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Big Night Out
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Panel - Main Character Energy
6pm
18th July
Mission to Seafarers
Taking up space in the entertainment world.
Polite representation is officially out. Join the entertainment greats as they ditch the scripts and reveal the messy, glorious reality of navigating the entertainment biz. Get ready for an outrageously fun session on unapologeticly putting yourself out there and the absolute thrill of taking up space.
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Words & Wine
7:30pm
18th July
Mission to Seafarers
A delicious literary pairing.
Swap your standard Saturday drinks for something better! We’ve paired five wildly different queer storytellers with five fantastic local wines. From fierce activist poetry to sweeping romance, grab a glass and settle in for an epic night of tasting and tales. This event is in partnership with Scotchmans Hill wines.
Hosted by Tina Del Twist, with Laura McPhee-Browne, Tara Calaby, Nikki Viveca, and Skye Cusack
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9pm
18th July
Mission to Seafarers
The Darkroom
The festival’s steamiest showcase.
We're turning the lights down low and putting the heaters on high for this adults-only showcase of the festival’s most explicit and provocative storytelling. Expect an atmospheric, red-lit evening of steamy stories that leave nothing to the imagination.
Hosted by Dylan Drakes, with Emily White, Jordan Clayden-Lewis, Quinton Li, and Bo Bickmore
Meet the presenters
Andy Balloch
Host
Andy Balloch is a multiple award winning, Naarm / Melbourne based comedic writer, performer, improviser, actor, and director.
Samuel Gaskin
Creator & Change Agent , Samuel Gaskin has always been one to stand out in a crowd. Not only is he an accomplished Artist and Actor, he also runs his own company Beat Entertainment, a BIPOC LGBTQI+ led and focussed entertainment company renowned for truly original bespoke concepts of deep heart.
Tina Del Twist (Wes Snelling)
Host
With a comedic wit that could shred brie and a voice as smooth as honey, Tina’s talents always deliver to international acclaim and applause garnishing her iconic.
Laura McPhee-Browne
Laura McPhee-Browne is a writer, social worker and counsellor. Her first two novels, Cherry Beach and Little Plum, were published to critical acclaim. Her third novel, Worry Doll, is forthcoming.
Tara Calaby
Tara Calaby lives on Bunurong country. Their debut novel House of Longing was inspired by their PhD research into Victoria’s lunatic asylums, and The Spirit Circle (2025) explores Victorian spiritualism.
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Nikki Viveca
Nikki Viveca is a prolific performer in spoken word, standup comedy, improv and theatre. She has written and performed several autobiographical shows as well as writing script for two poetic plays, Back Pocket and The Body Uncertain.
Skye Cusack
Skye Cusack is a Dulgubarra-Yidinji, Indonesian and Chinese writer, journalist and accidental comedian living in Naarm (Melbourne). Skye shares stories that make you laugh, cry, and call your therapist.
Dylan Drakes
Host
Dylan is a queer romance author from sunny Australia. He adores writing love stories of all kinds - from cute and cozy, to mysterious and pulse-pounding.
Emily White
Emily White is a writer, performer, and zine maker from Boorloo/Perth, living in Naarm/Melbourne. Their work usually straddles the categories of comedy and erotica.
Jordan Clayden-Lewis
Jordan Clayden-Lewis writes queer love stories with heart, soul, and humour. His fiction books feature stunning locations and swoon-worthy characters. He currently lives in Hervey Bay, Queensland with his partner and their two pets.
Quinton Li
Quinton Li is a Timorese-Australian, queer, non-binary, and neurodivergent author, speaker, and anthology curator based in Naarm. They write about tarot, magic, angels, and art. They have published two anthologies.
Bo Bickmore
Bo Bickmore is a Queer writer, producer and bookseller based in Naarm. They are the creator, curator and host of the Taking Up Space exhibit and the spoken word night Bloodletting.
Event details
Evening schedule
5:30pm - Come on in!
6:00pm - Panel - Main Character Energy (learn more and book here)
7:00pm - Bar break
7:30pm - Words & Wine (learn more and book here)
8:30pm - Bar break
9:00pm - The Darkroom
10:00pm - Formalities end
10:30pm - Bar closed
Food & Drink
This event will have a bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and the surrounding area has a range of lunch options..
Tickets
All tickets are equal and we encourage you to pay-as-you-can. Free tickets are available to anyone from the community, no questions asked - email hello@q-lit.com.au to secure a free ticket.
Access
The Auslan ticket is available to anyone who requires Auslan interpretation - selecting this ticket will alert our team to the need for an interpreter and this service will be arranged for the event.
This venue is wheelchair accessible, has gender neutral bathrooms, and a quiet space will be available throughout the event.
There will be friendly Q-Lit volunteers throughout the event who can guide you, be someone to chat to, or introduce you to others in the community.
Travel
Nearest train station - Southern Cross
Nearest tram stop - Stop D6 Victoria Police Centre/Flinders St
Nearest parking - Siddeley Street
Video & Photography
Photos and video of the event may be used on socials and in advertising, if you do not wish for your image to be used please let someone from our team know.
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