Spring and Summer Festival Guide

For a fun filled cultural Spring and Summer you definitely need to check out the festivals happening around the country.

Brisbane Festival

The Brisbane Festival 2012 will be filled with ample amounts of arts and cultural activities, shows and concerts running from September 8-29. It includes free outdoor events, galleries, productions scattered all over the city in parks and public places.

It is an annual event initiated to enthuse and foster people about the arts in Brisbane. Now it is one of the most highly respected and acclaimed international arts festivals.

With many genres covered such as classical music, opera, orchestras, original compositions, dance and comedy there is definitely something for everyone’s taste and perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

The Courier Mail Spiegeltent at the Brisbane Festival

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

From March 27- April 21, Melbourne will be in full festive swing hosting the 27^th annual Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Already with an internationally acclaimed title it is classed as one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world, alongside Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival. Over 500,000 people attend every year making it the biggest festival in Australia.  

Located in Australia’s comedy capital Melbourne, it has an enormous program of stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, street performance, film, television, radio and visual arts. It attracts both international and Australian performers.

Launched in 1987 by Barry Humphries and Peter Cook it aims to discover, develop and showcase great talent to inspire and entertain the broad based audience. It holds a variety of open microphone comedy competitions including RAW Comedy, Class Clowns aimed for secondary school children and Deadly Funny which creates a whole career path for indigenous comedians.

 It runs for three and half weeks and definitely something not to be missed. 

The Festive Club at Melbournes International Comedy Festival

Sydney Festival

Every January running from 5-28, Sydney Festival transforms Sydney with a bold cultural celebration by showcasing the highest quality art and unique ideas from both national and international artists.

Festival First Night is the unique opening show for this free event which attracts over 200,000 people which is the perfect curtain raiser to this three week ticketed and free program drawing in crowds of over 650,000. The following Saturday also present free concerts held in the famous Domain Park. 

The program is quite diverse with burlesque circus performances to New York raps to Russian theatre whilst also incorporating contemporary dance, family programs and traditional Indigenous arts. There are 300 performances, around 100 events performed by 1,000 artists in at least 20 venues each year. The events are held throughout Sydney’s CBD including Hyde Park, Botanic Gardens and Hyde Park Barracks. 

Main Stage at Sydney Festival

Falls Music & Arts Festival

For the music goers who want to enter the New Year jam packed with fine tunes, fun in the sun, camping and arts then Falls Music & Arts Festival is definitely something to check out. It is held from the 29 December -1 January simultaneously in Lorne, Victoria and Marion Bay, Tasmania.

There is a smorgasbord of activities and entertainment over the few days. Boogie Nights is a night to dance your problems away along to music from all over the globe. The Village is a party and festival within a festival filled with weird and wonderful things to discover such as circus workshops, morning yoga and samba classes. Other events include the APRA Peoples’ Stage, Falls Films, Fiesta & Art Camp and UTAS which the students of the University of Tasmania put on a show discovering the ‘art of sounds’.

It originated from a small family catch-up around the campfire with friends and their guitars to an annual event which involves the whole community recognising the importance of the arts. 

Attendees have the option of onsite or offsite accommodation of either an earthy camping experience or more civil cabins. 

Fiesta & Art Camp at Falls Music & Arts Festival

 

Perth International Arts Festival

The Perth International Arts Festival is held annually during 8 February - 2 March. Entering over 50 years it offers some of the world’s best theatre, music, film, street arts, visual arts, literature and free community events. It is about giving local performers a platform and opportunity to showcase their talent and for attendees to enjoy. It raises the profile of local artists to an international portfolio and context. Informing the masses of the cultural and environmental context of Western Australia including Indigenous heritage is an important part of the festival.

Attracting more than 300,000 patrons the festival grows bigger and better every year.

Performance at Perth INternational Arts Festival

Adelaide Fringe

The Adelaide Fringe takes over Adelaide creating a buzzing atmosphere full of culture, music and art. During 15 February – 17 March Adelaide opens its doors to all artists who want that opportunity to display their talents to a massive live audience for some whom it may be the first time.

Spanning for 4 weeks it includes home-grown talent along-side artists of cabaret, comedy, circus, dance, film, theatre, puppetry, music, visual art and design. Situated in pop up venues as well as theatres, hotels, art galleries, cafes and town halls it hosts over 900 events. 

The uniqueness of the Adelaide Fringe is that it does not run venues itself rather supports, encourages and facilitates the registered artists with marketing, ticketing, programming, scheduling and designating participants a venue. 

Opening Night at Adelaide Fringe

Canberra Festival

In 2013 Canberra with be celebrating its 100^th birthday and would be the perfect time to attend the Canberra Festival. Held during the 2-18 March this 17 day event highlights the cities talent and unique qualities through exhibitions, displays, sports, music, film, dance and theatre. 

It comprises several minor events all emphasizing different art forms. Enlighten features Australia’s famous attractions which hosts performances, exhibitions, tours and exclusive dining experiences. Others include Lights! Canberra! Action! a short film competition, The Balloon Spectacular displays some amazing hot air balloons, Symphony in the Park and Telstra Ballet in the Park celebrate 50 years of Australian Ballet.

