What’s happening?
The award-winning Wynnum Fringe is drawing to a close on Sunday, but its team is already taking the festival spirit into regional Queensland.
The full Toowoomba program has now been released, with The Empire set to become a lively arts hub. The program brings together comedy, music, film, theatre, mime, storytelling and visual art.
The Toowoomba leg will be led by comedian Jim Jefferies, along with musicians Dami Im, Vanessa Amorosi and Queensland Fringe Ambassador Wes Carr.
The program also includes MOCKINGBIRD, starring Mark Sholtez and Luke Kennedy. Singer-songwriter Sue Ray will launch a new single, while Heru Pinkasova will bring Songs My Aunties Taught Me to the stage.
David Fenton will perform Twelve Days of Stillness, and From Page To Stage will present Auslan interpreted short theatrical works.
Film will also form part of the program through Shine Shootout, a regional short film challenge and screening. Audiences will also hear from producers Stephen Roche and Scott Corfield in a live conversation about Don’t Tell, which was partly filmed at The Empire.
Festival Artist-In-Residence Phoebe Paradise has created signature artwork inspired by the people, landscapes and stories of Queensland Fringe’s first regional road program.
Why it matters?
Queensland Fringe gives regional audiences access to major arts programming closer to home. It also creates space for local artists to share a platform with national and international headline acts.
The Empire CEO Giuliana Bonel said the venue was proud to host the festival’s final stop.
“The Empire is committed to bringing outstanding arts experiences to our community, with our precinct to come alive with comedy, live music, film, art, theatre, mime and storytelling for this incredible event,” Ms Bonel said.
“Queensland Fringe shines a spotlight on regional arts and creates opportunities for artists and audiences as it travels through the regions before culminating in a spectacular two-day grand finale at The Empire,” she said.
“We are very pleased to partner with Queensland Fringe as they establish this festival as a much-anticipated annual event, greatly adding to our region’s cultural calendar and tourism landscape.”
Queensland Fringe Founder and Artistic Director Tom Oliver said the timing was right after developing Wynnum Fringe.
“I’ve had so many incredible moments performing at The Empire, so it’s exciting to now be presenting the Queensland Fringe Festival in partnership with The Empire and the local community in Toowoomba,” Mr Oliver said.
“Toowoomba is perfectly placed for a fringe festival; it’s got a world class theatre in the middle of town, beautiful parks, quirky laneways, amazing local hospitality businesses and most importantly world-class local artists who deserve to sit alongside international headline acts,” he said.
Local Impact
The festival brings another major cultural event into the city centre during winter. The program is likely to support local hospitality, tourism and the region’s growing arts scene.
The final stop at The Empire also gives Toowoomba a strong role in the first Queensland Fringe road program. It places the city alongside Charleville, Augathella and Roma as part of a wider regional arts push.
Mr Oliver said Wynnum Fringe had shown what a local festival could do for a community.
“In six short years, Wynnum Fringe has injected millions into Brisbane’s bayside, employed thousands from our creative sector and brought the community together for a lifetime of memories. With another six years until the Olympics, I could not be more excited to establish an annual fringe hub in Toowoomba.
“I am absolutely loving the collaboration with the local community. Toowoomba is a special place.”
By The Numbers
- The first Queensland Fringe road program will visit four regional centres, starting in Charleville, before Augathella, Roma and Toowoomba.
- The Empire will host the festival’s final two days, with the Toowoomba program running from August 6 to 7.
- Wynnum Fringe has been developed over six years before the team expanded the concept into regional Queensland.
Zoom In
The Toowoomba program has been built around variety. Major names such as Jim Jefferies, Dami Im, Vanessa Amorosi and Wes Carr give the festival broad appeal, while smaller works add depth across theatre, film and storytelling.
Shine Shootout will give regional filmmakers a place in the program. The live conversation about Don’t Tell will also connect the festival to The Empire’s own screen history, with part of the film shot at the venue.
The inclusion of Auslan interpreted works in From Page To Stage also broadens access for audiences. Phoebe Paradise’s artwork also gives the first regional program a clear visual identity.
Zoom Out
Queensland Fringe is presented in partnership with The Empire.
Major partners include Toowoomba Regional Council, Enterprise Legal, Newlands Group, Oztix, Ale, Bartons, Jayco Brisbane Camperland, Port of Brisbane and Subfracture.
Sponsors include Bunker Insurance, Hutchison Builders, Murweh Shire Council, Tilly’s, Toowoomba Grammar School, Western Queensland Spirit The Distilling Co and Liquidity Marketing.
Additional support comes from ABC Radio, Queensland Country Tourism, Triple M Darling Downs and Festival Group Partners. Tom Oliver Productions, the University of Southern Queensland and the Queensland Government are also supporting the festival.
What To Look For Next?
With the full Toowoomba program now released, the focus moves to ticket sales and community response ahead of the August 6 to 7 finale at The Empire.
Strong local support could help Queensland Fringe grow into a regular part of Toowoomba’s arts calendar, especially as organisers work to establish the festival as an annual event.
The full program is available HERE
