Fresh faces behind Frolic Fest

ANNUAL LGBTQIA-plus arts and culture event, Frolic Festival, will return next year under new management.

As part of the overhaul, a new advisory board has been assembled consisting of 14 people who will work alongside the four members of the revised directors team in preparing next year’s offerings.

Frolic Festival was cancelled for 2022, and director Jay Morrison said it’s great to see its future looking bigger, better, and brighter than ever.

“It’s such a weight off our shoulders to know it’s not just in the hands of three or four. It’s now in the hands of almost 20 of us,” he said.

“We’ll be able to ensure that this festival, in 20 years’ time, will still be around, will still be visible, queer, and hopefully getting bigger and better every year.

“Everybody has quite different and diverse skills in the new advisory board.

“There’ll be people helping with everything from finances, to marketing, to policy development, and ensuring this remains a welcoming and inclusive event.”

The advisory board is set to meet bi-monthly with their first meeting set a week before the next Frolic Festival offering from Thursday, 9 February to Sunday, 12 February.

Carol Grimshaw of Grimshaw Legal will serve as chair and said she’s “lost for words” at her excitement in joining the team.

“What we want to see at Frolic is that people are no longer discriminated against and not judged from youth all the way to our seniors,” she said.

“I’m excited to be a part of that. We’ll be providing a safe space for people to feel really included which is what I’m most passionate about.

“It really is an honour to be a part of this, and it’s so important for us to have an inclusive society like what’s on offer at Frolic Festival.”

The festival’s directors team also includes Ballarat Cabaret Festival organiser Issie Hart. Recruitment for the board took place earlier this year, following an online Q&A session in July.

Normally delivered once a year during spring, 2023’s offerings will consist of one festival in the summer, followed by another in winter. The project is has been supported by a $10,000 State Government pride grant.