There’s an early Christmas present for the Whitsundays’ live music fans with Allday heading up the coast on a festive tour.

The Adelaide born hip-hop artist – a three time Top 10 Aria charter with over 80 million streams under his belt – is on the road, arriving in Airlie Beach at Magnums, November 24.

The young artist has a palette of influences he’s drawn from for inspiration: "I grew up listening to different kinds of Hip Hop from MF Doom and Wu Tang to Kanye and Drake,” Allday said.

“I am also influenced by folk, country & old rock. I think the goal of my music is to combine it all.”

Aussie audiences know him from his hits like ‘Girl in the Sun’, ‘You Always Know the DJ’, and countless covers alongside The Veronicas.

With a monster new single under his belt, ‘Runtrack’, Allday is heading across the country to bring all the hits from his acclaimed four albums to the stage, as well as some new stuff.

There'll be fresh new tunes to go along with the swag of platinum and gold record hits, the favourites from countless Triple J Hottest 100 appearances, and the sing-along monsters that have been shutting down huge festivals for years – like Groovin’ The Moo, Beyond The Valley, Falls Festival, Field Day and more.

Don't miss Allday live for his ‘Early Christmas Present Tour’ at the local venue in two weeks’ time.

WHAT: Allday Early Christmas Present Tour

WHEN: Thursday, November 24 from 8.00pm

WHERE: Magnums Airlie Beach

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Adelaide-born artist Allday will bring his acclaimed Oz hip-hop to Airlie Beach in a few weeks

This weekend marks the start of the seven-day Schoolies celebration, with hundreds of students from around the country inundating the local holiday town of Airlie Beach to mark the moment their formal education finishes and life as young adults begins.

Last year 1500 school leavers chose to celebrate Schoolies in Airlie Beach and organiser Margie Murphy said that this years’ event will be another opportunity for a brand-new cohort to enjoy festival vibes, local tours, and nightly parties.

Located in Fairy Tree Park, the main festivities will begin at 8pm each evening and finish at 12am.

Popular local DJs such as Isaiah and Karma will be performing, and they will be joined by special guests DJ B and Nina Sinclair.

For the first time, there will also be a Schoolies DJ competition where attendees from around the state will battle it out on the main stage.

Each evening will also have a theme: Saturday is ‘Back to School’, Sunday ‘Tight & Bright’, Monday there will be a Pink Party, Tuesday is ‘Tropical’, Wednesday ‘Festival Fits’, Thursday night is a ‘Neon Disco’, and Friday features a classic ‘White Party’.

A special bus service will be running nightly from in front of the Heart Hotel between 10pm and 1am to get Schoolies safely to their accommodation.

The event is supported by the Queensland Government Safer Schoolies Program, Whitsunday Regional Council, Queensland Police Service, and Queensland Ambulance Service.

On ground support is given by the kind volunteers at Red Frogs and WYAM (Whitsunday Youth with a Mission).

This is strictly open to Year 12 students, with school ID required upon entry.

A fully fenced perimeter will ensure ticketed entries only and it is an alcohol-free event.

“Last year we had such a great bunch of kids come and enjoy the event who were really well behaved,” said Margie Murphy.

“These are Airlie’s future tourists, so making them feel welcome and safe benefits everyone in the long run as they are sure to keep returning”

WHAT: Schoolies Week

WHEN: Saturday, November 19 to Friday, November 25

WHERE: Fairy Tree Park

TICKETS: airlieevents.com.au or at the gate

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Last year 1500 youngsters attended Schoolies in Airlie Beach

Crowds at The Pub are going to be singing loud and proud: “I Need You Tonight”, when Dellacoma Rio and five enigmatic, energetic, and effervescent musicians take on the role of one of Australia’s biggest bands.

The Australian INXS Show is ‘What You Need’, and it’s making its way to The Airlie Beach Hotel, not just once, but three times, beginning with their performance on Saturday, November 26.

The country’s number one touring INXS tribute band are bringing their Oz music-inspired magic to locals’ favourite local alongside The Down Under Show where they’ll run the gamut of Australian Classic Anthems.

