The annual Wynnum Fringe Festival 2023 is almost here and promises to be another spectacular event as national and local stars head to Brisbane’s popular bayside.
There is a lot to love as well- known artists take over Wynnum from November 15 to December 3.
Up close, unplugged, by the Bay; this is the Wynnum Fringe, where legendary performers share stages with huge Bush Turkey puppets and, burlesque dancers, and late-night shows entertain the adults, where comedy, drama, cabaret and circus share the spotlight and internationally famed children’s characters bring the joy for families, while a world famous song will be sung in perfect (!) harmony and respect is celebrated with Traditional Owners.
Wynnum Fringe founder Tom Oliver had a vision four years ago when the world was in the grip of Covid.
Rather than wait it out, Tom created a major festival. He’s already won a prestigious Matilda Award, cementing its reputation as a top-tier event on the Australian arts calendar, and last year welcomed a staggering 36,000 people to the Bayside.
Oliver, a quadruple threat talent as a singer, performer, producer, director and much more, has written new lyrics, and reimagined the song, and will lead the choir on the first Saturday.
“I can’t believe this idea started in the spare room of my parents place while I was freeloading there during Covid. Now look at it, people are travelling from interstate to check it out, and Aussie entertainment royalty is keen to put on a show here. Wynnum Fringe has gone from three days to three weeks in three years. We’ve employed over 1,000 artists, injected millions into the Bayside economy and won the most prestigious award in the Queensland Industry Awards. Crazy proud!”
“There is something special about Brisbane’s Bayside and the community living around Wynnum and Manly. They get around stuff. They have embraced this festival with open arms. We wouldn’t be here without our community. This includes the artists, our sponsors, the QLD Government and Brisbane City Council.”
And for 2023 Tom has planned even more, they include:
- The legendary Daryl Braithwaite, the incomparable Marcia Hines, and the electrifying Diesel.
- Robert Forster from The Go-Betweens
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- Wil Anderson in Whatchu Talkin’ ‘Bout Wil? a completely improvised night of stand-up comedy, called “Lightning in a bottle.” ★★★★½ by Sydney Morning Herald, 2022
- Chocolate Starfish performing Meatloaf’s full Bat Out of Hell album in their only Queensland date
- Performers Sarah McLeod and Rai Thistlethwayte and The Bamboos
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- ‘Bachelor Girl’s Tania Doko performing songs from her upcoming EP ‘The Beauty’s In The Broken’
- Comedians Dave Thornton, and Geraldine Hickey.
- The internationally acclaimed Irish master of comedy, Jimeoi
- The multi-award winning comedy acrobats, GODZ
- Australia’s most famous legs in Rhonda Burchmore making her Wynnum debut with the premiere of the new Australian Spiegeltent show, Rhonda’s After Party with some of the best circus performers in the world including Mario Queen of The Circus, Helen Cassidy, Pricasso, ‘Bath Boy’ Stephen Williams and co.
- The Bayside’s first ever Bay Pride
- The finale concert Rock the Bay
- The beloved and world famous Bluey and her friend Bingo.
- And …. the call for everyone to take part in a community choir event singing THE WYNNUM TAKES IT ALL (nods to ABBA)
Wynnum Fringe Garden – the heartbeat of the Fringe, the ultimate place to be, and it’s free to be there!
- The Wynnum Eye – AKA a fancy Ferris wheel
- The Downtown Toyota Piano Lounge, a caravan dressed like a giant piano where Dr Trevor Jones will play a real piano every night (!)
- The Outdoor Stage is home to free concerts and this is where BLUEY and BINGO will perform (OMG yes!)
- Award-winning puppet company Memetica Creatures will roam their Wild Birds the Cassowary & Bush Turkey each weekend joined by international Street Theatre Royalty, Cocoloco
- First Nations Zone featuring beautiful artworks and yarns with Elders
- The Fringe Bar and The Backstage Bar
- Food offerings and outdoor bars filled with Green Beacon Brewing Company, Archie Rose spirits and many other cold delights!
“This year Wynnum Fringe is bigger, there are more performers plus we are calling on people from everywhere to join us on Saturday 18 at 10 am and help us make history with the largest community choir. We are taking on ABBA’s The Winner Takes It All – or is it The Wynnum Takes It All?
We should check if Benny & Bjorn didn’t accidentally misspell the lyrics when writing it! We do love a pun at the Fringe, last year it was You Can’t Wynnum All But You Can Wynnum Fringe, and this year we’ve been inspired by ABBA, and are proudly putting Wynnum on the map!” said Tom
Australian music royalty Marcia Hines perhaps sums it up best saying, “This festival started from my friend Tom’s imagination and is now one of the most exciting events in Queensland.”
Wynnum Fringe 2023 is an event for all of Australia, and interstate travel is highly encouraged! This year’s extravaganza is made possible with support from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, It’s Live in Queensland, Brisbane City Council, and Founding Partner Raine & Horne Wynnum Manly.
Festival Ambassadors: Rhonda Burchmore OAM, Vicki Wilson OAM, Marcia Hines AM, and ABC Brisbane’s Loretta Ryan.
Wynnum Fringe Tickets On Sale now: wynnumfringe.com
Theme Song:
THE WYNNUM TAKES IT ALL
I don’t wanna talk
About things we’ve gone through
Though it’s hurting me
Now it’s history
I’ve played all my cards
And that’s what you’ve done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play
CHORUS 1
The Wynnum Takes It All
The loser standing tall
Beside the victory
That’s our destiny
VERSE 2
The greatest town of all
On the fringe of Brisbane
It’s where we love to be
Come and you will see
The best community
Young, and old and in-between
Sittin’ by the sea
It’s the place to be
CHORUS 2
The Wynnum Takes it All
The Bayside Festival
There’s so much to see
Come join the party
The Wynnum Takes It All
The Bayside Festival
There’s so much to see
Feel the energy!
The Wynnum Takes It All!
Ruth Greening holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology & Philosophy. Before retirement, she worked for over 40 years in the corporate world in Melbourne and Brisbane and progressed into senior management positions and project roles for both private industry and government.
In her 70th decade, she continues in casual roles as a freelance writer, model, and actor participating in small movies, TV commercials and User Generated Content.
As a grandmother, she is known as Nanny Babe to her grandchildren and writes from a Baby Boomer perspective on her blog www.nannybabe.com. An avid crafter Ruth actively participates in sewing, crocheting and knitting.
While she continues to pursue her artistic passions, Ruth is dedicated to maintaining her health and fitness as she ages by attending the gym, dancing and walking and thrives on mentoring others.
Connect with Ruth or our moniker Nanny Babe; nannybabegengp.blogspot.com.au/
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