Running from 1 – 18 August 2024, the biennial festival stretches a creative canvas of unique immersive journeys across Gurambilbarra / Townsville, Yunbenun / Magnetic Island, Warrgamay, Nywaigi & Bandjin Country / Hinchinbrook and Gudjal Country / Charters Towers.

This year’s program delivers dynamic works, live events and innovative performances that celebrate the region’s distinct landscapes, inspire cultural exchange, reimagine expectations, transform perceptions and provide unmissable experiences for all.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said PUNQ 2024 offers a unique opportunity to experience North Queensland’s stunning landscapes, vibrant cultures and compelling stories through contemporary arts.

“PUNQ 2024 will invite people to connect with this remarkable region through thought- provoking works that reflect and help define our state’s cultural identity.”

“The Queensland Government is proud to support PUNQ 2024, which helps deliver on our Creative Together strategy and its priorities to activate Queensland places and spaces, elevate First Nations arts, share our stories and celebrate our storytellers,” Minister Enoch said.

PUNQ’s program is dedicated to amplifying the Indigenous voices of North Queensland.

Manbarra Traditional Owner and community leader Vicki Saylor and multi-award- winning photographer and videographer Pippa Samaya join forces to illuminate First Nations stories through their powerful billboard exhibition, Waymaker.

The billboards, situated along regional highways, display portraits of Indigenous Elders and their stories to expand the nation’s narratives.

Gail Mabo, an internationally recognised Meriam artist from Mer / Murray Island in the Torres Strait and daughter of Eddie Koiki Mabo, unveils a brand-new public artwork that draws attention to the history of South Sea Islander indentured labour in North Queensland.

International interdisciplinary artist Anida Yoeu Ali (Cambodia/USA) returns to debut The Red Chador: Stranded, a Studio Revolt film shot on the shores, streets, sidewalks, parks, stadiums, concert halls and landmarks of Gurambilbarra / Townsville in 2021.

“We didn’t realise at the time how relevant this film would be,” Ali said.

“This work honours a geo-political moment in which Muslim bodies are literally being bombed to bits, particularly women and children, and it is part of a much bigger historical struggle in which occupation and militarism have devastated entire populations and lands.”

Elysha Rei, a Japanese Australian artist based in Meanjin / Brisbane, explores narratives of cultural identity through a site-specific paper-cutting installation called Kiri-edo.

The exhibition is staged within Yeddo, a Japanese house shipped to Wargamay Country/Ingham more than 136 years ago.

Yeddo is the oldest traditional and finest-known example of its Japanese style of architecture in Australia.

“It’s an honour to craft this installation at the Japanese house, drawing upon my own heritage and the long-standing history between Japan and Australia,” Rei said

“It will be one of my most poignant projects to date.”

PUNQ is proud to present the immersive sonic journey, Still, by Canadian composer Jessica Moss (Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Black Ox Orkestar) and Coiling, a newly commissioned performance work by Jennifer Ma and Baylee Griffith, composed by Isadoré and supported by leading contemporary dance company Dancenorth Australia.

PUNQ partners with Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) to commission Shapes of Listening, a contemporary video, sound and architectural installation by Naarm/Melbourne-based artists Sonja Leber and David Chesworth.

The work is created through Umbrella’s Creative Research Residency program, a partnership between James Cook University’s Special Collections at the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library and The Studio, onsite at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts.

Art Fair: A Constructed World is a vibrant, free and interactive space within a historical building in the centre of Gurambilbarra / Townsville and open to the public from 3-4 August.

PUNQ 2024 Festival
1 – 18 of August 2024
Various locations around North Queensland
www.punq.org.au

Party in paradise with big-name musicians and emerging local talent performing in Airlie Beach’s best party venues across three epic days when the Festival celebrates its ninth huge year in 2021.

The Whitsunday Sailing Club with its jaw-dropping sea views is home to the Festival’s main stage with other venues spanning the foreshore and marina to the town’s vibrant bars and restaurants.

Playing these unique stages is a fantastic line-up including The Angels, John Schumann (Redgum) and Shane Howard (Goanna) with The Red Rockin’ Dirt Band, Troy Cassar-Daley, Russell Morris, Toni Childs, Sarah McLeod (The Superjesus), Alex Lloyd, Busby Marou, Rick Price and Butterfingers.

