North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA): Wonderland Under the Stars

Wonderland Under the Stars set to dazzle at NAFA COVID Safe

Strand Park will transform into a 1950’s style open-air theatre when Wonderland Spiegeltent’s Wonderland Under the Stars opens next month as part of the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) COVID Safe.

Running across two huge weeks, Wonderland Under the Stars will include performances from international acclaimed Casus Circus with their show Knee Deep and ARIA Hall of Fame recipient Russell Morris and Queensland icons Busby Marou.

Wonderland Spiegeltent director Melissa Head said she was excited to transform the Wonderland Spiegeltent experience.

“We’ve been experimenting with an outdoor live high wire act for a little while now, and with COVID-19 it has fast-forwarded ways we can present. It’s given us the perfect excuse to turn the whole show into an open-air magical experience,” Ms Head said.

“I have wanted to produce an open-air event for quite a while, as I love the atmosphere and the backdrop of stunning North Queensland sunsets.”

Ms Head said families were in for plenty of fun with the outdoor experience.

“Part of the ethos of Wonderland Spiegeltent has always been to create a magical escape for audiences through live performance. Casus Circus is mind-blowing and will have everyone, young and old, marveling at superhuman, acrobatic feats,” she said. “Also for the families, there will be outdoor movie nights and carnival favorites too – freshly spun fairy floss and hot popcorn with The Wave Swinger amusement ride and more.”

Ms. Head said she anticipated great audience turnout for Wonderland Under the Stars.

“The thirst for live entertainment by both audience members and performers is currently stronger than ever. Entertainment feeds the soul and we can connect the audience in an open-air, COVID-safe way,” she said.

Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson, Ann-Maree Greaney, said Wonderland Under the Stars was an event that was not to be missed.

“The Wonderland Spiegeltent team does an incredible job transforming Strand Park, and I’m sure they are going to do a spectacular job of turning the space into Wonderland Under the Stars,” Cr Greaney said.

“This is just one of many events that will activate different suburbs and bring visitors into our beautiful city to enjoy more than five weeks of art and entertainment.”

 

NAFA COVID Safe is delivered by Townsville City Council and supported by the Queensland Government and Tourism & Events Queensland and runs from 18 September to 25 October.

 

Tickets for Wonderland Under the Stars are on sale now. To book your tickets, head to nafa-tsv.com.au.

Townsville History Installed

HALO chandelier installed in Flinders Lane as construction progresses

A piece of Townsville history has been installed in the highly anticipated Flinders Lane development this week as the construction of the project moves closer to completion.

The iconic chandelier used in Townsville’s widely successful HALO event last year is set to light up Flinders Lane when it opens in October.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the installation of the light feature was an important milestone for the project.

“I’m thrilled that the chandeliers from HALO has found a new home in Flinders Lane and will be on display for everyone to enjoy, much like it was when it was on display in Queens Gardens,” Cr Hill said. “Construction of the lane has been progressing well despite COVID-19 and I’m excited to see the community enjoying all of the things that will be on offer here. Flinders Lane will be a premium addition to our CBD, making accessing the Stadium Precinct and Palmer Street easier than ever.”

The Flinders Lane development, which is being delivered in partnership with Martin Locke Constructions, will connect the heart of the central business district to the Bus Hub, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, and City Lane precinct via a new laneway with two levels of retail stores and cafes.

It will include an audio system and public WIFI, public toilets, tiered and balcony seating overlooking a stage for performances to be held.

Developer Martin Locke said Flinders Lane would bring an exciting new dining and entertainment experience to the CBD, building on and complementing the existing City Lane Precinct perfectly.

“Every great city has its laneways,” Mr Locke said. “I’m proud to have worked together with Townsville City Council to deliver something that is timeless and will have a positive impact on Townsville and how we enjoy and utilize our CBD. I’d like to thank our hard-working construction team, as well as our trade and supply partners, for helping us work safely through the COVID-19 pandemic. With the laneway approaching completion I will not be focusing on finding the right retail partners to make Flinders Lane a truly unique experience.”

 

Council media: 0429 803 640

Martin Locke media: 0404 836 207

 

 

Event of the Year: Horn vs. Tszyu

THIS WEDNESDAY: Horn vs. Tszyu

The bout was originally set to take place on April 22 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdowns. Now the event will take place THIS Wednesday 26 August at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium. 

Tickets on sale NOW through Ticketmaster!

EVENT TIMINGS

Open – 5:00pm
Undercards Commence – 6:00pm

  1. Larfield v Hunt
  2. Sanstrom v  Cashman
  3. Horn v Clark
  4. Copland v Camilleri
  5. O’Connell v Fulmer
  6. Wilson v Woods
  7. Hardman v Weetch

HORN v TSZYU – 9:30pm

Please note, all times are approximate and are subject to change.
COVID UPDATE [22.08.2020]

The Queensland Government have announced several new measures in response to positive COVID-19 cases in South-East Queensland.  These measures does not currently apply to venues with a Covid Safe Plan, including Queensland Country Bank Stadium.  The Horn v Tszyu fight on Wednesday night will proceed as planned, with the venue employing a number of covid-safe measures.  Queensland Country Bank Stadium will continue to liaise with Queensland Health and will advise patrons if there are any updates.

