FUSE Autumn 2023

Overview

The City of Darebin is set to be transformed into a playground of creativity and performance, with multi-arts festival FUSE kicking off its next autumn instalment. Descending on streets, parks, venues and galleries across the inner-north region from Saturday, March 11–Sunday, March 26, it will once again serve up a sparkling program of music, art and more.

Helping get the fest going on Sunday, March 12 at Edwardes Lake Park is Out of the Park Picnic — a free, creatively-charged celebration of culture hosted by Queen Acknowledgements, aka Natarsha Bamblett. You'll catch tunes by Emma Donovan, Dorsal Fins and DJ Jumps, and can even join in an interactive performance by African Star Dance.

Dorsal Fins, by Alexander Gow

Specially commissioned works will feature throughout the duration of the festival — including Delia Poon's photography exhibition Exquisite Bias, which explores locals' takes on the idea of cultural identity, and an imagination-fuelled interactive installation dubbed THINGAMABOBS.

Two podcasts — Darker and The Future Leaders — will debut as part of FUSE, while on Sunday, March 19, Preston City Hall plays host to a Meet the Makers showcase, complete with food stalls, wine tastings and live tunes.

The fun starts to wrap up on Saturday, March 25 with a huge closing fiesta at Northcote Theatre, featuring The Last Dance by arts organisation All the Queens Men. Expect a high-energy celebration of LGBTQIA+ folk and their allies, with a disco-fuelled soundtrack delivered by acts like Wendy Stapleton, Miss Katalyna, 2joocee and Nefertiti LaNegra.

The Last Dance