Airlie Beach Festival of Music founder Gavin Butlin says the multi-day event is like no other in Australia; a perfect measure of party and paradise that welcomes all musical tastes.

“Having to cancel the 2020 Festival was devastating so I am beyond thrilled to welcome a stellar line-up of artists and musicians to play venues throughout the gorgeous Airlie Beach,” Mr Butlin says.

“Like all events this year, we have had to adapt to travel restrictions with some of our originally programmed interstate artists unable to attend but we are all systems go and our new line-up includes some huge Aussie music legends, Queensland touring artists and talented locals.

“I’m also delighted that audiences will have the chance to discover and support the ‘next big thing’ with Passport to Airlie, Australia’s largest live original music competition where finalists perform at the Festival and the winner scores a spot on the main stage in 2022.

“We need to support the next generation of internationally famous Australian acts so I invite everyone to check out the Festival’s incredible program and support live, original music at a grassroots level.”

Music-lovers can ease into the three-day Festival with the traditional Beach Jam Session and Passport to Airlie finals featuring celebrity guest judges at Magnums on Thursday 4 November.

“I love to see new acts getting a break; to be involved in encouraging emerging artists is one of the great inspirations of being an artist myself,” Passport to Airlie judge Sarah McLeod says.

Stay and play with the official After-Party at Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill on Monday 8 November before exploring the region’s picture-perfect islands, reef and beaches, lush rainforest and welcoming regional hospitality for the ultimate recovery session.

Tourism Whitsundays Marketing Manager Donna van ‘t Hoff said the Festival was one of Queensland’s premier live music events and part of The Whitsundays’ inspiring Heart of Events 2021 calendar.

“Keep the beat alive by experiencing the best of The Whitsundays; from regional gems such as Bowen with its palm-fringed beaches and beautiful bays, to our much-lauded 74 Island Wonders, picture-perfect Whitehaven Beach and the Great Barrier Reef,” Ms van ‘t Hoff said.

Tickets to Airlie Beach Festival of Music start at $300 with the three-day pass also including entry to the Passport to Airlie finals and After-Party.

Airlie Beach Festival of Music
5 – 7 November 2021
Airlie Beach, Queensland
www.airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au

Spoken: celebrating Queensland languages is a free thought-provoking exhibition about the survival and revival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

Over 125 Queensland languages were once spoken, now approximately 50 of these remain spoken daily. Join the journey of six Queensland communities saving their traditional languages.

Spoken presents an alternative retelling of the prevailing colonial narrative – placing rare historical records alongside the inspiring work of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who tell their own language stories through art, song and creativity.

View Australia’s most significant historical document in a new light. James Cook’s Endeavour Journal holds the first 130 Aboriginal words ever recorded by Europeans in the Guugu Yimithirr language but hear the Guugu Yimithirr perspective of those interactions with the foreign explorers.

Rediscover Queensland languages lost and reawakened by the strength of culture, identity and connection to Country.

Featuring the exciting work of communities reviving and thriving in language: Wik (Aurukun), Guugu Yimithirr (Hope Vale), Yuwibara (Mackay), Yugambeh (South East Queensland), Kala Lagaw Ya & Miriam Mir (Torres Strait Islands) and Kuungkari, Bidjara, Iningai, Wangkangurru and Yarluyandi (Central West Queensland region).

Spoken: celebrating Queensland languages
20 November 2019 ‐ 19 April 2020
State Library of Queensland, Brisbane
www.slq.qld.gov.au

Year 2020 marks 250 years since the birth of the incomparable Ludwig van Beethoven, recently voted Australia’s favourite composers*, and, to celebrate Queensland Symphony Orchestra joins orchestras across the globe in celebrating, with a series of nine concerts and special tributes featuring the music of the man whose symphonies have been called the ‘cornerstones of Western civilisation’.

In a season as welcoming as it is exciting, 2020 stars thrilling soloists including dual Grammy-nominated saxophonist Amy Dickson and fellow Australian superstars violinist Ray Chen, pianist Aura Go, soprano Emma Pearson, the young violinist Grace Clifford, and the Orchestra’s own violist Imants Larsens.

