Cairns Vibrance - Issue 20 - August September October 2024
CAIRNS
FESTIVAL : WAYFINDER BY DANCENORTH
FOURTEEN BY SHake & stir : BEDDY RAYS
Cairns Regional Council acknowledges the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji peoples who are the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters on which we work.
(L-R)
Vibrance promotes the arts and cultural programs of Cairns Regional Council.
Don’t miss the hundreds of other things to do around Cairns, from dog parks and beaches to walking tracks and playgrounds.
Download the My Cairns App now to find all events delivered by Cairns Regional Council and more.
Cairns Regional Council Customer Service PH: 1300 692 247 www.cairns.qld.gov.au @CairnsArtsAndCulture
This publication is written, designed and produced by Creative Life, a branch of Cairns Regional Council. Where indicated, content such as reviews, interviews and outcome reports are contributed by third parties and should not be considered as the official view of Cairns Regional Council. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in part or in whole in any way without permission. All images are copyright Cairns Regional Council unless otherwise credited. All information is correct at time of printing but may be subject to change.
Welcome to the Cairns Festival edition where we’ve crammed so much festival info into these pages, it’s practically bursting at the seams! Buckle up for a whirlwind of events that’ll make your calendar weep and your social life sing.
Pages 8 - 21 give a great overview of everything Cairns Festival brings over the ten days in August and September. Pages 47 & 51 shine the spotlight squarely on two extraordinary Festival showsShake n Stir’s Fourteen and Dancenorth’s Wayfinder, while if you’ve ever wanted to ask a Music Programmer what they do and how they got to do it, page 30 is for you.
Our RADF success story with Kirsty Nancarrow on page 24 is a must read for anyone who has a creative niggle that needs a little support in its realisation, and page 26 is a lovely piece by First Nations Curator Peggy Kasbad-Lane reflecting on her Venice Biennale experience.
This edition is a journey through the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of arts and music in the Tropical North, and we’re delighted you’re along for the ride.
58 NICOLE ZURAITIS
YOUR CAIRNS ARTS & CULTURE CHEAT SHEET
Buckle up, culture vultures. As the undisputed Arts and Culture Capital of Northern Australia, our tropical city is serving up a smorgasbord of events, workshops, music, art and performances. Here are our top things to do in Cairns over the next three months for your ultimate culture fix.
CAIRNS FESTIVAL (Aug 23 - Sep 1)
Brace yourself for a 10-day extravaganza as Cairns transforms into a vibrant playground of creativity, music, and entertainment for all ages! Don’t miss Reef Lights returning to illuminate nights with free laser and water shows, joined by newcomers The Bubble Station and HEXADECA with their interactive public installations.
GRAND PARADE (Aug
24)
Our beloved parade deserves its own spotlight! From 5:30pm at the Cairns Esplanade, we’re expecting a big turnout to cheer on our parade participants as we celebrate Colour and Diversity in the Tropics.
HOT TIP: Head down from midday to catch live music on the Esplanade Main Stage and an Aerobatic Aircraft Display before the street party.
DANCE IT OUT IN TANK 5
Tank 5 dancefloor is LIT with funk and brass legends Bullhorn in a double header eve with Tijuana Cartel (Aug 9), warming up the dancefloor for ska superstars Melbourne Ska Orchestra (Aug 16). Get amongst it!
TIME TO CHUCKLE
Radio stars Myf Warhusrt and Zan Rowe bring their BANG ON LIVE show to CPAC on their national tour (Sep 7) while comedy heavyweight, radio host and television star Dave O’Neil brings his cheeky wit to Tanks Arts Centre with his show Overweight, Lightweight (Oct 17). Also, all hands on buzzers, music tragics - RocKwiz LIVE! is hitting the CPAC stage for an evening of laughs and trivia (Oct 31).
OUT ON THE LAWN SERIES
(27 & 28 Sep)
The Court House Gallery’s front lawn has become Cairns’ go-to open-air music haven, with its stellar mix of homegrown talent and headliners under starlit skies for your free entertainment. Shake your hips at Salsa on the Lawn then join us for the Final Session before it wraps for the year.
STAY UP TO DATE
Keep up to date with everything that goes on in our venues, including creative opportunities, by following us on socials.
Welcome to Cairns’ newest artistic gem. During the Cairns Festival, you’ll catch the gallery’s first exhibition (re)connection and Zane Saunders + Bonemap’s Shift projection, a creative interpretation of the redevelopment from Shire Hall to Gallery.
GRAMMY SUPERSTAR ON STAGE
Winner of the 2024 Grammy for Best Jazz Album, Nicole Zuraitis is headed to Australia for a one-night only show at Tanks Arts Centre (Oct 10) With collabs that read like a who’s-who for jazz lovers, this is not a show to miss.
CARNIVAL ON COLLINS
(Sep 1)
Join the annual street party celebrating life in the tropics as Cairns Botanic Gardens bursts into life. Prepare for pop-up dances, lively street performers, and multicultural rhythms. With over 200 market stalls and free workshops, it’s a cultural buffet you won’t want to miss.
Welcome to Cairns Festival, a 10-day extravaganza pulsating with the rhythm of arts, culture, and bubbling energy!
Cairns Festival is a vibrant celebration set to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, blending cutting-edge performances, captivating exhibitions, and immersive experiences that defy convention.
Join us as we redefine festival fever. This is more than an event—it’s an invitation to unleash your imagination and feed the senses.
With thanks to our sponsors
Look out for me, Tammy Tooth, the face (and body) of Cairns Fest!
I’m hitting the streets with my squad of lycra-clad jazzercise bandits, turning Cairns Festival into a pulsating neon frenzy! Let’s Get Festival!
CAIRNS FESTIVAL LAUNCH PARTY:
A Cultural Rising
FRI 23 AUG AT COURT HOUSE GALLERY FROM 6PM
Experience our First Nations’ sacred culture and rituals, and the extraordinary talents of Far North Queensland Indigenous people.
Audience will honour the traditional lands with a Welcome to Country ceremony, marking the beginning of a powerful showcase of cultural energy and performance. Featuring the acclaimed Saibai Island Dance Troupe, Naygayiw Gigi, the dynamic hip-hop artist Normey Jay, and the legendary Christine Anu, plus more!
Food vans will be there with tasty snacks, so bring your appetite, picnic rugs, and get set to get into the festival spirit.
(re)connection
CULTURE, COUNTRY & PEOPLE EXHIBITION
AT MULGRAVE GALLERY UNTIL SAT 11 JAN
LAUNCH EVENT: FRI 23 AUG
A time and space to connect (re)connection: Culture, Country & People will be the first exhibition at the newly refurbished Mulgrave Gallery. The layers of history that inhabit the former iteration of the space are now represented as a First Nations focused Gallery to reclaim the site and create a Sovereign space.
See page 46 for more details
Shift
ZANE SAUNDERS WITH BONEMAP PROJECTION
AT REAR LAWN OF MULGRAVE GALLERY
FRI 23 AUG - SUN 1 SEP 6PM - 9PM
A poetic film about the transformation and shapeshifting of human spaces.
Through photomedia projections within the dismantled rooms and building facade of the former Town Hall, Shift allows the hidden dimensions of time, place, and space to come forward and manifest through the artist’s actions as performance art.
See page 46 for more details
C HRISTINEANU
NORMEYJAY
Shift, photograph, Zane Saunders with Bonemap 2023
Tony Albert, Crop Circles in Yogya #3, unique edition pigment print on paper with hand embellishment
Grand Parade
SATURDAY 24 AUGUST
STARTING AT FOGARTY PARK FROM 5.30PM
At the heart of it
all, a dazzling community street party awaits, captivating both the young and the young at heart. With colourful floats, talented performers, and an electric atmosphere, the Grand Parade is a must-see event that will leave you in awe!
Fireworks
Aerobatic Aircraft Display
15 MINUTE DISPLAY BETWEEN 3.30PM - 4.30PM* FROM 7.30PM
Cairns, get ready to look to the skies!
Emma McDonald, a multi-disciplined pilot trained at Matt Hall Racing, will perform a signature aerobatic display over the Cairns Esplanade. You won’t want to miss this spectacular display!
*Dependent on air traffic.
Esplanade Main Stage
SATURDAY 24 AUGUST
DJ Emma Peel
WESTERN EVENTS LAWN, CAIRNS ESPLANADE FROM MIDDAY Z-Star 7.45PM Eves Karydas 4.45PM
High Priestess of vintage soul DJ Emma Peel will keep us dancing under the stars.
Naygayiw Gigi Dance Troupe
12.00PM
12.30PM & 9.00PM Introducing... 1.00PM Rob Howe & THE GUILLOTINES 3.45PM
Kicking the afternoon off in cultural style is Naygayiw Gigi - the flagship dance troupe of Bamaga.
MAIN STAGE LINEUP
12.00PM Naygayiw Gigi Dance Troupe
12.30PM DJ Emma Peel
1.00PM Introducing...
3.45PM Rob Howe
4.45PM Eves Karydas
5.30PM Grand Parade
7.30PM Fireworks
7.45PM Z-Star
9.00PM DJ Emma Peel
The incredible Eves Karydas, celebrating her debut album summerskin and triple j Hottest 100 favourite Complicated, takes the stage as the sun goes down.
Rob Howe weaves catchy vocals and memorable indierock melodies through rich arrangements.
Psychedelic rock goddess Z-Star, brings her soul-soaked blues and beefy garage funk to the Cairns Esplanade, tearing up the night.
This Flame.Arts program offers incredible opportunities for emerging artists from Cairns and surrounding regions to shine on stage.
Reef Lights
EVERY NIGHT OF FESTIVAL
CAIRNS ESPLANADE
6.30PM - 10.00PM
Prepare to be enchanted as The Esplanade undergoes a breathtaking metamorphosis into a mesmerising spectacle of light and marvel.
Experience an immersive odyssey alongside the talented creative team from Indigenous Design Labs (IDL), as they weave a spellbinding story of the stingray and its companions of the Great Barrier Reef. From the vibrant depths of Cairns to the tranquil beauty of the Torres Strait Islands, the stingray’s timeless voyage will sweep you across the vast expanse of the reef.
FREE
The Bubble Station
CAIRNS ESPLANADE
FRI 23 - MON 26 AUG & WED 28 AUG - SUN 1 SEP*
Step into The Bubble Station and discover a transformative realm of joy, light and colour.
You will journey into a world where the air swirls to life, shimmering and dancing with 12,000 bubbles per minute.
This hypnotising and joyful installation creates child-like wonder, captivating senses in a floating spectacle of pure imagination and delight.
*Times vary. See our website for details. Originally commissioned by Brisbane Festival.
FREE
FREE
HEXADECA
CAIRNS ESPLANADE
FRI 23 AUG - SUN 1 SEP
MON - FRI 4PM - 9PM | SAT & SUN 12PM - 9PM
HEXADECA is a participatory work empowering audiences to engage with art through tactile play.
This music-making playground uses sensor technology to trigger sound and light, inviting the public to become the conductor.
ATCPAC
Adrift
BY COUNTERPILOT
THU 29 AUG - SUN 1 SEP
An intimate contemporary gem of immersive theatre.
Part mystery, part game, Adrift brings audience members together to uncover a story that explores our feelings and relationships with nature in the face of a potential mass extinction event.
TICKETS: Adult $39 | Concession $35
See page 50 for more details
Positively transcendental THE COURIER MAIL
Fourteen
ADAPTED BY SHAKE & STIR
FRI 23 AUG
The year is 1999 and Shannon has a secret.
Set to a nostalgic mixtape of 90s bangers from all your faves, Fourteen addresses the trials and tribulations of growing up with honesty, humour and heart.
TICKETS: Adult $55 | Concession $50 | Youth $35
…witty, clever and at times surprisingly moving.
THEATRE HAUS
Wayfinder
BY DANCENORTH
FRI 30 & SAT 31 AUG
Wayfinder is a gathering of heart.
Physical exuberance, sonic resonance, and collective exhilaration explode onto stage in a kaleidoscopic fusion of dance, music, and visual art.
TICKETS: Adult $45 | Concession $40 | Youth $30
See page 51 for more details
The perfect night at the theatre.
BROADWAY WORLD
See page 47 for more details
Festival Stage
COURT HOUSE GALLERY LAWN FREE
The Festival Stage is the vibrant heart of Cairns Festival. Local legends and national stars alike light up the night for an unmissable musical journey under the stars.
Sunday Sundown
SUNDAY 25 AUGUST FROM 4.00PM
FEATURING: Jacotene
WITH: Jelly Oshen Trio, Grace Jones Trio, John Buttigieg & Abi Muir
Bask in the mellow glow of twilight as our stage transforms into a haven of laid-back vibes and soulful tunes, perfect for winding down your weekend.
World BEatz
Blues & Folk
THURSDAY 29 AUGUST FROM 6.00PM
FEATURING: Shaun Kirk
WITH: Hannah May, Ben Wilson & Ella Hartwig
Prepare for a night of foot-stomping rhythms, heart-wrenching ballads, and blistering solos that’ll make your spirit soar.
FRIDAY 30 AUGUST FROM 6.00PM
FEATURING: Gusto Gusto
WITH: The Amazonas, Bad Boys of Uke & Stu Harcourt
Embark on a global musical journey as our stage becomes a melting pot of cultures, rhythms, and sounds from across the planet.
