Midsumma Media Wall

Hope everyone’s carnival sunburn is healing up nicely, I for one am sticking to indoor events for a few more days :)

Reported by citizen reporter Michael

A carnival first, an after party aimed at girls and ‘the queer underground’. My cup of tea indeed. The genius babes that deliver Danceteria and Grouse every month put on the best party I’ve been to in a Melbourne summer. A rooftop? (we never have those!) delicious! An inclusive, friendly and party ready crowd? (no one was too cool yet everyone was) .

Unfortunately my pics from the night are all inappropriate, in this case - no pictures tell 2 thousand words. This party better become a tradition. X

Posted by Telstra Reporter Melissa

Just go see this amazing performance. Was my favorite last year, and loved it yet again. Felt shaken and confronted by Candy’s intense way and power. Loved the band too Sloppy Joe, who played along side her. Was just so absorbed and sucked in with those words…

After the performance I overheard someone say ‘wow how refreshing!’ Yes it was and more. Want to feel alive, go see this.

Posted by Telstra reporter Teresa

At last a drink,well it was a long tram ride from the city library to Thousand Pound Bend (2 Blocks) but this was helped by a cup cake on the way to keep our strength up.

Queer City  Arts: Reveal http://thousandpoundbend.com.au/

Reveal discloses, divulges and displays the various stories that need to be told. It explores a number of topics from gender, stereotypes, body image, sexuality, identity and the real world. The images mix irony, symbolism and a keen sense of humour, whilst also questioning the viewer.

We were lucky enough to meet artist KN Rodriguez at Pussyland, whos works were a part of Reveal and the model (Name Unknown-but pictured above) who features on the Visual arts catalogue..Photo Above..My washing never looks that Fab. Her works are to be seen to be believed. All done with color pencil that appear real to the eye, that will bring a tear..It did with me…

As mentioned in a previous post Cath Johnstons work is AMAZING and Brad Gunns men are to be seen to be believed..I hoped they could be real..

A great night and a big congrats to all the artists involed…

http://www.midsumma.org.au/events-calender/icalrepeat.detail/2012/01/18/1682/-/queer-city-premier-arts-reveal

Craig Telstras Citizen Reporter

We then made our way to the City Library for Queer City Arts: Urban Scrawl..

Through street art, words, photography and light painting, urban artists Kaff-eine, Tigtab, Blacklodge and Precious Little lead the expedition into the clandestine corners of Melbourne, from the painted laneways to the subterranean catacombs, snaking like a circulatory system under the city’s skin.

The venue was packed and the art was of mixed media..My favorite was Kaff-eine, this is how her Bio describes her work ..

Her distinctive, character-based imagery is in turn melancholic,poignant, uplifting and whimsical. She is inspired by stories of strength, menace, frivolity, loss, wonder, remembrance and discovery.

I resonated to the lion and the stopwatch and  the gingerbread man and felt several of the above emotions looking at the art and more so when having read to me(See Below) the wording attached to the works that were printed on a VINTAGE DYMO LABEL MAKER (I want it)..This i found to be extremly funky but a word of warning..Take your glasses if required..I felt like such a Nanny having my friend read them to me…………Thanks Neesy Noo

Craig Telstra Citizen Reporter

The Queer City Arts Launch began  at mailbox-141.artabase.net  in Flinders lane tonight with a quirky and quaint exhibition called Pussyland..

Pussyland, by Michael Brady, is a series of small, embellished photographs of ornamental cats that invites the viewer into a kitsch and colourful feline fantasy world. In celebration of the life and magical home of an eccentric Cat Lady and dearly departed friend.

I met with my friends Di and Ness at Mailbox 141 and we searched the foyer for the floor number of the ART SPACE..It was right in front of us..A group of 1950s glass fronted mailboxes iluminated with Michael Bradys works.

 A fantastic piece of work in possiblely the most smallest art gallery that MUST be seen….

Craig Telstras Citizen Reporter

Called into Thousand pound bend for lunch today and was lucky enough to meet with Rat Simpson who is the Convernor of Visual Arts for the Midsumma Festival. 

 She allowed me to have a sneak peek at upcoming reveal exhibition that is being launched this Wednesday evening.

Some of the artist include KN Rodriguez, Gerwyn Davies, Alexander Edwards, Cath Johnston, Matto Lucas, Piepke, Erin Smith and Jimmy Twin.

“Reveal discloses, divulges and displays the various stories that need to be told, it explores a number of topics from gender, stereotypes, body image, sexuality, identity and the ‘real’ world”. 

One piece that was still being constructed by Cath Johnston (Rat is pictured in front of this piece) in one word is ‘Busy’. But another word to describe this piece is Fantastic.

Make sure you head down to the launch of Queer City which start Mailbox 141 -Pussyland at 6pm and then moves to the City Library - Urban Scrawl followed by Reveal at Thousand £ Bend.

Craig Telstra Midumma Reporter
Mild but NOT Mannered

Enjoy these preview snaps…

Cinema Nova are offering 20 double passes to the film ‘Weekend’ which opens on 26 January. Winner of best actor and best feature at Nashville Film Festival, Andrew Haigh’s modern love story follows the budding romance of young Englishman Russell (newcomer Tom Cullen) and artist Glen (Chris New). …more about the film.

To go into the draw to win one of 20 double passes, send an email to admin@midsumma.org.au with “Weekend” as the subject and quoting your name and suburb.

Somewhere in the sea of drag queens, shirtless boys, gay families (mum, mum and dog), and general spectators I lost my Midsumma Carnival virginity. Unlike a lot of “first time” stories this is a happy tale.

I spent most of the day handing out water bottles and sun cream at Telstra’s store. They were a hit! I can confidently say that the sun cream saved me from an epic sunburn (except the one or two random places I managed to miss). Melbourne really turned in the weather for us today - the sun provided some good tanning opportunities while a cool breeze came off the Yarra.

It was amazing to see the diversity in our GLBTIQ community out enjoying each other’s company and coming together to celebrate the beginning of Midsumma Festival. On top of that it was exciting and humbling to see the number of support groups and services with stalls today.

I even came away with a tattoo! Nevermind that it was applied with a wet cloth and will come off in my next shower.

I can’t wait to see what the next three weeks have to offer and look forward to sharing this country kid’s first Midsumma with everyone!

Posted by Telstra reporter Aaron

Candy Royalle and Sloppy Joe (plus a number of secret guests and collaborators) come together to offer up Stories by Starlight, an all-consuming fusion of music, poetry, performance and soundscapes.

They are offering 5 double passes to their opening night this Wed 18 Jan at 8pm. To go into the draw, send an email to admin@midsumma.org.au with “Stories by Starlight” as the subject and giving your name and suburb.

What a fantastic day we all had at the Telstra POPUP store today..The lovely Matt Mitcham was in attendance and available for a photos with all, which was then magically downloaded by Spectrums Troy R and then the lucky punter was presented with a signed photo to take home and frame…So OLD school… Ahh maybe some people took it home and poped it in there photo album..

Don’t laugh its quite retro now…Here are a few of the shots..

Craig Telstras Midsumma Citizen reporter

After a long and wonderfully hot day being Mr Paparazzi at  Telstra’s stand at carnival it was time to relax with a cold beer and check out T Dance..There was not a lot of people in attendance early in the eve but I’m sure there are plenty of Midsumma-ettes now boogieing and having a blast..

Here is a few shots of the early shift crew…

Craig Telstra Citizen Reporter

Checked out the stalls and now hanging at the Telstra tent!

Posted by Telstra reporter Jamie