GFest’s Exciting Programme set to Attract Mainstream Audiences to Stamp out Homophobia in London

LONDON - London’s premier gay arts festival now in its third year, ‘GFest - gayWise LGBT Arts Festival’ promises an exciting line-up to thrill audiences, gay and straight alike.

The festival runs 9-22 November and covers visual arts, performance and short-films, as well as social events, workshops and debate. Alongside GFest 09 venues (RichMix, Cochrane Theatre, Drill Hall and McKenzie Pavillion), Wise Thoughts, the charity behind the event highlights LGBT issues through the arts and take the lead in stamping out homophobia across London.

“HARROWING 14% RISE IN HOMOPHOBIC ATTACKS THIS YEAR” - THE METROPOLITAN POLICE

“With the recent rise in homophobic attacks in London and the UK, it is more important than ever that we continue to reach a mainstream audience. The festival is truly inclusive and open to anyone with an appreciation of both established and emerging talent. This year, we have taken some risks in selecting work that will challenge audiences. We are really thrilled to announce a greater and ever-expanding artistic content,” Niranjan Kamatkar, Artistic Director.

Based on a sample of 1,000 plus attendees at last year’s festival, more than 30% said they were straight.

NOT TO BE MISSED

The programme was announced last month and the festival launch hosted by Minister David Lammy, at the House of Commons last week, attended by the Deputy Mayor of London and Stonewall Politician of the Year nominee Lynne Featherstone MP.

A full festival programme can be found on the GFest website: www.gaywisefestival.org.uk

Performances - Cochrane Theatre 19, 20, 21st November Visual Arts - McKenzie Pavilion (converted public toilet in Finsbury Park) 9 - 22 November Short-Films - RichMix 13, 14, 15th November Film workshops/cafes - RichMix 13,14,15 November Performance workshops - The Drill Hall 11, 16, 17th November Parties 10, 17th November - Royal Vauxhall Tavern / 14th November at RichMix LGBT Arts Debate at University of the Arts London, 18th November

Notes

About GFest

A platform for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer artists.

Produced by arts charity Wise Thoughts.

The brainchild of Artistic Director, Niranjan Kamatkar. GFest 09 features over 75 queer artists and talent.

Connecting 3 Art strands - social/networking events, workshops, debates/seminars with leading LGBT artists, workshop facilitators, industry/sector experts and academics. For more details/interviews, contact: Uwern Jong, Boutique Marketing, +44(0)20-3286-3170, uwern@boutiquemarketing.co.uk

Source: GFest - gaywise LGBT Arts Festival 2009

For more details/interviews, contact: Uwern Jong, Boutique Marketing, +44(0)20-3286-3170, uwern at boutiquemarketing.co.uk