Pip Miller PR

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MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 1 September 2009

STUDENTS THE STARS THAT SHINE AT SCHOOLS CULTURAL

PHOTO CALL: Wednesday 2 September 9 am,

Cairns Esplanade Helipad, East of Lagoon

Cairns High School Rockers get ready to rock the nade on Friday night for Schools Cultural. Band members take time out of school to show off their rockin’ style to media…

MEDIA: PIP MILLER PR 0419 681543

Festival Cairns program showcases 15 local schools and the creativity and talent of their students with Schools Cultural Concerts on Bunnings Esplanade Hub stage this Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September.

Schools Cultural is a long standing tradition that gives students the opportunity to shine in a concert environment – all the while, providing entertainment for the general public to enjoy and appreciate.

Schools Cultural Concert showcases choirs, string ensembles, big bands, orchestras, rock bands, dance and performance.

Thursday 3 September: Two sessions at 10am to 2pm (Choral Day) and 5.30pm to 10pm (concert and jazz Bands)

Friday 4 September: 6.30pm to 10pm (Rock bands and dance)

Note: Councillor, Margaret Cochrane will make a short presentation

Prior to the performance

These are the following schools that will be performing:

§ Balaclava SS (Primary)

§ Cairns Adventist School

§ Cairns SHS

§ Djarragun College

§ Freshwater State Primary

§ Gordonvale SHS

§ Hambledon State School

§ Parramatta SS (Primary)

§ Redlynch State College

§ Smithfield SHS

§ St Marys Catholic College

§ Trinity Anglican School

§ Whitfield SS (Primary)

§ Woree SHS

§ Yarrabah SS

As event manager of Festival Cairns 2009, Cairns Regional Council gratefully acknowledges the support of major sponsors Arts Queensland, Queensland State Government, Ergon Energy and Pacific Toyota. This year’s theme, “Telling our Stories” will roll out over 16, action-packed days between Friday 21 August and Sunday 6 September 09.

Ends

For more information:

Belinda Griffin, Festival Cairns Coordinator

T: 07 4044 3593 M: 0407 966 530 E: festival@cairns.qld.gov.au

www.cairns.qld.gov.au

Issued by:

Pip Miller PR

T: 07 4032 4400 M: 0419 681543 E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

www.pipmillerpr.com.au

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MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 1 September 2009

FESTIVAL ENDS ITS STORY WITH BRASS & BANG

-Sunday 6 September, Finale Celebration, Cairns Esplanade -

PHOTO CALL: Wednesday 2 September 8.45 am for 9am

Fireworks Barge, Cairns Esplanade Helipad, East of Lagoon

Mike Newman and his crew from Xplosive Art visit fireworks barge positioned off the esplanade in readiness for this week’s planned program of firework displays. Mike is joined by Peter Caldwell of Cairns Bands who will add music to the mix in the lead up to Sunday’s concert. Mike Newman: 0418 847 258 Peter Caldwell: 4041 1811

MEDIA: PIP MILLER PR 0419 681543

Take the beat of a brass band, add it to the burst of fireworks and you have an evocative blend of free entertainment signifying the finale for this year’s Festival Cairns.

On Sunday 6 September the curtains will close on this year’s Telling our Stories themed event that has provided one, two week long, street party for the people of Cairns.

After another weekend laden with events and activities, the community is invited into the city, to find their place on the Esplanade for a free concert by Cairns Bands, movie screening of the previous two week’s event highlights and parade, winner’s presentation for Pacific Toyota’s Grand Parade and highlight of the night, a closing fireworks display.

Mike Newman of Xplosive Art is the director of Cairns only firework company and at this time of year in particular, finds himself juggling a full dance card for events that fall both in and out of Festival Cairns’ umbrella.

“Spring is a great time to party and there is no better way to signify celebration than with the burst of fireworks. This week we will be visiting our barge on the esplanade in readiness for Friday’s Amateurs ball and then Sunday’s finale celebration.

“For Sunday’s closing event, we are planning another 10 minute display that once again combines traditional favourites with contemporary effects that are especially curated to ‘wow’ and leave the crowd fulfilled with ‘feel good’ factor.”

