Arts Festival Archives - Sunday Arts Magazine

Neville Sice

evalyn.venture — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 16:22:58 +0000

Neville and partner David Read are co-Executive producers of the Melbourne Cabaret Festival – Described by The Age as the ‘Bart Cummings and Gai Waterhouse of cabaret’ (they dispute which is which), their instinct and understanding of the art form has resulted in the discovery of new performers who are now household names and the presentation of hundreds of new works that have thrilled audiences and kept them coming back for more. They also tour selected cabaret performances around Australia and overseas.

They have thrilled well over 100,000 paying audience members via their activities at The Butterfly Club, tours and now the Melbourne Cabaret Festival. They sold The Butterfly Club in January 2011 in order to focus on delivering the Melbourne Cabaret Festival. Neville and David are in constant demand from venues and festivals around Australia for advice and assistance in curating cabaret seasons and workshops.

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Candlelight Concerts at Prahran Square

Rob — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 22:38:22 +0000

Immerse yourself in a stunning, multi-sensory experience this March as the critically acclaimed Candlelight Concerts comes to Prahran Square for two free live and intimate concerts.

Be captivated as our award-winning urban parkland is bathed in the soft glow of candlelight under the stars, and treated to exceptional live performances, showcasing inspiring repertoires from jazz greats and renowned movie soundtrack composers.

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Rising

Rob — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 22:37:43 +0000

A festival that you do in the city that does it best—art, culture, food and music under moonlight: RISING today unveils its expansive 2023 program of 185 events featuring more than 400 artists including 35 commissions and 12 world premieres, set to ignite the heart of Melbourne from 7—18 June.

Over 12 nights of powerful theatre, exhilarating dance, music that traverses the globe, large scale installation, public performance, free and low cost experiences, and outdoor works of mass participation, RISING will invite audiences to join a 10,000 strong kazoo orchestra, to slice up the ice, and to reflect, reckon, rave and revel in Melbourne’s night-time buzz.

Spilling out across the city’s streets, carparks, churches, theaters, train stations, town squares, and on the banks of the Birrarung, RISING returns this winter to take the city as its stage, bringing the best premiere art and performance from around the world and across Australia.

“RISING is a mass celebration of Melbourne’s unique culture in the heart of the city.” said RISING co-artistic directors Hannah Fox and Gideon Obarzanek. “The 2023 program is a rallying call to get involved, experience the new and be a part of a festival that couldn’t happen anywhere else.”

Echoing the excitement, Minister for Creative Industries and Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said “Creativity, culture, music, food, fun – RISING brings together everything we love about Melbourne for 12 action-packed days and nights to deliver an amazing event and boost our city businesses.”

THE CITY AS A STAGE

A festival that embraces Melbourne’s distinctness — from its hidden spaces to its landmarks reimagined, RISING in 2023 will be a chance for Victorians and visitors alike to discover the city anew.

The long abandoned upper level of the city’s iconic Flinders Street Station, now one of the nation’s most unique arts spaces, will become home to Shadow Spirit, a new dimension of First Nations art, and the largest commissioned exhibition of contemporary First Peoples art in Victoria’s history. Curated by leading Yorta Yorta writer and curator Kimberley Moulton and presented with Metro Trains Melbourne, this landmark exhibition of national significance will see thirty of the most exciting First Peoples artists and collectives from across Australia invite visitors to traverse time and Ancestral spirit worlds, reflect on the shadows of Australia’s history and be immersed in deep systems of knowledge.

The fifteen major works, including fourteen new commissions, will bring together artists from right across Australia including Brian Robertson (Maluyligal/ Wuthathi), Dylan Mooney (Yuwi, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander), Hayley Millar Baker (Gunditjmara ), John Prince Siddon (Walmajarri ), Judy Watson(Waanyi), Julie Gough (Trawlwoolway), Karla Dickens (Wiradjuri), Paola Balla (Wemba Wemba / Gunditjmara), Rene Wanuny Kulitja (Pitjantjatjara) Tiger Yaltangki (Yankunytjatjara) with Jeremy Whiskey (Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara), Vicki Couzens (Keerray Wooroong / Gunditjmara), Warwick Thornton (Kaytej), Aunty Zeta Thomson (Wurundjeri/Yorta Yorta), Maningrida Arts & Culture artists Anniebell Marrngamarrnga, Dorothy Bunibuni, Paul Nabulumo Namarinjmak, Ken Ngindjalakku Djungkidj (Kuninjku) and The Mulka Project with the late Mrs Mulkuṉ Wirrpanda (Yolŋu).

