MEDIA KIT - Cairns Regional Council · MEDIA KIT CONTENTS PAGE ... that runs over 10 action-packed days, ... will once again prove its special place in the region’s cultural identity

MEDIA KIT CONTENTS PAGENow in its 56th year, Cairns Festival 2017 is a 10-day celebration (Friday 25 August to Sunday 3 September) showcasing and celebrating the region’s natural attractions, way of life and sense of place with performances, exhibitions, music and film – proudly brought to the community by Cairns Regional Council.

NEWS RELEASESFestival highlights shine on city’s creative and cultural abundance 1Family Fun as Circa Goes TROPPO in the Parklands 3Festival opens with Busk at Dusk World Record Attempt 4Grand Parade to ‘Shine’ in 2017 5Cairns to host International Steel Drum Championships 7Foot-stomping family fun at Sunday on the ‘Nard 8The Bombay Royale headline Sunday on the ‘Nard 10Cairns’ Cultural History Reflected in Light 12Art installations to shine light on suburban stories 14Resident artist paints with light to photograph the night 15TYC Theatre ensemble presents Lord of the Flies 17Festival’s Longest Lunch returns to highlight region’s flavour and flair 19Cairns Festival draws those Wild about Conservation to literary lunch 20Crowd favourite Family Film Nights return 22Father’s Day favourite and Festival finale 23

GENRES – FACT SHEETSCairns Festival weekend brings activities for youth › YOUTH 25Festival workshops to broaden horizons › WORKSHOPS 27Cultural Diversity celebrated › MULTICULTURAL 29Festival is party central › COMMUNITY 31

Media release

The countdown to the region’s favourite annual celebration is on.

Cairns Festival 2017 is set to showcase the vibrant, tropical lifestyle and creative spirit of Far North Queensland with a multi-dimensional program of more than 20 family-friendly events and activities spanning music, art, craft, culture, dance, theatre, comedy and markets.

This year’s event, that runs over 10 action-packed days, between Friday, 25 August and Sunday, 3 September, will once again prove its special place in the region’s cultural identity.

The Cairns Esplanade will come alive with revellers and melodies from 5.30pm on Friday 25 August as part of Central Queensland University’s world record attempt Busk at Dusk.

At 6.30pm there will be a free concert showcasing some of Cairns’ finest local talent, with performances from trio Kamali, self-taught prodigy Ino Reeves, and DJ Todd Skipper.

Across the city at Tanks Arts Centre, Jazz Up North will host the award-winning vocals of Baby et Lulu (Abby Dobson ‘Baby’ of Leonardo’s Bride fame and Lara Goodridge ‘Lulu’ from Fourplay), whose poetic song writing will lead an unforgettable evening of fun and folly with their live band boasting some of Sydney’s best musicians.

Back to the city at the Centre of Contemporary Arts comes the promise of a good belly laugh with comedian Randy performing Randy Writes a Novel from 8.30pm.

The purple puppet from Melbourne was nominated ‘best show’ at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe and is sure to delight his Cairns audience. After Friday’s entertaining kick-off, the 2017 program gets underway in earnest on Saturday, 26 August with a full day of entertainment starting at the Mainstage from 10am (until 9pm), notably including the Festival’s Grand Parade and Fireworks – providing the largest community parade of its kind in Australia per capita.

Last year’s Parade featured a record breaking 90 floats, 3,000 participants and approximately 20 dogs. The Parade gets underway from 5.30pm.

The high energy start continues the following day with Sunday on the ’Nard, featuring Festival for Kids, on the Muddy’s Event Lawn from 9am to 1pm.

Youngsters can get stuck into kite making with local artist Hayley Gillespie, playing a giant mosaic game created by the kids from Hambledon School while the more musical can enjoy some drumming action at

Festival highlights shine on city’s creative and cultural abundance

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the Music and Movement Tree from 10:00am to 1:00pm before they find their own tune with Upbeat the Drumonster before performing a concert for family and friends.

Sunday on the ‘Nard includes a program of all-day entertainment that works up to a free family concert from 4pm on the Festival’s Main Stage on the Western Lawn of Cairns Esplanade featuring headliners, the fun, the frivolous and highly acclaimed vintage Bollywood act, The Bombay Royale.