Visitors to the esplanade on Sunday should watch for popular newcomers like colour falling leaves whose effect is based on firing 100 shots simultaneously to create a multi-coloured spray of earth-dust fluttering to the ground without even so much as a bang. Equally popular and relatively new is the big, bold spider that is admired for its elegance and soft crackling sound.

Sunday’s finale gets underway from 6pm with music by Cairns Youth Band. At 6.30pm Mayor Val Schier will present winners of this year’s Pacific Toyota Grand Parade with their trophies before a special movie screening of festival highlights takes place at 6.45pm. Cairns Concert Band will then take to the stage until 9pm and during that time, Xplosive Art will light up the sky for the final time.

As event manager of Festival Cairns 2009, Cairns Regional Council gratefully acknowledges the support of major sponsors Arts Queensland, Queensland State Government, Ergon Energy and Pacific Toyota. This year’s theme, “Telling our Stories” will roll out over 16, action-packed days between Friday 21 August and Sunday 6 September 09.

Ends

For more information:

Belinda Griffin, Festival Cairns Coordinator

T: 07 4044 3593 M: 0407 966 530 E: festival@cairns.qld.gov.au

www.cairns.qld.gov.au

Issued by:

Pip Miller PR

T: 07 4032 4400 M: 0419 681543 E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

www.pipmillerpr.com.au

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MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 3 September 2009

GARDENS IN BLOOM MAKE A BEAUTIFUL STAGE FOR JAZZ & CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS

PHOTO CALL: Thursday 3 September at 1pm in Flecker Botanic Gardens

Main Stage

David Warmington and fellow gardeners of Cairns Botanic Gardens have been working hard to ensure the gardens are looking their most beautiful best in readiness for this weekend’s Jazz Under the Stars and Carnival on Collins events.

Today they will be focussing on the main stage area whose stunning backdrop is the very rare and much sought after Jade Vine plant. This plant, which is not always readily available to gardeners will indeed be for sale this weekend at one of 40 plant stalls on display at Carnival on Collins. David Warmington T: 4044 3398 and (info on market stalls at Carnival on Collins) Jonathon Hall T: 4032 6615 and Anna Henderson (Jazz) T: 4047 7406

MEDIA: PIP MILLER PR 0419 681543

Cairns Botanic Gardens and its magnificent verdant surrounds provide a gorgeous stage to some of Festival Cairns’ fun and fanfare in its closing weekend.

On Saturday evening from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, the gardens come alive with the sound of jazz. Jazz Under the Stars shines the light on a host of local jazz musicians who will play to the audience – sitting back on their deck chair, blanket or picnic rug…(with picnic dinner)…Adults are just $10 at the door.

Taking in Collins Avenue, Cairns Botanic Gardens and Tanks Arts Centre, Carnival on Collins’ Father’s Day street celebration will mark 20 years this Sunday 6 September (9am to 3pm).

Starting out as a simple plant sale, this annual event has gathered popularity over the years and more recently, evolved into a full-scale festival in its own right.

Plants and gardens still maintain a special pride of place and in 2009, will be showcased as the venue with some 40 different plant stalls adding natural pizzazz to the market. There will also be lots of horticulture and enviro-friendly information available.

Spanning some 200 different stalls in all, festival goers can spend their pocket money on any number of goodies from arts, crafts, fashion and food and plants (of course.

Add to the market stalls, a bonanza of FREE activities and entertainment is there to be enjoyed; three exciting stages of music and dance, a free Children’s Wonderland, amusement rides, roving entertainer, a coffee retreat for the adults, art exhibitions and more.

As event manager of Festival Cairns 2009, Cairns Regional Council gratefully acknowledges the support of major sponsors Arts Queensland, Queensland State Government, Ergon Energy and Pacific Toyota. This year’s theme, “Telling our Stories” will roll out over 16, action-packed days between Friday 21 August and Sunday 6 September 09.

