Lorne’s Festival of Performing Arts is back

Bucking the trend for summer festivals, Lorne’s Festival of Performing Arts (FOPA) is back again and with a killer program in tow. Proving that the coast is where it’s at, this year sees a breadth of events that showcase some of Australia’s best cabaret, sideshow, circus, theatre, comedy, visual art and music events.
Chair of the Festival Committee, Peter Spring, reveals that a revitalised local steering committee was remounting the festival after its year-long hiatus. “Locals and visitors will see Lorne at its best, with affordable entertainment for all ages, from shows for kids (that grown-ups will love) to shows for adults and a late-night piano bar,” he says. “It’s a great weekend away to enjoy Lorne.”
With a little bit of everything, who can say no to a great weekend away in Lorne? We’ve rounded up a few of the highlights from the first round of acts… but keep your eyes peeled for more to come.
Opening Gala
Experience highlights of shows from across the festival in one extravaganza of music, magic, cabaret and comedy, hosted by the incomparable Sammy J. Featuring Nancy Sinatra: You Only Live Twice, Random, The Vegetable Plot, Trevor Jones and more, the opening showcases the best of the best.
Cumberland Resort, Loutitt Bay Room, Friday August 31 at 7.30pm
The Sammy J Songbook
Of course the headline act is in our highlights! Comedian, author and songbird Sammy J is heading to Lorne with a bag full of songs and a heart full of love. He’s toured the world, won awards, and can currently be seen every Thursday night on ABC TV. Don’t miss this chance to spend an intimate evening with one of Australia’s favourite skinny men (second only to Mr Squiggle).
Catch Sammy at Cumberland Resort, Auditorium, Saturday September 1 at 7.30pm
Random
Ditching the top hat and bunny for Tinder and beer, this is the hilariously modern magic show you didn’t know you needed. With sold out festivals and over 20 million hits on social media, it’s easy to see why Dom Chambers has become the revolutionary new king of Australian magic.
Lorne Hotel, View Room, Saturday September 1 at 8.45pm
Acts of Absurdity; a circus, magic and comedy spectacular
Performed by Varietyville, two ʻmust seeʼ artists of outrageously funny proportions combining their talents into one incredible show! Bite sized morsels of masterful magic, chaotic clowning, preposterous physical feats, musical mayhem, hilarious hi-jinks and much more. Starring award-winning, five-star internationally renowned physical comedian Daniel Oldaker aka “Dandyman” and the inimitable magic & comedy impresario Rani Huszar “Foxy Moron”. Suited to ages 6 and up, but enjoyed by grown-ups too.
See it at the Lorne Hotel, View Room, Saturday September 1 at 11.30am
FOPA Open Mic
This one is perfect for the budding musos in the area. Winding up the FOPA festival, they’ve got an open mic afternoon where you can strut your talents or sit back with lunch and a drink to enjoy the talent or terror of the brave souls stepping up to the microphone. Either way, this is the perfect wrap up to the
The Lorne Hotel, Beer Garden Sound Stage, Sunday September 2 from 1pm
The festival runs from Thursday August 30 to Sunday September 2. Tickets for the festival start at $10, and are available at www.fopa.com.au
Written by Chloe Cicero