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DAZZLING ARTS FESTIVAL SHINES AT FRANKSTON’S SOUTH SIDE
Frankston’s captivating South Side Festival offers a stunning celebration of arts and culture that fuses talent and venues with the absolute best of the contemporary arts scene.
Frankston’s captivating South Side Festival offers a stunning celebration of arts and culture that fuses talent and venues with the absolute best of the contemporary arts scene.
Mayor Nathan Conroy joined performers and artists for the 2024 program launch at Frankston’s Cube 37 venue. Councillors Sue Baker and David Asker, as well as CEO Phil Cantillon and Manager Arts and Culture, Tammy Ryan, also attended.
“This year we celebrate the transformative power of the arts in shaping Cities with South Side showcasing and highlighting how the arts breathes new life into our urban landscape, stimulates creativity and fosters community ties,” Mayor Conroy said.
“Through compelling stories, spellbinding performances and immersive experiences we’re bringing people together, stimulating conversations and enduring connections.
“There’s 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 embracing environmental consciousness into South Side, we aim to inspire positive change and a feeling of responsibility towards our surroundings – as well as celebrating our shared humanity and creativity … and our commitment to making Frankston an even more vibrant and inclusive place to call home.”
Mayor Conroy encouraged all to sample everything that South Side has to offer and enjoy the magnificent festival.
ARIA-nominated, award-winning Indigenous singer and songwriter Emma Donovan will bring her Songs, Stories & Soul from Family & Country show – featuring her trademark soul/ country songs and new music recorded in Gumbaynggirr and Noongar languages – to South Side.
“I want to share my story with Australia and the world, and I want audiences to hear my songs and languages to enhance their knowledge of our expansive history of this country,” she said.
Also telling the stories of women in Australian music, the film Her Sound, Her Story features conversations with more than 45 women from the Australian music industry, including Tina Arena, Julia Stone, Jen Cloher and Renee Geyer, as they prompt the question: where do we want women’s voices to sit in the world today?
Drag performer Brenda Bressed said: “I can’t wait to bring all glam and glitter of drag to South Side. Whether you’re in the mood for an evening of iconic Diva performances or a fabulous Bingo Brunch, we will have you entertained for days.”
The festival features experimental art Collective, Pony Cam, presenting The Show Goes On talking all things taboo around aging. There’s also BAM Arts’ new work Aspect Within – a joyful dance and theatre show breaking down stereotypes related to disability. Award winning musician and producer Joel Ma (Joelistics) fuses live music with spoken word and film in his show All The People You’ve Never Met.
Check out the free activities, including South Side Sea Soak on Saturday, 11 May. Enjoy a chilly dip in the bay to celebrate the centenary of the Frankston Life Saving Club. Step into a world of radiant enchantment at Beauty Park where the wonder of Neon Fields awaits visitors of all ages, embrace the magic and ignite your imagination. Walk through George Pentland Gardens to experience Bird Child Spirit, an auditory delight featuring the voices of students from Seaford Primary School imitating the sounds of birds.
South Side Festival, 10 – 19 May, is proudly sponsored by EastLink. With more than 40 events, it’s time to embark on this adventure. Tickets are available and for more information, please
