South Side Festival is going to shake things up

It is rare that a festival brings such a diverse, eclectic blend of events that can be described as racy, hilarious, moving, cheeky, fun, brazen and bold. 

This is South Side Festival. And it’s going to shake things up a little.

This debut event will see acts and performances coming to Frankston, rarely seen in the city before. You will be surprised, shocked, delighted and entertained. Come with an open mind and curious heart and enjoy the thrill of live shows once again.

Taking place 6-15 May, the festival has over 34 performances, activations, workshops and exhibitions. There’s something for all ages and interests from kid-friendly performances and sound and light shows; to racy adult-only singalongs, dance and acrobatic feats.

With so much happening, it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s is a peak into what you can experience so you can start planning your festival fortnight.

Want to be MYSTIFIED?

Mandylights – Frankston Generator This journey will take you underground. Over a thousand lighting fixtures, interactive video screens, a wind tunnel and a high energy music soundtrack will guide you through three different levels, all at your own pace.  The first of its kind, this experience will leave you awestruck. (All ages)

Circa’s Peepshow This show turns cabaret on its head, literally. From seductive dance and thrilling acrobatics to the comically playful, expect to see teetering towers of balanced bodies, extreme bending, captivating burlesque and devilishly precarious aerials.  See the world from the other side of the mirror. (Ages 12+)

Moist This racy and hilarious spectacle is sopping wet as it takes you deep into a disco-fuelled dystopia. It is four absolute limbo thirst-traps getting soaking wet as they navigate epic circus feats and non-stop clowning. Very camp and very entertaining. (Ages 18+)  

Want to be MOVED?

Reckoning “Delights every one of the senses for those lucky enough to witness it” - Rolling Stone.  Winner of four Melbourne Fringe Awards, Reckoning is about reconnecting with and rediscovering our ancestry and  Indigenous blood lines and reclaiming the parts of ourselves we’ve forgotten and been made to forget. “The real joy however of RECKŌNING is its original music, blend of different art forms and authentic storytelling” - Broadway World (Ages 16+)

A Taste of Piano Bar There is nothing like good music to really ignite your emotions.  Dance the night away with an epic evening of live entertainment with friends. Stellar pianists and vocalists will be taking requests for your favourite songs, and they’ll have pop up drag shows from one of the superstar drag queens.  Playful, fun and cheeky, you’ll walk out of this show on an energetic high. (Ages 18+)

Mindy Meng Wang - When?  When? takes you on an emotional journey into our shared feelings of love, regret, fear, desire and relief despite barriers of race, distance or culture. Using ancient Chinese harp (guzheng), cello with electronic effects, synthesisers and film footage collected by Chinese and Australian filmmakers, Mindy shares personal stories between her hometown in Wuhan, China and Melbourne where she now calls home and humanises the profound worldwide experience of the global pandemic. (Ages 16+)

Want to be PLAYFULLY ENTERTAINED?

Eat My Cake - We're smashing together 18th Century France and 21st Century Social Media Culture in this unrestrained comedy with a dark twist. Follow Marie Antoinette, famous French royalty and social media influencer, as she traverses the twists and turns through love, lust, censorship, narcissism, and vulnerability. And yes, there will be cake. (Ages 18+)

Piano Bar - Pitch Please It’s Piano Bar with drag queens and glitter. What a perfect combination. With three spectacular drag shows and song requests played, the word is well and truly spreading on this utterly fabulous event. (Ages 18+)  

Blanke Pop Dig through your wardrobe for your UV reactive clothing, whip out the face paints and make sure you stretch before this big night of dancing!  It’s Melbourne’s most favourite cheeky UV performance art party. Circus, burlesque, art and debauchery all night long with a huge range of performance artists alongside disco & house music. This is for one night only!! (Ages 18+)

Want to feel INSPIRED?

Collide – Saturation Mesmerising. Inspiring. Enchanting. Collide - Saturation is a free night time activation sure to excite all ages. See the faces of the Frankston Choir appear on a cascading wall of water. This digital water projection creates a real world augmented reality, images you can touch and walk amongst for a fully immersive experience. (All ages)

Soggy Grab your hula hoop and a glass of water, find your towel and practice your handstands. Soggy’s going to any length possible to find a refreshing drink. Through storytelling, dance, acrobatics and performance art we teach kids how to share with one another and the need for access to clean water. This will leave the audience inspired to build a better future. (Ages 5-12)

Murrundaya Yepengna Dance Workshops You’re invited to come and dance at the beach!  This troupe of male dancers will entertain, amaze and surprise you. This is a live Cultural event that informs your next bush walk or beach visit as you learn about the songs, dances and habits of the wildlife and flora during the time of Monomeeth (Autumn). The audience is invited to get up and dance, teaching steps and songs, and creating an enduring memory of a cultural experience. (All ages)

Want to feel a CONNECTION to our LOCAL patch?

Funky Town While the live entertainment may have been in a bit of a coma these last couple of years, Frankston is charging ahead to reignite the live music scene. Presented by Frankston Music Community Network, Funky Town showcases Frankston’s diverse and vibrant local artists, supporting the rise of Australian music. (All ages)

Frankston City: A city of Readers ABC journalist and lifelong local Paul Kennedy is being joined by a panel of speakers including Christian White, co-creator of Clickbait, the Netflix series that took out the number 1 spot in 41 countries. Paul will be discussing with the panel, their favourite books, the title that catapulted them head first into a writing career, plus the burning questions we want to know about the readers behind the writers. (Ages 18+)

South Side Schools Music Day Where budding musicians shine. This is a celebration of music from local primary and secondary schools. Stars of the future perhaps? (All ages)

There are so many incredible events that are part of the South Side festival, this is only a mere taste of what’s on offer.

To see the full event list, details and ticket info head to https://www.southsidefestival.com.au/  and make sure you’re following @discoverfrankston and @southsidefestivalfrankston for all the latest festival updates.