Coastal Twist LGBTIQ Arts & Culture Festival rescheduled to September

The Coastal Twist LGBTIQ Arts & Culture Festival due to take place later this month (19 – 23 January) has been rescheduled to 27 September – 3 October 2022.

“Covid and how to handle it remains an ongoing challenge and given the evolving nature of the current Omicron outbreak, it’s not just lip service when we say the safety of our artists, audiences, volunteers, crews and partners particularly our Higher Risk groups (Aboriginal, HIV status, 55+ and disabilities, immunocompromised) is and always will be our number one priority ongoing and that Naughty Noodle Fun haus will continue to exceed expectations with regards to cultural safety and duty of care,” said Festival Director Glitta Supernova.

“Navigating through these tricky times as an Arts and Culture Organisation is the biggest professional challenge of my lifetime, definitely not for the faint of heart. The Twist team has worked tirelessly over the past twelve months to reduce risk, put in place multiple plans, prepare for the worst but this time round there was simply no way forward. A record number of cases surrounding us and close contact isolation and result times presenting too great a risk for the festival to take place amongst the chaos.”

“It has tested our physical stamina and metal resilience. That said and on the flip side we welcomed unexpected and new volunteer champions and doers to the organisation and more local business involvement than ever before from Long Jetty to Umina beach.”

“Being able to offer up something of this magnitude to our coastie communities and visitors is something we will be coming back with once again in September, seeing our region benefiting from the cultural and economic benefits that the Coastal Twist LGBTIQ Arts & Culture brings when people get together, share experiences and togetherness while seeing, feeling and experiencing art, acceptance & culture, its actually vital to our souls.”

“There is a very real sadness of seeing a year’s work snuffed out just 2 weeks from delivery and with thousands of hours of work undone. We had been so very excited by the elevated and expanded January Festival program offering to be shared this summer, from world class superstars Electric Fields to parents and the region’s leading youth organisations hosting the first Youth rainbow dance, all epitomising the celebration, visibility and inclusion through culture for the entire coast that is what Coastal Twist is all about.”

“We are sorry there is no way to push through for January and are simultaneously so full of immense gratitude to our Government, Corporate and local partners & stakeholders for standing by Coastal Twist Festival team and artists and we very much look forward to bringing this festival in for September, the Audience support is phenominal from across the country and tickets for all activations are avaliable now.”

“Current ticket holders will recieve an email within the next few days detailing their options which include keeping their tickets for the new dates (nothing more to do), cancelling (and getting a full refund) allocating a credit for any activation we hold over the next 12 months.”

“We cannot wait to present a stunning, vibrant and hugely entertaining festival that has been a long time in the making to say the least!” said Glitta Supernova.

The 2022 Coastal Twist LGBTIQ Arts & Culture Festival will now run 27 September – 3 October. For more information, visit: www.coastaltwist.org.au for details.

Image: Victoria Mykles Queen and June Richards – photo by Lisa Haymes