The Bowery Theatre

02/11/2024

1 Week til Be Bold Festival 2024!

Join us for Be Bold celebrating the arts, culture, creativity and people of Melbourne's West on Saturday 9 November, 11am-5pm at Bowery Theatre and St Albans Community Centre and surrounds. Free of charge, all ages, all welcome!

Performances
• Djirri Djirri Dancers
• Resonate Youth Music Artists
• Kala Dyuthi Academy of Indian Classical Dance
• Maidens of Polynesia
• Baganda Dance
• Jana Garjana Dhol Pathak Music

All Ages Fun
• Balls Up Circus
• DJ Trancempire
• Dr Hubble Bubble
• L2R Dance
• The Scientwits
• Face painting
• The Fops
• Art stalls

Workshops
• Paint in the Dark
• Windcrafters with Jo Mott
• Musical Garden
• Dr Hubble Bubble Workshop
• Balls Up Circus Workshop

+ More!

Check out the program: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/bbf

12/09/2024

Be Bold Festival is back!

ANNOUNCEMENT – Be Bold Festival full program out now!

There’s no place like Brimbank! Be Bold Festival celebrates the arts in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Saturday 9 November
11am-5pm
Bowery Theatre & Gallery, St Albans Community Centre and surrounding areas
Free of charge / All ages / All welcome!

👀 READ / DOWNLOAD FULL PROGRAM: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/bbfprogram

We are grateful to have Uncle Shane Charles for the Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, plus a very special performance by the renowned Djirri Djirri Dancers.

Cultural performances by Kala Dyuthi Academy of Indian Classical Dance, Jana Garjana Dhol Pathak Music, Kiganda Dance Group, Maidens of Polynesia and more!

In Bowery Theatre we have a special Resonate Youth Music Showcase featuring local emerging musicians, plus a performance with crowd favourites L2R Dance.

We have fashion parades by Discover Cameroon, our local Indian Community and by local artist Aunty Jeanie Mason.

Enjoy cooking demos from local chefs in our Cultural Kitchen. We have a range of Food Trucks on site plus a special St Albans Food Tour.

Keep the whole family entertained all day with creative workshops and activities including:

☀️ Paint in the Dark sessions
☀️ Junklandia’s Musical Garden
☀️ The Scientwits
☀️ Dr Hubble Bubble
☀️ Balls Up Circus
☀️ The Fops by Born in a Taxi
☀️ The Birds by BoilOver Performance Ensemble
☀️ Arts Market
☀️ Giant Puppets of the West by S***f Puppets.
☀️ Windcrafters workshop
☀️ Facepainting
☀️ DJ Trancempire.
+ more!

Don’t forget to check out Emma Winkler’s exhibition Shadow Puppets in the Bowery Gallery, with it’s official launch happening at Be Bold Festival.

With a diverse range of performances and activities, there’s something for everyone at Be Bold Festival. See you there!

For more information visit creativebrimbank.com.au/bbf

19/04/2024

Polite Mammals will be wreaking havoc at the Bowery Theatre next month! Presented by The Wholesome Hour you won't want to miss this a totally wild variety show the whole family can enjoy!

Info and tickets: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/polite-mammals

28/03/2024

📅 SAVE THE DATE 📅
Resonate - Bowery Music Series returns this year bringing a burst of contemporary live music in Melbourne's western suburbs.

Join us on Friday 17 May and 31 May for two nights of the best musical artists + local gems at The Bowery Theatre.

We'll be announcing the spectacular line-up really soon! Watch this space...

creativebrimbank.com.au/resonate

22/03/2024

"Our April eNews is out!

Get the latest Brimbank Arts and Culture news, events and opportunities.

👀 Read it here: https://mailchi.mp/brimbank/cbenewsapr2024

🔔 Subscribe to our monthly eNews here: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/enews

Seeking Feedback on the Arts and Culture Strategy!  We are reviewing our Arts and Culture Strategy and we’d love your feedback. The Strategy will guide our Arts and Culture direction for the next 4 years. The draft Strategy is based on a review of the previous one, comparisons with other governme...

18/03/2024

SAVE THE DATE! Inner Sanctuary on Saturday 27 April at the Bowery Theatre. Presented by Bowery Theatre Residency Artist Parminder Kaur Bhandal and Jim Adams, with Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa.

Details below or visit: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/inner-sanctuary

We are excited to present a new theatre work 'Inner Sanctuary' by one of our Bowery Theatre Residency Artists Parminder Kaur Bhandal.

Along with artists Jim Adams and Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa, Inner Sanctuary is set in the Western suburbs lush green landscape. and inspired by psychogeography. Braiding together personal monologues about community and ecology through poetry, music, and projection. This is a journey of freedom within a world that feels increasingly chaotic.

Details: Saturday 27 April, 6-7.30pm at Bowery Theatre, St Albans. Tickets $10, book now via www.trybooking.com/CNYYH

More info: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/inner-sanctuary

25/01/2024

Joy Machine is just around the corner! Meet one of the stars of the show: Valerie Hex!

