Full program released for Noosa Long Weekend
13th Noosa Long Weekend Festival (18-27 July 2014)
June 3, 2014
Culture-lovers from across Queensland and beyond are celebrating the release of the full 2014 Noosa Long Weekend Festival program, which was officially unveiled today and includes more than 80 events across the 10-day event.
Festival Director Ian Mackellar said the festival — presented by Bendigo Bank — was set to deliver an array of eclectic and diverse events including music, dance, theatre, comedy, literature, forums, supper clubs, visual arts and some sensational themed food events.
“The 2014 program covers everything from burlesque and ballet to cabaret and cocktail capers,” Ian said.
“One of the major events we’re delighted to be hosting in association with Noosa Film Society is the Australian premiere screening of director Bruce Beresford’s two-part mini-series Bonnie & Clyde on 20 July.”
“Bonnie and Clyde was one of the most acclaimed movies of the ‘60s and this television adaptation will not only remake the classic story, but also act as a prequel, delving into where both characters are from and how they came together.”
“This event will also include an ‘In Conversation’ with Director Bruce Beresford, and festival favourite, Peter Thompson at the conclusion of the screening.”
Mr Mackellar said for the eighth consecutive year, the festival would also welcome host of the ABC’s Insiders, Barrie Cassidy, alongside colleagues Nikki Savva, Dennis Atkins and Malcolm Farr to provide insight into the nation’s political pulse and answer questions about behind-the-scenes in Canberra.
“This politically-focused forum will consider how the Coalition government is performing and whether it is meeting voters’ expectations regarding issues like the carbon tax, labour market, refugees and the environment. It will also look at whether Bill Shorten is leading an effective opposition with sound policies on key issues.”
“This is always a sell-out event, so we expect tickets to this session will be snapped up quickly.”
Ian said that the program included a range of both ticketed and free events.
“The pre-opening Carnevale on Friday, 18 July from 5pm-6pm on Hastings Street, is one of those free events featuring Linsey Pollak and his band of 22 street performers and musicians, known as ‘The Unusual Suspects’. Everyone in invited to join us as we welcome in our 2014 festival with a great Carnevale feel”.
“The Hastings Street Tree will also be officially lit with festive lighting at this event, which will remain in place for the duration of the 10-day festival. It’s sure to be a family favourite.”
Other program highlights include a progressive cocktail crawl on Hastings Street; free heritage walks around Pomona, Tewantin, Noosa, Eumundi, Cooran, Cooroy and Kin Kin; a debate regarding bias in the Australian media; the ‘World Premiere’ of Diabolique, a contemporary cabaret and ancient storytelling performance, directed by Sam Coward; and a night of comedy at The J Theatre with headliner Fiona O’Loughlin.
Today’s full program release follows on from the Early Bird program announcement in May, which saw Queensland Ballet Company; Australian entertainer Rhonda Burchmore; cabaret performer Catherine Alcorn; soprano opera singer, actress and cabaret performer Ali McGregor; and Michael Griffiths (Jersey Boys Australia/New Zealand production fame) join the star-studded festival line-up for 2014.
“This year’s festival is destined to be one of the best yet. We can’t wait to welcome this high calibre line-up of presenters to the Sunshine Coast,” Ian said.
All festival event tickets are now on sale as of 9am today and as previous years, are bound to sell fast.
To view the full program or purchase festival tickets please visit www.noosalongweekend.com.
An overview of The Noosa Long Weekend Festival 2014 program includes:
Music and Dance:
One of the opening night events, ‘Forbidden Broadway – Greatest Hits – Volume One’ will be toasting and roasting the best musicals and brightest stars presented by Squabbalogic Independent Music Theatre; listen to the finalists of the Dame Joan Sutherland Vocal Award; the Streeton Trio are described as ‘Australia’s most internationally successful piano trio’; Festival Ambassador and songstress, Catherine Alcorn; an evening with the Queensland Ballet; Queensland Youth Orchestra 2 will perform a twilight concert at Bicentennial Hall; Ali McGregor’s ‘Alchemy’ draws on all her influences from opera, burlesque and trashy pop divas and ‘Melody Beck Unseen’ delivers a tribute to Marni Nixon.
Comedy and Theatre:
A fabulous night of comedy with Fiona O’Loughlin; the One-Act Play Festival featuring three finalist plays from the National One-Act Playwriting Competition 2014; ABC Radio National storytelling show – ‘Now Hear This’; ‘Managing Carmen’ written by David Williamson and directed by Sam Coward and the intriguing – ‘Diabolique – the story of a ruined woman’ directed by Sam Coward.
Literature
A list of authors and guest speakers confirmed include:
(Australia’s favourite Poet) Dr Bruce Dawe AO, Nick Earls, Anna Goldsworthy, Mandy Sayer and Josephine Moon
Forums
‘Bias in the Australian media’ with panellists Hedley Thomas, Andrew Jaspan, Tom Switzer and Dr John Harrison; ‘Architecture – Should architecture be an expression of local identity’ with Paul Barclay moderating three of Australia’s most celebrated architects – Peter Stutchbury, Brit Andresen and Ian McDougall; Barrie Cassidy’s Insiders with Niki Savva, Malcolm Farr and Dennis Atkins; ‘Reinventing Retirement’ with speakers Dr Patricia Edgar AM, Val French AM, Adele Horin and ABC Big Ideas host Paul Barclay moderating these forum events.
Film
Sunday at the movies with Bruce Beresford ‘Bonnie and Clyde’.
Moderators and Interviewers:
Barrie Cassidy, Paul Barclay, Phil Brown, Peter Thompson, Richard Fidler, Gail Arnold and Melanie Tait
Food Events
‘Puccini and Fettuccine’ with Louise Kennedy and Roger Davy; ‘Piano Lessons’ with Anna Goldsworthy; ‘Prawnisimo Promenade’ at Sunshine Beach; Film with food screening of ‘Haute Cuisine’; ‘Red, Hot and Saucy’, Rhonda Burchmore; ‘Adolescent’, starring star of Jersey Boys Australian and New Zealand production, Michael Griffiths; ‘Up the Lazy River’ with seven Noosaville restaurants in delivering fabulous festival deals; ‘Cocktail Capers’, with Hastings Street restaurants serving up special festival cocktails with lunch and dinner specials and then the Festival Wrap Party with four hours of non-stop entertainment and a five course degustation luncheon.
Free Events
Kicking off the opening of the festival is Carnevale where street musicians and performers bring Hastings Street alive; Heritage Walks; the welcomed return of the popular Teddy Bear’s Picnic held in Lion’s Park, Noosaville; Judy Watson exhibition held at the Noosa Regional Gallery; Noosa Long Weekend Festival Retrospective Photographic Exhibition by Barry Alsop and an exhibition by Leigh Gordon.
// Ends.
Media enquiries:
Helen Perry, Fresh PR & Marketing
P: 0431 065 964
E: helen@freshprm.com.au
High-resolution images are available.
Whilst all events listed as part of media communication are accurate at the time of release, The Noosa Long Weekend Festival program is subject to change without notice due to circumstances outside of the event organiser’s control.
[nggallery id=99]
