Dark Mofo organisers have pledged to continue with their winter feast and naked River Derwent dip. Photo / Getty Images
Dark Mofo organisers have pledged to continue with their winter feast and naked River Derwent dip. Photo / Getty Images
A scaled-back Dark Mofo winter festival will include a larger nude solstice swim and more free entry to its popular feast in response to cost-of-living pressures.
The annual Hobart event announced in September its 2024 edition would be put in hibernation so a more sustainable model could be found.
Organisers pledged to continue with their winter feast and naked River Derwent dip, which marks the longest night of the year.
Dark Mofo said on Friday that the June 21 swim would have a significantly increased capacity.
The winter feast on the Hobart waterfront on June 13-16 and 20-23 will be free on both Sundays with cost-of-living pressures in mind.
“We’re really excited to be able to present these beloved pillars of the festival ... for Tasmanians and all our dedicated Dark Mofo pilgrims,” artistic director Chris Twite said.
The Museum of New and Old Art (Mona) this month pulled the pin on its summer festival Mona Foma after 16 years, adding to a rising list of nationwide cancellations.
The reduced Dark Mofo programme includes a performance by Australian rapper and singer Genesis Owusu and the opening of the Namedropping exhibition at Mona.
New Zealand folk and country-influenced singer-songwriter Marlon Williams will play one show in his first Australian solo tour in nearly a decade.
Kiwi singer-songwriter Marlon Williams will play one show in his first Australian solo tour in nearly a decade. Photo / Te Ao
The winter feast, headlined by guest chef Vaughan Mabee, will feature unorthodox ingredients including wallaby, deer milk icecream, long-spined sea urchin and wattleseed.
The feast will feature 80 stallholders, including 25 new offerings from Tasmania, as well as a sparkling-wine bar.
Twite has said he wants Dark Mofo to return to capacity next year.
Mona has made headlines in recent days after a tribunal ruled a ladies-only lounge at the museum had to be open to all because it was discriminatory.
