No queer carols this year

Melbourne Christmas tradition Carols by Queerlight will not go ahead this year after more than a decade of entertaining the LGBTI community.

The Melbourne Rainbow Band (MRB) and Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus (MGLC) announced yesterday they would not perform this year due to fundraising problems, but added the major free event could return for the 2013 holiday season.

For the past 11 years, the annual event attracted audiences of up to 450 people at the Prahran Market Courtyard.

“While we have enjoyed putting Carols By Queerlight on for the community, the cost of putting on such an event has simply surpassed the potential revenue raised,” MRB president Ben Boreham said.

Boreham said the not-for-profit event depended on local business support which had become increasingly difficult to secure.

“While not setting out to profit from the event, each year the MRB and the MGLC have staged the performance partly through sponsorship from local businesses and in recent years it has become increasingly difficult to secure that additional support.

“Perhaps, after a year’s rest we may be able to take the opportunity taken to re-visit the format and prepare a new and improved program for our community.”

LGBTI radio station JOY 94.9 FM had broadcast the performance since 2008 which allowed listeners from around Australia and overseas to join in the festivities.

“It’s been rewarding to receive feedback on the night from people listening from as far away as Canada and Europe, and has always been a nice way to connect with family and friends who cannot be with us over the festive season,” MGLC president Maree Foelz said.

The music troupes will continue to work together with their next big gig at the Midsumma Festival next year.