The Floriade Fringe: Wild and untamed

Posted on 19 October, 2017

They say that it takes a village to raise a child.

But for the inaugural Floriade Fringe Festival, it takes a travelling bohemian festival company called The Village to put the spark into a crazy idea.

To complement and contrast with Canberra’s long-standing floral festival, The Floriade Fringe will show the other side of the coin. Instead of tamed and groomed garden beds, The Floriade Fringe promises a wild weekend that invites visitors to “discover an alternative utopian environment where experimentation is the norm”.

Kicking off today and running until late Saturday night, The Fringe will transform Haig Park across 19-21 October with three huge days filled with theatre, art, music, food and dancing. And the best part? Entry to all but a couple of shows is by donation alone.

So what can you look forward to?

SHAKE IT OFF

Aside from shenanigans such as So You Think You Can Interpretive Dance and Set Yourself Free dance sessions, these events will be catnip for dancers and lovers of dance alike.

10 minutes in Heaven

Like a rollercoaster, but with more lights, music and dancing. Line up for the craziest 10 minutes of your life at a 10 Minute Dance Party.

Head into the Pleasure Container for a dance party featuring different DJs every night and hosted by the inimitable Allan Sko.

Artists-in-Residence, Australian Dance Party

A new work commissioned exclusively for Floriade Fringe, ‘SEAMLESS’ is about the unsustainable addiction to the fashion industry and will feature Canberra contemporary dance company Australian Dance Party, as well as many local collaborators such as local fashion designer Charne Esterhuizen and stylist Nina Gbor. Find out more here.

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS

Expect a knock-out music program featuring headliners L-Fresh the Lion (Sydney) and The Burnt Sausages (Melbourne), up-and-coming Sydney funkster Thunder Fox.

This is in addition to the best of Canberra’s emerging and established musos including Moaning Lisa, Brass Knuckle Brass Band, Los Chavos, BabyFreeze, Endrey, The Ugly Bunyip Band, Ample Sample, Dr Stovepipe and Mr Tim.

WEIRDLY WONDERFUL

Time to get up close to some of Australia’s leading performance artists in what are some of the most spontaneous performances of the Festival.

Church of Burt

Anya Anastasia: Rogue Romantic

Red-hot cabaret with all original songs backed by an all-female band? Yes please.

Hilarious musical comedy, intense audience participation, and an abundance of glamour. Happening at The Kiss Club, Thursday and Friday at 7.30pm. Tickets only $20. Book now.

Chris Endrey: Withdrawal Method

Some gags, some amateur philosophy, some tinned spaghetti: this high grade performance will leave you wondering why but hopefully also, why not? Happening at Sunhouse, Saturday 21 October at 8:30pm. Tickets only $15. Book now.

You can also join in the Fringe fun – as always, active participation is key!

The world-renowned Snuff Puppets will also bring their Snuff Skool to the event and give lucky visitors a chance to learn the art of performing with giant street puppets. Book in for the free workshop here.

Opportunities to get creative include The Village favourites such as WonderWorld, the world’s strangest Sideshow Alley

SWAP AND SHOP

Love to shop but don’t want to cost the earth? The Fringe will promote sustainable fashion through the collaboration of their Clothes Swap with dance act, Seamless performed by Australian Dance Party. Happening at Pleasure Container, Friday 6:00pm to 8 pm. Entry is free, however, tickets need to be booked in advance. No time to waste – book here.

MEALS AND MADNESS

Once you’ve worked up an appetite in a 10 minute Dance Party, head to The Fringe’s selection of street food stalls such as:

• Bentspoke – (Beers and ciders)
• MANDALAY BUS (The most delish sweet and savoury combinations ever)
• Chameleon Ice Creamery (Ice creams, milkshakes)
• Le Petit Breton (French style crepes)
• Screaming Jimmy’s Burgers
• The Bell Tent (Hot chocolate, hot turmeric, protein balls, dumplings)
• Canberra Magic Kitchen (Soups, stews, crepes)

In the mood for something a little quirkier?

The Village will bring its performative and outrageously fun food stage, The World Kitchen, to Haig Park. Perfect for those with an appetite for meals and madness.

Want more? You can find the full program by clicking here.

the essentials

What: The Floriade Fringe Festival
When: Thursday 19 October, 5pm – 11pm, Friday 20 October, 5pm – 1am and Saturday 21 October, 1pm – 1am
Where: Haig Park, Braddon
Price: Entry is by donation (with all donations going to artists)

This is a sponsored editorial. For more information on sponsored editorials, click here. 

All images supplied.