It’s all feathers, glue guns & dance music for the Coastal Twist Festival team in Gosford who are in their busiest time out side of the annual Coastal Twist Festival with the leadup to Sydney LGBTQIA+ Mardi Gras parade. “It’s that special time of year where different aspects, ages, abilities and politics from our diverse Queer Coastie communities come together to make some magic, spectacle & new connections happen”.
After 2 years of the Coastal Twist Festival cancellation, especially in a time of massive global division & isolation, its vital to our sense of community & mental health to be able to participate & celebrate again, it has all the feel-good meds for mending” says festival Director Glitta Supernova. It’s been 12 months since our little o’l Coastal Twist Festival was the 2021 Sydney Mardigras finalist for best float design (including costuming & execution) and we are back for our 3rd Mardigras.
“We will be doing it very differently by colour blocking in white this year. Simple and big impact.” states Float Design lead Shane Milsom “inspired by Love we are going with a Cupid theme whose wounds inspired love & passion. Aiming to wrap all of us in a huge white cloud.”
For the 2nd time in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will be COVID safe transforming the Sydney Cricket Ground into a stunning and sparkling showcase of LGBTQI+ culture and community.
Central Coast’s “Coastal Twist Festival” participants & volunteers have been banding together to make the 2022 Mardi gras Parade a special one, from concept to costume, prop making and this weekend will be their last Gosford workshop with a full dress & dance rehearsal prior to appearing in the Sydney Mardi Gras parade.
This year’s float we have ages ranging from 7 to 68, mums supporting daughters, husbands supporting Gay marriage, lifelong Coasties previously stuck in the closet – it all speaks volumes to our diverse community, our allies and Coastie Spirit. Together we are all “celebrating diversity, self-expression & the freedom to be yourself.
“Our October 2022 Coastal Twist theme “Inclusion means you” is the perfect partner for Mardi Gras theme “United we shine” which signifies that when we band together, we shine brighter. It is a rallying call to stand up against hate, division and inequality, reminding us that when we rise as a human being, our message of love and inclusion is heard louder. You need only look around at where the Coast is today compared to 3 years ago, it’s the majority of the Coastie community who has turned negative long held perceptions of the region upside down and in record time, simultaneously creating the beginnings of safe spaces, of community and businesses being able to shine and open up, support, activate and educate. It’s the overwhelming support from allies, parents, local businesses and the bravery of our community, people power doesn’t get any better.
Coastal Twist Festival which drew a spotlight on possibilities for a better, braver Central Coast will be back this October http://coastaltwist.org.au
This weekend is the last workshop Saturday 26th Feb
1. Costume making 11AM – 12PM
2. Collect Tshirts/tops 12PM – 12:30pm
3. Dance Rehearsals 12:30PM – 1:30 pm
LOCATION: Parkhouse at Kibble, 124 Donnison St, Gosford (right next to Gosford Library)