Full Bloom
The desert comes alive in September, and not just because of all the blooming wildflowers. Artists are bustling to gear up to their shows for the annual Desert Festival, works they’ve been preparing for all year long.
By Zoya Godoroja-Prieckaerts
For 11 lively days, September comes to its climax as artists bloom into full flower and power, to share their vibrant expressions with lucky audiences.
Desert Festival producers, Red Hot Arts, have been in full swing this year, offering a new program to local artists to lend a helping hand (and a bit of handy funding!) to support shows for this year’s festival.
Project Seed has worked closely with 11 locally made creative projects since the beginning of the year, offering their support through funding, expertise and practical time and space.
“Projects have received mentoring and support, and this incubation program has really helped us to invest in local art and champion local creators,” says Red Hot Arts’ Heather Edmonds.
“This year, the Festival showcases dance, visual arts, a mural, theatre, sculpture, circus, physical theatre, an accessible arts panel, choral workshop, clowning and music, even a show that’s demonstrating how to grow oyster mushrooms using buffel grass.”
It’s really the full shebang. With so many shows in the busy 11 days, you’ll find something beautiful, something explosive, something curious, something for every one of you.
Elliat Rich shares mystifying installation Between Stars and Quarks, celebrating the micro and macro of our wondrous world, the tiny atoms that make us us, and the enormous ideas that shape our lives.
Listen to Jakartan artist Putrika weave her alt-soul electronica sound through a queer, kinky and glam garden party at Thorn & Thistle, or let The Nestmakers take you deep down into a dystopian bunker below the earth, a dark-humoured theatre performance of comedy and tragic reality that will make you laugh and cry.
There are new and emerging artists, as well as big names like Sydney Opera House performer Lady Lash, a Kokatha-Greek musician. With her sultry vocals, this “spiritual misfit” collaborates with local powerhouses Kirra Voller and Ray Ray to create a special evening of music and soul, under the dazzling Mparntwe stars.
And it doesn’t end there – there’s more, and more, and more!
The festival theme ‘Bloom’ gives you an idea of the great beauty, freshness and radiance you’ll experience from our flourishing art scene, an array of power and charm in our spirited Centre.
There’s heaps of free events and great bundle deals, so be sure to grab your tickets, support local art, and get your fix of some bloomin’ good creativity.
Click here to check out the program.
Desert Festival
WHEN THU 22 SEP – SUN 2 OCT
AT FESTIVAL HUB AT THE GAP VIEW HOTEL
COST FREE-$75
INFO desfest.com
Photos: Oliver Eclipse
