Auckland's Hero Festival features a number of lesbian-themed events this weekend, including a premiere evening of entertainment for Waitakere 'Westie' women on Sunday. Heroes Out West poster The team from last year's Festival highlight It's a D Thing return with "a kinky cruise through the exotic east" tonight from 8pm at Eden Terrace's Marco Gallery. The art installation features Bollywood-style dancing, a Herkiss Delight hareem bar and Up-Si-Daisy Love Hotel, telling a story through performance, video, music. Regular women-only party event Flirt has a special uniform-themed night planned for tomorrow night upstairs at 209 K' Road. "Whether it's school girl, military or French maid - it's a chance to live out your fantasies and have fun," explains organiser Sarah Lambourne. Dance performances, drink specials and prizes for best dressed are all organised, she says, with hook-up helpers the Flirt Police in attendance as usual assist with introductions. Sunday evening features a brand new event for Hero 2008 - the first-ever Waitakere-based Hero Festival evening for 'Westie Women'. Co-organiser Cissy Rock says a great music and entertainment line-up is confirmed to perform in a location that is "truly magical." Singer/songwriter and Waitakere laureate Mahinarangi Tocker joins cabaret artists Marilyn Waring and Edwina Thorne, cool pacific jazz-funk band Tutti Fruity and Anne Speir's comedy character Delores reappears by popular demand after some time away. "We know there are a lot of gays and lesbians in Waitakere City, so we thought rather than always going into the city, we should bring the city out to West Auckland for a change," explains Rock. The Heroes Out West show at Falls Park, Alderman Drive in Henderson begins at 4pm on Sunday, with tickets available at the venue for $10. "Bring a picnic and drinks to enjoy with the show," Rock suggests. The Grand Opening of Auckland's lesbian 'herstory' Museum is also planned for Sunday at 4pm. The Charlotte Museum will showcase coming out stories from the 1950's through to today in their show Remember Us: Women Who Loved Women from Sappho to Gay Liberation. The new museum is located at Unit 6, Level 2, 58 Surrey Cres, Grey Lynn and will also display memorabilia of early New Zealand women who lived with and loved women.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Friday, 15th February 2008 - 7:02am