Thu 1 Aug – The full programme for Charleston’s annual Queer Bloomsbury festival has now been revealed. Jam-packed with enlightening conversations, explosive performances and live art making, the festival brings together leading queer, LGBTQ+ voices to Charleston to challenge the status quo and imagine new ways of living, just as the Bloomsbury group did a century ago.

The festival features a dynamic talks programme, including an event exploring the hierarchy of high and low art, in Queer Art, with art curator Gemma Rolls-Bentley, artist duo Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings and artist Rene Matić. Another talk celebrates the life and work of one of fashion’s most daring and influential icons Leigh Bowery and Taboo nightclub, with fashion journalist NJ Stevenson, long-time friend and collaborator Sue Tilley aka ‘Big Sue’ and artist and living sculpture Daniel Lismore.

The Queer Bloomsbury AFTER PARTY will feature live music, DJ, drag, cabaret, performances, games, live art and immersive installations, including London-based drag cabaret LÈSE MAJESTÉ Drag Kings and Things, dark-electro pop sensation Tom Rasmussen and Gal Pals’ DJ Xzan.

As part of the experience, festival-goers will have the opportunity to take part in immersive art installations or enjoy pop-up performances in the walled gardens. Live art-making will spill out in and around the stunning outdoor spaces, including from performance artist David Hoyle. In a special one-off, festival-goers can book a free Queer Charleston x Erotic Drawings house tour, featuring a display of Duncan Grant’s erotic drawings.

A SHUTTLE BUS Service will run from Brighton’s Old Steine directly to Charleston in Firle and is bookable online for Day Ticket and After Party bookers.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Day talks on everything from fashion to protest, queer pop to queer art, featuring Jon Savage, Gemma Rolls-Bentley, Daniel Lismore, NJ Stevenson, Sue Tilley and more.
• After-party ticket featuring live music, cabaret, performances and DJ set, featuring Tom Rasmussen, LÈSE MAJESTÉ cabaret, DJ Xzan and U-Haul Dyke Rescue.
• Free ‘Queer Charleston’ house visits featuring Duncan Grant’s erotic drawings, or book an exclusive guided tour with Darren Clarke, Charleston’s Head of Collections.
• Pop-up live art making, live music, poetry and installations
• Take part in arm-wrestling, banner and badge-making
• Pop-up City Books stall, Charleston shop, Caccia and Tails cafe and bars open
• Shuttle buses from Brighton Old Steine bus station
• Plus, quiet outdoor places to rest and chill out!

Melissa Perkins, Head of Programme and Events at Charleston says:

‘We’re so pleased to announce the line-up for Queer Bloomsbury 2024. The festival is an intoxicating mix of eye-opening talks, activism and fun – all woven together beautifully by shared experience! It’s a bold and playful celebration of Charleston’s LGBTQIA+ heritage, the legacy of which continues to be felt today.’

FULL PROGRAMME: https://www.charleston.org.uk/festival/queer-bloomsbury-2024/

DAY TICKETS include three talks, all daytime pop-up activities, performances and free house tours, with events starting at around 2pm and finishing around 6pm.Tickets are £35, or £25 for Under 30s. Book now: https://www.charleston.org.uk/event/day-ticket-queer-bloomsbury-2024/AFTER PARTY tickets, include a live gig, cabaret and dj set, pop-up activities and free house tours, with events starting at around 7pm–11pm. Tickets are £25, or £15 for Under 30s.Book now: https://www.charleston.org.uk/event/after-party-queer-bloomsbury-2024/INDIVIDUAL EVENT TICKETS are also available and start at £15 per talk, or £10 for Under 30s.

UNDER 30s can join Charleston’s friend community for free and gain access to limited £10 tickets across many events and talks across the year, including Day Tickets and After Party tickets at Queer Bloomsbury. Find out more: https://www.charleston.org.uk/under30/

NOTES TO EDITORS

For press enquiries and media registration for events please contact:

Felicity Avenell, Press Officer

Felicity.avenell@charleston.org.uk | Press@charleston.org.uk

Charleston is a place that brings people together to engage with art and ideas. The modernist home and studio of the painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, Charleston was a gathering point for some of the 20th century’s most radical artists, writers and thinkers known collectively as the Bloomsbury group. It is where they came together to imagine society differently and has always been a place where art and experimental thinking are at the centre of everyday life. Today, we have two locations – the house, garden and galleries at Firle and our new space in Lewes. We present a dynamic year-round programme of exhibitions, events and festivals. We believe in the power of art, in all its forms, to provoke new ways of thinking and living. www.charleston.org.uk