Rejects steal the show
WHEN he found out street performers and buskers would not be part of this year’s Taste of Tasmania Festival, The Moonshine Club’s Graeme Quinn decided to put on his own show. Mr Quinn has pulled together a group of premier circus performers from Tasmania and interstate for a circus cabaret show, which continues today and tomorrow at The Sepulchre on Davey St.
“Each performer brings their own short act,” Mr Quinn said. There are about 10 different acts involved, but each show is different. “It’s a great variety of circus skills, some traditional, some not so traditional,” Mr Quinn said. Acrobat Mark Sands of Popeyed and Son said the decision to replace buskers and street performers with a music-focused entertainment program had left a hole.
“We jumped at the opportunity when they asked us [to perform] ,” Mr Sands said. For information and tickets go to www.moonlightaviators.com/circuscabaret
PATRONS and stallholders have given the revamped Taste of Tasmania the thumbs up as an estimated 35,000 people passed through the gates on Thursday’s opening day.
Stallholder Peter Bignell at the Belgrove whisky and spirits stand said this was his sixth year as a stallholder at the Taste and he had had his best first day of trade. The festival, open for seven days and nights, ends January 3.
“Today is also shaping up reallyll well.ll MMy son TTom and d his wife, who have T-Bone Brewery stand, also said they have been flat out with good responses from patrons,” Mr Bignell said.
Cate Davey, of North Hobart, who was at the Taste with Sarah Thomas, of West Hobart, were both impressed with the new look.
“IIt’s’ a vast iimprovement on the last time I came to the Taste. It has a good mix of producers and beverages,” Ms Davey said.
“It’s a great idea they brought back the small taste plates.”
Tasting plate dishes are priced between $6 and $8.
Ms Thomas said it was good
to see more Tasmanian food stalls.
“I like the creative styling of the festival,” she said.
However, interstate visitor Ken Owens, of Cassilis in Victoria, said he would like to see more promotion of the festival interstate.
“It’s a fantastic festival but there was a lack of promotion, no information with Victorian travel agents and even the local hotel here had scant information,” Mr Owens said.
“I knew the Sydney to Hobart race was on, it’s by chance we came and we’re glad we did visit the Taste.”
Festival director Brooke Webb said yesterday that everything was going well.
“It’s beautiful weather and that’s made a difference ... It gives vibrancy.
“We have also planned if rain comes and clouds set in,” Ms Webb said.
“We’ve had a lift in attendance, about 6000 more than the first day last year. We estimated about 35,000 rolled up on Thursday.
“The demographic is broader than I expected and it’s a joy to see children dancing and cuddling the pinata.”
Ms Webb said stallholders were yesterday upbeat about the fresh new vibe at the festival.
Lord Mayor Sue Hickey said it was good seeing patrons reclaim the lawns and shade of the trees while enjoying the festival.
A new attraction proving popular with parents is Tommy Choo Choo, a 15-minute ride connecting the Taste to the yacht race area.
Tommy Choo Choo is run by the Rotary Club of Lindisfarne with the $4 return fare going to charity.