Family Friendly Events Abound At Gold Coast’s Bleach* Festival 2013

Jan. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- Bleach* Festival 2012 was an all-ages celebration of arts and music inspired by the Gold Coast’s southern beach culture and 2013 will be no different. Running from February 22nd to March 3rd, with a Pre Bleach Weekend on the 15th-17th February, Bleach* 2013 will prove to be even more family-friendly by running a variety of all ages and children-specific events along the Gold Coast’s southern shores.

BLEACH TREASURE TROVE
Bleach* Treasure Trove will kick start proceedings on Friday 15th February at Paradise Point with Queensland’s Theatre Company’s acclaimed rendition of family classic Treasure Island for its only outdoor production in Australia. Trade Winds, an outdoor installation piece by Brisbane-based musical theatre group Polytoxic, will add a spectacular fusion of performance and art over the water, while a special twilight edition of The Village Markets (TVM) will bring an explosion of fashion, arts and creative market stalls.

BLEACH* BOULEVARD
As one of the most popular events of Bleach 2012, Bleach* Boulevard returns even bigger in 2013. Bleach* Boulevard itself is a festival operating on February 23rd running from Tomewin Street Precinct and Currumbin Beach Front to Elephant Rock. Here, free Beachology workshops will be available here for children to become closer to the sandy shores of the southern Gold Coast by participating in hands-on exploration sessions. The festival also features live music, theatre, performances by aerial artists Strange Fruit, and the Currumbin Sanctuary Lorikeet Arena Program featuring a variety of workshops. These include Lucas Proudfoot’s Circular Rhythm, a journey into Indigenous culture with local surfer and musician Lucas Proudfoot as he uses traditional and contemporary music and story to deliver a rich cultural learning experience. There is  also Samba Brazilian Percussion workshops, allowing audiences get the chance to join in with the Samba Blisstas as they perform carnival drumming inspired by the Brazilian tradition of street percussion.

LIVE AND LOOPY
Another quirky performance that will be presented at Bleach Boulevard is Linsey Pollak’s Live and Loopy. Playing at Surf World Gold Coast on February 26th, 11am, Pollack uses his own instruments like the saxillo, the rubber glove bagpipe and the carrot clarinet to amaze his young audience. Using electric wizardry and DIY ingenuity, Linsey also adds voice-generated beats and ‘70s funk samples to his piece.

Bleach* Boulevard will also feature The Village Markets, The Alley Fish-Fry, children's play Nadia And The Blue Flamingo, surfing lessons and more. NBN Television’s Big Dog will also be roaming around various Bleach* Boulevard locations to give kids a high five.

NADIA AND THE BLUE FLAMINGO
As a part of Bleach* Boulevard, Nadia and The Blue Flamingo is presented by acclaimed children’s songwriter and entertainer, Nadia Sunde, from February 23rd to 26th at Surf World Gold Coast. Using puppetry, music and comedy, Nadia’s imagination transports the audience to a different time. Her tale of friendship propels the audience into a magical world of song and dance, where they will discover that sometimes true friends can be found right under your toes.

THE SURFER AND THE MERMAID
Presented by the Arts Centre Gold Coast in partnership with Bleach* 2013, The Surfer and The Mermaid returns to the Gold Coast right after a two-week season at the Bondi Pavilion in Sydney. Playing at the Arts Centre Gold Coast from February 26th to March 2nd, this children’s theatre piece delivers a powerful environmental message that will delight and inspire through use of enchanting underwater imagery.

FLYING HIGH AT BLEACH*
A celebration of the art of kite flying, Flying High at Bleach* will set the skies of Kirra awash with colour and movement. Beginning in the morning, this extravagant event at Roughton Park Kirra brings together people of all ages out into the sun for a unique and free outdoor event with live kite displays, a performance by aerial artist Strange Fruit, markets, live music and more.

