There’s never a shortage of reasons to head down to the Gold Coast. Bleach* Festival, however, is topping our list of reasons to GC-it this month. You’d be forgiven for never having heard of this event: it’s a sophisticated, contemporary and innovative expression of music, dance, theatre and visual arts that seems slightly atypical for the Goldie. Check out our curated guide of what’s on at Bleach* Festival to acquaint yourself with a different side of the GC. Bonus tip? Make a mini-holiday out of it and go luxe at the GC.
#1 Horizon with Angels | Preposterous CIRCA
When: March 4, 6pm
Where: Evandale Lake, The Arts Centre Gold Coast
You’re gonna want to make the trip down to the GC to catch the world premiere of Horizon with Angels . Set over Evandale Lake as the sun sets, prepare for acrobats and singers flying through the air accompanied by a knock-out sound track that includes (as it should!) Leonard Cohen’s music. Why not make a night of it and check out the Gold Coast’s best bars after the event?
#2 Shifting Sands | Donna Jackson and Queensland Ballet
When: March 12 and March 13, 5:45 pm
Where: Currumbin Estuary (Palm Beach Parklands)
When you think GC you don’t tend to think of world premiere ballet events, but make sure you’re down at the Palm Beach Parklands to catch this epic performance, you’ll be kicking yourself if you miss this. Shifting Sands tells the story of the connection between communities and their past, their people and their sense of place. Take your seat on the creek bank as the dancers take their stage, the estuary. Bonus? It’s totally free!
#3 The Last Blast | The Farm
When: March 18, 19, 20, 6pm
Where: Surfers Paradise Beach
Hands up if you count yourself a pretty deece dancer? Yup, thought so. Well, you’re going to want to check out The Last Blast because they will probably put you to shame. The Farm will send their bodies way, way up into the sky as they mark the ‘end of the world’ with quite the party. Except the group’s trademark humour and dance to shine through. Oh, did we mention it’s free?
#4 Song Writing | Ben Lee
When: March 20, 10am
Where: Helensvale Community and Cultural Centre
After willing us to catch his disease (did we just get that song stuck in your head? Oops!), Ben Lee will be the feature artist of Bleach*Festival meaning you can see him at a whole heap of events, but our pick is Song Writing with Ben Lee. The event is totally free, but registration is essential. We’ve already reserved our spots!
#5 Luminaries | Craig Walsh
When: March 10, 6:30pm
Where: Griffith University Gold Coast Campus
We know the Gold Coast is beautiful, but wait til you see international projection artist Craig Walsh work his magic on the Griffith University campus. Our tip? Grab yourself a bevvy and enjoy the view from The Unibar.
#6 Forklift | Kage
When: March 11 and 12, 6 and 8pm
Where: Broadbeach Mall
If a forklift isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of dance, don’t freak out, we were totally thinking tutus. When Bleach* Festival think dance, however, they think contortionists and aerial acrobatics performed on a 2.5 tonne forklift. Listen, you don’t want to miss this one.
#7 Hello Future | Imaginary Theatre
When: March 11 and 12, 6:30pm
Where: Broadbeach Mall
When you see this exhibition you won’t believe school kids are responsible. It’s literally a big ‘hello’ from the future at this large-scale street art installation. Oh, and it’s all digital. Feel old yet?
#8 Open Song | Inkahoots
When: March 4 and March 20, 24 hours
Where: The Village Green, Mudgeeraba
Yep, this is another world premiere. You can contribute to the installation Open Song by creating your own unique soundtrack as you move through the Village green. This is going to be epic, so why not make a trip out of it?
#9 Saltwater | Jamie Lewis
When: March 4,5,6 at 6 and 8pm
Where: Southport CBD
This is a goodun’; it’s theatre-meets-dinner-party-at-a-friend’s-house. The audience members (that’s you!) share dinner with protagonist Jamie as she grapples with her life. Now excuse us as we prepare for our theatre debut.
#10 Robina | The Bubble Effect
When: March 17, 18, 19, 20 at 4:30 and 6:30pm
Where: Robina Town Centre
Let’s be real, things can go a lil’ cray cray when you’re shopping. But Bleach* is taking things to the next level, with the good kind of crazy of course! You’re going to want to check out The Bubble Effect; it’s an all-ages adventure through interactive performance. Plus, there’s shopping, so, you know.? We’re keen.
To see the full itinerary for Bleach* Festival check out their website.
Image credit: Bleach* Festival
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