Noosa Long Weekend Early Bird tickets launched today for headline acts

May 13, 2014

Queensland’s nationally acclaimed Noosa Long Weekend Festival, presented by Bendigo Bank, will return to the Sunshine Coast this year, attracting more than 10,000 attendees from around Australia and offering an impressive 75 events across a range of genres between 18-27 July.

Festival Director Ian Mackellar said the 2014 program promised to deliver a diverse cross-section of events, focusing heavily on music, dance, theatre, literature, food and visual arts.

“The Noosa Long Weekend Festival has developed a reputation across Queensland and beyond as one of the country’s foremost regional cultural events, having attracted well-renowned Australian and international performers, writers, film-makers, musicians, artists, chefs, environmentalists and commentators since its inception in 2002,” Mr Mackellar said.

“This year, we will once again offer world-class performances and we are delighted to announce Australian entertainer Rhonda Burchmore; cabaret performer Catherine Alcorn; soprano opera singer, actress and cabaret performer Ali McGregor; and comedian Fiona O’Loughlin will join the star-studded line-up.”

“It’s a real coup to have these talented performers involved in this year’s festival, and we’re looking forward to announcing more high profile acts as we move closer to the event.”

“Other big ticket events include opening night act, ‘Forbidden Broadway – Greatest Hits Volume 1’, ‘An Evening with Queensland Ballet Company’ and theatre production ‘Managing Carmen’ by renowned local playwright David Williamson, to name but a few. The program also includes a number of interactive forums, workshops and supper clubs across the 10-day festival.”

Mr Mackellar said ticket sales would be released in two waves, with ‘early bird’ tickets launched today for eight selected major events – three weeks before the final line-up announcement, and the release of all event tickets on 3 June.

“The two-stage ticket release has been designed to assist patrons with advance planning their festival experience as well as easing the historical ‘ticket sale traffic jam’ that tends to occur when the full program is released,” Mr Mackellar said.

“Based on previous festivals, many of our events sell out within hours. Our 2014 festival line-up is fantastic, and I’m certain tickets to all events will be in high demand.”

“The vast majority of our early release events take place at The J Theatre in Noosa and due to the size of the venue there are only a few hundred tickets available for each performance. “

Mr Mackellar reiterated the festival’s ongoing commitment to making the arts affordable and accessible to all, as evidenced by ticket prices starting at just $10 as well as a series of free events scheduled in the 2014 festival program.

“We have plenty of surprises up our sleeves, including the highly entertaining Carnevale which is a free event opening on Hastings Street on 18 July, together with a fabulous Cocktail Capers on Hastings Street throughout the 2014 festival.”

Taking time to welcome new presenting sponsor, Bendigo Bank to the 2014 festival, Mr Mackellar said he was delighted to welcome sponsorship from a bank that has become synonymous with supporting communities all over Australia.

“Bendigo Bank already support the arts across the Sunshine Coast and now our local Community Bank branches are supporting Australia’s foremost regional cultural event,” Mr Mackellar said.

Rick Cooper, Chairman of Sunshine Coast Community Financial Services Ltd (SCCFSL), who own and manage the Cooroy, Marcoola and Tewantin Community Bank branches, said the sponsorship had Bendigo Bank written all over it.

“This is precisely what our Community Bank branches are all about – putting banking profits back into our community. It’s because of the support locals’ show us that we can invest in sponsorships as important as the 2014 Noosa Long Weekend Festival. We know this years’ festival will be the best yet,” Mr Cooper said.

To purchase early release event tickets visit www.noosalongweekend.com, visit The J Box Office in person, call (07) 5455 4455 or log on to The J website, www.thej.com.au.

Noosa Long Weekend Festival fast facts:
• The 13th Noosa Long Weekend Festival takes place from Friday, 18 – Sunday, 27 July 2014.
• The festival comprises 10 days (and nights) of music, musical theatre, theatre, dance, literature, forums, film, food and visual arts staged at various venues in and around Noosa Heads, Queensland.
• A selection of eight ‘early bird‘ events including the opening night act will be released for sale from Tuesday, 13 May 2014.
• The remaining events in the festival program will be revealed and released for sale on Tuesday, 3 June 2014.
• 75 ticketed and free events will be on offer with in excess of 9,000 tickets on sale. Over 260 local, national and international artists, authors and guest speakers will participate in the 2014 Festival.
• Ticket information at: www.noosalongweekend.com.
• Special festival accommodation packages can be found on the website.
• Follow the festival on Facebook or Twitter.

