AWAKEN: Backbone Festival 2023: “Where the arts come alive, and dreams take flight.”
Wake up sleepy head, there’s a vibrant arts festival kicking off THIS WEEK - and if fresh is your flavour you are going to want to soak it alllll up. From 13 - 28 October, Seven Hills Hub will be alive to the sound of innovative new works of theatre, dance, music, experimental works, circus, and much more besides. It’s time to check out the program for AWAKEN: Backbone Festival 2023, and see what the young artists of today are creating.
We got to chat to the creative team about overcoming challenge, vibrancy and opportunity for our young artists, and why youth arts are an indispensable element of our arts ecosystem. Stephen Quinn is a producer, performer and designer who has been working at Backbone since 2018. As of 2022 he is leading Backbone Youth Arts into a bright new future as the Head of Operations. Martelle Simon-Green is a performer, director and teaching artist who has been working as Associate Producer at Backbone for 2023. Martelle also leads the education programs and values supporting emerging artists on their creative journeys.
Tell us about the vision for Backbone’s 2023 festival – AWAKEN
‘Artiste’ by Brymore Productions.
Stephen: AWAKEN: Backbone Festival is a celebration of our young artists and their undying creative spirit; it’s a manifestation of Backbone’s resilience and dedication; it’s a new chapter in our 36 year history. Over the past few years, we've faced unprecedented challenges, but we've risen above them. We've navigated lockdowns, adapted to new ways of working, and bid farewell to a beloved venue. We've restructured our team and board, all in pursuit of a bigger dream.
In 2023, we're awakening a new era for Backbone, and we're doing it with conviction. We're shedding the trials of the past and stepping boldly into the future. Our vision centres around rejuvenating our community and the Seven Hills Hub, our new home.
The AWAKEN festival is designed to bring people together, to awaken from the isolation that has bound us for the past two years. We've curated a program that blends fully realised performances, captivating works-in-progress showings, discussions, and events. It's not just for seasoned art enthusiasts; it's for everyone, young and old alike.
This year, we're introducing something truly special: a dedicated program for children and families. We want to engage our local Seven Hills community and establish Seven Hills Hub as a creative haven for everyone. We believe in nurturing the creative sparks in our youngest artists and giving them a platform to shine.
AWAKEN: Backbone Festival is more than just a showcase of talent; it's a celebration of the untamed, creative spirit of our young artists. So, join us on this incredible journey as we awaken, not just a festival, but a sense of purpose, belonging, and hope. Backbone is here to inspire, uplift, and empower, and AWAKEN 2023 is the embodiment of that commitment. We invite you to be a part of this incredible experience, where the arts come alive, and dreams take flight. Together, we will awaken a brighter, more vibrant future for youth arts in Brisbane and beyond.
Can you give us some highlights from the program?
Stephen & Martelle: It’s so hard to choose!
Jack Sharpe and the Curse of the Forbidden Fruit by Fake Blood co. - a hilarious theatre show for anyone who loves (or hates) action movies.
Obstacle by Grace Longwill - an interactive theatre show for anyone with a body.
Subtitles Not Included by Tahlia Novela - a mash up of drag, burlesque and stand up comedy from the hilarious Tahlia Novela
Digi Youth Arts (DYA) take over day - a free day of workshops and performances celebrating & showcasing young First Nations artists
Family Fun Day - a free day of circus and drama workshops, performances and popcorn!
Candy Social Club - our most loved queer event Candy Social Club returns with some of Brisbane’s most exciting young queer artists
‘Obstacle’ by Grace Longwill; mage credit: capturedbyangell.
How many shows are being presented, and how many creatives?
Stephen: We have 13 different shows and 5 events over 7 days from October 13th - October 28th. There is an eclectic mix of fully formed performances, work-in-progress showings, discussions and events which involve over 70 artists, the majority of which are under 30 years of age.
What’s the best thing about working with young and emerging artists?
