What is the cause of an intermittent creaking noise when turning or at bumps?

What is your question?

When turning, even as tame as entering a parking lot, or bumps as tame as a speed bump at appropriate speeds, a quick creaking noise is heard coming from the dashboard and/or center stack and console. I can mimic the noise by pushing just beyond gently on the surface surrounding the radio and HVAC buttons. Trivial amounts of slack in the superficial components is not of concern to me. What I hope is not the cause is chassis flex. The noise occurs mostly during events that I would hope are not forceful enough to cause chassis flex.