Cairns Festival 2012 Highlights

Jonathan Brilliant Resident Artis

Cairns Festival 2012 opens with a bang on 178 August with many major highlights

•          Jonathan Brilliant Resident Artist Installation, Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre – Monday, 13 August – Thursday 23 August Installation and Friday, 24 August – Sunday, 2 September, 2012 Exhibition

Jonathan Brilliant is an artist based in North Carolina.  Jonathan will be creating an organic site specific installation in the new Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre by weaving thousands of wooden coffee stir sticks in place using only tension and compression – this is will be Cairns’ own piece, aptly entitled, “The Cairns Piece”.

•  UMI Arts Big Talk One Fire Concert - Fogarty Park, Cairns Esplanade, Friday 17 August, 2012

 UMI Arts’ Big Talk One Fire Concert and markets is a  FREE community concert with Indigenous bands from Far North Queensland, traditional dancers and visual arts and craft market stall holders. Big Talk One Fire is a celebration and showcasing of the breadth and diversity of indigenous culture and talent, from Cairns and Far North Queensland.

Australian Ballet’s Don Quixote

•          Australian Ballet’s Don Quixote at Cairns Civic Theatre – 16 – 17 August, 2012.

"The Dancers Company" will present the lively ballet classic Don Quixote. Based on the legendary tale by Spanish author Cervantes, this classic ballet tells the story of the knight Quixote on a quest to find his lost love. Set in a Spanish seaside village, this light-hearted and colourful ballet features a rich diversity of characters.

•          An Evening with Colin Hay, Tanks Arts Centre – Friday, 17 August, 2012

Colin Hay - front man and principle songwriter for 1980’s hit machine Men at Work, plays at Tanks Arts Centre as a part of Cairns Festival 2012.  Hay will perform songs from his new album (Gathering Mercury) as well as selections from his solo albums and fan favourites from the past.

•          Music Botanica featuring Sarah Blasko, Cairns Botanic Gardens – Sunday, 19 August, 2012

An afternoon of live musical entertainment set in the green surrounds of the Cairns Botanic Gardens.  Aussie singer / songwriter Sarah Blasko headlines this event, supported by several local and national artists including Holly Throsby.  Blasko returns to Australia after recording a new album overseas. 

•          The Big Laugh, Cairns Civic Theatre – Wednesday, 22 August, 2012

Featuring five of the best, ‘laugh out loud’ comedians from across Australia.

Lanie Lane 

•        Lanie Lane  + Mia Dyson at Tanks Arts Centre - Friday, 24 August, 2012Join Mia Dyson and Lanie Lane at Tanks for one night of memorable tunes.  Dyson’s voice soars and slides, taking you through her beautifully composed set, complemented by her bluesy guitar, while Lanie never fails to impress the crowd with her powerful vocals and charming character.

·         Tropical Pride Festival, Sunday, 26 August, 2012    

Drawing over 2000 people, this is a family day full of food, frivolity and fun with diverse community stalls dotting the pathways around and in the Tanks Arts Centre precinct, featuring a wealth of talented performers across two stages including the Cairns OutLoud Gay and Lesbian Choir, events such as Gay Bingo, Art Exhibition and Dog Show.  For more www.cairnstropicalpride.com.au

•          Centre of Contemporary Arts Music Series – Tuesday, 28 August – Saturday, 1 September, 2012

v  Frank Yamma, the voice from the centre of Australia,

v  The McMenamins homecoming concert,

v  Paradise Concerts featuring electrifying tour de force international piano sensation Ambre Hammond (see www.ambrehammond.com)

v  Comrade Z featuring a melee of flamboyant, sometimes irreverent traditional Eastern European music.

Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs

·         Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs, Tuesday 28 August – Sunday 2 September, Civic Theatre

Australia’s own Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs returns to Australia after storming the world with their unique brand of family entertainment.  A global dance phenomenon, Tap Dogs has won over 11 major international awards and exhilarated audiences around the world. Now they’re back on home turf to energise and hydrate Australian audiences with an explosion of dance.

•          Frank Yamma, Centre of Contemporary Arts – Wednesday, 29 August, 2012

Indigenous singer/songwriter Frank Yamma is a traditional Pitjantjatjara man from Australia's central desert. An extraordinary songwriter and an exceptional guitarist, Frank Yamma has an incredible voice, rich, deep and resonant and is regarded by many as one of Australia’s most important songwriters.

•          Jazz Up North featuring Grace Knight, Tanks Arts Centre – Friday, 31 August, 2012

This leading lady of Australian music electrified the stage as lead singer of the Eurogliders and continues to transfix with her luscious vocals.  Cairns Festival presents Grace Knight at Tanks Arts Centre as a part of the Jazz Up North series. Her luscious, sexy tracks and commanding stage presence make this a night not to be missed.

Hanuman Restaurant, Cairns

•          Secrets of Spice Spring Feast and Cooking Demonstrations at Hanuman Restaurant, Cairns – Saturday, 1 September, 2012

Welcome spring with a nine flavours banquet feast and cooking demonstration by renowned celebrity chef/owner Jimmy Shu of Hanuman Restaurants in Darwin and Cairns.  Jimmy will demonstrate his favourite recipes and chat about the ‘Secrets of Spices’ whilst you enjoy a luncheon filled with exotic culinary flavours and aromas