‘Listen Like Thieves’ as playboy Dellacoma Rio celebrates and honours both the memory of Michael Hutchence and his exceptional band by bringing back to life the halcyon days of INXS, all the way from their self-titled debut to Elegantly Wasted – it will bring you to ‘Bitter Tears’.

The Australian INXS Show is Australia’s definitive tribute to the Sydney-side band, faithfully reproducing their live spectacle, their sound, and their feeling.

There’s a reason these boys have sold out venues worldwide with incredible high energy live shows, including headline concerts in Dubai, India, China, and New Zealand, and exclusive headline theatre shows on Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

Although it’s almost impossible to capture the essence of the late Michael Hutchence, Dellacoma Rio – an experienced, explosive lead vocalist with a relentless work ethic – comes as close as you can get.

He’s shared the microphone across the globe with a slew of major acts like Def Leppard and Skid Row, as well as graced main stages at major festivals. He brings the natural charisma of Michael Hutchinson to the stage in a performance that needs to be seen to be believed.

Dellacomo is backed by Rob Moody, a 21-year guitar veteran of the Melbourne gig scene; Tim Phillips, a bass guitar legend of the Victorian capital; the consummate professional drummer Noel Tenny; and Tim Saxon, another Melbourne muso-alumni.

Since 2012, when INXS closed the book on their storied career as a band, thanked their fans, and paid tribute to their fallen front man Michael Hutchence, there have been few that have encapsulated the spirit of one of Australia’s biggest acts.

With The Australian INXS Show, audiences can come within touching distance of the band that entertained the world for 35 years and who sold over 30 million albums.

Don’t miss your chance to see them live and loud at The Pub in late November, on Australia Day, and back again for a third outing on January 28.

WHAT: The Australian INXS Show, Australia Day Two Up INXS & Aussie Crawl, and INXS Revived

WHEN: 2.30pm to 5.00pm on Saturday, November 26, Saturday, January 28, and from 3.00pm on Thursday, January 26.

WHERE: Airlie Beach Hotel

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Never Tear Us Apart! The Australian INXS Show is heading to The Airlie Beach Hotel in November

For the first of three shows within three months, the Dellacoma Rio led, six-piece band will take to the bar-top stage

Don’t miss them in a few weeks’ time, as well as live and loud for Australia Day

Last week, a former Federal Member of Parliament and now Whitsunday resident announced the release of his seventh crime novel.

Richard Evans launched his new thriller, ‘The Mallee’, which focuses on the issues surrounding water in a fictional world close to our own. Political power and criminal leverage are used to achieve economic and social goals while following a female politician fighting for her community.

“Through The Mallee I aim to keep alive the critical issue of water rights in public debate, as well as exposing the political dark arts, the ruthless nature of the politics we never see,” Richard Evans said.

“The Mallee, and my other books, are a form of creative advocacy on contemporary issues. I use political fiction to pose different perspectives on issues important to the community.”

Evans’s novel highlights the socio-economic challenges of water allocation, the impact and responsibility of water rights’ license holders, and the role of politics and politicians in addressing these and other community issues.    

The once Federal Member of Parliament during the 1990s Keating-Howard era, Evans said he brings “authentic insider knowledge to his writing.” and an “understanding of how the political system operates beyond the headlines.”

The novel is part of his ‘Referendum Series’, where each title explores modern issues “confounding the Australian public which are sent to referendum to amend the Australian Constitution.”

Evans’ books have explored parliamentary integrity, equity and inclusion, Aboriginal sovereignty, euthanasia, capital punishment, and the manipulation of election campaigns.  

It is the first novel Evans has published since becoming a Whitsunday resident in September of this year.

In the future Evans has plans to complete a novel set in the region.

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Author Richard Evans, a new Whitsunday resident and once Federal Member of Parliament, released his seventh crime novel in November

Anthony Fabian’s Mrs Harris Goes To Paris – based on Paul Gallico’s beloved 1958 novel – is a saccharine story in the best of senses. As maudlin (and occasionally pernicious) as it may be at times – especially in its assertions of capitalism’s ability to provide the poorer classes with happiness - audiences can’t help being drawn in on the whimsical journey.