Balloons Spectacular at Canberra Festival

Jabbawockeez arrive on the Gold Coast

Direct from Vegas, world famous dance crew the Jabbawockeez will make their Australian premiere at Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast. They will be performing their critically acclaimed MÜS.I.C (muse-i-see) show. This is not a typical dance performance as it features a unique mix of freestyle movement and theatre.

If you don’t already know, you are probably wondering who the JABBAWOCKEEZ are. They rose to fame with their 2006 appearance on the show ‘Americas Got Talent’ and then they went on to win MTV’s Americas Best Dance Crew in 2008.

The Jabbawockeez take to the stage as a unified group, and wear their signature expressionless white masks and gloves to guide the audience’s attention away from individual identities and focus on their distinctive style.

MÜS.I.C is directed by Emmy-nominated and “So You Think You Can Dance” choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon. It is a full-scale production that appeals to a wide audience with captivating characters, heart-felt themes, laugh-out-loud comedy and a track list of songs to suit all ages. This 90 minute show promises to evoke Laughter, tears and will definitely move you.

Jabbawockeez will bring the all-encompassing energy of MÜS.I.C to Jupiters new 20 million dollar Theatre for a strictly limited season. The Sunlover Holidays Brisbane office were lucky to have these awesome, talented guys visit to promote their show - bringing along some of the characters in full costume. 

Jabawockeez crew visiting the Sunlover Holidays office

There are nightly performances Tuesday through Saturday at 7.30pm, Sunday evenings at 4pm, Wednesday 1pm Matinees and a Saturday Matinee starting at 3pm. Season ends August 16, 2012.

Don’t miss out on this experience, book your tickets now! Book a dinner and show package or make a night of it and stay at Jupiters Hotel and Casino. 

Get ready to get your "wookee on”.

Melbourne: What you need to know

The City

In Melbourne there is a multitude of laneways just begging for exploration. Discover trendy bars and cafes, plus exciting street art. In the more refined arcades you can browse through couture boutiques, discover new designers and spend up big at vintage stores. After hitting the shops kick back with a coffee at one of the many cafes in Degraves Street, the cobbled bluestone laneway from Flinders Street to Flinders Lane. 

Melbourne Laneway

Sport

Melbourne has a calendar packed full of sporting events. The Australian Open Tennis Tournament kicks off the year with 2 weeks of heart pumping tennis action in January; March brings the Formula 1 Grand Prix to Albert Park (just east of the city); winter offers AFL games each week at the MCG or Etihad Stadium in the redeveloped Docklands and the year caps off with Melbourne Cup Spring Racing Carnival. Sunlover Holidays enjoys a great tradition of offering packages to the Melbourne Cup each year. Choose from entry with reserved seating to marquee packages including lunch and drinks. 

Melbourne Cup Carnival

Shopping

The city centre offers QV, Queen Victoria Market and the GPO with a offer a range of shopping options from budget to designer. Treasures are to be found in the laneways and alleyways, so don’t be scared to lose your way, as you might stumble across a gem. The best way to navigate the city is by the free city circle tram. On the fringe of the city centre is Bridge Road in Richmond, home to many high street factory outlets; Gertrude Street in Fitzroy offer eclectic clothing labels and Chapel Street in South Yarra and Prahran offers boutiques, designers and high street stores. Don’t miss Topshop, the first of the famous British fashion chain stores to open in Australia. There are also several large shopping malls offering the chain clothing stores and department stores in the suburbs of the city. To learn from those in the know, take a shopping tour of the best spots in the city. 

Tram outside of Flinders Station

Music

There is a thriving live music scene in Melbourne. Inner city hipsters enjoy intimate venues in down city laneways or above a corner pub in streets such as Brunswick in Fitzroy. East of the city rock, folk and indie bands can be found playing in the trendy suburbs of St Kilda, Windsor and Prahran. Chapel Street in particular is well known for nightclubs, bars and restaurants that fill the streets each Friday and Saturday night.

Comedy

Continuing with the trend of enjoying live entertainment comes Melbourne Comedy festival. Each year in March and April comedians from around the world take to Melbourne to enjoy one of the largest comedy festivals in the world.  If you can’t get to the city in autumn, you can still enjoy comedy all year in the smaller venues such as Comedy at Spleen.

Melbourne

Art

Spend an afternoon strolling through the halls of the National Gallery of Victoria’s international collection or the Victorian Arts Centre. For outdoor art fused with architecture walk through Federation Square. If you prefer discovering new art then head to the laneways to find street art and small galleries offering local artists. 

Dining

Food and wine is a passion in this city. Visit Lygon Street in Carlton for great Italian fare, Lonsdale Street in the city for Greek food or Little Bourke Street in Chinatown for Asian dishes. Travel in March and you can be a part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Over 250 events are open to the public, including markets at Southbank, Federation Square and the Docklands. There are master chef classes, cooking displays, wine tastings, degustation dining events, five course brunches, international cuisine evenings and chocolate making classes.