Qtopia Sydney has unveiled their newest exhibition, along with the ‘Live at The Bandstand’ program at The Bandstand in Green Park in Darlinghurst.
This is the second in a series of exhibitions that will culminate in the opening of Qtopia Sydney’s permanent home at the old Darlinghurst Police Station in February 2024.
Open Wednesday through to Saturday, from 12pm until 4pm, the latest iteration of the journey of Qtopia Sydney focuses on Queer contemporary creativity and culture.
Qtopia Sydney Curator Dr Liz Bradshaw is keen to share the breadth and depth of stories compiled over decades as the Queer community has forged a path to identity.
“Qtopia Sydney will be an incredible resource for celebration, education, engagement and commemoration of all aspects of the community and the experiences we have all had.
“In this new space you will find a provocation on colonial history, where you can view Todd Fuller’s artwork 1727; Pieter for Adriaan 2021, a moving story of two Dutch sailors marooned on separate islands as punishment for sodomy. Based on historical records, the work speculates on the relationship between two men.
“This is only just the beginning of a truly magnificent space and I’m grateful for the opportunity to come back and showcase more Queer history and culture through various mediums,” said Dr Bradshaw.
During Qtopia Sydney’s first round of exhibitions, Dr Bradshaw was responsible for the curation of the Ward 17 South inaugural exhibition space at Building 11 in National Art School – an immensely popular attraction during Sydney WorldPride 2023.
“I’m excited to share my vision for this new space, especially as the Ward 17 South exhibition was received so positively. It’s a great space to showcase the history and culture of the Queer community,” she concluded.
To support this new stage of storytelling, Qtopia Sydney has introduced ‘Live at The Bandstand’ – an activation space that celebrates the stories and voices of the Queer community that kicked off with three sold-out performances by Broadway Diva.
The Bandstand has been transformed into an intimate 40 seat theatre that will play host to a wide range of genres – comedy, cabaret, talks, book launches, Q&As, live podcast recordings, script readings, small theatre performances, short films, music and more.
Qtopia Sydney Director Ian Roberts, himself an actor, has been teaching about inclusivity and identity through NRL workshops over the past decade. Mr Roberts believes this new program will invite both new and recognised Queer voices and artists to share their mediums with the wider community.
“This is a great opportunity for more Queer artistry to be heard, seen and experienced. It is the prelude to the exciting and innovative corporate and school programs that we will be undertaking when we move into our new premises next year.
“The Bandstand building itself is a unique piece of heritage, one we promised our initial backers, Sydney City Council, that we would activate widely, so adding an extra element of theatre into the equation will give Qtopia Sydney its own niche trademark whilst continuing to bring the much-loved Green Park Bandstand to life,” said Mr Roberts.
For one night only on June 10, theatre-goers will experience a safe space focused on healing with a powerful message of kindness, acceptance and reflection.
“Malaika Mfalme {Angel King} is a non-binary singer, songwriter, guitarist, and event producer creating on Gadigal Land. Malaika writes immersive and evoking music that focuses on black love, self-acceptance, grief, and the journey of being loved and sometimes lost.
“On June 28, 29 and 30, step into a world of smooth jazz and timeless musical theatre with Callum Sandercock, the velvet-voiced crooner who will transport you to a bygone era of sophistication and elegance.
“In this captivating cabaret, visitors will experience an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling, as Callum weaves together a tapestry of songs that will leave you breathless. From the swinging rhythms of the jazz age to the heart-wrenching ballads of the Great White Way, Callum will take you on a journey showcasing his virtuosic vocal range and magnetic stage presence.
Another 14 shows have already been booked for The Bandstand through to October 2023, with many more set to be added to the list – with all details on the Qtopia Sydney website.
“Qtopia Sydney is committed to telling the important stories of Queer history and fostering the talents of those within the Queer community. This will be done though our on-going exhibitions, performative arts, and education programs,” concluded Mr Roberts.
