West getting better

Melbourne’s largest queer festival, Midsumma is again extending its boundaries from the inner city ‘gay ghetto’.

In what some may consider an unlikely area of town to host events for a gay and lesbian festival, Hobsons Bay Council, which takes in Altona, Laverton and Williamstown, will play host to a significant number of Midsumma events this year including some international guests.

Hobsons Bay Council Deputy Mayor Tony Briffa — who is open about being intersex — has been a strong advocate for the GLBTI community in the area and said he was excited about the program of events this year.

It will be the second year the municipality will host events for Midsumma.

On this year’s bill, playing at the Williamstown Mechanics Institue, Canadian storytellers Jan Andrews and Jennifer Cayley will present The Book of Spells – A Love Story, re-discovering the forgotten art of telling great stories. Andrews will also present a fiction writers workshop on January 17.

A free sailing day on Altona Bay’s high seas on January 23, courtesy of Altona Yatch Club, will be a must-do for sailing enthusiasts or boating beginners alike.

A series of queer films will screen at the Williamstown Mechanics Institute, including Boy Culture, But I’m a Cheerleader, and The Adventures of Sebastian Cole from January 18 – 20.
A contemporary art exhibition at The Joel Gallery will show from January 29 to February 13 featuring work from queer creatives in the west.

A Walk on the Wes Side, featuring cabaret sensation Wes Snelling and a host of friends is set to be a highlight event at The Substation, Newport.

Finally, a rainbow families picnic, featuring the Westside Circus, will take place on the Altona foreshore to see out festival events in the area on February 5.Events have been co-ordinated with western suburbs GLBTI local events organising group GOWEST.

info: For the full program, visit: www.midsumma.org.au

PIC CAP:
Cabaret performer Wes Snelling performs at the Hobsons Bay City Council Midsumma launch.