THE PADBOYS
Hometown Harmonies
SATURDAY 31 AUGUST FROM 6.00PM
FEATURING: The Pad Boys
WITH: Lady Valiant, Tessa Devine Band & more
Celebrate the rich musical tapestry of our local scene as we showcase homegrown talent, proving that world-class music is cultivated right here in our backyard.
COURT HOUSE GALLERY
LAUNCH EVENT: FRI 23 AUG FROM 6.00PM
OPENING HOURS VARY, PLEASE SEE THE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS
Cultural Narratives of the North
PAUL BONG, SHERYL BURCHILL, DANIEL O’SHANE, GLEN MACKIE
UNTIL SAT 5 OCT
Connecting the past to the future
First Nations artists present a selection of accomplished original etchings and vinylcuts.
Known collectively as Galbu Geth (Girl Hand) these four young artists have created new works, reaffirming their attention to the voices of their past, and finding their own.
See page 44 for more details
Bloom
BY BONEMAP
ON THE COURT HOUSE
GALLERY LAWN
FRI 23 AUG - SUN 1 SEP
Bloom invites you to immerse yourself in an exhilarating outdoor projection artwork that offers a captivating interactive experience.
Janjari
DR FIONA FOLEY
UNTIL SAT 23 NOV
A major new work by internationally renowned Badtjala contemporary artist Dr Fiona Foley.
Filmed entirely on K’gari, this video includes imagery alluding to K’gari’s creation story.
See page 45 for more details
Fiona Foley, Janjari (2022), video still from three channel video installation
Portion of Tagai, vinylcut relief print, Glen Mackie
Galbu Geth (Girl Hand), clay body painting over pandanus by Dante Brim, Wypaan Ambrum, Harriet Mills, and Lilly Suli-Brock.
SWEATBOX
CRATE 59 | 59 SHERIDAN STREET
Step into the humid embrace of SWEATBOX, where the tropics come alive in a fusion of art and atmosphere.
EXHIBITION RUNS 23 AUGUST - 19 SEPTEMBER
Presented by the daring Crate59 Artist Collective, this is a journey into the heart of Cairns’ creative pulse. Feel the heat radiate from canvases alive with vibrant hues and embark on a sensory exploration of 2D, sculptures, assemblages, installations, and captivating projections, all curated from the bold visions of 20 local artists.
OPENING NIGHT LAUNCH PARTY FRI 23 AUG FROM 6PM
Everyone is invited to revel in the sweet and sweaty opening night celebration!
Join us for the sultry launch event starting at 6pm and extending into the nocturnal hours. Prepare to be enveloped in pulsating beats by DJs and live music, as we unleash the essence of our spirited tropical community.
Seed of Destiny
BY MIRIKI PERFORMING ARTS
THU 29 - SAT 31 AUG
BULMBA-JA THEATRE | 96 ABBOTT STREET
SHOW TIMES: THU & FRI 6.30PM SAT 12.30PM & 6.30PM
Prepare to be swept away as Seed of Destiny unfolds, blending dance with profound generational storytelling to celebrate identity, destiny, and the boundless power of the human spirit.
This is not merely a performance—it’s an inward journey to the soul.
At its core, Seed of Destiny pays homage to the indelible legacy of the late Indigenous Elder, Apostle Brian Lampton. His transformative message, resonates with themes of purpose and potential that ignite spirit and faith. The show pushes boundaries, immersing audiences in a realm of creativity and visceral emotion to recognise and nurture their unique destiny.
TICKETS: Adult $28 | Concession/Youth $14 | Family of 4 $70 see cairnsfest.com.au for details
Photo: Ky Eva
Hot House exhibition 2023 Photo: Jennifer Frei
Season Four
BULMBA-JA | 96 ABBOTT STREET
NORTHSITE CONTEMPORARY ARTS GALLERY
LAUNCH EVENT
EXHIBITION RUNS 24 AUGUST - 12 OCTOBER
Season Four showcases experimental approaches to the environment, body, and materials.
Four distinctive exhibitions offer opportunities to explore diverse artistic expressions from Far North Queensland.
Jazz Under the Stars
SAT 24 AUG FROM 1PM SAT 31 AUG
FLECKER GARDEN CAIRNS BOTANIC GARDENS
GATES OPEN 4.30PM | MUSIC STARTS 5.30PM
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary event. This evening features a stellar line-up of five live bands and musicians, courtesy of Friends of the Botanic Gardens Cairns.
TICKETS: One Price $20 | Children 14 and under free see cairnsfest.com.au for details
Image credit: Cristina Bevilacqua SKIN detail/production still 2024. Courtesy the artist and NorthSite Contemporary Arts.
ATTANKSARTS CENTRE
Tropical Soul Party
FEATURING THE BAMBOOS & DJ EMMA PEEL
FRI 23 AUG
TANK 5 | FROM 5.30PM
Get ready to kick off Cairns Festival in style at the Tropical Soul Party! Where the tropics meets the dancefloor! Featuring a stellar lineup including original funksters The Bamboos alongside the High Priestess of vintage soul, DJ Emma Peel, spinning the best in soul, funk, and tropical beats keeping the dancefloor lit.
TICKETS: One Price $55
See page 47 for more details
Telenova
SUN 25 AUG
TANK 5 | FROM 6.30PM
The distinctive universe of Telenova is a shadowy, sample driven alt-pop with prominent trip-hop and electronica influence, plus a touch of playful energy.
TICKETS: Adult $40 : Concession/Youth $36
See page 49 for more details
Jebediah & Magic Dirt
FRI 30 AUG
TANK 5 | FROM 6.30PM
To celebrate the release of Jebediah’s eagerly anticipated sixth studio album and first new release in 11 years, OIKS, they’re heading out on the road for a national tour with very special guests Magic Dirt.
TICKETS: One Price $75
See page 50 for more details
DJ EMMA PEEL
Raunchy, naughty, chaotic and hot; like no other art night.
Angel Monster
PHLUXUS2
SAT 24 AUG
TANK 3 | FROM 7.30PM
After two years of best in the fest at Edinburgh Fringe, Angel Monster comes to Cairns for one night only!
Angel Monster is raw, visceral, confessional, powerful performance from one of Australia’s most prolific dance-theatre artists, Phluxus2 Dance Collective, choreographed by the award-winning Nerida Matthaei.
TICKETS: Adult $37 : Concession $35
See page 48 for more details
Engaging and enraging in equal measure
WEE REVIEW
HotMess
IN THE FLESH
THU 29 AUG
TANK 5 | FROM 6.00PM
Welcome to a new dimension of raw artistic expression, where life drawing is unleashed.
TIME OUT SYDNEY
Hotmess ‘In The Flesh’ is a decadent, cheeky, provocative, and naughty life drawing experience designed to ignite your creative fire and release you from normality.
TICKETS:
Adult $40 : Concession $35
Includes all art supplies
See page 49 for more details
Don’t bother cooking dinner on a weeknight! Come early and enjoy and bite and bevvy at the event.
Carnival on Collins
SUNDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
TANKS ARTS CENTRE, CAIRNS BOTANIC GARDENS, COLLINS AVENUE & COMMUNITY GARDENS
9.00AM - 3.00PM
Carnival on Collins is the annual street party celebrating life in the tropics, set in the lush surrounds of the Tanks Arts Centre and Cairns Botanic Gardens precinct.
COLLINS AVE
Market Stalls
Over 200 Market Stalls
Featuring plants, arts, crafts and more will line the streets, together with an extensive array of free workshops.
CAIRNS LIBRARIES
Pop-Up Library
Make sure you stop in and visit our little library to talk, read, sing and play together.
TANKS PROMENADE
Food vans
Feast on a delectable selection of treats. Food vans bursting with flavor, offering vibrant, mouthwatering dishes that make every bite an unforgettable joy!
Live Music
Enjoy live music in the beautiful Flecker Gardens and join in the fun with surprise roving performances across the site. FROM 10AM
TEAK LAWN
JESS MITCHELL PARK
The Green Space
Education food garden showcases growing produce in small spaces.
And so much more
Plant Stall
FRIENDS OF THE BOTANIC GARDENS AND PLANT CLOAK ROOM
Exhibitions
TANK 4 GALLERY
OPENING HOURS:
9.00AM - 4.30PM WEEKDAYS
10.00AM - 2.00PM WEEKENDS
Birdlife of Cattana Wetlands
GAËLLE PELACHAUD AND JOSHUA PERCIVAL
UNTIL SUN 1 SEP
Gaëlle (Paris) and Joshua (Cairns) team up for this joint residency and exhibition.
During their residency, Gaëlle and Joshua will be creating new work to be exhibited at Carnival on Collins, where Gaëlle will be running a free and fun make-a-book activity.
See page 37 for more details
Energy
EXHIBITION
UNTIL SUN 29 SEP
Bursting with innovative, high-quality works that will engage and inspire you.
ENERGY opens a window into the astonishing talent of this region’s up-and-coming artists.
See page 48 for more details
Missing With Myself, mixed media on canvas by Ashlyn Sheil, St Andrew’s Catholic College 2023
The King of the Parrots (detail), acrylic on ply board by Joshua Percival
Five Ways To Fund Your Art
Are you an artist or are you working with artists on a creative project in Cairns?
Is there a professional development opportunity on the horizon that would help you improve your skills?
Support is available through grant funds or in-kind provision to activate gallery, concert and performance spaces operated by Cairns Regional Council.
Funding ranges from $500 to $12,000, and there are a range of different opportunities available throughout the year.
MAJOR ROUND
When: Round opens April 2025 (for projects from 1 July 2025)
What: Funds are available to support projects and programs, including performances, exhibitions, professional development and initiatives to strengthen cultural development and tourism.
How much: Up to $12,000
SMALL ARTS GRANT
When: Open all year round
What: Access to resources to support arts practice, such as art materials, consumables, catalogue, and marketing materials, is available all year.
How much: Up to $500
INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
When: Open all year round
What: Funds are available all year round to attend professional development opportunities, including mentoring, conferences, arts markets and tours.
How much: Up to $1000 (within Queensland), up to $1500 (for interstate or international travel)
FLAME.ARTS ACCESS - LEG UP GRANTS
When: Open all year round
What: Artists with disabilities, young people (aged 26 and under), and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people can apply to develop projects that benefit them, such as professional development opportunities, project costs, or materials.
How much: Up to $1000, or up to $1500 (for people with a disability).
OTHER GRANTS AND SUPPORT
Support is available for the use of council venues for all arts and cultural activities with a public outcome.
Up to $5,000 in value. Visit cairns.qld.gov.au/online/apply/grants
Before submitting an application, you must discuss your idea with the Arts and Cultural Grants Coordinator, who can provide assistance and advice. Contact radf@cairns.qld.gov.au or (07) 4032 6603.
Cairns Festival wants you!
CAIRNS FESTIVAL RADF GRANT ROUND
Calling all artists, arts organisations, community groups, and youth and disability services!
We invite you to express your interest in joining the Cairns Festival 2025 program. If selected, you will have the opportunity to apply for funding through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) to support your project.
We have a vision, to transform Cairns Festival into an international arts festival that presents surprising and immersive visual and performing arts experiences. We are seeking new work from local practitioners, emerging, experimental, and professional, that help us to reach this vision – to be surprising and immersive.
Complete the expression of interest form online cairns.smartygrants.com.au/cairnsfestivalEOI by 5pm on Friday 30 August 2024.
For all enquiries please contact the Arts & Cultural Grants Coordinator radf@cairns.qld.gov.au or (07) 4032 6603.
This opportunity is not eligible for artists/organisations that are already in partnership with Council for Cairns Festival 2025.
*Image credit: The Ironing Maidens ‘Hot & Heavy’ Cairns Festival 2023
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM
Over $106,000 Boost For Regional Creatives!
Short films, exhibitions, music recordings and a printmaking exchange between the Philippines and Australia are among the latest initiatives to receive funding from the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) program.
Congratulations to all the recipients.
Cairns And District Chinese Association Inc (CADCAI)
Crate59 Artist Collective & Gallery
JUTE Theatre Company
Deep Roots
Crate59 Cairns Festival Exhibition - "Sweatbox"
O,Ophelia - Youth Mentorships for theatre skills and professional pathways
Bertie Riley Magayin - Stand and Rise. MAJOR
Leanne Tennant
Rebecca Altaffer
LT - Debut Album 'If My Heart Had A Voice'
Wild Orbit: A Creative Development project
Round Table Collaborations Quest: A Hero Within
Shaun Edwards
Creation of new artwork and product development for Wildbarra Co.
Tropical Arts Association Inc Do you speak my language? Inclusive Community Theatre.
Warren Jr Terence John Tyrrell
WAARI Presents MUKI
NorthSite Contemporary Arts Linear Horizons: A Collaborative Printmaking exchange between Baguio, Philippines and Cairns, Australia. HERO
For more information on the Regional Arts Development Fund visit our website cairns.qld.gov.au/radf APPLICANT
HIMALAYAN DREAMS
Former journalist Kirsty Nancarrow first interviewed Nepalese man Som Tamang for ABC News in 2015, following the deadly Nepal earthquake on Anzac Day. With help from the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), Kirsty has been able to shine a light on his remarkable story through the publishing of her book, Himalayan Dreams.
