Spring into the Brisbane Festival this September

Brisbane Festival 2012

The banners are up on the street light posts declaring that the annual Brisbane Festival is on its way (September 8-29) and as usual this year is bigger and better than the last. The 2012 festival will highlight local talent with more than four hundred performers from Queensland joining around three hundred and fifty national and international acts.

Noel Staunton, Artistic Director of the festival reflects on this year’s program that:

 “Nationally and internationally, Brisbane has a lot to contribute to the arts world…. I am proud to deliver a program that puts local work on a pedestal.”

Up on this pedestal will be the likes of Circa, Brisbane’s global circus phenomenon, the world premier of Dance Energy (a unique collaboration between Dancenorth, Expressions Dance Company and Queensland Ballet) and Brisbane’s ‘greatest soprano’, Lisa Gasteen returns to the opera stage after a four year absence from full production.

South Bank will become the festival centre for the Brisbane Festival 2012, and promises  to provide a buzzing hub where festival goers can delight in a bounty of diverse productions and displays, both free and ticketed.

From theatre to dance, all genres of music, visual arts, circus and side-show; from national and international artists in a variety of venues across the city – both traditional and off beat, September will be a busy month for Brisbane entertainment lovers. From bath tub acrobatics to a West End wartime jazz club (featuring James Morrison) to Under the Radar which shines the spotlight on emerging and independent artists who push the boundaries of traditional creative landscapes there is something in this program for all appetites.

The festival will open on September 8 with the Santos GLNG City of Lights, by internationally acclaimed lighting designer John Rayment (famous for the Sydney Olympics ceremonies) and will close with Riverfire – the always anticipated and lavish finale on September 29.

This year, major productions such as SOAP will travel out of the city to the suburbs (Manly, Sandgate, Brookside and Mt Ommaney) to share the Brisbane Festival experience with the suburban crowd.

“The suburban program,” Says Mr Staunton, “presents fantastic opportunities to see some of Brisbane Festival’s highlight performances in unique settings and I hope residents enjoy them.”

For more information on all the wonderful, diverse experiences on offer, head to www.brisbanefestival.com.au

The Spiegeltent music line up is booking fast with Julia Stone and Lanie Lane already completely sold out, so plan well in advance and if you’re out to see the big acts. Also watch out for the release of the Brisbane Festival App for smart phones which is a great way to keep up with what’s going on while you’re out and about in the thick of things. Happy Brisbane Festival!