Ready to embrace the invigorating spirit of spring with extraordinary arts experiences? Abbotsford Convent dives into a vibrant program for Melbourne Fringe Festival with another outstanding program including two exceptional performances, Headwater and The Butterfly Who Flew into the Rave.
Headwater offers an immersive improvised experience in sound art that resonates deeply with its audience. As a soloist and improviser, Helen Svoboda feels torn between the many options they have as a vocalist, bassist and the spaces in between. Simply put – it is impossible to action all of the ideas that occur to them during performance?
Seeking to explore these spaces in between, the performance multiplies a solo identity by adding extra bodies into the fold. What happens if the body is the water, and the self becomes a stream?
Presented by Musica Viva and performed by contemporary double bassist, vocalist and composer Helen Svoboda, choreographer Jo Lloyd, artist Selma Savolainen and Tilman Robinson, the performance explores multiple identities and spaces, reimagines self to create a stream of activity – a blurred landscape where unfinished ideas become water, by making tiny ideas become visible.
“I want the listener to feel as though they have entered into a cloud of water.”
Helen Svoboda’s work explores the melodic potential of the contemporary double bass, intricately weaving extended techniques and overtones with vocal tessiture amidst abstract song-writing forms.
“A musician who absolutely defies categorisation” (Andrew Ford, The Music Show)
Headwater, 17-19 October 7:30pm. Magdalen Laundry
The Butterfly who flew into the Rave is a high-energy show, set in a contemporary nightclub featuring non-stop movement set to techno and rave beats, and offers a visceral exploration of societal and political upheaval over the past three years. Experience a three-day rave condensed into an hour with this spectacle of pure endurance.
From Aotearoa New Zealand, Oli Mathiesen with Lucy Lynch and Sharvon Mortimer present the award-winning, endurance dance work to the booming techno album Nocturbulous Behaviour by Suburban Knight. Exploring the movement vocabulary used in techno and rave culture, a contemporary nightclub between three bodies emerges. Relentless movement, seamless without pause, detailed down to every beat.
A queer choreographer and dancer based in Aotearoa New Zealand, Oli Mathiesen has diligently cultivated a robust choreographic and performative practice where his work is characterised by an unwavering commitment to discipline with innovative pursuits of excellence. He seeks to challenge the forms in which dance is presented, creating immersive and aesthetically driven worlds.
Community Masterclass Dance Workshop
The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave presents a 90minute dance masterclass with performers Oli Mathiesen, Lucy Lynch and Sharvon Mortimer. Participants will step into the world of the rave and discover the details behind iconic moments. Relentless movement, seamless without pause, detailed down to every beat.
The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave
11-12 October 8pm
Industrial School
Community Masterclass Dance Workshop
12 October 10am-10pm
Industrial School
The Butterfly Who Flew Into the Rave is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Abbotsford Convent, Creative New Zealand, and Melbourne Fringe.
Headwater is presented by Musica Viva Australia as part of the 2023 – 2024 Future Makers program and supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Abbotsford Convent, Musica Viva Australia and the Berg Family Foundation, for Melbourne Fringe 2024.
Abbotsford Convent
1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
https://abbotsfordconvent.com.au/whats-on/
Abbotsford Convent is Australia’s largest multi-arts precinct — a place of arts, culture and learning. The Convent is home to a vibrant creative community, wellbeing practitioners, a gallery, cafes, a radio station, two schools, and an abundance of green open space. The Convent celebrates creativity, inclusivity, wellbeing and community enrichment.
Pic credits:
The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave. Photography Matt Hurley
