Chatswood celebrates Sydney World Pride 2023

Willoughby City Council is celebrating Sydney World Pride 2023, with a host of arts and culture events and experiences in Chatswood starting on 17 February 2023.

The Sydney World Pride festival is a first for the Southern Hemisphere and the largest LGBTQIA+ event ever held in the region. Willoughby City Council will unite with organisations across Greater Sydney under the festival theme, Gather, Dream and Amplify Willoughby City Council Mayor Tanya Taylor said, “We are delighted to be featuring as part of the arts and pride amplified program for Sydney World Pride. This festival embraces our vibrant and diverse population and provides an important opportunity to share stories and experiences in an exchange of cultural enrichment and greater understanding.”

Visitors from across the globe and local residents can expect to be inspired by the bravery and strength of a group of prominent artists that will showcase their works as part of the exhibition, Unashamed at the Art Space on The Concourse. The exhibition showcases the works of prominent Australian artists including multi-medium artist, Dylan Mooney, photographer William Yang, street artist, Kaff-Eine and artist , Deborah Kelly.

The group of artists examine the shared experience of shame and create a safe space for visitors to engage in a dialogue around acceptance, love and understanding. The exhibition is curated by Paul McDonald, former Associate Director, Australian Centre for Photography and artist with works published internationally, exhibited in galleries, public spaces and festivals including Fahey Klein, Los Angeles and the National Museum, Beijing, China. He is currently represented by The Little Black Gallery, London.

“This exhibition celebrates our LGBTQIA+ communities and invites audiences to consider dignity and resilience in the face of adversity and ultimately, take pride in who we are. It’s particularly poignant to have such a diverse range of artists of many voices within the community. From First Nation artists Dylan Mooney who tells stories of resilience, thriving and survival through a mutli- media lense to Melbourne Street artist Kaff-Eine who has garnered an impressive following thanks to her distinctive, illustrative freehand style, delicate lie work and melancholic figures.,” Curator of Unashamed, Paul McDonald said.

The Unashamed exhibition will be supported with series of Artist workshops.

Map is a zine making workshop with drawer Jeremy Smith & illustrator Samuel Luke on 18 February; Artist Talk with William Yang and curator Paul McDonald on 4 March; and Portrait Draw your Life as a Photography Tips with David Charles Collins on 25 March are three such workshops with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Other key events at Chatswood during the World Pride 2023 Festival include:

• KINKY BOOTS - Willoughby residents will also be able to kick up their heels at the Notable Theatre Company’s exuberant new production of the global hit musical Kinky Boots at The Concourse Theatre starting Friday 3 March – 18 March. Winner of six Tony Awards (including Best Musical), Kinky Boots features a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper and a hilarious, uplifting book by four-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein.
• Rainbow Accordion – Visitors can be Rainbow Accordion “We have created an accessible, creative and entertaining program of events and experiences to celebrate this year World Pride in our community showcasing that Willoughby City is a place where we welcome everyone, and where people can enjoy our rich, diverse local culture,” said Willoughby City Council Mayor Tanya Taylor.