Ends

For more information:

Belinda Griffin, Festival Cairns Coordinator

T: 07 4044 3593 M: 0407 966 530 E: festival@cairns.qld.gov.au

www.cairns.qld.gov.au

Issued by:

Pip Miller PR

T: 07 4032 4400 M: 0419 681543 E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

www.pipmillerpr.com.au

Festival Cairns Bubble Boy at Grand Parade

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MEDIA RELEASE Monday 31 August 2009

FESTIVAL CAIRNS 2009 BEGINS FINAL CHAPTER IN WEEK

LEADING UP TO ‘THE END’

It’s a rollicking read! Festival Cairns 2009 gathers speed on day one of its final week; racing towards the finish line this Sunday 6 September with an exciting line up of events – including three of its six highlights – to culminate in a spectacular free concert of Cairns Bands, a short movie of this year’s “Grand Parade” and Festival highlights, and a finale fireworks display over Cairns Esplanade to signal the end of the 2009 program.

Cairns Amateurs, Reggaetown and Carnival on Collins headline a multi-dimensional week of story-telling, art, music, poetry and an entire weekend dedicated to providing families with free and fun-filled festivities.

According to Festival Cairns event coordinator, Belinda Griffin, this year’s program has already hit some high notes for Cairns and its wider community with its inaugural Cairns Indigenous Art Fair and food events with celebrity chef Gary Mehigan in particular, declared a resounding success.

“Not only were expectations surpassed in attendances to both of these new additions to the program, but brought to life, this year’s theme, Telling our Stories. In practice, both events beautifully positioned and showcased our region and its bountiful arts and food culture.

“Add to this the overwhelming success of events in the weekend just passed – namely Tex Perkins, Ergon Energy Busking Festival, We Built this City, timeOUT concert – and we have all the momentum needed to drive headlong into our final week of celebrations,” she said.

The story telling theme continues this week at Cairns Libraries with the first in a four day Oral History Project getting underway tomorrow in Mossman and Babinda. In Cairns, Wayne Rees will address the Festival Cairns 2009 theme at 10.30am in Earlville on Thursday 3 September while Paul Hockey will finish the event off in style at Stratford Library on Friday at 2pm.

From today through to Friday, City Place Hub showcases the region’s education and training with a focus on creative and cultural industry. TAFE in the Tropics puts beauty, Indigenous art, ceramics, music and fashion under the microscope with free, tented displays for the public to wander through and enjoy.

City Place Hub is also the starting point for the second Heritage Walk hosted by Mixed Lollies’ stilted Troppo Tourists and a member of the Cairns Historical Society. The walk gets underway from 9.30am.

Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September focuses on the creative talent of younger members of Cairns and its community with Schools Cultural Concert at Bunnings Hub Stage. This long standing tradition gives students the opportunity to shine in a concert environment – providing entertainment for the general public to enjoy and appreciate. Schools Cultural Concert showcases choirs, string ensembles, big bands, orchestras, rock bands, dance and performance. From 10am to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm on Thursday and 6pm to 9pm on Friday.

Tanks Arts Centre is also under the spotlight this week as it hosts the Australian Poetry Slam tomorrow from 7.30pm in Tank 5 and on Thursday 3 September, unveils its Energy Exhibition that runs until Wednesday 16 September. This highly anticipated exhibition is the region’s showcase of some of the best young and emerging artistic talent and in the past has acted as a stepping stone for student artists to become solo exhibitionists. This free exhibition is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays.

This week promises another musical feast at Tanks Arts Centre hot on the heels of a sell-out crowd for Tex Perkins last Friday. One of the country’s most recognised jazz singers, Grace Knight will expertly cap off the last concert in the Jazz Up North 2009 series at Tanks on Friday 4 September.

This weekend the party reaches fever pitch at Canon Park with Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival while across the way at Tjapukai Cultural Park, the message from Australia’s favourite Island roots reggae festival organiser, Mickie Sellton, is, ‘get down to Reggaetown’ on Saturday 5 September with headliners Blue King Brown, Katchafire (NZ) and Anthony B (Jamaica) gracing the stage between 1pm and 11pm.