A newcomer to this year’s program will be embraced by foodies and social butterflies with the long-awaited return of the city’s longest dining table for the Longest Lunch, also on Sunday 27 August.

Showcasing tropical flavours and flair, Festival’s Longest Lunch is organised by the award-winning team at Ochre Restaurant, in partnership with Dundee’s Restaurant and Marina Paradiso located Harbourlights dining strip.

While Monday to Friday of Cairns Festival is alive with events and activities including The Making Place, Festival Family Film Night, Suburban Satellites and City Lights, it is the finale weekend that will have the town talking.

On Saturday 2 September with Circa’s brand new show, Troppo (Alice in Wonderland meets The Tempest) in Munro Martin Parklands and the Festival’s much-loved book end, Father’s Day favourite, Carnival on Collins, is one of the biggest, attracting more than 25,000 people to the lush Botanic Gardens and Tanks Arts Centre precinct for a day of free entertainment, plant and market stalls and fun for the kids.

Now in its 56th year, Cairns Festival 2017 is a 10-day celebration (Friday 25 August to Sunday 3 September) of life in the tropics with performances, exhibitions, music and film – proudly brought to the community by Cairns Regional Council.

A free Cairns Festival program will be distributed from July from Festival venues, libraries and shopping centres across the region.

For more information, visit www.cairnsfest.com.au

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Media Coordinator, Cairns [email protected] 681 543

Media release

On a deserted island far, far away, a rag tag circus troupe is washed up on a beach. Dazed and unfamiliar with their bold new world they venture into the island with often hilarious results. Will they make it off or will the tropical, warm climate make them all go a little… ‘troppo’?

Circa is back and once again destined to be a family-friendly highlight of this year’s Cairns Festival when it presents their latest offering, TROPPO, at Munro Martin Parklands on Saturday 2 September at 7pm.

Enjoying its Brisbane Festival premiere last year, TROPPO has been applauded by audiences for its daring acrobatics and energetic, ‘Alice in Wonderland meets The Tempest’, colourful journey through dazzling landscapes.

Since 2004 Circa has been at the frontier of new circus – creating powerful works of circus art that challenge, thrill and delight.

Featuring an ensemble of multi-skilled circus artists under the direction of Yaron Lifschitz, Circa’s award-winning works have been seen in 39 countries across six continents.

Circa’s shows are renowned and admired for being unique as they push boundaries of the circus art form and blur lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus.

Family entertainment will begin at 5pm prior to the performance at 7pm, with a magic mime show, roving entertainment and Cairns’ own Cycas Circus showcasing their new spectacle ‘Cirque de Couleurs’.




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Family Fun as Circa Goes TROPPO in the Parklands

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Media release

Day one of Cairns Festival will begin with a Guinness World Record attempt on the Cairns Esplanade.

The Busk at Dusk World Record attempt aims to highlight the city’s vibrant performing arts scene and importantly, beat current holder Brisbane for the most buskers in any one place, in any one time.

The attempt, hosted in partnership with CQ University will take place on Friday 25 August from 5:30pm, and aims to generate some 388 performers spanning street artists, dancers and musicians – all of whom are invited to participate.

An official Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest Busk’, the current record was created by Brisbane Festival in 2015 where 387 artists came together for the Valentine’s Busk.

The World Record announcement will take place at 7:00pm on the Festival Stage located on the Cairns Esplanade near the lagoon.




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Festival opens with Busk at Dusk World Record Attempt

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Media release

Cairns Festival’s Grand Parade and Fireworks on Saturday 26 August provides an exciting start to this year’s program.

Cairns Festival’s Grand Parade is the largest community showcase of its kind in Australia, per capita, that in 2017 will celebrate its 56th year with the appropriately sparkling theme of “Shine”.

As Festival’s number one highlight, the Grand Parade attracts local families and visitors in their thousands who gather along the Esplanade to cheer on the colourful procession of floats representing local schools, charities, sporting clubs, cultural groups and businesses.

In 2016 the Parade featured a record breaking 90 entries, more than 3,000 participants and approximately 20 dogs that combined to mirror the lifestyle and magical surroundings that define the Far North community and its sense of place.

