Kids’ Party Confidential: 5 & 6 July
Put a stop to the endless of chorus of ‘Muuuuuum, I’m bored’, with this hilarious show that teaches kids how to entertain themselves (without a TV or computer screen). This show promises a hilarious ride of costume creation, balloon bending and bold reinventions.
Get the inside scoop for free – But bookings are essential.
Bolshoi Ballet – Spartacus: 6 July
Get the best of both worlds when you join this state-wide simulcast of Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet, overlooking the Coral Sea from Jezzine Barracks. Long considered the company’s signature ballet, Spartacus is highly dynamic, tension-filled ballet that champions the incredible strength Russia’s male dancers are famed for.
Be part of the State-wide audience for free at the Crossed Boomerang Amphitheatre, Jezzine Barracks. Bookings are essential.
Legacy: Reflections on Mabo: 5 July – 11 August
Reverence. Compassion. Anger. Sadness. Respect. This Townsville-led, nationally significant exhibition brings 26 Indigenous and non-indigenous artists together to share works inspired by the life, politics, activism and legacy of Eddie Koiki Mabo.
Celebrate the story at Umbrella Studio contemporary art, temporarily located at 380 Flinders Street (opp. City Lane). Learn more about this exhibition here.
Joy of Rhyme with Funky Chicken and Doug the Bug and Chris Collin: 9 & 10 July
Learn how to make story time even more compelling with this immersive event packed with slideshows, puppets, music and dance.
This free event will be held in The May Wirth, Strand Park. Click here for session times and to book.
Fringe Blues Music Festival: 14 July
Don’t miss this line-up of knock-out local and interstate acts including 8 Ball Aitken, Rebecca Davey, Dream Boogie and more. This is an all-ages event.
The Fringe Blues Music Festivals runs 4pm – 8pm in the Wonderland Spiegeltent. Entry is free and bookings are not required.
Bindal Dancers: 25 July
Be carried away by the culture and stories of Townsville’s traditional owners as the Bindal Dancers share their beautiful work.
Catch them on the Queens Garden Main Stage at 6pm. No bookings are required.
Bar Choir: 26 July
“That’s the way it’s gonna be little darlin’…”
If you couldn’t resist singing the next line, this one is for you! Bar Choir marries the most-loved pub rock hits with the joy of singing in a group for one great big sing-a-long. You don’t need to be the next Adele (because, let’s face it, all those voices will drown one another out anyway), just get along and raise your voice.
Follow the bouncing ball from 9pm on 26 July at Heritage Exchange. Entry is free and no bookings are required. This is an 18+ event.
Play Date with Justine Clarke: 27 July
You know it’ll be the play date to top all play dates when Play School’s Justine Clarke is the host! Join Justine for plenty of fun including stories and singalongs, rhyming and roaring, and a few surprises, too.
This free event will be held in the Wonderland Spiegeltent at Strand Park at 10am and 12pm. It’s free to take part, but bookings are essential.
Classic Films, 27 July – 11 August.
You can join like-minded movie lovers to see an old film in a new way as Townsville Classic Films hosts a swathe of screenings as part of the Northern Fringe Festival and Pop-Up North Queensland Programming. You can catch an interactive screening of The Blues Brothers, three films starring the picturesque North Queensland landscape – Uncivilised, Travelling North, and The Irishman – and circus sideshow quasi-horror, Freaks.
All screenings are free, although donations are appreciated. For times and locations (some details still to be finalised), visit the Townsville Classic Films website.
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo: 28 July – 4 August
Imagine stepping straight into Jurassic Park – only without the horde of hungry raptors that’ll chase you around the kitchen. These well-travelled and less-terrifying dinosaurs have won hearts and minds all over the world and now you can catch them right here in Townsville.
Erth’s Dinosaur will come to life in the Wonderland Spiegeltent, Strand Park. Performance times vary and bookings are essential – click here to secure your spot.
For more unmissable events happening across Townsville during the North Australian Festival of the Arts, view the full program here.
