Coming this June, RISING presents over 180 events from over 400 artists in their 2023 program – centred around Melbourne’s CBD.
A celebration of the diversity and breadth of our local talent, the collective has stayed true to its name this year, bringing to the streets of the city its most expansive collection of art, culture, food and music to date.
But more than anything, it’s an essential expression of Melbourne culture. Just ask co-artistic directors Hannah Fox and Gideon Obarzanek. “The 2023 program is a rallying call to get involved, experience the new and be a part of a festival that couldn’t happen anywhere else.”
Explore Melbourne’s latest arts and stage events, exhibitions, productions and performances here.
Cate Blanchett to star in immersive post-capitalist exhibition at RISING 2023
Once abandoned, the often-unseen upper level of Flinders Street Station will soon be home to Shadow Spirit, a curation of the largest collection of First Nations art in Victoria’s history.
Led by Yorta Yorta writer Kimberley Moulton and run in collaboration with Metro Trains Melbourne, the exhibition presents rich systems of knowledge, providing a space for reflection on the shadows of Australia’s history. 30 First Nations artists from all across Australia have been commissioned as part of the project.
Hosted nearby at Federation Square is perhaps the most absurd of RISING’s offerings. Australian-based composer Ciaran Frame brings together one of Melbourne’s biggest musical projects to date in the form of 10,000 Kazoos – a performance in which goers will be provided biodegradable versions of the instrument and encouraged to join in on a charmingly ridiculous piece of kazoo-ey mass participation.
Off the back of last year’s success, ice skating is set to return at The Rink at RISING. For five magnificent weeks, audiences are free to glide amongst a solar system of glowing spheres, accompanied by the scents of buttery popcorn, hot chocolate and mulled wine. What’s more is that the rink looks to be bigger than ever – hosted among the banks of Birrarung Marr, the new supersized stage is set to slide (or slip out) on.
General sale tickets for RISING go on sale March 17. There’s plenty else on, too. Details on musical performances, curations, film screenings and more can be found at RISING’s official website.