As well as home-grown, internationally acclaimed talent, Queensland Symphony Orchestra again welcomes soloists from afar to Brisbane including Principal Horn of the Berlin Philharmonic, German Stefan Dohr, the ‘dazzlingly brilliant’ Armenian cellist, Narek Hakhnazaryan and Behzod Abduraimov from Uzbekistan, who has been described as ‘the most perfectly accomplished pianist of his generation’.

Israeli Guy Braunstein, who was the youngest violinist ever appointed concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, will have his formidable talents on full display with the Orchestra as he both plays and conducts in two concerts, Beethoven and Dvořák and Happy Birthday Beethoven.

Three of Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s favourite conductors return in 2020 to take on Beethoven’s most treasured works – Australian super conductor Simone Young leads Beethoven’s majestic Choral Symphony No.9 in August, Sweden’s Daniel Blendulf conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 in October, and Conductor Laureate Johannes Fritzsch leads Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.5 in November.

The all-star conductor cast is rounded out with Elena Schwarz (Switzerland-Australia), Alexander Prior (UK), Eduardo Strausser (Brazil), André de Ridder (Germany), Giancarlo Guerrero (Nicaragua), Giordano Bellincampi (Italy/Denmark), Alexandre Bloch (France), Australians Benjamin Northey and Simon Hewett, and Nicholas McGegan (UK) who has been described as ‘one of the finest baroque conductors of his generation’.

Continuing its mission to commission and support new works, Queensland Symphony Orchestra is proud to present two world premieres in 2020; the first in February’s Power and Glory Maestro concert by talented Australian composer Melody Eötvös, and the second in July in The Music of The Masters concert by the Orchestra’s own violist, Bernard Hoey.

In 2020, Queensland Symphony Orchestra truly cements its position as an ‘Orchestra for Everyone’ with two concerts celebrating famous film scores, Reel Classics and Cinematic, as well as the latest instalments of theHarry Potter and Star Wars Live concert series. The youngest of classical music lovers are in for a treat with a special performance of Abbott’s The Peasant Prince, an interactive experience for the whole family based on Li Cunxin’s best-selling children’s book.

“Queensland Symphony Orchestra is an Orchestra for Everyone, which means we want to be an orchestra for all Queenslanders. We want to offer concerts that appeal to a broad range of people that aims to introduce everyone to the magic of orchestral music. Our concerts – whether that is a Shostakovich symphony or the latest Harry Potter film with orchestra – provide immense joy to those attending,” said Chief Executive Craig Whitehead.

“There is something unique and magical about the sound of a live orchestra and our 2020 season aims to continue to provide that sense of joy, wonder, and spine tingles. Whether you come for the virtuosity of the performers, the emotional journeys that orchestral music can take us on, or just for a wonderful night out, our Orchestra For Everyone aims to have a concert for everyone in our arsenal for next year.”

ABOUT SEASON 2020 – THE MAESTRO SERIES
The Season 2020 Maestro Series features 10 concerts: Power and Glory, Musical Sorcery, Mozart’s Jupiter, Bolero and Beyond, Beethoven and Dvořák, Don Quixote, Music of the Masters, Pyrotechnic Violin, Beethoven 5 and Beethoven’s Emperor.

In February Power and Glory, will be conducted by the UK’s Alexander Prior and features three leading Australian soloists in violinist Emily Sun, cellist Caleb Wong and pianist Aura Go performing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto (the first of many Beethoven works in the 2020 Season), along with Shostakovich’s acclaimedSymphony No. 5 and the WORLD PREMIERE of a new work by Australian composer Melody Eötvös.

In March, much loved conductor Benjamin Northey presents Musical Sorcery featuring Principal Horn of the Berlin Philharmonic, Stefan Dohr performing the joyous Horn Concerto No.1 by Richard Strauss. Audiences are in for a magical treat with the cheeky The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Dukas and organist Andrej Kouznetsov concludes the program with Saint-Saëns’ mighty ‘Organ’ Symphony (made famous from its appearance in the film Babe).

