Only two months out from the traditional start of Auckland's Hero Festival, its organisers still cannot confirm whether or not the Festival and the iconic Hero Party will return for 2009.
Doubts over the Festival's organisation were raised again at the weekend when Hero volunteer Lionel Vongue – who had stepped up as the contact for organising the Festival's event calendar – decided to cease his involvement, citing ongoing issues with the governing Hero Trust.
When contacted by GayNZ.com today, Hero Trust Board Chair Richard Kittelty could not confirm any details about 2009 Hero Festival dates, events or party - giving a "no comment" response - but did say planning meetings about the Festival were still in progress today and this week.
The Hero Trust Board's former Chair Frederic Guillemont stepped down last month as he will now work overseas. GayNZ.com understands there are now only two active members of the Hero Trust Board, and with the departure of Vongue, no longer any functioning Hero Brand Management Group, which in recent years has liaised with event producers to plan and promote the Festival.
Some independently-organised Auckland LGBT events are still confirmed for early next year, however. Weather-permitting, the annual Big Gay Out picnic day will be on as usual in Coyle Park on Sunday 8 February, and the Heroic Gardens tour will happen on the weekend of 7 and 8 March. Queer artist Rebecca Swan's exhibition Assume Nothing will be shown in a local gallery from 23 January, and her Fabricated Truths exhibition begins on 17 February.
Other events in the advanced planning stages for February include a production of gay-themed play La Cage Aux Folles AKA The Birdcage by Auckland Musical Theatre.
.GIF)
