Friday, Edith Exposed @ Palais, Hepburn

A cabaret tale of the legendary Edith Piaf — her life, loves, her soul and songs. Created and performed by Michaela Burger and Greg Wain.

Saturday, Modern Maori Quartet (NZ) @ Palais, Hepburn

Friday, Josh Dance @ Blue Bean Cafe

Saturday, Paige and Wayne @ Blue Bean Cafe

Ballarat performer Paige Duggan, joined by guitarist Wayne Parker for an eclectic mix of jazz standards. 

Sunday, Next Episode @ Blue Bean Cafe

March 22-30, Castlemaine State Festival, various venues 

Take a plunge into the unknown when Australia's largest regional arts festival presents more than 70 performance, visual arts, talks and music programs over 10 days.

Prepare yourself as Deep Soulful Sweats' opening night dance-party event Equinox enters the Castlemaine atmosphere where audiences are divided into Zodiac groups and taken on an holistic journey through movement, chanting and fantasy.

Circa's Peep Show promises human pyramids and awe-inspiring acrobatics, while there's no sense to be made in Korea's Ambiguous Dance Company's Body Concert with 10 acts of wild movements and a soundtrack covering everything from Mozart to Daft Punk.

Presenting his inaugural Castlemaine State Festival, director Glyn Roberts said: "The adventurous program is full of wonder and excitement, with Castlemaine at its core. Castlemaine is a place that is contemporary, classical and, most importantly, communal and we are thrilled to have several exclusive-to-Castlemaine events taking place."

Iceland's JFDR will perform exclusively, while Mick Harvey will put his own spin on the songs of Serge Gainsbourg. More than 40,000 people are expected to attend free and ticketed events.

For a full program, visit castlemainefestival.com.au

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