Locals spring into a festive feeling

THE program for the festival that brings light and life back to Launceston after a harsh winter each year will be launched tomorrow.

The Junction Arts Festival will release its 2019 program at a private function and then at a public, ticketed launch party with local musicians and artists from 8pm.

The festival’s creative director, Greg Clarke, said the launch party would “encapsulate what the Junction Arts Festival is”.

“It’s like a big party for four days,” he said.

“Our aim for the festival is to be the festival where you go and see Tasmanian work, bands, musicians, artists and performers.

“That’s our big focus, and all those artists are Tasmanians.”

The launch party, which has now sold out, will be held in the Sawtooth ARI Gallery in Cimitiere St, Launceston.

Headlining the night will be Launceston progressive ska and reggae band, Bad Beef.

Also playing at the party will be Launceston singer Medhanit Barratt, and DJ Jack McLaine.

Clarke said Junction was the only Tasmanian festival solely focused on local artists.

“We work with artists and we find a space with them and we collaborate and they create something unique for the Junction Arts Festival,’’ he said.

“There’s amazing buildings, amazing warehouses, so it’s the ideal city for a festival about working in unusual spaces.”

Clarke said the festival made both an economic and cultural impact on Launceston after a quiet period of the year.

“It’s not just economics, but I think you can’t underestimate the cultural impact of it,” he said. “For Launceston people going through a really cold winter, this is like the first week of spring and we find that this is the week that the locals really come out … to party and celebrate.

“You can’t underestimate what sort of an impact that has on the people.”

Junction Arts Festival will run from September 4-8.

Keep an eye out for the program on the festival website, www.junctionartsfestival.com.au