贬翱狈艑鲍搁: A Party Celebrating Queer BIPOC Legends
Image: supplied by Midsumma
Get ready for 贬翱狈艑鲍搁, an electrifying celebration of queer BIPOC excellence, .
Conceived and directed by BEAT Entertainment鈥檚 visionary founders, Johnny Hamilton and Samuel Gaskin, the show is a powerful tribute to the unsung heroes of Australia鈥檚 queer community through a spectacular fusion of music, dance and storytelling.
The idea for 贬翱狈艑鲍搁 began with a simple yet profound question 鈥榳ho gets honoured and why?鈥� Reflecting on the lack of recognition for queer BIPOC people, Hamilton and Gaskin as always were keen to shift the paradigm.
鈥淲e noticed BIPOC folk are rarely honoured, often posthumously鈥�, says Gaskin. 鈥淲e thought, how cool would it be to honour a living queer BIPOC Elder?鈥� In the only way they know how, with heart, sweat, and the magic of intercultural exchange, they created the 鈥榤other effin鈥� party that is 贬翱狈艑鲍搁.
Imagine the energy of Beyonce and the vibrancy of the iconic opening scene of Coming to America鈥揵ut make it queer and more Blak. 贬翱狈艑鲍搁 features an epic soundtrack from celebrated First Nations artists, performances by QTPOC dancers, DJ鈥檚, drag artists and trans activists.
The show highlights Australia鈥檚 real royalty: those who really paved the way for progress.
At the heart of 贬翱狈艑鲍搁 is a tribute to two icons: living trans activist and trailblazer, Mama LaToya Hoeg, and the late Uncle Jack Charles, the father of Blak theatre and a revered champion for Indigenous rights.
鈥淢ama Latoya has been in the trenches looking after our trans brothers and sisters, often without any recognition鈥�, says Gaskin.
贬翱狈艑鲍搁 is a perfect iteration of Midsumma 2025鈥檚 theme of COLLECTIVE IDENTITY(S), uniting a cast of 15 exceptional BIPOC performers, representing cultures across Africa, Pacific Islands, M膩ori heritage and beyond.
鈥淓very individual shines but there鈥檚 so much more power in the collective,鈥� Gaskin reflects. 鈥淚t shows what鈥檚 possible when you bring together the heart and soul of talented people to create art.鈥�
Backed by Midsumma, 贬翱狈艑鲍搁 reaches Naarm/Melbourne鈥檚 wider queer community. 鈥淭he LGBTQIA+ community is diverse but often divided into smaller groups,鈥� says Gaskin.
“With Midsumma on board, we have the opportunity to share our message widely and include the voices that are often pushed aside.鈥�
More than a performance, 贬翱狈艑鲍搁 hits you right in the heart with joy and celebration. It鈥檚 an .
