Lorne’s own Festival of Performing Arts (FOPA) is gearing up for a huge festival with a change of dates and an additional full day of exciting shows, street performances and free events.
The new dates are Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 October, with Lorne’s biggest annual night for locals – the Opening Gala – moving to the Thursday night. This is during the school holidays, so we’re adding more kids’ entertainment during the day, and grown-up shows at night. The closing Sunday will be a relaxing day with activities including an Open Mic and the After FOPArty.
Following are selected highlights, but there’s heaps more on offer – head to www.fopa.com.au.
Opening Gala
Experience highlights from across the festival in one extravaganza of music, cabaret and comedy, hosted by multi award-winning comedian Damian Callinan. This event is at Cumberland Lorne, 7pm Thursday 3 October (doors from 6pm with piano entertainment).
Family Gala
Why should adults get all the fun? Families with children now have their own Gala too! This presents the full range of family-friendly entertainment on offer across the festival in a single snapshot. Put simply, it’s a tasting plate of performances suitable for children… that adults will love. Cumberland Lorne, 4:30pm Friday 4 October.
Piano Bar
The infamous FOPA Piano Bar returns to close the festival each night. Enjoy the live, interactive, spontaneous fun of a piano man playing your favourite songs and requests on demand. You’ll be singing at the top of your lungs to songs you never knew you remembered the words to! Lorne Central, 9pm Thu/Fri/Sat.
Faulty Towers – The Dining Experience
Basil, Sybil and Manuel are gearing up to bring a healthy dose of mayhem to your table. If you loved the TV series, you’ll absolutely have a ball at this show. We’re packing a lot into the night, including a 3-course meal and two full hours of laughter. Plus, as we’re at one of the most stunning vantage points in Lorne – The Peak – we’re opening doors from 6pm so you can enjoy the 6:30pm sunset along with piano entertainment. Reserve your table of 8, or book single/double tickets and make new friends.
Shuttle buses will run from Lorne Central to and from The Peak for a gold coin donation.
The Peak at Lorne Country Club, 7pm Friday 4 October.
FOPA Friends
We had such a positive response to the festival friends program last year that we’re bringing it back. If you become a FOPA Friend, you can purchase discounted tickets to all shows. There will be other discounts available to FOPA Friends over the festival too, including a 25% discount off food up to the value of $40 from Lorne Hotel.
Thank you
A big thanks to the hard-working members of the local steering committee, and to our sponsors and other supporters who are pitching in to making the festival thrive.
Check www.fopa.com.au for the full list of shows, times and venues and to book your tickets.
