BORN IN A TAXI
Established in 1989, Born in a Taxi is led by artistic directors Carolyn Hanna and Penny Baron.
An independent, artist-run and award winning physical theatre company whose artists are internationally recognised as masters of improvisation. Producing original, physically driven and participatory works in theatres, site-specific and outdoor context, that focus on real-time co-creation.
Born in a Taxi are in a perpetual state of research and discovery, uncovering deeper nuances in the relationship between performer, audience and place. Through the mediums of dance, theatre, live art, visual art, improvisation and sound.
Renowned for their immediacy, responsiveness, and playful interaction with their audience, Taxi increasingly shares their methodologies through teaching at institutions including VCA and Monash University and since 2014 have begun turning their expertise to social impact projects - big ideas through deep engagement. Their social and environmental projects have created partnerships with Zoos Victoria, Health Issues Centre, Council of the Ageing and RMIT.
In 2019 Taxi performed 150 works at home and abroad and celebrated its 30th anniversary. In 2024/25 they developed multigenerational work Prime Time and touring nationally their new children's work Velveteen Rabbit.
Deadly Darebin Artists
SKNOW
SKNOW is the creative alias of multi-disciplinary audio visual artist Sarah Cvk. Her style of music transcends many genres as if almost in fluid form, inspired by the environment around her and its animals and other creatures that transcending she exists among. As a young musician she was heavily influenced by live jams that evolved naturally, building layers over time and this carries through in her music production. Using live vocals along with many layers of recorded sounds from nature and a mix of acoustic and electronic instruments, she builds a story that captivates the listener. Breaking down barriers of stereotypical dancefloor energy and replacing it with a gentler, soothing soundscape that leaves the audience feeling refreshed, grounded and wanting more.
JACKIE SHEPPARD
Jackie Sheppard is a workshop facilitator, writer, and somatic storyteller. They have experience as a creative provocateur, dramaturg, cultural and creative consultant, lecturer and social impact facilitator through storytelling. Through their creations, Jackie attempts to identify and interrogate Ancestral, Intergenerational, and embodied story that is relevant to their lived experience as an Indigenous person. Drawing on Somatic, symbolic, and archetypal interrogations, Jackie seeks to shed light in dark places, identifying and speaking to narratives that reverberate within the deeper, more unseen psyches. Jackie’s craft is strongly anchored in Sovereignty, ceremonial revival, and embodied cultural locating. These elements are unearthed and presented through a process of choreographic research, writing and creative meditations.
FUSE Hub @ THE CUBE Artists
L2R DANCE
L2R Dance is a not-for-profit and social enterprise proudly based in Melbourne’s West. 100% of their income is reinvested into creating free dance opportunities for children and young people across Melbourne’s west, while also building employment pathways and professional development opportunities for the next generation of artists and cultural leaders. L2R makes dance accessible to children and young people who can’t access commercial dance opportunities. They break down barriers to participation including age, cost and elitism to ensure that community has easy access to our programs irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, and dance ability. L2R draws from the history of hip-hop culture with its aims to empower and critique social issues that affect young people in Melbourne’s West and beyond. More than just a series of dance classes, L2R is led by the voices of the people it exists for!
DJ SMOOCHIE
First-generation Australian of Armenian heritage, Polina, otherwise known as Smoochie, weaves together soulful sounds from across borders and genres. Drawing on a love of world music, dub, R&B and deep rhythmic tunes, her sets move fluidly through to electronic textures, shoegaze haze, broken beat and leftfield club sounds. Shaped by both her cultural roots, and Melbourne's eclectic music culture, she explores connections between the familiar and the unexpected - creating dynamic sonic journeys for collective listening.
DJ WALLA C
Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, DJ/producer Walla C quickly found a home in Melbourne’s thriving beat scene with his hallmark vibrant sound. A friendly face around town and an active DJ producer in the Melbourne music scene since 2015. Walla C co-hosts Fresh Produce on PBS FM, with DJ sets reflecting his producer inspirations drawing from the America Latinx regions. Walla C explores modern dancefloor sounds such as Baile Funk with smears of spiritual Afro Brazilian rhythms and infectious melodies reminiscent of the regions.
DJ ANTAGONIZE
Antagonize is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in the Philippines, now based in Melbourne/Naarm where he migrated at the age of 14. Today, he is respected as one of the leaders of the Melbourne/Naarm Krump Scene, which he has been a part of since 2008. You’ll find Antagonize playing some of the most genre bending flips and edits and with influences from Hip Hop, R&B, Future Beats, House and other fresh sounds from mainstream and underground artists
around the world.
PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
Lynda Roberts (she/her) is a Naarm/Melbourne-based interdisciplinary artist who explores how people connect to place, public space and one another. Drawing on backgrounds in architecture, public art and community radio, she creates site-responsive projects that encourage deep listening, participation and collective attention. Working as Public Assembly, Roberts develops playful encounters through sound, performance, conversation and community action, often forming temporary communities through shared experiences. Her work has been presented by organisations including the City of Melbourne, Liquid Architecture, Next Wave, Collingwood Yards, NGV Melbourne Art Book Fair, MPavilion, Testing Grounds and Platform Arts.
SIMULAA
Simulaa is an architectural practice established in Naarm by Andre Bonnice and Anna Jankovic. The work of the practice is defined by a considered analysis and a research-based approach that prioritises time-based design thinking. Their work spans a broad range of scales and contexts, exploring how architecture might respond and act in a world defined by environmental limits, interrelational systems, and layered temporalities. Recent achievements include co-curating the Deep Time Real Time exhibition at Design Hub Gallery, presenting work in NGV’s Melbourne Now, receiving the inaugural Alastair Swayn International Research Grant, and winning the 2022 AA Unbuilt Prize.
PLAYTE
Playte are a gastro-architect duo who use local food as a tool for collective healing. Their work is rooted in community – creating site-specific experiences that explore the intersection between art, architecture, and the politics of food. Playte was founded by Niyanta Sharma, an artist and architectural designer with Indian heritage, and Wesley Hauler-Winterford, a nutritionist and cook with Māori heritage.
SLOW ART COLLECTIVE
Slow Art Collective is an interdisciplinary artist collective focused on environmental sustainability, material ethics, DIY culture and collaboration. Through process-driven projects, they create opportunities for communities to make, learn and exchange value together, blurring the boundaries between artist and audience. Since 2009, the collective has explored the relationship between creativity, sustainability and collective responsibility through large-scale participatory works. Their projects have been commissioned by organisations including Tokyo Biennale, TarraWarra Museum of Art, Powerhouse Museum, McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery, MPavilion, NGV and Gertrude Contemporary. The collective is led by Chaco Kato and Dylan Martorell.
EVENT ARTISTS
Event Artists connects event makers with contemporary artists to create experiences for real audiences, in real time. We work with producers, programmers, curators and organisations to deliver creative projects designed specifically for event contexts. We collaborate across museums, galleries, multi-arts venues and festival hubs, as well as corporate events, conferences, weddings and private celebrations. Event Artists is an initiative of Very Creative Producer (Arie Rain Glorie).