After embarking on a journey to Nepal to volunteer as a journalism teacher in Som’s village 18 months after the school and his childrens’ hostel were destroyed by the 2015 earthquakes, Kirsty met Som and learnt of his incredible work. A child slave who moved mountains to save a generation in Nepal, Som’s life is a testament to the incredible strength of the human spirit, the enduring power of hope, and a singular purpose - to protect girls in Nepal from trafficking and child marriage. Now living in Cairns, Som also runs humanitarian organisation Friends of Himalayan Children, female-focused trekking company Take on Nepal, and the fair trade shop Himalayan Dreams.
In Himalayan Dreams: The Story of Som Tamang, you’ll also read a little of Kirsty’s own story, those of other volunteers, and the stories of several young women whose lives have been set on a new and positive path through Som’s intervention.
With assistance from the RADF grant, Kirsty has now independently published the book, which became a #1 Amazon International bestseller in its launch week. Som and Kirsty will deliver a talk at the Cairns City Library at 10:30am, Friday August 2.
SPACES FOR ARTISTS
Inspirational creative works are developed in inspiring and interesting working spaces. In Cairns, there are several ways to track down access to spaces. The online Cairns Arts and Culture Map lists both Cairns Regional Council and private spaces with listings ranging from galleries and halls to outdoor stages and arts centres. If you have a space for hire, create a free listing on the site.
Council offers affordable and accessible spaces for artists, community, and cultural groups throughout the city for production, meetings, events, and rehearsals. Spaces for hire include halls, meeting rooms, a theatre, and galleries. Grants are also available to help cover hire costs and resources for eligible people and groups.
All Cairns Regional Council grants are available at cairns.qld.gov.au/online/apply/grants
APPLY FOR AN ARTIST’S RESIDENCY
Cairns Regional Council hosts a Multi-Arts Residency program open to visual artists, musicians, writers, performers, multi-media artists and community cultural developers. Applications are invited for short or long-term projects.
Residency accommodation is walking distance from Cairns Botanic Gardens and Tanks Arts Centre in Edge Hill. Studio, workshop, and presentation spaces are available at Tanks Arts Centre, Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, Cairns Performing Arts Centre, and Court House Gallery.
Residency applications and information can be found on the Cairns Regional Council website: cairns.qld.gov.au/experience-cairns/artsand-culture/arts-venues/arts-residencies or by scanning the QR code.
Explore over 1000 listings
and
Australian Watercolour Muster, Court House Gallery
Natalia Mann - Multi Arts Residency, Tank 3
Woven - CPAC Studio
Tank 4 Gallery, Tanks Arts Centre
Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre
School of Arts
ARTISTS AT WORK
CURATING CULTURE
First Nations Curator Peggy Lane reflects on Archie Moore’s ‘Kith and Kin’ exhibition at the Venice Biennale.
I step into the dark, quiet space and find myself surrounded by thousands of Ancestors, their names written in white chalk on blackboard paint covering the walls and ceiling, all of them engulfing me in a giant family tree. The names look down on me like stars in the deep night sky.
In front of me is what first looks like a model of the cityscape, but upon closer inspection is revealed to be piles of documents, reports of the deaths in custody of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. I pause and look deep into the pool of reflection at the foot of this table of documents. I stand there and contemplate this immense exhibition, ‘kith and kin,’ by Kamilaroi and Bigambul artist Archie Moore, curated by Ellie Buttrose for the Australia Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale.
I walk around the walls, reading each name, tracing each connection. Nestled in this First Nations family tree, I find moments where missing people’s histories have been erased, the chalk rubbed out and faded, or deep black holes where no information exists at all. Some boxes feature crude names that were used in the past to incorrectly label and identify Indigenous people. I recognise one – ‘half-caste’ – a term that was placed upon me as a child, and one I firmly reject.
Some boxes are simply not filled – these people’s names are absent, yet their absence speaks loudly. I reach the centre of the room to the box marked “me.” The story of Archie begins here. On one side, there is the neatly arranged family tree of his father’s British and Scottish heritage. On the other, his mother’s Kamilaroi and Bigambul family forms a beautiful flowing current of names, lines and interconnected kinship relationships. This Indigenous family tree grows and spreads throughout the exhibition space, reaching the heights of the ceiling and fading into its dark abyss.
Evidence of Archie’s research into his genealogy is incredibly impressive. Through his years of investigation, he has accumulated more information than many institutions hold. I tried to imagine Archie’s journey with this work, from obtaining information about his maternal great-grandmother, Jane Clevin, from the anthropologist Norman Tindale, to venturing into the depths of state and federal archives. The journey to obtain the information and also to hold it, in his heart and spirit, must have been incredibly heavy.
My gaze falls from the dark ceiling down to the bright white piles of documents, some stamped with the seal of the crown, many of which feature ‘just’ another name on a piece of paper, another Indigenous death in custody, another family member lost – an all too familiar story for First Nations people. The documents hover above the dark pool of reflection. It is as though they sit above the tears of all those families and Ancestors that surround me. Some of the names are from my community. I feel a deep sense of loss.
As I mourn, sparkles of light catch my eye. They dance on the walls through a small, floor-level window that lets the sparkling reflection from the waters of Venetian canals in, connecting this sacred space to the waters outside, and onwards to the waters of home. I find comfort that those waters are reflected in this space. I feel hopeful that through the power of art and Archie’s remarkable work, our stories are now being shared beyond Australia, and are connecting us with other Indigenous peoples around the world.
This is my second visit to the space. The first was jarring because I entered during the launch of the exhibition. It was filled with people yarning and laughing, doing what we have come to expect from an exhibition opening. However, this was not your typical exhibition. I stood at the top of the display, solemn as I considered the juxtaposition of the endless names of Indigenous people who have died, set against the packed space of people celebrating. It did not feel right to me. However, that is the machinery of an exhibition launch. I understand why these events happen – and there was much to celebrate.
What is evident throughout the exhibition is the collaborative nature in which the work was brought together, with the support of Elder Bandjalung creative Djon Mundine; the considered exhibition design of Kaurareg and Meriam architect Kevin O’Brien; and the backing of Creative Australia, which commissioned the work. Ellie, from the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, has curated the exhibition with care and sensitivity. The complementary and collaborative nature of these relationships manifest themselves in this exceptionally thoughtful, heartswelling exhibition.
‘kith and kin’ won the biennale’s prestigious Golden Lion award for Best National Participation. This is the first time in history an Australian artist has received this accolade. Congratulations to Archie, Ellie and the Creative Australia team on this deeply moving exhibition.
Peggy Kasabad Lane (Saibai Koedal Awagadhalayg), Venice
Originally commissioned and published by Art Monthly Australasia. The Australia Pavilion at the Biennale Arte 2024 is commissioned by Creative Australia, 20 April – 24 November 2024, creative.gov.au
Nurturing Northern Australia’s Next Gen of Music Stars
From soulful singer-songwriters to electrifying bands, Cairns Regional Council’s Flame.Arts program has been nurturing the region’s blossoming arts and cultural scene. This innovative initiative provides young, emerging, and First Nations artists a platform to hone their talents, facilitated by performance opportunities, industry connections, and professional development.
Mia Rose, a captivating local singer-songwriter exploring soft pop, country, and folk music, has left audiences spellbound with her mature vocals and crafty storytelling at Local & Vocal 2024 and the Receive Respond Exhibition launch.
Meanwhile, fierce indie-punk outfit General Sherman has been electrifying stages with their raw energy. The band secured gigs at Local & Vocal 2024 and on the main stage at Crankworx 2024 through Flame.Arts’ partnerships. “Without Flame.Arts, we would never have had the opportunity to play on a professional stage at the Tanks,” the band shared.
Wawu-mun, the stage name of Felicity Schrieber, preserves cultural roots through music. This young singer-songwriter from Mossman pens lyrics in
her native Kuku Yalanji and Gunggandji languages, accompanied by soft acoustic guitar. In 2023, Flame. Arts facilitated Wawu-mun’s performance at the Cairns Festival’s INTRODUCING… stage leading to further local performances.
For Flame.Arts alumni Kirsty Burchill, better known as KayBee, the program has been a catalyst for her musical journey. Since participating in the 2021 Flame.Roadtrip initiative, KayBee has released her first singles and secured prestigious opportunities, including recently being awarded a spot in the Mushroom Group First Nations Pathway Program for 2024. Reflecting on her journey, KayBee emphasises Flame.Arts’ crucial role: “Flame.Arts has always provided stepping stones to my confidence, networking opportunities, and a strong support foundation within the Arts.”
As the Flame.Arts program continues to blaze new trails, it remains committed to transforming the Cairns region into the Arts and Cultural Capital of Northern Australia, igniting a vibrant artistic renaissance in Far North Queensland by nurturing local talents and fostering creative expression.
When balmy tropical evenings fall, and as the Court House Gallery lawns come alive with pulsing rhythms, Cairns transforms into an open-air creative paradise. The Out on the Lawn series isn’t just another concert—it’s an immersive celebration of the boundless artistic talent and raw creative energy flowing through this region.
Whether a longtime Court House Gallery devotee or just now catching the Out on the Lawn buzz, the vibe is unbeatable. Arrive early to stake out prime real estate on the lush lawn near the stage, grab a cold drink from the bar, and settle in as pulsing lights and thunderous sounds ignite the night. Or go picnicstyle with your favourite snacks, spreading out a blanket and popping cushions to kick back as phenomenal local and touring acts from across genres and cultures. With the Esplanade’s array of takeaway options just steps away, you’ll have everything needed for the perfect evening under the stars.
From the first experimental acts, it was evident that this was not your typical musical experience. Leon Tussie blended traditional and avant-garde sounds with unique instruments like the hang drum and kalimba, while Tegan Koster combined dissonant melodies, unconventional chords, and glitchy electronic production. Spanish-English songstress Hoolia continued the trend, accompanying herself with guitar, ukulele, and musical saw, weaving empowering stories through her quirky yet profound lyrics.
Blues took the stage for a foot-stomping, soul-shaking evening kicking off with The Aurelle Brunjes Band’s eclectic mix of folk, country, and indie rock had the crowd dancing. Mississippi Shakedown delivered raw, gritty distortion seldom heard these days. Clifford de Silva’s virtuosic guitar and array of instruments like weissenborn and dobro created meandering psychedelic soundscapes.
Putting the spotlight on the region’s First Nations artists and storytellers. Kee’ahn, Yirghilya, and Broden Tyrrell each brought their own creative voice, blending rich vocals, soulful melodies, and poetic language to share experiences shaped by their resilient cultures and deep connections to Country. Their sets were living, breathing representations of the artistic traditions kept alive for millennia.
The passion and energy intensify as the series builds towards its finale. On September 27, get ready to heat things up with Salsa on the Lawn, an evening of infectious Latin rhythms guaranteed to get your heart racing and hips swaying. Then, mark your calendars for the ultimate send-off - the Final Session on the Lawn on September 28!
BEHIND THE ARTS
We welcome Andrew Orvis to Creative Life as Program & Events Manager for Tanks Arts Centre and Munro Martin Parklands. Fresh from a decade as Festival Director of Queenscliff Music Festival, we chat to him about what’s next here in Cairns.
Andrew, welcome to Cairns and to Creative Life! Level with us - how good (better…) is life in the tropics?
Well look, when I left Melbourne it was 8C, when I arrived it was 28C! So far the weather has been very kind to me. I can’t believe you all think this is cold though.
Loving all that Cairns has to offer so far. Exploring as much as I can, and keen on any local tips, so please hit me up with suggestions. I’ll be honest – you have the most amazing beaches, but what’s the point if you can’t swim there? I’ll take the swimmable beauty of Victoria’s Surf Coast any day. Change my mind.
What are some of the standout moments from your time working at music festivals, and what magic do you want to see here in Cairns?
What I value most with any of the gigs I’ve put on is the smiling faces in the crowd. If you’re happy, I’m happy. Whilst for many it’s about the big-name artists, for me it’s those discovery artists. When people see an artist for the first time and are able to say ‘they’re my new favourite band’, then that’s a big win for me.
Something important in a program too is having emerging local artists go from being the support act, to one day being the headline act. We need to foster and promote that.
If your career trajectory had a soundtrack, what songs would be on it?
When I started out in music events it was all rock and metal. Incubus, Millencolin, Rage Against the Machine were on high rotation. I’ve gone through lots of phases. The emo Death Cab for Cutie phase was an interesting time…
Work favourites on the soundtrack would have to include Gurrumul, The California Honeydrops, Ben Harper, Paul Kelly, The Teskey Brothers, The Cat Empire, The Bawdies, King Gizz,
FOOLS - a real diverse bunch for sure.
Recently my Spotify playlist is all about Teeny Tiny Stevies, the Frozen Soundtrack and The Wiggles thanks to my two young daughters. Today, the new Jordan Rakei album is top of my list, and Tedeschi Trucks Band was the last concert I went to.
Music programming is the dream job of every kid who ever made mixtapes and playlists, played instruments, or was fascinated by music and showbiz. What advice can you offer to break into this career?
I was just the keen young guy that was willing to do anything when I started out. I volunteered at festivals, managed my mates’ bands, booked shows for anyone I could. Then it was as much about being in the right place at the right time, and putting myself in a position to be in that right place.
