Hoorah! The Valley Fiesta is back for 2018 with a new format, over five fun-filled days from Wednesday 29 August to Sunday 2 September. The program is packed with a diverse range of entertainment. Valley Fiesta began in 1997 so this is in its 22nd year and you will enjoy live music and performances, theatre, workshops, pop-ups, great food, theatre and visual arts. Over 40 venues in Fortitude Valley are participating, so there is sure to be something for everyone.
"Main Ring" in Brunswick Street Mall is new for the Fiesta and hosts daily FREE entertainment including Le Coup Cabaret, a high-flying show by Brisbane's circus troupe Company 2, which has performances every day. Other free program highlights include original percussion performances by Clapstick Flashmob, the QUBE Effect finalists, and K-Pop Korean extravaganza. The Fiesta's Official Opening Ceremony is on at 6.00 pm at Main Ring on Wednesday 29th. That will be followed at 6.30 pm with Clapstick Flashmob,7.00 pm with Le Coup Cabaret and at 8.00 pm is All that Remains indigenous show by Digi Youth Arts. Watch out for the visual art installations, Bogan Bingo, and the Laneway Party too. 4ZZZ is closing Valley Fiesta with a pop-up oasis on the Chinatown car park rooftop. Chill out on Sunday 2nd from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm for a garden party in spectacular tropical surrounds.
My regular readers know how much I love Anywhere Festival, and some of the most popular shows are back for another season at Valley Fiesta. These shows are part of the new initiative Anywhere Presents, presenting performances anywhere outside Anywhere Festival. Did you get that? Here are some of my favourites:
The Good Time Boys (Anywhere Theatre website)
The Good Time Boys also sold-out their Anywhere Festival 2018 shows and now Brisbane's self-proclaimed "10th best comedy group" are back. And best of all is that the ticket price is not $69 as you may think from the name - tickets are a bargain at $5.00. In today's modern world where hostile takeovers are common, the Good Time Boys are a final bastion of hope against corporate USA and its evil leader - Mr Disney Man who's buying up Intellectual Property faster than fast food. The Boys are taking them down - one comedy sketch at a time. There are three performances at The Daily Planet at 228 Wickham Street in the Valley:
Wednesday 29 August at 7.00 pm
Thursday 30 August at 4.30 pm
Friday 31 August at 4.30 pm,
Tickets are only $5.00. Book
here
Catch Ride (image from Valley Fiesta website)
Imagine receiving a text which tells you where to meet - on a particular footpath. Wait. A few other people are there who apparently got the same message. then you get another text and it is time to find the party. A car before pulls up. You all get in. You are being taken for a ride!
Friday 31 August at 6:30 pm, 7:45 pm, and 8:45 pm
Saturday 1 September at 6:30 pm, 7:45 pm, and 8:45 pm. Book
here
Rosie at the Windmill (Anywhere Theatre website)
After a critically-acclaimed, sold-out season at Anywhere Festival 2018 this blindfolded (the audience not the actors) theatrical experience comes to Valley Fiesta. In the dark, your sixth sense will come alive with the story of a convict girl in the hell that was the Moreton Bay Penal Colony. It stars Will Boyd, Aimee Monement, Jo Willans and Michael Nunn in a mash-up of scary campfire ghost stories, popular true crime podcast
Casefile, and folk songs that will tickle your senses. A true sensory experience. Look into Brisbane's convict past at the Holy Trinity Hall at 147 Brookes Street, Fortitude Valley. There three dates and five performances:
Friday 31 August at 7.00 pm and 8.30 pm
Saturday 1 September at 7.00 pm and 8.30pm
Sunday 2 September at 7.00 pm.
Tickets are $30.00 each and the performance lasts 45 minutes. Book
here
Old Windmill built by convicts in 1828 (May Cross)
.
It is on every Saturday until 27 October. Bring your friends and family along to solve puzzles, complete a variety of tricky tasks and work together in a "gamified" theatrical experience exploring the Museum of Brisbane's current exhibition
Life in Irons: Brisbane's Convict Stories. It is suitable for all ages, with group discounts available including during the school holidays. Saturdays 2.00 pm and 4.00pm. Book
here
A Convict's Hope (image from MoB website)
For further details and the full program, see Valley Fiesta
official website.