In 1950’s London, Mrs Harris (played with exceptional facility and lovability by Lesley Manville), a widowed cleaning lady falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress. After working to raise the funds to pursue her consumerist dream, she embarks on an adventure to Paris that will “change not only her own outlook -- but the very future of the House of Dior.”

Fairy-tale escapism is the order of the day in the adapted film – which has potential sequel opportunity, considering its origins as part one of a four book series of the titular Ada Harris’s adventures. And there’s a chance for it: Lesley Mansville gives a luminous performance, one which audiences can’t help but smile at. In the hands of a lesser actor, the script could easily become sentimental drivel. But instead, Manville has us cheering along for her blue-collar performance, letting us in on how small dreams can sometimes mean an entire world.

A few unfortunate events are led by the frosty Claudine Colbert (Isabelle Huppert), who acts as a gatekeeper of taste who does her best to keep Mrs Harris at arm’s length from the posh upper crust.

Manville’s Cockney, chirpy cliché mounts challenge after challenge, undeterred by anything in her wake in this sugary film that is just what the doctor prescribes in a world of hardships.

Mrs Harris Goes To Paris is showing now at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema.

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Lesley Manville is a delight in Mrs Harris Goes To Paris

Returning to the MECC for 2022, LOOSE ENDS will be an eclectic evening of art, music and performances by local artists and performers.

The performance is set to be a quirky night of entertainment, giveaways, fundraising, socialising and more as Crossroad Arts aim to heighten awareness for the International Day of People with Disability.

Crossroad Arts has initiated LOOSE ENDS to address the gap for young people with disability to go out in the CBD and know that the venue and facilities are accessible, and the attitudes of staff and clientele is open and inclusive.

Acts include Billy Dyer, Maddison Hunt, Groove Movers, With One Voice, Choir of Unheard Voices, Strictly Wheelchair dance group, Sacha Davis and Crossroad Arts Crew and more!

Crossroad Arts’ Artistic Director Alison Richardson says, “We are really excited to have such an array of acts on the evening in a fully accessible venue.

“We’re keen to address the need for an inclusive social performance evening for everyone, so I encourage people to come along, have a drink, meet a new friend and enjoy some entertainment!

“This is also one of our fundraisers for the year so we are keen to see people come out in support of what we’re trying to achieve here at Crossroad Arts - visibility and recognition for the talent we have in the region."

LOOSE ENDS is an Auslan interpreted event and the venue is accessible (toilet and level access) and is an official event of International Day for People with Disability.

WHEN: Friday November 25, 2022 7pm- 9:30pm

WHERE: North Foyer, The MECC Alfred St Mackay

TICKETS: $15 - $25 Bookings essential: (07) 4961 9777 or online via themecc.com.au

Companion cards accepted

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Friday 11 November

Estate Planning for Older People

Friday, 9:30am to 11:00am

Free seminar for your financial future delivered by Services Australia.

Gordon White Library

Ananse Stories Performance

Friday, 3:45pm to 4:45pm, Gordon White Library

Saturday, 10am to 11am, Dudley Denny City Library

Sam Derchie uses an engaging blend of storytelling, song and drumming to introduce children to Ananse, a spider from the folklore of the Ashantie people of Ghana in West Africa. His stories, with their messages of co-operation, empathy and the joy of learning, are interspersed with music, drumming and song and provide numerous opportunities for children to get hands on and participate.

With his colourful Ghanaian clothing, his many African percussion instruments and his years of performance experience, Sam holds his audience from beginning to end, leaving children with a lasting impression of his African culture. For children aged five to 12 years.

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and LIVE MUSIC.

Wake House Australia

Infamous

Opening Friday, November 11 running until Sunday, November 27, 7:30pm

A combination of sexy circus acts, raunchy dancing and cheeky comedy will have you crying with laughter. Infamous is an 18+ event encompassing delicious treats and snacks, VIP table service with a choice of alcoholic beverages for a never-seen-before circus cabaret vibe. At every Infamous show you can be assured of an intimate and unique setting when you arrive under the Spiegel Big Top. For all those who are over 18, this is a fresh and new offering to sit back to and enjoy the Infamous story, the costumes, the outrageous performances by a bevy of stunning superstars.

