MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER / DIRECTOR

Wynnum Fringe turns three! Can you believe it? What started as a wild COVID recovery effort is now a global arts destination. Wynnum is Brisbane’s home of Fringe. We grow this year in so many ways.

Firstly, we move our Fringe Hub to the foreshore in George Clayton Park, which we are christening the Wynnum Fringe Garden. This gorgeous seaside space will play host to two pop up venues – The Raine & Horne Wynnum Spiegeltent and The Vault, plus a beer garden and free outdoor activations for all ages.

What shows are coming? Are you sitting down?

Global disco phenomenon Velvet Rewired starring Marcia Hines AM will play from Wednesday to Sunday nights starting November 16 before it moves to a smaller unknown venue down south called ‘Sydney Opera House’, Aussie comic royalty Dave Hughes, Cal Wilson, Akmal Saleh & Georgie Carroll will play ticketed shows, as well as comic wonderkind Garry Star presents Greece Lighting (do not miss this hilarious one man clown retelling of Greek Mythology. I’ve never laughed so hard.) We’re also hosting a Wynnum vs Manly amateur dance eisteddfod for all ages and competencies thanks to Common People Dance Project – and much (much) more to be announced!

Our opening ceremony tradition ‘yana marumba (Walk Good)’ will continue in partnership with local Quandamooka leaders.

The Wynnum Fringe Garden also features Head First Acrobats and their phenomenal award-winning show GODZ and more.

Plenty more will be revealed for the Garden in our Round 2 Program Release this September.

Bayside Music Hall is another key venue this year, with epic acts such as Thndo (Top 4: The Voice, 2022) and award-winning entertainment from indelabilityarts and their hit show Wilbur The Optical Whale. Cedar & Pine Bar, Frenchies and other local hot-spots will be activated come Fringe time and we look forward to revealing it all to you over the coming months!

Wynnum Fringe is here to celebrate (and champion) creativity and community. These two things are at the core of what we do. In 2022, we’re thrilled to have Aussie legend Marcia Hines AM, sporting icon and Wynnum local Vicki Wilson, plus ABC Breakfast team Loretta Ryan and Craig Zonca becoming official Festival Ambassadors. These four people connect strongly with our values as a Festival. Creativity and community driving economic change in a region. It is a huge honour to be supported by such trusted Australian personalities. To think that this was an idea in my head two years ago and now these industry juggernauts want to endorse it, boggles my mind.

More than any other year, we would not be here without our sponsors (see full grid on the home page) and government support from Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane City Council. Please support our partners and sponsors – and please support your Fringe!

To the team behind the curtain, David, Jess, Emma, Mum, Dad, and our army of contractors across all departments. We did it. We are doing it! Look what we have made! If you see anyone working or volunteering at the festival this year, buy them a drink or give them a smile. They have well and truly earned it.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you in the sun for this third (miraculous) year of Wynnum Fringe. The bayside really is one of Brisbane’s best spots to relax: especially when the Wynnum Fringe Garden comes alive in November! Book early and immerse yourself in the wealth of creative talent on display at Wynnum Fringe 2022. Or just buy a beer, some fish and chips, and look at the ocean. Thanks for the support and see you soon!

Tom Oliver and the Wynnum Fringe Team