Melbourne Fringe Festival: Human-powered dancefloor 'not your average boogie'
A Berlin-nightclub-inspired dancefloor with the ability to power itself has been opened as the centrepiece of a music and arts festival in its 43rd year.
The Melbourne Fringe Festival, which kicked off on Tuesday and runs until October 19, features almost 500 events across the city.
Power Move, described by organisers as “not your average boogie”, has been set up at Federation Square and will be open daily.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The dancefloor uses kinetic energy generated by the movement of people dancing to create power, which is fed back as energy for the installation.
Breakdancing duels and community dance will be among sessions held on the floor, which on Tuesday hosted a 6.5-hour high-energy showcase.
It was led by Anna from the Go-Go Academy - inspired by vintage glamour and bold spirit of 1960s go-go dancing.
“The more you move across, the more energy it creates,” Melbourne Fringe creative director and chief executive Simon Abrahams told reporters.
“It’s a celebration of the people of Melbourne who we’re asking to take action and create renewable energy just by using their own bodies.”
The festival also includes a musical comedy highlighting the ill-fated expedition of Burke and Willis across Australia in 1860.
By comedian Sammy J, the musical tells a tale combining history, politics, silliness and the role of the Yandruwandha people, who helped John King survive the trek.
A play, titled work.txt, will be performed entirely by audience members who must try to figure out why the main city-living character has stopped working.
There is also a celebration of Australia in the The Lucky Country, which explores identity and belonging and features an original score with nods to Jimmy Barnes, Kylie Minogue and others.