BLEACH* HUB
Bleach* Hub 2013 will be host to many activities for the kids such as hip-hop workshops, breakdancing competitions, circus workshops and art and craft markets. The Bleach* Hub will run through the entirety of Bleach* Festival 2013 at various times throughout the days at Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta. Visit the website at www.bleachfestival.com.au for full program.

BLEACHSIDE FLICKS
As a part of Bleach* Hub, this free of charge, open-air cinematic experience under the stars at Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta is the perfect gathering event for any family. Surf-themed movies will be played every night from 7pm from February 27th to March 3rd. As part of the packed five-night program, seaside classics like Storm Boy and Puberty Blues will also be aired under the night sky.

BLEACH* AT BURLEIGH
Bleach* At Burleigh on Saturday 16th February will see a free outdoor concert on the beach in front of Burleigh’s Justin Park featuring an incredible lineup of contemporary live music. Leading the charge is Busby Marou, riding high on the phenomenal success of their self-titled debut album. They'll be joined by Band of Frequencies, Thelma Plum, Laneway, and Lyon Apprentice. Free children’s activities will also be on offer.

ORCHESTRAL MANEUVERS IN THE PARK
The Pre Bleach* Weekend will see Orchestral Maneuvers in the Park touch down at Palm Beach Parklands. Combining orchestral music and choral choirs with bold animated projections, stunning costumes and physical performance, this innovative multi-media concert is set to dazzle audiences. The 60-member Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Conductor Mark Turpin and Concert Master Margaret McAteer, will be joined by school choral ensembles, the Voice Weavers Acapella choir and the Imbari Vocal ensemble. Based around songs of the sea, the musical program will build to the spectacular crescendo provided by Polytoxic performing Trade Winds over the waters of Currumbin Lagoon. Featuring Polytoxic artists Leah Shelton, Lisa Fa'alafi, and visual artist Sam Tupou, the performance celebrates the stories and history of the Pacific Ocean as two women navigate their way across a vast watery surface.

Bleach* 2013 Family-Friendly Event Calendar:

Bleach* Treasure Trove, Friday 15th Feb, 5pm- 9pm, Paradise Point Esplanade, Paradise Point (Free Event)

Bleach* At Burleigh,  Saturday 16th February, On the beach in front of Roughton Park, Burleigh, 1pm - 7.30pm (Free Event)

Orchestral Maneuvers in the Park, Sunday 17th February.  5.30pm - 9pm, Palm Beach Parklands (Free Event)

Nadia and The Blue Flamingo, 23rd & 24th February, 2.30pm & 4pm, 25th & 26th February, 10.30am & 1pm, Surf World Gold Coast, Tomewin St, Currumbin (Tickets at http://www.bleachfestival.com.au or Surf World Gold Coast)

The Surfer and The Mermaid, 26th February – March 2nd, 10.am & 12.30pm, March 1st, 12.30pm & 6.pm, The Arts Centre Gold Coast, The Space (Tickets at http://www.theartscentregc.com.au or (07) 5588 4000)

Bleach* Boulevard, Saturday 23rd February, 11am – 6pm, Tomewin St Precinct and Currumbin Beach Front, 6pm – 8.30pm, Elephant Rock
11am – Live and Loopy (Tickets at http://www.bleachfestival.com.au)
11am, 1.30pm, 3pm – Beachology workshops (Free Event)

Flying High at Bleach*, Sunday 24th February, 10am – 5pm, Roughton Park Kirra, Kirra Beach

Gold Coast Bulletin Bleach Hub, 22nd February 5pm – 9pm, each Saturday and Sunday of the Festival 11am – 9pm, 25th – 26th February, 1pm – 8pm, 27th February – 1st March, 1pm – 9pm. (Free Event)

Beachside Flicks, 27th February – 3rd March, 7pm, Bleach Hub, Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta (Free Event)

Stay tuned for more events to be announced on January 17th. Catch the wave at http://www.bleachfestival.com.au