This year the Parade is destined to be even better thanks to a series of free, workshops hosted by Festival’s Parade team that focussed on lifting the production value of floats to new and unprecedented levels of excellence. Added motivation comes with a generous prize haul of $8,500.

Warming up the city in the lead up to Saturday’s Grand Parade will be free entertainment on the main stage along with roving performers (from 3:30pm) throughout the afternoon.

The following cash prizes will be awarded in addition to Cairns Post people’s choice award ($1,000).

First Prize $3,000Second Prize $2,000Third Prize $1,000

Cairns Festival team is also introducing 3 encouragement awards valued at $500 each.

Judges assess each float on three criteria, including how well the entry fits with the Festival theme, creativity and overall quality of the presentation, and the enthusiasm and spirit of float participants.

GRAND PARADE & FIREWORKS OVERVIEW• 3:30pm | Roving Entertainment, Cairns Esplanade• 5:30pm | Grand Parade, Cairns Esplanade• 7:30pm | Fireworks display, Cairns Esplanade waterfront

Grand Parade to ‘Shine’ in 2017

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Media release

The biennial Australian and New Zealand Steelband Festival PANZfest will envelop the Cairns Esplanade in radiant sounds as part of this year’s Cairns Festival celebrations.

Beginning at 10am at the main Festival Stage on Saturday, 26 August, eight steel bands from across Australia and New Zealand will compete for the title of 2017 Panorama Champion throughout the morning, astounding audiences with sounds from the unique instruments originating from Trinidad and Tobago.

Following the competition, the bands will unite under the musical direction of internationally acclaimed steelpan drummer Lennox Jordan from Aria Award winning Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

The group will premiere a piece created for the Cairns Festival: 1.5 Climate Change.

The sounds of steel pans will echo throughout the night as the artists continue their performances following the conclusion of the Festival’s Grand Parade at 7.30pm.




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Cairns to host International Steel Drum Championships

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Media release

Family favourite and closing highlight of Cairns Festival’s kick-off weekend, Sunday on the ‘Nard returns on Sunday 27 August - transforming the iconic Esplanade foreshore with free, live entertainment and fun for all ages.

As always, the region’s youngest culture vultures will be first on the scene at Festival for Kids, on the Muddy’s Event Lawn from 9am to 1pm.

Families are invited to come along and rest under the shade of the fig trees while enjoying a range of music, workshops, games and performances.

The kids can enjoy some drumming action at the Percussion Figs from 9.30am to 11.30am – an opportunity for youngsters to find their tune learning the drums with Upbeat the Drumonster before performing a concert for family and friends.

All day activities include kite making and decorating with local artist, Hayley Gillespie as well as rolling the dice and having fun in the collaborative giant board game hosted by artist Amanda Cranston and students from Hambledon State School.

The day concludes on the Western Events Lawn with a fun and festive family friendly concert from 4pm culminating in a headlining performance by visiting ensemble, The Bombay Royale, direct from Melbourne.

Inspired by the soundtracks of vintage Bollywood films, surfing sixties rock, seventies funk and disco, this is a performance bound to hit the high notes among festival-goers.

The Esplanade came to life at last year’s Sunday on the ‘Nard event when over 3,000 people gathered to catch the epic, upbeat sounds of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.



Foot-stomping family fun at Sunday on the ‘Nard

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Media release

Inspired by vintage Bollywood, made in Melbourne and coming to Cairns Festival is ultimate party band, The Bombay Royale.

Set to entertain audiences with their fresh musical sound as the highly anticipated headline act for this year’s Sunday on the ‘Nard, taking place at the Western Events Lawn on Sunday, 27 August 2017.

As the originators of a fresh, new musical genre, The Bombay Royale is a 11-piece ensemble featuring Melbourne’s finest musicians whose sounds span a wide range of influences from slammin’-surf 60s rock, 70s funk and disco to the classical and folky sounds of India.

Overlaid are the voices of protagonists, The Tiger and The Mysterious Lady singing in Hindi, Bengali and English.

Since being founded by The Skipper, The Bombay Royale have travelled far from their home in the suburbs of Melbourne to take their special and unique sound to festival and club audiences all over the world – where they have been received with astonishment and critical acclaim.

The Bombay Royale’s debut album, You Me Bullets Love won a place in iTunes Best of 2012 and #1 on the iTunes World Music charts.

