The 20th Queensland Music Festival is bringing its “The Mount Isa Blast” production to the city later this year and locals are encouraged to come along to an information session at the Civic Centre this month to hear more about it. The Festival stages a production in Mount Isa every two years. Previous productions have included 2003’s “Bobcat Ballet” – which was held in the dry Leichhardt Riverbed, with several bobcat machines twirling, spinning and balancing to live music, and featuring local performers – and 2013’s “Swingin’ Utes”, which was held at Buchanan Park, featured country music star Troy Cassar-Daley and involved an 18-piece big band playing jazz and swing classics while standing on ute trays. This time around, however, “The Mount Isa Blast” will involve mass choirs, a rock band, symphony, moto-cross and dancing bobcats, and will be held at Buchanan Park from July 25-27. Organisers are holding an information session on Monday, February 25, at the Civic Centre from 6.30pm to let members of the public know what the performance will entail, and to encourage locals to sign up to get involved in the show. Mayor Joyce McCulloch says the Festival performances are always special events that locals are involved in, from dancers and singers to band members. “For instance, in 2017, Mount Isa’s own Megan Sarmardin was involved in the Festival’s all- female ‘Songs That Made Me’ show, where acclaimed Australian singers Deborah Conway, Clare Bowditch and Hannah Macklin sang at the Civic Centre,” Cr McCulloch said. “This is significant because Megan got her big break thanks to her star performance in ‘Bobcat Ballet’ in 2003, which really helped to launch her career. “And both ‘Bobcat Ballet’ and ‘Swingin’ Utes’ involved local musicians, singers and dancers, so whenever the Festival comes to town it’s always a production that involves many members of the community. “’The Mount Isa Blast’ will be a show for, by and with the Mount Isa community, and will celebrate the city’s beauty and originality and reflect on its history and future. “I encourage anyone who’s interested in taking part in ‘The Mount Isa Blast’ to come along to the information session and find out how they can be involved in these great performances – they’re always a great night out and fantastic entertainment for the whole community.” As part of the Festival’s 20 th anniversary, it is also celebrating 17 years of musical collaboration with Mount Isa. READ ALSO: Sisters of the North fundraise for North West flood relief. While you are here, subscribe to our weekly email to your inbox 6am every Friday.
Concept design art by production designer Josh McIntosh of “The Mount Isa Blast”, which promises to be a celebration of all things Mount Isa.
Clare Bowditch and Hannah Macklin sang at the Civic Centre,” Cr McCulloch said.
As part of the Festival’s 20 th anniversary, it is also celebrating 17 years of musical collaboration with Mount Isa.
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