Forté’s Guide to Pleasure Garden
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Forté’s Guide to Pleasure Garden

The Pleasure Garden should be at the top of your festival list this December. Coined as an immersive, creative arts and music feast set in a picturesque parkland, this one will be a delight for the senses and a treat for the soul – so to speak. It’s been said that The Pleasure Garden will change you, so here is the low-down of what to expect.

Getting There

With the garden opening up at midday, get there early to avoid the massive crowds and lunch time rush in the city – plus you will arrive in time for the Welcome to Country and Opening Parade. The guys from Pleasure Garden request that festival-goers don’t drive to the festival, as there is very limited parking spaces in the area.

Your best bet would be using public transport. From the city, trams number 3, 12 and 96 all take you right to the front gate. If you are catching a bus or train, Catani Gardens is the landmark to search to find the best route.

And for those travelling from out of the city, ideally you should catch the train into Southern Cross and then seek alternative trains, buses or trams from that location.

The Music

The line-up for Pleasure Garden is a massive one. Along with The Cat Empire, Dub FX and Tash Sultana, they also have Blue King Brown, Dub Pistols Sound System, OKA, The Chicken Brothers, JPS (AKA Jerry Poon of The Operatives), Mortisville and Friends, Beatrice and The Opiuo Band will be hitting the stage.

The Correspondents, Spoonbill, Jakubi, Mista Savona, Boogs, Steve Ward and Kodiak Kidd will also be sharing their sounds.

Be sure to catch the well-known party bandThe Cat Empire for a fiercely uplifting live show, and The Opiuo Band who have graced stages at the likes of Glastonbury and Coachella. With their unique take on electronic music, you will be dancing well into the night.

opiuo band all people small

The Art

As well as offering a killer music lineup, Pleasure Garden is proving that it’s so much more than just a day of sweet tunes. Adding to the festivities comes mind-blowing roving performers, artists, and purveyors of wonder and awe. Highlights include Inner Colour (Andra), the international visionary artist (and UV Body Painter of the Year) specialising in fine art body painting, avant-garde make-up and UV-reactive painting for a wide variety of creative projects and events.
Another one to look out for is Glitzern Grime, the Melbourne based creative production house specialising in 3D architectural design and concepts. These guys use their experience in stage, costume and set design to envisage and construct innovative, unique designs that will captivate any audience.

The Theatre

Kinetic Theatre (a street theatre company) will be offering a giant hairy snail and an impish rider from a realm aeons away, while Havana Palava is the street band that will be dropping an eclectic mix of African and Carribean gypsy blues. Other acts to look out for include international Empress Stiltdance who will be undertaking the most impressive feats on stilts you’ve ever seen, while visual artists The Huxley’s will be serving up a healthy dose of glam surrealism. There will also be mimes, a punk rock daredevil specialising in death defying escapes and a group of glitter artists.

stilts

The Food

As far as food goes, get down for some pizza from the legendary 400 Gradi, sweets from Billy Van Creamy, vegetarian soul food from Vegilicious and fresh Mexican street food from Dos Diablos Cantina. Fill the void with American style smoked meats from Ironbark BBQ, or treat yourself to some Mexican style Paletas (Ice Creams on a stick) made from irresistible fresh fruits and delicious creamy flavours at ChillBro Paletas. When it come to the beverages, The Good Brew Company have you covered with kegs on bikes and brews in reusable cups – a delicious and environmentally friendly drink of choice.

The full program of playing times will be available a few days before the festival. Tickets are on sale now.

When & Where: Catani Gardens, St Kilda on Saturday December 10.