Bleach beckons

Bleach Festival announces the largest program in its history to celebrate its 12th anniversary.

25 June 2024

From North Burleigh headland to the green hills of Tallebudgera Valley; from ebb and flow of Nerang River to the rooftop of HOTA, the 13th BLEACH* festival invites audiences to ‘listen to their heart’ and discover epic and intimate out-of-the-box experiences connected to Australia’s Gold Coast.

BLEACH*, one of the country’s most unique arts and cultural festivals, has unveiled its jam-packed signature place-based 2024 program, running 1 to 11 August. The program features eight world premieres and 18 Queensland premieres, all while supporting local, state, national and international artists.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said BLEACH* has celebrated uniquely Queensland stories and places for more than a decade, presenting rich and inclusive arts programming and showcasing the Gold Coast and Queensland as cultural tourism destinations.

“This year’s vibrant program of almost 40 productions, presented by 400 talented Queensland, national and international artists, will bring communities together to engage and connect with arts and cultural experiences at four beautiful locations across the Gold Coast,” Minister Enoch said.

Choral on the River. during BLEACH 2024.

The Mirror at HOTA is described as "a physical masterpiece that explores the concept of what the modern human finds entertaining in a world dominated by screens and social media". Pic: Andy Phillipson.

TEN delves deep into The Farm’s 10 year-strong repertoire of bold, inclusive and non-conforming art.

Playbook is a new promenade piece of acrobatic physical theatre by Gravity & Other Myths.

Moon River makes good use of the backdrop of Gold Coast waterways.

HEXADECA is an installation - a melodic playground made up of fibreglass seats that activate music when you sit on them. Pic: Morgan-Sette.

“BLEACH* helps deliver on our 10-year Creative Together strategy to renew and transform Queensland through creativity with a focus on building a strong, sustainable arts sector in Queensland, growing jobs for artists and arts workers, activating our stunning places and spaces and boosting the state’s creative economy.”

“The Queensland Government’s support for BLEACH* and the Queensland artists and companies showcased across the 2024 festival, recognises the important role of the arts in strengthening our communities and cultural reputation as we prepare to host the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Minister Enoch said.

What better way to satiate South-East Queensland’s growing appetite for all things arts, than with stories of grand spectacle contrasted with intimate moments that underscore a contemporary Gold Coast. BLEACH* 2024 will transform the city’s beachside esplanades, cultural precincts and inland gems by delivering 11 days of pulsating performances.

“BLEACH* is the jewel in the Gold Coast’s cultural crown,” said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. “We can’t wait to again experience world premieres, special performances, and homegrown talent in unique locations across our city this August.”

The Gold Coast’s flagship annual arts and cultural celebration will feature four main hubs, which include the beachside haven of North Burleigh, Home of the Arts (HOTA), Tallebudgera Valley and Broadbeach.

“It’s an incredible privilege to be delivering the 13th BLEACH* festival for the City of Gold Coast. The program is full of heart, full of soul, and has place, this place, our place, the Gold Coast, at its core,” said Artistic Director of BLEACH*, Rosie Dennis.

“With a program full of free performances in Broadbeach and North Burleigh as well as a BLEACH* HOTA takeover and a special ‘slow art’ concert series in Tallebudgera Valley, I encourage everyone to brace the winter chill and immerse themselves in this year’s festival.”

bleachfestival.com.au

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