Fest for all colours of the rainbow

A BIANNUAL LGBTIQA+ arts and culture festival is returning this season with the theme of empowerment.

Summer Frolic is set for Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 February with a program of events including a cabaret show, disco, exhibition, family picnic, and rainbow story time.

Also on offer are the trivia night, urban walk, workshops, and sports come-and-try sessions.

“We’re wanting the community to feel comfortable to get out and try something new, especially in the lovely summer weather we’ve been having,” said Ballarat Frolic Festival co-director, Ty Hancock.

“We have a range of family-friendly events and activities, and opportunities to take a new step into a sport or experience with that welcoming and encouraging community around you.

“The events that we host are always inclusive, so whether you’re queer or an ally, please come along; we cater to everyone in the amazing spectrum of the rainbow in Ballarat.

“It’s all set to be quite delightful.”

There are core events that the Frolic Festival committee are hosting, as well some led in collaboration with partner organisations Cafs, QHub, the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Queerways, Terribly Good Cinema, Ballarat Tennis Club, and Wendouree Archery Club.

On opening night, the traditional Frolic Cabaret is back at the Piano Bar with headliner Ruby Slippers, and a bill of up-and-coming Ballarat and Melbourne performers, and the regular art show will be shown at TBH Studios.

Saturday will see the Folic Summer Picnic at Alfred Deakin Place from 11am to 3pm, with the QHub Rainbow Story Time on site from 11am to 12pm, and a Nomads Urban Bushwalk moving from Wendouree Station to the picnic, beginning at 10am.

Late on the Saturday afternoon, queer film But I’m a Cheerleader will be screened at Trades Hall before the venue switches into party mode for the Frolic Disco with DJ Gay Dad on the decks.

On Sunday, festival goers can try archery with the Uncoordinated Queers at Wendouree Archery Club, and “kooky” royal tennis at the Ballarat Tennis Club, before SunGay Trivia wraps up the program at The Mallow.

A standalone event called Dear Queer will focus on writing letters to a loved one, led by Sarah Hart at the Art Gallery of Ballarat tomorrow, Saturday 10 February.

Ballarat Frolic Festival runs in summer and winter, with the mid-year edition generally focused on the alternative side of queer culture, and the February event all about family fun in the summer weather.

Visit frolicfestival.org for the full program.