Members of the Mackay and District Orchid Society enjoyed a social evening with a dinner at Goosies Sport and Recreation Club recently.

The Society is passionate about beautiful blooms, but also takes the opportunity to share the like minded passion of growing orchids with regular social occasions to form friendships.

The Society meets at 7.30 pm the third Thursday of the month at the Sporting Wheelies Hall, 78 Bridge Road, Mackay.

They invite you to come along and learn about growing orchids, everyone is welcome.

‍

Major businesses are jumping onboard local festival Rhythm & The Reef ahead of its second event in September.

Field Mining Services Group has partnered with the festival, helping to put on an event that has quickly become an icon of culture and community in North Queensland.

Mackay Regional Council, Daly Bay and the Ambassador Hotel have also joined forces in support of bringing big city entertainment to regional Queensland.

Event Director James Slade says the support of these businesses helps events bring bigger and better artists to Mackay, ultimately putting on a better festival in a turbulent time for the industry.

“These businesses see the importance of creating a culture of excitement throughout the region, and by doing so encouraging more young people to move north and fill crucial roles of employment,” he said.

Rhythm & The Reef is expected to attract punters from Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton and southeast Queensland, providing a major boost to the economy.

In 2021, the Rumble on The Reef events collectively brought over 5000 people from all over Australia to the region across a two-week period.

This year’s line-up includes Running Touch, Touch Sensitive, ShockOne, Jack Botts, Ivan Ooze, Godlands, Felipe Baldomir, Moss and heaps of local favourites.

The event will also feature life-size marine sculptures made from beach debris, live art displays and heaps more.

This year’s event will be held on the riverfront at Bluewater Quay.

Tickets are selling fast and are available online now.

WHAT: Rhythm & The Reef 2022

WHEN: Friday, September 24

WHERE: Bluewater Quay

TICKETS: Oztix

Rhythm & The Reef is back for 2022 thanks to local business. Photo supplied: Rhythm & The Reef

‍

A local artist has won the Woollam Art on Show Award for 2022.

Mackay’s Emily Jayne Carroll won the award with her work entitled ‘Fredrick’ which was entered in the Easel Painting category, topping numerous entries received from all over the country.

“I’ve always been drawn to the old masters, so like the renaissance era of art,” Emily said.

Emily says she became obsessed with art in her senior year of high school, studying with a private art teacher, entering competitions and working as a commissioned artist after graduating.

She eventually embarked on a hairdressing career, seeking career and income stability, and opened her own salon.

“I actually hadn’t painted at all for ten or 11 years and ‘Frederick’ was my first finished piece in ten years,” Emily said.

“It was incredible, winning, it just gave me a lot of validation that this is actually what I’m supposed to be doing with my life and I’m on the right path, so I shut down my hairdressing salon and I’m putting all my focus into this now.

“I really do think that, right now, the world desperately needs art.

“I think with everything happening in the world, it’s so important, it provides an alternate glimpse into a different world for people and pulls people away from the negativity and the state of the world currently.

“I think these competitions are just so important.”

Melbourne-based artist Deanna Hitti was the guest judge at this year’s Art on Show Awards and says she can see unique subject matter reflected in works coming out of the Mackay area.

“I go to quite a few towns within the states of Australia and they’re all so different,” she said.

“All the voices are different, the medias are different, there’ll be one media popular over another, the approach to the media will be different, the themes will be different and this is quite an eclectic mix here which is quite lovely to see.

“There’s so much talent here.

“(The works are) very, very personal.

“You very much get a sense of place here…I felt as though there was quite a connection between the artist and their subject matter.”

Deanna attributes Mackay to beginning her art career after she won the Libris Award in 2008.

“Conceptually, I started to know why I wanted to bring printing and books together, and then I won that award and then two years later - back then there was a symposium for artists' books as well so I exhibited in that and it was massive exposure and it started right here, which is amazing.”

