femme presenting non-binary individuals to this event.

Welcome to Boklesque! A hilarious burlesque variety show in which the acts and the host are all performed by one woman, the award-winning comedian and burlesque jester Lauren Bok. Be delighted and devoured by a stunning array of the finest vaudeville acts from all around Lauren Bok's brain! Meet hula hooper ordinaire Poppy Loppyplops, the queen of dimness Gothzilkia, the cabaret travesty Ivana Showoff and the balloon-erific bombshell, Rose De La Fleur Le Saint Teeze! It's Dita Von Teese meets The Muppets in this ridiculous, raunchy, rollercoaster of a show! 
****½ "Lauren Bok is infectiously hilarious, undeniably gorgeous and her Boklesque is fierce, proudly feminine, and funny as hell." - Lilithia Reviews 
***** "As an enjoyer of funny jokes and boob tassels, 'Boklesque' is an early contender for my personal (unofficial) MICF '24 Best Of. Well worth the watch." - Theatrematters

Lee's Café is a monthly LGBTQIA+ social event held at the Glenroy Library, offering a space for adults of all ages to connect and celebrate. Each month, Lee's Café features a diverse array of inclusive, engaging, and free events, workshops, and activities designed to foster a sense of community and fun. 
Our two regular contributors to Lee's Café are the amazing Busy Bees and Silent Book Club Melbourne. Busy Bees present creative, and neurodiverse-friendly activities that facilitate natural connections among participants while avoiding the usual awkward icebreakers. Meanwhile, Silent Book Club Melbourne provides a unique opportunity for readers and introverts to enjoy a communal reading experience in a relaxed atmosphere, free from the pressure of small talk. 
You're invited to join us for the official launch of Lee's Café. This special evening will immerse you in the spirit of Lee's Cafe, with an introduction to our exciting monthly lineup. Attendees will have the chance to hear from our special guest speaker and meet representatives from Busy Bees and Silent Book Club Melbourne. Enjoy light refreshments as you mingle with like-minded people, celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community, and explore what Lee's Café has to offer. This launch event is a perfect opportunity to see how Lee's Café fosters a welcoming, fun, and inclusive environment. Don't miss out on being part of this new and exciting community space!

After a SELLOUT season at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Les Improvisé is back (with their queerest cast members!) to make up a musical right before your eyes! 
Will it be a nail-biting whodunnit, a wild western slapstick, a spicy romance...or maybe all 3?! Using an audience suggestion for the title of the musical, every single song, dance number and line of dialogue will be completely improvised. You'll find yourself dancing, laughing, and marvelling at the spontaneity, as the performers create everything on the spot. And no need to sit through a 3-hour-long musical - we'll have you home before bedtime. So grab a date, a mate, or your mum for a perfect night of laughter and music in one of Melbourne's most iconic comedy venues! 
The talented cast includes improvisers from The Improv Conspiracy, Impro Melbourne, The Big HOO-HAA!, and more, with impressive backgrounds in music theatre and performances on stage and screen.

"It's the spring of 1986, and the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been casting an existential pall over a small Finnish village. But there's a ray of light: a friendship born of emotional blackmail enlivens village life for 15-year-old Mariia (Rebekka Baer), after she falsely reports the new girl at school, Mimi (Anni Iikkanen) as an addict after finding drug paraphernalia in the woods. Mimi demands Mariia masquerade as her friend, and their relationship, begun so antagonistically, comes to assume romantic dimensions... Memories of those heady times come flooding back as, 20 years later, Mariia (now played by Laura Birn) returns home to take care of her ailing mother. This gorgeous, only semi-sentimental, coming-of-age festival hit is based on the 2011 novel Valoa Valoa Valoa by Vilja-Tuulia Huotarinen, and boasts gorgeous cinematography and an evocative, dreamy, '80s-flavoured, Euro-pop soundtrack from Joel Melasniemi."

Rally your Good Judy's! Heirlume Productions presents an evening of cinematic melody and infamous haircuts, as legendary mother-and-daughter duo Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli reunite for a little tete-a-tete and a big heart-to-heart. 
Making her solo show debut, Manda Rozen-Flannery brings both Judy and Liza (yes, you read that right) to life before your eyes, capturing their dynamic spirits, "terrific" catchphrases and soul-stirring vocals. Featuring a songlist brimming with classic gems, including "Maybe This Time", "The Man That Got Away", "The World Goes 'Round", and of course, "Over the Rainbow", you'll be humming your way home. 
This one-woman show savours the survival anthems that defined Judy and Liza's careers and cemented their gay icon status, all washed down with a dose of amphetamines, a dash of Hollywood drama, and, of course, a long parade of closeted husbands. So "forget your troubles, come, get happy" and gather your Friends of Dorothy for a night out that is all together comic, camp, moving and healing. After all, "life is a cabaret, old chum!" 
About Manda Rozen-Flannery, she/her (producer, writer and performing artist): 
Manda is a Musical Theatre Graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium, whose credits include A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity, West Side Story, Kiss Me, Kate and The Life. With a passion for post-Golden Age Theatre and Cinema, she launches Heirlume Productions in 2025, an indie theatre company dedicated to the celebration and innovation of classic musicals and plays. She lives on the unceded lands of the Boonwurrung People, with her "little dog" Liza.

Ensemble CANE and Violets with Solo performances by Adam McMillian & Melina van Leeuwen. Featuring two world premieres by Australian composer Christopher Healey. 
A 'Fanfare for Midsumma Pride'; especially commissioned for Midsumma, Melbourne's Queer community and the VPC; and 'A Star, A Journey, A Fire'. 
Ensemble CANE is a collaboration between Australian composer, Christopher Healey, and the extraordinary musicians, Niels Bijl (saxophone), Adam McMillan (piano) and Eliza Shephard (flute). CANE presents repertoire to delight and stir modern hearts and minds. They champion & foster contemporary works by Australian composers, present undiscovered gems and breathe fresh life into classic masterworks 
Violets is an Australian-based classical chamber music group, consisting of Molly Collier-O'Boyle (viola), Anna Rabinowicz (flute) and Melina van Leeuwen (harp). Rooted in the traditional canon for flute, viola and harp, Violets seek to present established repertoire in a new light through concert curation that champions cross-genre collaboration, the femme and the new 
Soloists
Adam McMillan is a Melbourne-based pianist, performing regularly as a recitalist, chamber musician, and concerto soloist. He has received awards including first prize in the MRC Great Romantics Competition, the Musica Viva Chamber Music Prize and first prize in the Queensland Piano Competition. Adam performs as one half of Duo Piaggio alongside award-winning violinist Kyla Matsuura-Miller, and as member of Ensemble CANE 
Harpist Melina van Leeuwen performs nationally as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral performer. She has appeared as principal harp with the Australian World Orchestra, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria/the Australian Ballet, Victorian Opera, and the Melbourne, West Australian and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras

LOVE REWIND: Music & Film Fusion | Thursday, January 30, 2025, 7:30pm
 Experience LOVE REWIND like never before with a live music event featuring iconic musicians Michelle Chandler, Michelle Parsons, & JoJo Smith. They will perform their original songs and covers in front of select scenes from the film, creating a unique fusion of music and cinema. 
LOVE REWIND: A Film Screening | Thursday, February 6, 2025, 7:30pm
Come along for a special screening of LOVE REWIND, the poignant story of a lesbian couple navigating their separation during the same-sex marriage postal vote. Starring Ruth Katerelos and Maria Papas, and written and directed by Demetra Giannakopoulos.
Awarded Festival favourite at the Cinema Diverse: Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival

Get on top! Your favourite disco weirdo MARY! is back on top for Midsumma 2025 for another rooftop spectacular! 
On Saturday 25 January, the Victorian Pride Centre will host(buster) MARY's - taking the swishy sights, sounds and sauce up to a whole new level. 
Come get possessed by some demonic disco. Prizes for the best Sigourney. No entry for Zuul. 
(P.S. If the weather is weird and it don't look good, we have a wet weather contingency).

