DECEMBER 2023 A GUIDE TO THEATRE • ARTS • HERITAGE • CULTURE
THE BEATING HEART OF JAZZ ARTIST PROFILE: STEPHEN WRIGHT When twelve year old Steve Wright joined his local brass band, little did he know his love of percussion would take him on a global musical journey, spanning over fift y years and multiple continents. After years playing the music scene in his home town of Maryborough, and working as a metal fabricator, Steve travelled north to Townsville to further his education, studying Archaeology, Anthropology, Modern History and Geography. It was during this time he established himself in Townsville’s vibrant music scene and discovered his passion for jazz, playing with some of Australia’s iconic greats such as Don Burrows and Julie Anthony. Returning to the Fraser Coast, Steve’s career took an exciting turn, when in 2016 his band embraced the opportunity to travel to Bucharest, Romania to play jazz in the opening gala concert of the international music event EuropaFEST. Three years later they played in the gala concert again.
COVER IMAGE: Rebecca Hoyes, “Mervin” Mandrill Monkey 2023, mixed media. Photo: Amanda Kratzmann. On display at Gatakers Artspace until 7 January 2024 in Waste to Art exhibition.
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This year, as a result of his previous experience and obvious passion, Steve was invited to attend EuropaFEST as part of the jury panel for the prestigious Bucharest International Jazz Competition. He also held a full day jazz percussion workshop. Thanks to his RADF funding and his willingness to embrace all opportunities, Steve spent two weeks witnessing some of the most incredible musicians he had ever heard, an experience of a lifetime. Home on the Fraser Coast, Steve is excited for a rich future for the region. He is currently Vice President of the Hervey Bay Jazz and Blues Club and will off icially launch the dynamic TNT Big Band this month. Steve has grand plans and believes there is the capacity for a regional orchestra in the Fraser Coast. By his own admission he is “stubborn and not very diplomatic” but it’s these qualities that have helped carve his way through a career in the music industry he is deeply passionate about.
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
Story: April Spadina Photo: Cody Fox
With the support of local musicians, Steve knows the Fraser Coast has what it takes to become part of the vibrant international music scene he loves so much.
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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.
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5 Walker Street, Maryborough 4122 6060 Box Office Open Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 4pm
Toni Robinson’s Dance School
Sat 2 Dec | 1.30PM & 6PM Get ready to groove at Toni Robinson’s Dance School’s spectacular 2023 concert, ‘Disco Inferno’!
A Million Dreams Dresens Ballet School
Sun 3 Dec | 10.30AM & 5PM Dresens Ballet School celebrates 10 years, with an entertaining program featuring The Nutcracker, showcasing our talented students!
Morning Melodies Christmas with Karen Knowles Thu 7 Dec | 11AM Join Karen for a wonderful selection of her hits, standards, new music and your favourite Christmas songs.
Macabre Theatre Co. presents Peter Pan
X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X - Met Opera
Florencia En El Amazonas - Metropolitan Opera
Fri 15 Dec | 7.30PM Sat 16 Dec | 7.30PM Sun 17 Dec | 1PM An adaptation of the classic Peter Pan with new songs and characters old and new.
Mon 18 Dec | 1PM Anthony Davis’s groundbreaking and influential opera imagines Malcolm as an Everyman whose story transcends time and space.
Mon 15 Jan | 1PM The enchanting story of a Brazilian opera diva who returns to her homeland to perform at the legendary opera house of Manaus.
WHAT’S ON | DECEMBER 2023 FESTIVE SEASON CLOSURES HERVEY BAY REGIONAL GALLERY, THE STORY BANK & GATAKERS ARTSPACE Closing Friday, 22 December 2023 at 12pm. Closed Sunday, 24 December 2023, reopening Thursday 28 December 2023. Closed 1 January 2024, reopening 2 January 2024.
BROLGA THEATRE
Legacy - Hervey Bay Dance School Sat 9 Dec | 11AM & 5.30PM Hervey Bay Dance School Presents ‘Legacy,’ as part of their 23rd year this production is an electrifying showcase of local talent.