*breakout box*

Woollam Art on Show Awards 2022

$3000 Overall Winner – Woollam Art on Show Award 2022

Artist: Emily Jayne Carroll                    

Title of Work: Fredrick

Section 1 – Easel Painting Award 1st Prize

Artist: Sharon Ruhle

Title of Work: Waiting

Section 2 – Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Works on Paper Award 1st Prize

Artist: Desma Munro

Title of Work: Abandoned

Section 3 – 7 Mackay Local News Miniature Award 1st Prize

Artist: It Hao Pheh

Title of Work: Pumpkins

Section 4 – North Jacklin Emergent Artist Award 1st Prize

Artist: Georgia Farlow

Title of Work: Endemic

Included in Section 4 – Keith’s Mean Machine Excavations Emergent Artists Arts Practice Award

Artist: Georgia Farlow

Title of Work: Endemic

Section 5 – Artists’ Book Award 1st Prize

Artist: Avril Makula

Title of Work: Bibliolater

Art on Show Guest Judge Deanna Hitti and Award Winner Emily Jayne Carroll with Emily’s piece ‘Frederick’. Photo supplied: Melissa Broadhurst

Mackay’s Rosemary Payne won the MineMech Services People’s Choice Awards for 2022 with her work ‘There Lies a Tale’. Photo supplied: Art on Show

Mikayla Parrotta won second in the People’s Choice Awards with her work titled ‘Moments Before Disaster’. Photo supplied: Art on Show

‍

Friday 19 August

MackHack 2022

Friday, August 19 to Sunday, August 21

MackHack is back! A ‘hackathon’ long weekend where teams work on genuine industry challenges with the objective of driving the commercial acceleration of METS and mining, mining equipment, technology or services locally and across the state. This cross sector event will feature guest speakers, case studies and workshops in AI, Robotics, XR (VR, AR, MR) technology. It will bring together thinkers, makers, doers, creatives, innovators and entrepreneurs, designers, engineers and programmers to solve internal business challenges, or bigger industry challenges. There will be major cash and prizes up for grabs. To find out more and book your tickets, visit www.mackhack.com.au

Split Spaces

Accommodation Options in Retirement

Friday, 11:00am to 12:30pm

Free seminars for your financial future delivered by Services Australia discussing accommodation options in retirement. Comparison of accommodation types, financial advantages and disadvantages, Centrelink assessment, and aged care fees and charges will be discussed. Bookings required.

Dudley Denny City Library

Conversations with Art

Friday, 1:00pm to 2:30pm

A free and enjoyable discussion led by Artspace staff as they look at images of traditional and contemporary artworks. Held on the 3rd Friday of each month, Conversations with Art is held in one of the three gallery spaces, or in the Artspace Workshop Room. It’s not an art theory lesson, it’s simply a casual conversation to talk about the art, deconstructing the works, considering themes, possible techniques used by the artist, and creating links with our own personal experiences. Whether you’re an artist, an art and language lover, beginner, or expert, everyone’s welcome!

Artspace Mackay

QCCS presents NQ's Rock'n Country 2022

Friday, 8:00am to Sunday, 11:00pm

QCCS presents NQ's Rock'n Country is back, bigger and better! If you thought the 2021 festival was impressive, wait until you see what is planned for 2022! Bring your camp chairs and picnic blankets and settle in for a massive three days, with over 40 of the best national and local country music artists playing across four stages.

Mackay Showgrounds

Mal Meninga Luncheon

Friday, 12:00pm

When you buy tickets to the Mal Meninga luncheon, you’re helping raise money to help Mackay’s rugby league juniors, plus you get to listen to a rugby league immortal while having a delightful lunch with beverages included at the beautiful Ocean International. Every cent raised (plus more), thanks to the support of our major sponsor Queensland Country Bank and media sponsor, StarFM and the Sunrise Rotary Club Perpetual Fund, goes back to our Juniors.

Ocean International Hotel

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

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

Wake House Australia

Saturday 20 August

Soroptimist International Mackay High Tea

Saturday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Soroptimist International Mackay invites you to a High Tea Event. Tickets are $65 per person. Funds raised go to the Trudy Crowley Foundation. Buy tickets from https://www.trybooking.com/CADXW.

The Ocean International

Discovery - Winterlogic Tour

Saturday, 8:00pm to 2:00am

A part of Discovery's "Winterlogic Tour", McGuires welcomes you all to come and get funky with the Happenings Co. crew bringing you the best Daft punk show in northern Queensland.

McGuires Hotel

Sunday 21 August

Unearthed Free Community Event

Saturday, 9:00am

Enjoy an action-packed program of free STEAM-inspired entertainment for the whole family. Discover local megafauna and prehistoric sea monsters from real fossils to digital models, live science experiments, music and talks, drones, robotics and virtual realities, meet Queensland Museum Network curators, battle it out in our Minecraft competition, get creative with the art of science and more!