Opening on the first day of RISING and extending for an eight week season until July 30, Shadow Spirit sits at RISING’s spiritual and physical centre. A festival of place and time, the 2023 program will reflect this significant moment in our history, bringing First People’s work, stories and culture to the fore with 31 powerful and diverse First Peoples-led projects, spanning theatre, dance, visual art, music, food, music and more.

“Shadow Spirit honours the interwoven connections First Peoples hold to the spirit world and the expansive networks of knowledge that link place, people and Country.” said curator and RISING artistic associate, Kimberley Moulton, “Curating works of esteemed Elders and established practitioners alongside the next generation of First Peoples artists will give audiences a deeply layered experience of our cultures. This is an ambitious national show that will amplify the exceptional contemporary creativity of First Peoples art in this country and take it to the people of Melbourne and the world.”

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Rohan Shearn

Rob — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 21:03:05 +0000

Rohan talks to David and Neil about the thriving Arts scene in Melbourne.

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Fuse

Rob — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 01:50:23 +0000

FUSE is committed to showcasing all the talent, creativity and art that the community of Darebin has to offer.
Part of its Autumn 2023 program is FUSE@Large, an open access, multi-arts program where any artist, maker and
creator can promote their event under the umbrella that is FUSE so long as it is happening in Darebin during the
festival. This program provides opportunities to activate careers for artists, whether they’re just starting out or
continuing to grow their audience.
This Autumn, Darebin locals and creatives alike will bear witness to performances never experienced before. From
art exhibitions to live music performances, festival-goers will be spoilt for choice.
In the exhibition Being Keepers: Ecology of Home, Ryoko shares the process of turning a refuge in an emergency
to a home through her decomposing and everyday life practices. After Ryoko was displaced from her home in
Fukushima due to the 2011 nuclear accident in Japan, she came to Australia as a transnational environmental
evacuee. Now in this open house, she shows how her decomposition practice draws from her cultural heritage through
the medium of her red yarn-based art practice, which is informed by ikebana, a Japanese flower arrangement. Visit
her at this open house in Preston from 11-13 March or online from
11-26 March.
FUSE@Large is hosting this year’s Melbourne Ukulele Festival
(MUF). Bringing the magic over three days, MUF is the longest
running ukulele festival in Australia, inspiring artists and hosting great
workshops centred in High Street, Northcote. From Friday 17 to
Sunday 19 March, MUF has an artist line up to rave about, including
Dead Man’s Uke and The Thin White Ukes (pictured right).
Bundoora Homestead Art Centre presents the A1 Darebin Art Salon 2023, returning for its fourth iteration and
featuring over 150 artists who live, work or study in the City of Darebin. This major community art prize and exhibition
allows artists at any stage of their journey to exhibit work in a public art gallery. 15 March to 24 June.
Celebrating her hit new single ‘This Mess’ is local talent, Shannen James. After the success of her sold out debut
tour, Shannen has performed alongside much-loved Australian artists such as the DMA’s, Confidence Man and Vera
Blue. Friday 17 March at the Northcote Social Club
In the words of Kath and Kim, Look at Moi: 80s Prom is an interactive
themed life drawing class where participants can be the muse or the artist.
Held at Last Peek Studio, the 80s themed art class is turning life drawing
on its head. A $5 donation includes, food and materials are all supplied as
well as a flamboyant set design aimed to intrigue and delight. Please note,
there is no nudity in this class. Saturday 18 March.

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Australian International Documentary Conference

Rob — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 03:56:06 +0000

The Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) today announces the full program for its 2023 event – including over 40 sessions, more than 120 speakers and 100-plus industry decision makers – taking place in-person at ACMI in Melbourne, from 5-8 March 2023 with an online-only international marketplace 9-11 March 2023.

Responding to the theme Agents of Change, the program features lauded and vital talents from across the fields of screen and digital media, including three directors of 2023 Academy Award®-nominated documentaries, and a screening of Laura Poitras’ Academy Award®-nominated All the Beauty and the Bloodshed. Leading the line-up is American director and producer Sara Dosa, whose Academy Award®-nominated Fire of Love has received over 29 international awards, alongside Indian directorShaunak Sen, whose similarly Academy Award®-nominated All That Breathes has secured 19 awards, including the Cannes Golden Eye and Sundance Grand Jury Prize. Joining them from the Academy Awards frontline is Canadian director Daniel Roher, whose gripping documentary Navalny picked up the 2022 Sundance Audience Award, among 11 others. From the factual programming side, Fatima Salaria, managing director of wildly successful UK production house Naked Television (Grand Designs), will be on hand to provide a masterclass in producing documentary series.

