Australian Performing Arts Market 2018 to Descend on Brisbane this February

From 19 - 23 February 2018 leading national and international performing arts industry will descend on Brisbane for the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM), Australia's largest internationally focused trade-market for contemporary performing arts.

At its simplest APAM is a market for buyers from around the world to come and view Australian and New Zealand performing arts product and potentially give it a new audience in another city, state or country. The performing arts product is presented in one of three forms, as a pitch, an excerpt or in its entirety.

APAM provides this unique opportunity every two years and creative individuals, groups and companies apply for the opportunity to find the ear of the all-important 'right' people who can give their work an audience if it is already created, or if it is just a pitch help bring it to life!

This year, for the first time, Brisbane locals will have a unique opportunity to peer behind the Industry curtain and view some incredible full length works that will be showcased at APAM. The Brisbane Powerhouse public program will feature both free and ticketed events.

Brisbane Powerhouse Artistic Director Kris Stewart said Brisbane Powerhouse was excited to offer our audiences the opportunity to experience APAM.

Mr Stewart said, "this is the first time we're opening the doors and inviting audiences in to experience some of the very best performances from Australia and New Zealand, including two large scale site specific performances, and a free up late live music program on the Turbine Platform."

Multi-award winning South Australian acrobatic ensemble Gravity & Other Myths will kick off the public program in the Powerhouse Theatre on Friday 16th February with their work Backbone. This all ages show (literally) tosses around the perception of what strength is, where it comes from and how it is measured. It is a celebration of human interconnectedness which tests the limits of strength; physical, emotional, individual and collective.

On Sunday 18th February in the Visy Theatre at Brisbane Powerhouse, Queensland choreographer and composer Thomas E. S. Kelly will present [MIS]CONCIEVE, a mash-up of traditional and contemporary dance theatre show which explores the misconceptions and pre-conceived ideas on what people are supposed to look and act like with their aptly named work. This is a co-presentation between Supercell, BlakDance and Brisbane Powerhouse.

Delicately poised between concert and theatre by Victorian collective Chamber Made, Permission to Speak explores the dynamic relationship of parent and child as it exists and evolves through a lifetime. Presented in an intimate Powerhouse Theatre, with the audience seated in the round, on the final weekend of APAM.

West Australian company Side Pony Productions & The Last Great Hunt bring their play The Irresistible which has been described as a reckless, intoxicating lover letter to the subconscious to the Visy theatre for the final weekend of APAM.

As well as the in-theatre events there will also be two large scale site specific performances for the general public to view. West Australia's Spare Parts Puppet Theatre String Symphony will take over the Brisbane Powerhouse's Performance Lawn with Leor - a stunning giant illuminated puppet, completely hand-woven with over a kilometer of woven rope and 600 LED lights which passersby can help animate.

While over at the Paddington Skate Park you will get the opportunity to view an anarchic street style performance Snake Sessions. With a live drummer driving the action, bodies and wheels collide, race each other, and blur into one.

Another exciting opportunity for the general public to take part in APAM 2018 are the FREE Late Night Series events: A Night Across Asia offers the chance to hear traditional Asian music as you've never heard it before, supported by Australia-Korea Foundation, A Litany of Broken Prayer and Promise - a celebratory evening of dynamic live performance from some of Singapore's foremost independent contemporary artists, supported by the National Arts Council, Singapore, and The Original People's Party a celebration of all that is brown and down, bought to you by a smashing selection of artists from around the world.

Australia Council for the Arts CEO Tony Grybowski said, "The Australia Council is delighted to provide Brisbane audiences with the opportunity to experience some of our country's most vibrant contemporary performing arts. It is also an important opportunity for our international visitors to experience performances with local audiences as they make decisions about showcasing our artists overseas."

The Premier and Minister for the Arts Annastacia Palaszczuk said Brisbane will again be the place to be when APAM takes centre stage in February 2018.

"I am delighted to welcome delegates to Brisbane for the highly anticipated APAM 2018.