MECC

Sunday Live Music – Lucid Wings

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

Sugar City Rock and Roll Mackay Rock n Roll Dance

Sunday, 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Rock n Roll dance at Glenella Hall this Sunday. BYO Drinks. Members: $5. Non-Members: $8.

Glenella Hall

Monday 22 August

My Choir

Monday, 11:30am to 12pm

My Choir is aimed at those in the community affected by dementia and memory loss, their families, friends and carers. Singer or not, just come along and experience the joy of singing. Bookings required.

Gordon White Library

Wednesday 24 August

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

Thursday 25 August

Book Week - Picnic in the Gardens

Thursday, 9:30am to 11:30am

Dress up as your favourite book character and join in for a picnic at the Botanic Gardens, Story Time under the trees and Baby Bounce on the lawn. Join the Libraries team for face painting, puppets, craft activities and heaps more for children up to five years old. Baby Bounce will begin at 10am and Story Time will begin at 10:30am. This is a free event.

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Amy Shark – See U Somewhere Tour

Thursday, 7:30pm to 9:45pm

Fresh off her Cry Forever arena tour, adored pop singer-songwriter Amy Shark will be hitting the road for a mammoth 42-date regional tour of Australia presented by triple j, Handsome Tours and Select Music. Support Act Cult Romance: 7.30pm - 8pm. Amy Shark: 8.30pm - 9.45pm. Tickets on sale now!

MECC

‍

It was the year 1922 when the Sarina branch of the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) was formed and, 100 years later, the branch is hosting a wide range of centenary celebrations.

Next Tuesday, August 23, QCWA Sarina are proudly hosting a Race Day at the Mackay Turf Club.

While Race Day Luncheon tickets are sold out, general admission to the racetrack is free and all are welcome.

Moreover, a major raffle will be drawn on the day with heaps of amazing prizes including a bottle of Sarina Sugar Shed Anzac Commemorative Rum, vouchers and a bottle of port.

Traditionally renowned for their culinary skills, the scones and cakes made by QCWA members have saved lives — raising millions of dollars for those struck by natural disasters and drought, women and children's health, rural education, mental health, and disease.

Members of the Association around Queensland are celebrating the colossal impact of rural Australia's largest advocacy group.

President of QCWA Sarina Mary-Therese Watson said the group have been “planning and excitedly looking forward to the centennial celebration for a while now”.

“The Race Day is about having fun, to not only celebrate but also to raise funds that support the Sarina Branch and its work to assist women and their families,” Ms Watson said.

“We thank Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank for their sponsorship towards our Association, as well as sponsoring the major raffle and the second prize for Race Day.”

Tickets can be purchased by direct deposit, in person at the QCWA hall or at the race day.

You will also find a commemorative centenary display at Community Bank Sarina brimming with history – make sure to stop in and check it out.

Community Bank Sarina Branch Manager Charmaine Matsen said the purpose of the sponsorship for QCWA Sarina Branch was to “provide support to women in our community who are trying to improve the lives of others”.

“It’s important to invest back into organisations that positively impact our greater Sarina region, in a way that inspires action and makes a practical difference in our communities,” Ms Matsen said.

Find QCWA Sarina Branch on Facebook for more information on all their celebrations.

Check out the QCWA Sarina Centenary Display next time you’re in Sarina Community Bank. Photo supplied: QCWA Sarina

‍

Fresh off her Cry Forever arena tour, ARIA award winner and alt-pop singer songwriter, Amy Shark is hitting the road for a mammoth 42 date regional tour of Australia, presented by triple j, Handsome Tours, Select Music and Rage More.

Amy Shark will bring her critically acclaimed Cry Forever and Love Monster albums to regional fans right across Australia.

Amy has been touring Australia since May, and finally the show comes to her home state of Queensland this month.

“I’m the happiest when I’m on stage performing and I can’t wait to travel further into Australia where I’ve never been before, to explore some of these towns and meet everyone, it’s going to be a fun one,” Amy said.

After bursting onto the global music scene in 2016, Amy Shark’s 6 x Platinum single Adore put her on the map as one of Australia’s most formidable emerging songwriters.