In 2009, Festival Cairns has provided families with an abundance of free, kid-friendly events and activities. Starting with Bunnings Esplanade Hub stage and its ongoing program of entertainment, Pacific Toyota Grand Parade and Kewarra Beach Resort’s We Built this City over the weekend, the fun will continue on Saturday 5 September at Cairns Regional Gallery and Esplanade Lagoon.

From 10am to 5pm, Cairns Regional Gallery will throw open its doors with a day of art and entertainment for the whole family while the Esplanade Lagoon is the place to be between 3pm and 10pm for McDonald’s/Sea FM Beach Party and Dive-In Movie: it is the biggest beach party in Cairns with games, a DJ, Aussie Barbie, great inflatable race, lifeguard challenge, karaoke and two movies to watch in the great outdoors.

This weekend celebrates the natural beauty and wonder of Flecker Botanic Gardens, Centenary Lakes and surrounds with Jazz Under the Stars from 6.30pm on Saturday 5 September warming up the gardens and stage for Father’s Day Favourite and festival finale highlight, Carnival on Collins.

From 9am to 3pm, Cairns Botanic Gardens, The Tanks Arts Centre and Collins Avenue present the city’s biggest street party that in 2009, celebrates its 20^th birthday with a bonanza of activities and entertainment. These include almost 200 stalls (arts, craft, food, refreshments, lifestyle and plants), three exciting stages of live entertainment, a free Children’s Wonderland, amusement rides, roving entertainers, a coffee retreat and more.

The perfect finish to Father’s Day and Festival Cairns 2009 is planned to take place from 6pm at Cairns Esplanade.

At 6pm, the Youth Stage Band provides free entertainment and music before Mayor Val Schier officiates the winner’s presentation of this year’s Pacific Toyota Grand Parade. At 6.45pm a special movie screening of Festival Parade and Highlights will take place before another musical treat –this time from Cairns Concert Band playing until 9pm.

After two action-packed weeks, the attention returns skyward for the finale fireworks – an explosion of lights destined to thrill both young and old and calling ‘The End’ to this year’s Telling our Stories themed, Festival Cairns.

Scheduled Media Calls & Highlights Monday 31 August to Friday 4 September:

· Tuesday 1 September at 11am in City Place Hub for TAFE in the Tropics with Deputy Director of TNQ TAFE, Donna-Maree O’Connor

· Tuesday 1 September from 7.30pm at Tanks Arts Centre, Australian Poetry Slam

· Wednesday 2 September at time AM TBC – Mike Newman from Xplosive Art will visit Fireworks Barge on Esplanade in readiness for Finale Fireworks on Sunday 6 September from 9pm when once again, his team will light up the sky – closing the chapter to this year’s Telling our Stories Festival Cairns.

· Wednesday 2 September Schools Cultural Concert – TBA

· Wednesday 2 September at City Place Hub from 9.30am – Heritage Walk withTroppo Tourists and Cairns Historical Society volunteer

· Thursday 3 September at Tanks Art Centre – Curation of Energy Exhibition

· Thursday 3 September Carnival on Collins – TBA

· Thursday 3 September at 10am at Earlville Library – Wayne Rees tells his story

· Friday 4 September at 2pm at Stratford Library – Paul Hockey tells his story

Pip Miller PR will issue official media calls for all of the above and more opportunities are available on request. Tel: 0419 681543

As event manager of Festival Cairns 2009, Cairns Regional Council gratefully acknowledges the support of major sponsors Arts Queensland, Queensland State Government, Ergon Energy and Pacific Toyota. This year’s theme, “Telling our Stories” will roll out over 16, action-packed days between Friday 21 August and Sunday 6 September 09.

Ends

For more information:

Belinda Griffin, Festival Cairns Coordinator

T: 07 4044 3593 M: 0407 966 530 E: festival@cairns.qld.gov.au

www.cairns.qld.gov.au

Issued by:

Pip Miller PR

T: 07 4032 4400 M: 0419 681543 E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

www.pipmillerpr.com.au

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MEDIA RELEASE Friday 28 Aug 2009

THIS WEEKEND….

