Brisbane Festival takes centre stage this September

Spring will shine a spotlight on more than 1000 Queensland artists, including over 160 First Nations artists, as part of Brisbane Festival 2022.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the 2022 Brisbane Festival program would showcase big events, creative collaborations and Queensland premieres with more than 22 new works and 580 dazzling performances across 23 days.

“Audiences will experience premieres by Queensland arts companies including shake & stir theatre co’s adaptation of Shannon Molloy’s memoir Fourteen, Dead Puppet Society and Sydney based Legs on the Wall’s contemporary production Holding Archilles, and La Boite’s collaboration with QPAC of Anita Heiss’ Tiddas,” Minister Enoch said.  

“The 2022 program features exciting works like Wayfinder developed by Dancenorth in collaboration with artist Hiromi Tango, the co-production Aftermath by Australasian Dance Collective and musician Danny Harley, and Alethea Beetson’s new performance work Queen’s City.      

“Brisbane Festival continues to generate employment opportunities for Queensland artists and arts workers, while drawing crowds to key events such as Brisbane’s Art Boat, returning for its second year, and the annual Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust, which kicks off this year’s festival.

“Brisbane Festival’s vision of being boldly Brisbane and enlivening the city as a stage for extraordinary arts experiences, further grows Queensland’s reputation as a cultural tourism destination, as we prepare to showcase our arts and cultural sector at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Minister Enoch said Palaszczuk Government investment underpinned the annual festival, with additional support in 2022 for two new community programs Dance Halls and Nightwalks with Teenagers as part of Brisbane Serenades 2022.

“These community programs aim to raise aware of important social challenges and encourage engagement with the arts,” Minister Enoch said.

“Dance Halls will be held in different locations across Brisbane with local community stars, guided by professional artists, taking to the stage under twinkling lights; and the powerful community engagement experience, Nightwalks with Teenagers, will be undertaken with young people in Brisbane,” Ms Enoch said.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said this year’s Brisbane Festival would welcome back interstate and international artists to fast-track Covid recovery.

“2022 is a great opportunity for Queenslanders and interstate visitors to support local tourism operators and the creative arts by rediscovering the magic of the Brisbane Festival,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“This iconic festival event contributes many millions of dollars to the city’s visitor economy including accommodation providers, cafes, restaurants and hotels.

“With 23 days of entertainment and inspiration, the Brisbane Festival is one of the best times of year to enjoy this region’s many first-class tourism experiences.” 

Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina said it is with enormous pride that I offer you this year’s Brisbane Festival program.

“The 1000+ artists featured invite us to come together and offer to keep our spirits buoyant and make us curious. They are our shining light and I thank each of them for their bravery and commitment,” Ms Bezzina said.

“In just over two months we will invite you to join us as we open Brisbane Festival at BOQ Festival Garden. Our opening tradition continues with Jumoo, a smoking ceremony and performance led by Tribal Experiences.

“Embrace every moment of the Brisbane Festival this September, experiment with something new, meet new people, converse with artists and open your heart and mind to new ideas. I hope that this program brings a determination to usher us all into a brighter future.

“I invite everyone to celebrate this spring with so much on offer at Brisbane Festival 2022,” Ms Enoch said.   

For more information, go to: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Walker 0437 859 987