This was followed by APRA award winning (Song of The Year) 6 x Platinum and number one Australian airplay chart hit, I Said Hi and the 2019 3 x platinum single Mess Her Up.

Shark’s debut/breakthrough #1 ARIA album and Platinum-certified LOVE MONSTER was recognised in 2018 with four ARIA awards (Album of the Year, Best Female Artist, Best Pop Release, Best Producer [Dann Hume]) and was nominated for another five.

LOVE MONSTER went on to become the highest selling album by an Australian artist for 2018. Not one to slow down, even in a global pandemic, 2020 saw Amy release her ARIA award winning, 2 x Platinum accredited single, Everybody Rise, which is nearing 37 million streams globally and spent 12 weeks in the top 10 Australian airplay chart.

Amy’s latest album, CRY FOREVER was her second #1 ARIA debut holding the top spot for two weeks consecutively. Shark teamed up with blink 182’s Travis Barker on Gold accredited single C’MON and global superstar Ed Sheeran to co-write platinum single Love Song’s Ain’t for Us featuring Grammy award winning artist Keith Urban.

Today Amy has amassed 798 million combined global streams.

Thrilled to be performing such an epic run of shows around Australia and showing her endless gratitude for the huge love from her regional fans, Amy enthuses, “I don't know when I'll get the chance to do a huge Australian run like this again so if I'm coming to your town, you are mine that night!

“No excuses.”

What: Amy Shark - See U Somewhere Australia Tour

When: Thursday 25 August 2022, 7.30pm

Where: MECC Auditorium

Tickets: For tickets and further information, head to https://www.amyshark.com, or www.themecc.com.au

ARIA Award winner Amy Shark is performing at the MECC next Thursday evening

‍

Motorheads are meticulously putting the final touches on their muscle, vintage, and souped-up cars ahead of tomorrow’s day of displays at the Proserpine Showgrounds.

Whitsunday Old Iron Restorer’s Club will launch their debut Car and Motorcycle Show, Swap Meet and Field Day on Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

The local club is eager to display its “old irons” alongside market stalls and live entertainment for the Proserpine community – especially its car-lovers.

But for those displaying their hotrods – of which there are many; each car club in the region has been invited to show off their motors - it kicks into gear this afternoon, carrying on into the night where anyone can come along for live music at 7pm to 10pm by artist Paul Burger.

For those looking for a day out at showgrounds packed with cars and food, the official start is on Saturday with gates open 9am until 3pm.

It will be the first event of its type for the new club and will send all proceeds from the day to Black Dog Institute - a non-for-profit research organisation investigating mental health diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

“When you’ve got something like what we have – these beautiful cars - you should use it for a good cause,” Club President Mark O’Keefe said.

Mark said there’s plenty to look out for with cars coming from as far afield as Cairns, and hotrods like his own restoration of an ’84 Jeep CJ10 – of which there are only 400 in the world –  will be the ones to look out for. As well, patrons can enjoy some excellent vendors, entertainment, and motorbikes.

Entry is a $5 dollar donation.

WHAT: Car and Motorcycle Show, Swap Meet and Field Day

WHEN: Saturday, 20 August 9am-3pm

WHERE: Proserpine Showgrounds

President of Whitsunday Old Iron Restorer’s Club, Mark O’Keefe is excited to be showing off a few of his prize cars at the event on Saturday

‍

Hey Joe, did you hear? One of Australia’s best blues and rock guitarists is bringing the Jimi Hendrix Experience to The Pub as part of two rock-and-roll shows hitting the venue in September.

Reviving Hendrix with all-star guitar licks, Steve Edmonds Band is travelling up the east coast of Oz for two performances at the Airlie Beach Hotel: one as the Jim Hendrix Tribute Show, and the other as his own Blues, Rock & Boogie extravaganza.

It starts on Saturday when the amp kicks in and the electric guitar starts purring with the two-part rock experience of the Steve Edmonds Band Jimi Hendrix Tribute Show.

This tour de force will have you on the air guitar as it pieces through Jimi Hendrix’s most popular tunes.

In part one, the band pay tribute to Hendrix’s most famous live performances from Woodstock to Monterey Pop, featuring classic hits like Voodoo Child, Foxy Lady, Purple Haze, Little Wing and many more favourites.

Then, in part two, Edmond’s and his band dedicate time to the classic rock songs of the 70s – anthems from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Doors, Thin Lizzy, Cream, ZZ Top and many more.

