One of Australia’s oldest festivals, Brave New Works, is 31 years old and will run from April 3-6. Beginning in the late 80s, Denmark Arts has presented the event every year since.

This year the festival theme, Aurora Australis, has attracted 50 local and Statewide artists, with every application accepted.

The result is a line up of vibrant projections, starry night skies and colourful aurora representations in five exhibitions.

Denmark Arts director Abbie Pedersen hoped the community would appreciate the outstanding acts and the calibre of artists.

“Some of the acts in the program wouldn’t come to Denmark without a professional festival platform to support the delivery of their work,” she said. “It is astounding who Brave New Works has attracted.”

Programs are online at denmarkarts.com.au

For more information, the social media pages show the biographies of each artist and the new or brave works they will bring – something in the program for all ages and interests.

This includes storytelling by the Great Southern Storytellers, Exhibitions from Denmark Senior High School, Aysa: Open Access from Albany, Janine McCrum’s Ebb and Flow exhibition and Zac Launay for the North Midlands Project.

Twenty-five West Australian artists have responded to the aurora theme with their works at the Community Resource Centre gallery.

Renowned astro-photographer Dr John Goldsmith is a first for Denmark and will present his 44th exhibition at the Denmark Hotel. He will launch his third book and present a photographic collection of West Australian skies through projection.

All dance performances will be held at the Denmark Civic Centre.

These are the Denmark Daring Divas, Circus by Jackson Burrell, a Telluric Creatives’ ballet performance which is informed by peer-reviewed weather data.

Storybook Stage Company with 30 children under 12 will present the highly-anticipated youth-directed, Wizard of Oz.

Denmark Artshouse will be the festival hub with a stage for bands on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The renowned West Australian band, Kill Devil Hills, supported by locals Mov Music, Nova Jane and Arthur Stewart will perform and there will even be a comedy stage which sold out last year.

Everyone is advised to get their tickets early.

Brave New Works will deliver a mini stage at Blue Wren Lodge for residents over the weekend, in a move to make the festival accessible for all.

Everyone is welcome to purchase tickets online or at the door.

Volunteers are still needed and if anyone can spare three hours they will be given a free ticket.

This article appeared in Denmark Bulletin, 3 April 2025.