ENTERTAINMENT

What’s on

North Australian Festival of Arts to kick off in Townsville

NAFA will feature a new performance from the Bindal Dancers, four other Indigenous dance groups from the region, and Dance North in Dungarri Nya Nya Ngarri Bi Nya.

Brass Monkees

Rehearsals for Dungarri Nya Nay Ngarri Bi Nya

Circus Wonderland

Marina Trajkovich

TOWNSVILLE will soon come alive in a month-long creative feast of colour, music and celebrations, bringing together the best and most innovative of North Queensland’s artistic community.

The North Australian Festival of Arts is an annual event led by the Townsville City Council. Boasting an array of fresh talent from throughout the region.

Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said that this year festivities are set to be bigger and brighter than ever with an impressive lineup of over 400 performances across Townsville.

“Last year, NAFA was named an Australian Event Award-winner. And it’s not hard to see why with some of Australia’s leading cabaret, comedy, theatre and circus performers all heading to Townsville to celebrate a month of art and culture with us,” Cr Greaney said.

She encouraged locals from around the region to pay a visit to Townsville, check out the headlining performances, and see what the North Queensland creative community offers.

“Tropic Sounds is going to be an incredible show, with local talent taking the same stage as ARIA Award-winner Tones and I,” Cr Greaney said.

Another stand out will be Dungarri Nya Nya Ngarri Bi Nya, a new collaboration between five Indigenous dance groups from the region, including the Burdekin’s own Bindal dancers.

The Wulgurukaba Walkabouts, Big Eye Theatre Dancers, Komet Dancers, Obery Productions, and Bindal Dancers, alongside Townsville based dance company Dance North, will collaborate for the showcase of dance and culture of First Nations cultures in the region.

Award-winning multilingual rapper Baker Boy from North East Arnhem Land will close the performance, held at the Ville Headland.

Before the performance, check out the Blak Art Markets to peruse the work of local Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander artists and taste traditional food.

The North Australian Festival of Arts was initially planned for 2nd July to 1st August, however some events have been postponed.

CONNECT NOW:

The current COVID-19 situation in Townsville is being closely monitored by the NAFA team. In the case of any shows needing to be cancelled or rescheduled, ticket holders will be notified via email and will receive a full refund. Visit: www. townsville.qld.gov.au/nafa for updates.

JULY

MESSENGERS OF TOWNSVILLE

Six giant Gouldian Finches will fly into Townsville to spread messages of hope this July. Thursday 1 - Sunday 11 July Various locations Townsville

SCHOOL HOLIDAY LEGO MASTERS AT THE LIBRARY

Friday 2 July 10 - 11 am Ayr Library

NAFA

Friday 2 July - Sunday 1 August Various locations Townsville

THE OLD TIME DANCES

Saturday 3 July 8pm St Helen’s Anglican Hall HHill

SCHOOL HOLIDAY BLUEY’S DAY OUT AT THE LIBRARY Tuesday 6 July Ayr Library

FEELING GROOVY ON THE PEACE TRAIN

Friday 9 July 7pm Burdekin Theatre

NTI TOWNSVILLE 500

Friday 9 July - Sunday 11 July Reid Park Townsville

EPHEMERA

17 July - 25 July The Strand Townsville

AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC

23 July - 1 August Various locations Townsville

MICK FLEETWOOD & FRIEND (CINEMA LIVE)

Saturday 24 July 8pm Burdekin Theatre

BURDEKIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS SCHOOL OF ROCK

Friday 16 July 7.30pm Burdekin Theatre

9TH BIENNIAL QUEENSLAND HERITAGE RALLY

Thursday 22 - Sunday 25 July

BURDEKIN RELAY FOR LIFE

Saturday 24 July 1pm - 10pm Ayr Showgrounds

CORES FREE ONE DAY SUICIDE INTERVENTION TRAINING

Friday 30 July 8.30am - 3.30pm Burdekin PCYC Phone 0427 455 313 or email: coresqld@kentishrc.com.au

Popcorn Underground

Tropic Sounds