In 2014, the band unleashed its trademark sound yet again and set off on an extraordinary musical safari on their album The Island of Dr Electrico.

They have also released a number of single LPs and their music has been licensed in films, video games and TV shows.

“No other band, and definitely no DJ, comes even remotely close to bringing the party vibes that The Bombay Royale deliver at every show. The entire ensemble exudes energy, getting into their characters and playing up for the audience at every opportunity while easily maintaining their musical brilliance. They are one live act you should never ever miss.” – whatsound

The Bombay Royale headline Sunday on the ‘Nard

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The Bombay Royale’s ensemble cast of musicians features:

Parvyn (vocals) as The Mysterious Lady.Shourov Bhattacharya (vocals) as The Tiger.Andy Williamson (sax, flute) as The Skipper.Declan Jones (trumpet) as Dr Electrico.Ed Fairlie (trumpet) as Chip Chase the Tennis Instructor.Ros Jones (trombone) as The WIDOW-X.Matt Vehl (keys) as The Bandit Priest.Tom Martin (guitar) as The Railways Mogul.Julian Goyma (drums) as The Leaping Shaman.Josh Bennett (tabla, sitar, dilrooba) as the Jewel Thief.Andre Lobonov (Electric Bass) as Kommissar Medvedev.




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Media release

Every night throughout Cairns Festival (25 August to 3 September) the hallowed white walls of Cairns Library will be transformed with light as the historic façade plays host to a surprising, new and breathtaking projection in brilliant, three-dimensional colour.

This year’s City Lights project, Resonance will bathe the iconic Abbott Street building in rainbow hues combining digital video, projection, sculpture, photography and sound to create the awe-inspiring, 3-D illusions.

Artist Statement: Resonance - a natural frequency, a vibration determined by the physical experience of living on country.

Resonance is a collaboration between Yarrabah Art Centre and projection specialists AGB Events.

The work represents the visual response to country, to the land that has formed and nurtured three proud Yarrabah women – Edna Ambrym, Philomena Yeatman and Valmai Pollard.

The Yarrabah Arts Precinct is made up of the Art Centre and Menmuny Museum.

The Art Centre provides a dynamic space for local artists to undertake many local art forms and cultural activities including ceramics, painting, weaving, arts and craft, textiles.

AGB Events are specialists in creating public celebrations, iconic events and innovative experiences including Vivid Light Festival in Sydney and are leaders in creating 3D artworks responsive to place, audiences, local stories and culture.

From after dark until 11pm each night of Cairns Festival at Cairns Library, Abbott Street, Cairns.

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Media release

Suburban Satellites is a multi-arts event that takes a program of activities to residents’ doorsteps in Edmonton, Lake Placid and Goomboora Park.

Cairns Festival’s Suburban Satellites program will comprise a range of light painting and projection activities for all ages to participate in as well as a presentation by light painting artist-in-residence, Peter Solness.

The history of Cairns’ suburbs will be celebrated at this year’s Cairns Festival with new projection works created by James Cook University’s Creative Arts and Media Studies students under the guidance of Coordinator of Creative Industries Russell Milledge.

Sugarworld Parklands will host Luminous Whispers as part of the Suburban Satellites event program on Tuesday, 29 August from 7pm – 9pm.

The installation will be a tantalising combination of music, video, projections and music that will tell the tale of Edmonton.

KaLIGHToscope will be held at Lake Placid on Thursday, 31 August from 7- 9 pm.

The instalment aims to mimic the wonder of a kaleidoscope, with a light and sound show, live music and an interactive component to the art.




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Art installations to shine light on suburban stories

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Media release

Cairns Festival will host resident photographer and light-painting artist, Peter Solness for a second year to introduce the next inspiring and creative chapter of Luminous Cairns.

In his return to Cairns, Solness promises the introduction of new techniques destined to spark the imagination of amateur and professional photographers in a series of special events that will transform landscapes throughout the region into glowing fields of light.

These workshops will take place in conjunction with the Suburban Satellites events at Sugarworld Parklands on Tuesday 29 August, Lake Placid on Thursday 31 August and Goomboora Park Saturday 2 September.

At Cairns Festival’s Field of Orbs events, volunteer “orbsters” will spin specially designed lanterns around their bodies, creating shining spheres that become the focal point of spectacular works of art captured by the photographer.

