2015 Feast Festival Kicks Off Today

This year's annual Feast Festival is going bigger and better than ever before with a variety of talented local, national and international artists and explosive special events.

Since its inception in 1997, the Festival has hosted big names including Matthew Mitcham, Joel Creasey, Beccy Cole, Hannah Gadsby and Bob Downe to name a few has and attracted thousands of visitors to its hub of activities. Feast's secret to longevity is the way the Festival celebrates diversity and inclusion of the LGBTIQ community. It is one the largest LGBTIQ festivals in Australia and this year aims to be no exception to its fabulous past with a spectacular program lineup. Local cabaret artist Michael Griffiths has been named this year's ambassador while international super star Conchita will be headlining the Festival. The Eurovision sensation has achieved critical recognition and acclaim since winning the Eurovision contest in 2014.

The 2-week Festival promises not to disappoint and is overflowing with an array of cabaret/theatre, comedy, visual art, film, literature, forums and special events. The Festival opens on the 14th November in George St Adelaide with a huge Opening Night Party full of music, dancing and celebration. The Festival's exciting culture aims to create a loving and accepting ambience as attendees can expect to witness a diverse range of performances from lip-syncing drag queens through to same sex dance competitions.

Program highlights include:

The Art of Drag - A Night With Conchita (15th November) The Austrian bearded lady and drag queen phenomenon wowed the world in 2014 when she won the Eurovision contest with entrant song 'Rise like a Phoenix'. Conchita will be joined by Adelaide icon Vonni to host this special event that promises to be feather filled and fabulous. This will be Conchita's very first time performing live in Australia and will feature a fantastic lineup of local and interstate drag artists. On Tuesday 17th ABC radio presenter and Sunday Mail columnist Peter Goers will join Conchita for an intimate conversation and readings from her new book Being Conchita: We Are Unstoppable and be sure to keep an eye out for her at other special events throughout the festival.

Thomas Jaspers - Always the Bridesmaid (20-21 November) was a smash hit at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and this year he is bringing the show to our door-step. Jaspers is a Feast favourite with his quick-wit humour and crowd involvement - a comedic act not to miss.

All About E Premiere Screening (17th Nov) Jury Award for Best Women's International Feature at North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and featuring local Adelaide talent Mandahla Rose.

Jolie - My Prerogative - Local Adelaide artist and winner of Mr Boylesque SA Jolie performs in a one night powerful and colourful extravaganza.

2015 Homosexuality History Conference - Coinciding with the 40th Anniversary of the decriminalisation of male homosexual activity in South Australia, the conference will be opened by Peter Duncan, Attorney General in the Dunstan Government and closed by Senator Penny Wong.

The Devil Wears Leigh Buchanan (20th Nov) Celebrates the story of Leigh through heart-rending song and hilarious hilarious stories of his journey through rags to riches. First runner up on Australia's reality show Project Runway and Host of Camp as Tits radio show with Meshel Laurie.

Grab your program today to see even more of what Feast has to offer in 2015. November is shaping up to be a busy month on the Festival calendar year. 2015 marks the 19th year of Feast Festival. It will run from 14-29 November 2015. For more information on the guests and program of the Festival, visit www.feast.org.au.

To post a comment, you must register and login.