Australian soprano, Emma Pearson returns from a 10-year stint wowing audiences in Germany to perform Britten’s gorgeous Les Illuminations in April’s Maestro concert Mozart’s Jupiter, led by French conductor Alexandre Bloch. The concert also includes Mozart’s Symphony No.41, fondly known as the Jupiter Symphony. Saturday evening audiences will hear another famous work with a nickname: Schubert’s ‘Unfinished’ Symphonyand Friday morning audiences will hear the dramatic overture to Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

May sees the return of Australia’s own saxophone superstar, and two-time Grammy nominee, Amy Dickson performing her own arrangement of Phillip Glass’ hypnotic Violin Concerto. Also featuring in Bolero and Beyond, led by German conductor André de Ridder, is music from Porgy and Bess by Gershwin, Debussy’s glorious La Mer and perhaps the most famous rhythm in classical music history – Ravel’s Bolero!

The second Maestro in May is Beethoven and Dvořák, featuring the inspiring Israeli violinist, Guy Braunstein, who is not only the soloist for this Maestro but conducts it! Braunstein will perform Beethoven’s melodic Violin Concerto, followed by Dvořák’s mighty 7th Symphony – expect a spectacular finale.

In June, audience favourite Giancarlo Guerrero leads the Maestro concert Don Quixote, featuring two major works for cello in Tchaikovsky’s beautiful Variations on a Rococo Theme and Don Quixote by Richard Strauss. Armenian cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan stars alongside the Orchestra’s own violist Imants Larsens in this music event which also features either Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 (evening program) or Beethoven’s Egmont Overture (morning program).

Queensland Symphony Orchestra is excited to premiere a work by one of its own musicians, violist Bernard Hoey in July’s Music of The Masters, a concert led by Italian conductor Giordano Bellincampi. Hoey’s piece stars alongside Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.4, and Sibelius’ finger-busting but evocative Violin Concertoperformed by young Australian violinist protege, Grace Clifford.

In August, the Orchestra welcomes back local violin virtuoso, Ray Chen for a morning and evening of high-wire virtuosity on his original Stradivarius violin. In Pyrotechnic Violin Chen performs Saint-Saëns’ 3rd Violin Concerto, a crowd-pleasing showpiece if there ever was one. Then his partner-in-art for the evening, Brazilian conductor Eduardo Strausser – described by New Revolution as ‘a real force of nature’ – leads the Orchestra into the serene and radiant world of Brahms’ Second Symphony.

The final two Maestro Concerts in 2020 celebrate the immense talent of the birthday boy himself, Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven 5 in October features his incomparable Fifth Symphony in a concert also showcasing the QPAC pipe organ in the Concert Hall. Conducted by Daniel Blendulf, and featuring organist Joseph Nolan, audiences will enjoy a rendition of Bach’s Passacaglia and Fugue in the Friday morning concert, and on Saturday night, a rare outing of Poulenc’s highly enjoyable Organ Concerto.

The Beethoven series concludes with his mighty ‘Emperor’ Concerto, one of the most stirring, thrilling and moving musical experiences for piano and orchestra, performed by Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov. Another highlight of Beethoven’s Emperor is the return of Queensland Symphony Orchestra Conductor Laureate and former Chief Conductor, Johannes Fritzsch, who brings the 2020 Maestro Season to a close with the soaring heights of Sibelius’ Symphony No.2.

See full program detailed in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra 2020 Calendar.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Season 2020 opens with arguably the greatest in the Star Wars concert series, Return of the Jedi In Concert in February and the fifth instalment of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™ in Concert later in August. Film buffs get another treat with a return of the popular Cinematic in May, this time exploring the powerful film scores that depict the heroism and heartbreak of battle.

A special family event takes place in March with Abbott’s The Peasant Prince, an interactive experience complete with storytelling and big-screen projections, based on Li Cunxin’s best-selling children’s book. 2020 sees the return of popular concerts Opera Gala in April, The Last Night of the Proms in June and Handel’sMessiah in November.

In August, Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s 250th birthday celebration Beethoven comes to a climax withOde to Joy. Conducted by the incomparable Simone Young and featuring a range of soloists and a breathtaking chorus, this performance of the majestic Choral Symphony No.9 (arguably Beethoven’s greatest masterpiece) will be epic.

MUSIC ON SUNDAYS
Under the always-entertaining baton of Guy Noble, Season 2020’s Music on Sundays opens in March with The Ballet Beautiful, taking audiences on a journey through the history of French ballet. Happy Birthday Beethovenin May will feature the multi-talented Guy Braunstein as conductor and soloist in a concert that includes several highlights of Beethoven’s music, concluding with a rendition of his funniest work, his Symphony No.8.