Mackay Showgrounds

Saturday 12 November

Jules Thompson book launch of ‘Broken Ballerina’

Saturday, 10:00am to 2:00pm

Come and see Jules at Mount Pleasant Centre on centre stage and purchase a signed copy of her autobiography ’Broken Ballerina’. A percentage of the sales will go to Broken Ballerina Inc.

Mount Pleasant Centre

De Goey Contractors Mackay BBQ and Beer Festival

Saturday, 11:00am

Enjoy a day out in the sun with friends listening to live music, eating some great BBQ Food and drinking your choice of over 50 Australian and International Beers!

Harrup Park

Theatre Arts Mackay Dance Excellence presents Showcase Gala 2022

Saturday, 4:00pm

Showcasing the very talented and diverse students from Twinkle Stars through to the elite Senior Students.  This show is sure to entertain with performances in all genres of Dance/Acro/Drama and Musical Theatre.

MECC

Sunday 13 November

Mackay Nth Qld Babies & Kids Market

Sunday, 8:30am

Over 50 Local businesses on display with all thing’s babies and kids, as well as mum to be and new mum products. The morning is set to be amazing, with lucky door prizes handed out throughout the market, jumping castles, face painting, free bounty bags. Don't forget you can get your coffee fresh and hot at the event to have while you’re shopping. Come join our amazing market morning to see all the amazing local small businesses under the one roof.

Mackay Showgrounds

Sour Sunday at Red Dog Brewery

Sunday, 1:00pm to 6:00pm

For the sour lovers - this one's for you. Ballistic Whitsundays will be joining Red Dog Brewery and celebrating all things Sours. The Ballistic beer trailer will have classics and some limiteds: Water Me Lawn, Twang Guava and Passionfruit, Twang Blackberry and Berliner Weisse.

Red Dog Brewery

Sunday Live Music – BarbsWired

Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Music every Sunday from 2pm - 5pm. Head down to the Seabreeze Hotel this Sunday for some fresh tunes, delicious food, and ice-cold brews.

Seabreeze Hotel

Choir rehearsals: Christmas at St Paul’s

Sundays 4pm for four weeks

A four-week rehearsal schedule for the choir for Christmas at St Paul’s starts today at 4pm at the church. Have fun, make friends, and help lead worship at Christmas time in the beautiful acoustics of St Paul’s Uniting Church. It doesn’t matter if your voice is a bit squeaky, just turn up and sing!

St Paul’s Uniting Church, Macalister Street

Paul Hayman presents Cloudland the Musical

Sunday, 6:00pm

Cloudland the Musical tells the story of a culturally significant venue on top of Bowen Hills overlooking Brisbane that played an integral part of the most defining decades of popular music. Its overnight demolition in 1982 stunned not just the locals but people from all corners of the globe who had attended the venue during its lifetime. The story is filled with drama and controversy and comprises of a blend of original compositions and works from iconic artists that played at the venue including The Bee Gees, Buddy Holly, The Angels, Jerry Lee Lewis, Cold Chisel, Johnny O’Keefe, Midnight Oil, Australian Crawl, Normie Rowe, Mental as Anything, Bill Haley, Split Enz and more. Cloudland was no ordinary venue.

MECC

Tuesday 15 November

BMA Kidspace

Tuesday, 10:00am to 2:00pm

Join local artists and performers for creative art activities designed for toddlers and their adults. Drop-in anytime between 10am and 2pm (live children's music from 11.30am to 12.15pm). BMA Kidspace, Artspace Mackay’s free and ever popular toddler’s program, gives children under five a chance to explore and have fun with art in a climate of co-operative learning. The program includes free artist-run craft activities in two sessions, Sess1: Anytime from 10 to 11:30am; Sess2: Anytime from 12:15 to 2pm with live musical entertainment 11:30am to 12:15pm. Bring your children along for a fun day of art-making, singing and dancing. Proudly presented by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance.

Artspace Mackay

Musical Bingo at the Seabreeze Hotel

Tuesday, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

There’s only one thing better than bingo, and that’s Musical Bingo. Every Tuesday join us in the Bar from 7pm where you can show off your musical knowledge in Musical Bingo. Prizes will be on offer for our winners each and every week so make sure you’re on the ball as we drop the beats! Oh, and entry is FREE! Registration opens from 6pm, with all the action kicking off from 7pm. So music buff or not, make sure you clear your schedule each Tuesday evening for Musical Bingo at the Seabreeze Hotel.

