In its 3rd year, the South Side Festival is bringing engaging stories, captivating performances, and immersive experiences to Frankston City this May. Australian Arts Review takes a look at 10 events worth checking out!
Bird Child Spirit
George Pentland Botanic Gardens, Frankston: 10 – 19 May 2024
The award-winning Bird Child Spirit by composer and visual artist Peter Mcilwain is a site-specific sound installation that is delightful and beautiful. Expect the unexpected in a rich artistic experience that everyone can enjoy. Be surrounded by the sounds of bird spirit children and give your ears a chance to take in this unique music.
Dirty Laundry
Theatre – Frankston Arts Centre: Friday 10 May 2024
After 10 years of selling out festivals worldwide, the Briefs boys are heading to Frankston with their hills hoist poised ready to air their Dirty Laundry in this brand-new party cabaret. Led by Fez Faanana (aka Shivanana), your favourite Briefs misfits will give you a night of intoxicating physicality, gob-smacking comedy, unapologetic truths, and ridiculous showmanship.
type-a-poet
Frankston Arts Centre: Saturday 11 & 18 May 2024 – 1.30pm
Part side show, part arty spiritual reading, award-winning performer/writer Andi Snelling combines her love of vintage typewriters with improvised word wizardry in a one-on-one performance art experience like no other. Set in a pop-up Temple of Poetry, type-a-poet is a live co-creation with its audience, one visitor at a time. In complete silence for ten intimate minutes, you will be transported to another realm, with a personalised inked gift for you to keep at the end.
The Huxleys: Gender Fluids
Cube 37 Glass Box and Foyer Gallery: 10 May – 8 June 2024
Gender Fluids pays tribute to the ingenuity and resilience of the natural world by honouring the gender fluidity of specific sea creatures and capturing their luminescent glory in playful, sparkling tableaus. The exhibition features photography, costume and video art by The Huxleys.
House of Fast Fashun
Frankston Arts Centre: 11 – 19 May 2024
House of Fast Fashun allows you to become the designer, the maker, and the catwalk model of recycled clothing! Join the Fast Fashun team in rummaging through the piles of discarded clothing, presenting a runway show, and keeping your zero-waste garment!
All The People You’ve Never Met
Cube 37 – Frankston Arts Theatre: Saturday 11 May 2024
Live music fuses with spoken word and film in this one hour show written and performed by award-winning musician/rapper/story teller Joel Ma (Joelistics). This is a story about how stories themselves heal us, exploring the joys and tragedies that stitch the world together. Underscored by myth, euphemism, hyperbole, sentiment, anecdote and wild ramblings applied to family history, cultural identity and major health scares.
The Show Goes On
Cube 37 – Frankston Arts Centre: Sunday 12 May 2024
An informal showing of passionate, playful, and provocative performance material developed and created by Pony Cam alongside a group of local community members aged 55+. Exploring legacy, intergenerational communication, and the taboos around age, The Show Goes On will be an informal sharing of the discoveries made throughout this creative process.
Neon Fields
Beauty Park, Frankston: 17 – 19 May 2024
Set to illuminate Frankston, it’s the perfect place whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely wander through the illuminated gardens, a charming evening picnic surrounded by the glow of neon, or striking a pose with the world famous Angel Wings, Neon Fields has some for every adventurer!
Brenda’s South Side Gala
Cube 37 – Frankston Arts Centre: Friday 17 May 2024
Fierce, Fabulous & Fantastic! Step into a world of excitement at our spectacular South Side Gala, hosted by Melbourne’s premier singing Drag Queen: Brenda Bressed, and featuring fierce looks and fabulous tunes by Teddy Clitter, Valencia, Florian Wild and Fanny Adams.
Brenda and Fanny do the Divas!
Theatre – Frankston Arts Centre: Saturday 18 May 2024
Indulge in an evening of glamour and grandeur, as Brenda Bressed and Fanny Adams bring you the Divas! Prepare to be captivated as they channel iconic divas, transforming into the legends of stage and screen. From the heavenly vocals of Judy Garland, the theatrical flair of Liza Minnelli, the iconic moves of Tina Turner and many more! Brenda and Fanny have a fabulous, natural banter and are sure to leave you in stitches with their quick-witted comedy!
The 2024 South Side Festival takes place across Frankston from 10 – 19 May. For more information and full program, visit: www.southsidefestival.com.au for details.
Image: All This Could Be Yours by Pony Cam – photo by Darren Gill