Vienna and Beyond in August highlights music from Viennese composers as well as music from eastern European countries that influenced music written in Vienna – just like a road trip around Europe without the hassle of passports! This concert is conducted by Elena Schwarz and features Queensland Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Warwick Adeney on violin. In September, Guy Noble hosts Reel Classics featuring the stirring Overture to Lawrence of Arabia, the exhilaration of the flying bikes in E.T’s Adventures on Earth, and Michael Giacchino’s lively Bond-inspired theme to The Incredibles.

CHAMBER PLAYERS SERIES
The intimate Chamber Players series gives audiences the chance to be up-close and personal with the talented Orchestra musicians in their home studio and in 2020 features five concerts, beginning with Beethoven and Brahms in February; Beethoven, Rossini and Weber in April; Mozart and Golijov in June; Brahms, Muczynski and Martinů in August, and Mozart, Strauss and Adams in September.

www.qso.com.au

Brand has been nominated for multiple ARIA Awards, has won 12 Golden Guitars, earnt three platinum and five gold albums and has won a record seven Country Music Channel (CMC) OZ Artist of the Year awards. His current album, Milestones, is #1!

AND THE EXCITING NEWS IS …. organisers have just announced an exclusive opportunity to meet the star, up close and personal – everyone who purchases their tickets online before August 10 goes into the draw to win a VIP Meet and Greet experience with Adam Brand!!

All event details and online tickets are available at cunnamullafellafestival.com.au.

Cunnamulla Fella Festival events begin from August 24, with the Festival proper from Saturday, August 30 to Sunday September 1. A larrikin-inspired country celebration starring live entertainment, bushman challenges, music, motorbikes, rodeo, plus the PBR Bull Ride — otherwise known as ‘the toughest sport on dirt’ – the Cunnamulla Fella Festival is about as authentic as any experience could be, and for 13 years has been shining the national spotlight on this little town of 1,200, where “the handshake’s stronger and the smile lasts longer”.

Over the famous final weekend in August, cowboys and bull riders, shearers and stockmen, foodies, travellers, music lovers and visitors from all over Australia converge to celebrate!

Joining ADAM BRAND this year is the rising three-piece country sensation, Redneck Gentlemen, young Sydney-based singer-songwriter and collaborative country composer Dani Young, the well-known performer Cathy Drummond and DJs, as well as Australian whip-cracking sensation Walter Whip, Trick Riding, the thrilling motorbike Globe of Death act and the internationally acclaimed magic maker extraordinaireCosentino!

A Junior Rodeo School will be held over three days, led by some of the country’s best stockmen. Sheep dog displays, sheep shearing demonstrations, woodchopping, for this first-time barrel racing, and a Ute Muster will all take centre stage during the Festival, along with a full program for kids including FREE Circus Workshops, performance classes and fireworks.

On the Saturday evening (August 31), the “toughest sport of dirt” will be held – the PBR Bull Ride. Today more than 1,200 bull riders hold PBR memberships and compete in more than 300 PBR sanctioned competitions around the globe for a total prize pool of some AU$20 million; some of these will be riding at the Cunnamulla Fella Festival!

Cunnamulla Fella Festival
Main event dates: Friday 30 August – Sunday 01 September
Pre-event activities from Saturday 24 August – Thursday 29 August
Cunnamulla, Queensland
www.cunnamullafellafestival.com.au

Starring an A-list Australian cast including Travis Fimmel (Vikings), Luke Bracey (Point Break, Hacksaw Ridge), Daniel Webber (The Punisher, The Dirt), Nicholas Hamilton (IT), Stephen Peacocke (Hercules, Me Before You), and Richard Roxburgh (Breath, Rake), DANGER CLOSE: THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN is directed by Kriv Stenders (Red Dog), from a script by Stuart Beattie (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Australia).

One late afternoon in 1966, in the pouring rain, amid the mud and shattered trees of a Vietnamese rubber plantation called Long Tan, Major Harry Smith and his dispersed company of 108 young and mostly inexperienced Australian and New Zealand soldiers are fighting for their lives. They’re holding off an overwhelming enemy force of 2,500 battle-hardened Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers. This is their untold story.

DANGER CLOSE: THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN is a nail-biting and dramatic exploration of war illustrating heroism, mateship and the sacrifice of battle.

