Midsumma Festival returns – 20 January to 9 February
Published on 26 November 2024
Get ready to sparkle – Chapel Off Chapel’s Midsumma Festival is back for 2025!
Chapel Off Chapel is thrilled to unveil their exciting Midsumma Festival 2025 program, showcasing the very best of queer performance and visual art.
This year’s lineup is packed with vibrant cabaret, soulful live music, groundbreaking drag and burlesque and a thought-provoking art exhibition – all celebrating LGBTQIA+ voices and creativity.
The full and exciting program has just been announced.
For more information and to book tickets, head to chapeloffchapel.com.au or call 8290 7000.
Chapel Off Chapel
12 Little Chapel Street
Prahran
Here’s what’s on:
CABARET
Dolly Diamond’s Midsumma Piano Bar
Kick off this year's festival in style with Dolly Diamond’s Midsumma Piano Bar. A night of music, laughter, and unapologetic glamour as the sensational Dolly Diamond takes the stage with the exceptionally talented Cameron Thomas on piano, and other surprise guests.
20 January
Justin Clausen is Back in Business
Award-winning cabaret artist Justin Clausen takes the stage in a hilarious show where unlikely auditionees vie for the attention of an American talent agent. From Dennis the amateur theatre star to Steven the Sondheim enthusiast, Clausen plays them all.
24 January
Monster
Green Room Award Nominee Florian Wild delivers a punchy hour of powerhouse vocals and quickfire standup, diving into the depths of the monster within us all. Between outrageous antics and a stellar selection of pop and jazz songs, Florian shreds the definition of what it means to be a monster. A quintessential cabaret experience that will leave you screaming: ‘MORE! MORE! MORE!’
29 January – 2 February
Messy Friends
Explore the world of this dynamic and innovative drag collective blending lip-sync, burlesque, dance, and documentary-style videos in a unique "Drag-u-mentary" format. Led by Ginava, they explore queer identity, resilience and self-acceptance through dynamic performances and personal storytelling. ‘A fully-formed masterpiece’ Snack Magazine (UK).
6 to 8 February
Ziegfeld Boy: Denuded
Ziegfeld Boy like you’ve never seen him before: fully clothed! For once, Ziegfeld Boy is stripping away everything BUT his clothes. Accompanied by just a piano, this cabaret features heartfelt classics like The Windmills of your Mind, Diamonds are Forever and Nature Boy.
7 & 8 February
Mama Alto: Deflowered
In a stunning departure from her signature style, Mama Alto brings a bold and fresh cabaret showcasing jazz age songs. With soaring vocals and heartfelt artistry, she celebrates timeless melodies with a captivating and unique twist.
7 & 8 February
LIVE MUSIC
Blacknificense – The Cotton Club Experience
An immersive dive into the musical journey inspired by the Cotton Club Era with award-winning musical theatre star Joti Van Carlos Gore. Get dressed to the nines and experience the electrifying rhythm with smooth velvety vocals accompanied by a myriad of emotions heightened by Band Orchestrator, Adrian Szondy. Serving Up Mellifluous Vocals Every Time They Croon’ The Guardian.
24 to 25 January
DRAG/CIRCUS/BURLESQUE
Stranger Queers
At the end of season four, the town of Whore-Kins was left in destruction and the team had lost hope. The United States Government called upon a group of fabulous and strange queers to use their powers of circus, drag and burlesque alongside iconic 80s hits to reinvigorate the town and prepare them for their next fight.
31 January – 1 February
MUSICAL THEATRE
Home Grown
In case musicals weren’t queer enough, for one night only, Home Grown becomes Homo Grown, a unique concert of original musical theatre songs by queer Australian writers. This event features top queer artists and honours the rich tapestry of LGBTQIA+ experiences with authentic voices and infectious melodies, featuring musical theatre stars Kala Gare, Max McKenna, Kurt Kansley, Blake Appleqvist and many more.
3 February
EXHIBITION
Opulentia
Come and immerse yourself in an art exhibition by artist Sarah Jennifer, featuring vibrant, abstract acrylic paintings exploring ideas around individual identity and self-acceptance. Filled with themes aimed at opening up conversations around healing and connection, this series of paintings embraces the wealth of limitless spirit within each individual.
22 January – 9 February
Background
Midsumma has been Melbourne's annual queer elebration since 1988 – with a smorgasbord of queer arts and cultural events spread over more than 100 different venues throughout Melbourne and Regional Victoria.
Stonnington’s Chapel Off Chapel has been proudly involved with Midsumma Festival since 1995 – when Chapel Off Chapel first opened as a performance space.