All photographers, amateur or professional, are welcome to bring their own cameras and create their own light paintings at the series of free community events.

About the artist, his practice & what to expectSolness is an award-winning photographer who is regarded as Australia’s foremost practitioner of light painting, a technique which involves manipulating the scene using hand-held torch beams, then capturing the mystical effect via long exposure on an SLR camera.

Solness has created public light events for various national art festivals, including Cairns Festival, The End Festival, Hill End and the Seechange Art Festival, Jervis Bay, all in 2016, while in 2015 he was commissioned to lead a Field of Orbs event at Centennial Park in Sydney to celebrate the International Year of Light.

Since 2010, Solness has introduced the magic of light painting photography to thousands of enthusiasts and students at workshops drawing on 20 years of inspiration and experimentation.

“As a photographic light painter, I like to conjure up images from darkness. I’ve long been intrigued by the painterly qualities one can evoke from the considered application of light on particular subject matter,” Solness said.

“Light painting allows me to work from a black canvas, incrementally adding exposure to my images in a manner that I personally choose by employing slow camera shutter settings. This allows me to build images with extraordinary precision, whilst still rendering my subjects as genuine ‘in camera’ photographic images.

Resident artist paints with light to photograph the night

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Solness won the prestigious NSW Parliamentary Plein Air Photographic Prize in 2010 and 2014, and has held two large solo exhibitions of his Illuminated Landscape works in major public galleries – Nocturnal, a light-box installation at Customs House Sydney, in 2009-2010, and The Light Painter at the Manly Art Gallery and Museum, in 2012.

His works have sold extensively and are held in many public and private collections, including the National Library Canberra, State Library of NSW, Museum of Sydney, NSW Parliament collection, Macquarie University Gallery, Ballarat Fine Art Gallery and the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre.




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Media release

Cairns theatre ensemble, The Young Company will take to the stage to present its special adaptation of Nobel-Prize winning author William Golding’s 1954 novel, Lord of the Flies, over two nights as part of this year’s Cairns Festival.

After a plane crash in the ocean, a group of students reach an uninhabited island. Group leader Ralph organises the boys - assigning responsibilities for each one and establishing governance.

When the rebellious Jack neglects the camp fire and any chance of being rescued by a helicopter overhead, the group split.

What started as an island adventure quickly descends into a struggle for survival in a darkly sinister world of superstition and immorality.

The play’s central theme will explore the conflicting human impulses toward civilisation and social organisation—living by rules, peacefully and in harmony—and toward the will to power.

Themes include the tension of group dynamics, individuality, and the struggle between morality and immorality.

Lord of the Flies: QUICK FACTSDate: Friday 1 & Saturday 2 SeptemberTime: 7pmVenue: TYC Theatre Studio, Bunda Street, CairnsCost: All tickets $15 | Group Discount (8+) $12 Recommended Ages: 12yrs - 100+Bring: A comfy cushion

Lord of the Flies is part of the Gen YAY program – programmed specifically for young people as part of Cairns Festival.



TYC Theatre ensemble presents Lord of the Flies

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Media release

This year’s Cairns Festival will welcome the long-awaited return of an old Festival favourite, but with a fresh new twist, the Longest Lunch on Sunday 27 August.

The Longest Lunch, coordinated by the award-winning team at Ochre Restaurant and fellow Harbour Lights restaurateurs promises a very long table set on the boardwalk that will play host to a delicious afternoon of local flavours with a large helping of fun.

Set on Cairns waterfront overlooking Trinity Inlet the Longest Lunch is a collaborative effort by Harbour Lights’ neighbouring restaurants, Ochre, Dundee’s and Marina Paradiso.

Guests will indulge in a four-course menu accompanied by drinks – from a menu that has been carefully created and curated to showcase the authentic flavours of the Tropical North.

Entertainment will include a hand-picked selection of Festival acts providing lunch-goers with exclusive and intimate performances.

The event will also lay claim to the inaugural Boardwalk waiter’s race.

Tickets are available via Ticketlink for $127 per person.




