By Allan Sko
🌸 Frocking Good Time 🌸
The FFFFF is a laidback, fresh air celebration of spring, this year taking the shape of a three-hour Sunday afternoon variety show outside Smith’s Alternative. BMA caught up with co-founder Melody Bear and MC/ host/performer Sam Floyd to learn of The Frock’s past, present, and future…
The first Freeee (that’s Free with with 4 e’s) Floral Frock Fringe Festival, in 1998, was a brain burst born by musical duo GravyTRAM, Music with Fun & Glam (bizarro multi-talented Canberra creatives, R.G.M. & Melody Bear), as a buskerthon outside Floriade, to protest the then $15 entry fee being charged (a foolish idea, soon dropped).
Once planted, the Floral Frock germinated, spreading across the land!
After a few years in Commonwealth Park, the FFFFF popped up annually, like a determined dandelion in a tulip patch: at the legendary Canberra Park Wool Shed and then at notorious Death-Metal Den, Rock Ape.
After morphing into a series of amazing house parties hosted by friends, the Frock landed at The Phoenix, The Pot Belly, and Magpies Underground till it settled in the lovely dandelion patch that is Smith’s Alt.
Billed as the Second Smallest Fringe Festival in the Southern Hemisphere, Canberra’s longest-running joke now finds itself in its 27th year, once again flowering at Smith’s, where it has flourished since October 2020.
Special thanks to poet Ralph Nelson, sponsor of the Floral Frock’s first outing at Smith’s as his personal gift to A.C.T. Mental Health Month. He has been at every one since.
Many thanks to Smith’s for opening their doors to FFFFF from 2022.
I sincerely thank all performers for donating their time and talents to create this community event.
GravyTRAM, in 2024, welcomes poet-singer- juggler fashion icon Sam Floyd on board to MC the Frock. Over to you, Sam!
Take it away Sam Floyd
“I’ve always been enamoured with the name, theme and story. When Melody invited me to be involved, I was thrilled; it was highly on-brand for me, and felt like a natural first foray into the role of MC.
“I’m conspiring with fellow Warehouse Circus alumni, Kylie O’Keefe, to pepper the event with silly juggling. I’m chuffed to have strong representation from Wax Lyrical, which is our monthly Songwriters Circle that meets at Smith’s.
“Floral frocks, garments, accessories or any other interpretation of the Spring theme are welcome. I have too many outfits, obviously.
“There WILL be costume changes; question is how many. I will not be upstaged!”
This year, the Frock will be at its fringiest, featuring musical art installation Brickbat the Rock Bot. R.G.M. will try stand-up comedy, a scary step-up from his always-hilarious sets in Melody Bear’s kitchen.
New to this year’s Frock is prog rock duo Defeat the Porpoise, comprising Bry Wills (guitar, drums & vocals) and early Frock familiar Verry Gerry (Hot Tubs bassman). Expect cute little ditties using odd time signatures and exciting dynamics.
We have exceptionally talented singersongwriters: the beautifully befrocked Simone Penkethman, Ian Paulin (master songwriter, host of Wax Lyrical original songwriters jam), the whimsically provocative Dancing Horse who will be making their first appearance at FFFFF, and Danny V, one of Canberra’s most dedicated performers, and Floral Frock mainstay for the Smith’s Alt era.
As a happy nod to Frocks of past, many performers from the early days of the festival are playing this year.
One is Ry James, who has played his ukulele at all the Smith’s Frocks. Ry is rehearsing for the first time in 15 years with Cam Ewens to revive their Cam’n’Ry duo, who count among their gigs an appearance at FFFFF at Rock Ape in the first decade of the Millennium.
Another is Gypsy Jewles, a unique, passionate, soulful musician who, through appearances alone, is the embodiment of the FFFFF.
Involved from its early days at Canberra Park Wool Shed, Jewles went on to host the Fringe Fest at her home for two consecutive years. She also played at a Magpies Underground Floral Frock.
Returning to perform after a break from music, we are very excited to have her on board this year.
David Bath (he of The Hot Tubs and MRU) has also been involved with the Frock since The Wool Shed days, performing at most Frocks and hosting two at his home. He’ll join the GravyTRAM band along with whoever else hops on board for the big finale.
Floral Fringe Frock Fest will light up Smith’s Alternative on Sunday 20th October 2024. 3pm and 6pm. Entry is FREEE 🌸🌸🌸 Head to Smith’s Alternative for more info.
Poster by Melody Bear