Unconventional Arts
Pete Goodlet discovers a delightfully unconventional Arts Festival that will literally be happening anywhere!
Anywhere, anyway, anywho! The Anywhere Festival is on its way to inspire, challenge and delight us this Autumn.
In a host of unconventional venues, you will witness unique theatrical performances, anywhere but the norm.
Be prepared to suspend belief as your wildest imaginings are bought to life by superbly talented, theatrical folk.
Here you will find the spark of creativity is more akin to an explosion in a fireworks factory.
The diversity of venues is cleverly complemented by a diversity of theatre, music, circus and comedy.
Anywhere Festival is a globally-unique and cultural experience for all to enjoy where local businesses, private residences and public spaces provide the stage for artists to deliver spectacular performances.
Created in 2011 by Paul Osuch and Alex McTavish as Brisbane’s take on a fringe festival, Anywhere Festival has grown over the past five years with Toni Wills appointed as the Noosa and Sunshine Coast Creative Producer.
She has been working on a host of fabulous festival fun for the Sunshine Coast and beyond with dates now extended to cope with demand.
According to Toni, there was great potential for mind-blowing and memorable experiences to celebrate the return of Anywhere Festival.
“In the past two years, we have had to live the mantra that we are all in this together and collaboration between performers and artists and local businesses will save the day in this post-pandemic recovery period!” she said. “Anywhere Festival has always been about bringing people together and creating extraordinary experiences in the everyday. This year’s program is a chance for people to gather again and celebrate the joy and lightness of life and have some good old-fashioned fun.”
Business, community groups and artists are banding together to bounce back from the pandemic. Live shows are a celebration of creativity and Anywhere Festival gives you the opportunity to support local creatives and businesses as we all look for a new way forward.
Toni and the Anywhere Festival team are committed to bringing creative joy to the Sunshine Coast in abundance.
“We’d love to see lots of local support for the venues that are putting themselves out there to provide a magic place for creativity,” Toni said.
“I’m super excited about this year’s program as there are so many performances to surprise and delight.”
The joy of the Anywhere Festival is discovering the new: new artists, new ideas and new venues.
Anywhere Festival shows seek out the new, the unusual and the spectacular and this year sees an epic watery adventure splashdown in the Nambour Aquatic Centre; acrobatics, illusion and fun in the Maroochydore CBD; and a Broadway classic brought to life amongst the trees at Montessori International College.
Get in early with your bookings as tickets are limited.
ANYWHERE FESTIVAL 2022 – SUNSHINE COAST PROGRAM
ARGONAUTIKA, NAMBOUR AQUATIC CENTRE
Be prepared for anything when BYTES Theatre Company stages the epic tale of Argonautika in the newly refurbished water play park at Nambour Aquatic Centre. This talented cast will literally splash their way through scenes in their search for the Golden Fleece. Under the direction of Robyn Ernst, BYTES have consistently won awards for their Anywhere shows that thoroughly embrace the Anywhere spirit. This is theatre, but not as you know it.
When: 6, 7, 8 & 13 May, 7pm Cost: $23
Where: Nambour Aquatic Centre, 31 Petrie Park Road, Nambour
An audience gathers, a buzz of anticipation forms, a van pulls up and out pops… a Circus Delivery! Vulcana Women’s Circus were one of the first companies to offer an Uber Eats delivery style performance after the 2020 Anywhere Festival was cancelled. The days of 20 people gathering in driveways are now over, but thankfully Circus Delivery is here to stay! And it’s bigger and better than ever with Disappearing Acts being delivered to the Maroochydore CBD. Knock off work early and meet the family for a one-off show of acrobatics, illusion and fun.
When: Friday 6 May, 5pm Cost: $30
Where: The Met, Cnr First Ave and South Sea Islander Way, Maroochydore CBD
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Montessori International College
Love a musical? Feed the need for musical hilarity with one of the longest running Broadway shows about a blood thirsty plant. Little Shop of Horrors is coming to town for Anywhere in 2022 and we can’t wait to tap our toes to all that nostalgic wonder. The charmingly tongue-in-cheek cult classic comedy has been produced worldwide to critical acclaim. Don’t miss this stunning reimagined immersive production. Produced and performed by a talented cast and crew, led by Riley Cope and Marina de Jager, this production will be like no other. Set in the beautiful surrounds of the Montessori International College at Forest Glen, this horror musical comedy is an absolute riot. Book a babysitter and enjoy a night out!
When: 29 & 30 April, 7.30pm; 1 May, 6pm Cost: $49/$42
Where: Montessori International College, 880 Maroochydore Rd, Forest Glen
BOOKINGS FOR SUNSHINE COAST EVENTS VIA: www.anywhere.is
DON’T MISS! Mother’s Day Event: Women and Wine, ALBA By Kuruvita
A signature event of Anywhere Festival and being performed on Mother’s Day is Women and Wine by the talented Muses Trio. Joining forces with the new Alba by Kuruvita and Hello Sunshine and IN Noosa Magazine, this show is a celebration of all the women who do all the things. Playing divine music on piano, violin and cello composed by women from all over the globe, these three accomplished musicians are a delightful accompaniment to the specially designed four-course menu, paired with matching wines from four magnificent female winemakers. Hosted by Hello Sunshine and IN Noosa Magazine, this event will celebrate the fun and feminine in us all. Treat your Mum or grab a bunch of your besties (guys and gals) and raise a glass to all the women in your life. Tickets are strictly limited.
When: Sunday 8 May, 12 noon
Where: Alba by Kuruvita, 3 Alba Close, Noosa Heads
How: book via www.albanoosa.com.au
Cost: $150 per person including the performance, welcome cocktail and four courses with matching wines.
Get out, get onboard, get Anywhere! www.anywhere.is
