North Queensland to host Hat Trick of Arts Festivals from late July

Townsville will be hosting a hat trick of artistic celebration from 28th July: an internationally acclaimed chamber music festival; a nationally significant outdoor sculpture festival, and a festival of pop-up exhibitions, performances and art.

The Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) leads the charge, opening on Friday 28th July and running through to Saturday 5th August.

With it, comes a raft of international artists and visitors, as well as hundreds of chamber music fans from across Australia.

The program this year features concerts, collaborations, conversations and masterclasses performed by the world’s best chamber musicians in churches, theatres, gardens and on the stunning Orpheus Island.

The event wil also be the final festival for celebrated Artistic Director Piers Lane AO, featuring a line-up of 42 extraordinary artists, including 13 from overseas, and three leading Australian ensembles in the Goldner String Quartet, Orava Quartet (Strings) and the Nexus Quartet (Saxophone). Four international artists will make their Australian debut at the 27th AFCM.

Strand Ephemera 2017: The North's Sculpture Festival is the North’s largest outdoor sculpture festival staged over 10 days and nights along The Strand from Friday 28th July to Sunday 6th August.

Artworks will be competing for the major $10,000 Award for Artistic Excellence. Among them are local, national and international artists.

Running alongside the exhibition will be a selection of non-competitive feature artists from around the globe, vibrant performances by Townsville’s own Dancenorth and AFCM, and a series of workshops and programs for young and old to enjoy.

Completing Townsville’s festival trilogy is Pop Up North Queensland (PUNQ), a collaboration of pop-up exhibitions and shops curated to reflect the shifting cultural landscape of the region, and to activate spaces throughout the city’ CBD.

Organised by Umbrella Studio contemporary arts, the festival will feature nearly 40 unique pop-ups from local and interstate artists, creatives and makers. The program will include exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, classic film screenings and some of the coolest pop-up shops around!

AFCM Executive Director Justin Ankus said Townsville is set to sound and look incredible over the festival period, with artists from all genres and from all over the world converging to celebrate their talents.

Ankus states “as most of Australia shivers through a cold winter, the AFCM together with Strand Ephemera and Pop Up North Queensland will shine the light firmly on Townsville as one of the most spectacular locations anywhere in the world.

“Winter in North Queensland is famed by holiday-makers and sunseekers around the world, with the region averaging 25 degrees each stunning day. Townsville boasts on average 320 days of sunshine each year; and with the winter sun in July and August particularly magical, it’s the perfect destination for these three brilliant arts celebrations.”

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the three events combined would make a visually stunning and highly entertaining program for the city.

Mayor Hill added “Townsville prides itself on hosting world-class events and we are pleased to be offering locals and visitors to the city a fantastic program for all ages this winter.

“The music, the art and the engaging programs associated with these three events with the backdrop of Townsville at this time of year, is just unbeatable. I encourage people to join in and be a part of this fantastic hat trick of arts events.”

Australian Festival of Chamber Music: 28th July to 5th August
www.afcm.com.au 
 
Strand Ephemera 2017: The North's Sculpture Festival
28th July to 6th August 
www.strandephemera.com.au
 
Pop Up North Queensland: 28th July to 6th August
www.umbrella.org.au/punq/

Images: Australian Festival of Chamber Music 

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