Bleach* Festival 2022 program has landed and its jam packed with an eclectic mix of storytellers, place makers, performers, street artists and musicians who are bringing some out-of-the-box experiences to eager Gold Coast audiences.
The Gold Coast plays host to the popular 11-day fringe festival in August. With free and ticketed events and indoor at outdoor venues all across the city, there’s something for everyone. Headlining acts such as Kate Miller-Heidke and Queensland Opera share the stage with emerging and nationally acclaimed artists and performers. The festival program pays homage to First Nation artists and is curated to capture this year’s theme, ‘Listen to Your Heart’.
From street performers at the North Burleigh festival hub to quirky cabaret at Miami Marketta to an array of artists popping up at HOTA Gallery, the Botanic Gardens, Burleigh Brewing and Mudgeeraba, it’s an absolute smorgasbord of cool cultural experiences. Here’s our pick of some of the best of Bleach*.
FIRST NATIONS EXPERIENCES
Connect with Indigenous culture and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of our First Nations artists with authentic storytelling, fine dining with native ingredients and experiences that connect us to Country.
FIRST LIGHT
Celebrate the launch of Bleach* with Indigenous dance, fire and song on the sands of North Burleigh beach at dawn. The transcendental tones of the Yugambeh Aboriginal Dancers and choir led by traditional owner Lann Levinge will create a truly memorable experience.
Where: North Burleigh Hub
When: Thursday August 11, 6am
Cost: Free
BUNDJALUNG NGHARI – INDIGENISE
First Nations writers and storytellers gather to perform a collection of poems, stories, and theatrics from the ground up. A brave performance by original indigenous group NOPRA that touches on what land and ownership truly means to Aboriginal people.
Where: North Burleigh Hub
When: Friday 19th-Sunday 21st August, various times
Cost: $25
FEAST AT BLEACH*
A curated feast of some of the oldest flavours in the world by Indigenous Chef Kieron Anderson, known as the “The Quandamooka Chef” of Yalabin Dining. Be taken on a journey of the senses, a fusion of sacred native ingredients with a fine dining touch. Dine under the stars on the foreshore of Yugambeh Country beneath the magical ‘Light Flowers’ art instillation designed by Kevin O’Brien.
Where: North Burleigh Hub
When: Friday August 12, 6pm
Cost: $95
FAMILY FRIENDLY & FUN
From storytelling in the sand, high flying street performers and interactive performances from musicians and artists, there’s plenty of events and awesome activities to suit the whole family at Bleach*.
WE BUILT THIS CITY
Build the city of your dreams as Polygot Builders inspire people to think big with thousands of carboard boxes and actual skyscrapers as the backdrop. For the big and little kids, We Built This City asks you to think outside the normal box and create a world for the future. At the end you get to bust the building down with gusto, accompanied by funky DJ tunes so you can say you built your city on rock n’ roll.
Where: North Burleigh Hub
When: Saturday August 13 – Sunday 14, various times
Cost: $10
DEMI DEMO
Get ready for an explosive pop-up performance of skate, acrobatics and dance as the talented Demi Demo team unleash their skills in and around Burleigh. A creative and choregraphed street show of amped up, high level skills, it’s a short and sharp energy performance followed by a 30- minute hands on workshop. Full tilt fun for all the family.
Where: North Burleigh Hub
When: Saturday August 13- Sunday 14 August, 2pm
Cost: Free
ROLLER COASTER
A quirky combination of skate, story and song, don your roller skates and head along to Miami Marketta for an epic skate session. Ideal for all stages and ages, budding skaters can mix it up with a stellar line-up of songwriters, musicians and skaters. If watching is more your thing, grab a drink, immerse in the music making and watch the colourful roller parade pass on by.
Where: Miami Marketta
When: August 17 – 21, various sessions
Cost: Ticketed $15, under 15 free
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
The popular fringe festival brings to life a myriad of colourful performances, from quirky cabaret to interactive dance and a virtual world of splendour. Expect to be enthralled as the Bleach* 22 program unfolds, with the ocean as the backdrop and the valley over yonder, it’s the ideal festival for the young and young at heart.
VOLO DREAMS OF FLIGHT
Brought to you by Studio Go Go and the world’s only thrill engineer Brendan Walker, VOLO shoots you into orbit on purpose built flying machines (playground swings) complete with VR headset. Inspired by da Vinci’s fabulous flying machine, you’ll virtually flip and turn your way across the visual landscape back to the captivating earth.
Where: North Burleigh Hub
When: Friday August 11 – Sunday 21 from 12-8pm
Cost: Ticketed $5
MI AMOR MIAMI
When quirky cabaret and burlesque goth collide, the result is a powerful performance of theatrical art. Curated by Moira Finucane of Finucane & Smith, ‘Mi Amor Miami’ is a wild world of bars, breweries, and dive bars from across the land. Seductive and immersive theatre, conducted by Moira Finucane, a national treasure and mixer of all thing’s colour and cabaret, this is one showstopper not to miss.
Where: Miami, various locations.
When: Thursday August 18 , 5pm.
Cost: $35
RADIAL
Internationally lauded Back-to-Back theatre team up with the captivating Tralala Blip and various performers, some with disabilities, for a one night only ensemble of video art, dance, fashion and music. A mixed-ability ensemble of theatrics curated with deep electronic music; RADIAL is a collaborative filmmaking event plus a whole lot more.
Where: Burleigh Brewery
When: Friday, August 19, 6pm
Cost: Free
Delve into the Bleach* 2022 program, full of quirky characters, colourful pop-ups and live performances connecting people to place. Expect the unexpected at one of the country’s most celebrated fringe festivals. View the full festival program here.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Destination Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.