This August, the Gold Coast is set to transform into a hub of creativity and artistic expression with the return of Bleach Festival. From August 1 to 11, the contemporary arts festival – now in its 13th year – will offer more than 30 shows and 110 performances. Contributions from some 400 Australian and international artists, including luminaries such as Bree van Reyk, Ellen van Neerven and the acclaimed dance company The Farm, will see music, dance, theatre and art come to the Sunshine State.

Here are nine of the best events to check out at Bleach Festival.

First Light

Bleach Festival kicks off at dawn on August 1 with this performance from Australia’s leading didgeridoo virtuoso, William Barton, alongside soul vocalist Mohini Cox and band the Sunrises. At 6am, enjoy a blend of spoken word, music and song as the sun rises over the coast.
Ed Hardy Park, The Esplanade, North Burleigh
Free
Thursday August 1

Ten

Marking a decade of artistic innovation, the Farm (which has performed at the Venice Biennale and the Barbican) present Ten, a multidisciplinary performance featuring movement, sound and theatre. Witness the creative process with live rehearsals each evening at 6pm, culminating in a final performance on August 10.
Ed Hardy Park, The Esplanade, North Burleigh
Free
Friday August 2 to Saturday August 10

Playbook

Explore the dynamic world of contemporary circus with Playbook, an immersive show by Australian virtuosos Gravity & Other Myths. The performance delves into the allegro tempo of life via acrobatics.
The Esplanade, North Burleigh & Broadbeach Cultural Precinct, Mermaid Waters
Free
Friday August 2 & Sunday August 4

Wayfinders: A Journey to the Pacific

Experience the power of community and culture on August 2 with a choir performance led by Rubina Kimiia. This moving tribute features more than 100 Pasifika voices, celebrating the rich traditions of the Pacific Islands.
Broadbeach Cultural Precinct, Mermaid Waters
Free
Friday August 2

Slow Art - Sounds of the Valley

For those seeking a unique and contemplative experience, Slow Art - Sounds Of the Valley offers a series of performances against the backdrop of Tallebudgera Valley. Featuring talents like Karl S Williams, Christine Johnston, Bree van Reyk and Erik Griswold, this event pairs music with gourmet picnics from Palette Restaurant to feed your mind and soul.
Cost $109
Saturday August 10 & Sunday August 11

Swim

Themes of identity and belonging are explored in Swim, a debut stage work by award-winning Mununjali author Ellen van Neerven (Heat and Light; Personal Score). Running over the festival’s opening weekend at Home of the Arts, the piece questions the intersections of water sovereignty, gender identity and cultural heritage.
Home of the Arts – Outdoor Theatre Stage, Surfers Paradise
Cost $29 – $39
Thursday August 1 to Sunday August 4

River of Gold

From August 2, the Nerang River will be lit up by an installation created by Brisbane lighting design studio After All. Follow the map of the Gold Coast waterway as River of Gold illuminates both natural and cultural landscape, reframing the significance of place and history.
Broadbeach Cultural Precinct, Mermaid Waters
Free
Friday August 2 & Saturday August 3

Newretro: Duets

Acclaimed choreographer Lucy Guerin AO will present Duets, a series of two-person dance performances. This showcase, alongside the 21-screen installation of Guerin’s archival works, highlights her significant contributions to contemporary dance. Five different performances will rotate throughout the day; guests can either buy a ticket to an individual performance or a “marathon” ticket if they’re keen to see the journey in full.
Home of the Arts – Outdoor Theatre Stage, Surfers Paradise
Cost $20 – $39
Saturday August 3 & Sunday August 4

Last Light

Bleach Festival wraps up with Last Light, an eight-piece electrical guitar performance developed by triple Grammy Award-winning flautist Tim Munro and composer Thomas Green, followed by a beach party where soul group Blackline Band will play.
Ed Hardy Park, The Esplanade, North Burleigh
Free
Sunday August 11

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