Seabreeze Hotel

Wednesday 16 November

Mackay Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday, 6:30am to 10:30am

The market is a showcase of our region’s amazing produce direct from the farmer.

Bluewater Quay

Sugar City Rock and Roll Mackay Club Wednesday Night Lessons

Every Wednesday, 7:00pm

Why not come along and learn to rock ‘n’ roll in a friendly and fun atmosphere with the Sugar City Rock ‘n’ Rollers Mackay Club? Previous experience is not required. Everyone learns at their own pace and, even better, the first lesson is free on your way to learning the four step style of rock ‘n’ roll. $5 for members and $8 for non-members after that. The club caters for social activities for club members with regular dances with live bands in attendance and away trips. For further enquiries call 0408 983 911.

58 Macalister St, Mackay

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Immerse yourself in one of the most unique productions touring the world.

Celtic Illusion, the Irish dance and Grand Illusion sensation that has taken Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada and the USA by storm and will tour nationwide in 2023.

Even fans who have seen our previous shows won’t dare miss The Magic Returns tour that is set to raise the bar once again. This exhilarating production has broken barriers by fusing unparalleled art forms and is more spectacular than ever before.

A breathtaking array of experiences, fusing Irish Dance, Magic and influential flavours of Fosse, Michael Jackson, with a Broadway style. Celtic Illusion is a show like no other.

The Reimagined tour features new spellbinding illusions and choreography, alongside a musical score that will either make you cry or send shivers down your spine.

Starring the multi-talented former lead dancer of Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance and Star Illusionist Anthony Street, with Georgia May, a marvel in both dance and Illusion. These impeccable performers lead a cast of champion dancers recruited from renowned productions across the world, such as Lord of the Dance and Riverdance, into a theatrical masterpiece that will have you mesmerised from the moment the curtain is raised.

Celtic Illusion will surpass your expectations and leave you wanting more.

Don’t hesitate, and book now to know the hype of one of the largest and most unique Dance and Illusion shows in the world.

Secure your seats today and experience an evening you will never forget!

What: Celtic Illusion – The Magic Returns

Where: The MECC

When: 20 April, 2023

Tickets: Available from the MECC, starting from $69.90

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Harrup Park is heating up the barbecues.

After a huge turnout in 2021, the De Goey Contractors Mackay BBQ and Beer Festival is back again in 2022 this Saturday November 12 from 12pm.

It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a day out in the sun with friends listening to live music, eating some great food and drinking your choice from more than 50 Australian and international beers on offer.

In 2021, the Mackay BBQ and Beer Festival worked with the Australasian Barbecue Alliance to bring an official round of the Australian Barbecue Championships to Mackay.

The competition was named ‘The BBQ Battle’ and saw 20 teams travel to Mackay to compete in the lucrative Barbecue Championship Round with $9,500 in prize money.

This year, they’re doing it again, looking to bring back all the big names.

Watch local legends battle it out to win Mackay’s Best Beard and Mullet Competitions.

Entry is free to anyone on the day and there is still plenty of time left to grow a winning mullet or beard.  

It wouldn’t be the Mackay BBQ and Beer Festival without the famous Chilli Eating Contest.

Can you handle the heat?

Applications can be found at Harrup Park’s website.  

The event will feature live entertainment from Kyle LIONHART, French Press, The Wild Sky and more throughout the day.

Harrup Park General Manager Adrian Young said he’s extremely excited to have the event back in 2022.

“It was a great experience to have a sanctioned ABA event in Mackay with teams traveling across Queensland to compete on our grounds,” he said.

“This year we’re also making an effort to get more independent breweries on board to help showcase their beers.”

WHAT: The De Goey Contractors Mackay BBQ and Beer Festival

WHERE: Harrup Park Country Club

WHEN: Saturday, November 12 from 12:00pm to 8:00pm

TICKETS: www.mackaybbqandbeerfestival.com.au

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Please, take a seat.