In a breathless-on-the-dance floor performance, they hammer through some of the biggest guitar anthems of the biggest bands of 70s rock in a must for fans of the great, classic style of guitar-driven rock.

It was the sound that made the 70s so iconic - and it’s certainly a not-to-miss for Jimi Hendrix devotees.

Then they’re back on Sunday with the Blues, Rock & Boogie Father’s Day special, a ferocious dose of killer classic rock, frighteningly funky blues, and monster guitar riffs.

From Sydney, the band has wowed audiences across the country with high-energy, funky blues, roots and rock.

They’re led by Steve Edmonds, whose professional career spans over three decades; a guitarist who’s recorded and toured with some of the country’s biggest luminaries: Jimmy Barnes, Billy Thorpe, Renee Geyer, Human Nature, Delta Goodrem, Shannon Noll, Doug Parkinson, Matt Finish, Hippo’s, Doug Williams, Australian Idol Band, and many more.

As singer, songwriter and band leader Edmonds has seen over three decades of constant sessions, touring, playing established festivals and creating residencies in an ailing live music environment on the East Coast of NSW.

He delivers a live set of killer music with skill and experience in his set that encompasses a wide variety of Roots/Rock/Blues music punctuated by Edmond’s acclaimed Hendrix and Vaughan interpretations, original material, hit list of classic rock guitar anthems and a respectful nod to some of the greatest feel-good bands and songs of our generation.

It’s a guaranteed knockout performance – the second in just as many days.

Grab your dad and treat him to a performance of the rock that had him in a Purple Haze for all of the 70s – rock on!

What: The Steve Edmonds Band ‘Hendrix and Heroes’ show, and Blues, Rock & Boogie show

When: Saturday, August 3, and Sunday, August 4 from 2.00pm to 5.30pm each day

Where: The Airlie Beach Hotel

Steve Edmonds Band is bringing two live shows to the Airlie Beach Hotel’s bar-top stage

The Hendrix and Heroes Show – a monster mashup of electric 70s anthems and the Blues, Rock & Boogie Show

‍

A uniquely freaky production inspired by a Hollywood blockbuster is bringing its imagination defying, tantalising, and mystifying performances to Whitsunday audiences next week.

The World’s Greatest Freakshow is set to highlight the peerless talents of some of the most powerful, enchanting, and miraculous ‘freaks’ from across the country when it rolls into the Reef Gateway Hotel on August 25.

An all-new, Aussie-made production, The World’s Greatest Freakshow is a rotating roster of one-of-a-kind acts in a unique showcase of exquisite mastery ranging from the likes of contortionists to the pain-proof, from the satirical to the incandescent.

World’s Greatest Freakshow producer Darren Sutton – who himself has a long and storied career in entertainment - brought together his acts with one goal in mind: to amaze.

“I was watching the World’s Greatest Showman. It’s my favourite movie; an absolute blockbuster. In that, Hugh Jackman started a normal show – and it failed,” Sutton said.

“So, he said, ‘let’s get the freakiest people and make this the freakiest show on earth. So, I thought, why can’t we do that? We searched the whole of Australia to get the very best.”

And they did just that, collating a menagerie of ostentatious and freakish performers for their first travelling show up the east coast.

But there’s none in the show’s five-piece set of freaks like the mind-blowing Samora Squid, who leaves audiences questioning the bounds of human dexterity as a “natural contortionist.”

“My bones have the consistency of a jellyfish,” Samora said.

“I love what I do. But I think what I love most is our team: it’s like the X-Men, and our powers combined sort of thing. One minute you’ll see someone lay on a bed of nails, then while they’re still reeling from that, they’ll see someone lift a bowling ball with just their tongue.

“People have just had their mind blown and that just keeps happening; it’s a cavalcade of extraordinary people doing extraordinary things.”

Samora said he was excited to be bringing the show to Airlie Beach.

“For people in the city they’re a lot more likely to see something like this. You go to Vegas, that’s what it’s known for. It’s not what Bundaberg and Rockhampton are known for – or Airlie Beach,” he said.

“What I want from the audience is the response to the intrinsic part of being human: spectacle. People connect through shared spectacle; they are absolutely essential to the human condition.

“I can’t wait to bring that visceral, involuntary reaction to Airlie Beach.”