"Attended by more than 650 national and international delegates together with around 250 participating artists, this event reinforces Queensland's reputation as a premier arts and cultural destination.

"The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland, is a long-time supporter of APAM.

"APAM reflects my Government's commitment to invest in our performing arts - it facilitates industry connections, showcases our artists and arts companies, and opens the door to new tours and productions," the Premier said.

"I am delighted six talented Queensland artists and companies have been selected to pitch at APAM 2018 including Bleached Arts, Casus Circus, Dancenorth Australia, Leah Shelton, Queensland Theatre, and Thomas E Kelly.

"APAM promotes both our local talent and this wonderful city to delegates from around the world," the Premier said.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) was an example of Council's vision for Brisbane to become a premier location for thriving creative industries in Australia.

"Brisbane is a vibrant and creative city, and last year's APAM event welcomed hundreds of delegates from 31 different countries to our New World City," Cr Quirk said.

"Brisbane is very excited to once again be hosting APAM in February, and I look forward to another exciting event for our city's creative and performing arts scene.

What: Backbone by Gravity and Other Myths (SA)

When: Friday 16th @ 7:30pm, Sat 17th February @ 2:30pm & 7:30pm (CHECK)

Where: Powerhouse Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse

Tickets: Adult $48, Concession $32, Package $30

Bookings: https://brisbanepowerhouse.org/whats-on/

Ph: +61 7 3358 8600

What: [MIS] CONCIEVE by Thomas E Kelly (Qld)

When: Sunday 18th February @ 2:00

Where: Visy Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse

Tickets: Adult $38, Concession $25, Package $30/50/100

Bookings: https://brisbanepowerhouse.org/whats-on/

Ph: +61 7 3358 8600

What: String Symphony by Spare Parts Puppet Theatre (WA)

When: Sunday 18th Feb @ 5pm & Monday 19th February @ 2:30pm and 5pm

Where: Performance Lawn, Brisbane Powerhouse

Tickets: FREE

What: The Original People's Party

Pesented by BlakDance, Yirramboi and Tri-Nations Curatorial Advisory Group in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse

When: Tuesday 20th February @ 9.30pm til late

Where: Turbine Platform, Brisbane Powerhouse

Tickets: FREE

What: Snake Sessions by Branch Nebular (NSW)

When: Wednesday 21st February @ 6.15pm (til 7.15pm)

Where: Paddington Skate Park

Tickets: FREE

What: A Litany of Broken Prayer and Promise

Presented by Cake, Supported By The National Arts Council, Singapore and Brisbane Powerhouse

When: Wednesday 21st February @ 9.30pm til late

Where: Turbine Platform, Brisbane Powerhouse

Tickets: FREE

What: A Night Across Asia

Presented by Ssingssing And Senyawa in Partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse with support from Australia-Korea Foundation

When: Thursday 22nd February @ 9.30pm til late

Where: Turbine Platform, Brisbane Powerhouse

Tickets: FREE

What: Permission to Speak by Chamber Made (VIC)

When: Friday 23 Feb @ 7:30pm and Saturday 24 Feb @ 2:30pm & 7:30pm

Where: Powerhouse Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse

Tickets: Adult $48, Concession $32, Package $30

Bookings: https://brisbanepowerhouse.org/whats-on/

Ph: +61 7 3358 8600

What: The Irresistible by Side Pony Productions & The Last Great Hunt (WA)

When: 23 Feb @ 7:00pm, Sat 24 Feb @2:00pm & 7:00pm

Where: Visy Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse

Tickets: Adult $48, Concession $32, Package $30

Bookings: https://brisbanepowerhouse.org/whats-on/

Ph: +61 7 3358 8600

APAM 2018 will be presented by leading performing arts venue Brisbane Powerhouse with additional events held across local partner venues including the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Sofitel Brisbane Central. APAM 2018 is presented by the Australia Council for the Arts in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse. Brisbane City Council is the Principal Supporter of APAM. The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland, also proudly supports the event.

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