Other notable guests include New Zealand’s David Farrier, responsible for left-field documentary hits like Tickled, Netflix’s Dark Tourist, and Mister Organ; Emmy and AACTA-winning immersive installation artist and filmmaker Lynette Wallworth, acclaimed Aboriginal filmmaker Dean Gibson, director ofIncarceration Nation, Wik vs Queensland, and the upcoming First Weapons; Quechua filmmaker, technologist, writer, and artist Violeta Ayala (Prison X, The Fight), and Australian filmmaker Emma Sullivan, director of true crime documentary Into The Deep.

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Melbourne Women in Film Festival

Rob — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 21:20:21 +0000

The annual Melbourne Women in Film Festival (MWFF) is proud to announce the full program for 2023, including Freshly Squeezed Shorts, Next Gen Shorts and Reel Shorts. Through the theme Connections, MWFF will explore creative collaborations and community through a dynamic program for its seventh year from 23 – 27 February 2023 at ACMI.

On Saturday 25 February, MWFF has announced the Australian premiere screening of Patricia Cornelius’ award-winning drama, SHIT, staring Peta Brady, Sarah Ward and Nicci Wilks. SHIT is a psychological drama which unfolds over one long night of incarceration in a bleak holding cell. Caged for hours on end, Billy, Bobby and Sam reveal their stories of a life time of violence, abuse, and institutionalisation. Told with unsentimental, sometimes comical, often gut-wrenching insight. SHIT is directed by Susie Deeand co-produced by Trudy Hellier.

SHIT is adapted from the hit play, which has had eight seasons. Premiering at MTC, SHIT has been performed at Sydney Arts Festival, Darwin Festival, 2019 Biennale Theatre Festival in Venice and Edinburgh Fringe, winning the prestigious Summerhall Arts Lustrum Award. Written by one of Australia’s most celebrated playwrights, Patricia Cornelius, SHIThas been met with extraordinary critical acclaim, winning four Green Room Awards and receiving a Helpmann Awards nomination for director Susie Dee.

Other program highlights include, Reel Shorts (Saturday 25 February, 12:30pm) – presenting a collection of captivating and uplifting documentaries that delve into true stories from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider Moana. From intimate portraits of artists and sports icons to intercultural and intergenerational connections, these films offer diverse perspectives of the world around us. Some highlights include:More Than Cute (15 mins): A seniors Bollywood dance class in Melbourne city, is the perfect intercultural setting to discover new friendships and to unpack misconceptions about ageing. Through the lens of the traditional costume, stories are uncovered and shared. Simultaneously, underneath all the fun, colour and laughter, a miraculous healing is taking place on many different levels. Directed, produced and written by Joshinder K Chaggar.

Aloha Soul Food (12 mins): Merging personal memoir and photojournalism, Aloha Soul Food nostalgically explores decolonial foodways through the family life stories of six Pacific Island women. A transnational story set in Los Angeles, California, the documentary shares the stories of how working-class women navigate their lives through major historical events that occurred throughout the last century. The film shows how generations can reclaim identity and historical spaces through recipes. Directed and written by Lani Cupchoy.

My Uterus is Trying to Kill Me (20 mins): Due to the invasive nature of the diagnostic process, endometriosis can have profound effects on an individual’s life. This documentary tells stories of various people living with endometriosis and their unique journeys, from diagnosis to coping with a chronic illness daily. By showing people casually and confidently talking about their experiences, this film aims to normalise the discussion around what is currently a taboo topic. Co-directed by Emily Michelle Ellers and co-directed and produced by Hannah Louise Ranger.

Next Gen Shorts (Saturday 25 February, 4pm) showcases the creativity and talent of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand’s next generation of filmmakers. From how to grow prize winning onions to rekindling connections with family, this diverse program of films illustrates that the future of women’s and gender diverse filmmaking looks bright. Some highlights include:

Before We’re Gone (16 mins): Befriending a resilient older woman, an ambitious young girl tries to save the planet from climate crisis, until her brother forces her to choose between saving the world and helping her own struggling family. Directed and written by Taihra Swaine and produced by Alzbeta Rekosh.

Through Fault (15 mins): Set in Melbourne, in 1990, Jo, a young Catholic woman, volunteers as a HIV hotline counsellor expecting to answer calls from the ill-informed public. However, when her first caller is a young man suffering from AIDS-associated dementia, Jo is finally forced to confront the realities of the epidemic she’s been ignoring; all in the span of a single conversation. Directed and written by Emily Brown, co-produced by Frankie Hopkins and Patrick Mantynen.