“The Battle of Long Tan is an incredible and inspiring ANZAC story. To see the battle portrayed on screen for the first time is a heart pounding and emotional experience for audiences. The passion and expertise of the filmmaking team has made this movie an instant Australian classic,” said Transmission Films Joint Managing Directors Andrew Mackie and Richard Payten.

“Making this film has been the greatest filmmaking challenge of my career so far and I am so proud and thrilled with the extraordinary work of my dedicated team both behind and in front of the cameras. It is truly an epic movie, made with the kind of ambition, scale and scope that is rarely possible in this country. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to tell this significant and remarkable Australian story and to be finally sharing it with audiences,” said Director Kriv Stenders.

“Making Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan was truly a once in lifetime experience. Every single person involved brought their absolute best work in service of this incredible story. From the heads of departments, actors to the background performers, there was a sense of purpose and satisfaction of knowing we were telling an Australian story that will be around for many years to come,” said Deeper Water Films Producers Michael Schwarz and John Schwarz.

“It has been a long journey for us to realise this film but it has been an even longer journey for audiences waiting to see a contemporary ANZAC story immortalised on screen. Sadly, it has been more than 30 years since our last epic Australian war films; GALLIPOLI in 1981 and THE LIGHTHORSEMEN in 1987. Through this film we wanted to help modernise our ANZAC narrative and create our new ANZAC myths and legends by honouring an entire generation of Vietnam Veterans,” said Producer Martin Walsh.

DANGER CLOSE: THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN was shot on location in South East Queensland, transforming paulownia plantations in Kingaroy and Nerang into the battle ground in South Vietnam.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was proud of Queensland’s film industry but DANGER CLOSE: THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN is special. It created 120 jobs for crew and almost 1500 extras but is important for other reasons.

“The ultimate aim of a home-grown film industry is to tell our own stories. The Battle of Long Tan is one of those – a part of our history that deserves to be told,” said the Premier.

DANGER CLOSE: THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN is releasing in Australian cinemas on August 8, 2019.
www.dangerclosemovie.com

When a family tragedy beckons, Barbara and her sister (and fellow muso) René set off on a long and winding motorbike adventure from Sydney, through Darwin, and finally to Katherine – where the bickering pair come face to face with some home truths.

Part madcap buddy comedy, part electrifying rock gig, and part clarion call against the taint of inequality, this effervescent play with songs sold out its original season at Sydney’s Belvoir Theatre. Now it’s set to charm the pants off Brisbane.

Barbara and the Camp Dogs
01 – 25 May 2019
Bille Brown Theatre, Queensland Theatre
www.queenslandtheatre.com.au

Headlined by comedy festival veteran Dave Williams (“David Williams who has a Jim Carrey look and manner brings the house down” – USA Today), the Outback Comedy Gala hits the dusty road with Christine Basil (Melbourne International Comedy Festival, ABC-TV’s One Size Fits All), Ting Lim (“Funny, charming stuff” – The Heckler), and Craig Quartermaine (“A once in a lifetime show” – Australia Times).

The 2019 Outback Comedy Gala will visit 15 towns across central and western Queensland from 21 March to 13 April.

The tour kicks off in Cloncurry before heading to Boulia, Mount Isa, Ilfracombe, Jundah, Quilpie, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Blackall, Aramax, Alpha, Kaimkillenbun, Tara, Miles and Amamoor.

Presented by arTour, with support from Playing Queensland, the Outback Comedy Gala brings the liveliness and excitement of comedy to regional and rural venues and gives audiences the chance to see some of Australia’s best comedians.

arTour producer Rex Rees said a tremendous response to 2018’s inaugural gala prompted the tour to again hit the road.

“These communities are crying out for comedy, and theses nights of laughs gives them the chance to experience comedy with multiple comics just like a comedy festival,” Mr Rees said.

“We’ve had towns from last year’s circuit say it drew the biggest crowd they’ve ever had, and they’re definitely looking forward to having a few more laughs this year!”

The talented and raucous quartet of comedians are presented by A-List Entertainment and have opened for international comedy stars around the world, appeared on national television and performed at the likes of the Melbourne Comedy Festival as well as Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney fringe festivals.

“A-List Entertainment is proud to once again be involved in this wonderful comedy event and bring four brilliant comedians to tour across regional Queensland,” A-List Entertainment Tour Coordinator Manager Andrew Laing said.