Closing Friday, 22 December 2023 at 12pm. Closed 23 December 2023, reopening Tuesday 2 January 2024. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Manpower Australia Wed 17 Jan | 7PM An intimate stage production of chiselled bodies, seductive dance routines, cheeky humour and that boy-nextdoor charm that you won’t be able to resist!
• 2023 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TRAIL! • FESTIVE EVENT LISTINGS
166 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay 4197 4206 FREE ENTRY Open Tuesday to Friday: 10am - 4pm Weekends: 10am - 2pm.
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS: UNTIL SUN 4 FEB, 2024
Hervey Bay School of Displacement with Keg de Souza In response to the housing crisis that faces the Fraser Coast and many communities around Australia, HBRG is proud to present Hervey Bay School of Displacement with nationally renowned artist Keg de Souza.
Fiona Foley: Janjari A major work by internationally renowned Badtjala contemporary artist Dr Fiona Foley. Images (clockwise from left): Redfern School of Displacement, 2016. Installation view: 20th Biennale of Sydney. Photo: Document Photography; Michael Cook, Livin’ the dream (BBQ), 2020, Inkjet print; Butchulla Seasonal Garden at HBRG; Fiona Foley, Janjari 2022 video still, courtesy of the artist.
Michael Cook: Livin’ the Dream Theatrically staged and highly polished, Cook’s photographic artworks tease out the fictitious possibilities of familiar narratives, combining the personal with the political and the historical with the imaginary.
Have you explored the Butchulla Seasonal Garden lately? The garden highlights native flora and how it was utilised by the region’s original inhabitants. Explore the garden for yourself and learn more about the seasons as well as the plants and their uses.
311 Kent St, Maryborough 4190 5818 FREE ENTRY Open Tuesday to Friday: 9.30am - 3.30pm Weekends: 9.30am - 2pm.
CREATIVE SPACE EXHIBITIONS Quintessentially Queensland
GATAKERS ARTSPACE EXHIBITION UNTIL SUN 7 JAN 2024
MAANZ Qld Exhibition UNTIL SUN 10 DEC
Jenny Rogers, Lino Cut Wackett, 2023.
RAAF Maryborough Leo Baker, The Angler, 2023.
2023 Waste to Art Competition Exhibition Challenging our perception of waste, to look closer at what we are throwing away to see if it can be reused, repurposed, or upcycled rather than ending up in landfill.
ARTISAN SHOP Find unique gifts, souvenirs and wares in our retail shop. OPEN WEEKDAYS 9.30AM-3.30PM WEEKENDS 9.30AM-2PM
Maryborough Military Aviation Museum FRI 15 DEC - SUN 28 JAN Displays of the day-to-day operations at RAAF Station Maryborough during WWII.
WORKSHOPS & ACTIVITIES The Art of Grant Writing
Sat 2 Dec | 10AM - 1PM Bookings essential. Creatives can learn the art of successful grant writing.
Print Studio
Wednesdays & Saturdays | 10AM - 2PM
in the birthplace of her author PL Travers
Explore the heritage-listed, former bank, and enter a world where fantasy and fact intertwine. Delve into interactive displays, meet quirky characters and discover the art of storytelling.
Story Bank School Holiday Activities
Daily Craft Activities
Christmas Storytime
Create a magical Christmas herbal sachet or try your hand at craft s inspired by festivities from around the World! Included in entry fee.
Little Gardens - Create a Christmas Terrarium
Daily Lawn Games Join us for lawn games in Pocket Park!
Thu 14 Dec | 10AM
Sat 16 Dec | 10AM & 12.30PM Calling all green thumbs! Join us to create your own terrarium. Cost: $35 includes materials. Bookings essential.
4123 7221 Kent & Richmond Streets, Maryborough Open Tuesday to Friday 9.30am - 3.30pm. Weekends 9.30am - 2pm.
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