Artsworx announces 2011 Season

After many months of planning, USQ Artsworx has announced their 2011 season of performing, creative and visual arts.

Artworx Manager, Dr Rebecca Scollen, believes they have come up with a program with broad appeal and a little bit of the ‘wow’ factor.

'Our challenge is always to include something which will have an appeal to a broad cross-section of the community, from children visiting the theatre for the very first time to the connoisseurs of the classics,' Dr Scollen said.

'The result is a well-rounded season, not only showcasing the talent on offer within our local community but also attracting a host of visiting international and national professional artists to Toowoomba.'

Audiences will be pleased to hear that annual favourites including the McGregor Schools, Shakespeare in the Park Festival, Twilight Series and Children’s Festival will return.

The season will open in January with the 43rd annual MCGregor Summer School when arts enthusiasts from around the nation will visit Toowoomba to participate in the 10-day arts retreat.

The Twilight Series is also back with more beautiful music and stimulating conversation and a very attractive subscription package with savings of up to 40% on tickets.

The series will offer six music ensembles; the internationally renowned Violin/Piano Duo featuring Spiros Rantos and Brachi Tilles; USQ’s resident Ensemble A250; Brisbane classical piano/vocal duo, Ikonmusic; popular local jazz ensemble and USQ graduates, Swing on In; the unique and highly regarded Lipman Harp Duo; and a new classical quartet featuring four Queensland Orchestra musicians and USQ’s Martin Crook on clarinet.

'We are also especially excited to announce the guest speakers for our two Twilight Talks; outspoken political journalist, Mungo MacCallum and newly appointed Artistic Director of Queensland Theatre Company, Wesley Enoch,' Dr Scollen said.

'Both have exceptional reputations in their fields and bring with them a wealth of knowledge which they will share with our audiences in the intimate atmosphere of a Twilight Talk. '

One of the big announcements is the new timeslot for the Shakespeare in the Park Festival, returning to Queens Park for its eighth annual season in October, rather than March, 2011.

Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Festival, Scott Alderdice spoke about the evolution of the event.

'It all really started back in 2001 when we presented a mammoth production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Empire Theatre with more than sixty community dancers, singers and gymnasts, a volunteer sewing team and 600 people at The White Dream Day,' Mr Alderdice said.

'After the success of the event, we got to thinking that not only did the University need a project which would make us unique amongst actor-training programs in Australia, but Toowoomba was ready for a Shakespeare Festival.

'Now, in 2011, we are suddenly at our tenth anniversary from that first production and it is fitting that a whole new generation of people will get to discover A Midsummer Night's Dream but this time with the ultimate backdrop; Queens Park.'

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a play for the whole family as will be National Film and Sound Archive’s visiting production of The Cooee Cabaret in early March and the Children’s Festival, returning in May with a delightful Roald Dahl meets Lemony Snickets tale, Ivy Shambit and the Sound Machine.

Marilyn Meier-Kapavale and the USQ Keyboard Ticklers will return by popular demand in August with a piano recital celebrating movie heroes throughout the ages.

'This tour de force will feature a variety of solo and ensemble performances by Marilyn on multiple pianos, combining the sounds of the Steinway, Kawai and four upright pianos,' Dr Scollen said.

'And after this year’s sell-out recital we’re taking no chances, At the Movies will be presented on a Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon – so no one misses out this time!'

The Ergon Energy Big Band will feature in two major events in 2011, the inaugural USQ Ice Crystal Gala Ball in July and Big Band, Big Voices with the USQ Contemporary Singers in November.

The season will also feature a full Exhibition Series, a new musical theatre in September, McGregor Winter School in July, McGregor on the Bay in September and the McGregor in the Vines weekend workshops.

Tickets to the Twilight Series and gift certificates are now on sale through the USQ Artsworx Box Office on 07 4631 1111. For further details about the 2011 season, visit www.usq.edu.au/artsworx or contact the USQ Artsworx Box Office on 07 4631 1111.