It will be all feathers, glue guns and dance music for the Coastal Twist Festival team this Saturday, February 26.
At their busiest time outside of the annual festival, the team will be making costumes and rehearsing dance moves at the Parkhouse in Kibble Park, Gosford, ahead of the Sydney LGBTQIA+ Mardi Gras parade on March 5.
Festival Director, Glitta Supernova, said different aspects, ages, abilities and politics from the diverse Queer Coastie communities would come together to make some magic, spectacle and new connections.
“After two years of the Coastal Twist Festival cancellation, especially in a time of massive global division and isolation, it’s vital to our sense of community and mental health to be able to participate and celebrate again,” she said.
“It’s been 12 months since Coastal Twist Festival was the 2021 Sydney Mardi Gras finalist for best float design (including costuming ad execution) and we are back for our third Mardi Gras.”
Float Design lead Shane Milsom said this year’s design would be simple – blocked in white for impact.
“Inspired by love we are going with a Cupid theme and are aiming to wrap all of us in a huge white cloud,” he said.
For the second time the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will be COVID safe, transforming the Sydney Cricket Ground into a stunning and sparkling showcase of LGBTQI+ culture and community.
Coastal Twist Festival participants and volunteers have been banding together to make the 2022 Mardi Gras Parade a special one, from concept to costume and prop making with this weekend to be their last Gosford workshop with a full dress and dance rehearsal.
“This year’s float will have ages ranging from 7 to 68, mums supporting daughters, husbands supporting gay marriage, lifelong Coasties previously stuck in the closet – it all speaks volumes to our diverse community, our allies and Coastie spirit,” Supernova said.
“Together we are all celebrating diversity, self-expression and the freedom to be yourself.
“Our October 2022 Coastal Twist theme – Inclusion means you – is the perfect partner for the Mardi Gras theme – United we shine.
“When we band together, we shine brighter.
“When we rise as a human being, our message of love and inclusion is heard louder.”
Meanwhile, the Coastal Twist Festival will be back this October.
Source:
Media release, Feb 22
Coastal Twist Festival