Program revealed for Anywhere Festival

Brace yourself for 18 days of art-fuelled action, when the Anywhere Festival comes to the Moreton Bay Region in May.

The festival is a unique cultural experience that takes performing arts out of the theatre and into more exciting and unusual locations, including many in the Moreton Bay Region.

It also takes in Brisbane and Ipswich and will offer experiences online.

Mayor Peter Flannery says shows can happen anywhere except traditional theatre spaces.

“This festival goes beyond the limits of the stage. It breaks all conventions to bring the arts into a neighbourhood or business near you,” Mayor Flannery says.

“The unveiling of Moreton Bay ‘Anywhere Festival’ program is a kaleidoscope of activities that bring our region to life in surprising spaces from May 6-23, injecting an economic boost as we head into the winter months.

“Head to Ocean View Estates for a tongue-in-cheek winery tour, Bribie Island will be hosting a super-charged karaoke showdown in Brennan Park, and a pop-up cabaret is coming to The Hills District Community Hall, just to name a few.

“We have 13 local businesses and over 20 Council venues and spaces participating this year along with over 70 local performing artists. Knowing how coronavirus restrictions have devastated the performing arts sector, I believe it’s more important than ever that we help provide artists with work opportunities.

“We will enliven every corner of our region with vibrant and exciting performances to put 2020 behind us, so I urge you all to get your hands on tickets and revel in the buzz of live performance on the streets of our stunning region.”

Taking a different approach

Anywhere Festival director Paul Osuch says the festival is all about giving artists the opportunity to think “outside-the-box” and encouraging local businesses to engage with their community in a new way.

“Cultural activations like this are proven to deliver stellar results to the business involved,” he says.

“Around 65 per cent of former attendees said they were very likely to revisit that location or business as a result of their Anywhere Festival experience.”

Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism Chairman Shane Newcombe agrees and says the festival is the perfect way to showcase the vibrant region.

“We’re thrilled to see such a diverse program, which covers such a broad spectrum of our region. We’re also excited to be able to dove-tail events planned for the Hills District into our own Hills Festival program, which runs for the month of May,” Mr Newcombe says.

To get tickets and find out more about Anywhere Festival visit the website

For more about the Hills Festival in May, head here