22-24 OCT 2021
official festival
program
mayor’s welcome
A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR TONY WILLIAMS
Welcome to the 2021 Rockhampton River Festival - the biggest celebration of culture, music, art, entertainment and dining in the region! With last year’s festival unable to go ahead due to COVID-19 and the subsequent impact the pandemic has had upon arts, entertainment and tourism industries across the country, now I couldn’t be prouder to officially welcome vendors, visitors and locals alike back to what is shaping up to be one of the best River Festivals yet! Now in it’s 6th year, and with a new October date to take advantage of our fabulous spring weather, the 2021 Rockhampton River Festival program has something for everyone with an array of family-friendly entertainment on offer. From nightly fireworks, interactive art installations and Darumbal cultural experiences, to live outdoor music performances headlined by Sneaky Sound System and The Dreggs, Cosplay experiences and drag circus bingo, crowds will be spoilt for choice. Whatever you choose to attend, I’d like to say a big ‘thank-you’ on behalf of Council, as well as the Advance Rockhampton events team, the countless vendors, artists and local businesses associated with the festival, for supporting this incredible event. River Festival helps us fill our restaurants, cafes, retail outlets and hotels, boosts local tourism, promotes local artists and entertainers and supports local jobs; all of which is more important than ever in a post-pandemic world. Enjoy all the festival has to offer and I hope to see you out and about enjoying this year’s event. TONY WILLIAMS Mayor
minister’s welcome
A MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION & MINISTER FOR SPORT
Welcome to Rockhampton River Festival a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in Rockhampton’s local culture and community, and hopefully explore some of the superb tourism experiences on offer here. The impacts of the pandemic have provided incredible challenges, but thanks to the hard work of Queenslanders our state was one of the first to put in place a COVID Safe Event Framework which paved the way for events such as this one to take place. The Queensland Government is proud to support Rockhampton River Festival, through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Destination Events Program and it is a feature on our It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Events are an important part of our state’s economic recovery from the pandemic because they attract visitors to the region which stimulates the local economy and supports local jobs. Events are also an important opportunity for communities, friends, families and visitors to come together, creating community pride and reconnecting us. Congratulations to the event organisers and all those involved in organising this event – may it be a successful one. If you are visiting for the event, I encourage you to make some time to explore the diverse tourism experiences on offer in this beautiful region. THE HON. STIRLING HINCHLIFFE MP Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation and Minister for Sport
festival
the
quay
Boathouse
Quay Stage
Toilets oria
Vict
Pde
First Aid
download the app! To plan your weekend, check out the full program and ensure you’re the first to hear all of the latest announcements, don’t forget to download the ‘Rockhampton Events’ app! Once installed, simply click on Current events and select Rockhampton River Festival.
The Cri
Market Village
BarBar
Quay Street Riverston Tea Rooms
MAP KEY
Information Tent
Di
Denham St
map
Unity Project
River Fish Workshops
Reviva Ibis
nosaur Zoo
Main Stage
Deluxe Desserts Food
Quay Lane
Bar
Wheel of Oz Food
Herit age Hotel