Explore the world of this dynamic and innovative drag collective that fuses lip-sync, burlesque, dance, and documentary-style videos to create a unique "Drag-u-mentary" experience. Fresh from their acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe season, they have captivated audiences worldwide with its blend of vibrant performances, striking costumes, and deeply personal storytelling. MESSY FRIENDS explores the complexities of the queer experience, addressing themes of identity, resilience, and self-acceptance, all while delivering high-energy, visually stunning shows that leave a lasting impact. 
Winners of Best Cabaret (Adelaide Fringe 2024) and Best Show (Fringe World 2022). 
"A fully-formed masterpiece" ***** - Snack Magazine (UK). 
"Impressive would be an understatement" ***** - Binge Fringe (UK). 
"MESSY FRIENDS is a must-see" ***** - Corr Blimey (UK). 
"Hilarious and stunning and not akin to anything else" ***** - Ed Fest Mag (UK)
"Exceptional" ***** - Fringefeed. 
"Perfection" ***** - Cream Magazine. 
"Unforgettable" ***** - OUTInPerth.

The Demon Twink of Smith Street 
He's BAAAAAAAAAAACK! Drag cabaret artist. Transgender man. Highschool teacher. Florian Wild is the MONSTER! Cash in your cis guilt for the evening and worship at the altar of genderf*ckery! 
Green Room Award Nominee, Florian Wild delivers a punchy hour of savage wit and soaring vocals that exposes the monster within us all. This evening's sermon asks the question that's been haunting every naughty catholic schoolgirl, "Did VeggieTales make me gay?" 
MONSTER is a hilarious ride following the life of a transgender man grappling with society's fear of the unknown. Despite transphobic headlines and Nazis on parliament steps, Florian is hell-bent on living a proud, fabulous, and undeniably human life. 
With their very hot and very sexy three piece band 'THE RED SCARES', Florian has heard your screams for more! Anthony Albanese, Power Bottoms, Sleep Paralysis, Public Libraries, A Drawer Of Detachable Dicks, The Voice of God. This MegaChurch Has EVERYTHING! 
****½ "Heartfelt, funny and raw" - Mindshare
****½ "Monster encapsulates an intimate, alluring, and vulnerable hour of trans-glamour, uplifting and educating trans folk and others on the irresistible cult we call transgenderism."- YourLocalHok
**** "Part-art, part-activism and one-hundred-percent arse appreciation." - BingeFringe UK
Florian's fantastic command of the stage is nothing but entertaining... a dazzling highlight of the Fringe." - You Should See It Melbourne
"Showcasing powerful vocals and some seriously enviable low notes... Florian Wild absolutely radiates queer joy." - The List UK 
Directed by and Co-written with Oliver Ayres
Presented by Extraterrestrial 
Proudly supported by City of Stonnington

The hottest event of the summer is back with a studlier and sexier cast than ever before! 
Prepare yourself for an evening of tantalising acts and eye candy galore from a range of boylesque, circus, and performance artists. Your ticket also includes entry to our late night drag shows and dance floor after the show! 
Past performers of this event have included Brady Stevens, Ezra Mishka, Andrew Steen, Josh Sanders (Ziegfeld Boy), Steve Fernando, Just Pete, Harri, and Peterotica. 2025 cast to be announced soon!

Jazz, blues, sex and liquor have always been a heady and irresistible cocktail. A sizzling and sensual new risqué cabaret bacchanalia from acclaimed jazz singer, cabaret artiste and gender transcendent diva Mama Alto. She's putting out (her most debauched repertoire), getting loose (with those blue notes) and letting her hair down (without those iconic white flowers!) to sing ravishing jazz age songs about sex for you. That's right - de-flowered.

Melanated in Melbourne chronicles the lives of co-hosts Nicole and Ri'chard, two Black Americans living in Australia, as they navigate what it means to be a person of colour in the great down under. A delightful mix of insight and humour, the podcast explores working abroad, Australian lingo, racism, culture shock, identity, heartbreak and more. Melanated in Melbourne intentionally amplifies the voices of historically disenfranchised individuals by primarily having LGBTIQA+ people of color, both local and international, come on the show to share their unique stories, with guests ranging from psychologists to drag queens. 
While this podcast was created to inform, entertain and inspire Americans of Colour, Australians and people from around the world have caught on and loved the content - and that's what makes the podcast so special: Melanated in Melbourne appeals to the human experience, regardless of origin or ethnicity. Most people can relate to the difficulty of building and maintaining friendships as adults, navigating love and the search for purpose, so they tune in for a laugh, an "aha" moment, and sometimes a good cry. Nicole and Ri'chard's dream is that this podcast will continue to educate others on the Aussie lifestyle and even encourage them to push past their comfort zones and try something similar. 
To commemorate the launch of the third season of their show, the Melanated in Melbourne team are planning to host a live podcast during Black History Month and Midsumma. This event is intended to showcase the diverse talents of some of the guests they've had on the show, engage with current listeners and broaden the podcast's reach to share their intersectional stories with the broader Victorian community.

Vale Park, Adelaide, 1987. Michael Griffiths is about to start a new Catholic Secondary School. New uniform. New peer pressure. New everything. He's also trying to navigate his sexuality in a time when the AIDS epidemic was full blown, when the Grim Reaper was on TV every night and homophobia was everywhere. In these times, the coolly melancholic songs of electronic duo Pet Shop Boys - aka Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe - provided solace, and a safe space to explore feeling out of step with the world. 
Directed by Dean Bryant (Sweet Charity, Assassins) and featuring Julian Ferraretto on violin and Dylan Paul on double bass, "It's a Sin" sees Griffiths bring his inimitable cabaret style to PSB classics like Rent, Love Comes Quickly, Suburbia, You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk, Go West and It's a Sin, linking each song to some of the most important (and sometimes hilarious) episodes, incidents and people in his life. Most movingly of all, it gently but unflinchingly explores the challenges of long-term relationships. 
"Effortlessly commanding the keyboard, Griffiths sings and wittily annotates a curated PSB catalogue that maps against the bumpy but blessed arc of his life. Backed by Julian Ferraretto on fiddle and Dylan Paul's thumping double bass, we hear about his unsuccessful attempt to run away from home; the time he first held hands with a man; and how that man became the love of his life." - Sydney Morning Herald 
"An instant standing ovation from an audience that had embraced the artist's raw, warts and all invitation to his life's journey." - Limelight

We've created a test to check out your current levels of fun and play, messiness and grossness, adventure and risk-taking. Regularly considered qualities of childhood, we reckon they're necessary qualities for the best kind of humans no matter your age. Come along and see how you measure up: don't worry - you'll probably just need A Minor Adjustment.

