Brisbane Hosts Global Sensation Jersey Boys

Brisbane will join New York’s Broadway, London, Las Vegas, and the U.S. National tours as the world-wide smash hit production of Jersey Boys opens at QPAC this July.

Jersey Boys – The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is the story of how four blue collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop sensations of all time.

Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi joined forces and became The Four Seasons, writing their own hits to sell over 175 million records before they were 30!

Over 1 million people have seen the show in Melbourne and Sydney and over 14 million around the world.

Broadway Producer, Michael David, from Dodger Theatricals is thrilled to bring Jersey Boys to Brisbane.

“The show is chock full of classic Four Seasons show stopping songs and a story that is all the more riveting because it’s true,” he said.

“With an extraordinary cast, we believe Jersey Boys will engage theatregoers and send them dancing out of the Lyric Theatre!”

Jersey Boys features 20 Four Seasons hit songs including Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Rag Doll, Oh What a Night and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.

Jersey Boys – The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons has proven to be a world-wide sensation, winning four 2006 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2009.

In Australia Jersey Boys won two Helpmann Awards being Best Musical and Best Music Direction of a Musical and seven Victorian Green Room Awards.

The Jersey Boys Original Cast Recording also received a 2006 Grammy Award® for Best Musical Show Album.

This is a theatrical event not to be missed.

(Source: brisbanemarketing.com.au)

Brisbane Kicks Off Winter Festival Season

The City is set to play host to Australia’s largest winter entertainment event, The Winter Festival, from 8 June – 1 July.

Featuring an expanded programme of food, music, nightlife and family fun, and supported by key sponsor Lipton Chai Latte, the festival is set to be even more popular in 2012.

The major celebrations in in King George Square add to The Cities biggest winter calendar of events. Over the winter months, people can warm up with Fete de la Musique, the delectable Brisbane Food Festival, a visit from the Qantas Wallabies and the London Olympic celebrations.

The Winter Festival will make its Australian debut in Brisbane before moving on the other states. And due to the huge success of last year’s event and by popular demand, the program will be extended an additional week – with the third week taking place in the school holidays.

One of the highlights of the festival will be Australia’s largest open air ice skating rink.

The Winter Festival is part of a wider program of events being held to encourage Brisbanites to Warm up in The City. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said The City will be alive with activity this winter.

“While other states may shun the winter months, Queenslanders will celebrate the outdoors during the months of June and July,” Cr Quirk said.

“The City will mark the season with special food and retail offers. Plus an entertainment program which includes ice skating with Brisbane City Hall as a backdrop, it’s certainly a unique experience,” he said.

As the temperatures drop, The Winter Festivals nationally are estimated to entice 500,000 people outdoors both day and night to enjoy a unique winter experience throughout the June/July school holidays.

Director of The Winter Festival, Justin Ricketts said the program will be launched on Thursday June 7.

“Last year the Winter Festival was truly embraced by the Brisbane community, and the atmosphere and vibe during the festival was amazing. This year we wanted to thank all of those who attended, and extend an extra week for those that missed out. We look forward again to a great festival in 2012, and getting our skates on with the Brisbane community,” Mr Ricketts said.

There will be an enhanced range of activities for children throughout the day including special family discounts, school holiday programs, special guest visits from their favourite kids characters and facilities for children’s birthday parties.

There’s plenty for the adults too with a ski-themed lodge aimed at young revellers complete with roaring fireplaces, specialty European alpine cuisine & dining, licensed bars, live music and entertainment.

Those keen for a winter's night out will be rewarded with high-quality hearty comfort food and Glühwein - a type of mulled wine, rarely seen on Australian shores.

The Lipton Chai Latte lodge will return for the 2012 Winter Festivals, offering a warm space to relax after a skate, and a free delicious Lipton Chai Latte.

Marketing Manager of Lipton Chai Latte Natalie Cassar said they’re excited to be continuing their relationship with the Winter Festivals in 2012.

