New Indigenous event

Shine on Gimuy to showcase first nations arts and culture this year

l CAIRNS ESPLANADE

| Nick Dalton

A NEW 10-day first nations arts and cultural festival is to be staged on the Cairns waterfront in October.

Shine on Gimuy will be run by new company Shine on Productions Pty Ltd, which is operated by highly experienced producers Julie Brooks and Merryn Hughes, who have successfully delivered large scale projects in Australia and internationally over 30 years.

It has been backed by Cairns Regional Council which has agreed to a $25,000 one-year cash sponsorship and supported by Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland.

The event is proposed to be the signature event of the Queensland Music Trails ‘Tropics Trail’ produced by Queensland Music Festival.

A council report said the festival from October 5-14 would showcase local first nations stories through immersive curated sound and light installations at the Cairns Esplanade, with ticketed forums to be held at the Salt House restaurant.

“The festival program has been curated and developed in partnership with local artists and local first nations groups,” the report said.

“As well as promoting Cairns as the arts and cultural capital of northern Australia, the festival will also provide a platform to increase the knowledge and understanding of first nations culture and stories.

“Shine on Gimuy will also help grow the local skills base by employing more than 20 local artists and 50 creative industry professionals.”