Join the artists involved in Midsumma's Queer Imaginings program - but instead of speeches or panels, join us at chat circles hosted by teenagers armed with abundant bread baskets. Young people will ask the questions, and create playful systems of understanding and interpretation. Because discussion is better with food, and doubly better if you fully get it.

At the centre of the Venn diagram of queer, chunky, brown women with the voice of a goddamn angel, you'll find the terrifying talent that is Milo Hartill. 
How do you tell the story of a mixed race, fat, bisexual, underwear model, performer and Instagram influencer? You sing the shit out of a fistful of killer songs in a brand spanking new cabaret of course. Straddling pretty much all of the hottest 2024 minorities (take that as you will), Milo's unique perspective has her perfectly placed to unpack the NOW. In her World Premiere new show fresh on the heels of its Sydney season, she delves into personal stories, belts out songs ranging from Mousse T to Nina Simone, and kicks around some undoubtedly controversial opinions on the current state of the influencer, theatre and singing scenes in Australia. 
Part cabaret, part song-cycle and part influencer-takeover, Black, Fat and F**gy is a tonic for our times and a queer Black fantasia that will leave audiences screaming with joy.

Prepare for an unforgettable evening where fine wine flows, friendships flourish, and a wicked murder lurks in the shadows. At our sapphic Murder Mystery Party, the night is alive with intrigue, romance, and a thrilling game of whodunit. 
Whether you're a seasoned sleuth or just in it for the fun, this is a night where every whisper is a clue, and every smile might hide a sinister plot. Come dressed to impress, ready to solve the mystery--or perhaps become part of it.

You are welcomed into the soft British woodland to explore non-binary belonging through the lens of Trans Ecology. In an alive forest of live-mixed animations, improvised music and the multi-rolling of six clashing characters, you will laugh cry and identify. With child-like play, we uproot the gender-binary, meanwhile, the buds of our raw complexity blossom through the cracks. This is queer theatre that doesn't take sides but seeks unity. From the roots to the leaves - from our heads to our toes, we diversify perspectives through the unwavering force of humour, vulnerability and love. 
Holly Rowan has previously performed My Queer Spiritual Entropy in Melbourne Fringe 2023 and Adelaide Fringe 2024. Their one-human show has now flourished into an exciting ecosystem of collaborations, with fellow non-binary artists in Melbourne. This show will take on a whole new audio-visual life, with a message more diverse and beautiful than ever. Also, this run will include greater sensory accessibility in its performances, and live-streamed shows will be available to watch online from home. 
Original story, songs, and multi-roling by Holly Rowan
Live animations by Shelley O'Meara
The Wilderbeans - music, sound and performance by Rai Costin and Rosie Breedt Produced by Chelsea Byrne

Trigger Warnings (please read): Transphobia, sexism, narcissistic abuse, personal references to mental health, references to colonialism and cultural appropriation, full non-sexual nudity.

'Such an amazing exploration of humanity and beauty and life' - Nature lovers ***** 'It was a lot, incredible, there's still tears in my eyes' Gender non-conforming humans ***** 'It just spoke so much to the queer experience' Fellow queers ***** 'Eye-opening and helped me to understand better' Parents of Trans children ***** 'There was a lot I could relate to' - Cis-hetero allies ***** 'Surprisingly powerful and very different' - The Skeptical ones *****

Mystery Call is a 1-to-1 conversation that is digitally delivered and connects us in community near and far. It is influenced by awareness of bodily diversities and disability cultures. It is an experience to be heard and embodied instead of being visually seen. 
The MindsEye Collective invites you to discover through acts of listening and movement: an experience of your own body, the history of our bodies and a relationship to the collective queer body. 
You can join the Mystery Call virtually wherever you are or in person with the MindsEye Collective. At an appointed time, you and your mystery call partner will engage in a supported pre-arranged online call with cameras off. Together you will be guided via conversational prompts to consider and safely share aspects of your present experience and your relationship with the spaces / places you are in. As a pair, you will select fragments of your conversation to share with the Mindseye Collective that will be woven into dance. The dances will be embodied in Naarm throughout the Midsumma Festival for anyone to witness. To end your call, you will be offered a dance that has been composed and translated from a previous pair's Mystery Call to read aloud to one another and embody if you wish. 
Mystery Call is a creation of the MindsEye collective; a Gadigal based collaboration between Alex Craig, Gabriela Green Olea and Imogen Yang. Formed in 2020, this collective is committed to creating experimental movement-based works that are inclusive of all people and engage with audience members as active participants, across time and space, geographical, virtual, systemic & social borders. LONG COPY CUT SHORT- SEE MARTIN FOR FULL COPY

TROUGH Events offshoot sex-positive dance party NUTT is a resident HOMO SEXUAL CLUB featuring DJs, darkrooms and dungeon, thriving in the heart of the North-side Gaybourhood @ New Guernica, 50 Smith St Collingwood every 6-8 weeks. 
TROUGH Events is proud to present NUTT amongst the many events and venues celebrating Pride season's closing. 
NUTT: Sex Dungeon - Will be open from Midday - 7pm (via side entrance Langridge st) for those that want to get their rocks off early 
NUTT: After Party - 8pm-3am (via Smith St entrance) is the perfect climax to end this momentous day. Carry on celebrating, dancing, cruising and sexxxing into the early hours of the night. Drink / dance / flirt / cruise and bust yr nut @ NUTT. 
For more details on NUTT Events and all updated information, please visit www.trough.events Get your tickets and don't miss out!

Premiering at Adelaide Fringe 2024, Madam Nightingale's exciting collaboration with Cloutie Will, 'New Beginnings' is a gripping musical performance including spoken word and interpretive dance, elegantly storytelling what it means to be human. 
Cloutie Will (emerging rap artist, Sarah Dwyer) expresses the full range of emotions as a "fallen woman" seeking a personal path to redemption. 
Madam Nightingale (synthpop artist, Phaedra Gunn) sends the joy of art from the celestial world of the ether back unto the earth as Cloutie's personal goddess of song. 
Cloutie Will and Madam Nightingale perform a transcendent contemporary rap and 80s influenced synthpop show that's not to be missed.

LGBTQIA+ community leaders share their thoughts and perspectives on sexualised racism in the community. From fighting stigmatising language on apps and online dating spaces, to responding to microaggressions, and fetishisation of racial identities. 
This panel will share experiences of queer people of colour, culture, and faith. This event is open to people of all racial and cultural backgrounds. 
This event will include a panel discussion followed by a community Q&A, with a break in between. Refreshments will be provided.

Dive in divas because this one is for all the FLINTAs and those who love them. Whether you're here to splash in the pool, have a boogie, or soak up the summer vibes, everyone is welcome to join this poolside party. 
Stay tuned for DJ and performer lineup!

The comedy cabaret that's as cheeky as it is hilarious! Blending your favourite childhood TV shows with stories of dating disasters, new relationships, and STI stigma--because who knew adulting could be so delightfully awkward? 
Featuring original tunes that'll have you singing along and a few cheeky twists on your beloved childhood classics, this cabaret mixes nostalgia with naughty into a perfect cock-tail. 
Feel the joy in this one hour comedy, from an out of work actor that gives Noni Hazelhurst a run for her money.