The Galley William St
Customs House
RMOA
Market Village
Rides
Darumbal Gathering Space
shipyard
Pop Culture Alley Sunday 10 - 5pm
Derby St
Rod Laver Plaza
the
Quay Lane
Walter Reid Cultural Centre
your festival
checklist
Book your ticket for Bearded Bingo, the high-key, low-stakes drag circus bingo extravaganza Take a ride on the Wheel of Oz Listen to live music at one of the festival stages Relax by the riverbank and watch one of the nightly fireworks displays
Check out the interactive Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo - perfect for kids! Join in the ‘You Should be Dancing’ dance party Experience the Waka Gulbugarngu Tunuba Gathering Space Take part in our UNITY public art project and help create an inspiring community artwork
what’s on
friday 22 Shipyard Stage 5:00pm 5:15pm
Dani Miller (DJ)
Quay Stage
Yeppoon Ukulele Movement (YUM)
Rod Laver Plaza
Walter Reid Centre
Customs House
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo
5:30pm 5:45pm You Should be Dancing by 6:15pm Everybody NOW! 6:00pm
Side Hustle
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo
Walter Reid Cultural Centre Exhibition
Bearded Bingo
6:30pm
(TICKETED)
6:45pm 7:00pm 7:15pm 7:30pm
Maddi & The Hoopers
Forty 5 K
7:45pm 8:00pm 8:15pm
Jackson Dunn
8:30pm 8:45pm 9:00pm 9:15pm
Sneaky Sound System RELIC
9:30pm 9:45pm *Program subject to change
friday’s
highlights R ERTH’S DINOSAU ZOO Meet an amazing menagerie of dinosaurs that once roamed free across Australia. Learn how to feed and interact with Erth’s dinosaurs in a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Children can watch wide-eyed from a safe distance or dare to get right up close to these prehistoric creatures. WHEN: All three days WHERE: Rod Laver Plaza KID FRIENDLY
YOU SHOULD BE DANCING
SNEAKY SOU ND SYSTEM It was back in 2004 when Miss Connie and Angus McDonald started making beautiful music together. A series of singles at first then, in 2006, their self-titled, 3x platinum debut album saw them win ARIA Awards for Breakthrough Artist and Best Dance Release, the first of 14 nominations todate. With three albums, multiple singles and success on the ARIA Club, US Dance Airplay, UK Club, UK Music Week Club and Beatport Global House Charts over the past two decades, they are regarded as one of Australia’s best dance/electropop bands. WHEN: Friday, 8:30pm WHERE: Shipyard Main Stage
You Should Be Dancing is a shiny, glittery, mega mix of the ultimate dancing moves, bought to you by performance collective Everybody NOW! Totally participatory, inclusive for all ages and abilities, the show opens with a short ‘learn the moves’ class followed by 90 minutes of dancing. This is your invitation to party, feel the rhythm, embrace the romance and dance, dance, dance. WHEN: All three days WHERE: Shipyard Main Stage
what’s on
DON’T MISS the Cultural Tours & Exhibitions 10am - 5pm
saturday 23 Shipyard Stage 10:00 am 10:15 am 10:30 am 10:45 am 11:00 am 11:15 am 11:30 am 11:45 am 12:00 pm 12:15 pm 12:30 pm 12:45 pm 1:00 pm 1:15 pm 1:30 pm 1:45 pm 2:00 pm 2:15 pm 2:30 pm 2:45 pm 3:00 pm
Dani Miller (DJ)
5:45 pm 6:00 pm 6:15 pm 6:30 pm 6:45 pm 7:00 pm 7:15 pm 7:30 pm
Rod Laver Plaza
Dani Miller (DJ) Aspy Jones
Walter Reid Centre
Customs House
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo
Anime Cinema - Spirited Away (PG)
Garret Lyon Side Hustle Chenai Boucher & The Rollers
River Fish Workshops
Kassy Evans Pauline Maudy (MZAZA) & Friends
3:15 pm 3:30 pm 3:45 pm 4:00 pm 4:15 pm 4:30 pm 4:45 pm 5:00 pm 5:15 pm 5:30 pm
Quay Stage
CQ Battle of the Bands
HaydenGoSeek
Bollywood Workshop Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo
Anime Cinema - Bearded Bingo Your Name (PG) (TICKETED)
RELIC The Dreggs Aspy Jones You Should be Dancing by Everybody NOW!
