Fraser Coast Scene - May 2023

REKINDLE THE CAMPFIRES

ARTIST PROFILE: JON VEA VEA

When Jon Vea Vea first set foot on his Cobble Cobble country around ten years ago, he walked the weathered earth his ancestors had walked before him and had an overwhelming sense of fulfillment. His story now had a beginning and an ending and as long as the sky was above him and the earth below, he was finally whole.

The incredible journey sparked a flow of words, an outpouring of emotion in the form of lyrics and Jon composed a body of work he travelled across Queensland. The tour titled “Music From My Soul” included a heartfelt song “Through My Grandfather’s Eyes” and tells of his loss and reconnection to his late grandfather, a love song to his people.

Jon is a born storyteller. A singer songwriter with velvety, rich tones in his voice and an uncanny way of connecting with his audience. As frontman for his band, cleverly named Cobblestone, a nod to his family who make up the group, he sings a mixture of Aussie classics and music that evokes memories and nostalgia for his listeners.

Story: April Spadina | Photo: Cody Fox

With a kind heart and an acceptance of all people, no matter how their life’s circumstances have le a mark on the world, he believes that everyone has a story to tell. Jon is an ardent advocate for cultural understanding and yearns for healing and reconciliation of all Australians. His warmth and authenticity echoes through his vocal chords and beckons the listener to dig deep and feel a sense of belonging, joy and happiness.

It is this peaceful nature that has guided Jon to write his current collection of storytelling lyrics in an upcoming show called “Rekindle the Campfires”, a narrative of events of Indigenous Australians and the westerners who first arrived on the First Fleet and struggled in their own journey. His compassion and empathy for all rings through the lyrics and evokes a sense of humanity and oneness.

Jon is the salt of the earth, a seasoned poet who weaves his magic through music and welcomes a uniting of all people, and through the eyes of his grandfather, he holds his head high, proud of his own story.

Rekindle the Campfires

Sat 27 May | 5pm - 7pm

The Tree House, Urangan

Sun 4 Jun | 2pm - 4pm

Brolga Theatre Foyer, Maryborough

Fri 21 Jul

BEMAC Brisbane

Supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), a partnership between the Queensland Government and Fraser Coast Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

COVER IMAGE:

Fiona Foley, Janjari 2022 video still. Courtesy of the artist. On display at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery throughout 2023.

STAY INSPIRED!

This guide shares a taste of Council’s arts, culture and heritage program and was correct at time of printing. To keep up to date with the latest information visit our website.

We welcome contributions from our creative community. For more information email ArtsCulture@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Fraser Coast Scene is distributed free as a marketing and engagement initiative of Fraser Coast Regional Council. It’s about promoting Council’s programs and services by sharing stories of our arts and cultural community and their connection to Council’s spaces.

Contents are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or part without written permission.

Fraser Coast Regional Council acknowledges to the east, the Butchulla (Badtjala) and to the west, the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) People, their connection to Country (land, sea and sky) and recognises the many places of cultural, spiritual, social and economic significance in the community. We pay respects to their Elders – past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge other First Nation Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islander people, who reside in the Fraser Coast region.

www.ourfrasercoast.com.au /ourfrasercoast

www.ourfrasercoast.com.au

Opera Queensland - Lady Sings the Maroons

Wed 3 May | 7PM

Opera Queensland takes a deep dive into the Queensland songbook to celebrate some of Australia’s most loved artists.

Othello - NT Live

Mon 8 May | 1PM

Thu 11 May | 7PM

Screening. An extraordinary new vision for one of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedies.

Morning Melodies - A Hard Knock Life

Thu 1 Jun | 11 AM

Join Jonathon Welch as he sings a selection of songs and ballads that have shaped his musical career.

Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine

Sat 3 Jun | 7.30PM

From the trauma and heartbreak of war in their country, to the major cities of stages of Australia. This is the Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine.

Rekindle the Campfires

Sun 4 Jun | 2PM

Jon Vea Vea and his band ‘Cobblestone’ share a narrative of the events of both Indigenous Australians and the westerners who settled here and struggled in their own journey.

