Bleach* Festival 2016

Overview

Ever wanted to hear the music of Leonard Cohen echoing around a lake, watch contemporary ballet performed on a floating stage in the middle of an estuary, or see an opera staged at a wildlife sanctuary? Dreamed of eating dinner with a character during a performance? Or gazing at bodies flying into the sky on one of Queensland's most famous beaches? Well, even if you haven't, here's your chance. Gold Coast's Bleach* Festival has announced its 2016 lineup — and it includes all the above, and more.

Yes, it's the three-week-long Brisbane residents should jump in their cars and make the trek down the highway for this March. When it comes to coastal weekend fun of the music, arts, theatre, dance and performance kind — and of the taking creative ventures to exquisite natural locations kind, too — this annual multi-arts fest has you covered. It does boast more than 50 events, including eight world premieres, after all.

That bustling schedule includes Horizon with Angels, that is, that combination of Cohen, acrobats and Evandale Lake you didn't know you were hanging out for. Mid-water dancers form part of Shifting Sands, a celebration of the cultures, communities and characters that shape Currumbin Estuary. Opera Selvaggio also graces the beachside suburb, with The Voice finalist Naomi Price heading to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to belt out soaring renditions of opera and musical theatre's most popular pieces.

Then there's Saltwater — which comes complete with a meal with the play's protagonist — plus The Last Blast, which lets Gold Coast dance company The Farm loose on the shoreline of Surfers Paradise. If that's not enough, a concert and songwriting workshop with festival special guest Ben Lee, an outdoor projection gallery named Luminaries, and a free street party at Palm Beach are also on the Bleach* bill. Because a great festival is all about variety.

Bleach* Festival Gold Coast runs from March 4-20. Visit their website to check out the full program.

Image: Darcy Grant.