“We look forward to welcoming Brisbane visitors to take a break in the Lipton Chai Latte Lounge and enjoy a free exotic and indulgent cup of Lipton Chai Latte,” Ms Cassar said.

With Nova 106.9 as launch media partners, the Lipton Chai Latte Winter Festivals is again set to gain both domestic and international media coverage.

Entry to the Lipton Chai Latte Winter Festivals is free and is open from 12 noon – 10pm during weekdays and 10am – 10pm on weekends.  Skate hire and rink access tickets start from $12 for kids and $17 for adults with group and family discounts available.

Brisbane, King George Square  (8th June – 1st July)

(Source: Brisbanemarketing.com.au)

Cirque Du Soleil Prepares for Mass Insect Migration From Portland to Brisbane

The countdown to OVO is on!

Who would have thought that relocating a cast of butterflies, crickets, spiders, ants, scarab beetles, fireflies, fleas, a ladybug and a blue fly would take a military-style international operation worthy of a Mission Impossiblescript?

But these are no ordinary insects. They are the stunning cast of the critically-acclaimed family-fun packed OVOby Cirque du Soleil, set to have its Australian premiere in Brisbane on July 14 with a limited season under the trademark blue-and-yellow Big Top at Northshore Hamilton. (amazing images and cool interviews available on request!)

OVO finished playing in Portland, Oregon, USA on Sunday. Before the 12-month Australian tour can commence, the cast, crew, big top and its surrounding village must be transported all the way from Portland to Brisbane.

“The Australian tour is the first time OVO has traveled outside North America, and it’s a mammoth logistical operation, one which is planned and managed internationally by Cirque du Soleil’s Tour Logistics Department,” said OVO Production Operation Manager Derrin Brown.

The complex operational plan will ensure that the big top, sets and costumes – some 1200 tons of equipment - are pulled down, packed up and shipped to Australia in time for the first performance in Brisbane on Saturday 14 July.

“Transport of the equipment takes place over a two month period, which began in early May. Making co-ordination even more complicated is the fact that equipment for the Australian tour is originating from different countries – Canada, the UK and Germany, with the main portion coming from Portland in the United States. The Portland equipment will sail to Australia out of the Port of Seattle,” said Brown. “Approximately 78 containers will be transported, with all equipment travelling by boat.

“To ensure Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services requirements are fully met, all the equipment – down to the ‘nails’ that hold the tents down - must be washed before being placed in the containers.   It’s a huge operation, but all equipment should be safe and sound in Brisbane by early July.”

Then there’s the cast and crew. Over 60 bicycles and 410 suitcases will be transported to help make Australia their home for the next year. The cast of OVO features 54 performing artists from 16 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts. One highlight of the show is the stunning Flying Act in which a group of scarab beetles soar high above the stage, from both edges to the middle landing on a platform. This breathtaking act combines many circus disciplines: banquine, Russian swing and swinging chair.

Since its world premiere in 2009, OVO has visited more than 15 cities in Canada, United States and Mexico, delighting over 2 million spectators.  OVO, meaning “egg” in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. 

Cirque du Soleil

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment.

The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL - OVO - 2012/2013 AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Brisbane - From July 14 2012, Northshore Hamilton
Sydney - From September 13 2012, Showring at The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Adelaide - From December 6 2012, Location to be advised
Melbourne - From January 17 2013, Melbourne Docklands
Perth - From April 14 2013, Langley Park

(Source: etravelblackboard.com)

Cirque Du Soleil Prepares for Mass Insect Migration From Portland to Brisbane

June Events in Queensland

 

There's something about "Maryborough" and listings for other events across Queensland such as Jumpers and Jazz Festival, the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival and many more for June.

Please note, this listing is based on events supported by Events Queensland and is not an exhaustive list of events for this period.)