WHAT’S ON | MAY 2023

5 Walker Street, Maryborough 4122 6060

Box Office Open Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 4pm

Cosentino ‘Decennium’

Tue 9 May | 7.30PM Australia’s world-renowned entertainer and International Magician of the Year, Cosentino, is returning to perform his brand new, 90 minute live show.

Kings of Country Rock Tour

Sat 13 May | 8PM

An epic musical salute to America’s number one country rock legends: The Eagles and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

The ProducersMacabre Theatre Co.

Fri 19 May & Sat 20 May

Max Bialystock, a failing producer, and his accountant, Leo Bloom, scam a group of elderly women out of their nest eggs.

Best of Enemies - NT Live

Mon 5 Jun | 1PM Sun 11 Jun | 4PM

Screening. In 1968 America, as two men fight to become the next president, all eyes are on the battle between two others.

Echoes of Pink Floyd

Fri 23 Jun | 8PM

Signs of Life will take the listener on a voyage bringing back those heady years of 1988, with the best songs from the Delicate Sound of Thunder tour.

Brolga Live @ Poona

Join us in Poona for three hours of live music & fun in the Winter sun.

Poona Community Hall

Sat 17 Jun | 2-5PM

POONA

166 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay 4197 4206

FREE ENTRY Open Tuesday to Friday: 10am - 4pm

Weekends: 10am - 2pm.

EXHIBITIONS: UNTIL 20 MAY THROUGHOUT 2023

The Dingo Project: Wongari

Originally curated for Ngununggula in the NSW Southern Highlands, The Dingo Project: Wongari shift s the focus of Djon Mundine’s curatorial project to Butchulla country and the Wongari of K’gari.

Fiona Foley: Janjari

A major new work by internationally renowned Badtjala contemporary artist Dr Fiona Foley.

WORKSHOPS AND TALKS

Art Prize Info Session

Sat 6 May | 11 AM

Learn how to put your best foot forward when entering an art prize with tips and advice from HBRG staff.

UPCOMIING WORKSHOP: SUN 7 MAY

Fernando do Campo: To companion a companion

With one foot in the field and the other in the archives, Fernando do Campo focuses on ‘companioning’ as an artistic strategy, researching the knotted histories of urban multispecies encounters through listening, painting, archiving and plural histories.

Top le : Mia Boe, Satisfaction of one’s own reflection, 2021, synthetic polymer on linen. Top right: Fiona Foley, Janjari 2022 video still, courtesy of the artist. Bottom le : Fernando do Campo, Pishing in the archive, 2021, single channel HD video (production still).

311 Kent St, Maryborough 4190 5818

FREE ENTRY Open Tuesday to Friday: 9.30am - 3.30pm

Weekends: 9.30am - 2pm.

EXHIBITIONS: UNTIL SUN 4 JUN

Spectrum of Life: A Retrospective

Peter Hughes

Experience the evolution of current and past works.

Miniaturised

Maryborough

Marilyn Murray

Featuring miniature artworks focusing on the rich heritage of Maryborough.

Simply Stitches

Maryborough Heritage City Embroiderers

Showcasing a range of styles, stitches and embroidery techniques.

CREATIVE SPACE POP-UP EXHIBITIONS:

14 APR - 4 JUN

Meet the Bells: A Wallum Journey

Joolie Gibbs

A selection of large and small 2D works depicting the Wallum environment.

WORKSHOP: Creating Polyester Plate Lithographs

Sun 7 May | 10AM

Join professional printmaker

Dr Jenny Sanzaro-Nishimura to learn how to create Polyester Plate Lithograph prints. Spaces are limited and registration is required.

Butchulla Warriors’ Memorial

A selection of photographs and castings to celebrate the opening of the monument in Queens Park.

ARTIST TALK & ACTIVITIES

Artist in residenceMaryborough Heritage City Embroiderers

Wed 3, 10 & 17 May | 1PM-3PM

Marilyn Murray

Sat 6 May | 11 AM

Print Studio

Weekly Wed & Sat | 10AM-2PM

Life Drawing

Saturdays | 10AM-12PM

Images (clockwise from top le ): Peter Hughes Chinese Wuhan; Lynne Pearl Embroidery; Joolie Gibbs Meet the Bells; Dr Jennifer Sanzaro Polyester Plate Lithograph Print; Marilyn Murray Town Hall.

Tea