2019 Outback Comedy Gala
21 March to 13 April 2019
Various locations around Queensland – visit website for dates and venues
www.artour.com.au

Megarrity’s work was selected ahead of fellow finalists Hannah Belanszky for ‘don’t ask what the bird look like’ and Anna Yen for her work Slow Boat. Delivered through Queensland Theatre, the QPDA is a prestigious and important award for Australian Theatre in that it guarantees a professional production of the winning entry.

The Holidays introduces us to 12-year-old Oliver Holiday and his Mum and Dad who are suddenly on their way to his Grandfather’s beachside cottage. However, as more clouds loom, it appears that the Holidays, instead of getting away from it all, have taken on a burden – or a legacy – they are unsure how to manage.

“David Megarrity’s The Holidays is a disarming meditation on mortality and father son relationships. It’s a delicious combination of high-tech ambition and low-fi theatricality. David’s unique imagination and command of all of the elements of storytelling will create a deeply affecting sensory experience for audiences when we bring it to the stage”, said Queensland Theatre Artistic Director Sam Strong, who was part of the judging panel for the awards.

“The QPDA sits at the centre of Queensland Theatre’s ambition to lead from Queensland in the nurturing of new stories and new talent. This cycle of the award featured a wonderfully diverse range of works from writers from all around the country, including an all-Queensland shortlist of an impressively crafted debut play from Hannah Belanszky, and an epic multi-disciplinary historical story from Anna Yen. Congratulations to all the artists who contributed to and worked on the award,” he said.

“We’re also thrilled to announce that to even better reflect the importance of new stories to Queensland Theatre, we will be presenting a full production of The Holidays as part of our 50th Anniversary season in 2020.”

David Megarrity, who was also a finalist the 2012-13 cycle of the QPDA is an experienced theatre practitioner, writer, composer, musician and academic. Describing his winning play, Megarrity said, “this visual theatre piece combines live performers, projection, audience participation and music to explore the impact of dementia, as experienced by one family, focussing on the connections between son, father and grandfather – told through the eyes of a young person.”

Since its inception, Queensland Theatre has developed 30 plays as part of the QDPA, employed more than 180 actors, writers and directors, and generated audiences of more than 30,000 to new Australian plays. Previous winning works include Rice by Michele Lee (2016-17), Oedipus Doesn’t Live Here Anymore by Daniel Evans (2014-15), Trollop by Maxine Mellor (2012-13) and Fractions by Marcel Dorney (2010-11).

Judges for the 2018-19 Awards include Mr Matthew Rigby, Executive Director Integrated Communications and Protocol, Department of the Premier and Cabinet; Mr Sam Strong, Artistic Director of Queensland Theatre; Mr Isaac Drandic, Resident Dramaturg of Queensland Theatre; Ms Lee Lewis, Artistic Director of Griffin Theatre Company and Mr Ian Lawson, Artistic Director of Playlab.

Pineapple punters will be treated to an impressive collection of Australia talent for the 6th year of the festival. From masters of the moshpit and head-banging heroes, to chicks with picks and electronic music architects, Woombye, QLD will be set to blow come May.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any bigger, BPMF are stoked to announce that they’ll be expanding from four stages to five in 2018!

This year BPMF are changing up the way you arrive and depart from the festival. We want to make sure everyone gets to BPMF and leaves in the quickest and safest way possible. Our new Park & Ride system will aim to alleviate pressure on the roads and create a safer and more efficient transport system for all. This means there will be no vehicle drop offs allowed at the event. Instead, simply park your car or get dropped off at one of many locations around the Sunshine Coast and jump on a free bus to the festival. Buses will return to these locations after the event.

Keen to stay put? Grab a camping ticket! Not only will you score two nights accommodation in the lush Pineapple fields, you’ll be treated to local acts spinning vinyl and a licensed bar on the Friday night. Two nights of epic good times awaits!

If the outdoors isn’t your cup of tea, there’s a whole bunch of accommodation options available on the Sunshine Coast. Head to Visit Sunshine Coast to check out your options and book now so you don’t miss out!

Big Pineapple Music Festival 2018
Sat 26 May, 2018
Big Pineapple Complex, QLD
www.bigpineapplemusicfestival.com