Brisbane Festival 2021 to deliver top talent across the city

Brisbane Festival 2021’s program will focus on connecting Brisbane, showcasing Queensland’s incredible talent and brightly bringing to life the city’s streets, suburbs and cultural venues through dazzling, diverse and unique arts experiences.  

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said Queenslanders and visitors are set to experience a spring festival that brings the community together through the joy of rich arts experiences celebrating positivity, resilience and hope.

“The program will showcase 63 Queensland companies and employ more than 1000 local artists, featuring the Festival’s largest First Nations program, with 168 First Nations artists engaged across the 23-day event,” Minister Enoch said.

“The festival’s newest addition Street Serenades: At Our Place will deliver 64 creative arts workshops across Brisbane in partnership with local neighbourhood centres, bringing people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities together in a celebration of local community identity and resilience.

“For the second year running, the Palaszczuk Government’s additional investment in Brisbane Festival’s Working Title creative residencies will support jobs, creative development opportunities and exciting new works.

“Prior to the COVID pandemic, the Brisbane Festival 2019 added $46 million to Queensland’s economy.

“The arts, cultural and creative sectors are key to delivering our plan for economic recovery from COVID-19, each year contributing $8.5 billion to the state’s economy and supporting more than 92,000 jobs,” Minister Enoch said. 

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said events play a major role in attracting visitors to the region and important to the Palaszczuk Government’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“More visitors mean more business for accommodation and transport providers, restaurants, cafes and tourism operators, supporting the local economy,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Visitors are always spoilt for choice when they visit Brisbane, from our vibrant city as well as the bay islands, national parks and beautiful beaches, all within easy reach of Queensland’s capital.”

Queensland audiences will be the very first to experience astounding locally grown world premieres among the range of exciting work from Queensland companies including Dancenorth, Karul Projects, Digi Youth Arts, Camerata, Casus Circus, and Circa.

The highly anticipated stage production of Boy Swallows Universe, presented by Brisbane Festival, Queensland Theatre and QPAC, brings to life the internationally acclaimed first novel by Brisbane writer Trent Dalton, and his tale of growing up in Brisbane.

Brisbane-based Dead Puppet Society presents Ishmael, a captivating reimagining of the novel Moby Dick featuring talented Queensland cast and creatives, state-of-the art technology, brilliant puppetry and an outstanding original score.

Family favourite Sunsuper Riverfire will also light up the Brisbane skies once again in an explosion of colour and music after a hiatus last year.

Brisbane Festival Artistic Director, Louise Bezzina said September is all about Brisbane Festival, bringing the city alive with art, dance, music and joy for all ages and interests, from young families to late-night revellers. 

She invited residents and visitors to make the most of their Brisbane Festival experience by checking out the curated Festival itineraries.

“Block out your September because you are going to want to be part of this party!” Ms Bezzina said. 

Brisbane Festival 2021 runs from 3 – 25 September. Visit: www.brisbanefestival.com.au/

All Brisbane Festival events comply with Queensland Health’s COVID Safe Events framework and health authority directions.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:  Debbie Turner 0437 859 987