The underground cultural supernova of the Sydney Fringe is about to blow our minds wide open. Specialising in all things weird, beautiful, gritty and wonderful, the Fringe is here to stimulate and entertain, without burning a hole in your pocket. Hosting over 80 shows and exhibitions across 19 venues, there is an overwhelming amount of creative goodness to choose from, so here are just a few of our picks for the festival.
THEATRE/PERFORMANCE: It wouldn't be the Fringe if you didn't find yourself watching something hilarious, absurd and downright difficult to explain to your colleagues around the water cooler on Monday. For a dose of the unique and inexplicable, look no further than
Level 7, produced by the much-loved Japanese black theatre pranksters, Gumbo. This high-energy trio are a train crash between monkey magic and Japanese game show. Their latest offering manages to take a comic slant on the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster trifecta that hit Japan earlier this year: meet three irradiated survivors marooned in a resort and determined to go out with a radioactive bang, framed in a reality TV show. Their exuberance often extends to the audience, so think twice before sitting in the front rows.
BURLESQUE:
Anything Goes Cabaret beckons you back to the 1920s to feast on the seductive depravity of Weimar Berlin, a dangerous and decadent scene that flourished between the wars. Master of ceremonies 'the Blue Angel' will guide you through an underground repertoire that spans burlesque, cabaret, boylesque and drag. Located at the Supper Club on Oxford Street (where else?), be prepared for high calibre performances from the likes of Venus Vamp, burlesque dancer Cherri Lush, cabaret singer Black Paul, Boylesque Jester Smilez, contortionist Strawberry Shortcake and of course the tap-dancing transvestite and MC, the Blue Angel.
DANCE: Let the rhythm take over as Sydney locals Studio 101 catapult audiences through a breathtaking showcase of African and Latin choreography. Described as a dance clusterbomb,
101 l'Afrique seamlessly spans West African, Afro-Contemporary, negro spiritual, disco and popping and locking. This energetic performance delivers an amazing tribute to the African diaspora. Don't just sit there, get up and shake your moneymaker to Australian DMC champion, DJ A$K, who mixes up a storm to finish off the night.
COMEDY: Catherine Deveny gave
Luke Escombe five stars, but don't let that put you off. Recently returned from the Edinburgh Festival, Escombe - self-described comedian, MC and pimp - is back in his hometown to serve up his unique style of comedic songwriting, which he whimsically refers to as 'flip flop'. Wielding a mighty Casio keyboard and an acoustic guitar, Luke waxes lyrical on jihads, masturbation, golden retrievers and emos. Not necessarily in that order.
MUSIC: After releasing two EPs and supporting the likes of Belle and Sebastian, The New Pornographers and Holly Throsby, indie foursome
Little Scout will perform songs from their debut album
Take Your Light on Saturday 11 September. The Tickle sisters (for real!), Mel and Kirsty, describe their music as 'dreamy and dynamic', and one listen to first single 'We Are Walking Out' proves that they're spot on. Sweet, hazy and intricate, it's worth checking out these Brisbanites before they hit the big time.
Just the tip of the creative iceberg, get your head around the hundreds of other events on offer between September 9 and October 2 on
thesydneyfringe.com.au.