Ipswich Festival
2017
The Ipswich Festival returns for 2017, bringing 2 weeks of cabaret, art, theatre, indoor and outdoor concerts, parades, historic tours and street parties, with something for everyone.
Here are 12 highlights, that are worth a trip to Ipswich to attend:
This free event in the old world surrounds of Top of Town is a fun high octane street concert featuring international sensation Matthew Hetherington, the Ipswich City Big Band and the inimitable and infectious Blue Skillet Rovers Jug Band. Brisbane St, Ipswich Central. May 6 7-9pm
Ipswich's historic Top of Town precinct hosts a fabulous evening motor exhibition of show cars, customs, classics, vintage vehicles and club cruisers from the early 1900's to the 1980's, next door to the Heritage Bank Street Party. Brisbane Rd, Ipswich May 6 7-9pm
3 of SEQ's best voices including Tyrone Noonan and Alison St Ledger perform the music of Burt Bacharach, Dolly Parton, Jimmy Webb, Tom Waits in a fabulous cabaret-style concert. Ipswich Civic Centre, May 11 7pm. Ipswich Civic Centre, 50 Nicholas St Ipswich. Tickets $20-$25
Australian soul legend Doug Parkinson presents the ultimate tribute to Joe Cocker for a night of rock and soul classics, including all of Cocker's greatest hits accompanied by an 8-piece band. Ipswich Civic Centre, 50 Nicholas St, Ipswich, May 12 7pm. Tickets $25-$30.
The gardens of heritage-listed St Paul's Anglican Church are transformed into a gallery of giant masks, with a line-up of 1.5m masks painted within the theme of Ipswich's iconic flora and fauna species, by students from local schools. St Paul's, Brisbane St, Ipswich Central. May 4-14. Free
The secret heritage-listed basement that started life as a saddlery workshop is hosting an intimate and edgy line-up of live music, cabaret, theatre, circus, poetry throughout the Ipswich Festival. Goleby's Basement, West Street, Off Brisbane St, Ipswich (Top of Town). Varied prices.
Australian music icon Russell Morris headlines this free festival in Queens Park together with Brisbane's Rumblefish, gypsy jazz act Cigany Weaver, The Big Love Blues Band and SCAT. Queens Park, Goleby Ave, Ipswich Central. May 14 2-8pm. Free entry.
Speakers from the Ipswich Historical Society take audiences back to a world of innkeepers, horse-drawn vehicles, historic buildings and a remarkable pioneering woman with 6 fascinating stories in half hour segments. Light lunch included. Cooneana Heritage Centre, 1041 Redbank Plains Rd, New Chum. May 13 10am-2pm. $10. RSVP essential.
Spend a night in Spain with Rodrigo's 'Concerto d'Aranjuez', Bizet's 'Carmen and music by de Falla, Delibes and Chabrier, culminating in the 70-piece orchestra performing Bolero in its entirety. Ipswich Civic Centre, 50 Nicholas St, Ipswich. May 13 7.30pm. Tickets $49-$55
From English Morris Dancers to Gypsy Jazz, Didgeridoo to Bolivian Dance and Bollywood, take a fun trip around the globe at historic Queens Park, with the tastes of world street food & free activities. Queens Park, Goleby Ave, Ipswich Central. May 13 2-8pm. Free entry.
Major works such as the beloved Vivaldi Gloria for choir, soloists and orchestra as well as rousing favourites including Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance and Parry's Jerusalem are performed by St Paul's guest choristers and the West Moreton Anglican College Chorale in this inaugural Proms concert. Brisbane Rd, Ipswich. May 12 7.30pm. Tickets $25-$35 including refreshments.
Led by lantern light on an intimate two hour historic Ghost Tour with an eerie tour guide, visitors will experience thirteen ghost stories of real haunted graves and sites in the Old Ipswich Cemetery. Cemetery Rd, Ipswich. May 6, 13 6.30pm. $20-$30. Bookings essential
Various locations