For more events during this period please refer to www.queenslandholidays.com.au/events

MAJOR EVENT: Cairns Airport Adventure Festival
27 May - 4 June 2012
Where: Cairns
Phone: 07 3868 2444
Web: www.cairnsadventurefestival.com.au

Set in one of the world's most iconic tropical locations, the 2012 Cairns Airport Adventure Festival features 10 jam-packed days of events for people of all ages and abilities including: Urban Hotel Group Ironman 70.3; Coral Coast Triathlon, RRR Mountain Bike Challenge, Great Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge, Quicksilver Reef Swim - Green Island, The Cairns Post Run for Cairns and Challenge Junior - a triathlon designed especially for kids! Plus there's plenty of entertainment with a free community concert.

The pinnacle event of the festival is 'Cairns Airport Ironman Cains' a gruelling iron-distance triathlon that features a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike leg that travels one of the most scenic coastal roads in Australia towards Port Douglas and a 42.2km run that includes the Cairns Esplanade before finishing in the heart of Cairns.

Classic Country Music Stampede
8 - 10 June 2012
Where: Maryborough
Web: www.classiccountrymusicstampede.com.au

The Classic Country Music Stampede is a great weekend of classic country music with some of Australia's finest artists performing live. Artists who have confirmed their attendance for the 2012 festival include: Craig Giles, Kinta, Ian B Macleod, Reg Poole, Laura Downing, Peter Pratt and Lindsay Waddington, Sandy Atkinson Pedal Steel Guitar, Phil and Chris Coad, The Band Just Jack. Camping is available at the showgrounds.

SEASON OF SAILING: Etchells Australian Winter Championship
7 - 10 June 2012
Where: Mooloolaba
Web: www.mooetchells.yachting.org.au

Enjoy world-class sailing held close to the shores of Mooloolaba Beach with Olympic, World Champion and America's Cup sailors competing in the three-day international competition.

Jandowae Timbertown Festival
8-11 June 2012
Where: Jandowae
Web: www.jandowaetimbertown.org.au/

The Jandowae Timbertown Festival is a biannual community festival which has been held since 2001 and celebrates the contribution that the timber industry and workers have made to the heritage and economy of Jandowae. The festival is also a celebration of the thriving local agricultural and manufacturing industries that sustain Jandowae, and of the many talented and proactive community groups that make it such a great place to live, work and play.

Boyne Tannum Hookup
8 - 10 June 2012
Where: Tannum Sands
Web: www.boynetannumhookup.com.au/

Separated by the Boyne River the towns of Boyne and Tannum have united to host one of Australia's best fishing competitions. It features not only a great contest, with boats and camping trailers up for grabs, but entertainment from Dave Hodge (the barefoot fisherman) and top musicians as well as the tag fish tank and excellent fishing and boating displays. The Hookup is also a charity event with all proceeds from the competition and merchandise going to the Bushfire Brigade.

Cooktown Discovery Festival
8 - 11 June 2012
Where: Cooktown
Web: www.cooktowndiscoveryfestival.com.au

The Cooktown Discovery Festival is an annual event held in Cooktown, Far North Queensland, to celebrate the landing of Lt. James Cook at the Endeavour River in 1770 and his meeting with the local Guugu Yimithirr and Kuku Yalanji people. For 50 years, the people of Cooktown have come together every June to celebrate this historic event by staging a fully costumed re-enactment of Cooks landing and his time spent in this tropical paradise with the local Bama (aboriginal people).

Tour of Toowoomba 201214-17 June 2012
Where: Toowoomba
Web: www.touroftoowoomba.com/

If you're into cycling, then Toowoomba is the place to be for the FKG Tour of Toowoomba. You'll have the opportunity to be part of an action packed weekend of cycling. The choice is yours - either enter the Endeavour Challenge, a sport open to all recreational cyclists, or be there to see the top teams in Australia compete in the grueling three day FK Gardner and Sons Construction Tour of Toowoomba. Other highlights include a Sports Dinner. This National Road Series three day event is an initiative of the Toowoomba Cycling Club and supported by both Cycling Queensland and Cycling Australia.