A beautiful young couple, I must say. Quite exquisite. Our pleasure to feed you. Shall we start with a drink? I always recommend the Chianti, the house. Excellent vintage and pairs favourably with the hors d’ouevres; simply makes your mouth water, thinking of it.

Though, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the mains – they always are. The steak is to die for; it melts in your mouth; the marrow accoutrement, too. A prime grade. But, we do things somewhat differently here at Hawthorne Island, so I implore: listen closely to ‘The Menu’.

What has happened to high-end dining? Often, there’s nothing even close to an actual meal served. And that’s the question posited throughout director Mark Mylod’s ‘The Menu’, a black comedy thriller following a couple as they travel to a coastal island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish course of meals, with some “shocking surprises.”

And you might be thinking: Ah, it’s about food, I get it. A bit of a ‘Most Dangerous Game’ situation, huh? We are actually the meals and all that. I see you, surprises. I know what you are – but no, you really don’t. The Menu sounds like a standard fair where self-inflated rich people get their comeuppance in a horrible, twisted way, and you’re partially right, but it’s not just that. There are several courses to writers Seth Reiss and Will Tracy’s film.

Unlike the meals served up by Ralph Fiennes – who is at his absolute Fienn-est (couldn’t help it) – as Chef Slowik, The Menu has actual substance. Driven by a constant satirising of the unbridled emptiness of fine dining, which has become more about status for decadent aristocrats than it has about actually feeling full, The Menu is a biting film that never disappoints.

You might even come back for seconds.

‘The Menu’ (R) is opening at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema on Friday, November 25.

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Ralph Fiennes is brilliant in ‘The Menu’, a dark thriller that takes aim at the vapidity of upper echelon foodie culture

The Airlie Beach Festival of Music brought thousands of people together for one wild weekend of live tunes and awesome beats, from its central main-stage tent at the Whitsunday Sailing Club right through to the 16 venues spread right across the town.

A highlight of this years’ event was the nationally acclaimed Passport to Airlie Competition which saw eight talented representatives from all around Australia compete for the chance to win a spot in next year’s main-stage line-up.

The competition received hundreds of entrants and heats were carried out in Darwin, Mackay, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and Cairns – whittling the finalists down to one representative from each region.

The grand final took place last Thursday night and Perry Street Park from Brisbane were announced the overall winners.

The Neo, Abi Muir, Weathered, Karly Jewell, Dande & The Lion, Sunday Lemonade & Owls of Neptune also made the finals.

Perry Street Park said they were stoked to win.

“The talent pool was so deep this year, so we feel absolutely honoured," they said.

"For an up-and-coming band to be a part of a festival this size is a huge opportunity to get exposure and build the chops for a career in the industry, and now to be crowned the winners and come back again next year is incredible," added front-man Benny.

The evening saw a huge crowd come to support the artists and the night was topped-off with a stunning acoustic performance by Passport to Airlie competition judge Sarah McLeod from The Superjesus.

“A chance to be heard in a professional environment and to receive advice from established artists - I would’ve jumped at this opportunity when I was young. Feedback from industry professionals goes a long way,” said Sarah.

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Brisbane band, Perry Street Park win Passport to Airlie competition

Every Wednesday, every Thursday, every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, settle in at locals’ favourite local for an evening of music in its purest form: The Airlie Beach Hotel’s Acoustic Sessions.

Local musicians will be plucking and strumming at their guitars at ‘The Pub’ throughout November and December – artists like Andy Mammers, Simon Briley, Matt Angell, Pluto Tango, and Lloyd Saunders, just to name a few.

Known for its big, bombastic, larger-than-life shows, The Airlie Beach Hotel is also a home for resident musos in the region, singers who bring out the best of the beachy vibe the coastal town offers.

They’re some of the best acts in town, from Mammers – an experienced stage maestro – to local legend Matt Angel, and relative newcomer Pluto Tango, a one-man looping sensation.

The acoustic boys have been hand-picked by the Airlie Beach Hotel for both their abilities on their instruments, as well as their crowd-pleasing attitudes. Singalongs are commonplace between artists and audience on evenings when the sunglow turns Airlie Bay shades of purple and orange.

