- Published:
- Wednesday 6 December 2023
Melbourne’s winter cultural festival RISING is gearing up for another blockbuster program with the announcement of the first drawcard event for 2024, and Victorians are invited to be part of the show, thanks to support from the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks today announced the festival's 2024 dates and its first Australian-exclusive event – a massive music-making gathering that will see hundreds of people sing, dance and connect at St Paul’s Cathedral.
From 1-16 June, the 2024 festival will take over Melbourne with a celebration of the creative community alongside the world’s most innovative artists, the city’s live music and food credentials, and late-night culture – attracting thousands of visitors, creating local jobs and boosting hospitality and hotels throughout the city.
The first event to be announced is Communitas, a free mass participation work by Melbourne electronic music duo SHOUSE, especially created for RISING. SHOUSE reached global success with their 2017 single Love Tonight charting in more than 50 countries and generating more than one billion streams.
At Communitas, participants will sing, play handmade instruments made by SHOUSE member Jon Madin, and move to choreography by Deep Soulful Sweats, with a single of the event set to be released and to feature songwriting credits for all participants.
It follows the communal spectacular, 10,000 Kazoos, a highlight of the 2023 Rising Festival, which saw 11,000 people take part in the world’s largest kazoo orchestra at Fed Square.
The Labor Government backed RISING as a new drawcard major event for Melbourne in the winter season, with the 2023 program attracting 753,000 people to events, exhibitions, concerts and more, during the festival and beyond.
Communitas takes place on Saturday 15 June at St Paul’s Cathedral. Registration is free and open now at rising.melbourne.
Quote attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks
“RISING 2024 is shaping up to be another magical drawcard for Melbourne next winter, and Communitas sums up the spirit of the festival – bringing people together in a joyful celebration of music and creativity.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
“RISING will again ignite Melbourne’s winter with amazing cultural experiences and we’re excited to reveal the first taste of the 2024 program, which is set to attract thousands of visitors into the city to revel in this major event.”
Quote attributable to RISING co-artistic director Hannah Fox
“Music connects and moves people in a way that is a kind of magic. In Communitas, everyone gets a chance to take part in making music with no experience or skill level required. This sort of invitation to get directly involved in culture is at the core of what RISING is about.”
Quote attributable to Communitas creator and founding member of SHOUSE Ed Service
“Communitas is more than a musical event; it's a collective celebration of the human spirit, a symphony of shared joy that transcends boundaries. We’re thrilled to collaborate with RISING, and invite hundreds into the heart of St Paul’s Cathedral to join us.”