Big West Festival – Top Ten Events

Big West Festival in Melbourne is a community arts festival in its 10th year running from November 20-28 and predominantly located in the streets around Footscray. There are more than 70 events over the course of nine days, featuring a variety of different art forms. Here is our selection of 10 outstanding events:

1. As Told By The Boys Who Fed Me Apples
A story told through the eyes of a horse named Sandy, who was used by Australia in the First World War. Sandy was the only horse to return home after the war. The story tells of three men’s relationship with the horse, the brutality of war and the realism of the aftermath.

2. The Graceful Giraffe Cannot Become A Monkey
The Graceful Giraffe is a theatrical adaptation of Ugandan writer Okot p’Bitek’s Song of Lawino and Song of Ocol. The storyline is a commentary on African Australian experiences while reflecting on the colonial past of Africa.

3. Neighbours
A tour through the diverse and changing Nicholson Street, which takes participants into the homes of residents and through frequented public spaces. Residents talk about their lives, experiences, personal histories, and their homes.

4. Mefetehe
Award-winning Ethiopian writer/director Tesfaye Gebrehana brings a comedy to Big West festival. Mefetehe follows a group of children who plan to build recreational facilities they’ve only dreamt of. Written for an Ethiopian audience, the show portrays the bittersweet experiences Ethiopians face in Australia and encompasses a cast of young emerging actors.

5. For Heaven’s Sake
For Heaven’s Sake gives you a look into the day to day running of “heaven”. Set inside a giant see-through cube, the public can view angels staffing the phones of heaven. People are invited to share their feelings and secrets with their angel of choice.

6. Full House
Full House is a band that embraces a range of different music genres such as latin, soul, rock, hip-hop, blues and even disco. The Big West Festival will wrap up with an evening BBQ and a soulful performance by Full House.

7. No Excuses!
A project of the School of Hard Knocks, No Excuses! is made up of women choir groups who are premiering at the Big West Festival. Their group focuses on raising awareness around family violence and domestic abuse, while hearing stories of female resilience from Melbourne’s western suburbs.

8. Hutch
An interactive show set inside a giant rabbit hutch which is located on the back of a truck! A story teller and animal lover, Macgregor, is the owner and performer that involves the audience in a range of different and engaging scenarios.

9. Welcome To The Salon
Welcome To The Salon is a guided walk through three different hair salons, where a performance is put on for participants. The aim is to explore the role of women, to witness the process of cutting hair and observe the conversations that take place.

10. The Siren Event
A large-scale orchestration of vocal, instrumental, urban and industrial featuring male voices from the School of Hard Knocks. The event features the craft of ten leading Australian composers.

The Big West Festival
Friday November 20 – Saturday November 28
bigwest.com.au/festival-2015