Every country town has its explosive Facebook page, and Castlemaine – 90 minutes north-west of Melbourne – is no exception. “Castlemania” regularly flares up with heated debates: about supermarket monopolies, speed limits and whether or not people should have bought a house near a gun range if they’re not keen on loud bangs.
On Saturday night at the annual costumed dance battle Hot Moves No Pressure, the arguments take human form. Inspired by the Facebook keyboard warriors, members of the Castlemaniacs dance troupe whip open their suit jackets to reveal the logos of the warring local supermarkets. At the end of their routine, they reveal “CARSTLEMAINE” spelled across their backs: a nod to the popular local rebuke that “There’s no ‘R’ in Castlemaine.” (Real locals pronounce it “Cassle”.)
