(TRAVPR.COM) AUSTRALIA - November 11th, 2012 - Unleashing an artistic tidal wave that will engulf the Gold Coast, Bleach* Festival will return from 22nd Feb - 3rd March 2013. The festival embraces the beach heritage of the Southern Gold Coast, re-imagining it in the form of a vibrant contemporary arts celebration.
With a global reach estimated in the millions and showcasing the work of more than 168 visual and performing artists in its opening year, Bleach* Festival 2013 will again celebrate coastal culture with a series of indoor and outdoor pop up music & arts events.
Moving down the coastline like a wave, Bleach* Festival will kick off with Pre Bleach* Weekend festivities in Burleigh and Palm Beach on Saturday 16 Feb and Sunday 17 Feb. The official festival program will then roll through infamous Southern Gold Coast surf towns like Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra and Coolangatta, with a stationary major central Bleach* 'hub' remaining in Coolangatta's beachfront Queen Elizabeth Park for the duration of the festival.
Long renowned as a global home of surf culture, Festival Director Louise Bezzina said the Gold Coast was the logical birthplace for a festival like Bleach*. "We feel the Gold Coast has a unique opportunity - The Quiksilver Pro is the launch of the world surfing tour, which brings unprecedented international attention. Major national events like the Breaka Burleigh Pro and Kirra Teams Challenge events also occur during this period. Bleach* aims to provide the off-water entertainment for visitors to the city by creating a festival atmosphere while showcasing the area's depth of creative talent."
Bleach* Festival will present a diverse array of surfside events including pop up art installations in shipping containers placed beachside, outdoor film nights, and a series of music, fashion and theatre events and workshops. For 2013 the festival is also commissioning select local artists to create unique coast- inspired works. "Bleach* is a celebration of Gold Coast stories. There will be a focus on locally produced films and art installations, including individual artist's interpretations of the longest wave, created around the visual concept of surfer Damon Harvey's record-breaking ride from Snapper Rocks to North Kirra."
In autumn 2002, local Surfer Damon Harvey rode a 5 foot wave from Snapper Rocks to Kirra - a distance over 1.5km or about four minutes in duration - earning him a slot in surfing folk law for the longest ocean wave ever ridden. Artists will be creating installations based around the longest wave concept, and the theme will also drive a historical community photo exhibition curated and displayed at Bleach* and a series of coastal walks.
Drawing 30,000 visitors in its inaugural year, Bezzina is certain the Bleach* Festival will entice even larger numbers in 2013 due to key media partnerships with dozens of major media outlets, including TV network NBN and national broadcaster triple j. "Cultural leaders across the Gold Coast are currently engaging in the discussion of how we can create a cultural legacy that will propel the city forward in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games, and we're excited to be part of that vision. We feel we are creating a festival that is uniquely Gold Coast, drawing on our city's overwhelming strengths."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