Freshly Squeezed Shorts (Sunday 26 February, 4pm) showcases the latest and best short films and web series exploring diverse stories of human connection. Expect dystopian futures, hopeful romantics and unlikely friendships. Some highlights include:

Sparkles (13 mins). A 30-something-year-old woman with Down Syndrome leaves her past behind, and runs away from a small country town, heading towards the city. Along her journey, she makes an unlikely friendship with an Outback drag queen, teaching us all not to be afraid to celebrate who we are. Directed by Jacqueline Pelczer, produced by Cody Greenwood, and written, starring, and co-produced by Tina Fielding. (pictured)

MWFF is proudly screening Jub Clerc’s Sweet As on opening night, Thursday 23 February, and screening Kāinga, the third anthology film in the trilogy produced by Kerry Warkia and Kiel McNaughton on closing night, Monday 27 February.

The full MWFF program features screenings, special events, panels, workshops and education programs, whilst showcasing the best Australian, Aotearoa New Zealand and Pasifika women’s and gender diverse stories on screen, taking place at ACMI, the official presenting partner of the festival.

Melbourne Women in Film Festival aims to expand the vision of gender equality and diversity in the Australian screen industries and culture by creating dynamic and inclusive spaces that bring diverse practitioners and audiences together to be moved by compelling, provocative, and entertaining cinema.

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Fred Gesha – First People First

Rob — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 21:18:34 +0000

First Peoples First is new for 2023 and audiences can expect a sensational day and night of First Nations music, featuring Christine Anu, a tribute to Archie Roach with his band and special guests, Lady Lash, Jem Cassar-Daley, Singing Our Futures presented by the Archie Roach Foundation, Jungaji, Dean Brady and Loren Ryan all taking to the Main Stage overlooking the foreshore.

The O’Donnell Gardens Stage will feature Caution, Creedence Blanco, Dean Brady, Loren Ryan, One Fire – Robert Bamblett, Indigenous Outreach Projects, Small Ant Brothers and Pirritu.

Along with the stunning music line-up, festivalgoers can expect a range of activities and pop-up traders, including face painting, a basketball competition, circus, art workshops and more.

Big Festival Sunday highlights include band Hoodoo Gurus, Confidence Man, Yothu Yindi, Genesis Owusu, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. In total, more than 50 acts will take to multiple stages, plus roving performers and buskers will entertain throughout the precinct, from 10am – 10pm.

There’s many First Nations artists on Sunday too. Loren Ryan, Pirritu and Singing Our Futures are performing both days.

St Kilda Festival is Australia’s most popular and iconic, free music festival. No bookings are necessary, just look up the line-up times on line, come down and enjoy!

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Midsumma Festival and the Victorian Pride Centre

Rob — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 02:30:35 +0000

Thomas Jasper talks to the Sunday Arts Magazine team.

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MILF and Mistress

Rob — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 02:29:41 +0000

A dynamic and darkly comic premiere season,

The MILF and Mistress is a rare and compelling theatrical event that centres on the older lesbian experience. Hitting the stage at Theatre Works’ Explosives

Factory in January 2023, it angles a bright spotlight on how Saturday soccer, school runs, and flannelette pyjamas
all work to keep us in a comfortable domestic slumber… until a well-placed riding crop wakes us up.
The MILF and Mistress tells the tale of Ali Henderson. An intelligent, middle-aged woman who outwardly seems
to be living the lesbian dream. But three pets, two sons, one wife and a shiny quarter acre block in suburbia make
for one very frustrated MILF. She apparently “has it all”… but is it enough? Does happily ever after simply expire?
A new Australian work by multi-award winning playwright and actor Jane Montgomery Griffiths, The MILF and
Mistress will be realised on the stage by Theatre Works Executive Director, and first time theatre director, Dianne
Toulson. Performed by renowned actor and Green Room Award Winner Jennifer Vuletic, The MILF and Mistress
is an important comment on a group within the GLBTIQA+ community whose experiences are often sidelined and
dismissed.
“We all know about the invisibility of middle-age for women”, explains writer Jane Montgomery Griffith, “so
much of that, though, is tied up with heterosexuality and women no longer being deemed attractive. There’s very
little theatrical work out there exploring and validating middle-aged lesbians and their sexuality. Concurrently,
there’s also growing interest in debunking the taboo of women hiring sex workers, what with the success of Good
luck, Leo Grande, so I suppose this project is a bit within that zeitgeist.

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