OTHER
FESTIVAL
HIGHLIGHTS
OPENING NIGHT
A night at the opera opened the fourth
and final edition of Festival Director, Brett
Sheehy’s, Melbourne Festival. Performed
at the iconic Regent Theatre, Michel van
der Aa’s internationally-acclaimed and
utterly unique contemporary opera Afterlife
set the stage for Melbourne to come alive
with a kaleidoscope of exhilarating events.
Grandiose in scope, Van der Aa’s audacious
blending of arts made for a fitting final
operatic presentation from Sheehy, who
throughout his work with Australia’s
Festivals has sought to champion
contemporary opera as a vivid and essential
21st century artform. Officially opened by
the Premier of Victoria and Minister for
the Arts, the Hon. Ted Baillieu MP, Festival
guests were treated to a performance
encompassing music, theatre and film
and asked to ponder a single compelling
question – what would be the single
defining moment of their lives?
The curtain came down on Afterlife, and
the party to celebrate the 2012 Festival
began. More than 1,500 Festival patrons,
supporters, artists, celebrities and industry
guests streamed downstairs to the grand
Plaza Ballroom to celebrate the official
opening of the 27th Melbourne Festival. As
the DJ warmed up the turntables, guests
spent the evening catching up and sharing
their Festival schedule before hitting the
dance floor to ensure that the 2012 Festival
kicked off in style.
FOXTEL FESTIVAL HUB
“The unexpected hit of the Festival”
– Gina McColl, The AGE
The words of Gina McColl echoed across
the City as Melburnians embraced the
Foxtel Festival Hub, a new purpose-built,
pop-up bar, performance space and dining
destination. Located under Princess Bridge
on the banks of the Yarra, the HUB quickly
became a gathering place for artists and
audiences, a place where people could soak
up the Festival atmosphere in an inclusive,
cool space overlooking the Yarra River.
With a BBQ fire pit, table tennis table,
ice-cream vendor, outdoor bars and rooftop
terrace, the Foxtel Festival Hub allowed
Festival audiences and artists to experience
their annual celebration of arts and
creativity in a relaxed and fun atmosphere
and ensured the Festival extended its
reach and visibility beyond Melbourne’s
traditional arts venues.
With more than 9,000 Facebook friends,
the Foxtel Festival Hub became the place
to be seen in October. The phrase ‘Are
you HUB’ing today?’ spread like wildfire,
as Melbourne’s 18-34 year olds flocked
to the venue to enjoy a range of both
free and ticketed events. Kicking off the
Festival’s opening weekend with sold out
performances by 80’s icon, Boy George,
the Foxtel Festival Hub kept the collective
party spirit alive for 17 glorious days and
nights.
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