Pauline Maudy (MZAZA) & Friends
Jackson Dunn
Zac Cross Band
Hot August Night by The Good Band
Maddi & The Hoopers
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo
Bollywood Workshop
Anime Cinema - Howl’s Moving Bearded Bingo Castle (PG) (TICKETED)
7:45 pm 8:00 pm 8:15 pm 8:30 pm 8:45 pm 9:00 pm 9:15 pm 9:30 pm
Indigo Electric
LightViolet
9:45 pm
*Program subject to change
saturday’s
highlights RIVER FISH WORKSHOPS Drop in and join puppeteers from Erth’s Puppeteers to create a school of life-size barramundi puppets using recycled materials. Get crafty and bring along a washed 2L milk bottle from home to contribute. The delightful illuminated River Fish will parade along the river each night during the Festival, proudly sponsored by Fitzroy Partnership for River Health. WHEN: Saturday and Sunday WHERE: Rod Laver Plaza KID FRIENDLY
BEARDED BINGO A fabulous new take on a beloved ballbased classic. Brisbane’s notorious boylesque stars Briefs are back to satisfy your thinly-veiled gambling addiction with a high-key, low-stakes drag circus bingo extravaganza! Grab your buddies, down a few chardies, and have your bingo blotter at the ready if you want a shot at the hilariously miscellaneous prize table! It’s a day of kind-hearted, PG-ish entertainment guaranteed to leave you feeling a little light in your loafers. WHEN: Shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday WHERE: Customs House
THE DREGGS
TICKETED - BOOK NOW >>
Australian Indie-Folk duo, THE DREGGS, were formed in 2017, and are made up of Paddy Macrae and Zane Harris. Equipped with two acoustic guitars and a stomp, the Dreggs are masters at keeping it simple, uncomplicated and a hell of a lot of fun. Having grown up surfing on the Sunshine Coast with the ocean by their feet, constantly surfing, and being strong advocates for Mental Health Awareness, has helped them create their own unique style, and making the Indie Folk scene a little more of their own. WHEN: Saturday, 4:30pm WHERE: Shipyard Main Stage
what’s on
DON’T MISS the Cultural Tours & Exhibitions 10am - 5pm
sunday 24 Shipyard Stage
Quay Stage
Rod Laver Plaza
Walter Reid Centre
Customs House
10:00 am 10:15 am 10:30 am 10:45 am 11:00 am
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo
CapriCon Cosplay Competition
11:15 am 11:30 am 11:45 am 12:00 pm 12:15 pm 12:30 pm
Dani Miller (DJ)
The Willbees
River Fish Workshops
12:45 pm 1:00 pm 1:15 pm 1:30 pm 1:45 pm 2:00 pm
You Should be Dancing by Everybody NOW!
Denvah
Bearded Bingo Anime Cinema Silent Voice (PG)
Kyle & Celeste
2:15 pm
(TICKETED)
2:30 pm 2:45 pm 3:00 pm 3:15 pm
HaydenGoSeek
Aspy Jones Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo
3:30 pm 3:45 pm 4:00 pm 4:15 pm 4:30 pm
Pauline Maudy (MZAZA) & Friends
Blew Fuze
Josh Bobadilla
Forty 5 K
Silky Fuzz
Jackson Dunn
4:45 pm 5:00 pm 5:15 pm
Erth’s Dinosaur Anime Cinema Zoo Wolf Children (PG)
5:30 pm 5:45 pm 6:00 pm 6:15 pm 6:30 pm 6:45 pm
*Program subject to change
sunday’s
highlights COSPLAY COMPETITION The CapriCon Cosplay Competition will showcase standout costumes from professional and amateur cosplayers aged 5 years and up. With prizes from major cosplay supplier and competition sponsor, Lumin’s Workshop up for grabs, the titles of Top Cosplayer, Top Crafter and Top Team will be a hotly contested. Whether you’re competing or just interested in taking a look, it will be a great family fun event with marvellous characters and superheroes. WHEN: Sunday, 10am - 11:30am WHERE: Shipyard Main Stage
POP CULTURE ALLEY MARKETS
JACKSON DUNN Jackson Dunn has released his best work yet...Fire & Air from his upcoming album “In All It’s Glory” this new banger is edgy, driving, commanding and showcases his musicianship and song writing skills. Jackson continues to push the envelope and adapt to new ways to engage his audiences through his music and energetic live performances. WHEN: All three days WHERE: Quay Stage
Discover Pop Culture Alley in Quay Lane where all your favourite vendors from CapriCon will be trading. WHEN: Sunday, 10am - 5pm WHERE: Quay Lane, 10am - 5pm
CAPRICORN SILVER BAND Enjoy listening to Capricorn Silver Band perform a wide variety of music across all genres. WHEN: Sunday, 1:30pm - 2:15pm WHERE: Near Wheel of Oz
FOOD + MARKET ST ALLS It wouldn’t be River Festival without the brilliant array of scrumptious food and homemade goodies. From jewellery, homewares and skincare to wood fired pizza, paella, donuts, and churros, there really is something for everyone! WHEN: All three days WHERE: Around the Festival
don’t miss
daily events