Artist Spotlight 🔦 Meet Valerie Hex 🔦

Don't their performance at the upcoming show - Joy Machine. Valerie works tirelessly to create, enhance and extend the possibilities of drag cabaret and q***r dance.

A graduate from the VCA School of Dance (2007), Val has become an internationally
recognised figure as a performer, choreographer, and producer. As producer and director of all eight full-length YUMMY shows, Val has lead an ensemble of drag and burlesque artists to over 30 festivals around Australia and overseas. They have been part of projects that have won many accolades including : “The People’s Choice Award” Melbourne Fringe 2021, "Best Cabaret" Fringe World 2019, "Best Cabaret Production" and "Best Cabaret Ensemble" at the Green Room Awards 2018, to name a few.

No stranger to the Bowery Theatre & Gallery, Valerie has worked with Creative Brimbank in the past to bring variety show, Midsumma performance and 'Duets with a Shapeshifter' an exhibition and video project in 2021.

Val leads an all star cast at Joy Machine at the Bowery Theatre on Saturday 3 February.

Book now: www.midsumma.org.au/whats-on/events/yummy-joy-machine

22/01/2024

COMING UP SOON! Join us for Joy Machine by our outrageously talented friends from YUMMY!

19/01/2024

ARTIST PROFILE 🔦 Carmen Yih aka hitahhchi

Meet one of our Bowery Theatre Residency Artists - Carmen Yih (aka hitahhchi), Director of the upcoming dance performance 'M_N'

Carmen Yih (she/her) is an emerging Chinese-Australian dance-artist graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts' (VCA) Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance). Carmen’s practice centres on platforming the unique perspectives and stories of young people of colour through vernacular and contemporary dance forms.

In 2023, Carmen was awarded the Creative Brimbank Be Bold Residency for the development and presentation of a new street-dance theatre work 'M_N', tackling the impact of socio-cultural notions of masculinity on youth mental health.

Carmen is a member of Burncity Waack, representing nationally in the 1970s freestyle dance ‘Waacking’. Delving into her interests in street and contemporary dance, she seconded with L2R Dance and Sydney Dance Company, and was a co-designer for Next Wave’s World+ program. Her performance credits include: Alleyne Dance’s ‘HOME’ (2023), James Batchelor's ‘Gesturing, Weaving, Unfolding’ (2023), The Dance Cartel’s ‘Butterfly Soupe’ (2022) and repertory by Garry Stewart and Siobhan McKenna. Carmen was awarded the Lionel Gell Foundation Scholarship, VCA Choreography Development Award and Paul and Donna Dainty Award by the VCA for her excellence in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance).

For more info on M_N and to book tickets visit https://creativebrimbank.com.au/m-n

26/12/2023

For the Diary - Bowery Theatre March 2024

⭐ Reeflings Memeries (Theatre, Pupperty, Families) - 2 March
An immersive, community engaged theatre project and performance through story, dance and big puppets.

⭐ Garry Starr (Theatre, Comedy) - 8 March
A hilarious physical theatre comedy about an overzealous idiot attempting to perform all of Greek Mythology in order to save his Hellenic homeland from economic ruin.

⭐ Goodbye Aunty Flo (Theatre, First Nations) - 15 March
Meet Flo, the unwelcome Aunty everyone complains about. A hilarious play created with mob for mob exploring the ups and downs of the most natural stage in every woman’s life - menopause.

Find all these events and tickets at our website https://creativebrimbank.com.au/whats-on

24/12/2023

Wishing a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thank you to everyone who has made our community a creative, collaborative and vibrant place. From artists, creators, performers, producers, participants and audiences, thank you! We hope you have a great holiday season and prosperous new year!

From the Bowery Theatre and Creative Brimbank Team

24/12/2023

Save the date - M_N - Saturday 17 February

As part of the Bowery Theatre Residency, we're excited to present a contemporary dance performance 'M_N' by Carmen Yih aka hitahhchi co-created with Giuliano 'Gino' Hammal aka 24 and Kihmo Quintela.

Through unfiltered street dance-theatre, M_N tells the story of two young men searching for their identity under the crushing pressures of current standards of masculinity.

More info: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/m-n

22/12/2023

SAVE THE DATE - JOY MACHINE - SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY

As part of Midsumma Festival, join us for an outrageous and joyful drag variety show with world class performers from one of the best cabaret ensembles in Melbourne.

From its humble beginnings as an underground club cabaret, to sell out shows on the West End and 5 Star reviews in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, YUMMY has taken the world of drag cabaret by storm.

Details: Saturday 3 February, 7pm at Bowery Theatre, St Albans.
Bookings and info: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/joy-machine

19/12/2023

Our January eNews is out! Get the latest Brimbank Arts and Culture news, events and opportunities.

👀 Read it here: https://mailchi.mp/brimbank/cbenewsjan2024

🔔 Subscribe to our monthly eNews here: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/enews

Pride Pool Party in Sunshine Midsumma Westside Celebrate Brimbank's vibrant LGBTQIA+ community with a fun day by the pool in Sunshine. 📅 Sat 27 Jan, 11am-3pm 🗺️ Sunshine Leisure Centre No charge, registration required More info

17/12/2023

The Reeflings are coming to the Bowery Theatre!

is developing 'Reeflings' Memeries' - an immersive puppet show - at the Bowery Theatre and aims to involve the local culturally diverse community.