MUSICAL THEATRE

QUEENSLAND PREMIERE
FORBIDDEN BROADWAY – GREATEST HITS VOLUME ONE
Presented by SQUABBALOGIC INDEPENDENT MUSIC THEATRE – SYDNEY
Toasts and roasts the best musicals and brightest stars in a night to delight both those who love show tunes… and those who loathe them. A stellar cast parades the hits (and misses) in this hilarious, loving and endlessly entertaining tribute to the theatre’s premiere stars and songwriters, including especially cheeky takes on Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Annie, Cats, Wicked, Mamma Mia and A Chorus Line.
The J | 18 July at 8pm (Opening Night of NLWF 2014) | $60
The J | 19 July at 2pm (Matinee) | $55

COMEDY

A NIGHT OF COMEDY
A sensational night of comedy featuring headliner Fiona O’Loughlin, together with a MC/Comic Mandy Nolan, and supported by emerging talent James Tinniswood and Joe Shaffer.
The J | 19 July at 8pm | $50
A second performance at 7.00pm, 20 July, subject to demand

MANAGING CARMEN by David Williamson – Directed by Sam Coward
A comedy by David Williamson
Directed by Sam Coward
Brent Lyall (Adam Flower) has it all. At 23 years old he has a beautiful girlfriend, two Brownlow medals, and he’s already the captain of one of the most powerful football clubs in the land.
There’s just one small hitch… Occasionally he enjoys dressing up… in women’s clothes.
The J | 22 July at 2pm & 7.30pm | $45 Matinee & $55 Evening
The J | 23 July at 2pm & 7.30pm | $45 Matinee & $55 Evening

MUSIC/THEATRE

QUEENSLAND PREMIERE
GO YOUR OWN WAY – starring CATHERINE ALCORN
Following a sell-out performance at NLWF 2012 with her Bette Midler Show,
‘By Popular Demand’ Catherine returns to Noosa with her new show.
Go Your Own Way (Backline story of Christine McVie – Fleetwood Mac)
On the eve of a comeback tour for one of the most famous bands in rock’n’roll history, Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac) decided not to reunite with the band, instead tweeting “Sorry folks. No tour.” This is an intriguing tale of international fame, songwriting, privacy…and the decision to Go Your Own Way.
The J | 24 July at 7.30pm | $55
A second performance at 2pm, 24 July, subject to demand

MUSIC

Ali McGregor’s ‘ALCHEMY’
After smash hit seasons in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Edinburgh & UK, Ali McGregor’s Alchemy is coming to Noosa Long Weekend Festival. Drawing on all of her influences from opera, burlesque, and trashy 80’s pop divas for inspiration and working with the finest jazz musicians creates unique hybrids from popular songs, standards and blues.
The J | 26 July at 7.30pm | $55
A second performance at 2pm, 26 July, subject to demand

DANCE

QUEENSLAND EXCLUSIVE
QUEENSLAND BALLET COMPANY present an ‘EVENING OF DANCE’
Featuring Queensland Ballet dancers and young artists, this special performance will give audiences a unique insight into our State ballet company. Following the dance program a wonderful In Conversation opportunity with Qld Ballet Artistic Director, Li Cunxin.
The J | 25 July at 7.30pm | $70

SUPPER CLUBS

‘ADOLESCENT’ – starring Michael Griffiths
(Star of Jersey Boys Australia/New Zealand)
A show about turning 40 and enjoying a prolonged adolescence. A really prolonged adolescence. Featuring songs he knows all too well from Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jersey Boys and lots of Michael’s first love – 80s pop!
Berardo’s | 22 July at 8.30pm | $85
(Includes 2 course Supper/Glass wine/Cabaret performance)
A second performance at 8.30pm, 23 July, subject to demand

Rhonda Burchmore
‘Red, Hot and Saucy’
A tribute to the saucy and blue entertainers.
Berardo’s | 24 July & 25 July | $85
(Includes 2 course Supper/Glass wine/Cabaret performance)

// Ends.

For interviews, information or high resolution images of Noosa Long Weekend Festival artists, contact:
Maya Gurry, Fresh PR & Marketing, National Publicist on 07 5351 1010 or 0410 109 102 or email maya@freshprm.com.au.

The Noosa Long Weekend Festival would like to thank our many sponsors including:

PRESENTING SPONSOR – Bendigo Bank
FESTIVAL PARTNER – Tourism Noosa

For the full list of festival sponsors please visit our website www.noosalongweekend.com

N.B. Whilst all events and artists 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.

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