What better way to start off the year? We've decided to join the Midsummer Festival festivities and celebrate Carnival in style. Join us for a cheeky little party just a stone's throw from the Carnival action. If you're craving some top-notch techno, good vibes, and an inclusive, safe environment, this is one event you can't afford to miss. Let's make this Carnival unforgettable together! 
DJs:
Matt Radovich 
DJ Kiti 
Simon Slieker 
Afrenasia 
MidNightSnack

"This sultry, delightful crowd-pleaser from Daniel Ribeiro, director of the fondly remembered MQFF 2015 Opening Night film, The Way He Looks, concerns aspiring screenwriter João (Artur Volpi), who's struggling to realise his cinematic dreams and, not unrelatedly, to keep afloat. After the break-up of a decade-long relationship that João likens to a TV series that was best to end before it jumped the shark, he's also finding a greatly changed dating landscape a challenge to navigate - even with the help of a pair of perpetually buoyant besties. As he draws upon his romantic misadventures to enliven his screenwriting, an unexpected side-hustle emerges: directing amateur gay erotica. But will this prove the only domain in which João will find the happy endings he's so hankering after?"

Playing Second Fiddle
Minor Character, Major Song! 
Join Victoria as she pays homage to the show stopping Musical Theatre songs sung by female supporting characters. Even the smallest of parts can have a big effect with these songs proving that with one song they can touch your heart. 
Showcasing songs from Les Misérables, Chess, Showboat, Guys and Dolls, Oliver and many more unforgettable musical theatre classics.

Aquanation is rolling out the rainbow carpet. All LGBTIQA+ people of all ages, friends, family and allies are invited to this pride-filled pool party extravaganza! Featuring food trucks, live entertainment, community and market stalls and free fitness classes, as well as an exclusive outdoor chill space for event attendees! 
Rainbow dress encouraged, but strictly no body paints or glitter, to keep the pool fresh for everyone. 
This is an alcohol and drug free event. 
Children of all ages welcome. Children under 10 years of age must be supervised constantly by a parent/guardian over 16 years of age. 
This event is presented by Maroondah Leisure, Maroondah City Council Youth and Children's Services and Maroondah City Council Aged and Disability Services.

Join us, along with some amazing brands, as we celebrate Midsumma season! Explore beauty and wellness activations, dance the night away and score lots of free products. We proudly celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community as Founding Major Partners of the Victorian Pride Centre.

Join us for the boat party that warmly welcomes everyone from the LGBTQIA+ community and our cherished allies. Hosted by the fabulous 2Joocee, this is your chance to experience the best of Melbourne's drag scene in a truly unforgettable setting. With breathtaking views of Melbourne's skyline and bay as your backdrop, whether you're basking in the sunset or dancing under the stars, this is the drag event in Melbourne you won't forget. 
Get ready to strut your stuff on the dance floor, moving from day to night to the electrifying beats of some of Melbourne's top DJs--DJ Jason Conti, DJ Jxn Miles, and DJ Cliterally. You'll be dazzled by spectacular performances from some of Dragged To's most fabulous drag queens and kings, including Rose Quartz, Spencer Street, Teddy Clitter, Dilonce and many more. With surprise live singing acts and Soul Train-inspired dance-offs, you'll be entertained from the moment we set sail until we return to shore. 
Channel your inner Glamazon in our lip-sync battles, where you can sashay, shantay, and slay for the ultimate prize. Whether you're serving face, serving fierce or just serving straight up fabulous, this is your chance to shine. 
We encourage you to dress to impress--this is your moment to go all out with your most fabulous, over-the-top ensemble. The more extravagant, the better! Remember, the theme is PRIDE! Think sequins, feathers, bold colors, and anything that screams "Glamazon." Not only will you be turning heads, but there are also fabulous prizes for the best-dressed guests. So, whether you're channelling a Aubrey Haive, Ellectra Kute, Tilly Capulet or creating your own unique look, make sure you bring your A-game. 
We're dedicated to creating a safe, joyous, and affirming space where everyone can express their true selves. See you aboard!

'Psycho Beach Party' is a twisted mash-up of 1960s beach party movies, B-grade horror flicks, and classic psychological thrillers. Written by Charles Busch, this dark comedy transports audiences to the sun-soaked beaches of Malibu, where the surf isn't the only thing that's up. 
Chicklet Forrest is a sweet but socially awkward teenager with dreams of becoming a surfer. But Chicklet isn't your average beach bunny--she's grappling with multiple personalities, each more bizarre than the last. As the local beachgoers prepare for a summer of fun, Chicklet's alter egos begin to emerge, creating a storm of chaos that no one saw coming, taking a quirky cast of characters along for the ride. The play is filled with sharp, witty dialogue, campy humour, and a healthy dose of absurdity, all set against a backdrop of surf culture and 1960s nostalgia. 
'Psycho Beach Party' is a riotous romp that blends satire and suspense, poking fun at the cultural tropes of the era while also offering a clever commentary on identity and self-discovery. Whether you're a fan of beach movies, thrillers, or just looking for a laugh, this play promises an unforgettable ride on the wild side of the shore.

Following a SELLOUT successful run of shows, we're thrilled to showcase Pull Yourself Together at Midsumma for the first time with a very special Pride Edition! 
Pull Yourself Together is an experimental genre improv show spotlighting an all-star cast of Melbourne's best actors and improvisers through a mix of scripted scenes and improv. 
We've assembled a crack team of actors who have armed themselves with incredible scripts (hint: think QUEER ANTHEMS!), and we're pitting them against your favourite improvisers who are thrown in the deep end to contend with well-rehearsed dialogue that might not always meet their expectations! 
You'll laugh! You'll gasp! You'll laugh some more! So come along and join the fun! 
So for God's sake, pull yourself together and get your tickets now to support local artists!

The finale of The Pearl Prize 2025 events for Midsumma Festival has arrived! 
So why is the Future Now? A panel will divulge with dialogue and intrigue. As The Wheeler Centre will open doors for the audience to listen and see what we as Queers feel are: the nuances between the created and us in the age of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning). So... IS THE FUTURE NOW? 
So come along to the climax of The Pearl Prize season 2025.

It's going to be Queer AF at Wet for Midsumma - a special queer pool party! Join 100s of Melbourne's queers as you drink, dance and play your way across a multi-level venue. Enjoy the 25m heated pool, large spa, steam room and sauna! 
We've got some very sexy DJs spinning tunes for you to dance to also!

An all-star line-up of LGBTQIA+ comics take to the stage for a mega night of laughs! 
This event is presented by Pride Comedy, who produce our monthly queer comedy night at Pride of our Footscray. 
Past performers at this event have included Matt Barron, Carmelo Costa, Frankie McNair, Aurelia St Clair, Scout Boxall, Kirsty Webeck, Charlie Lewin, Hot Department, Zoë Coombs Marr, Woah Alyssa, and Patrick Collins. 2025 cast to be announced soon!

This, is Queer Factor. Five of Melbourne's sharpest queer comics come together for a jam-packed hour of stand up. Covering topics from dating and love to families, work and all the scary things in between. This line-up will get your heart racing and who knows, maybe someone will eat something gross. Strap in baby. 
Featuring 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Best Newcomer nominees Maddy Weeks and Laurence Driscoll, and Melbourne comedy mainstays Maren May, Carmelo Costa and Chris Demos.

