Festival of Live Art

Bringing dynamic and exciting art to the West, the third edition of the Festival of Live Art (FOLA) returns in March with an electrifying program of performances and workshops. Running for 13 days, it will feature over 30 immersive acts including dance, music, theatre, interactive installations and electronic works, along with talks, workshops and parties. It’s Australia’s largest festival of live art, with contemporary and participatory artworks designed to get you up from your seat and out of your comfort zone.

FOLA delivers acts that are ambitious and thought-provoking, with unique shows addressing complex and diverse themes such as mental illness, traditional gender roles, climate change, the fight for equality and the difficulties associated with those awkward teenage years. The festival is developed in partnership with Arts House, Footscray Community Arts Centre (FCAC) and Theatre Works, and will take place at these iconic venues amongst others, including some outdoor sites.

As part of the festival, FCAC will present four cutting-edge new works. Highlights include Mx.Red by Jonathan Homsey, which  combines motion capture technology and live performance in an exciting dance experience, blurring the lines between the virtual and physical worlds. Take part in ‘70s style “Waakin’” dance workshops and show off your new moves in Mx.Red Waackin’ Ball, a queer futuristic celebration of expression and empowerment.

Another feature is the indirect Object, an award-winning puppetry and experimental arts group, who will explore stories of intergenerational mental illness in Verbatim. They ask the challenging question, at what point is a person with mental illness responsible for their actions? In what promises to be an intense experience, it even comes with a list of warnings including confined spaces, physical touching and haze effects.

The Festival of Live Art is an exciting and eclectic mix of shows and workshops sure to exhilarate. Check out the full program, which includes a bunch of free shows too.

The Festival of Live Art 
Various locations
Tuesday, 13 to Sunday, 25 March 2018
fola.com.au