By David Russell
Austrian singer Conchita Wurst, who skyrocketed to superstardom when she won Eurovision 2014 with the song ‘Rise like a phoenix’, will headline this year’s Adelaide Feast Festival.
Conchita heads up a program that is “tighter, snappier and shinier” than ever before, according to Feast Festival ambassador Michael Griffiths.
“We have a great program this year… we’re the envy of Sydney and Melbourne,” Michael told Inside South Australia.
“Everyone knows about Mardi Gras… we want to build awareness of Feast Festival. That’s the great thing about having Conchita as our international ambassador – it gets attention and will encourage people to see some other shows in the program as well.
“Getting Conchita on board was like a dream come true… we thought it was a crazy enough idea that it just might work.”
Michael said that when the offer was sent to Conchita it was enthusiastically accepted.
“She really wanted to come to Adelaide. Conchita is very much an activist; she loves spreading equality and positivity, which is a really important message in parts of Europe at the moment, but also in Australia.
“Conchita will raise the profile of the Festival, but she will also play an important role connecting local artists that are performing in Feast. She will be hosting a night of local drag artists called ‘The Art of Drag’.
“That event will be breaking the Guinness book of world records for the biggest drag performance ever, which Conchita will lead.”
Photo taken by United Nations staff.
This year’s Feast Festival has changed from a curated festival to a more open access model, similar to the Adelaide Fringe. Michael hopes that this year’s lineup will increase interest in Feast Festival from the broader community.
“Feast has traditionally targeted the Queer community… this year we want to offer something for everybody (and) make it really family-friendly.
“This festival is about celebrating diversity and embracing everybody. We have a lot of free events, like Queer Station at Station Place in Hindmarsh, poetry readings and a Japanese transgender guest speaker.”
Feast Festival runs 14-29 November 2015.
Program highlights
The Art of Drag – A Night With Conchita (15 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.
Thomas Jaspers – Always the Bridesmaid (20-21 November)
A smash hit at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. 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 the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Features local Adelaide talent Mandahla Rose.
Jolie – My Prerogative
Local Adelaide artist and winner of Mr Boylesque SA Jolie performs in a 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 stories of his journey through rags to riches.