Spectacular shows abound as tens of thousands flock to Dark Mofo

DARK MOFO: MORE than 10,000 people flocked to Dark Mofo’s dazzling opening weekend of events and the winter buzz will continue.

MORE than 10,000 people flocked to Dark Mofo’s dazzling opening weekend of events and the winter buzz is set to continue this week as ticket sales soar.

Tasmanians have long had a reputation for buying tickets at the last minute, but are so enamoured with Dark Mofo offerings they are willing to make an exception.

Tickets to some events — including In Praise of Darkness, Motel Dreaming and The Red Death Ball — have already sold out, while tickets to many other events are selling fast. That includes the three-person puppet show It’s Dark Outside, which opens today and stars Arielle Gray, who transforms into her elderly on-stage persona, above right, and fellow puppeteers Tim Watts, left, and Chris Isaacs.

Friday’s opening night attracted more than 10,000 festival-goers to the city’s waterfront, with more than 3000 people packing the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery for its A Night at the Museum event.

Meanwhile, thousands more rugged-up visitors took to the streets over the weekend to engage with public artwork Articulated Intersect by ­Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.

The light beams – and the giant illuminated rabbit outside the IXL building – have been drawing throngs of people to the waterfront each night like moths to a flame.

About 5500 also ventured underground to check out the Different Rhythms exhibitions by Ross Manning in the Hobart Town Hall Underground and Prince of Wales Battery and Dark Mofo Films at the State Cinema have been selling out daily.

The Dark Mofo Winter Feast is going to be a highlight for many, with 35 per cent of tickets already sold.

The food and wine extravaganza, which features plenty of live music and roving entertainers – as well as the Ferris Wheel of Death – was free last year, but a $10 cover charge for adults (under 16s are free) was introduced this year to make it bigger and better.

There will be more stalls and entertainment and the event will spill out of Princes Wharf No.1 onto Salamanca Lawns, providing more space for patrons.

Last year the event attracted 12,000 each night, with similar numbers expected this year.

Tasmanians seem undeterred by the $10 cover charge, snapping up tickets early to ensure they don’t miss out on the event, which runs from Thursday to Saturday from 4pm to 10pm.

Other highlights this week include three performances of multimedia puppet show It’s Dark Outside at the Theatre Royal as well as a performance by vocalist Diamanda Galas.

The festival’s nightclub Dark Faux Mo kicks off this Thursday along with headlining concerts from Sunn O))), Kirin J Callinan, The Bronx and more, while kids will love shows by Yo Gabba Gabba.

MONA will throw open its doors tomorrow from 6pm to midnight with gallery spaces filled with performers, musicians and new installations.

TODAY’S PROGRAM

10am to 5pm: A Rebours by Pat Brassington at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Free.

10am to 5pm: An Inn for Phantoms by Michael Goldberg at Narryna Heritage Museum, 103 Hampden Rd, Battery Point. Free.

12-5pm: 50 Ways to Kill Renny Kodgers by the Twilight Girls and Renny Kodgers. Contemporary Art Tasmania, 27 Tasma St, North Hobart. Free.

6pm: Articulated Intersect by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer on the Hobart waterfront. Nightly until sunrise. Free.

6pm: All this Mayhem (Dark Mofo Films) at the State Cinema. $16/$18.

7pm: It’s Dark Outside at the Theatre Royal. $30 to $40.

www.darkmofo.net.au