“2018 is a transformational year for Bleach*. For three weeks 29 March – 15 April, Bleach* Festival will bring locals and visitors together to connect and interact through intimate encounters in private homes, as well as large-scale performances on beaches, parks, hotels and gathering places,” Bleach* Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina said.

The expansive program of 140 genre-defying events and activities includes 10 world premieres, one Australian premiere and two Queensland premieres; with the majority, completely free to the public.

“In this landmark year, we are thrilled to collaborate with Festival 2018, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games arts and culture program. Bleach* Festival has commissioned and produced 20 of the 160 works that form part of the Gold Coast artistic program,” Bezzina said.

“The opportunity to work with the Festival 2018 organisers was an incredible opportunity for our artists to be seen on the world stage, to engage with artists from throughout the Commonwealth and forge new artistic networks and collaborations.”

Bleach* at Festival 2018 program highlights from 4 to 15 April include the world premiere outdoor music concert The Spirit of Churaki, inspired by the incredible true story of the Gold Coast’s first surf life saver. Two years in the making, this heroic story, largely unknown, features an extraordinary line-up of legendary Australian musicians under the musical direction of Brian Ritchie and cultural collaborator Kyle Slabb set to visuals by acclaimed artist Vernon Ah Kee.

“The local Indigenous community has put their faith in us to tell this incredible Australian story and we know it will etch itself into the hearts and minds of audiences,” Bezzina said.

Rimini Protokoll’s boundary-pushing Home Visit receives its exclusive Australian premiere, inviting 10 every-day locals to open their private homes to complete strangers for a series of intimate living room performances.

Bleach* Festival continues its commitment to presenting ground-breaking home-grown contemporary dance and physical theatre works, including the return of two celebrated works by the Gold Coast’s internationally-acclaimed contemporary dance company, The Farm.

“The Farm’s ground-breaking durational work TIDE sees two fearless performers put themselves at the mercy of both the tide and the compassion of the community as they set up an office on a sand bar at Currumbin Estuary for 49 consecutive hours,” Bezzina said.

“We are also proud to present The Ninth Wave; an evolution of The Farm’s 2016 Helpmann Award nominated end-ofdays work The Last Blast, set against the stunning backdrop of Surfers Paradise beach.”

Additional dance-theatre highlights include the Queensland premiere of Restless Dance Company’s promenade work Intimate Space; an explosive experience from Fiji’s pre-eminent dance company, VOU; and Quiet By Nature, a moonlit kayak tour with a difference.

For the more adventurous, Wave Fields offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the
night sleeping on the beach, wrapped in a blanket of sound created by internationally
renowned artist Lawrence English.

Locals unafraid to take centre-stage will relish the opportunity to perform in Yes, We Dance! – a joyous participatory performance experience that pairs 10 everyday Gold Coasters with professional choreographers and an ensemble of hundreds of community dancers.

“Bleach* Festival welcomes participation and exchange, inviting you to feel challenged, inspired, connected and proud,” Bezzina said.

“As the world focuses its attention on the Gold Coast in April, this is our chance to say to the world, ‘THIS is our Gold Coast!’”

The three-week festival kicks off Thursday 29 March with a free all-ages opening night party at Bond University, headlined by musical juggernaut and masters of fun, Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Bleach* Festival 2018
Various locations throughout the Gold Coast
29 March – 15 April 2018
www.bleachfestival.com.au

The play is a dark comedic drama exploring the life, art, psyche and sexuality of charismatic artist Francis Bacon, once famously described by Margaret Thatcher as “that man who paints those dreadful pictures.”

Bacon’s controversial reputation began during his tumultuous youth when he was beaten and banished from the family home after being caught wearing his mother’s stockings. He then travelled extensively throughout Europe and took a variety of jobs – and lovers – to survive, before his paintings gained attention in the 1930s for their bold, graphic and emotionally raw imagery. Success and tragedy can go hand in when you are determined to live life to the full and despite Bacon’s work selling at record breaking values, the bon vivant was haunted by the deeply personal losses of those he loved most dearly.

Writer/performer Garry Roost, known from his work in East Enders, The Bill and Black Books, had been told repeatedly of his resemblance to Francis Bacon and it was these continued comparisons that first sparked his interest in the artist.

“After researching him I immediately became struck by what an incredible human being he was,” he says. “Playing Francis has obsessed me for the past three years.”

POPE HEAD, which draws on the words and thoughts of Bacon himself, has surprised audiences with Roost’s ability to capture Bacon’s mannerisms and personality so completely.

“Maggie Skawinski, a close confidante of Bacon, came to a performance and remarked to a friend ‘it’s Francis’.

“A lot of my performance relies on instinct and a kinship of sorts” reflects Roost. “I have a natural understanding of the complexity of the man.

“I think the most powerful aspect of his legacy is how he grasped life with both hands. Bacon truly understood life.” Brisbane will be the last stop on POPE HEAD’s Australian East Coast tour, which will include performances in a number of Melbourne art galleries and a two week season in Sydney alongside the 2015 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

POPE HEAD – The Secret Life of Francis Bacon
Fri 13 & Sat 14 March, 7:30pm
Venue Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts
420 Brunswick St (Cnr Berwick St), Fortitude Valley
www.judithwrightcentre.com

Presented by Brisbane Powerhouse, BQFF is part of the inaugural MELT: A Celebration of Queer Arts and Culture. Running from 6 to 15 February 2015, the two festivals will present an exciting collection of LGBTIQ films, music, cabaret, drama and much more.

BQFF will showcase 16 high-quality film sessions that will inspire, entertain, and celebrate the strength and diversity of the international LGBTIQ community.  Sourced both internationally and locally, and featuring many award-winners, the BQFF lineup is a true introduction to queer filmmaking at its finest.

From the Opening Night Gala where heart-warming drama The Way He Looks will be presented; to the Rosemary’s Baby inspired horror film Lyle; and the Australian double documentary screenings of Croc-A-Dyke Dundee and Limited Partnership, there’s truly something for everyone at 2015’s BQFF.

2015 Brisbane Queer Film Festival
6 February, 2015 – 15 February, 2015
Palace Centro, Brisbane
www.palacecinemas.com.au