Join us for a unique night of fresh excerpts from our top 4 finalists: 
Norm Things by Jorja Bentley
It's your first week at the new job, and April is ready to give you the 411 on office gossip, work drinks and the systems that fail us... you know, norm things. But beware - between a morning coffee and a tragedy, you'll be forced to ask - what should normal be? April is ready to tell all, so get ready for your induction. 
Much to do with Law, but more to do with Love by Danish Sheikh
"Law". Alienating, incomprehensible, often violent, and for our narrator, the ultimate toxic lover. This lecture-performance intertwines a queer lawyer's story of growing up as an unapprehended felon in India, with the legal battle to decriminalise homosexuality in the country. Through it all, he attempts to answer the question: What's the point of trying to love the law, when the law won't love you back? 
White Christmas by Courtney Cavallaro
It's Christmas Day. But it's not just the birth and death of Jesus that a Mother and Daughter will front up to today. There's far more in-house ones to come... White Christmas is a quippy, two hander black comedy that asks us what it means to Mother. To Mother queerly. To Mother a queer child. And was there any hope of doing it with grace, anyway? 
Abi Is Missing by Sarah Bell
ABI is fifteen, living in Malabbin and wishing for elsewhere, when one day her parents report her as missing. Malabbin is every town, anywhere in regional Australia. Within minutes, the police have a second missing person case. A seasoned bushy, a man in his prime. Both apparently lost in the same area. Problem is, there are only enough volunteers for one - SEE MARTIN FOR EXTRA SUPPORT LINE FOR THIS SHOW 
Be the first to experience new work on stage, hear queer issues and voices, engage with new playwriting talent and have your say in the 2025 Award selection.

Join us for a vibrant journey through Yarra's LGBTQIA+ history! 

Listen along as we guide you through places of queer significance, such as the Keith Haring mural, The Peel, The Laird, and more, as originally researched and documented by Queerways' Retracing Queer Footprints audio tours. This isn’t your regular walk—it’s an immersive experience that connects past and present.

The walking tours will start at 5:30 PM and run for about 2-2.5 hours. They’ll be led by our fabulous local queer community member, Tex. As you explore, you'll hear captivating stories and celebrate the community's resilience, connection, and diversity, all while being immersed in the historical significance of our suburbs.

These walks are presented by Yarra Libraries and Rainbow Yarra for the Midsumma Festival. Participants are advised to bring sturdy shoes, a bottle of water, and appropriate sun protection. This is a fun, social community event, so bring a friend or make a new one on the day!

Accessibility: The walk is entirely outdoors and follows some narrow footpaths. Please contact the event organiser with any questions about accessibility.

Join us for a vibrant journey through Yarra's LGBTQIA+ history! Listen along as we guide you through places of queer significance. Hear captivating stories, celebrate community, and be immersed in the historical significance of Fitzroy!

Looking for some family-friendly school holiday fun? 
Bring your babies, toddlers, and kids for a fabulous morning of colourful excitement! We've created a playful and inclusive space where kids under 12 can let loose and enjoy themselves. 
Kids are encouraged to come dressed in their favourite party outfits, ready to hit the dancefloor! 
Please note that all children must be supervised by an adult. We can't wait to see you there!

The Rainbow Golf Cup is a social golf day for LGBTIQA+ golfers and allies of all ages and abilities. 
Beginners are welcome. No equipment? No worries! Equipment is available upon request. 
Location: Yarrambat Park Golf Course
Event start time: 9.00am
Tee-off time: 9.30am, shotgun start
Format: Ambrose (9 holes)
Presentations: 12.00pm 
Prizes will be on offer. Presentations will commence at approximately 12.00pm with refreshments provided. 
Ambrose: Each player hits off the tee, the best shot is selected, and all other players pick up their ball and place it alongside the best ball. Each player then hits a second shot from the same spot. The best shot is again selected. This continues until the ball is in the hole. This inclusive format is perfect for complete beginners! 
Participants will be placed into groups for play prior to the event. If you wish to play in pre-organised groups, please advise event organisers beforehand.

Back for a sizzling return season and reimagined with a sexy, stripped-back version exclusively for Midsumma, "Ruthless! the Musical" is a show you won't want to miss! Is talent something we're born with... or something worth killing for? 
Join us for this laugh-out-loud, high-energy, camp-filled extravaganza as we follow 8-year-old Tina Denmark, a young girl with an unquenchable thirst for stardom who will stop at nothing to be in the spotlight. With a catchy score by Marvin Laird and witty lyrics by Joel Paley, this hilarious production spoofs iconic classics like "Gypsy," "Mame," and the chilling thriller "The Bad Seed." It's a side-splitting take on these beloved shows that will leave you doubled over in laughter! 
The fabulous Dolly Diamond steps back into the larger-than-life role of Sylvia St. Croix, after receiving rave reviews in last years production, and she's promising to shake things up once again with her razor-sharp wit and outrageous charm. "I've waited years to play this role on stage; so the opportunity to reprise the role is far too tempting to pass up," Dolly says with a wink. Get ready, Melbourne, for a sensational blend of sass, camp, and uproarious hilarity. "Ruthless! the Musical" is back, and it's more wickedly entertaining than ever! 
"An ideal fit for the masses of musical theatre aficionados in Melbourne, Ruthless! The Musical is sure to delight the devotees and the uninitiated alike." - Simon Paris (Man in Chair) 
"The performances and the script are a winning combination that results in this deliciously extravagant production." - My Melbourne Arts 
"Ruthless! The Musical is heaps of fun. It is wild and wacky." - Alex First 
"The show puts it best, this production of Ruthless is 'Criminally Talented'!" - Theatre Matters

TROUGH EVENTS introduces their first ever Midsumma Carnival Sex-Positive Dance After Party. SCREW is literally the Sex Club Rave Everyone Wants. 
SCREW is a dance event that returns to the roots of clubbing with an exploratory experience of cruising. Where we lust for the light, submit to the sound and discover our deepest desires in the darkness. With a focus on projected visuals, lighting, XXX (sin)ema and penetrative dance beats. 
SCREW is split over 2 joint venues: 
LAUNDRY for the dance & rave you crave. Focusing on sexually charged dance music; techno, throbbing beats, sex-wave and sleazy anthems. 
BAD DECISIONS for the sex-yr-all cruising for. Focusing on sensorial dark lit spaces, projected XXX porn-art (sin)ema, sex-sling cubicles and private play booths - for your pleasure only. 
COME | DANCE | RAVE | CRUISE | SCREW 
For more details on SCREW Events and all updated information, please visit www.trough.events.