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Festival’s Longest Lunch returns to highlight region’s flavour and flair

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Media release

A literary addition to this year’s Cairns Festival program is the WRITERS ON THE WATERFRONT: Wild about Conservation lunch on Tuesday 29 August at the Shangri-La Hotel on the Marina.

The lunch, that gets underway from noon, is an opportunity for guests to hear the stories of passionate conservationists and partners, Dr Tammie Matson and Andy Ridley and their travels across the globe before settling in Cairns to raise their family.

Dr Matson has authored three books demonstrating her love of elephants: Planet Elephant, Elephant Dance and Dry Water; Diving headfirst into Africa.

Originally from North Queensland, Dr Matson is zoologist, environmental spokesperson on threatened species conservation at a global level including spending significant time in Africa and India and working closely with communities to stamp out the illegal trade of rhinoceros horn and ivory.

Dr Matson specialises in human-wildlife conflict and is a co-producer and co-star of National Geographic documentary Let Elephants Be Elephants.

Andy Ridley’s conservation work hits a little closer to home, having advocated for the health of the Great Barrier Reef during his time at the World Wildlife Fund and as Ambassador for Tourism Australia.

Since then, Ridley has acted as CEO and co-founder of Earth Hour Global and is currently in the role of CEO of new foundation Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef.

The lunch is hosted as part of the Cairns Festival by Tropical Writers Inc.

Tickets are $60 (plus booking fee), inclusive of two courses, and are available via Eventbrite.



Cairns Festival draws those Wild about Conservation to literary lunch

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Media release

The Festival Family Film Nights are a much loved and popular, ‘under the stars’ tradition that will continue this year, albeit with the special inclusion of the ‘People’s Choice’ screenings from the 2017 Understory Film Festival.

Film-goers are invited to bring their picnic rug and goodies to enjoy this year’s free screenings over two nights.

This year’s feature length, family-friendly films are New Zealand comedy, Three Wise Cousins (Thursday 31 August) and animated Australian adventure, Blinky Bill (Friday 1 September).

Thursday 31 August: Three Wise CousinsAdam is a 22-year-old New Zealand born Samoan guy who falls for Mary. On a chance encounter he learns that Mary only wants to go out with a ‘real island guy’ - not a plastic one. Three Wise Cousins is a feature length comedy that will have you laughing from start to end; it’s a film unlike any other that will surprise you with its endless amount of wisdom.

Friday 1 September: Blinky BillBlinky Bill is a koala with a big imagination. An adventurer at heart, he dreams of leaving the little town of Green Patch and following in his explorer father’s footsteps. Mr Bill went missing in the Outback some time ago and Blinky is the only one who believes his father is still alive.

SCREENING TIMES• Three Wise Cousins | Thursday 31 August, 7pm, Festival Stage - Cairns Esplanade (near the lagoon), Free• Blinky Bill | Friday 1 September, 7pm, Festival Stage - Cairns Esplanade (near the lagoon), Free




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Crowd favourite Family Film Nights return

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Media release

For the Cairns community, Carnival on Collins is a Father’s Day tradition that also marks the finale celebration for Cairns Festival’s 10-day program.

Each year the Carnival transforms the Botanic Gardens and Tanks Arts Centre precinct, including Collins Avenue, into a wonderland of music, dance, 200 plus market stalls (from plants and crafts to multi-cultural flavours and fresh food) and family-friendly entertainment

Taking place on Sunday 3 September, the wildly popular celebration attracts some 25,000 visitors.

From an exhibition of classic cars to wild life displays and Toy Box workshops with Dream State Circus, this year’s Carnival promises a vibrant and colourful entertainment line-up that is free for everyone (all ages) to participate in and enjoy.

Performances, Main stage, Flecker Gardens10:30AM Tribal Pacific11:15AM Circa12:00PM Tahni James12:45PM Greta Stanley 2:00PM Melanfunk Collective Circus Workshop, 9:30am & 1pm, Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre9:30am & 1:00pm, Toy Box Workshops with Dream State Circus Classic Car Show, 9am – 3pm, Gondwana LawnAn exhibition of classic cars from the Cairns and District Historical Vehicle Club. Crazy Golf, 9am – 3pm, Fitzalan GardensEssentially mini golf, but crazy! Friends of the Botanic Gardens, 9am – 3pm, Conservatory LawnMeet the Friends of the Botanic Gardens. The little ones can plant a seed or the whole family can check out what’s flowering in the gardens and the Friends will have their cloakroom open to store your plant purchases while you enjoy the event.

