Bondi Feast 2013

Overview

Wintery bohemia has a new home this month, and it's not Melbourne. With self-frying Brits and power walkers in off-season retreat, Bondi will be transformed into a carny playground of comedians, theatre types, musicians and foodies, all sipping restorative mulled Batlow cider from July 13-27 for Bondi Feast. It may even be an opportune time to celebrate the one-month anniversary of the Dark Mofo nude swim (nothing is planned, but it is my humble suggestion that you all take your clothes off).

Curated by Phil Spencer and Zoe Norton Lodge and presented by the Tamarama Rock Surfers, the festival features a selection of short plays and storytelling events from leading local writers such as Kate Mulvany, Jessica Bellamy, Lachlan Philpott, Nick Coyle, Nakkiah Lui and Kit Brookman. Comedians Asher Trevealen, Jennifer Wong and Michael Hing will be doing shtick galore, and if they're not funny enough you can head along to a $10 dollar '80s Physique Aerobics class on July 20 and laugh at yourself in lycra.

After an auspicious start last year, the festival is taking the 'feast' side of its mantle even more seriously, with a different Bondi stalwart, food truck or catering superstar making a pop-up offering each night from 6pm. Veggie Patch, Misschu, Fuego de la Tierra, Bondi Harvest, Food Adventura and the Beach Burrito Co. are all in the mix.

The entertainment side of things, too, comes in courses. Each performance clocks in at an hour or under, so you still have time and appetite to fit in one or two more the same evening. There's even some food-performance crossover for good measure, with shows like Shabbat Dinner (from the exciting team-up of writer Jessica Bellamy and director Anthony Skuse), which serves up said dinner while deconstructing the role of women, food and family in Jewish culture.

With over 100 artists and 40 performances occurring in the one place over ten days, Bondi is growing some serious artistic balls. For the frugal consumer of culture, tickets are available at bargain prices of $15 per show or $40 for a festival pass, and the general glow of festival cheer is free, as is the music in the Bondi Pav bar from Thursday to Saturday.