Step into a captivating exploration of love and technology's intricate dance. A sequel to the acclaimed CULT showcased in 2023 at Midsumma Festival and Melbourne Fringe, Ryan Henry's SPARK offers up another cautionary tale; the spectacle of aligning a gay man's experience along the narrow road of "love at first sight." In a world where information and connection is readily available at the swipe of your fingers, are you able to digest it fast enough? Are you too picky? Will you suffer from digital neglect? Join Simon on his quest through the smartphone screen and see if he will survive the hilarity, the devastation and the Camp of it all before time runs out (anyone have a charger he could borrow?). 
Presented by the team who brought you PIPER (Theatre Works, 2024) and The Roof is Caving In (La Mama, 2024), SPARK promises a night of entertainment and self-reflection in equal measure. You won't know whether to laugh or question everything they know about love by the time the screen goes black. 
"Henry is a master at manipulating comedy" - Australian Art's Review 
"funny, real and non-stop from start to finish." - Theatre Travels 
"fresh new work" - My Melbourne Arts

Dan works at the south-coast's most successful and infamous gay sauna. A place where men from all walks of life come to relax, socialise and most importantly... f**k. 
Join Dan as he navigates a hidden world of lust, friendship and unorthodox working relationships. From multi-award winning writer/performer, Dan Ireland-Reeves, comes a semi-autobiographical look behind the curtain of one of the world's most secretive and seductive industries. 
Pulsing with frenetic energy and laced with sexual tension, Sauna Boy is guaranteed to touch you in more ways than one. 
Welcome to West End Sauna... 
WINNER Oscar Wilde Award for Best Writing - IDGTF 2024 
"Captivating and Intimate" ***** - Broadway World 
"Sauna Boy steams up the Theatre" ***** - Front Mezz Junkie 
"A phenomenal writer" ***** - LondonTheatre1 
"A terrific performance not to be missed" ***** - Scene Magazine

"One of the campiest and most unhinged of all queer movie musicals, Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers was restored by the Academy Film Archive in 2022 after scarcely being seen since premiering 50 years prior. Presumed lost for much of that time, it now rates as one of the greatest film rediscoveries in many a long year. How on Earth did something so brilliantly, ceaselessly bonkers as this, and so much fun to watch with a crowd, ever retreat into obscurity? In one of the earliest lead roles granted to a trans performer, Warhol Superstar Holly Woodlawn (seen in the recently deceased Paul Morrissey's Trash and Women in Revolt!) puts in a riotous turn as small-town girl Eve Harrington, who quickly finds life in New York City circa 1972 sure ain't like being in Kansas anymore, as she embarks upon a riotous series of loopy, cartoonish, gag-filled episodes and madcap musical numbers. Woodlawn's ferocious fellow Warhol Superstar Tally Brown chews no small amount of scenery as Mary Poppins, and the mayhem is only enhanced by voice cameos from none other than Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin!"

The world seems hopelessly stuck, repeating the mistakes of the past. We push ever closer to self-destruction through war, climate change, capitalism, and ongoing injustice for marginalised communities. Yet, there is always hope--slivers of light shining through the cracks in the facade. 
Created by a female and gender-diverse ensemble from Women's Circus, with members in their 50s, 60s and 70s, Small Acts of Resistance explores the need for hope in a world where protest and the voices of the disenfranchised are continually ignored. Blending inspiring circus and the soulful energy of live music and spoken word, we question why the lessons of the past are seemingly forgotten and how small acts of kindness, resistance, and hope can promote change. As proud members of the LGBTQIA+ community, fighting injustice is part of our DNA, and Women's Circus has been championing women's rights and empowering people of a marginalised gender for over 30 years. 
Bringing you defying acrobalance, inspiring aerials and feats of circus, this incredible cast embraces both the gravity and joy of what it means to be alive and striving for change. Small Acts of Resistance is a poignantly humorous celebration of our community's intellect, kindness, passion, and empathy, complete with all the messiness and contradictions that make us human.

After a SOLD OUT Midsumma 2024, you're invited to the return of the game show that dares to ask: what if everyone doing Snatch Game was actually funny? 
Join Melbourne's best character comics as they showcase their most cooked and chaotic celebrity impersonations and battle it out for the ultimate prize! 
Past guests include Honor Wolff, Ben Russell, and many more!

There's an old mansion on the outskirts of town, and there's something too hot about the men that live there. 
It's a big, dancey, masculine extravaganza. It's a bit 'Burlesque', it's a bit 'Moulin Rouge', a bit 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas', and a whole bunch of 'Brokeback Mountain'. 
From the team behind 'Pinocchio', 'Hyacinth', and 'David', comes another big gay fiasco.

At the end of season 4, the town of whore-kins was left in destruction, and the team had lost hope. The United states government called upon us, a group of fabulous and strange queers to use our powers of circus, drag and burlesque alongside iconic 80s hits, to reinvigorate the town and prepare them for their next fight. Hosted by Ezra Mishka, join these iconic performers through 80s classic hits

Get ready to experience the ultimate Sundaylicious session this long weekend at the iconic Precinct Hotel. Picture this: the sun shining brightly over a stunning open-air venue, an unbeatable lineup of DJs spinning the hottest tracks, and a vibrant, inclusive crowd celebrating love and diversity. As part of the iconic Midsumma Festival, Sundaylicious promises an atmosphere where everyone is welcome. Whether you're dancing under the sun or enjoying the festive vibes, this is the LGBTQIA+ event you don't want to miss. 
Sundaylicious is all about bringing the ultimate party vibes to your long weekend! Our show features an incredible lineup of DJs playing sets from the afternoon straight into the night, creating a seamless flow of electrifying music. 
The iconic LGBTQIA+ Sundaylicious is an event buzzing with energy, bursting with style, and bustling with like-minded people! One of Melbourne's longest running and most well-known queer events, Sundaylicious has delivered an energetic, diverse and unique event for over 16 years. Sundaylicious is an LGBTQIA+ Sunday session with Friday and Saturday gigs now included. As we expand, we have added Sydney and Brisbane to our list of locations. Sundaylicious is a safe haven for all of the rainbow community and friends.

Queer HERstory is about to be brought back to life! Category is: STUDIO 54, Honey! Sashay this way and get ready to SLAY the night away, as we countdown through the TOP 50 QUEER ANTHEMS OF ALL TIME - Voted By You! 
 But if you want to hold all that power, Baby, you need to get yourself on the guestlist, because only those committed to SLAY will get a SAY in the music we will PLAY!... Padam!? 
Whether it has been decades since you hit the dancefloor, or your real ID just became useable, this party is all about bringing together the "all eras tour" of the queer community. So whether you are a "Gloria Gay-nor" that Will Allllways Survive, or a "Charlie Likes Boys" Billie Eilish 'baby' gay, we'll have a little something for each and every one of you. Serving blonde bombshell realness, the hostess with the mostest is none other than 'the hype girl you never knew you needed' - singing DJ Cassidy La Crème, who'll be joined by some of Melbourne's most sickening drag performers! Did I mention the dance floor will be open and ready for business... so YOU better WERK! 
 Euphoria Social aims to create an environment where everyone feels celebrated, so we welcome all kinds of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. We believe in utilising the power of community to improve the lives of those around us, so sashay this way for a guaranteed feel-good partay! Bring your bestie, your neighbour, your soccer team... or.... thanks to the Victorian Pride Centre, we've even got a 'Make A Friend' corner for those who come alone! 
DRESS CODE: Studio 54 (aka CAMP AF!) - We want glitter, we want rhinestones - serve us rainbows, give us GLAM! 
 VOTING DEADLINE: January 20 @ 10pm - The voting link will be sent to you via your booking email address before the event! 
This is an 18+ only event and drinks will be available at bar prices.

