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Winter Blooming Festival
August 16 @ 6:00 pm - August 18 @ 4:00 pm
WINTER BLOOMING IS A FESTIVAL THAT CELEBRATES FIRST NATIONS, MULTICULTURAL, LGBTQA+ ARTS, CULTURE, COMMUNITIES AND ALLIES. THE FESTIVAL IS AN INCLUSIVE EVENT THAT SUPPORTS DIVERSITY AND IS OPEN TO ALL.
FRIDAY 16TH
6.00pm – 8.00pm
Opening Night and Festival Launch
Join us for the opening of three new exhibitions Rainbow: Alun Rhys Jones, Neerja Peters: Ley Lines & Fantastical Scenes: Queering the Collection and the official launch of the 2024 Winter Blooming Festival. This event will include the Launch of the University of New England Allyship report:
Being Myself at UNE: A report of the UNE Allyship steering committee
The launch of Being myself at UNE is the culmination of work that began with a university-wide survey in Nov 2021 which invited UNE staff, students and alumni to share their experiences of inclusion, both as people of diverse sexualities and gender identities, and the wider UNE community. The survey findings and report form the cornerstone of efforts to acknowledge and support LGBTQIA+ people online and on campus, as well as strategies and vision for building more inclusive spaces and communities. Please join us for the launch and a discussion of some key findings.
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SATURDAY 17TH
11.00AM – 12.00 PM
In Conversation: Omar Sakr and Rob Waters – Art as Resistance: How we use poetry and story telling in oppressive circumstances.
Omar Sakr does not have a bio in the genocide.
Rob Waters is a Gomeroi man with deep cultural connections to the North West of NSW. He is the 2023 Australian Poetry Slam Champion, a proud father and grandfather and now lives with his partner on Darkinjung Country. Rob is a poet, storyteller, cultural educator and spoken word artist who has been performing and sharing Story for over 20 years.
12.00 – 1.00pm
Panel – Re-remembering queer histories through objects, archives and stories
Speakers: Marina Jansen, Dr Ariella Van Luyn & Jody Ekert
‘Queer has always been here’ is a powerful idea that demonstrates the importance of the past to queer movements. But historical queer lives are not always visible. Compulsory heterosexuality, the assumption that a person is heterosexual unless proven otherwise, has meant biographers and historians sometimes overemphasise the need for proof of same sex relationships. The concern that imposing contemporary identities and terms on to past lives also means gender non-conformity goes unrecognised. This panel will explore the ways writers, historians and artists can re-remember queer lives and read between the lives of archives and other historical narratives.
Marina Jansen is a Melbourne based historian at Heritage Victoria and will discuss the challenges of finding surviving material culture (buildings and objects) related to queer people in the past.
Dr Ariella Van Luyn is an academic in creative writing at UNE, and writes and researches queer historical fiction. She explores how contemporary artists and writers reimagine queer lives. Ariella is the curator of Fantastical Scenes: Queering the Collection, that draws on NERAM’s collection from a queer perspective.
Jody Ekert is a community advocate and events organizer from Tamworth. Her recent focus is on Tamworth queer history and the work of Vernon Marshall, a German figure from the 70s. She has relaunched his work with the Hey Vernon project, 50 years later. Jody is passionate about uncovering forgotten queer history, fostering connections, storytelling, and supporting small town queer groups through their advocacy and events.
1.00PM – 2.00PM
LUNCH BREAK
2.00PM – 5.00PM
Workshop Sessions – workshop tickets sold separately (not included in your festival pass)
Still Life Drawing with Alun Rhys Jones – 2.00 – 5.00pm
Join artist Alun Rhys Jones in this engaging workshop that will focus on still life drawing. Participants will be encouraged to experiment with different drawing techniques and styles throughout the 3-hour session.
This workshop will foster creativity, observation skills, and artistic growth for keen drawers. It is designed for participants of all skill levels, offering basic instruction for beginners through to more advanced techniques for experienced artists.
Alun will give participants a short tour of his exhibition ‘Rainbow’, before launching into a series of guided still life drawings.
I Will Speak Now – Spoken Word Workshop with Rob Waters
Every one has the right to speak but who is really being heard. This workshop looks at how to amplify your voice through spoken word. Learn how to have impact by turning your political, social and cultural ideas into oral stories and poetry.
Song Writing with Jhana Allen
Have you ever wanted to write songs but not known how to get started? Do you have an existing song that you need help with finishing? Or perhaps you’re a poet with hopes of turning one of your poems into a song. Come along to the Winter Blooming songwriting workshop led by local singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist, Jhana Allan and find ways to breathe some life into your creative ideas.
ACON Salon
Come and relax in the Museum and listen to ACON Community Health Promotion Officer Ivan Crozier reading selections from Fever By Jonathan Bazzi. Following the reading, Ivan will be opening the floor for a discussion of the text, and sexual health.
Open to all 18+ members of the LGBTQ Community and their allies.
Song writing with Jhana Allan – Details to be released soon
7.00 – 10.00pm
Winter Blooming Ball
It’s time to get fabulous at the 2024 Winter Blooming Ball! It’s the prom you always dreamed of, the event of the season, a night to remember. Dress to impress as your true self, grab your boyfriend, girlfriend, partner, friends or slay it solo. Everyone is welcome!
DJ Betty Bilby is back in charge of the music. There will be drag and performances throughout the night! We can’t wait to see you on the dance floor!
The Winter Blooming Ball is a 16yrs+ event.
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SUNDAY 18TH
10.00am – 12.30pm
Queer Brunch
Social meet up for the LGBTAQ+ community at the Six Counties at NERAM. Tickets for Queer Brunch are free but limited. Brunch purchased on the day from the Six Counties menu. Enjoy a big brekkie or sip on a coffee.
There is a special shuttle bus service to support UNE students attend the Winter Blooming Festival, check out the timetable at the link. Remember to have your current student ID card to to access the service! https://www.unelife.com.au/useful/transport-options/
Winter Blooming has been Produced in collaboration with the University of New England, Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council, and ACON.
