Program revealed for The Noosa Longweekend Festival, 15-24 June 2012
Over 80 cultural events staged over 10 days and nights.

A Barbra Streisand impersonator, a Shakespearean legend, an Australian diva, an R-Rated play, a GFC Forum, the First Noosa Book Club, an award winning ventriloquist and an Australian exclusive film preview were just some of the 80-plus events revealed today (3.5.12) as part of the 11th Noosa Longweekend Festival program. The festival will be staged from Friday 15 June to Sunday 24 June, 2012 at various venues throughout Noosa and the surrounding hinterland. Tickets go on sale Tuesday 8 May.

Festival Director, Ian Mackellar said that this year’s 10 day (and night) line-up of art, literature, food and fun was one of the most entertaining and exciting that he had programmed, with local and national guests sharing the stage with international artists from New York, London and Quebec.

“As we kick off a second decade of Noosa Longweekend Festivals, we’ve tried to push the envelope a little by including quite a few first-time festival guests as well as featuring a few events that could be considered a little risqué.

“Of course a new David Williamson play forms part of our festival fabric each year and this year we are presenting his new black comedy When Dad Married Fury, direct from its Ensemble season in Sydney.

“We have two, exclusive Australian events including a preview of Bruce Beresford’s new film Peace, Love and Misunderstanding starring Jane Fonda which will be followed by a question and answer session with Bruce and Richard Fidler, and a free Paul Smith photographic exhibition of music legends,” Ian said.

“Eleven Queensland premiere events will form part of the festival in 2012 including our opening night performance by Australian music diva, Debra Byrne with her new show Ripe; an exquisite contemporary dance performance produced especially for the Australian Ballet’s 50th Anniversary from Brisbane’s Expressions Dance Company; an absolutely amazing Barbra Streisand impersonator, Steven Brinberg with his show Simply Barbra direct from New York; and the very first Noosa Book Club with Jennifer Byrne, Marieke Hardy, Jason Steger, Charlotte Wood and Di Morrissey.

The festival program was launched in style with Australian cabaret sensation Catherine Alcorn belting out Bette Midler numbers including Friends and Delta Dawn from her show The Divine Miss Bette and local cellist Louise King performing as part of Lucid Dance Company’s contemporary dance performance, Dancing with Bach.

Ian said the 2012 festival focused on an expansive, but not expensive range of events.

“As well as our free events, we have kept ticket prices affordable and accessible to all.  

“The beauty of The Noosa Longweekend Festival is that with 80-plus events there’s something for all tastes, age groups and budgets to enjoy.

“For those who wish to enjoy a variety of acts in the one event, I’d encourage them to attend our four hour Festival Highlights Celebration Concert on the last day of the festival, Sunday 25 June,” he said.

“Last year we had over 650 people in attendance and I anticipate that it will be a full house once again.”

Some of The Noosa Longweekend Festival 2012 program highlights include –

MUSIC. Debra Byrne  - and her opening night concert, Ripe; The Lost Fingers – a sensational jazz trio direct from Quebec, Canada; Cohen Koans - the Music of Leonard Cohen performed by Ali Hughes and her band Ali and the Thieves; Simply Barbra – show by Steven Brinberg, direct from New York, rated as the world’s leading ‘Impersonator’ of Barbra Streisand ; Cabaret Whore - Sarah Louise Young, direct from London, star of the Edinburgh Festival 2011; Desert Stars Dancing - Anthony Garcia and William Barton in concert, classical guitar and didgeridoo; The Divine Miss Bette – Catherine Alcorn with her Bette Midler tribute show as a double bill with Just Like You Only Different  show by Angela Harding,  Australian Cabaret Showcase winner 2011; Firebird String Trio; Marina Prior and Kane Alexander – a four (4) course dinner plus performance with Australia’s ‘leading lady’ and Kane; Festival Highlights Celebration Concert – featuring guests of the festival, together with rising local stars.

SUPPER CLUBS. A series of four supper clubs, featuring: Belladiva - four sopranos in concert; Darren Carr - Australia’s leading ventriloquist and multiple MO award winner; Nick Christo - with his new show Well Swung;  Lucy Maunder - starring in Berlin, In the Key of Black which features the songs of Irving Berlin.