Porcupine Gorge National Park Challenge
16 June 2012
Where: Hughenden
Web: www.porcupinegorgechallenge.com.au

Some call it Queensland's Grand Canyon but it's better known as Porcupine Gorge. This event is not only to challenge serious competitors but to give the opportunity for locals and adjoining communities to enjoy the wonderful natural attraction of the gorge whilst walking with friends.

Competitors travel from vast distances to compete in the 8 kilometer event; some who camp at the Gorge for the weekend enjoy more than just the challenge. Categories include Open Men's, Ladies and Under 16 and Under 12 section for boys and girls, with the overall winner taking pride of place on the perpetual trophy. A special perpetual trophy is also awarded to the first local Flinders Shire resident past the post.

Surfers Paradise Festival
20 June - 14 July 2012
Where: Surfers Paradise
Web: http://www.surfersparadisefestival.com

Surfers Paradise Festival is an annual community celebration of music, food, fashion, film and art and a key driver of the Gold Coast's long-term cultural development. Across the four weekends of the festival, the Surfers Paradise precinct becomes a dynamic, inclusive and interactive event space and a hub of Gold Coast creativity.

The free event platforms local and international talent within the streets and venues of Surfers Paradise, across an accessible mix of family events, exhibitions, live music, street markets and short film screenings.

Mackay Tinnie & Tackle Show
23 -24 June 2012
Where: Mackay
Web: http://www.mackaymarinefestival.com.au/

Fishing, big and small boats, engines, jet ski's, ski boats and getting on the water... what more could a family want? At Mackay's ultimate marine event - The Mackay Marine Festival - you will find all this and more.

The Mackay Tinnie and Tackle Show is a fantastic showcase of everything the region's marine industry has to offer. There are also plenty of activities for the kids from Marine and Fishing Workshops through to face painting and rock climbing walls. Part of the Mackay Marine Festival, it's all happening at the Mackay Marina.

Sail Mooloolaba
23 -30 June 2012
Where: Mooloolaba
Web: www.sailmooloolaba.yachting.org.au

Sail Mooloolaba is an annual sailing event that brings together junior, youth and senior sailors from the east coast of Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand, across large and small dinghies, and monohull and multihull keel boats, to race in a two-day regatta on the beautiful waters off Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.

Cairns to Karumba Bike Ride
24 - 30 June 2012
Where: Cairns
Web: www.ridefnq.com

Get outback! The Coast to Coast Bike Ride began through the Cairns School of Distance Education P&C Association in 1996/97 to initially address the need to build a multi-purpose activity centre for the school site in Cairns. The event is now a seven day Cairns to Karumba bike ride that will see bicyle riders travel through the outback towns of the iconic Savannah way. Riders can join the back along the way or travel the entire 780km ride.

Mary Poppins Festival
27 June - 1 July 2012
Where: Maryborough
Web: www.marypoppinsfestival.com.au

Mary Poppins mania hits Maryborough, the birthplace of author P.L. Travers, this June and July. Closet nannies emerge, vintage prams hit the streets, there is chalk art, music, a parade and fireworks. Here are a few little-known connections between Maryborough and the Mary Poppins novels (of which there were eight). Did you know that...

Travers' father was the bank manager in Maryborough just like her character Mr Banks The building where Travers lived is just a short stroll from Maryborough's majestic Queens Park, which bears strong resemblance to the park of the novels near the Banks' home, frequented by Mary Poppins and her young wards Travers' first Mary Poppins novel included a party at the zoo among the animals.

Queens Park once housed a zoo and an aviary In the novel and film Admiral Boom is a former naval officer who lived next door to the Banks family and fired his cannon to mark the hours. In Maryborough, during Travers' parents' time a cannon was fired every day at 1pm to let the workers in the cane fields know to come in for lunch

History aside - this is fabulous fun! Head to Maryborough in June and July and enjoy this wonderful family festival.

June Events in Queensland

Aussie Travel Tax Hike Slap in Face

The Australian Government’s decision to increase its passenger departure tax by 17% to AU$55 is a slap in the face for both countries’ tourism industries, says Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chairman Norm Thompson.

