Fringe Westside swings into Footscray

Published on 02 October 2023

Fringe Westside is back from 3–22 October with an exciting program of live events as part of the 2023 Melbourne Fringe Festival. This year's line-up promises a mesmerising blend of art, culture, and entertainment, guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.

Swing, the festival's signature piece for 2023, will offer an exhilarating experience as you fly high above Footscray Train Station on an oversized eight-metre high swing (or you can just watch from the safety of the ground). Meanwhile in nearby Nicholson Street Mall, One Fell Swoop Circus will be presenting In Common – a powerful new pop-up circus show defying the laws of physics, featuring an impossible structure made of steel and rope, suspended with invisible tension. Both of these playful public art events are free.

The Bluestone Church Arts Space will also be hosting three original and thought-provoking shows. Te Ara Hononga – the Māori Martial Arts School – delivers the captivating essence of Māori culture, including storytelling, music, humor, haka, and Mau Rākau (Māori weaponry) in their performance, Te Pō: The Mean As Māori Show. While Someday We'll Find It offers a low-fi experimental theatrical experience that delves into the intricacies of attention, the world of Google, and the challenges of playwriting, blending live performance and multimedia. Lastly, The Astonishing Comet Boombox promises a hilariously witty comedy exploring post-internet truths and AI manipulation, all while taking unexpected twists and turns.

Melbourne Fringe shows will also feature at Footscray Community Arts and Pride of Our Footscray during October.

For a detailed schedule of events and more information, please visit our website.

Message from the Mayor, Cr Sarah Carter

Council is excited to partner with Melbourne Fringe to present Fringe Westside again this year.

Maribyrnong boasts a vibrant and increasingly innovative community. Through our Festivals, Activations and Arts and Culture initiatives, Council takes great pride in nurturing and endorsing the arts, which greatly enrich the cultural and civic tapestry of Maribyrnong. I encourage you to explore our creatively thriving city via the Fringe Westside program and discover why the inner west continues to attract numerous artists, pioneers, and change-makers.

Join us for Fringe Westside because … nowhere does Fringe like Melbourne's west!

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