Hot tickets this year are to the ChillOut ‘Burlesque’ Dance Party. (Don’t forget to grab those feathers and dress-up peeps) Featuring ‘God of the Dance floor’ Pete McNamara AND the award winning Miss Eleni as special guest DJs. Plus a super surprise Dance Party opening act at 9pm. Dont Miss out!! We. Are. So. Excited!!!

Carnival Day will be massive, with stalls, food, loads of music across 2 stages, kids rides, clogging, family fun, and of course our very own dog show. Don’t miss the exclusive performance by the superb Paul Capsis, as well as alt-country faves Sal Kimber & the Rollin’ Wheel. Boylesque direct from the GH Melbourne will kick up more than just the dance floor, with snippets from their brilliant and very very sexy new show. The ever entertaining Party Girls make an appearance with wonderfully awful arrays of 70’s and 80’s costumes, and those fabulous electro bears from Kodiak take the day out with stomping covers of some of the best songs from the 70’s to NOW in a non-stop DJ style mix. The fuzzy stop-start guitars, glistening keyboards and affected vocal styling’s of Vultures of Venus open the day with their fearless Electro Glam Space Rock, complete with dancers! Also, please keep in mind as you plan for the day, that Carnival Day has a no glass policy.

Carnival Day also features DJ St Mel and DJ Daggers on our 2nd ‘Chilled-Out’ stage near the food court. Avoid the Carnival Day queues and GET YOUR TICKETS ONLINE NOW … But you can’t have a Queer Pride event without a Street Parade – and ours shall indeed be colourful, fun and fabulous! (And pirate-y… aharrrr!!) Reclaim the Pearl me-hearties, and join us as we take over the main street of Ole Daylesford town-Pirate style!

Don’t Miss out on this year’s Opening Party at the Town Hall on Friday night. Featuring Hip-swaying, hand slapping Gypsy Klezmer Duo Goyim, DJ St Mel & a very magical performance from Australia’s leading female magician, Cath Jamison. Doors open 6pm, with happy hour til 7pm. And entry is by Gold Coin Donation.

ChillOut Race Day at NMIT Kyneton Park is a fabulous day of country racing. Laugh at/with our very own ChillOut Comedy Club at The Convent. Our fave gay comedians from radio, stage and screen will perform their hit show The LOL Big Gay Comedy Night.

Two foodie ChillOut events not to be missed include the Bathhouse Lunch in the Park, and (pass the cucumber sandwiches darling) the Oh so gorgeous High Tea on Camp at the beautifully renovated Albert Guesthouse & Mills Spa suites. Tickets are available on their website.

The Palais is host to many ChillOut events this year. Including the annual fun of Country Awareness Network’s (CAN) Twisted Rodeo, Dolly Diamond’s ‘More than A Woman’ and of course the all important Recovery Brunch.

You’ve organised your friends, got the spray tan booked, but where are you staying? Check our website for some great local accommodation ideas.

Carnival Day is a day of music and fun for our extended family – even our furry children are invited! Headlining Carnival Day is the incredible Paul Capsis. Paul’s critically acclaimed stage career has earned him a global fan base, and a Helpman Award along the way. Paul’s exclusive performance at Carnival Day promises to be a ChillOut highlight. Sharing the Carnival Day stage are alt-country faves Sal Kimber & the Rollin Wheel. Sal and her wheels have rolled all over the country and will come to a stop here. Sal is also playing as a duo at Cream at the Old Hepburn. However if dust and twang ain’t your thang, Boylesque – Direct from the GH in Melbourne are glossing and glamming their way across the Carnival Day Main stage, to strut it and cut it live. Starring Madame P – Paris Dragqueen, Miss Sir – Todd Patrick, the Divas and the Muscle Marys, Boylesque are beautiful and pitch-bitch perfectly perfect.

The Palais has never seen so many sequins and mascara… UK Comedy Diva Dolly Diamond returns to perform her new show More Than A Woman. Dolly is one of the biggest cabaret acts in the UK, Her razor sharp tongue, electric lyrics and fab voice are just a few reasons why we know you love her too. Dolly continues the ChillOut tradition by hosting the Main stage at Carnival Day with the fabulous Luke Gallagher, and as the ever sparkling auctioneer at the Slowest Lunch.

We’re loving the laughs this year and turning the Convent into a Comedy Club with our fave gay comedians from radio, stage and screen performing their hit show from Midsumma: The LOL Big Gay Comedy Night.

So much stuff on for such a tiny town!! It might have you thinking – So who was the first gay in the village? Ahhh we have the answer… Locally based, internationally renowned storyteller Anne E Stewart is hosting the official Gay Tour of Daylesford, Anne will share colourful stories, characters, locations and the history of our rainbow town as you stroll the streets and alleys.

