As the Coastal Twist LGBTIQA+ Arts & Culture Festival draws closer, organisers are calling on residents to get involved.
To be held over seven days and nights, the festival will feature 14 events for all ages and abilities with 75 per cent of activities free across Umina Beach, Woy Woy, Ettalong Beach and Gosford.
You might be a business keen to take part in the window display competition or a proud dog owner who’d like to enter the Pooch Parade; there are many ways to participate.
This year’s Festival theme is Be the Change..
– a call to action, for all people regardless of age, gender, sexuality, ability or skin colour to come together and celebrate for a happier, healthier, and more welcoming Central Coast.
“Our first festival saw Coasties and tourists from far and wide; we want everyone to feel welcome and explore, from families coming along bringing their kids to Drag Storytime and entering their dogs at the Puparazzi Pooch Parade to those just up for a good time, good food and good music, reinforcing a better way for the future,” Festival Director, Glitta Supernova, said.
“This festival is inclusive and the A in the LGBTIQA+ stands for Allies who are a big part of the journey.”
Glitta Supernova
The first festival, held in 2019, went for three days and attracted more than 7,500 people from all around the world but was put on hold in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
This year, supported by a $53,611 grant through the NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund, the festival has been able to extend to across seven days and nights with events to include a beach picnic party day, theatre, dance, live music, cabaret, family activities, a LGBTIQ youth teen area and a special innovation workshop with IBM, whose footprint in the region includes partnering with high schools with its Global P-TECH program.
Electric Fields will headline the Coastie Fair Day.
Lots of prizes are up for grabs in the window display competition, where local businesses can boost their visibility.
A full schedule of events, as well as RSVP for free events and dog parade registration, volunteer, sign up and raffle are available at www.coastaltwist.org.au/whats-on
Primary source: Media release, Aug 16, 2022, Coastal Twist
Happy to volunteer