The West’s Premier Arts Festival Returns

Published on 05 September 2019

The inner west is home to a rich, diverse and thriving arts community and you can experience some of our best talent in action this November as Due West Arts Festival takes over the City.

Presented by Maribyrnong City Council and produced by Footscray Community Arts Centre,  over 10 days, through the lens of ‘Voice, Sound and Music’, venues across the City will burst into life with art, performance, film and music as the West’s premier arts festival delivers imaginative and unforgettable arts experiences.

Highlights of the 2019 program include….

Snuff Party – image by Theresa Harrison

Expect only the unexpected on this night of puppets, music and debauchery like no other! Hosted by Footscray’s very own Snuff Puppets, the evening includes performances created by artist development program Snuff Labb – culminating in an unforgettable, undeniable all-out puppet party.

Kith – image by Sam Wong

Get ready to break it down with L2R Dance! KITH is a performance piece crafted by emerging hip hop dancers from local non-profit organisation, L2R Dance.  Performers will explore the rhythmic exchange between movement and music in a showcase that celebrates the many cultural communities coexisting in the West. 

The Children of the Evolution – image by Bryony Jackson

A gang of gutsy kids turn up the heat and crank the volume in this riotous chat show with a difference! Armed with microphones, questioning minds and big imaginations, kids are free to ask the difficult questions that adults don’t always want to answer. Co-created with Director Jackson Castiglione, Flynn Murphy, Mani Bishop, Lola McCann and dramaturgs Penny Baron and Carolyn Hanna.

Up Bunbury Street – image by Angela Lynkushka

Take a step back in time with Heather and Bill Horrocks (former Mayor of Footscray) on a historical tour through the streets of Footscray. Learn about the people who made their mark on the City, such as Mr William Cooper, a political activist and Aboriginal community leader; Maisie Fawcett, feminist, botanist and early environmentalist; and George Seelaf, an active trade unionist that spearheaded the restoration of Henderson House as a community arts centre (now part of Footscray Community Arts Centre).

A word from the Mayor, Cr Martin Zakharov:

"Brace yourselves for 10 days of exceptional arts, showcasing some of our best local talent in the west.

“We thank the Victorian Government for its ongoing support for this exciting arts festival, which we are thrilled to include in Festival City calendar.”