FRANKSTON’S SOUTH SIDE FESTIVAL REVEALS DAZZLING 2024 PROGRAM

“This year we celebrate the transformative power of the arts in shaping our cities with South Side showcasing and highlighting how the arts breathes new life into our urban landscape, stimulates creativity and, fosters community ties,” Mayor Nathan Conroy said. “There is also a major focus this year on our precious environment. Join us in upcycling fashion workshops, embrace sustainability and be an active coastal caretaker. By embedding environmental consciousness into South Side programming, we aim to inspire positive change and a feeling of responsibility towards our surroundings.”

Indulge your senses in a symphony of colours and lights, as Beauty Park transforms into a neon wonderland for Neon Fields. Wander through the illuminated gardens and strike a pose with the world- famous Angel Wings. Embrace the magic, ignite your imagination, and make Neon Fields your go-to destination for the whole family.

Straight from New York to Frankston’s Cube 37, immerse yourself in the camp spectacle of The Huxley’s multimedia exhibition, Gender Fluids; wander through the beautiful George Pentland Gardens and discover sound installation, Bird Spirit Child.

You can join experimental art Collective, Pony Cam, as they present The Show Goes On talking all things taboo around aging and, head to BAM Arts new work, Aspect Within, a joyful dance and theatre show breaking down stereotypes related to disability. Starting in Denmark in 2000 and now established in over 80 countries, Human Libraryoffers a space to broaden your perspective through borrowing a person, a “Human Book”, and having a conversation about their lived experience. South Side aims to provide a safe space to have challenging conversations and learn to un-judge.

• The South Side Sea Soak will celebrate the centenary of the Frankston Life Saving Club, winter beach culture and cold-water immersion enthusiasts.
• In the theme of family fun that everyone can take part in, the House of Fast Fashun is on its way to South Side Festival. You are invited to create fun new outfits out of clothing waste and become the designer, the maker, and the catwalk model. There’s no experience necessary: if you can use a safety pin, you’re halfway there!
• After 10 years of selling out festivals worldwide, the Briefs boys are in Frankston for the first time ever.  With their hills hoist poised ready to air their Dirty Laundry in this brand-new party cabaret you don’t want to miss out on. Briefs is cutting edge cabaret, amazing circus skills and the ultimate night out, with a few raunchy twists and turns.
• Witness the talent and the new work of celebrated, ARIA-nominated, award-winning Indigenous singer and songwriter Emma Donovan and her band. Songs, Stories and Soul From Family and Country is a culmination of song, storytelling and culture.
• Featuring more than 45 artists including Tina Arena, Julia Stone, Jen Cloher, Renee Geyer, Sampa the Great, and Kate Ceberano, the film, Her Sound, Her Storybrims with rage, strength, beauty and triumph: a moving and powerful dialogue that extends beyond the music industry to ask, “Where do we want women’s voices to sit in the world today?”
• Live music fuses with spoken word and film. In his one hour solo show, All The People You’ve Never Met, award winning artist, Joelistics, tells his tale as a rapper hitting middle age questioning the sanity of the world.
• Melbourne based (drag) queen of glam,Brenda Bressed, brings glitter and gorgeous in a suite of shows including sassy South Side Bingo, a chill out Sunday session and gala. And, in a special grand theatre show, see Brenda and Fanny Do The Divas as they channel the icons of stage and screen.

There is truly something for everyone at South Side Festival this May.

Head to southsidefestival.com.au for the full program.