I wanted to study Music Business out of school, but I didn’t get the Yr 12 score so ended up doing PE teaching. Meanwhile I spent every moment I could working on music and events. Many years later, those universities that knocked me back asked me to come in as a guest lecturer for the Music programs. So that was a sweet cyclical moment.
From the eyes of a newbie, can you offer up any tips to the first-timers on how to get the most out of their Tanks experience?
It really is one of a kind here. I’ve never experienced a venue like the Tanks before and I’ve been in lots of performing arts venues!
Some tips…. do the Arrows Trails AFTER you’ve been to a show, not before. If you’re from the Deep South like me, wear shorts. Check out Tank 3 and 4 if you’re here for a Tank 5 gig. And absolutely make sure you get in early for the support, there’s some seriously awesome local talent.
For employment opportunities at Cairns Regional Council, head to cairns.qld.gov.au
AROUND THE TANKS
BOTANIC GARDENS VISITOR CENTRE & GIFT SHOP
A range of gifts, souvenirs and books from local designers and artists.
Open 8.30am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday 9.30am - 2.00pm Weekends.
WORKSHOPS
Various days
Community workshops range from Flower Arranging and Basketry Weaving to Ecstatic Dance and Resin Art.
See tanksartscentre.com for details
FREE GUIDED HERITAGE TOURS
Discover the history and significance of the Tanks Arts Centre and Gardens Precinct. Tours are conducted every Thursday at 10.00am, departing from the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre.
FRIENDS OF THE BOTANIC GARDENS TOURS
Tours leave from the Friends Shop in the Flecker Garden
Garden Tours Monday to Friday 10.00am Bird Tours Tuesdays 7.30am
Tanks Markets
The Tanks presents a series of Sunday Markets at the Tanks Arts Centre. The markets are held every month from April to November
2024 TANKS MARKET DATES
Sunday 28 July Market
Sunday 1 September Carnival On Collins
Sunday 29 September Market
Sunday 27 October Market
Sunday 24 November Last Market for 2024
TIME: 9.00am – 2.00pm
Creative Life Volunteers!
Help make your community more creative and connected by volunteering at one of our galleries, events or festivals.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR VOLUNTEERS. SEE OUR CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES BELOW:
Cairns Festival Volunteers
FRIDAY 23 AUGUST - SUNDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
Various locations
We’re looking for enthusiastic and community-minded volunteers who are interested in contributing to the art and cultural landscape, meeting new people and working behind the Cairns Festival events scenes with a dedicated and talented team of hardworking professionals.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please scan the QR code, phone 4032 6656 or visit cairnsfest.com.au
Gallery Attendants
Tanks Arts Centre & Court House Gallery
We are currently looking for volunteers who are interested in the arts and sharing their passion with visitors to our Galleries. Full in-house training and a comprehensive induction is provided before commencing your duties.
TANKS ARTS CENTRE
Our front of house Gallery Attendants in Tank 4 Gallery play a vital role by interacting with the public, promoting the gallery, exhibiting artists and the exhibition program.
COURT HOUSE GALLERY
Our Volunteer Gallery Attendants are required during gallery opening hours and for our music series, Out On The Lawn at the Court House Gallery.
You can register your interest here: cairns.qld.gov.au/community-environment/volunteer/ arts,-festivals-and-events-volunteer-opportunities
Or scan the QR code.
We’d love to have you join us.
If you’d like more information, please contact Jan Aird at Cultural Services by email J.Aird@cairns.qld.gov.au or phone 4032 6656
FINALIST SCREENING AND AWARDS PRESENTATION NIGHT
Friday 4 October TANKS ARTS CENTRE
ENTRIES CLOSE THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
Understory High entries must be submitted via a teacher liaison or Head of Department at your school.
Understory High, introduced in 2023, has quickly become a platform for the region’s young and emerging filmmakers to showcase their creativity and unique perspectives. This subsidiary festival was launched exclusively for high school students in response to the growing number of student film entries each year. Divided into three categories – Nonnarrative, Narrative, and Animation – this event celebrates the boundless potential of youth in storytelling, encouraging students to explore diverse themes and genres while fostering a vibrant and inclusive filmmaking community. The winning entries will be submitted to the flagship Understory Film Festival, offering a unique opportunity for these young talents to have their work recognised on a larger stage.
As the 2024 festivals approach, anticipation is building for the new crop of films that will grace the screen. With submissions now open, aspiring filmmakers are busy crafting their visions, exploring themes that resonate with the region’s unique character and cultural diversity.
The Understory Film Festival and Understory High not only celebrate the art of filmmaking but also serve as catalysts for creativity, fostering a sense of community and pride in the Cairns arts and culture scene. These events provide a platform for local voices to be heard, inspiring others to pursue their artistic dreams and contribute to the region’s vibrant tapestry of storytelling. The festivals are a testament to the diversity and inclusivity of the region, with films and stories that reflect the unique character and cultural richness of Cairns.
The Cairns filmmaking community is buzzing as the Understory Film Festival and last year’s new addition, Understory High, gear up for their highly anticipated 2024 events. After a triumphant 10-year anniversary celebration last year, these festivals continue to showcase the region’s rich tapestry of storytelling talent. Tickets are now on sale for both festivals, featuring a $5,000 prize pool with $2,500 each for Best Film and the People’s Choice Award. This festival is a springboard for aspiring talents, pushing creative boundaries and nurturing the region’s artistic spirit.
The whole atmosphere in Munro Martin Parklands was electric
TRAVIS BAIN
Last year’s festival saw a diverse array of films, including the award-winning horror-comedy “Zombies Vs The Men’s Shed” by Travis Bain. Bain first got involved with Understory in 2014 at the urging of his friend, submitting the comedy short “Parrot Ice Tours.” He reflects, “Prior to Understory, I felt like a small fish in a very big pond in Brisbane. Moving to Cairns and participating in Understory reinvigorated me, as it helped introduce me and my work to a whole new audience, and a very appreciative one at that.”
For Bain, his most memorable Understory experience was at last year’s 10th anniversary event, where “Zombies Vs The Men’s Shed” won both major awards. “It was a fantastic nighttwo of my cast members came dressed as zombies, and the whole atmosphere in Munro Martin Parklands was electric.”
The festival has launched the careers of numerous local filmmakers, such as Leroy Button, who won Best
High School Student Film and the People’s Choice Award in 2016 for his short film “Sense.” As Button reflects, “Understory was the first film festival I submitted to, ultimately catapulting me into the film industry.” Button now works as a Camera Operator, 1st AC, and Coordinator at XM2 Gold Coast, utilising his skills on projects around the world, including films like Mission Impossible 7 –Dead Reckoning, The Mandalorian Season 3, and Fast & Furious 9. The recognition and success of “Sense” opened doors for Button, leading to opportunities like having his work displayed at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane and securing a spot at the New York Film Academy. “Understory, the judges, the audience, and support from friends and family pushed me to pursue a career in Film and TV,” Button says. “It’s one of the main reasons why I am where I am today.”
Both Button and Bain acknowledge Understory’s pivotal role in nurturing regional arts and culture. Button states, “Events and festivals like Understory can be the very platform for emerging talent to display their dreams and connect with like-minded people.” Bain echoes this sentiment, noting, “Film festivals like Understory are crucial for helping to launch up-and-coming talent; they foster a thriving local indie film scene. Thanks to Understory, any filmmaker, no matter their age or background, can submit a film and potentially find an audience and win acclaim.”
LEROY BUTTON
As the curtains rise on these festivals, the Cairns community eagerly awaits the captivating tales that will unfold, celebrating the power of film to inspire, entertain, and illuminate the human experience.
MONDAY 7 OCTOBER
Entries Close
SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER
Screening and Awards Presentation at Munro Martin Parklands
Major winners will each receive a generous prize of $2,500 each for Understory Best Film and the People’s Choice Award, which is decided by the audience on the night.
For more information visit cairns.qld.gov.au/understory
Ancestral Echoes
The Court House Gallery in Cairns is set to host Voices of Our Past, a unique exhibition featuring the distinct artistic styles of four exceptional young Indigenous artists. This marks a significant milestone for Galbu Geth, a quartet of Cairns artists Lily Suli-Brock, Wypaan Ambrum, Dante Brim, and Harriet Mills, as they transition from their recent high school graduations to the professional artistic world.
The quartet gained recognition late last year when they received the prestigious Curator’s Award from the Tanks Arts Centre Energy exhibition. This unprecedented achievement as the award had never been bestowed upon multiple individuals concurrently. This early recognition served as a catalyst, propelling them forward on their artistic journeys and instilling further confidence in their artistic endeavours.
Lily Suli-Brock is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Visual Arts at the Australian National University. With a newfound support network in her adopted city of Canberra, she is diligently working on her contributions to the exhibition, exploring new perspectives and techniques.
Wypaan Ambrum has ventured to Brisbane to further develop her artistic practice at Griffith Queensland College of Art. The move has provided her with invaluable opportunities to expand her horizons and refine her creative voice.
Dante Brim’s achievements have been nothing short of remarkable. Her work, Shield Protection, was not only featured in the prestigious QAGOMA Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Arts but also served as the hero imagery for the exhibition. Dante received a RADF grant, enabling her to attend the launch and witness her work on display.
Harriet Mills, the sole artist remaining in Cairns, has continued to hone her craft locally. Her work titled Ngalpun Kazil Gidtha - Our Children’s Stories was recently selected as the front page artwork for the Cairns Regional Council NAIDOC Program, a testament to her talent and the resonance of her creations.
The Voices of Our Past exhibition promises to be a captivating exploration of Indigenous narratives and perspectives, bridging the connection to previous generations and their ongoing connection to Country and culture. Their journeys, which began with the shared recognition of the Curator’s Award, have now diverged, each artist carving their own path while remaining united by their artistic expressions.
NEURODIVERSITY TAKES CENTRE STAGE
Playwright Ryan Enniss was in his third year of drama school when he came across an article about a ‘miracle cure’ for children with autism, containing bleach. Both alarmed and fascinated, Enniss - who has autism - then began creating a story, culminating in the award-winning play Drizzle Boy.
Winner of the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2022-23, Drizzle Boy follows a young, autistic boy as he embarks on his journey into adulthood and manhood taking back his story from a world of misunderstanding with irreverence and audacity.
Performing at CPAC on Friday 8th November, the titular Drizzle Boy is portrayed by Daniel R Nixon (A Chorus Line, On The Town), in his first weeks at university as his parents, portrayed by Naomi Price (Ladies in Black, Rumour Has It) and Kevin Spink (Antigone, First Casualty), adapt to his burgeoning independence and even his first love.
Along the way audiences are invited into his imaginative psychological space meeting a number of his heroes including the first woman in space Valentina Tereshkova and the goat-headed demon Baphomet, all an expression of his internal world.
“Drizzle Boy is a classic coming of age story dealing with themes of hope, fear, love and independence, but it’s from the perspective of a neurodivergent person, which is something that I’ve never seen before,” said writer, Ryan Enniss.
“It feels almost indescribable to be putting out this play. I was diagnosed as autistic when I was nineteen years old and looking back prior to that moment; I had never seen myself or someone like me on stage, or screen or in film,” said Enniss.
Drizzle Boy is very much a coming-of-age story, along the lines of many recent plays and television programs that have examined issues faced by LGBTQI+ young people. In the case of Enniss, and his character of Drizzle Boy (DB), we see parents who don’t understand him and a medical and societal world that wants to ‘make him better’ as if autism is a disease or at least something that can be cured.
In this both heartwarming and heartbreaking work, Enniss sets out to put the record straight and, to a great extent, he succeeds in doing just that through a play offering facts, as well as humour and pathos.
Don’t miss DRIZZLE BOY on Friday 8 November at Cairns Performing Arts Centre. Tickets from ticketlink.com.au
by Brett Boardman
Images
ALL COME UNDER
DARREN BLACKMAN, ZANE SAUNDERS + BONEMAP
All Come Under is an exhibition by a collaboration of artists. Their friendship and respect for each other are collegial and affirm the power of creative expression to communicate.
When listening to Country, we all come under the relevance and currency of Indigenous cultural authority. Deep-seated governance systems established by Aboriginal people allow the respectful inhabitation of environments, land, water, and sky. It is essential that an ongoing connection and relationship to the Country, as experienced by the ancestors of this land, is again allowed to flourish. It is an opportunity to allow Country to speak to us.
Zane Saunders lives in Kuranda, Far North Queensland and is an Indigenous visual artist and performer, a descendant of Butchulla, Gunggari and Jarrowia People. Darren Blackman is an Gureng Gureng/Gangalu visual and sound artist. Bonemap’s Rebecca Youdell and Russell Milledge are partners who collaborate in producing dance, visual arts, and media arts.
A CAIRNS INDIGENOUS ART FAIR AND BRISBANE PORTRAIT PRIZE SATELLITE EXHIBITION
Art, dance, song, and ceremony serve as timeless conduits for transmitting cultural narratives and understandings of the cosmos for thousands of generations.
Despite enduring the impacts of colonisation, contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists persist in asserting their sovereignty through creative expression. Through mediums like ritual, ceremony, poetry, and art, they endeavour to communicate their stories to a broader audience, transcending mere auditory reception.