On Friday and Saturday nights, Andy Mammers embodies that attitude.

He has become a crowd favourite at The Pub, with an “innate sense of guitar” where every strum sounds “just right.”

It is the casual simplicity that invites audiences in as Mammers changes any venue into a lounge room, making audiences instant friends, and seeing them delight in his ability to emerge from sensitive lyrics to an outrageous Kazoo solo – and making it work to boot.

Mammers has been playing Fridays and Saturdays at The Pub for roughly two years, and said the evenings were where the Acoustic Session’s artists “play for the crowd.”

“If it’s a young crowd, we play to them, if it’s an old crowd, we play to them. I spend my night taking requests and when the crowds are into it, it’s what gives us energy, 100 per cent,” he said.

“When they give you energy, you give it back, its reciprocal. The best parts of the night for me are that the bar staff are super interactive as well. A lot of those guys - Cooper, Thiago, Logan - they’ll dance along, singalong and we have a call and response with them, which goes to the crowd too.”

The Acoustic nights at the Airlie Beach Hotel have one goal: for the audience to have fun. “We as acoustic artists, as a venue, try to make it enjoyable; we want you to come back to Airlie Beach if you’re on holiday, we want you to take the enjoyment and want to feel it again,” Mammers said.

Head for The Pub to check out the Acoustic Sessions running every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening throughout November and December in Airlie Beach – you won’t be disappointed.

WHAT: The Pub Acoustic Sessions

WHEN: Every Wednesday from 6.30pm, and every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, from 7pm to 10pm

WHERE: The Airlie Beach Hotel

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The Pub’s Acoustic Sessions are running across all of November and December, featuring resident artists like Andy Mammers who “plays to the crowd”

Other artists include Simon Briley, a popular performer who brings his own original style to a multitude of pub favourites

And there’s also famed Western Australian singer and guitarist Matt Angell amongst others at The Airlie Beach Hotel

Ben Lee’s catalogue of iconic Australian hits can be heard in Hollywood movies, hit sitcoms and indie surf flicks all over the world. Saturday night at the Airlie Beach Festival of Music brought thousands together to watch Ben’s return to Australian stages and Sam had a chat to him before he took to the big tent.

I want to go right back to your childhood band Noise Addict, how did that come about?

That was just, honestly, I wanted to form a band and I just looked around and saw that guy, ok, his older brother has a drum kit so he can be the drummer. That guy has a Zoom pedal that can make his guitar sound like a bass so he can be the bass player, and I’ll tell them what to play and that’s it, we’ll have a band.

How did that transition into your solo career?

It was really just because I was writing all these songs and I would record them on a boombox just acoustic but I always envisioned they would be songs we would then play with the band, but I gave them to the label. This guy, Steve Pav (Stephen Pavlovic), I would give him these tapes and they were just acoustic, and he was like, ‘I think you should record some of these like that,’ so that was that.

You hear Ben Lee songs on TV shows, on movies, what was that like to get that coverage?

It was good because I love the way songs interact with film. Sometimes it’s used almost as a band aid where a scene isn’t working so they’ll put a cool song in, but that’s the worst case. The best-case scenario is you’ve got a great film and the right song in it and suddenly everything gets heightened; the song gets better, the movie gets better. I had the song ‘How To Survive A Broken Heart’ that the Farrelly brothers used when Cameron Diaz first comes in on roller skates in ‘There’s Something About Mary’, and to me it was like, I love being part of that scene, that’s an iconic Hollywood comedic moment, and I feel like my song is a part of that history, so it’s great.

Is that your favourite scene that a song has been used in?

Yeah, that would be one of them. There was one in ‘How I Met Your Mother’ that was really good. They’re all good. The funny one was I was watching the Tegan and Sara; they have a show called ‘High School’ on Amazon and there’s a scene in it where one of them is going to make a mixtape and she’s like, ‘Get ready, it’s going to be all California punk bands and the dulcet tones of Ben Lee,’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, man, I’m in there.’ It’s just being part of things, it’s cool.

My mind was blown when I saw Radnor and Lee pop up on the internet. How did your relationship with actor Josh Radnor come about?

It just happened through the show. The creators, I chatted to them, and they invited me down to the set after they’d used one of the songs and me and Josh met and just became friends.