Get ready to make a splash with Thorne Harbour Health as we dive into the vibrant return of the Queer Pool Party for Midsumma Festival 2024! This year, Prahran Pool will be the ultimate hotspot, brimming with exciting entertainment, lively activities, and boundless joy. Whether you're floating with friends, dancing to live beats, or soaking up the sun, this event promises a fabulous time for everyone. 
The Thorne Harbour Health Queer Pool Party is your chance to celebrate the Midsumma season in style, connecting with the LGBTQIA+ community and allies in a fun, inclusive environment. From fabulous pool floats to refreshing cocktails, we've got everything to keep the party going. Shade and sunscreen are provided so you can stay cool and protected while you party.

A local line- up of artists, activists, queers and rebels, curated by Sarah Ward, come together for a spoken word event at Footscray bar, Mamma Chens. TMI Tuesday (Too Much Information Night) is an opportunity for guests to write an uncensored piece of writing, so expect the awkward, the beautiful, the embarrassing and the hilarious. 
Hosted by Sarah Ward and Bec Matthews. This is a safe and sacred night of candour, confession and open hearted vulnerability. With a diverse line-up, including those who have never been on a stage, to seasoned artists. 
Too much information (used to indicate that someone has revealed personal information that could have been kept private). 
A relaxed event. Auslan Interpreted. Wheelchair accessible.

TROUGH celebrates 20 YEARS of shaking up the sex-positive gay dance scene - from its bold, yet humble beginnings in the basement of INFLATION (Geddes Lane) to Melbourne's most legendary men's cruise club CLUB80. 
Co-founder Nik Dimopoulos, has devoted two long decades creating contemporary and boundary breaking fetish & kink photographic and video art promo material - as well as producing sex-positive parties that have pushed and advocated for under-represented queer dance music, way back when you could not have heard or experienced this kind of music and event unless you travelled to Berlin in the early 2000's. Over the last 20 years, TROUGH has changed the landscape of clubbing and influenced the current wave of queer, techno, sex positive, dance parties of today. 
Come and celebrate this historic moment back at its place of conception - INFLATION. To explore the history and archives of TROUGH Event dating from 2005-2025 and for information on all TROUGH events, please visit www.trough.events 
Get your tickets!

What is it to be Tender? Is it gentle and affectionate or sensitive and aching? Featuring an all-queer cast, Tender probes this question to uncover and explore relationships, power play, desire, and sexuality with flips, tricks, high kicks, hair whips and musical quips. 
Strap on in as Tender creates a playground between floor and air by merging aerial and ground disciplines as well as dance, and live original music to disassemble gender constructs and dismantle binaries. 
At the heart of it, Tender is a joyous celebration of queer community, connectedness, vulnerability and, of course, tenderness. 
Expect to walk away feeling as though you have experienced a big rainbow cuddle puddle. 
 https://www.facebook.com/GasworksArtsPark/ https://www.facebook.com/tendertheshow/
 https://www.instagram.com/gasworksartspark/ https://www.instagram.com/tendertheshow/
https://www.gasworks.org.au/ https://www.tendertheshow.com

After a SOLD OUT Midsumma debut in 2024, 'Thank God You're Queer' is back to throw your favourite LGBTQIA+ comics into the deep end of improv comedy! 
Join the fun as two local rising queer comedians perform a set of stand-up before squirming amongst the finest improv minds in the community. 
Will they rise to the challenge? Come and find out! 
Past guests include Tom Ballard, Scout Boxall, and many more!

The Fellowship Tales are a collection of original contemporary fables, written and performed by Letitia Kellion-O'Brien. These are stories formed by the performer's friendships, reflecting universal themes of life, struggle, survival, and success, through an exploration of the unique people that inspired them. 
Come and enjoy a drink at Grouse Melbourne while we share some stories and indulge our imaginations.

A writing award where Queer writers have a platform of self expression through the writing landscape and into publication. Fifteen finalists have been selected and published in The Pearl Prize 2025. The award will proudly be announced at The Victorian Pride Centre. A queer bloom in the Australian writing landscape. The Pearl Prize is unique to Midsumma Festival as it is the first of its kind in a queer arts and culture festival in Australia. 
After the Award Presentation the publication featuring the works from the fifteen finalists will be available to purchase and to be signed by these talents at Melbourne's incredible bookstore Hares and Hyenas at The Victorian Pride Centre.

Experience the first full reading of The Queer Kingdom by Tom Ballard, winner of the 2024 QPAS Award. Be part of the development process towards presenting a premiere production in 2026, meet the artists and share your feedback. 
In 2004, a group of radical queer activists boarded a seaplane they'd christened The Gayflower, flew 200 nautical miles off the coast of Queensland and landed on a tiny patch of sand and grass in the middle of the ocean. It was here that Emperor Dale Parker Anderson I would plant his rainbow flag and officially declare the claiming of "The Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands'' - a gay nation independent of homophobic Australia, where there was marriage equality for all, the currency was the pink dollar and the national anthem was Gloria Gaynor's I Am What I Am. 
Playwright, Tom Ballard says: "I want to write a funny, joyous play that tells the story of this fascinating queer protest - its history, its characters and its politics - and interrogates what it means for Australian queers today. Would we all just be better off escaping to our own separate queer paradise?"

Slip on your sequins, slop on some eye shadow, slap on a wig and join your host, Reuben Kaye, for this vivacious variety extravaganza at The Round. We've curated an absolutely dazzling line-up for this one-night spectacular, featuring the finest of Australia's LGBTQIA+ talent. 
Comedy sensation, Rhys Nicholson, joins Reuben as our fiery featured guest for the evening. 
Prepare for a smorgasbord of entertainment - we're talking devilish drag, show stopping songs, side-splitting comedy, tantalising burlesque, and enough sequins to outshine a disco ball. It's a celebration of diversity, creativity, and unbridled fun at Melbourne's newest performing arts centre. 
So, gather your gays and your theys, grab the girlies, get ready to walk the rainbow carpet and dance in the aisles for a night that'll be the talk of Midsumma.

"This landmark 1978 film adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name is an all-Black, Afrofuturist reimagining of The Wizard of Oz - and how! With our queen, Diana Ross (soon to record "I'm Coming Out") as Dorothy, heading an all-star cast including a teenaged, pre-solo career Michael Jackson, legendary singer, actor and civil rights activist, Lena Horne, America's "poet laureate of television"", Nipsey Russell and iconic comedian Richard Pryor - that's how! The legendariness far from ends there, mind you - produced by Universal Pictures and Motown Productions, The Wiz was scored by 28-times(!) Grammy Award-winner Quincy Jones, and boasts a soundtrack of glorious gospel, soul and R&B-infused bangers. Director Sidney Lumet - ever one of the most socially engaged of Hollywood filmmakers, known for 12 Angry Men (1957) and Network (1976) - was among the first Hollywood filmmakers to provide sympathetic, nuanced representations of out gay/bisexual and trans characters in 1975's Dog Day Afternoon. Here he piloted the production of a film that "in the 'Emerald City Sequence' alone has informed everything from the black queer ballroom scene to Béyonce" (Gerrick D. Kennedy, Los Angeles Times)." Rated: G

So there's this party she's having. It might be a funerary rite or a birthday celebration, depending on your perspective. Either way she's wearing the dress, her first lippy, and she's making a special meal. The flowers keep coming and the candles get blown out. 
An international collaboration between two transgender writer/performers, UK legend Jo Clifford ('The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven') and local emerging artist Bayley Turner, 36 explores the complex relationship gender diverse people have with aging, mortality, grief and growth. 
Directed by Kitan Petkovski ('The Inheritance'), with set and costume design by Bethany J Fellows, lighting design by Spencer Herd, and sound design/composition by Rachel Lewindon.

