Diverse Performances Enliven Sydney Festival's Final Weekend

As the month of January comes to an end, so does the vibrant Sydney Festival, wrapping up its final weekend filled with artistic performances and cultural showcases.

Mo Laudi: From DJ to Academic

Mo Laudi, a unique combination of a DJ and an academic, is set to close the Sydney Festival 2024 with his performance on Sunday night. The South African-born, Paris-based artist, whose talents span across being a DJ, MC, artist, composer, and curator, will engage attendees with a three-hour lecture at Woolloomooloo's Artspace on Saturday. There, he will dive into the history of Afro-electronic music and its significance within the African diaspora. Following his scholarly presentation, Mo Laudi will bring the beats to life as the Sydney Festival's closing night party DJ at the Moonshine Bar in Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.

Dance Against Gravity

Another highlight of the festival is Skid, a production by GöteborgsOperans Danskompani led by French-Belgian choreographer Damien Jalet. The dance piece showcases 17 performers on a stage sloped at 34 degrees, creating an optical illusion reminiscent of a ski slope. This breath-taking spectacle focuses on the theme of resisting and embracing gravity, a metaphor for life's many challenges. Katrin Hall, the Icelandic artistic director of the dance company, alludes to the diverse interpretations of dance as the audience witnesses this gravity-defying act.

Cabaret and Theater Wrap Up the Festival

The festival's final acts include Grammy Award-winning chanteuse Rizo's cabaret show at the Wharf Theatre and the play Saplings at The Rebel Theatre. Rizo returns with her signature blend of performance styles, and Saplings, guided by Yuwaalaraay playwright Hannah Belanszky and Kalkadoon director Abbie-lee Lewis, unveils poignant tales shaped from the experiences of young people within the youth justice system. The heart of this production is embodied by four Indigenous actors who take to the stage to challenge perceptions about the criminal justice system's treatment of youth.

culture, theatre, festival