NIGHTLY FIREWORKS Crowds will be treated to fireworks displays each night of the festival at family friendly timeslots of 7.45pm on Friday and Saturday and 6:45pm on Sunday. The displays are proudly sponsored by Mr Real Estate. TIMES: 7:45pm Friday 7:45 pm Saturday 6:45pm Sunday WHERE: Secure your best viewing spot overlooking the river
ILLUMINATED FISH PARADE The delightful illuminated River Fish will parade along the river each night during the Festival. TIMES: 7:30pm - 7:45pm Friday 7:30pm - 7:45pm Saturday 6:30pm - 6:45pm Sunday WHERE: Around the Festival
WHEEL OF OZ Take in the views of the festival and the beautiful Fitzroy River (Tunuba) on the Wheel of Oz Ferris Wheel. At an elegant 26 metres tall, take a ride in one of the 18 open air gondolas and be awe inspired by the 360˚ panoramic views. Tickets are $5pp and available at the festival box office. Companion Cards and children under 3 years are free. TIMES: 5pm - 10pm Friday 10am - 10pm Saturday 10am - 7pm Sunday
WALTER REID CULTURAL TOURS & EXHIBITIONS
U WAKA GULBUGARNGG IN ER TH GA TUNUBA SPAC E A meeting space nurtured by Darumbal Enterprise. Gather with Traditional Custodians the Darumbal people on the banks of Tunuba for a program of ceremony, workshops, listening, learning, dancing and yarning. Come with respect, ready to engage, dance and be enriched by the oldest living culture on earth. The program, suitable for all ages, includes: • Welcome to Country • Ceremony • Fire & Darumbal Stories with elders • Didgeridoo Performance • Story Time • Craft Sessions • Weaving & Dilly bag workshops • Artefact displays • Cultural performance from The Australian South Sea Islander community • Cultural performance from Tu Te Awaroa showcasing Maori Culture • Bush Tucker yarning TIMES: 5pm - 7:45pm Friday 10am - 7:45pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday WHERE: Rod Laver Plaza
Enjoy the exhibition in the gallery throughout the festival or pop into the Walter Reid on Saturday for their open day including guided tours of the basement, historical features and visits to the many working groups within the Centre. Studios are also open for viewing at various times throughout the festival with drop in activities for a creative mind. TIMES: 5pm - 7pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday WHERE: Walter Reid Centre, Derby St
UNITY PROJECT Take part in our unique UNITY project! Share your background by choosing identifiers that apply to you, join them with a piece of yarn and help create an inspiring piece of public art. TIMES: 10am - 4pm Saturday & Sunday WHERE: The Shipyard
REVIVA IBIS One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Check out the treasure trove that Reviva Ibis has on show - from nifty bits to nick-nacks, boats to books, lawnmowers to lawn seeds. Meet the team from the Resource Recovery Centre. TIMES: 10am - 10pm Saturday 10am - 7pm Sunday WHERE: The Shipyard
keeping covid safe SOCIAL DISTANCING
CROWDS & CAPACITY LIMITS
Help reduce the risk of infection by keeping your distance from others where possible and avoiding close contact with people you do not live with.
If an event space is overly crowded, please stay away. Please also observe the capacity limit signage of certain venues and spaces.
PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE
CHECK IN QLD APP
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Hand sanitiser is available throughout the festival. STAY HOME IF UNWELL
You will be required to check in using the Check In QLD app upon entry the festival. If you haven’t already done so, here’s the code to scan with your app.
Please stay home and get tested if you are feeling unwell, have a cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath or any other flu-like symptoms.
SCAN NOW! Or enter the code: 368877
things to know... PARKING & TRANSPORT Parking is available at the Pilbeam Theatre Carpark, Rockhampton Regional Council Carpark and throughout the City Centre. You can also travel via the local bus network or taxi. ACCESSIBILITY As the event has been designed with accessibility in mind, the entire festival is accessible via wheelchair, mobility scooters and prams.
FIRST AID If you require medical assistance or feel unwell, make your way to the First Aid area located on Quay Street near the children’s playground or report to any of our information booths. PROHIBITED ITEMS We are all here to have a great time so don’t spoil it for others around you. Prohibited items include drugs, unauthorised alcohol and cars (except authorised emergency vehicles).
AGNES BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL, GLADSTONE, 18 - 20 FEBRUARY 2022
QUEENSLAND I S H O M E TO WO R L D - C L A S S EVENTS
QUEENSLAND.COM/EVENTS
proudly sponsored by:
for more info
visit:
ROCKHAMPTONRIVERFESTIVAL.COM.AU