“The increase will be a barrier to the almost 1.2 million Australians who travel to New Zealand annually,” says Mr Thompson. “Australia is our largest and most valuable visitor market and our aim is to encourage travel here.”

He says the Australian Government’s recent budget announcement that it was increasing its passenger movement charge (PMC) from 1 July 2012 by A$8 to A$55 comes at a time when TIA and the Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) have been lobbying for the tax to be cut.

“We have been pushing for a seamless border experience that will increase the flow of trans-Tasman travel, with streamlined border processing and ‘mates rates’ to halve the PMC for Kiwis and Australians. 

“Instead the Australian Government has imposed this hefty increase on a tax that is already high. A family of four Aussies holidaying in New Zealand will have to pay NZ$280 departure tax just to leave their country.”

Mr Thompson says he has briefed Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key on the potential impact of the PMC increase and says Mr Key has advised he will take it up with his Australian counterpart Julia Gillard.

“We are pleased the Australian government will roll out additional SmartGate automated passport control machines at its international airports. This is something TIA and TTF have been advocating for as it will make travel easier, but the negative impact of the PMC increase will far outweigh any benefits our tourism industries might derive from this.

“Kiwi and Australian holidaymakers will give the Australian government an additional NZ$23.8 million in 2012-13 as a result of the PMC increase. While they have said some of the money will go towards Tourism Australia, our experience with the UK’s airport departure tax shows unfair tax grabs such as this disappear into the government coffers.”  

Mr Thompson says increased travel flows between New Zealand and Australia would benefit both nations economically and TIA and TTF will fight the PMC increase.

 Aussie Travel Tax Hike Slap in Face

Ticket Prices to the Queensland Bledisloe Frozen at 2011 Prices

Australian Rugby Union has announced tickets to the third and final Bledisloe Cup Test at Suncorp Stadium in October had been frozen at 2011 prices.

The decision to maintain last year’s prices came despite the corresponding game last year, which the Qantas Wallabies won securing their first Tri Nations title in a decade, selling out in fifteen minutes.
ARU Managing Director and CEO, John O’Neill AO, said while it would have been easy to increase ticket prices after last year’s sell out, ARU was determined to reward Queensland fans for their ongoing support of the game.

“The atmosphere created at last year’s Suncorp Test between the Qantas Wallabies and the All Blacks was electric and we want to encourage that atmosphere and the sea of Gold that came with it to return again this year,” Mr O’Neill said.

“We also wanted to show the fans in Queensland how much we appreciate their loyalty and support of the Qantas Wallabies and Rugby in Queensland.

“As per last year an Adult ticket can be purchased from just $84 and a family ticket for four from $189. We believe it represents excellent value for money to what could be the Test that decides the Bledisloe.”

Tickets to the highly anticipated trans-Tasman clash will go on sale on Tuesday, 17 July, through Ticketek.

Tickets to the opening Test of the Castrol Edge Wales Tour, on Saturday 9 June at Suncorp Stadium, will go on sale on through the Ticketek website on Tuesday 22 May and will be priced at similar levels to when the Welsh visited in 2003.

Tickets for the Test between the Qantas Wallabies and Wales – the two countries which clashed in the Rugby World Cup bonze playoff – will start from $49 for adults and $98 for a family of four.
Those prices represent an increase of just $8 for adults and $16 for families compared to the 2003 ticket prices.

Mr O’Neill said ARU wanted to ensure Test tickets remained as affordable as possible.

“Over the last few years we have focused on ensuring ticket prices to Qantas Wallabies Tests are appealing to families and Rugby fans,” Mr O’Neill said.

“That is why we have decided to keep tickets to the opening Castrol Edge Wales Test in Brisbane as close to the 2003 prices as possible.

“The Welsh showed in last year’s Rugby World Cup and again on our spring tour that they are a good side who will play entertaining and attacking Rugby.