Anne also invites you to document your story of a gay life. Anne will be conducting storytelling workshops to help you to tell ‘your’ story at Sister George in a series of events over the weekend, and will record them to share our gay history.

All that partying, dancing, laughing, um, and more dancing is going to take some time to get over… Don’t worry, the ChillOut team love you and have organised a Brunch Recovery. Enjoy a late, relaxed brunch at The Palais in Hepburn Springs, life-saving bacon & egg sarnies, lunches and Bloody Marys will be on the menu for this good ole fashioned country come-down brunch. BYO sunglasses.

TICKETS FOR ALL EVENTS ON SALE NOW!

Start counting the sleeps! ChillOut is only SIX WEEKS AWAY! And boy are we excited about the line up of incredible solo musicians, bands and DJs packing their roadcases and heading our way! So much music packed into one long weekend!

First up, pack your party shoes. We are so excited to announce, and mighty proud to be able to present ‘God of the Dance floor’ Pete McNamara AND Melbourne’s own award winning Miss Eleni as guest DJs at the ChillOut Dance Party. If ANYONE can fill a floor, it’s these guys, with impressive pedigrees and a list of residencies you’d be proud to line up at the velvet rope for. In fact, we bet you have over the years. Corset up, break out the boas and dance until it hurts with two of Australia’s best, most awarded and respected DJs on the decks at the ChillOut ‘Burlesque’ Dance Party.

Cream (now it’s 7^th year) has become a musical institution in the ChillOut diary. This year Cream presents some of Australias’ most musically talented women, in the biggest ever line up, including; Freya Hanly, Sal Kimber, Monique Brumby band, The Electrique Birds, Rosie Burgess Trio and Nat Allison and Band. The venue is friendly and fun, the much loved country pub, The Old Hepburn Hotel.

Of all the musical genres and dance styles, ChillOut has most of them covered, with everything from endorphin-lifting beats, to classic clogging in a country hall, we’re ticking as many boxes as possible to ensure our diverse community is having fun country style. Jazz enthusiasts will be treated to a delicious solo show by Jade Leonard. Jade has performed at venues from intimate piano bars to Rod Laver Arena. Her show of respectful covers at Horvat’s Wine Bar promises to be unique and gorgeous.

Horvat’s is also hosting Alexis Nicole and the Missing Pieces – a fabulous fusion of indie folk, alternative and gypsy genres, Alexis has been composing her own work since she was big enough to get her arm around a guitar. It appears there are no missing pieces, with her passionate vocals, lyrical skill and talent on guitar and drums.

Melbourne independent band Vultures of Venus are also playing ChillOut this year. Veterans of Melbourne’s club, pub and festival circuit, their music style is wham-bam-thank-you-glam, fuzzy and fun and danceably wild. Sounds like ChillOut to us!

Goodness gracious to keep up with it all you’ll need to eat something! Indulge yourself at High Tea on Camp (at Albert Day Spa & Mills Spa Suites) It’s all about plates and plates of homemade deliciousness, lashings of cream, cucumber finger sandwiches (of course) and pots of perfect tea and Pimms. Poise your pinkie fingers and partake in the fine art of high tea.

TICKETS TO ALL EVENTS ARE ON SALE NOW.

SOME EVENTS HAVE LIMITED TICKETS.

ENSURE YOUR ENTRY AND BOOK EARLY!

To whet your appetite for ChillOut in March, here’s just a taste of what has been added to the 2012 program… Stay tuned, we have more events coming soon!

The Commitment Project Exhibition. Australian artist Evan Cooper has created an evolving photographic documentary of Australian Gay and Lesbian relationships of 8.7 years and over. (This timeline is specific as 8.7 years is the median term for current Australian marriages, and where the commitment project begins). Evan is inviting couples who have been together at least this long to be photographed for the ongoing exhibition, or to visit and experience the work at Sister George Productions.

There is an open invitation to join the ChillOut Crew at The Official Opening Party. It’s a great way to kick off the ChillOut weekend, meet up with friends at the Town Hall, have a mingle with the ChillOut peeps, have a drink and get the behind-the-scenes goss on all the weekend’s action!

Now, nothing says ‘country’ like a rodeo. And at ChillOut, ours is a little, well… twisted! Twisted Rodeo, hosted by the ever amazing Vanessa Wagner is a fun & interactive indoor rodeo with a twist… or two! Lasso your friends down to the Palais on Saturday, whip them into teams and see what fab prizes you can corral in an afternoon of adult fun and entertainment.