 

Cowboys Stadium held a media release Monday 24 August, below are some of the interviews.

Scott Stewart- Member for Townsville (First 4)
Mirella Taylor- Venue Manager of Queensland Country Bank Stadium (Last 1)

“The team of workers is down on the field putting together the boxing rink..10,000 people right now at this stage, with a max of 16,000 are allowed.”

“I think this is going to be a great fight…anyone who comes to this event will get a great night out…at one of the best stadiums in the world.”

“Now we can get this fight back into the home of viewers all around the world, and they can see it coming straight out of Townsville.”

“We are 2 days out from what will be one of the greatest fights…at the greatest stadium in Queensland, if not the world.”

Knowing where to park and how to enter- follow conditions of entry and make sure you are well.

 

Increase your suburb’s blurb appeal with Townsville Street Library project

Take a book, give a book, share a book.

 

That is the motto that will spread across our city when the Townsville Street Library project competition kicks off this week.

 

Street libraries are small, colourful outdoor boxes that can house a number of books and are easily accessible for everyone in the community.

 

Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson, Ann-Maree Greaney, said the project involved members of the community applying to become a Street Librarian and installing one of 100 Street Libraries on offer at their property.

 

“This is a great way to get your family, neighbours or community together to decorate your Street Library, fill it with pre-loved books, and know that you are giving your community something good to read and a dose of happiness,” Cr Greaney said.

 

“To get involved, you can apply for a Street Library through the Council website. If you’re successful you’ll receive a Street Librarian Starter Pack, which will have vouchers for supplies so you can decorate the library with the help of your neighbours and get your Street Library up and running.

 

“Once they’re ready to go, people from the neighbourhood can take whichever books interest them, and when they’re done they can either return them to a Street Library or pass them on to their friends.”

 

Cr Greaney said the Townsville Street Library project was a great way to encourage small acts of kindness.

 

“You can take a book or give a book with the Townsville Street Library project. It is a very simple way of sharing what we have with neighbours and friends who will appreciate it,” she said.

 

“Now more than ever we need to form meaningful connections with the people who live around us, especially the elderly and young families.

 

“We are going through a lifechanging period in history, so it’s important to remember to reach out to the people around you. Street libraries are an easy way to start a conversation with people in your neighbourhood that you haven’t spoken with before.”

 

Applications for the Townsville Street Library project are now open and close on Sunday, 13 September.

 

To register, head to https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/tsl

 

BREAKING NEWS: Stable on the Strand will look a little different this year!

IN 2020 THERE WILL BE NO “STABLE ON THE STRAND”! BUT THERE WILL BE “STABLE ON THE STREETS!”

Stable on the Strand has successfully run an amazing event for 18 years. Attendances of 40,000,                over 5 nights, have testified to this fact.

2020 has changed our world. The organizing committee has decided to reset!

2020 will see the launch of Stable on the Streets.

Stable on the Streets is an invitation for individuals, families, groups, churches, and sponsors to give a gift of love to the people of Townsville by expressing in their space (drive way, shop front, car, veranda, street etc) the true meaning of Christmas (the story of the birth of Jesus).

The public will be invited to join a Stable on the Streets ‘drive-by’ experience!

Like Stable on the Strand – Stable on the Streets is very multifaceted.

  • Homes, Businesses, Churches will be invited to gift Townsville with a display that represents the Christmas story in their space. They will receive a sign advising they are part of                              Stable on the Streets
  • Stable on the Strand will provide 3 live scenes across Townsville
  • A Nativity scene with Mary, Joseph & a real live baby Jesus
  • Shepherds in the ‘fields’ minding their sheep
  • Wise men with camels

These 3 scenes will feature searchlights beaming into the sky over Townsville!

  • 5 Discovery trails will be established. Families will be invited to “Follow the Star Trail” in their cars. Maps will be on our website.  The trails will be integrated with a scavenger hunt for kids using QR codes.
  • We will be aiming to provide buses for those unable to drive themselves
  • A food cart may be on each trail (to save cooking that night and support Stable on the Strand)
  • Our Carol singers will be at major spaces around Townsville
  • We are hoping to decorate some of the empty shop fronts

Stable on the Strand organizer, Anne Harley said, “My team has come up with this amazing idea, ‘Stable on the Streets’ to bless the citizens of Townsville with a very special event for Christmas 2020. Our hope is that everyone will participate in some way.”

When: Stable on the Streets will run from 18th– 22nd December

Time: 6:00-9:00 p.m. each night

 

More info:

Richard Hosking – 0407 231 690 –  rsklhosking@bigpond.com