A LANDMARK FESTIVAL FOR CENTRAL COAST NSW

Coastal Twist 26 Sep – 2nd October 2023 is 7 days of jam-packed surprises, playful and profound fun and learnings with LGBTIQ Arts & Culture from across our region, our state and our country as we invite adventurous Artists, Thinkers and Innovators to present work that simultaneously entertains and expands our worlds, our tolerance and our possibilities.

Multiple Central Coast hubs come alive with free and ticketed events to suit all ages and abilities.

Woy Woy – Ettalong Beach – Gosford – Umina Beach

Get amongst it with accessible contemporary Arts & Culture that celebrate everything vibrant and fun.

Theatre | Cabaret | Live Music | Film | Parties | Youth Activations | 55 Picnic | Exhibition | Bingo

COASTIE CARNIE FAIR DAY LIKE NO OTHER

Let’s champion for equality, visibility & inclusion of all people, think and act more broadly for humanity and make a positive and lasting impact in all areas of life.

A HAPPIER HEALTHIER AND MORE WELCOMING CENTRAL COAST

Events on Sale now

Coastal Twist Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Coastal Twist LGBTIQ Arts & Culture Festival is unveiling a major new show for 2023, “Inclusion means you”, aligning with the Festival theme and featuring a curation of multigenerational locally based professional, mid-career and promising emerging multiplatform artists displaying work across multiple mediums, including ceramics, photography, multimedia, painting, and sculpture.

All work represents a Central Coast LGBTIQ perspective and a unique Coastal Twist.

The work will encompass 2 Artist categories Adult (18 ) & Youth (12 -17 yrs)

This is a free and all-ages event.

The exhibition will be open: Wed 27th Sep – Mon 2nd Oct.

Loud Mouth Youth Variety Show is a multi-art showcase and celebration from 12 – 24 yr olds. Loud Mouth will feature performances and art in all forms, from video, performance art, drag, dance, live music, you name it!!

Everyone of all ages is welcome to come for a night of family entertainment and fun! We want to see all mums, dads, carers, and cousins; bring your grandma, best friend, and littlest sibling!! Cheer on the outstanding diverse youth of the Central Coast!

Under-18s get in for FREE, but you must be registered to attend!

Refreshments are available to purchase on the night. This is a dry event, strictly no alcohol or other drugs.

Doors open at 5 pm for a 6 pm sharp show time!

Want to perform on the night? You must be 12-24 years old and identify as LGBTQIA, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or live with a disability. Express your interest here: https://wkf.ms/3qjIzQS. We want to see performances from ALL art forms! Poetry, dance, music, drag, comedy, whatever your fantastic imagination conjures!!

NOTE: Registering a ticket for this event secures you a seat in the audience – performers do not need to register a ticket, only complete the expression of interest form.

SAFETY

• Youth workers are available if you
  want to have a chat and make sure everyone has a safe and supported
  experience.
• Trained in First Aid & Mental Health
  First Aid
• Strict rules ensuring all events are
  drug, smoke and alcohol-free.
• Strict policies ensuring all
  volunteers and staff comply with child safety laws and checks.

Supported by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

Open Mic Night

Pride Poetry is a wholesome community gathering of creative, courageous, and quirky queer folks and allies, who come together to share a love for poetry.

Your regular local Hosts: Liz and EJ invite everyone to come and share their own poems, read something they love or just be there to connect with others.

Entry is Free, please register to attend

The great folks @ Link and Pin will have you sorted for drinks and dinner!

Come and share a hilarious and fun evening with us at Ettalong Diggers as we launch Naughty Numbers Drag Bingo! The essence of the game is simple: you play bingo, and the numbers are called out by a drag queen, with a little bit of live performance in the art of drag combined with the traditional game we all know and love. Hosted by June Richards, it’s a bit Naughty and a lot Nice and kicks off with doors to the Broken Bay Ballroom at 7 pm, with Bingo commencing at 7.30 pm.

• Games 1 to 19 are played with $30 Club Vouchers for each Game. Game 20 is a $50 Club Voucher.
• In the case of 2 or more winners in the same game, each person will receive an equal share of the value of the prize for that game.
• Break – optional depending on host needs
• Entry is free; you will, however, purchase your bingo books for $3 (consisting of 20 games), plus $2.50 for daubers!

Each player will receive 1 Lucky Door ticket with each book purchased, so let’s have some fun with this mix-up of club tradition and Coastal Twist Annual Celebration!

Live it up with  “ThursGAY  Twist Edition” at Fun Haus Factory!

ThusGAY will have you gagging at the surprise guests and local talent, book a table for dinner and then tear it up on the dance floor with our festival revolving door of DJs and performers; this is the place to bask in the vibrancy of the community, make some new friends or connect with your mates!

Fun, Fluffy goosebumps. Join us at the colourful contemporary arts hub in the heart of Gosford for an extra special ThursGAY, jam-packed with all our local LEGENDS and some surprises! This is ThursGAY on steroids!! You don’t want to miss this killer line-up, and it’s free!

Gather your friends and join us for the Annual Coastal Twist ThursGAY drag, dine n dance party in Gorgeous Gossy! Everyone 18 is welcome to Celebrate diversity at ThursGAY, because Inclusion Means YOU!

“Supernatural Superstars”

SOLD OUT EVERY YEAR!

Soak in the glamour and the excitement, and be part of the event that changed our region forever and spawned the Coastal Twist LGBTIQ Arts & Culture festival!

The 2023 Coastal Twist Festival presents a brand-new Performance Party that’s not just bursting with all the glittery stage magic from our superhuman communities but bringing in superstars from across the country and abroad!

This event comes with a heavy dash of surprise headliners and is Hosted by NZ RuPaul’s Down Under winner Spankie Jackson!!!

Join us in a wild and fun romp evening bringing out the best in everybody. Features some of Australia’s most significant LGBTIQ Artists across stage, screen and club scenes, all in for an immersive evening on the Coast that’s bulging with vibrancy, fun, decadence, dress ups connections, and tasty morsels beyond your ears, eyes, mind and soul!

This is supper and Show with our exceptional Authentic Guest Food curator “Camino Paella”, bringing Spain’s taste, flavours, and cheekiness to your pallet” and serving up your fresh, fabulous, locally sourced international supper! #supportlocal

MANDATORY Dress code: Supernatural Glamour

6:30 pm Doors Open for Drinks, Music and Dinner

8 pm sharp show time until 11 pm

fully accessible venue

Get amongst the Coastal Twist Festival good vibes at the GAYmes and Chill, dry event for 18–26-year-olds.

Are you a Young Coastie looking for ways to connect with new friends that don’t revolve around doing a shoey? Sit on the deck at the awesome FunHaus Factory, take in the sun and view, and make some new friends over board games, music and a mocktail.

LGBTQIA young people, friends, and allies’ everyone 18-26 welcome!!

Food and non-alcoholic drinks are available to purchase at the venue. Entry fee includes a yummy mocktail of your choice – what’s there not to like?
Chill vibes with quiet spaces, if you need them, this is an all-abilities safe and accessible venue.

You must be registered to attend, no door sales, can’t wait to see you all there!

This event is supported through ACON