IMAGE DETAILS: Still Thriving, Digital illustration with Yuwi Ochre 2023, Dylan Mooney, Yuwi, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander
Curated by Debbie Taylor Worley
BIRDLIFE OF CATTANA WETLANDS
GAËLLE PELACHAUD AND JOSHUA PERCIVAL
Gaëlle Pelachaud (Paris) and Joshua Percival (Cairns) team up for this joint residency and exhibition over a shared interest in birds.
During their residency, Gaëlle and Joshua will be spending time studying the birdlife at Cattana Wetlands, running workshops, and creating new work to be exhibited at the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, just in time for Carnival on Collins, where Gaëlle will be running a free and fun make-abook activity to wind up her stay in Cairns.
LATITUDE 16.9013° SOUTH
Latitude 16.9013° south comprises the work of three artists who use and are inspired by botanical specimens from a variety of locations in Australia. Each artist focuses their own unique lens on the world of plants.
Jane Guthleben (Sydney) inserts endangered Australian flora into Dutch Still Life flower painting to create a neoBaroque style that taps into Vanitas language and traditions, and comments on habitat loss and climate change. Joanne Sisson (Ballarat) creates still-life paintings combining the untamed nature of flowers, grasses, and tree foliage. Carole Wilson (Ballarat) sources discarded maps and atlases which speak of a different era and a disappearing approach to sourcing information about locations and travel routes.
IMAGE DETAILS: Second Gathering (detail 1), hand cut and stitched maps on paper, cotton thread by Carole Wilson 2022
PUBLIC PROGRAM
BIRDLIFE OF CATTANA WETLANDS
GAËLLE PELACHAUD AND JOSHUA PERCIVAL WORKSHOPS: SATURDAY 3, 10, 17, 24 AUGUST
Artists Joshua and Gaëlle will offer dynamic workshops centred around birds in art. Joshua will guide you through some techniques to capture the movement and shapes of birds using a variety of materials such as ink, charcoal, and acrylics. While Gaëlle will take you through how to combine some of your bird artworks and collage materials into an animated book.
VENUE: Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre
PRICE: $65 (inc materials)
TIME: 10.00am - 2.00pm
INFO: Joshua 0481 395 258
IMAGE DETAILS: White Treated Kingfisher, watercolour marker by Gaëlle Pelachaud.
LATITUDE 16.9013° SOUTH
CAROLE WILSON, JOANNE SISSON, AND JANE GUTHLEBEN
MEET THE ARTISTS: THURSDAY 1 AUGUST
ARTISTS’ TALKS AND EXHIBITION VIEWING: SATURDAY 17 AUGUST
Come and greet the artists as they begin their residency in Cairns and again as they complete their work. And you can follow the progress of their residency by visiting their Tank 4 studio.
VENUE: Tank 4, Tanks Arts Centre
PRICE: Free
TIME: 10.00am
IMAGE DETAILS: Carole Wilson, Wildflower Atlas (detail), 2024, handcut and stitched maps on paper, cotton thread, 15x15cm
For more information about our Public Program and workshop details visit tanksartscentre.com
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
NAUTILUS SCUBA CLUB CAIRNS
This exhibition showcases underwater images from members of the Nautilus Scuba Club Cairns who have entered the club’s annual underwater photo competition.
The categories include Macro, Portrait, Wide Angle and Behaviour. They provide the viewer with a glimpse into the fascinating and diverse creatures and scenery that exist beneath the surface of our oceans; not just on the Great Barrier Reef but also all the other diverse places our club members go diving.
Melbourne band Cool Out Sun make Afro roots music, peppered with hip hop goodness and a sunny disposition.
The supergroup is a cross-cultural enterprise that sees vocalist N’fa Jones (1200 Techniques), percussionist Nui Moon (Digital Afrika) and drummer/producer Sensible J (REMI, Sampa The Great) teaming up to create sultry beats and poetic commentary on a variety of social issues.
Since their conception, Cool Out Sun have been turning heads all over the country from their 2018 debut single Fire For (Fire Four) to their live show with their stunning visuals that have had living rooms and venues turn dance floor.
With their sophomore LP titled A Lion Is A Lion due for release this August/September, Cool Out Sun is all about bringing together good friends, good beats and good vibes sharing African heritage and culture.
WIL ANDERSON WILEGITIMATE
Wil Anderson returns with his brand-new show Wilegitimate
Host of Gruen, Question Everything and podcasts Wilosophy and TOFOP, Wil Anderson is a six-time Melbourne Comedy Festival People’s Choice and Helpmann Award winner.
Book today, it will sell out.
“Lightning in a bottle.” ★★★★½ The Sydney Morning Herald
“Goodwill and good jokes.” ★★★★½ Chortle
“Wil Anderson is a master at finding humanity in the strangest things.” ★★★★ Time Out
“Unmatched and relentlessly fun to witness.” ★★★★ Adelaide Advertiser
PRICE: Adult $59 : Concession $54 : Group (6+) $54
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.30pm
RATING: M
BULLHORN & TIJUANA CARTEL
Experience the ultimate musical fusion at a Tank 5 Live double-header gig featuring Tijuana Cartel and Bullhorn! Prepare for an evening of unparalleled energy and innovation as these two dynamic bands share the stage for an unforgettable night on the dancefloor.
Buckle up as Tijuana Cartel gets the party started with their high-octane blend of world music, electronica, and dynamic rhythms. Get ready to embark on a sonic adventure as their infectious beats transport you to exotic realms.
Then, brace yourself for the explosive energy of Bullhorn, renowned for their infectious energy and irresistible stage presence. With their powerful brass, driving rhythms, and dynamic performance, Bullhorn is guaranteed to get the crowd moving and the energy soaring.
Don’t miss this epic collision of boundary-pushing sounds and outrageously fun rhythms that will leave you craving more.
BEDDY RAYS
Hailing from Reddy Bay in Brisbane, Beddy Rays have been making waves with their surf-rock meets pub rock sound –a sound that is distinctly Australian and that’s what makes them so popular.
Beddy Rays is honest, raw and what Beddy’s are all about –mateship, Reddy Bay, good times, beers, and the importance of looking after yourself and checking in with your mates. Consisting of Jacko (Guitars/Vocals), Lewy (Guitars), Brad (Bass) and Benny (Drums), the four-piece is hitting the road this year, headed north to Cairns for an epic show in Tank 5.
These days it’s almost impossible not to recognise a Beddy Rays track, as their music has become a carefully curated recipe involving all the right ingredients: heartfelt lyrics, huge hooks, mosh-worthy riffs and a lingering sense of comradery and good vibes that underpins everything they create.
After forging a dazzling country music career that has won her 6 Golden Guitars, and stunning audiences on Dancing with the Stars, Australian favourite, Melinda Schneider steps back in time to pay homage to one of her musical heroes, Doris Day.
Doris Day, ‘the girl next door’, had millions of fans around the world, none bigger than chart-topping Australian singer songwriter Melinda Schneider. Schneider, who has recorded two albums of Doris’ songs, co-written and starred in a theatre show based on Doris’ life, and performed sell-out tours celebrating Doris’ work, now returns to the stage in 2024 to pay tribute to the legendary Doris Day.
SOLD OUT
Melinda Schneider’s, A Farewell To Doris, is a heartfelt tribute to this iconic star. This nostalgic concert celebration will include such timeless hits as Que Sera, Sera, Sentimental Journey, Everybody Loves a Lover and Secret Love plus classic songs from the movies Calamity Jane, Love Me or Leave Me and The Pajama Game, as well as a number of Doris’ big band standards.
MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA
You asked, we delivered! Melbourne Ska Orchestra are headed back to the Tanks Arts Centre!
Formed in 2003 Melbourne Ska Orchestra is an orchestra with a difference. Comprising up to 26 members this juggernaut contains some of Australia’s finest musicians and performers. Helmed by the energetic and charismatic Nicky Bomba (John Butler Trio, Bomba, Bustamento) Melbourne Ska Orchestra are more than just a band, they are an experience to behold.
Hitting Tank 5 stage this August, a Melbourne Ska Orchestra live performance is explosive and infectious. Their unique take on the genre of Ska has wowed audiences all over the world. From Montreal to New York, Istanbul to London, Tokyo to Mexico and with the approval of Reggae and Ska pioneers like Stranger Cole, Owen Gray, Carlos Malcolm, Ranking Roger and Neville Staples the Melbourne Ska Orchestra sound is resonating with audiences worldwide –young and old.
MONDAY 12 AUGUST
VENUE: CPAC Theatre
PRICE: SOLD OUT
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 9.00pm | Show 11.00pm
RATING: PG
FRIDAY 16 AUGUST
VENUE: Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre
PRICE: Admit One $60 : Door Price $75
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.15pm
RATING: PG
TOP DOG FILM FESTIVAL 2024
Celebrate the canine connection through this carefully curated collection of heartwarming stories about dogs and their people at the 2024 Top Dog Film Festival
Meet dogs from all walks of life on the big screen at the 2024 Top Dog Film Festival. Experience the stories of unlikely agility dogs, unbreakable bonds and canine companions that enrich the lives of all those they encounter. Experience heartfelt stories of people who dedicate their lives to improving the outcomes for man’s best friend and meet a very clever dog who will steal a piece of your heart.
The 2024 Top Dog Film Festival presents a 2+ hour cinematic celebration honouring the bond between dogs and their people. Filled with delightfully doggy moments of joy and celebration of our beloved canine companions.
This carefully curated program of short canine-themed films is comprised of the most inspirational, heart-warming and entertaining stories about dogs and their human companions, from independent filmmakers around the globe.
GUTSY GIRLS
ADVENTURE FILM TOUR 2024
The Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour showcases a unique program of the most inspiring, heartfelt, and entertaining films celebrating adventurous women from independent filmmakers around the globe.
Experience the thrill of exploration and the triumph of the human spirit as we present a unique selection of films of varying lengths and styles, shining the light on the women of the adventure world.
Prepare to be captivated by stories of grit and determination, skill, and big dreams brought to life on the big screen. From mountaintop triumphs to exploration odysseys, our films will transport you to the edge of your seat and leave you feeling inspired to conquer your own challenges.
This is more than just a film tour – it’s a celebration of courage, resilience, and the power of the human spirit. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping action or heartwarming tales of triumph, the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour has something for everyone.
BY GALBU GETH (DANTE BRIM, WYPAAN AMBRUM, HARRIET MILLS, AND
LILLY SULI-BROCK)
Dante, Wypaan, Harriet, and Lilly, known collectively as Galbu Geth (Girl Hand) shared the Tanks Arts Centre Curators’ Award in last year’s Energy exhibition, the first time this award has been given to a group of year twelve art students, challenging them to create an exhibition together on the theme they so strongly spoke to in the work they presented at Energy.
Now in their first year, post-high school, between new studies and new jobs, these four young artists have created new works, reaffirming their attention to the voices of their past, and finding their own.
THU 22 AUG - SAT 5 OCT
LAUNCH: 6PM FRIDAY 23 AUGUST
VENUE: Court House Gallery
PRICE: Free
OPEN: 9.30am - 5.00pm Tue-Fri, 10.00am - 5.00pm Sat
IMAGE DETAILS: Galbu Geth (Girl Hand), clay body painting over pandanus by Dante Brim, Wypaan Ambrum, Harriet Mills, and Lilly Suli-Brock.
JANJARI
DR FIONA FOLEY
Janjari, a major new work by internationally renowned Badtjala contemporary artist Dr Fiona Foley marks the first acquisitive commission by Hervey Bay Regional Gallery since reopening in 2022.
Filmed entirely on K’gari, a flowing narrative guides the viewer from west to east of the world’s largest sand island. Foley’s work is deeply rooted in her ancestral connection to K’gari, a location that holds ongoing cultural, spiritual and environmental significance for Badtjala people. This video includes imagery alluding to K’gari’s creation story, featuring Yindingie (carpet snake) who formed the landscape of Butchulla country from the island to the western boundary of Mount Bauple.
CULTURAL NARRATIVES OF THE NORTH
PAUL BONG, SHERYL BURCHILL, DANIEL O’SHANE, GLEN MACKIE
Connecting the past to the future
First Nations artists Paul Bong, Sheryl Burchill, Daniel O’Shane and Glen Mackie present a selection of accomplished original etchings and vinylcuts (relief-prints from vinyl).
This exhibition asserts cultural heritage and connection to country while acknowledging and encouraging the value of storytelling: past, present and future.
IMAGE DETAILS: Portion of Tagai, vinylcut relief print, Glen Mackie
Curated by Peggy Kasabad Lane
(RE)CONNECTION: CULTURE, COUNTRY & PEOPLE
A time and space to connect
Since time immemorial, First Nations people’s cultural identity are formed by their bloodlines, kinship systems, and connection to their Country. Indigenous cultural practices are maintained through rituals, storytelling, oral history, dance, song, and art making. Each group is connected by their sense of culture, honour, and knowledge. Colonialism in its essence sought to destroy, divide, and disconnect Sovereign First Nations people from Culture, Country, and each other. Despite attempts to extinguish and assimilate First Nations people, they continued to practice and maintain culture though traditional or contemporary forms of cultural and artistic expression.
SHIFT
Shift provides a creative response to the current adaptation of the former town hall at 51 The Esplanade, Cairns City, completed in 1913 to serve as Mulgrave Shire Council Chambers, from one civic use to another.
