Festival of Arts program – makes a splash

The 2011 Mackay Region Festival of Arts will be a splashing good time in Mackay from July 9 to 24 with free fun and entertainment for everyone.

Now in its 24th year, the 16 day festival themed Light and Water, will offer audiences the chance to awaken their senses and experience never before seen talent local, national and international acts in Mackay.

Mayor Col Meng described this year’s festival as exciting, with a variety of performances and displays that will light up your life.

“The celebration of arts will be spread throughout Mackay, Sarina and the Pioneer Valley to make the most of our local attractions and assets and to ensure everyone can join in the fun,” he said.

2011 program highlights include:

Jazz Cigarette, Saturday, July 9 at the MECC Foyer at 7.30pm
One of Australia’s most unique and versatile voices Ali McGregor backed by three of Australia’s top jazz musicians will sing the songs that made her want to sing – featuring classic jazz ballads and sassy blues including Gershwin’s The Man I Love, Hoagy Carmichael’s Georgia on My Mind to unique interpretations of Eurythmic’s Sweet Dreams and Britney’s Oops I Did It Again. The Mackay Region Festival of Arts is the perfect platform for the artist to reach her operatic highs and velvety mellows.

Krakouer! Wednesday, July 13 at the Sarina Cultural Hall at 7.30pm
This award winning play touring to Mackay is about Jim and Phil Krakouer, two of the greats of Australian Rules Football. Their unique and anarchic brand of football, dubbed black magic, captured the imagination of the nation.  Krakouer! tells the story of the challenges Jim and Phil faced in their rise to the top of their game; their skill, daring and resilience, both on and off the sporting field, and the controversy and adversity that has met them throughout their lives.

Light Extravaganza & Bobcat Ballet, Saturday, July 16 at the Mackay Showgrounds at 6.30pm
Thanks to the generous support of Peabody Energy, the Mackay Showgrounds will be a sea of lights, colour and action on Saturday, July 16. Celebrated Lighting Designer and Event Producer Roger Foley is teaming up with local Mackay Art by Night Collective and Bobcat Ballet Director Angela Chaplin to create Mackay’s largest light show and community lantern parade at the Showgrounds. The family friendly entertainment will include a hot air balloon as the centrepiece, Bobcat Ballet magic and a carnival sideshow alley full of wonders and delights.

Songs for Sarina, Sunday, July 17 at Grasstree Beach, Sarina, 12 noon to 6pm
A free family friendly day of great world music thanks to Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal. The kids will love the roving artists from Roundabout Theatre and the mums and dads will enjoy the wonderful music of the Salaka Ensemble from West Africa, Skorba from Malta and local bands, MNA and the Fijian Choir.  Bring a picnic lunch or buy some of the lovely food prepared on site.

Wet Sounds UK, Tuesday, July 19 at the Mackay Memorial Pool at 7pm
For something totally different head to the heated waters of the Mackay Memorial Swimming Pool, immerse yourself in the water, or around the water’s edge, and hear the unique sounds of director Joel Cahen’s Wet Sounds UK. Wet Sounds UK has toured municipal swimming pools in the UK, Sweden, Norway and Denmark and presents listening sessions to a floating and diving audience in the water.

Nellie Melba: Queen of Song, Thursday, July 21 at the Pinnacle Playhouse at 7.30pm
Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Dame Nellie Melba we bring you the widely acclaimed one
woman show of soprano Louise Page. Accompanied on piano by Philippa Candy the classic musical follows Melba’s early life in Australia and the Pioneer Valley, her decision to become an opera singer in Europe, the influence of her teacher Marchesi and her success in Paris leading to her triumph at Covent Garden where she reigned for three decades as the Queen of Song.
Come dressed in period costume to win Adinfern Estate prizes!

Briefs Burlesque Ball (18+): Friday, July 22 at the MECC Plenary Halls
After sell out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival the outrageously funny and wickedly absurd Briefs Burlesque will be performing in Mackay. Briefs slams together a lineup of Brisbane’s finest performers and mischief makers in a circus-infused variety show for the not-so-faint-hearted. Their blend of absurd wicked humour, gob-smacking physicality, and not-so-bashful displays of flesh have won them legions of fans. Get into the swing of things, dress burlesque on the night to win fabulous prizes!

G&S Engineering Wine and Food Day: Saturday, July 23 at Queens Park, 11am to 6pm
Last year more than 26,000 people visited Queens Park for G&S Engineering Wine and Food Day and to keep the good times rolling organizers have made this year’s event bigger and better than ever before with free entertainment for the whole family. The Porters Blues and Roots and Dance Stages will be featuring an all-star lineup of quality children’s and adults entertainment, the Mackay Airport Big Top Tent will come alive with local and interstate music, foodies won’t be able to go past the Mackay Stickers and Signs Culinary Tent, visitors will be able to engage with local artists in the multi-arts market and the artist’s village and larger than life cartoon characters will weaving their magic through the crowds.

The Unusualist, Sunday, July 24 at the MECC Auditorium at 2pm
If fun and laughter is what you’re looking for than you can’t go past Australia’s only Unusualist Raymond Crowe. Raymond offers a captivating combination of visual comedy, ventriloquism, shadow puppetry and magic in a spellbinding performance. Raymond’s YouTube shadow puppetry video of It’s a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong went viral around the world resulting in him performing at the Royal Gala concert for the Queen in London, David Letterman’s Tonight Show in New York and the World Magic Convention in Las Vegas.

Cr Meng said the 2011 Mackay Region Festival of Arts would not be possible without the support from volunteers, local artists and businesses.

“Events such as these not only promote and encourage the cultural and artistic talent we have in our community; they also enhance our region’s strong sense of community.”

“I encourage everyone to be involved in and enjoy the Mackay Region Festival of Arts, one of the largest and most exciting regional arts festivals in Queensland.” he said.

The 2011 Festival of Arts program is available to view and download from the Mackay Festival website www.festivalmackay.org.au and tickets are available at the MECC box office or online at www.mackaytix.com.au.

Contact: Mackay Regional Council

Phone: 1300 MACKAY (1300 622 529)