Townsville’s claim to be the arts capital of northern Queensland will be confirmed in July this year when the City launches into a month long festival celebrating every area of arts and cultural life.
The festival will complement the City’s two major international arts events, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music and the International Festival of Young Playwrights known as Interplay. Council is supporting the event with a cash grant of $40,000.
Mayor Tony Mooney presented the money to festival organisers at a media launch on 23 April. Further financial support of $11,000 to supplement the running costs of Interplay will be provided and an additional $12,000 worth of back up support in terms of Council services and personnel will also be provided.
Among the events visitors will be able to enjoy at the festival will be a performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and a concert version of Don Pasquale presented by Opera Queensland.
For those less classically inclined Monica Trapaga will be there with her Brazilian Extravaganza and star of Phantom of the Opera Donald Kant will perform in concert.
It is expected the event will attract a large number of visitors from outside Townsville some of whom will stay for the duration of the festival. Exhibitions by local artists will be on display at the Perc Tucker and Umbrella galleries and in shop windows in the Flinders Mall.
Other talent to be featured in the festival include Dance North, Tropic Line, Theatre UpNorth, Woomera Aboriginal Corporation and La Luna Youth Theatre.
For further information contact Tony Mooney, telephone (077) 220 370.