Zane Saunders interprets space and time intuitively, a process that allows the hidden dimensions of time, place, and space to come forward and manifest through his actions as performance art. With abstract meaning, the performances provide clues to the unacknowledged presence and experience of being in a specific location - in situ. The resulting photomedia artworks, created through a collaboration with Zane and Bonemap’s Rebecca Youdell and Russell Milledge, capture the moment of architectural transition. Photography and video artworks document the artists brief presence within the dismantled rooms and building facade.
DETAILS: Crop Circles in Yogya #3, unique edition pigment print on paper with hand embellishment, by Tony Albert
FRIDAY 23 AUGUST - SUNDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
LAUNCH: 6PM FRIDAY 23 AUGUST
VENUE: Mulgrave Gallery
Projection at rear of building
PRICE: Free
OPEN: 6.00pm-9.00pm
INFO: bonemap.com
DETAILS: Shift, photograph, Zane Saunders with Bonemap 2023
IMAGE
Curated by Peggy Kasabad Lane
ZANE SAUNDERS WITH BONEMAP
IMAGE
TROPICAL SOUL PARTY
FEATURING THE BAMBOOS & DJ EMMA PEEL
Get ready to kick off Cairns Festival in style at the Tropical Soul Party!
For the first night of Festival, head on in to the Tanks Arts Centre where the tropics meets the dancefloor featuring unparalleled funk legends The Bamboos. Known for their explosive live performances, The Bamboos will have you dancing from the first beat to the last. But the party doesn’t stop there - alongside The Bamboos spinning the best in soul, funk, and tropical beats is the High Priestess of vintage vinyl, DJ Emma Peel, keeping the dancefloor lit.
Feel the rhythm, soak in the vibrant atmosphere, and let the tropical vibes transport you. Don’t miss the ultimate fusion of music and culture for Festival First Night. Grab your tickets and let the groove take over!
FOURTEEN
BY SHANNON MOLLOY
ADAPTED BY SHAKE & STIR WITH SHANNON MOLLOY
The year is 1999 and Shannon has a secret.
Shannon Molloy is a year 9 student at an all-boys rugbymad Catholic school in regional Queensland, with a secret that no one can ever find out. Shannon is gay.
Based on the best-selling memoir by award-winning journalist Shannon Molloy, Fourteen is the inspirational true story of growing up gay in central Queensland, transformed into a powerful must-see theatre production by nationally acclaimed shake & stir theatre co.
Set to a nostalgic mixtape of 90s bangers from all your faves, from Shania Twain to The Spice Girls, Fourteen addresses the trials and tribulations of growing up with honesty, humour and heart. Equal parts uplifting and heartwrenching, we follow Shannon in a year of self-discovery set amidst a backdrop of torment, bullying and betrayal – not just at the hands of his peers, but by the adults who were meant to protect him.
Young artists share their creative energy and insights in this annual student exhibition, bursting with innovative, highquality works that will engage and inspire you.
ENERGY is a presentation of visual art produced by school students across the region. Featuring works submitted to the 2024 Creative Generations Awards, ENERGY presents the best young and emerging artists of our region, and a level of professionalism and maturity well beyond their years. A must-see exhibition, ENERGY opens a window into the astonishing talent of this region’s up-and-coming artists.
The launch event includes awards presentations and entertainment by selected high school musicians.
ANGEL MONSTER
After two years of best in the fest at Edinburgh Fringe, Angel Monster comes to Cairns for one night only!
’Unmissable!’ - Everywhere Theatre
Angel Monster is raw, visceral, confessional, powerful performance from one of Australia’s most prolific dancetheatre artists, Phluxus2 Dance Collective, choreographed by the award-winning Nerida Matthaei.
Enter a space caught in a cross-hairs: halfway between your bedroom-floor at 3am and an otherworldly celestial limbo. Here, inside a field of laundry, explosive choreography ignites and combusts beside you as an army of dancers explore the dreams and the nightmares, the tremble and the limits of the female experience.
Sex, consent, violence and empowerment crash-tackle together in a full-bodied conversation where the agenda is Equality, Ownership and Individuality.
SATURDAY 24 AUGUST - SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER
LAUNCH: 6PM FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
VENUE: Tank 4, Tanks Arts Centre
PRICE: Free
OPEN: 9.00am - 4.30pm Weekdays
10.00am - 2.00pm Weekends & Public Holidays
CLOSED: 29 & 30 AUG for private function
INFO: dmars34@eq.edu.au
IMAGE DETAILS: Missing With Myself, mixed media on canvas by Ashlyn Sheil, St Andrew’s Catholic College 2023
The acclaimed Angel Monster is a portrait, a requiem and a call to arms for sisters, mothers, angels and monsters alike.
SATURDAY 24 AUGUST
VENUE: Tank 3, Tanks Arts Centre
PRICE: Adult $37 : Concession $35
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 7.30pm | Show 8.00pm
RATING: 15+
TELENOVA
Telenova is widescreen music; cinematic in scope and ambitious in design.
A tapestry of dark romanticism, slick musicianship and vivid aesthetics have fuelled the Melbourne outfit since their debut EP Tranquilize in 2021. Powered by the ubiquitous lead single Bones, plus the sweeping sonics of follow up EP Stained Glass Love, Telenova have been passionately embraced at home and abroad, thanks to support from BBC 6 Music, KCRW, Vogue Paris, NME, Triple J and more.
Accolades of course followed, including the 2022 AIR Breakthrough Artist award, appearing on Triple J’s Hottest 100, embarking on multiple sold-out tours and appearing on almost every major festival lineup across Australia, and playing across eighteen different cities across Europe and the UK in late 2023.
The distinctive universe of Telenova - shadowy, sample driven alt-pop with prominent trip-hop and electronica influence, plus a touch of playful energy - is the design of lead vocalist, songwriter and filmmaker Angeline Armstrong and multi-instrumentalists Edward Quinn and Joshua Moriarty.
HOTMESS
IN THE FLESH
Welcome to a new dimension of raw artistic expression, where life drawing is unleashed.
Hotmess present their signature show, In The Flesh, a decadent life drawing experience designed to ignite your creative fire and release you from normality. Be prepared to be immersed in a fictional world where costume, sound, lighting, and performance converge to playfully nudge you to question the fabric of life through emotional experiences. Hotmess thrives on the edge, exploring cheeky, evocative, and conceptual ideas. They create a banquet of food for thought—adding a bit of heat to your seat and a smile to your dial. Hotmess is where participants will ignite their creativity and explore their inner curiosities. Prepare to transcend boundaries in an environment where the audience actively engages, experiments, and discovers diverse worlds through performance.
“HOTMESS is like no other art night I’ve been to. The surrealistic costumes take your mind away from technique, diving you headfirst into free creativity.”
THURSDAY 29 AUGUST
VENUE: Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre
PRICE: Adult $40 : Concession $35
Includes all art supplies
SUNDAY 25 AUGUST
VENUE: Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre
PRICE: Adult $40 : Concession/Youth $36
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.00pm
RATING: 15+
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.00pm | Show 7.00pm
RATING: 18+
ADRIFT
Set in an infinite ocean, floating in the unknowable spaces between each other, together we create worlds, uncover mysteries, and fill in the blanks in each other’s stories.
Part mystery, part game, Adrift brings audience members together to uncover a story that explores feelings of isolation and our fraught relationship with nature in the face of a potential mass extinction event.
Following instructions through their headsets, together participants create detailed worlds by manipulating objects as tiny architecture reveals itself. Lights turn on, water emerges, and mechanical discoveries are made. Here, we share a series of fantastical true stories - of infatuated dolphins, lonely whales, and remote lighthouses.
Is our relationship with nature just as fraught as our relationships with each other?
THURSDAY 29 AUGUST - SUNDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
VENUE: CPAC Studio
PRICE: Adult $39 : Concession $35
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors One hour before the show
Show 2.30pm*, 6.30pm & 9.00pm
*Saturday & Sunday only.
RATING: MA15+
JEBEDIAH + MAGIC DIRT
From their enormously popular singles and albums in the late-90s, right up to their still highly-energised and gleeinducing live shows, Jebediah have been a key part in the soundtrack to our lives for a long time now.
To celebrate the release of Jebediah’s eagerly anticipated sixth studio album and first new release in 11 years, OIKS they’re heading out on the road for a national tour with very special guests Magic Dirt. Via OIKS, Jebediah catapult their iconic past and present into a dazzling new era.
“We are positively giddy to be heading out on the road to celebrate OIKS with our dear friends Magic Dirt, who we last toured the nation with 24 years ago! Can you believe it? This will be one for the ages!”
FRIDAY 30 AUGUST
VENUE: Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre
PRICE: Admit One $69.20 : Door Price $75
Ticket + Digital Download $74.20 : Door Price $80
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.00pm
RATING: 15+
WAYFINDER BY DANCENORTH
Wayfinder is a gathering of heart.
Physical exuberance, sonic resonance, and collective exhilaration explode onto stage in a kaleidoscopic fusion of dance, music, and visual art.
Directed by Amber Haines and Kyle Page, Dancenorth Australia joins forces with three-time Grammy nominated Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote and sound artist Byron J. Scullin to create a soaring composition evoking pleasure and possibility.
Speaking to our sensorial nature, Wayfinder reminds us of a state of being that transcends the words that have come to define us. Navigating bigger and more ancient reference points, Wayfinder recognises connection as the central axis of the universe. By the stars, the waves, and the sun, we find our way.
A summoning of collective awe and wonder, Wayfinder is a tonic for the times.
FRIDAY 30 & SATURDAY 31 AUGUST
VENUE: CPAC Theatre
PRICE: Adult $45 : Concession $40
Child (3-17) $30
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.30pm
RATING: PG
BIG TALK ONE FIRE
FIRST NATIONS CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2024
UMI Arts proudly presents the 17th annual Big Talk One Fire Cultural Festival, even bigger and better than ever in 2024!
A day of celebration, sharing, storytelling, song, dance, art, workshops, food and yarning, all presented by First Nations performers, artists & cultural leaders from across Far North Queensland, Big Talk One Fire 2024 will again be held at at their new home at the lush Munro Martin Park in Cairns.
UMI Arts’ Mission is to preserve, strengthen, maintain and celebrate all aspects of Indigenous arts and culture, and Big Talk One Fire is vital to this mission. Come and join them in learning about and celebrating the strength and vibrancy of this region’s First Nations people, arts and culture.
They hope you enjoy this Festival of First Nations culture!
SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
VENUE: Munro Martin Parklands
PRICE: Free
TIME: Doors 3.00pm | Event 3.00pm - 9.00pm
RATING: PG
TWIST & SHOUT
A SALUTE TO ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
Let’s journey back to where it all began!
Rock ‘n’ Roll fans, get ready for the ultimate show featuring all the No. 1 Hits of The Rock ‘n’ Roll Legends from the 50s & 60s.
The Williams Brothers, sons of Rock ‘n’ Roll pioneer Warren Williams, bring to life the iconic hits of Elvis, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison, and more. They also pay homage to The Beatles, The Bee Gees, The Monkees, and The Hollies with their unforgettable No. 1 songs.
Join the Multi-Award-Winning Williams Brothers on a magical journey through the greatest hits of that era. Backed by their acclaimed band, The Shy Guys, this show promises non-stop excitement and nostalgia.
Don’t miss this special celebration of Rock ‘n’ Roll legends!
QUEEN BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
Following a hugely successful National Tour in 2022/23, Queen-Bohemian Rhapsody is returning with a Brand New Show in 2024, combining Queen’s ‘Greatest Hits’ and a few of the most popular songs on their albums.
Queen is amongst the greatest rock bands of the 20th century, and Freddie Mercury is hailed by many as the most charismatic and flamboyant performer in contemporary rock. Now, fresh off the heels of the successful Bohemian Rhapsody movie, comes an all-new Queen tribute show from well-known Australian Freddie Mercury impersonator Thomas Crane.
Queen-Bohemian Rhapsody will perform all the great hits, including We Will Rock You, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Are The Champions, Radio Ga Ga, A Kind of Magic, I Want To Break Free, Another One Bites the Dust, and Bohemian Rhapsody.
“That’s The Best Freddie Mercury Impersonation I have seen YOU ROCK” – Danni Minogue!
SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
VENUE: CPAC Theatre
PRICE: Adult $69.90 : Concession $64.90
Child (3-17 years) $39.90 : Group (10+) $59.90
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.30pm
RATING: PG
SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
VENUE: CPAC Theatre
PRICE: Adult $79.90 : Concession $74.90
Child (3-17 years) $39.90 : Group (10+) $69.90
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.30pm
RATING: PG
BAROQUE HIGHLIGHTS
NQ CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Join us for an exquisite showcase of Baroque masterpieces in Baroque Highlights. Experience Vivaldi’s renowned Summer and Winter concertos from The Four Seasons, featuring the exceptional violinist Khalida de Ridder. Originally from Far North Queensland, Khalida has captivated audiences worldwide and is currently based in Denmark. We eagerly anticipate her return for this special concert.
Enhancing this stellar performance, the NQ Chamber Orchestra will present additional Baroque gems by Bach, Handel, Corelli, Albinoni, and Purcell. Baroque Highlights promises to be an unforgettable evening celebrating the timeless brilliance of this musical era.
CELTIC ILLUSION
Immerse yourself in one of the most unique productions touring the world. Celtic Illusion, the Irish dance and Grand Illusion sensation that has taken Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada and the USA by storm and will tour nationwide in 2024.
