A Brisbane City institution for 40 years, Metro Arts has long fostered local artistic talent as well as providing a space that showcased their unique works to Brisbane audiences. A love letter to the past and a promise for the future, Metro Arts, with love is mixing theatre, cabaret and art installations with the final performances held in its current Edward Street home.
The 12 days of festival craze includes That’s What She Said – the thought-provoking final work of Sue Benner, Ephemera – a theatrical, 40-channel video installation, Mothlight – a constructed space within which the inner psyche investigated and Forbidden Romance: A Love Cabaret – where Brisbane City Opera explore the turmoils of forbidden love through the all-time opera favourites.There’s also LOOP – a curated selection of single-channel video works by local and national artists, a tantalising evening of tassels and tease by The Bombshell Burlesque Academy in The Bombshell’s Ball: One More Time At 109, while Boyle and Waters in LEOTARD sees physical comedians Neridah Waters and Bridget Boyle combine their talents in the name of comedy. Still haven’t filled your art devotee quota? Be captivated by Giants Among Us, a sound and video installation that illuminates public spaces with awe-inspiring images of our smallest citizens, as well as The Time of Light – Brisbane-based artist Courtney Coombs’ response to the unique role of light in the Metro Arts galleries. The festival will also see ten local Artist-Run-Initiatives (ARIs) taking up residence in the level-three studios for Airspace. The Last Hurrah Bar is also hosting live performances each night so you can grab a drink with your Metro Arts pals or listen to CEO Sue Benner tell-all about running Brisbane’s home of the arts.
The two-week long send off commences with a free opening night on Saturday February 1, featuring live performances, a bar, DJs, art installations and more. Don’t worry too much, the institution is only moving down the road! The new Metro Arts facilities is set to open at West End’s West Village in April 2020.
Keen to check out the range of events that are set to challenge and entertain through visual arts galore? Check out the full festival program here.