“The Castrol Edge Wales Tour will be an exciting Test series and I am sure demand for tickets will be great, not just because of the price of tickets, but because they will be three excellent Tests.”

Get nearby accommodation at Metro Hotel Tower Mill in Brisbane
Ticket Prices to the Queensland Bledisloe Frozen at 2011 Prices

Brisbane Racing Carnival Grand Final

More than 20,000 people are expected to turn out for Queensland’s biggest racing event of the year, the AAMI Stradbroke Day.

The event, which has become the grand final of the Channel Seven Brisbane Racing Carnival, will be held on Saturday, June 9 at Eagle Farm Racecourse.

The super Saturday of racing will feature the $1million Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke Handicap, Australia’s premier sprint race.

Brisbane Racing Club Chairman Kevin Dixon said he was looking forward to what is going to be an epic state of origin style clash in this year’s AAMI Stradbroke.

“The greatest races always involve great horses and so it was our vision to create the ultimate showdown of Australasia’s racing champions here in Brisbane and set a new benchmark in Australian racing,” he said.

The Brisbane Racing Club recently launched the Australasian Challenge, a new invitational scheme to attract Australasia’s best horses to the Brisbane Racing Carnival to compete against the best in their league.

Race fees and travel expenses for winning horses from select sprint races will be covered by the scheme.

Invitations to the million dollar Stradbroke have already been sent to Winterbottom Stakes winner, Ortensia, and the NZ Telegraph Stakes winner, Guiseppina.

“The Australasian Challenge will be the ultimate trifecta – the nation’s best horses, in a first class racing carnival, located in the state which has the best winter weather,” Mr Dixon said.

Other key highlights will include the carnival’s premier staying race for three-year-olds, the $500,000 Group 1 Channel Seven Queensland Derby, the middle distance Group 1 T.J. Smith for two-year-olds, as well as the Group 2 Brisbane Cup.

Following a partnership with Brisbane BMW and Westside BMW, winning horses won’t be the only ones celebrating on the day.

“Any trainer whose horse places in the top four in both the Doomben 10,000 and the Stradbroke Handicap will have a chance to select 1 of 50 keys which unlock a new BMW 5 Series Sedan with a retail value of $95,139 drive away,” Mr Dixon said.

“Should no trainer achieve that feat, the winning trainer of the Stradbroke Handicap will be extended that opportunity.

“We feel this is yet another opportunity to reward trainers for supporting our carnival by preparing their horses to run in our feature events.”

The Brisbane Racing Club has a number of hospitality and ticketing options on offer this year to suit all race-goers including the opening of the Homestraight Lawn for the city’s biggest picnic.
“Patrons will be able to drive their cars into the centre of the racing action and have a picnic,” Mr Dixon said.

“You can sit back and watch the best racing Australasia has to offer from the comfort of your own car.”

Alternatively, there are a number of marquees on offer including the glamorous David Jones Stewards Lawn Marquee where guests can rub shoulders with celebrities including Megan Gale, Emma Freedman and Samantha Harris and enjoy food prepared by award-winning Australian chef, Philip Johnson.

Brisbane Racing Club spokeswoman Pru Reed said red, white and black will reign supreme in the fashion stakes.

“Be sure to incorporate red, white and black in your outfit, millinery or accessories to stay true to racewear tradition on Stradbroke Day.

“Brisbane’s most prestigious raceday calls for your finest frock, millinery or suit (for men) so pull out all stops when putting together your outfit,” Mrs Reed said.

For the first time Channel Seven will cover Queensland’s premier race event between 2pm and 4pm live on the Seven network nationally.

The commentary team for Seven’s two hour telecast will feature Australia’s pre-eminent sports broadcaster, Bruce McAvaney, alongside Pat Welsh, Bart Sinclair, Wayne Wilson, Kimberley Busteed and Sofie Formica.

Gates open on AAMI Stradbroke Day at 10am with the first race scheduled for shortly after midday.
(Source: www.brisbanemarketing.com.au)