Martelle: The best thing about working with young and emerging artists is their unbridled creativity. Often as artists, we hear ‘No’ so often that we start bending and breaking our artistic practice to fit someone else’s limits. Our Young and Emerging Artists present unique and exciting works that haven’t been limited by anyones ‘No’. This year, we wanted our festival to have a particular focus on our Youth Arts: art for and by Young People. Awaken 2023 features work by our Young Creators (Ages 8-18), our workshop students from Ipswich Girls Grammar and QUT’s student theatre company Vena Cava. To see these Young People taking part in Backbone Festival, a festival that is now in its 26th year, is a wonderful return to what makes Backbone so important in our community. Backbone has always been a place of experimentation and discovery for emerging artists, and has provided the foundation for many artists and arts leaders that we see succeeding today and it’s such a gift to be a part of paving the way for the next generation of creatives.
Are there any themes emerging in the works that reflect our contemporary life?
Martelle: Our programming this year is made up of our HUB Residents, our 2023 artists in residence, each of whom are presenting works that show us new perspectives on familiar narratives. Jack Sharpe and the Curse of the Forbidden Fruit (By Fake Blood co.) thrusts audiences into a world of action and adventure films of the last century to show us why our action heroes aren’t necessarily heroes, especially important in a world full of misogynistic discourse. Stone the Crows (By Damian Tatum) is a new WIP of a theatre work that asks audiences to question how much collateral damage they’re willing to cause in the fight against climate change, love and loss. Medea: The Witch of Corinth (by TheatrePUNK Co.) is a new take on the Greek classic where women look to witchcraft to find their power. Each of these works represent the artistic ethos of Backbone: curious, untamed and experimental. They’ve dusted off old narratives that lay dormant and thrust them into a new light for audiences to awaken to different perspectives.
How are you waking up the Seven Hills Hub and local community?
Subtitles Not Included by Tahlia Novela; image credit: Joel Devereux
Martelle: We’re fortunate enough to have such a giving community here in Seven Hills, with our venue Seven Hills Hub playing a huge role in our connection to locals. This year we’re partnering with Rabbit Hole Cafe (the best cafe in Seven Hills in my opinion) to curate a Food and Beverage service like never seen before at Backbone Festival. Our Family Fun Day (Saturday 28th) was created specifically with our Seven Hills Community in mind; free circus workshops, performances and craft for our burgeoning young community. There will also be some interactive arts experiences popping up throughout the festival activating the venue in fun new ways.
What are the potential outcomes for the young artists at the festival? Can you give an example of an amazing outcome for a young person from a previous festival?
Martelle: Speaking from personal experience, my first connection to Backbone Youth Arts was as a performer in Backbone Festival 2015 and now I am the Associate Producer of the organisation. Backbone takes pride in making sure that a presentation at Backbone Festival is only the start of the journey Young Artists have with us. Last year’s festival saw Sarah Stafford’s one-woman play “Again, You Have Trusted Me” go on to be nominated for two Matilda Awards at this year’s ceremony. Sarah has then gone on to direct award-winning comedy works performed at Melbourne Fringe, Melbourne Comedy Festival and Brisbane Comedy Festival.
What is the importance of funding youth arts?
Stephen: Funding youth arts is not just important; it is utterly indispensable. By investing in youth arts, we are investing in the future of culture and creativity. We are nurturing the next generation of storytellers, and changemakers who will shape our society. These are the artists that will provoke conversations, challenge norms, and bring about future social change.
Young artists are often at the forefront of innovation. They possess an insatiable curiosity, a thirst for experimentation, and an innate ability to challenge the status quo. They are the fearless explorers of their artistic craft, pushing boundaries, and taking bold risks. However, they are also in the nascent stages of their careers, still crafting their unique voices, and building their audiences. The arts industry can be incredibly competitive and unforgiving, especially for those just starting out. This is why funding youth arts is so important. It provides young artists with the resources and support they need to bring their visions to life and gives them a foot in the door. It allows them to refine their skills, explore uncharted territories, and, most importantly, find their place in the artistic ecosystem.
Funding youth arts is not just about nurturing artistic talent; it's about fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. It sends a powerful message to young artists that their voices matter, that their dreams are worth pursuing, and that they are an integral part of our cultural tapestry.
What is one unmissable moment from the festival that we should look out for?
We can’t just choose one!
DYA Takeover day
Family Fun Day
AWAKEN: Backbone Festival takes place 13 - 28 October, Seven Hills Hub, 28 Tallowwood St, Seven Hills. For more information and to see the full program head to backbone.org.au