DANCE. Dancing with Bach – contemporary dance performed by Lucid Dance Theatre featuring internationally renowned Sunshine Coast cellist Louise King; Expressions Dance Company – contemporary dance program with original work commissioned for the Australian Ballet 50th Anniversary Gala performance (to be performed June 16th 2012 in Melbourne then direct to The Noosa Longweekend Festival).

THEATRE. When Dad Married Fury - by David Williamson. Directed by Sandra Bates; Erotique - R Rated series of themed vignettes; One Act Play Festival – in Association with Noosa Arts Theatre. The three finalists from the National One Act Play competition, final performance includes award presentation.

LITERATURE. A list of authors and guest speakers confirmed including:  John Bell; Kate Grenville; Peter FitzSimons; Di Morrissey; Hilary Linstead; Marieke Hardy; Jennifer Byrne; Charlotte Wood; Andrew Denton; Jason Steiger; Robin de Crespigny ; Kaz Cooke.  Moderators and Interviewers: David Williamson; Peter Thompson; Richard Fidler; Barrie Cassidy and Paul Barclay.

FORUMS. Caught Between Giants - China and the USA; The GFC – what are its lessons and is anyone listening?; Coal Seam Gas – economic bonanza or environmental disaster?; Making Sense of Canberra’s Chaos - Insiders with Barrie Cassidy.

FILM. Peace, Love and Misunderstanding - Bruce Beresford’s latest film, starring Jane Fonda. Australian preview followed by a Q & A with Bruce and ABC 90.3Coast FM’s Richard Fidler.

WORKSHOPS. Natural Balance Dog Training Workshops with Chris De Aboitiz; Welcome to the World of Theatre workshop ; Pick a Plot – youth writing workshop; First Impressions - preparing  for auditions workshop; Dance workshop with Lucid Dance Theatre; Guitar Workshop – with Anthony Garcia; Romance Writing workshop; Playwriting Workshop – with Noosa Arts Theatre.

FOOD EVENTS. Hinterland Gourmet Safari – progressive day of food over three locations; Crab Crawl  -progressive three course lunch with wine, featuring succulent crab; Duck Waddle -progressive three course lunch with wine, featuring duck; The Street Promenade - progressive three course lunch with wine, featuring three restaurant signature dishes; Slow Food Noosa Film with Food  -three course chocolate themed dinner with wine and a screening of the film Chocolat.

FREE EVENTS (VISUAL ARTS EVENTS AND OTHER EVENTS). Award winning photographer Paul Smith presents a photographic exhibition entitled The Sight and Sound featuring photographs of music legends; Heritage Walks; Noosa Parks Association Walks; Kid’s Play Acting Workshop.

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS. Queensland Youth Orchestra #2 (QYO2) presents two educational music programs for schools (with 80 piece youth orchestra) Gold coin donation – school students.

FESTIVAL FAST FACTS:
•    The 11th Noosa Longweekend Festival will be staged from Friday 15 -Sunday 24 June 2012
•    The festival comprises 10 days (and nights) of music, theatre, dance, literature, forums, film, food, visual arts and workshops staged at various venues in the iconic, beachside village and surrounding hinterland of Noosa, Queensland
•    Full festival program announced Thursday 3 May. Tickets on sale Tuesday 8 May
•    Over 80 ticketed and non-ticketed events will be on offer. Free events include heritage walks, photographic exhibitions, a children’s workshop and roving entertainment
•    Tickets can be purchased at www.noosalongweekend.com or from The J Box office (in person, by phone (07) 5455 4455 or online at www.thej.com.au)
•    In excess of 10,000 tickets will be on sale
•    Featuring the crème de la crème of local, national and international artists - in excess of 170 Artists, authors and guest speakers will participate in the 2012 Festival
•    Visit  www.noosalongweekend.com to keep up with festival news, program and ticketing information
•    Special festival accommodation packages are available with the festival’s accommodation sponsors. Visit www.noosalongweekend.com for details
•    Follow the festival on  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NoosaLongWeekendFestival   or Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/noosalongweeken

Related Noosa Longweekend News:

Festival Director to reveal all on May 3, 2012