WE WANT YOU! We are seeking performers and creators for our rehearsals and
workshops. We are looking for:

👧 Children to be the colourful puppets;
👦 Young adults for narrating;
👩 Makers (sewing and crafting) of all ages to contribute to the show's
fantastic landscape.

Professional, amateurs or those who are new to the creative world are welcome to take part in this project! Only requirement is to bring yourself
and your enthusiasm!

Want to join? Contact Jo Trevathan on
[email protected] or 0429 082 775

14/12/2023

Get a taste of drama for free these school holiday with Wit Kids!

Develop skills and grow confidence through fun games that activate the imagination and inspire a sense of play. Classes are a mix of improvisation, characterisation, mime, theatre sports and drama games. Perfect for experienced drama kids and brand new students wanting to give it a go!

Details: 23 and 24 January
🎭 10-11am Junior Drama Group (ages 5-8)
🎭 11am-12pm Senior Drama Group (ages 9-12)

Location: Bowery Theatre, St Albans
No charge, registrations required

Book now: www.trybooking.com/CNKOU
More info: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/wit-kids-drama-classes-school-holiday-program

06/12/2023

You're invited to a special performance by the Brimbank Multicultural Community Choir next week.

The choir celebrates cultural diversity by singing in over 20 languages and performing all over Melbourne.

The choir is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Join us on Monday 11 December, 6.30-7.30pm at Bowery Theatre, St Albans. No charge, bookings required.

Book now: www.trybooking.com/CNNQJ
More info: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/bmcc-performance-2023

22/11/2023

Our December eNews is out! Get the latest Brimbank Arts and Culture news, events and opportunities, as well as all things happening at the Bowery Theatre.

👀 Read it here: https://mailchi.mp/brimbank/cbenewsdec2023
🔔 Subscribe to our monthly eNews here: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/enews

Set in 1999, Jing, a CEO of a Taiwanese company is flying to Hong Kong to meet a businessman, Mo who is the head of a major corporation in China. In disbelief, two mysterious people from their past show up in their life. They are here to remind Jing and Mo of the love they used to have that they hav...

22/11/2023

FIRST LOOK of I Me She Him 你和我和他和她 | The Bowery Theatre Australian premiere of ‘I Me She Him’ by highly revered Taiwanese playwright Stan Lai 賴聲川老師

Details: 1 & 2 December, 7.30pm at The Bowery Theatre

Book now: www.trybooking.com/CKPEP

21/11/2023

Coming up next week - Circus Homework Performance at the Bowery Theatre!

Featuring performances by the Curbside Carnies team, special guests, and of course, all the children who participated in Circus Homework this year.

Circus Homework kicked off at the start of 2023 inspiring the kids of Koorie Homework Club and Edmund Rice Homework Club to be the next generation of circus stars!

We invite friends and families on Monday 27 November, 4-5pm at the Bowery Theatre. No charge, bookings required.
Book now: www.trybooking.com/CMLXB

17/11/2023

In honor of Transgender Awareness Week (12-19 Nov) we're excited to share our recent Half-Baked Open Mic at the Bowery Theatre which was presented in partnership with BYS Crystal Q***r and FReeZA.

Check out our local young people and LGBTQIA+ performers getting up and showing us their creative works.

Watch:

Brimbank Youth Arts and BYS Crystal Q***r program team up to present a very special edition of local favourite Half Baked Open Mic night!Are you 12-25 years ...

12/11/2023

I Me She Him 你和我和他和她 coming to the Bowery Theatre next month and we are extremely excited to be part of the global premier of this play from by Stan Lai 賴聲川

Details: 1 & 2 December at the Bowery Theatre, St Albans

Book now: www.trybooking.com/CKPEP
More info: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/i-me-she-him

06/11/2023

Coming up at the Bowery Theatre - a special event for families from our friends at Brimbank Libraries.
Save the date - Tuesday 5 December! See details below:

Save the date - Brimbank Libraries Christmas show!

Come join us for a free family-friendly Christmas Storytime and celebrate with art activities, music, and snacks. We will be reading some special Christmas stories, singing songs and spreading some Christmas cheer!

Details: Tuesday 5 December, 10.30am-11.30am at The Bowery Theatre, St Albans. No charge and suitable for all ages.

Book now: www.trybooking.com/CKWKO
More info: https://creativebrimbank.com.au/brimbank-libraries-christmas-show-2023

17/10/2023

Making his Australian debut, award-winning Venezuelan musician Edward Simon has made a name for himself over decades in America as a jazz improviser, composer arranger and bandleader. Joined by US jazz heavyweights David Sánchez, Mike Rodriguez, Matt Brewer and Kendrick Scott, Simon promises to deliver a captivating and masterful performance fusing jazz and Latin American rhythms.

Tuesday 24 October | The Bowery Theatre
Buy tickets: www.melbournejazz.com/events/edward-simon

14/09/2023

We are excited to announce the Bowery Theatre Residency Artists!