#ad RISING Festival, 2026
âWe have a female who happens to be a rapper, like me, and my doinâ it is wrong. And âcause I like doinâ it, itâs even more wrong - because weâve fought for years as women to do the same things that men are doing.â
- Lil Kim
âHardcoreâ and âThe Notorious K.I.Mâ albums by Lil Kim lay the foundation for female sexual empowerment in hip-hop. She copped the wrath of being the first but her legacy as the Queen of Hip Hop lives on.
If youâre in Naarm/Melbourne sheâs performing both albums during @rising.melbourne at Festival Hall on May 30th, you lucky ducks.
x amber
Sources:
Hardcore Honey: bell hooks Goes on the Down Low with Lilâ Kim, PAPER 1997
Cardi B (Full Interview), DJ Vlad, 2017
Scientific Studies: How Many Licks Does It Take?, Tootsie
Lilâ Kim: Celebrating âHard Coreâ and âThe Notorious K.I.M.â, RISING Melbourne
Lilâ Kim - How Many Licks? (feat. Sisqo) [Official Video], Atlantic Records
Hard Core, Lil Kim 1996
The Notorious K.I.M, Lil Kim 2000
#PaidPartnership
Nowhere is a show that asks how we got here, and how we find agency inside the mazes of history, from actor Khalid Abdalla.
âTheatre has long been a space to consider difficult ideas⊠If weâre unwilling to contemplate diverse views, we really are on a road to nowhere.â â â â â Sydney Morning Herald
Written & performed by Khalid Abdalla | Directed by Omar Elerian | Presented with Fuel
2 â 6 June | Malthouse Theatre
Photos: Helen Murray #RISING2026 #RISINGMelbourne
SUPPORTERS
Nowhere was commissioned and produced by Fuel and supported by the British Council. Nowhere was originally funded by Arts Council England and CVC and was supported by Battersea Arts Centre.
Supported by Here & Now - Performance Created in England
TSU LANGE YOR Ă RISING 2026
Tsu Lange Yor joins @rising.melbourne 2026âMelbourneâs defining cultural momentâas the festivalâs scent partner.
To mark the partnership, Tsu Lange Yor will present an immersive experience at Melbourne Town Hall during the festival, built around an unreleased collection from the fragrance house. The collectionâand full details of the activationâwill be shared from 19 May.
To celebrate our partnership with RISING, weâre giving away a curated festival escape to the Yarra Valley. âš
// WIN //
đ· A RISING x Giant Steps tasting experience for two in Healesville
đ¶ 2 x tickets to the SOLD OUT @kahilelzabar performance at the Giant Steps Tasting Room on Sunday 7 June
đ A curated RISING x Giant Steps wine pack to take home
// TO ENTER //
1. Follow @giantstepswine + @rising.melbourne
2. Like this post
3. Tag who youâre bringing in the comments
*Each tag counts as one entry
Entries close 1 June. Open to Australian residents 18+ only. T&Cs via link in bio.
#giantstepswine #RISINGMelbourne #yarravalley #wineandmusic #kahilelzabar
From wobbly dub under the Paramount Food Court to a day raving club in the Town Hall Porticoâthe parties are calling you to new realms this #RISING2026.
Book tickets and check out the full Clubs and Parties Guide via RISINGâs Wormhole. Comment âClubâ and weâll DM you the link.
Carly Sheppard and Alisdair Macindoe, the duo behind the dark and comedic dance work The Shepherds, talk about their upcoming show and share some takes on Naarm/Melbourne aboard Jennifer Mulletâs 2025 First Peoples Melbourne Art Tram.
The Shepherds stars two lost sheep in a slaughter paddock, out to remake Australian mythmaking. Fri 5 â 7 June | Arts House.
Watch the full video on our YouTube.
RISING: Tram Takes is a straight rip of Subway Takes with Kareem Rahma but with more sunlight and a slow roll.
#RISING2026 #RISINGMelbourne #RISINGTramTakes #TramTakes
For the first time, go deeper into the layers of meaning behind each of the First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams with Blak Art on the Move â a series of public programs including workshops and tours.
Youâll have the chance to meet the artists and curator of the 2026 trams and learn about the history and enduring significance of First Peoples public art in the city, plus create your own artwork to take home! #RISING2026
This just in: Talks, films, workshops, moon-kissed meals. Our festival opening in Fed Square. Plus, the Artist Bar lineup is here with markets, punk mayhem and more.
#RISING2026 begins in 15 days. View the full program via our Story Highlight.
PARTNERS
RISING is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria @creative_vic . Australian Dance Biennale is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia @creative.australia , its principal arts funding and advisory body. With thanks to our Major Partner ahm @ahminsurance .
One of the most compelling storytellers of our generation, Kae Tempest is set to deliver an electrifying performance at RISING next month.
Kae Tempest at Day Tripper is supported by the British Council. #KaeTempest #RISING2026 #RISINGMelbourne
The twitch of unseen creatures. The glimmer of leaves in the moonlight. This premiere dance work from renowned contemporary choreographer Lucy Guerin pursues a dark trail to explore our place in the natural world.
đČ The Forest
4 â 7 June | Union Theatre, The University of Melbourne
The Forest is presented with University of Melbourne Arts and Culture. Australian Dance Biennale is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative AustraliaâŻ@creative.australia , its principal arts funding and advisory body. #RISING2026 #RISINGMelbourne