Wild Zone, 9am – 3pm, Tank 3Head to the Wild Zone for an educational experience featuring wildlife displays and new this year Mini Beasts will have an interactive display of live invertebrates.

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Energy Exhibition, 9am – 3pm, Tank 4An annual showcase of the work of Senior Visual Arts students from across the region




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Media release

The 2017 Cairns Festival is set to entertain the youth of Cairns with a lineup of creative, energetic, and inspiring events created specifically for, and by, the region’s teens.

On Friday 1 September, Cairns teens are invited to converge at the Tank 4 Gallery of the illustrious Tanks Arts Centre for the annual Energy Exhibition and Opening Party.

This free event will see the launch of the annual ‘Energy’ exhibition, which unveils the work of the region’s Senior Visual Arts students.

Throughout the night bands from local high schools will perform, thrilling crowds and keeping energy levels high.

Also on Friday 1 September is the opening of The Young Company’s rendition of Lord of the Flies. From 7pm at The Young Company Theatre Studio on both Friday 1 September and Saturday 2 September, this professional youth theatre will take the audience on a journey based on the famous dystopian novel by William Golding.

The show will focus on a group of regular boys as they work together to survive life on an uninhabited island, following a plane crash in the ocean.

Their descent into chaos explores notions surrounding the nature of humanity, and the fine line between civilization and savagery, good and evil.

This show is not recommended for anyone under the age of 12; tickets are available for $15 at the door.During the day on Saturday 2 September those aged between five and 15 years will have the opportunity to participate in a painting workshop titled Action Painting.

With two sessions running from 10:30am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 4pm at the KickArts Contemporary Arts space, participants can unleash their creative talent while learning several canvas painting techniques. The event is $30 per person; bookings essential, and are to be made via 07 40509496 (Parents must accompany children.)

The Under 18 Illumination multi-arts party will be a highlight of the Cairns Festival’s final weekend for teenagers aged 13 and 17years.

The Cairns Skate Centre will host the event on Saturday 2 September, headlined by local funk, rock, indie band Machine Machine and DJ group Jakknife.

Cairns Festival weekend brings activities for youth

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Throughout the night aerial and fire performers will stun guests as sounds from African drumming builds the intensity of the shows.

Wearing white, guests will find themselves a part of the laser shows, as 3D visual mapping brings the walls to life.

GEN YAY YOUTH PROGRAM EVENT OVERVIEW• 1 September | Energy Exhibition & Opening Party, 6pm-10pm, Tanks Arts Centre, Free

• 1 – 2 September | Lord of the Flies, 7pm, The Young Company Theatre Studio, Tickets: www.ticketlink.com.au

• 2 September | Action Painting, from 10:30am, KickArts Contemporary Arts, Tickets: 07 40509496

• 2 September | Under 18 Illumination, 5pm-10pm, Cairns Skate Centre, Tickets: www.ticketlink.com.au

These events form the Gen YAY program – programmed specifically for young people as part of the 2017 Cairns Festival.




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Media release

Cairns Festival’s multi-dimensional program spans live music, art, entertainment, community gatherings and free workshop activities that aim to capture the spirit of the Far North while enriching the lives of people living and visiting the community - irrespective of age or interest. After its successful debut last year, Cairns Festival’s Making Place is back, providing an outdoor hub for members of the community to connect with others from diverse cultures while learning new skills through a series of free, drop-in workshops.

The Making Place workshops and entertainment will be held at the Western Events Lawn on Cairns Esplanade between 4pm and 8pm, every day from Monday 28 August to Friday 1 September.

Live entertainment at the Making Place include composer Tristan Barton and the luminous Women of AustraNesia choir.

Also across the way at KickArts Contemporary Arts at CoCA (96 Abbott Street), there will be Human Knitting in which participants will be guided through the process of knitting with their hands and can add their own knitted section to a large collaborative artwork.