What’s the creative back and forth like?

We had a few years where we were doing a lot. Josh was new to song writing and guitar playing and I have a side of me that really likes being in the support role, I just like helping people bring their vision to fruition, so it was a bit like that.

What’s it like being an Australian singer-songwriter living in America?

It’s good. It’s fun because I’m obviously most successful in Australia and Australia is a really good country to be successful in. If you had to pick one country that you have to go to a lot, it’s fun, you get to play festivals like this, on a beautiful beach. If you get successful in, like, Germany, you’re just touring playing beer festivals all summer. That’s really nice. I do love the creativity. I feel like, in Hollywood, people come with very big dreams, and I really get off on that. They all want to play in the big leagues and see how good they are, and I respect that ambition.

How do you think it’s affected your career trajectory?

I don’t know. For instance, me and my wife do a podcast, and we got offered, from Australian companies, to do it, who would only have Australian advertising, and I was just like, ‘I don’t ever want to make anything just for one place.’ I’ve never been like that. Now the world’s a bit different in that more artists are thinking internationally out of the box, but when I started, that was not that common. If you were an indie band in Sydney, you never thought you were going to get to go to America. For me, my world is big, and I like to keep it that way. Even if Australia’s my biggest fanbase, I like thinking globally.

When you think that way, where are you going?

I’ve always envisioned a career that peaks in my 70s. I really feel like I’m halfway through. I can really see more and more people getting it. It’s funny, I know that’s, in a way, statistically unlikely, but I’ve never been that interested in the normal to do things. I think, we’re actually living in a time where there’s less ageism than ever before and diversity in outlooks in more valued than ever before and I see, when I play, there’s teenagers and kids and older people and people in their 40s who have a babysitter for the night – I can play for everybody. I still view it like that.

What’s it like to be back in Australia and playing at the Airlie Beach Festival of Music?

Honestly, after the pandemic, I reprioritised, like, ‘What do I want out of gigs?’ so the show’s become much more of a spectacle. We’ve got a giant joint and props and the full band. I just realised, firstly, I think everyone got a sense of life is short, societal collapse is possibly on the way, lets try and create a good energy because, as an artist, I am not going to solve any of the problems that we are facing collectively, but I can contribute to creating a good atmosphere where maybe my audience can go and solve those problems.

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Photo credit: Cherrie Hughes Photography

For the second year in a row the Whitsunday Regional Council is hosting their Christmas Lights Competition, inviting households from across the region to dress their gardens in festive lights and Christmas cheer.

Packing the kids in the car and cruising the streets to admire neighbourhood Christmas lights is a favourite tradition among many local families and this competition encourages everyone to embrace that festive spirit.

Last year 16 houses participated and Proserpine resident, Ron McCall who lives at 1 Atkinson Street, won the competition with his impressive display.

Ron has been decorating his home for 28 years and spends three weeks preparing his house for the intricate lighting display.

Having worked at the Proserpine Mill for 38 years, Ron has enjoyed bringing the community together at Christmas, hosting a street party each year with over 200 people in attendance.

To enter the Christmas Lights Competition simply head to Your Say Whitsundays and search Christmas Lights.

Here you will find a link to ‘nominate’ your house for the competition and also pin your Christmas Lights display on the interactive map so people can follow the Christmas lights trail.

This year, the lucky winner will receive a night’s accommodation for two adults and two children at Daydream Island Resort and Living Reef, with $500 spending money.

They will also win a family trip to Reefworld, for a Great Barrier Reef Adventure with Cruise Whitsundays.

Last years’ winners Ron McCall and his wife Wendy outside their house on Atkinson Street in Proserpine

The Mackay & District Orchid Society Inc. held its Annual General Meeting at the Sporting Wheelies Hall last month where a new committee was selected.

The incoming committee for 2023 is:

President: Dennis Farlow

Vice President: Roger Clark

Secretary: Ros Farlow

Treasurer: Eve Penningh

Committee Members: Ron Laird; Veanna Joiner; Debbie Clark

A presentation was made to the Club Patron, Mayor of Mackay, Cr. Greg Williamson and his wife Annette.

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