KIDS CONSTRUCT ‘CAIRNS’ OUT OF CARDBOARD

MEDIA CALL: Friday 28 August, 2.30pm on Eastern Events Lawn of Esplanade

Today, from 9am, Bindi and her team from Polyglot Productions will lay the cardboard foundations for tomorrow’s family-friendly and FREE event, We Built this City – two sessions on both Saturday and Sunday – details below. While set up is most of the day, best time for photo call is around 2.30 pm onwards. Spread across an area of about 20 square metres, some 3,000 boxes will be used; all of which will be recycled into garden friendly mulch at the end of the event! Call Bindi at Polyglot for more details on 0432 275 165 or for other media enquiries : Pip Miller PR 0419 681543

Backgrounder: Thanks to a major sponsorship pledge by Kewarra Beach Resort, along with a Cairns collective of generous development and construction industry players, Festival Cairns will bring it to the kids with an exciting new and free event: We Built this City.

As a specialist event on Cairns Regional Council’s program wish list that was pitched to the Cairns community earlier in the year, We Built this City quickly captured the imagination of well-known engineer, Pat Flanagan of Flanagan Consulting Group – who took it upon himself to solicit support from industry fellows to bring this idea to life.

Mr Flanagan was successful in his quest, with donations raised consolidated by the very generous sponsorship of Kewarra Beach Resort owner, Sean Howard, keen to support the community that has long supported this local business.

Swapping cardboard for concrete, kids architectural and construction capabilities will be put to the test in the middle weekend of Festival Cairns spanning Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August. The Esplanade Plaza (the area where Shields Street and the Esplanade meet) will take new shape when stacks and stacks of cardboard boxes await the energy and imaginations of children.

According to Mayor Val Schier, Cairns Regional Council is delighted to add this world-class event into our dynamic mix of free entertainment for families.

“We Built This City is a public construction extravaganza, using nothing but thousands of cardboard boxes.  Guided by performers in the role of construction workers to facilitate free play, kids build an entire city in two days, before the whole thing is crushed (by its builders) into a recyclable heap of rubble.

“Live music underscores the action, while challenges and outcomes are set along the way by, with and for the children.  We Built This City is not a play… it is play.”

We Built this City is an event by Polyglot that has been touring Australia continuously since its premiere in 2001. Making its debut this year on the Festival Cairns program is significant – marking its first time in north Queensland. Interestingly, these appearances will pre-empt the production’s US premiere at the prestigious Kennedy Centre in Washington DC.

Councillor Schier said that while this event adds credence to the free and family aspect of Festival Cairns, it is bound to focus the attention of city leaders and development industry representatives.

“I have been assured, that one of the most fascinating aspects of We Built This City is how it comes to reflect the urban architecture of the city in which it is taking place.  In Melbourne, for example, the children build houses with big backyards and fences.  In Perth, tunnels and an underground world to escape the heat.  In Sydney, bridges and monuments.  In Singapore, giant skyscrapers,” she said.

Show times: Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August – 9:30am and 2pm both days  (shows run for 2.5 hours)

Age: 5 to 12 years will enjoy this show the most – but little ones and “big kids” (that’s you mum & dad) are welcome to join the fun

Sunsafe:  This is an outdoor play activity so please remember to “slip, slop, slap and put on a hat” to join in safely.

Major Sponsor – Kewarra Beach Resort

Supporting Sponsors – Flanagan Consulting Group (organiser), Urban Development Institute of Australia, MGF Consulting Group, Capital Globe, Satterley, Planning Far North, and SPA Consulting Engineers

As event manager of Festival Cairns 2009, Cairns Regional Council gratefully acknowledges the support of major sponsors Arts Queensland, Queensland State Government, Ergon Energy and Pacific Toyota. This year’s theme, “Telling our Stories” will roll out over 16, action-packed days between Friday 21 August and Sunday 6 September 09.

Ends

For more information:

Belinda Griffin, Festival Cairns Coordinator

T: 07 4044 3593 M: 0407 966 530 E: festival@cairns.qld.gov.au

www.cairns.qld.gov.au

Issued by:

Pip Miller PR

T: 07 4032 4400 M: 0419 681543 E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

www.pipmillerpr.com.au