Latest news with #FestivalBoard
ABC News
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Australian Festival of Chamber Music moving from Townsville to Cairns
The Australian Festival of Chamber Music, founded in Townsville in 1991, will move to Cairns next year. It is a blow to Townsville in the longstanding rivalry with Cairns for the title of capital of North Queensland. In 2024 the festival generated $19 million for the Queensland economy, bringing more than 1,100 tourists to Townsville. "Sometimes you need to leave home to grow," festival director Mary Jo Capps said. The annual event runs for 10 days with a variety of concerts, conversations and masterclasses. It also features outdoor concerts in Townsville's lush city gardens or on the beaches of nearby Orpheus Island. But the director said the choice to move hinged on festival growth and the need to enhance the audience experience. For 20 years the festival board had been advocating for a purpose-built concert hall in Townsville. A total $100 million had been allocated to the project, but last year the council decided to spend it on Townsville's Reef HQ aquarium instead. "Cairns already has a precinct with hotels, restaurants, public transport, all in the vicinity of the performance venue," Ms Capps said. "It eliminates the need for buses, taxis, cars, which has been a challenge in Townsville." Townsville City Council also declined to pay for a bus subsidy and a concert garden. But the council has provided $140,000 in annual funding for the festival for the past three years. "When we started talking to Cairns, we told Townsville," Ms Capps said. Cairns is a four-hour drive north of Townsville via the Bruce Highway. The Far North Queensland city has an international airport and a dedicated performing arts centre — unlike Townsville. "Many of the things that we had to work around in Townsville are already in place," Ms Capps said. "This is about future growth but it doesn't erase the past. "Townsville and its community have given us incredible support. "We will always honour that legacy." Acting Townsville Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said it was sad to see the festival move but she wished the event well. "We have proudly supported the Australian Festival of Chamber Music for more than 30 years," Cr Greaney said. "The festival has fostered generations of talented musicians and chamber music lovers, putting Townsville on the international map. "We are looking forward to raising the bar higher than ever for our northern cousins as we celebrate the 2025 festival in Townsville." The 2025 festival will take place from July 25 to August 2.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shaw Local Radio Podcast: Talk-Line with Steve Marco interviews Bethany Wright, Dixon Petunia Festival
Jun. 11—Listen to "Bethany Wright, Dixon Petunia Festival" on Spreaker. The TALK-LINE interview for June 10 featured 2025 Dixon Petunia Festival Board President Bethany Wright. Wright discusses some pre-fest deadlines for registration into festival activities along with fundraising tickets available, pre-carnival and pre-music entertainment tickets available, new events on the festival schedule, changes to some events due to construction areas and a look at some festival "favorites." Like what you hear? Be sure to visit WIXN, part of Shaw Local Radio. We're also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
