A vibrant explosion of colour and creativity will hit the Central Coast when the fourth annual Coastal Twist Festival is held from October 1-6.
The festival will run over six days with 11 events in a week-long extravaganza celebrating LGBTQIA+ talent and artistry while shining a spotlight on the region and amplifying diversity as the norm.
Headliners this year include international cabaret royalty Fez Faanana (Shivanah) and Mark “Captain Kidd” Winmill from Briefs International, renowned for their genre-defying performances.
Also gracing the stage will be Betty Grumble and Demon Derriere, celebrated for their boundary-pushing acts and body-positive, stereotype-busting messages.
Music lovers will be thrilled with headliner KAIIT, the ARIA-winning neo-soul and hip-hop sensation, who you will appear at Fair Day on October 8, along with pop artists Vetta Borne.
Greg Gould will also light up the stage with his powerful vocals.
The drag scene will shine with Molly Poppinz and Vybe, Audley Enough and Dandrogyny from Ru Paul’s Drag Race Down Under bringing their own flair to the festival.
Festival director Glitta Supernova said Rise and Shine was the mantra and theme of this year’s Coastal Twist Festival.
It captures the community’s spirit of resilience and renewal, symbolised by the phoenix, and celebrates its transformative power and unity in the face of adversity through vibrant queer expression and collective growth.
The festival will offer an array of free and ticketed events across various Central Coast venues, including live cabaret, dance parties, youth events, a film night, senior activities and art exhibitions.
The crown jewel of the festival is the Coastie Carnie Fair Day – a massive free, family friendly, outdoor celebration featuring headliners, all-day entertainment, food, drinks, youth activities and community spirit on October 6.
“Let’s paint the town with rainbows and help make the Central Coast a happier, healthier and more welcoming community for everyone,” Supernova said.
Book for ticketed events at www.coastaltwist.org.au/whats-on and see a full rundown on the festival at www.coastaltwist.org.au