Even fans who have seen our previous shows won’t dare miss the 2024 tour that is set to raise the bar once again. This exhilarating production has broken barriers by fusing unparalleled art forms and is more spectacular than ever before.
A breathtaking array of experiences, fusing Irish Dance, Magic and influential flavours of Fosse, Michael Jackson, with a Broadway style. Celtic Illusion is a show like no other.
The show features new spellbinding illusions and choreography, alongside a musical score that will either make you cry or send shivers down your spine.
Celtic Illusion will surpass your expectations and leave you wanting more.
TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER
VENUE: CPAC Theatre
PRICE: A Reserve - Adult $99.90 : Concession $94.90
Child (3-17years) $89.90 : Group (10+) $90
SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER
VENUE: CPAC Studio
PRICE: Adult $38 : Concession $34
Child (3-17 years) $32
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 2.00pm | Show 3.00pm
RATING: PG
Family (2Ad + 2Ch) $360
B Reserve - Adult $89.90 : Concession $84.90
Child (3-17years) $79.90 : Group (10+) $80
Family (2Ad + 2Ch) $320
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.30pm
RATING: PG
MARCIA HINES
STILL SHINING CONCERT TOUR
The 50th Anniversary Concert Tour – Australia’s beloved musical treasure, with a career spanning five amazing decades, will be returning to Regional Australia in 2023!
Accompanied by her musicians and production crew, each performance will be a celebration of the extraordinary output of this legendary Australian.
From the early days of Fire and Rain to the Discotheque album and all the way through to the 2022 release of The Gospel According to Marcia, each performance will encapsulate Marcia’s extraordinary vocal range and recording career.
Since moving to Australia from Boston at just 16 to star in the production of Hair, Marcia has become an integral part of the Australian music and entertainment industry. 22 albums, 2.6 million sales, countless chart topping singles and multi-platinum albums. She continues to reinvent herself and, in doing so, sets new industry benchmarks. From Jesus Christ Superstar to Queen of Pop to Australian Idol, induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007 and an Order of Australia in 2009, this extraordinary woman has been an inspiration to women and Australians everywhere.
FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER
VENUE: CPAC Theatre
PRICE: Adult $75 : Concession/Youth (3-17Yrs) $70
Group (10+) $70
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.30pm
RATING: PG
DRACULA’S: SANCTUARY
Iconic vaudevillian variety show Dracula’s, is returning with their BRAND-NEW show, Sanctuary. Remember their sold-out 2023 tour that left audiences breathless (and envious of after-party rumours)? That was just the appetiser!
This time, Dracula’s: Sanctuary returns with a carnal cocktail of the undead and criminally insane. From death-defying aerial acrobatics to knockout vocals – get ready for a blockbuster show, set to dazzle, and delight in a way only Dracula’s can.
With a killer cast of local and international artists, Dracula’s: Sanctuary will leave you screaming for more – and maybe an encore.
Newman Entertainment CEO Luke Newman says audiences should expect the unexpected with Dracula’s. “What people love about Dracula’s is that you’re never quite certain what you’ll see, but you know you’ll love it. After a season at our Gold Coast venue, Sanctuary has been completely re-worked for the road, to be bigger and better than ever. It’s a spectacle of seduction and silliness, with plenty of fangs, feathers, and flirting. It’s naughty, in your face and pure energy. It has it all, and you won’t want to miss it!”
FRIDAY 27 & SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER
VENUE: CPAC Theatre
PRICE: A Reserve $119 : B Reserve $104 : C Reserve $89
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 7.30pm | Show 8.00pm
RATING: MA 15+
OUT ON THE LAWN SALSA
We invite you to an electrifying evening under the stars, where vibrant rhythms and infectious beats take centre stage – welcome to Salsa On The Lawn!
Out On The Lawn is fresh, fun, free... and smack bang in the centre of town! Merging local talent with some of the best and most diverse out-of-town talent we have, gather your friends and loved ones to settle in for a night of musical magic.
OUT ON THE LAWN FINAL SESSION
Alas, it is time to say goodbye to Out On The Lawn for another year! So, we invite you to come join us one last time as we celebrate a night of splendour under the spring stars.
Pack your cheese and crackers and slip into your comfy shoes, because tonight you’ll want to get up and move as we amp it up for our finale party! With an electrifying atmosphere, irresistible beats and the company of good friends, this evening promises to be one for the books.
FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER
VENUE: Court House Gallery
PRICE: Free TIME: 6.00pm
SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER
VENUE: Court House Gallery
PRICE: Free TIME: 6.00pm
MORNING MELODIES
LIVVY & PETE
BY AMPLIFIED HOUSE
Helpmann Award winner Michael Griffiths and cabaret darling Amelia Ryan celebrate the songbooks of Aussie icons Olivia Newton-John and Peter Allen.
From their humble small-town beginnings to world domination in sequins and jumpsuits, revisit all of their singa-long classics from Rio to Tenterfield, all the way to Xanadu and beyond.
As camp as maracas and tender as Pete’s gift to Livvy I Honestly Love You, there promises to be rollerskates, T-Birds, Pink Ladies, 80s jazzercise and an Oscar winning song to boot! Livvy & Pete has played the Australia Cabaret circuit, and sold out the Adelaide Fringe Festival three years running. With charm, talent, and loads of laughs, come and join us for a nostalgic homage to two of Australia’s national treasures!
THELMA PLUM
Fresh off a Hottest 100 smash with We Don’t Talk About It, award-winning, multi-platinum-selling indigenous star Thelma Plum returns to the Tanks Arts Centre.
In just over a decade, Meanjin-born singer-songwriter and Gamilaraay woman Thelma Plum has become one of the country’s most beloved singer-songwriters, racking up a string of awards and hit records, and blowing away audiences with her powerful live performances.
A gifted singer, songwriter and guitarist, Plum won Triple J’s inaugural National Indigenous Unearthed Music award in 2012, when she was barely out of high school. She followed it up with the EPs Rosie (2013) and Monsters (2014), before her debut album – 2019’s smash Better in Black (2019) – launched her into fully fledged national stardom. A hard-hitting, emotionally honest collection that included contributions from no less than Paul McCartney and Paul Kelly, the topfive record yielded a slew of ARIA nominations and gold and platinum singles – including Homecoming Queen, Clumsy Love and the top-10 Hottest 100 title track.
Anyone who’s seen Plum on stage knows she’s one of the country’s great live performers. Here’s your chance to experience her in one of the country’s most iconic venues.
MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER
VENUE: CPAC Theatre
PRICE: Admit One $22 : Group (6+) $20
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 9.00am | Show 11.00am
RATING: PG
THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER
VENUE: Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre
PRICE: One Price $60
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.30pm
RATING: 15+
CAIRNS PRIDE ART EXHIBITION
2024
Cairns Pride Festival brings to light the incredible talent of folk from diverse backgrounds in tropical Far North Queensland. Experience the talent of our communities through a display of spectacular vibrance and colour with a tropical twist.
Art from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Sistergirl and Brotherboy people has been displayed in Cairns by artists from all over the region for well over a decade now at Pride, and we continue the tradition. Our rainbow communities are thrilled to bring you another show of light and visibility in 2024.
BJORN AGAIN WATERLOO ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Bjorn Again! The Waterloo Anniversary Tour - Celebrating 50 Years of ABBA’s Triumph����
Get ready to celebrate the golden jubilee of ABBA’s historic Eurovision Song Contest victory in 1974 with Waterloo – a moment that changed music history forever and catapulted ABBA into the hearts and minds of music lovers across the globe! Join Bjorn Again on their Waterloo Anniversary Tour in 2024 as they celebrate this iconic milestone, bringing the timeless magic of ABBA to fans all over the world.
Rolling Stone Magazine, USA hails them as “Fabulously flawless,” and Time Out Magazine New York raves, “One of the most entertaining live shows in the world today.” But this isn’t just hype – it’s the truth! Prepare to be transported to the golden era of disco, where platforms were high, and the music was even higher. This is your chance to become a Dancing Queen or a Super Trouper for a night of pure nostalgia and non-stop fun.
SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER - SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER
LAUNCH: 6PM FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER
VENUE: Tank 4, Tanks Arts Centre
PRICE: Free
OPEN: 9.00am - 4.30pm Weekdays
10.00am - 2.00pm Weekends & Public Holidays
INFO: cairnspridefestival.com.au
IMAGE DETAILS: He Called me Boy, acrylic, mixed media, and collage on canvas by Jamie Cole, 2020
Don’t miss out on Bjorn Again - The Waterloo Anniversary Tour when it comes to Cairns Performing Arts Centre.
FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER
VENUE: CPAC Theatre
PRICE: Adult (16+) $80.60
Concession/Youth (3-15yrs) $74.60
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.30pm
RATING: PG
NICOLE ZURAITIS
TANKS JAZZ
With a “heart as big as her remarkable voice,” (Jazz Police), Grammy® Award-winner (2024) for Best Jazz Vocal Album, Nicole Zuraitis has positioned herself as one of the top artists and “prolific songwriters” (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond.
Nicole is the premier vocalist for the Birdland Big Band and frequently headlines iconic NYC jazz clubs like Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Blue Note, the Carlyle, 54 Below and the late, great 55 Bar. She has appeared as a featured soloist with the Savannah Philharmonic, Asheville Symphony and Macon Pops and has supported iconic singers like Melanie, Morgan James, Darren Criss and Livingston Taylor on piano and vocals.
Nicole’s arrangement of Dolly Parton’s Jolene, co-written with renowned drummer and bandleader Dan Pugach, was nominated for a 2019 GRAMMY®, spring boarding her career and making her a household name in the modernday jazz landscape.
THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER
VENUE: Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre
PRICE: Adult $59 : Concession/Youth (3-17yrs) $54
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.00pm | Show 6.30pm
RATING: PG
DAVE O’NEIL
OVERWEIGHT, LIGHTWEIGHT
Dave O’Neil may call himself a lightweight, but with over 30 years of experience, his cheeky brand of humour has made him one of Australia’s most loved comedians.
With years of breakfast radio on Nova, frequent appearances on Spicks and Specks, a bunch of podcasts (Somehow Related with Glenn Robbins and The Junkees with Kitty Flanagan) and sold out shows at Melbourne International Comedy Festival it takes a lot to throw this comedian off his game!
Dave will be joined by his friend and regular on The Debrief podcast, Brad Oakes (Hey Hey it’s Saturday, Comedy Company) for what will be a night of laughs with two of Australia’s longest working comedians.
MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER AND THE WEST END MUSICALS
Prepare to be whisked away on an extraordinary musical adventure as RF Entertainment proudly presents the sensational Music of the Night. This mesmerizing stage show is taking Australia by storm, leaving audiences spellbound with the sheer brilliance of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s timeless creations and the world’s greatest musical hits from the West End and Broadway!
Enjoy an unforgettable afternoon filled with breathtaking musical performances from some of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most beloved productions.
Faster, steeper, higher, deeper! The most adrenalineinducing mountain sport films from around the globe will thrill and inspire you with big-screen adventures when the Radical Reels Tour hits the road around Australia this October.
The festival is the Banff Mountain Film Festival’s more outrageous, adventurous little sibling and is characterised by ‘Oh my God’ moments as elite athletes and adventurers conquer their challenges and dreams.
This year’s tour promises to get your pulse racing, from the comfort and safety of your cinema seat. Watch deathdefying feats of pure genius, verging on insanity, shot in some of the planet’s most spectacular settings.
Featuring a collection of short films from around the globe including the winner of the Best Snow Sport film at the recent Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival in Canada.
COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER
The First Queen Of Country Music - Miss Loretta Lynn!
Amber Joy Poulton (as Loretta Lynn), Lizzie Moore (as Patsy Cline) & The Preacher Denis Surmon (as Conway Twitty & Willie Nelson) along with kickin’ band The Holy Men, will sing the story of a champion of women’s rights, a mother of six with a lifetime of chart-topping hits, as well as the cheeky tales & tunes with the best friend she ever had, Miss Patsy Cline! All of this magic & more for the Cairns country music lovers, for the very first time.
Coal Miner’s Daughter celebrates the incredible life of the late great Loretta Lynn, from her early days in the hills of Kentucky to her tempestuous marriage, tragic losses, and enduring bonds with such luminaries as Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, and Willie Nelson throughout her stellar career. Book now, don’t miss out.
Youth (3-17 years) $50.60 : Family (2Ad + 2Ch) $222.40 Group (10+) $65.60
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 7.00pm | Show 8.00pm
RATING: PG
ELVIS THE LEGENDARY PERFORMER
Elvis Presley is a legend. Of that, there is no doubt. Mark Anthony, Australia’s premier Elvis tribute artist, is himself a legendary artist. With his international-class band, Mark Anthony’s performances as Elvis are always sold out, earning him the status of Australia’s number-one Elvis tribute artist.
Mark is recognised by Elvis Presley Enterprises and Graceland USA as one of the top professional tribute artists in the world today. Mark’s tribute to Elvis is flawless - in music, mood and movement. Like a well-trained and gifted actor, Mark ‘becomes’ Elvis in a mysterious, magical way that is difficult to describe. You have to experience it for yourself.
