At first light on 12 August, a rugged-up audience will once again gather on the sands of Burleigh Heads to greet the break of day, this year to the sound of iconic Indigenous Australian soul singer Emma Donovan. Now becoming a regular event, this dawn performance will also mark the launch of the 2021 Bleach* Festival. In its tenth year, the annual contemporary arts festival is a fixture of the Gold Coast, spreading out through various locations, bringing new and diverse works and artists into communities across Queensland’s lowest coast. Limelight caught up with Rosie Dennis, Artistic Director of Bleach* to find out what’s in store for this year’s festival.

Rosie Dennis, Bleach* Festival Artistic Director. Photo © Artwork Agency.

Firstly, how have you fared through the rocky situation over the past year, and how did it affect the 2020 Bleach* Festival?

Personally, I’ve fared ok. In saying that, last year was hard – emotionally and psychologically for myself and the team. We have a committed team and a supportive Board and together we worked through...