Events for the city are great – but that’s all they ever are. All the big wigs bring in someone to perform right in the CBD and us hard-working folk in the suburbs are left to fight for carparks or sell a kidney to catch a cab home. That’s not the case during the Northern Fringe Festival! Check out just some of the Fringe events popping up in a neighbourhood near you.
Neck of the Woods Music Festival: 29-30 June
Catch the official launch event of the Northern Fringe Festival nestled in the beautiful surrounds of Pinnacles, near the Ross River Dam! Featuring the best local and up-and-coming national musicians serenading you with the best original tunes, camping, food trucks and more, this will be the ultimate Fringe celebration.
Catch Neck of the Woods Music Festival at Pinnacles from 29-30 June, with information here.
Alice Through the Looking Glass: 29 June – 14 July
While Queens Gardens will be filled with spiegeltents and stages, Anderson Gardens will be just as magical – transforming into Wonderland for Theatre iNQ’s Alice sequel. Explore the gardens and let your imagination run wild with all your favourite characters – plus some new ones!
Venture through the Looking Glass at Anderson Gardens from 29 June – 14 July with tickets here.
SwingVille Festival: 28-30 June
Swing Dancing Townsville will take over multiple venues around town this weekend for their SwingVille Festival! Check out everything from beginner Lindy Hop courses at the Oonoonba Community Hall to Aerial Workshops at Gymnastics Townsville and the SwingVille Prom at the Greek Community Centre!
Swing your partner round and round with the SwingVille Festival from 28-30 June in multiple venues listed here.
Dead Puppet Society Workshops: 1-2 July
The talented team from Dead Puppet Society will bring a lot of fun to the Spiegeltents during their time in Townsville, but will also be offering workshops at the Thuringowa Library! Learn about contemporary puppetry and visual theatre or sign up to a puppetry masterclass to learn the ins and outs of the industry.
There’s no strings attached when the Dead Puppet Society visit Thuringowa Library on 1-2 July, with information and bookings here.
Ukulele Performance and Open Mic: 2 July
There’s nothing like kicking back at the pub with a cold schooner, listeneing to the relaxing sounds of … ukuleles? You heard right. Join the Townsville Ukuleles for a performance at the West End Hotel Beer Garden before they open the floor up for an open mic performance.
Get plucky with a Ukulele Performance and Open Mic Night at the West End Hotel on 2 July, with info here.
Hump Day Comedy: 3 July
No one wants to drag themselves into town on a Wednesday of all nights – but the Comedy Generation only make you venture as far as the Kirwan Tavern. Hump Day Comedy is the funniest open mic in town, offering a leg up to fresh comics and featuring one or two local comedians with headline shows as part of the Fringe lineup.
Have a laugh with Hump Day Comedy at Kirwan tavern on 3 July with information here.
Classes at the Hub Creative Space: All month
Hidden in the back streets of Aitkenvale, at the end of a crocheted laneway, you will find the hive of activity that is the Hub. Featuring everything from yoga sessions to pottery and mosaics, there is a class to suit you – or the space to start your own.
Check out some of the classes on offer at The Hub Creative Space, with more information here.
I Can’t Stand Lorraine: 5-13 July
Inspired by February’s big wet, this cabaret shows true North Queenslander spirit and gives people a reason to laugh: Lorraine hasn’t dropped by in a very long time, but it turns out that when she does finally arrive, she doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon.
Have you ever seen Lorraine? You’ll find her at the NQOMT Hall, Gill Park from 5-13 July with tickets here.
Open Mic Night feat. Daniel Champagne: 11 July
Join the Townsville Folk Club for their regular open mic night, this month featuring the talents of touring performer Daniel Champagne, fresh off the back of his North American tour. The night will also feature some of your favourite Townsville musicians, recently returned from Palm Creek.
Welcome Daniel Champagne to town with an Open Mic Night at the Bellevue Hotel on 11 July, with details here.
The 39 Steps: 24-27 July
Based on the classic Alfred Hitchcock film, the cast of just five actors take on more than 100 different roles throughout the farce – bending genders, selling knickers, chasing down spies, and making you laugh from start to finish.
Buckle up for The 39 Steps at Pimlico Performing Arts Centre from 24-27 July, with tickets here.
Whether you live in Kirwan or Cranbrook, the Northern Fringe Festival has you covered. Check out some of our picks of CBD events here, or find the full NAFA program here.
