Launceston shows artistic flair

LAUNCESTON will come alive next week for the seventh annual Junction Arts Festival.

Building on the success of last year’s event, Junction 2017 will feature more than 30 events showcasing the best of Tasmanian music, art, performance, food and wine, alongside award-winning acts from interstate.

The music line-up is packed with Tasmania’s best bands, singer-songwriters and DJs, including FLXW, Yielder beast, Bad Beef, The Bad Dad Orchestra and The Embers. Saturday afternoon’s When She Believes session will showcase emerging and established female Tasmanian artists, and will be followed by a world music program featuring Hobart-based musicians originally from Afghanistan and Sudan.

Wednesday’s Calypso Space Party opening night festivities will be headlined by Melbourne band Mighty Duke and The Lords.

“Immersive rock ’n’ roll after-party” Uta Uber Kool Ja will take over a suite at the Grand Chancellor Hotel for three nights; Helpmann Award-winning cabaret performer Michael Griffiths will perform his hit shows In Vogue: Songs of Madonna and Sweet Dreams: Songs by Annie Lennox; and acclaimed multiinstrumentalist, composer and educator Adam Page is bringing his shows You Tunes and Like It Or Loop It to Launceston.

Mudlark Theatre ( UL G) and new theatre company Relevant ( Pronoun) will present plays; Tasdance will bring together diverse cultures for the Great Community Dance Mashup; and the Three’s A Crowd comedy showcase will feature Emergency Poncho, Stewart Bell and Kerri Gay.

The program also features more family-friendly and child-specific events and activities, including Dr Hubble’s Bubble Show, the Wig Out parade, a kids’ disco with DJ Grinning Cat, and the Think Big Kids Zone.

“This year’s festival focuses on celebrating the unique creativity and talent of Tasmanian artists and Tasmanian food and wine,” festival creative director Greg Clarke says.

“We are excited to be bringing together an extraordinary group of Tasmanian artists from different backgrounds and arts practices.

“Junction has developed some winning formulas, like the amazing Princes Square festival hub, and its growing reputation for showcasing innovative and unique events in unusual spaces.

“In 2017 we will be building on these successes, with quite a number of new and unexpected twists that hopefully everyone will love.”

Junction 2017 runs from September 6-10.

For bookings and more details, go to www.junction artsfestival.com.au