This new show, Elvis – A Legendary Performer, is the story of Elvis’ magnificent Comeback Special in 1968 and the triumphant performances that followed in the 1970s. These were the performances in which Elvis shook off the shackles of cinematic mediocrity and reclaimed his position as the ultimate performer of the age.
It does not – cannot - get any better than this.
SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER
VENUE: CPAC Theatre
PRICE: Adult $79.90 : Concession $74.90
Child (3-17yrs) $49.90 : Group (10+) $69.90
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.30pm
RATING: PG
ECHOES OF PINK FLOYD SIGNS
OF LIFE TOUR
In 1988, Australia witnessed a rock concert event unprecedented in its scale, scope, and impact.
Now, 35 years later as our country begins to re-embrace live music, Australia’s own Echoes of Pink Floyd bring you their painstakingly crafted homage to this amazing concert experience, Signs of Life
SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER
VENUE: CPAC Studio
PRICE: Adult $79 : Concession $74
Child (3-17 years) $49 : Group (10+) $74
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.00pm | Show 7.00pm
RATING: PG
ROCKWIZ LIVE!
NEVER MIND THE BUZZERS TOUR
Never Mind the Buzzers, Here’s RocKwiz LIVE! The RocKwiz gang are back on buses, trains, planes, and automobiles and coming to a theatre near you. Julia, Brian, Dugald and the ever-expanding RocKwiz OrKestra will be revelling in the chaos and quizzery that is RocKwiz LIVE
If you’ve seen a RocKwiz LIVE show you’ll know what we mean. If you haven’t, buckle up for a fantastic night of musical and comedic treats from Australia’s premiere Rock and Roll Trivia show.
Every show begins with Brian’s hilarious contestant selection process, where audience members show off their rock knowledge … and additional singing and dancing skills! The contestants with the highest scores sit at the desks, alongside famous and up and coming musicians, for a magical night of music and trivia, climaxing with final scores and the duets and ensemble performances we’re famous for.
Following fifteen seasons on television, RocKwiz first kicked off LIVE! in 2010 and have since played most theatres in Australia.
KATIE NOONAN & KARIN SCHAUPP
SONGS OF THE SOUTHEN SKIES VOL 2
Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp have an intuitive musical connection that has developed over the course of the 20 years of their creative relationship. Their collaborations to date have earned them an ARIA Award and widespread praise. Their latest co-creation, Songs of the Southern Skies Volume 2 once again promises to enchant national audiences.
Together they return to their acclaimed Southern Skies catalogue reinterpreting some of their favourite songs by antipodean artists - this time focusing on some of our finest female artists. Performing a varied program with reimagined arrangements of songs by artists such as Aunty Ruby Hunter, Missy Higgins, Sia, Kate Ceberano, Sarah Blasko and more.
Renowned for breaking down genre boundaries, Katie Noonan’s technical mastery and pure voice makes her one of Australia’s most versatile and beloved vocalists. Guitarist Karin Schaupp is an internationally sought-after recitalist and soloist. These two virtuosi combine forces to create a unique sound and a spellbinding performance.
THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER
VENUE: CPAC Theatre
PRICE: Adult $99.95 : Concession $89.95
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.30pm
RATING: PG
FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER
VENUE: Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre
PRICE: Adult $50 : Concession/Youth (3-17yrs) $45
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.30pm
RATING: PG
ASHES TO ASHES
THE DAVID BOWIE EXPERIENCE
The spirit of the legendary, the iconic, the revolutionary, David Bowie lives on with Ashes To Ashes: The David Bowie Experience who have earnt a reputation as Australia’s premier Bowie tribute. They perform faithful versions of the songs that span Bowie’s stellar five decade, 27 studio album career in a stunning two-hour concert production.
With an invitation to headline at Let’s Dance Carinda in New South Wales, an annual festival held in the Outback town where Bowie’s iconic Let’s Dance video was filmed in the mid-80’s. Ashes to Ashes prides itself on capturing the quintessential essence of his live performance and delivering it with pure rock gusto.
The Adelaide band, all huge fans of Bowie in their own right, is fronted by the vividly artistic Paul Matthews who has been described as having “a beautiful voice that is so similar to Bowie himself, it’s eerie.”
BEST OF THE BEE GEES
SATURDAY NGHT FEVER
If you’re a Bee Gees fan, this is the concert for you.
In a two-act performance, the Best of the Bee Gees opens with the Greatest Hits spanning the decades followed by a high-energy second act which honours the legacy of the Grammy awarded disco album Saturday Night Fever, with special guests – child actor/original Bee Gees drummer, Colin “Smiley” Petersen and global chanteuse Roslyn Loxton.
These songs defined the disco era so Put on Your Boogie Shoes, white suits and frills and salute almost 50 years since the double album’s release, with chartbusters from the Bee Gees, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Yvonne Elliman, Graham Bonnet, The Tramps and others –
Night Fever, Jive Talkin’, Disco Inferno, Stayin’ Alive, More Than A Woman, Emotion, Warm Ride, If I Can’t Have You, How Deep is Your Love and so much more.
You Should Be Dancing the Brooklyn Shuffle with the Best of the Bee Gees Greatest Hits and Saturday Night Fever so BOOK NOW.
FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER
VENUE: CPAC Studio
PRICE: Adult $74 : Concession $69
Child (3-17 years) $45
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 7.00pm | Show 8.00pm
RATING: PG
SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER
VENUE: CPAC Theatre
PRICE: Adult $79 : Concession $69 Group (10+) $69 : Family (2Ad + 2Ch) $158
All ticket prices include booking fee.
TIME: Doors 6.30pm | Show 7.30pm
RATING: PG
DRIZZLE BOY
STRAP YOURSELF IN FOR A ROCKET RIDE.
Drizzle Boy is autistic. Drizzle Boy is poked, prodded and diagnosed by a world that wants to change him and a family who doesn’t understand him. Then he meets Juliet — his very own star-crossed love. Could she be a safe space for a man who just wants a calm centre to his universe?
Join Drizzle Boy as he takes back his story from a world of misunderstandings with irreverence and audacity. It’s a biting satire blending magical realism with a Kafkaesque journey of self-discovery. If you are neurotypical, then you’re about to take a theatrical cold shower in the world of neurodivergence.
Drizzle Boy is the winner of the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2022-23. If you like your theatre fresh, freewheeling and unexpected, jump on board as director Daniel Evans (The Almighty Sometimes) takes us on an all-terrain ride.
KINGFISHA
Internationally acclaimed dub aficionados KINGFISHA have been crafting their own blend of modern reggae for over a decade.
Seductive, polished and undeniably catchy, the KINGFISHA sound have blown away audiences with their distinctive mix of deep all-encompassing rhythms, compelling synth lines and treated drums, all topped with an understated slick, soul vocal styling.
This Brisbane five-piece band’s live shows have been relished from Europe to Africa while reaffirming their impeccable reputation back home as Australia’s bass heavy roof-raisers and dancefloor-fillers.
The Australian INXS Tribute Show is a fully immersive ‘Wembley Style’ INXS experience with a show that must be seen to be believed. Featuring a breathtaking original video show as well as a fully authentic 6 piece lineup, delivering an energetic journey through the songs that made INXS a household name for the past 4 decades. Fronted by the incredible Dellacoma Rio, whose uncanny portrayal of Michael Hutchence has captivated audiences worldwide.
Touring across the globe, The Australian INXS Tribute Show has travelled to Dubai, India, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Vanuatu, Singapore, Japan, China, Bora Bora, New Caledonia, Taipei and South Korea. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, this unique INXS theatre experience delivers a breathtaking ‘Australian Made’ rock show unlike anything you’ve seen before!
BEN OTTEWELL & IAN BALL
FROM GOMEZ
Attention all Gomez fans! Although it’s been more than a decade since the English band released a new album, the group’s songwriting lynchpin – Ben Ottewell and Ian Ball – return to Australia for an extensive tour, this time with a special 25-year anniversary celebration of both the band’s out-of-this-world albums.
It’s been 25 years since Gomez won a Mercury Award for their debut album Bring It On (featuring the hits Whippin’ Piccadilly, Tijuana Lady, Get Myself Arrested and Get Miles). The following year they backed up with sophomore album Liquid Skin (Revolutionary Kind, We Haven’t Turned Around and Rhythm And Blues Alibi).
Ben and Ian return to perform all the favourites from the Gomez years, plus a collection of new songs. Joining Ben & Ian on their Australian voyage is our favourite Gomezinspired troubadour, BUDDY.
The Tanks, nestled amongst lush rainforest at the base of Mount Whitfield, is surrounded by the Cairns Botanic Gardens just four kilometres north of the heart of Cairns city. Originally a World War II Royal Australian Navy fuel depot, three of the original five tanks have been repurposed into an acclaimed live music venue and unique arts centre.
OPENING HOURS
Tank 5 Live Music: Generally Thursday - Saturday nights (tickets required) Tank 4 Gallery: Monday to Friday: 9.00am - 4.30pm. Weekends: 10.00am - 2.00pm. tanksartscentre.com @TanksArtsCentre
MUNRO
MARTIN PARKLANDS | Corner Florence and Sheridan streets, Cairns
Situated in the same precinct as CPAC, Munro Martin Parklands is the number one outdoor event space in Cairns. Come for a day-time stroll amongst the flowering vines, birds and butterflies, explore the fairy light covered trees at night or experience world-class performers on stage under a tropical night sky.
OPENING HOURS
Free Entry. 6.00am - 7.30pm, seven days a week except on ticketed event days. cairnsperformingartscentre.com.au @mmpcairns
CAIRNS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE | 9-11 Florence Street, Cairns City Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) is an award-winning, world class theatre and performance space. Just a comfortable stroll from the heart of the city and only 5km to the Cairns domestic and international airport. With multiple performance spaces, CPAC offers a vibrant entertainment program.
OPENING HOURS
The foyer opens one hour before the show start time. Hot food and cold drinks are available from Florence Social in the foyer cairnsperformingartscentre.com.au @CairnsPerformingArts
COURT HOUSE GALLERY | 38 Abbott Street, Cairns City
MULGRAVE GALLERY | 51 The Esplanade, Cairns City
These carefully restored heritage-listed venues are right in the heart of the city. The dynamic program of exhibitions, performances and events that are experimental, topical, and deeply connected to the Far Northern region’s community and culture.
Gift vouchers are available to purchase at the box office, over the phone or via ticketlink.com.au
CONCESSIONS
Please check for available discounts when purchasing your tickets. Concession cards and ID must be shown when collecting tickets or the full price may be charged.
VENUE INFORMATION
Contact Number 4032 6600
Drop off point 46 Collins Avenue
Weather cover Short uncovered walk
Bicycle racks Located near Tank 64 Cafe
Parking Collins Avenue, Tank 1 car park (close to Sheridan Street)
Seating Standing / Seated* A viewing platform is available in Tank 5
Refreshments Bar snacks, food van, fully licensed bar#
Cameras Phone only
Ticketlink 1300 855 835
Cnr Florence and Sheridan streets. Entry from Florence Street
Sheltered drop off point
Located on the Sheridan Street side of the building
Ticketlink 1300 855 835 4032 6620 4032 6660
Six gates surrounding the park. Main Gate is Florence Street, this is the entrance for ticketed events 38 Abbott Street 51 The Esplanade
Located at Florence Street Main Gate entrance
Public parking for 122 vehicles Sheridan, Florence, Minnie and Grafton streets, as well as at CPAC
Fully seated Not seated. BYO chairs and rugs.
Cheese boards. Hot Food. Barista coffee. Bar snacks. Fully licensed bar **
Food Vans#, fully licensed bar#
None allowed. Phone only
Cloak room Nil Nil - however there is storage for umbrellas
Street parking or 350 metres from Lake Street multi-storey car park
Street parking or Southern Esplanade (Lagoon) Car Park
Allowed, unless signposted. Personal use only.
Allowed, unless signposted. Personal use only.
Smoking Outdoor designated area Outdoor designated area Outdoor designated area Outdoor designated area Outdoor designated area
Capacity 650 Standing. 450 Seated
Bathrooms Accessible, located beside Tank 5 and in the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre
Theatre 941 Studio 388 3000
Accessible, located on each level
Accessible, located on the Sheridan Street side, under the main vine arbour
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
Accessible, located inside Accessible, located inside
If you have any accessibility queries for ticketed shows please contact Ticketlink on 1300 855 835, if you have a venue or event query related to non-ticketed events please contact the venue numbers above.
Access parking Three in front of Main Entrance (front of Tank 4); one on Collins Avenue and two at Tank Sixty Four Café
Wheel chair accessibility Fully accessible with compliant graded paths and access points. Tank 3 has a compliant graded ramp
Wheelie walker Keep with you
Four in car park Sheridan, Florence, Minnie and Grafton streets, as well as at CPAC
Fully accessible with seating available upon booking. Accessible lift available for transport to 1st/2nd levels of building
The park has been designed to be fully accessible
Fully accessible with compliant graded paths and access points
Fully accessible with compliant graded paths and access points
Usher will mind and return Keep with you Keep with you Keep with you
# Event days only * Some Tanks shows require fully standing. ** Opening times are show dependant. Check the event on Ticketlink for details. Our venues are committed to making our programs and venues accessible for all people. If you require specific assistance in any way please let us know when you book your tickets. At the venue, our friendly front-of-house staff are there to help you.
