Rising, photographed by Chris Nash
Make the most of it! It’s your last chance to enjoy Tasmanian International Arts Festival experiences
as the festival gears up for its final two days of visual feasts, comedy, sultry acrobatics, 4D cinema
experiences, family friendly fun and acclaimed international theatre across the state.
Artistic Director David Malacari said Tasmanians and visitors alike had a plethora of exciting events
in every corner of the state to choose from during the final weekend of the festival.
“In Queenstown, in our west, Watermark explores the power of music and theatre as a tool to
reconstruct a town which has seen recent struggles, while the visual arts exhibition Landscape is a
conversation delves into the subjects of colour, creativity and imagination,” Mr Malacari said.
“In the north west, audiences can help the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra mark its 50th birthday at a
celebratory concert at the Burnie Arts & Function Centre on Saturday evening, and again in
Launceston on Sunday late afternoon.
“Back in Burnie, for those young at heart, a free interactive tiny puppet community experience at I
Think I Can presented by Terrapin Puppet Theatre will also at the Burnie Arts & Function Centre all
weekend.
“Contemporary dance company Stompin’s latest piece 6000 to 1 will give audiences in Launceston
an opportunity to explore the impact and importance of the choices we make as well as the
repercussions of real-life situations in a showdown with the notions of luck, chance, fate and choice.
“And for those looking for a place to rendezvous with friends before or after a festival show in
Launceston, Plato’s Cave at the Earl, will be open from 5pm till late over the weekend, providing an
immersive environment where visitors can eat, drink and question the nature of perception and
reality in this site-specific installation. Not to mention exhibitions at QVMAG and the Design Centre.
“On the state’s East Coast locals and visitors should head to Triabunna on Saturday, 28 March to
enjoy the annual maritime celebration that is Seafest, and enjoy a free Cuban concert by El Son
Entero at 5pm and, for those with some energy left after dancing up a Cuban storm, the highly
acclaimed Alzheimer Symphony will be presented at the Swansea Town Hall at 7.30pm.”
Mr Malacari said Hobart had an array of festival delights including an incredible line-up of
international acts such as Dementia 13, The Cardinals and Rising to finish off.
“New Zealand company Live Live Cinema will recreate the entire soundtrack, dialogue, sound effects
and music of Francis Ford Coppola’s 1963 film Dementia 13 live on stage in Hobart at Wrest Point on
Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” he said.
“Renowned international dancer, Aakash Odedra, whose work is inspirational, has travelled to
Tasmania from the UK to captivate audiences with his acclaimed show Rising.
“In contrast, UK company, Stans Café, will provoke questioning and self-reflection as they explore
the concept of belief with great humour in their production, The Cardinals which will be presented at
St David’s Cathedral on Friday, 27 March and Saturday, 28 March at 7.30pm.
“Another highlight of the festival’s final days is Blue Angel, which combines music installation, video
and sound design to tell the stories of Tasmanian sailors and seafarers.”
Mr Malacari said the final weekend of the Spiegeltent’s spectacular program was also upon us, with
some amazing performances still to come.
“Saturday at the Spiegeltent kicks off with great line-up of family entertainment with Live & Loopy, in
which electronic wizardry is wonderfully combined with DIY ingenuity, to play an array of surprising
instruments. This is a great one for the kids,” he said.
“And hailing all the way from Scotland’s highlands is Breabach – a five-piece ensemble who will hit
the Spiegel stage with full vigour at 2.30pm, followed by the ever popular La Soirée with two shows
at 5pm and 7.30pm and traditional Cuban band El Son Entero at 10pm.
“On the final day of the Spiegeltent another family friendly show Kaput will tumble across the
Spiegeltent floor with a hilarious mix of chaos, comedy and acrobatics, rounded off at 5pm with La
Soirée’s final Hobart show for 2015.”
For a copy of the Tasmanian International Arts Festival or Spiegeltent programs or to book a show,
simply head to tendays.org.au or phone (03) 6210 5777.
Lucinda Szczypior, Font PR
