Your guide to the Melbourne Fringe Festival November 2020
If lockdown has proven anything, it’s that you can’t keep a good Melbourne artist down. So sit back and get set for the most surprising and exciting Fringe Festival yet. Here’s a taste of what’s on.
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The Melbourne Fridge Festival has launched an exiting program to welcome Melbourne back into the city.
The festival will run from November 12 to 29 in city theatres, galleries, public spaces, venues and online to meet COVID-safe requirements.
The late night party vibes Melburnians love will continue with a series of at home fringe club events designed to get you off the couch, painting some glitter on and busting a move.
Events include artists from every Melbourne suburb battling to win fridge-o-vision and a karaoke knockdown to loosen your vocal chords.
Melbourne Fringe Festival Creative Director Simon Abrahams said organisers were optimistic all events would go ahead along with many COVID-safe performances planned.
“Our theme is arts of the impossible which definitely sums up 2020 in every way,” he said.
“People can gather in ways we never imagined before, there will be lots of online (fringe) gatherings and even performances behind glass in shopping windows.
“We have thought of different ways that we can come together and have created telephone art where people can call and have a one-on-one performance on the phone.
“There’s an even called Dial and Artist where you call 1300 FRINGE and at the end of the phone will be an artists, ask them anything you like.
“There are one or two events that are subject to restrictions lifting but we are filled with optimism and hoping by the end of November (all) events will be possible.”
Big Day In
Ian Pidd tells the true story of his parent’s testing positive to COVID-19 while living in an aged-care home and how he played them music through the window while they recovered. For this performance a live band will play outside aged-care homes in Melbourne and be live streamed online. Showing November 24 to 29.
Such Is Now – Isolation Diorama Project
An installation where the show is viewed through two large eyes and a Ned Kelly Helmet painted on the window of the Rose Chong Costumiers shop.
Australian contemporary artist Jacqui Stockdale began hand making miniatures from her solo project based on the retelling of the Ned Kelly myth. Showing November 12 to 29.
Losing Touch
Held at the Abbotsford Convent this event is one of the first at the infamous space after Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdown. The performance art explores touch, distance and technology. Made over long distance between composer Antonia Barnett-McIntosh and performance artist Sara Cowdell. The show investigates the impact of touch in our lives and the lack of physical contact and connection we experience while socially distancing. Showing November 25.
Tomás Ford: Come Have A Bath With Me
A unique experience performed from a bath with audiences watching the live electronic pop performances from home. The audience can open their laptop and watch the Perth cabaret cult icon perform in the tub. Showing November 14 to 28.
The People of Cabaret
A cabaret showcase of artists of colour featuring a range of performances aiming to uplift and celebrate the world of cabaret, burlesque and circus. Showing November 10, 17 and 24.
Platform
A techno party hosted online inside a private Minecraft server over five hours where players can choose their own avatar and travel through new landscapes, attend galleries and interact with each other. Showing November 20.
Horizontal Tasting with The Wine Bluffs
Wine Bluffs Damian Callinan and Paul Calleja say they are the sommeliers of comedy and they are bringing an interactive show to fringe this year. The performance will take you through a tongue in cheek wine masterclass. Choose a three or six pack of wine to be delivered to your door before the show and enjoy. Showing November 27 to 28.
Conservatory
This single performer instillation is being streamed from inside a greenhouse where a limited live audience can view the work through the windows while physically distancing. Showing November 21.
Known to celebrate the weird and wonderful the program will include 250 shows taking place either outdoors, digitally, in the home, via audio, behind glass or over the phone.
The theme is called ‘Most Impossible’ after most artists creating their performances and work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To find out more about the fringe festival this year and see the full list of events on sale head to melbournefringe.com.au
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Contact Grace at grace.mckinnon@news.com.au