Tina Del Twist is Australia's much-loved nightingale. With a comedic wit that could shred brie and a voice as smooth as honey, her talents hug all around the globe to wild acclaim and applause, garnishing her iconic. Accompanied by the musical perfume of the esteemed Cameron Thomas. 
Winner - Comics' Choice Award, Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022 
"Hypnotised by the music, her silky voice, with just a touch of gravel for texture, comes to the fore, and holds the audience rapt." - CHORTLE.CO.UK 
"[Tina's] voice is beautiful and stirring as it takes us through comedic originals and soulful classics." - Sydney Morning Herald 
"Tina has an incredible stage presence and voice." - VOICEMAG.UK 
"A magnetic stage presence. A triumph." - CULTUREFIX.CO.UK 
"A clever and engaging show and one that entertains." - The AUREVIEW.COM 
☆☆☆☆☆ THEAUREVIEW.COM
☆☆☆☆☆ WEEKENDNOTES.COM
☆☆☆☆☆ THEAGE.COM.AU
☆☆☆☆☆ GLAMADELAIDE.COM.AU

"Now that our Priscilla has turned 30, we can turn our eyes towards that other mid-'90s, cult classic, drag queen road trip comedy, which is also about to enjoy that same anniversary. For Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce and Terence Stamp, substitute Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo; for Alice Springs, think Tinseltown itself. Vida Boheme (Swayze) and Noxeema Jackson (Snipes) are elite Manhattan queens bound for a drag pageant in Hollywood in a yellow '67 Cadillac convertible. After taking hapless drag newbie Chi-Chi Rodriguez (Leguizamo) under their wings, they find themselves stranded in a small Midwestern town, where an almighty charm offensive will be required to win over the sometimes unwelcoming locals. Director Beeban Kidron (also known for Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) and, these days, a Baroness, officially) worked with an extraordinary cast - Swayze and Leguizamo were both nominated for Golden Globes - which was boosted by the legendary Stockard Channing and a dazzling array of starry cameos, from Robin Williams and Quentin Crisp to a pre-Drag Race RuPaul and a certain Catwoman of yesteryear... " Rated PG

Aunty Bear and ZaZa (from The Rainbow Tree) bring you Toddler Social, a curated, queer-friendly, westside get-together for toddlers and caregivers. This is an hour of creative play designed for toddlers to let go and express themselves through dance, movement, drumming and relaxation. 
Toddler Social is one hour of creative play and activities that encourages interaction and self-expression with a soundtrack of Hip-Hop, Soul, Rock, Punk and Reggae, including some live music. A place where toddlers and their grown-ups can hang out with others in a relaxed and playful atmosphere, guided by Aunty Bear and ZaZa. 
This is an environment created for diverse needs with special consideration given for those with ASD, ADHD or anxiety. There will be sensory toys, soft carpet to roll on, noise cancelling headphones and separate zones so that the toddlers can choose an experience that suits their needs. 
Big feelings are welcome. 
Best suited to ages 2-5. Older or younger siblings or friends are welcome. 
Auslan Interpreted: 8 Feb 10:30am.

"A priceless repository of living social history, wit, wisdom and defiance."***** - Attitude Magazine, UK 
"A stunning work of theatrical activism."***** - The Queer Review, New York 
From Adelaide to Zagreb and now at Theatre Works for its Melbourne premiere, Jeremy Goldstein's Truth to Power Café is a profound theatrical reflection on loss, hope, and resistance. 
This award-winning international performance event is told through memoir, image, film, poetry, music, and compassionate truth-telling in response to the question: 'who has power over you and what do you want to say to them?' 
Personal, professional, political - 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, a sibling, politician, lover, landlord, neighbour, banker, boss, 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 inner Jewish circle "The Hackney Gang", who included Jeremy's late father, Mick Goldstein, and poet/actor Henry Woolf. 
OPEN CALL/EOI FOR PARTICIPANTS:
 We're seeking 24 people of all ages, experiences and backgrounds for this special Midsumma edition. To take part, send us 100 words in response to the question 'who has power over you and what do you want to say to them?' by Friday 10 January 2025. All submissions to: https://www.truthtopower.co.uk/signupnow Participants are remunerated. Terms and conditions apply. 
Created by Jeremy Goldstein with Henry Woolf
 Directed by Jen Heyes 
"A truly global show that knows no borders." - Time Out

Calling all boys under 30!! Join us for our Midsumma Special 'Under 30's' Night! Enjoy the 25m heated pool, dance to the amazing beats of our sexy DJs and play your way across a multi level labyrinth of play spaces. ID is required for entry. 
It's going to be HOT! VCAT Exemption: #H112/2023

Wet on Wellington is back with the BIGGEST, SEXIEST and HOTTEST Pool Party! 
Join hundreds of Melbourne's men, male-identifying and male-presenting people! 
Enjoy the 25m heated pool surrounded by sexy people! Have a drink or two and perhaps even a cocktail from our amazing mixologist! 
Dance till you drop with our three fabulously handsome DJs and play your way through a labyrinth of play spaces. 
The spa is hot, dance floor's hot and the boys are HOT HOT HOT!

Our annual sellout spoken word event Wise Words is back! Come join us for an evening of intergenerational storytelling. Wise Words features a line-up of some of Australia's most prominent and talented LGBTIQ+ women (trans and non-binary inclusive). 2025 line up to be announced, previous guests include Sophie Cunningham, Laniyuk, Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Amy Middleton, Claire G. Coleman, Kirsty Webeck, Sarah Ward, Aurelia St Clair and many, many more. 
Stay tuned for updates! 
Food and refreshments provided!

"One of the greatest contemporary Polish filmmakers, Małgorzata Szumowska (Mug, 2018, and the Teddy Award-winning In the Name of, 2013), here shares directing duties with brilliant cinematographer Michał Englert (as with 2020's Never Gonna Snow Again), to tell a story spanning 45 years of beleaguered trans woman Aniela Wesoły's life, against a backdrop of Poland's transition from communism to capitalism. Mateusz Wieclawek and Małgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik (a dead ringer for Judith Butler!) are both superb as Aniela at different challenging stages in her life, in a famously Catholic nation staunchly hostile to the gender non-conforming. Augmented by a great turn from Cold War's Joanna Kulig, this hugely compassionate film doesn't sugarcoat a lot of harsh Polish realities, but also makes no bones about whom it wishes the audience to feel solidarity with. (Pun intended, per the film's title, which alludes to Andrzej Wajda's labour movement-exalting classics, Man of Iron and Man of Marble.)"

For once, Ziegfeld Boy is stripping away everything BUT his clothes. This time there'll be no quick costume changes, no backup boys and no extravagant choreography. With classic tunes like Moon River, The Windmills of Your Mind, Nature Boy and Diamonds are Forever, this cabaret will take you on a fabulous journey of haunting melodies and sublime lyrics. Accompanied by just a piano, the only thing Ziegfeld Boy will be baring in this show is his soul. Okay, and maybe a touch of skin too! 
"... His vocal prowess and stage presence command attention" ***** - Dancelife Australia 
"... Seductive, provocative and always entertaining" **** - Stage Whispers 
"... Gloriously high camp!" ***** - Glam Adelaide