Cairns Festival and KickArts Workshop Series is as follows:• Friday 25 August 6pm-10pm at KickArts Contemporary Arts

• Saturday 26 August 10:30am-2:30pm at KickArts Contemporary Arts

• Wednesday 30 August 5pm-7pm at The Making Place, Cairns Esplanade

In addition to this, young festival-goers are invited to join the fun in the Action Painting Workshops on Saturday 2 September where participants learn to paint in new and exciting ways.

Adding to Festival’s roster of workshops, resident light painting photographic artist Peter Solness will host three community events for those wishing to learn more about his ethereal technique of photography.

These workshops will take place in conjunction with the Suburban Satellites events at Sugarworld Parklands on Tuesday 29 August, Lake Placid on Thursday 31 August and Goomboora Park Saturday 2 September.

Festival workshops to broaden horizons

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Media release

The 2017 Cairns Festival allows locals an insight into the cultural diversity of the region with the Making Place, the Japanese Bon Dance Festival and the Samoan Umu providing the opportunity to get involved in traditional festivities of these international cultures with a strong presence in Cairns.

After its successful debut last year, Cairns Festival’s Making Place is back, providing an outdoor hub for members of the community to connect with others from diverse cultures while learning new skills through a series of free, drop-in workshops.

The Making Place workshops and entertainment will be held at the Western Events Lawn on Cairns Esplanade between 4pm and 8pm, every day from Monday 28 August to Friday 1 September.Live entertainment at the Making Place include composer Tristan Barton and the luminous Women of AustraNesia choir.

The Japanese Bon Dance Festival will be presented by the Japanese Society of Cairns and is to be held on 3 September at the Cairns Esplanade Western Events Lawn.

This event is reminiscent of the Bon Festival held annually in Japan as a celebration of family, especially ancestors.

It is a custom that has been celebrated in Japan for over 500 years.

The Cairns event will include Japanese food, cultural performances and a communal Bon dance in which everyone can partake.

The Samoan Community Association of Cairns will host a Samoan Umu on Saturday 2 September from 2pm-6pm at Muddy’s Event Lawn.

A meal will be cooked using a traditional Umu, or earth oven, which guests can witness the preparation of. Guests can also partake in traditional crafts such as basket weaving and watch traditional dance performances.

Cultural Diversity celebrated as locals showcase international traditions

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Media release

Cairns Festival will kick off its program with a party atmosphere that will continue throughout the week and culminate in the epic, Father’s Day closer, Carnival on Collins.

On Friday, 25 August, KickArts Contemporary Arts will host its annual members’ exhibition and opening night party that will celebrate the work of over 140 artists on display.

The exhibition, entitled Torrid Zone, is destined to be a truly spirited occasion which celebrates life in the tropics from a diverse range of personal, creative perspectives.

The following day, Saturday, 26 August is the Festival’s annual highlight – its Grand Parade and Fireworks – with live entertainment all day and into the evening – providing a wonderful spectacle as the floats, created to reflect this year’s theme, “Shine”, wind their way down the Esplanade to the delight of a cheering crowd.

Then on Sunday, 27 August, the opening weekend hits another high with Sunday on the ‘Nard providing family fun throughout the day culminating in live music and a special performance by headline act, The Bombay Royale on the Western Events Lawn (3pm to 10pm).

Later in the week, the Energy Exhibition and Opening Party will be held at Tanks Arts Centre on Friday 1 September from 6pm; a celebration of the city’s vibrant youth arts culture.

The event launches the annual Energy Exhibition showcasing works that have been produced and submitted by students in the Creative Energy Awards while a musical line-up of the best school bands in the region will provide a festive, energetic atmosphere appropriate to the occasion.

On Saturday, 2 September U18 ILLUMINATION will be held exclusively for Cairns youth at the Cairns Skate Centre. From 5pm to 10pm those aged 13 – 17 years old can experience the multi-arts showcase.

Headlining the stage are Cairns funk/rock/indie band Machine Machine, who performed at the The Grass is Greener music festival in 2016 and DJ group Jackknife, fresh from Cairns’ Warehouse event in April.

The night will also feature aerial skill and fire performances, African drumming, 3D visual mapping and laser shows. Tickets are $35 (including booking fee) and are available via ticketLiNK.

Festival is party central

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MEDIA KIT - Cairns Regional Council · MEDIA KIT CONTENTS PAGE ... that runs over 10 action-packed days, ... will once again prove its special place in the region’s cultural identity