Midsumma Westside is back for 2023 with a program happening across Hobsons Bay as part of Australia's premier queer arts and cultural festival.
Running from January 21 to February 12, the festival celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community in Hobsons Bay with events including exhibitions, workshops, family picnics and the popular Pier Festival.
Some of the highlights of the program include:
- The Manufactured Underwater exhibition by Briony Galligan at Woods Street Arts Space's Laneway Gallery in Laverton, supported by a workshop at Altona North Library;
- The Queer on Country exhibition by Ngarigu artist Peter Waples-Crowe as part of The Substation's outdoor Billboard Gallery;
- The Express Yourself exhibition and Rainbow Families & Allies workshop at the Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre in Altona;
- The Colours of the rainbow, a diverse community exhibition at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre in Altona;
- The FReeZA open mic night at Newport Community Hub;
- The Rainbow Family Picnic at Newport Community Hub on Saturday, January 28 between 10am-12pm; and
- The Pier Festival returns to Seaworks in Williamstown on Saturday 28 January between 5pm-10pm with headline acts, queer market stalls, art and more.
Hobsons Bay City Council representatives are also planning to participate in the annual Midsumma Pride March on 5 February 2023.
Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Tony Briffa, said Midsumma was one of the biggest cultural events of the year for the LGBTQIA+ community.
"We can't wait for it to return in 2023, including with this great program of events in Hobsons Bay," she said.
"I love the diversity of Hobsons Bay and our LGBTQIA+ community is a special part of that. We want everyone in our city to feel welcome and free to live their lives, and that's what makes celebrating queer art and culture and community so important.
"Council has been committed to being a leader in the LGBTQIA+ community for many years. Back in 2012, we passed a notice of motion supporting marriage equality, and reaffirmed this support in 2017 before the same-sex marriage plebiscite.
"We have the beautiful rainbow painting on the forecourt of the Altona Theatre that connects so well in our community. And we fly the rainbow flags at every important opportunity. We are proud of our work in this area, and it is in the spirit of inclusivity and diversity that we proudly support this wonderful program."
Midsumma Westside is a collaboration between Hobsons Bay, Brimbank, Maribyrnong and Wyndham councils.
Check out the full program of events in Hobsons Bay.