This long weekend is all about chilling out with your favourite old (and new) friends, so on Saturday rendezvous at the Hepburn Pavilion Café Lunch in the Park. Bliss out to the DJ’s set whilst indulging in delicious local produce and jugs of fruity sangria in the shade, or if the weather has other plans, the open fire is a great plan B.  But it’s not a weekend of wall-to-wall DJs… Oh no, ChillOut presents roots-blues & alt-country songstress Cyndi Boste and rock covers goddess Michelle Parsons at the Old Hepburn Hotel. These talented women perform with passion, soul and raw sensuality. Make sure you pre-book! And speaking of passion… Roll on the Roller Derby! The Ballarat Roller Derby (BRDL) and Dragon City Derby Dolls (Bendigo) are showcasing a competitive (but none-the-less family friendly) bout at the Daylesford ARC.

If you prefer your wheels at a slower pace, travel first class on the beautifully restored Daylesford Food & Wine Train Saturday night. The journey through Wombat Forest to Musk is the perfect way to start a ChillOut evening with a range of local wines and cheeses accompanied by live blues. Of course it’s not ChillOut without a little dancing… and boy are we embracing our country roots with a bit of line dancing, clogging and two stepping. Whichever way you tackle ChillOut Saturday, Rodeo Style, Sangria Style, First-Class Train Style, or Clogging Style, get on board! ChillOut 2012 has something for everyone!

As a special offer NMIT Kyneton & Hanging Rock Race Club are auctioning the naming rights to one standard race at ChillOut Race Day on Saturday March 10th 2012 at NMIT Kyneton Park, with all proceeds going directly to The SES. Bids open at $1200 (incl. GST) and will be accepted until 29th February 2012.

You can place your bid by emailing Bettina Ralph at: sponsors@chilloutfestival.com.au

Click for more info on this exclusive offer

TICKETS TO ALL EVENTS ON SALE NOW

We look forward to seeing you all – up country way – March 9-12th 2012, for four fun-packed days celebrating everything colourful and queer.

December, and the social calendar has never seen more ink. But once the silly season is over, the diary resembles a wasteland… Until ChillOut… A massive weekend of parties, dancing, parades, food, races and fun is planned. So block out the long weekend. You’re busy.

Each year ChillOut Festival raises money for a charity group that actively supports the community. In 14 years ChillOut has donated approximately $180,000 to not for profit organisations, and this year ChillOut is proud to partner with the Hepburn Shire State Emergency Service (SES) Unit. Funds raised will purchase vital equipment for our local heroes to use in critical situations close to home, to ensure maximum safety to both rescuers and the rescued.

ChillOut’s major fundraising event is the first thing for the diary. The Slowest Lunch. To be held at Sault Restaurant Friday, March 9, this is an afternoon of indulgence, laughter, and fantastic items to bid on, in both the silent and live auctions. Hosted, as always, by the sparkling Dolly Diamond. We invite all members of the community to The Slowest Lunch, to dig in, and dig deep to raise vital funds for our SES.

Of course it’s just not ChillOut without a little dancing… Dance all day at Carnival Day, with live entertainment, (watch the web for announcements on our artist line up) savour the foodie delights of the region, browse the stalls, bring your partners, parents, pals, even your puppy for the pet show! But be sure to save some energy for The Dance Party! A sell out event, this year’s theme is burlesque. BYO corset. BYO feathers. Prepare to dance! We have two very special DJs to announce and an opening act to die for… stay tuned.

But it’s not all glitter and disco balls. If your style of clubbing is more suited to the fairway, The ChillOut Golf Tournament at Hepburn Springs Golf Club is for you, with six fantastic prizes up for grabs, remember to throw in the clubs; or the picnic basket……A new event – ChillOut Race Day at NMIT Kyneton Park – will be a fabulous day of country racing at one of the most picturesque race tracks in Victoria.

And since we’re in the country… grab your partner and do-si-do! The annual ChillOut Bush Dance is a classic banjo totin’, lagerphone shakin’ event that will have you grinning all night! And what would a Queer Country Pride event be without a Street Parade? Our parade begins with the roar of the Dykes on Bikes, and is as flamboyant and fun as the best of them, thousands turn out to watch the spectacle! – This year’s theme is Pirates: Recapturing the Pearl… Fly the flag! Whether it Skull & Crossbones or Rainbow! Clear your diary! We’ll see you at ChillOut in March!

But this is a mere taste of what’s to come, make sure to register to receive upcoming eNews announcements, follow us on Twitter and Facebook and be the first to find out the amazing line up of fantastic events we have for ChillOut 2012.