What: World’s Greatest Freakshow

When: Thursday, August 25 at 7pm

Where: Reef Gateway Hotel

Tickets: $69.90 at OzTix

Samora Squid is just one of five freaks coming to Airlie Beach as part of The World’s Greatest Freakshow next week

World’s strangest strongman The Great Gordo Gamsby is another set to amaze during the show at the Reef Gateway

‍

We seem to be in an era of quaint, British everyman films. Films where men like Maurice Flitcroft stand up to a stuffy establishment and – politely, mind – say “I’ll have a crack.” Often delightful films where we’re whisked away to a simpler time (persistently set in post-World War Two) where hope and change are inseparable.

Director Craig Robert’s ‘Phantom of the Open’ is just one such a tale. A biopic based on an incredulously true story that warms the heart. And, unlike its referential namesake, is no musical, but instead an optimistic vignette of one man’s dream-chasing.

Maurice Flitcroft, that dreamer, was (at least in the real world) a chain-smoking, shipyard crane-operator from Barrow-in-Furness, a small port town close to England’s Lake District.

In Robert’s true-to-life rendition of Flitcroft (played in earnest, lovable and daffy fashion by Mark Rylance), we follow a man of aspiring dreams who has put those dreams on hold for his family. In an occupational ennui, Flitcroft decides upon a late-in-life charge to finally meet his lofty ambitions. He endeavours to participate in the British Open Golf Championship – much to the ire of the golfing upper crust.

The crux of the matter is that he’s never played a round of golf before. But this is an extraordinary story of an ordinary man.

With the support by his family and friends, he manages to gain entry to the 1976 British Open qualifying, and with pluckiness and unwavering self-belief, Flitcroft pulls off a series of stunning, hilarious and touching attempts to compete at the highest level of professional golf – becoming likely “the world’s worst sportsman” and a cult hero along the way.

Uplifting and moving, The Phantom of the Open manages the balance between comedy and drama deftly, all the while illuminating a man who pursued his dreams and shot for the stars, no matter what hand he was dealt.

You can watch the hole-in-one film Phantom of the Open (M) at Bowen Summergarden Cinema from August 20.

Marky Rylance is a delight in the whimsical comedy, Phantom of the Open

‍

Airlie Race Week Wraps Up

www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/social-pics/the-great-barrier-reef-festival

‍

Look into these Angeleyes, because you ain’t seen nothin’ yet; The Pub is set to turn into a Summer Night City of synth, high energy, and soprano when SOS – A Tribute to the Songs of ABBA rolls into the coastal town.

Voulez-Vous, come dance with me, Fernando? I can hear the distant drums and bugle sounds closing in on the Airlie Beach Hotel. Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha, and Freda are back and As Good As New in this perfect recreation of the Swedish supergroup.

SOS are armed to the teeth with fantastic costumes, incredible vocal talents, animated ABBA dance moves, and even crazy Swedish accents.

For years these band members have been leading a double life; by day, they’re mild-mannered Australian musicians, but by night, they’re crazy ABBA fans with a healthy love of all things Swedish and an obsession with 70’s disco music.

They banded together to obsessively re-create the sound, music and look of the Swedish pop sensation they loved so dearly. Now, they walk out on stage, leaving behind their everyday lives and transform into rock stars as The Australian ABBA Tribute Show.

Sam Bennet, who fills the shoes and takes up the pick as SOS’s Bjorn, said that audiences in the Whitsundays should “Bring their Chiquititas”.

“This will be the furthest north we’ve ever been and, being from Melbourne with the cold and rain, I cannot overstate how excited we are for some sunshine,” Sam said.

“I’ve been with SOS for the past eight years, and what I love about ABBA is that it’s multi-generational and it reaches everyone.

“You can tell how much it means to people – there’s always a song in the set where there’s a twinkle in their eye that they’re remembering a moment in their life. Whether that be heartbreak, love, it’s a real honour to perform that music.”

Sam said the group doesn’t just perform to emulate the records, they match the energy that audiences saw when ABBA played at Wembley or the Sydney Mine Music Bowl.

“We match that energy and the arrangements we use are often based on those live performances rather than the records,” Sam said.

“The one thing we try and do is give the audience an experience of what ABBA was in the 70s and 80s.”

Patrons at The Airlie Beach Hotel are in for two free shows (that’s right! For absolutely no Money, Money, Money): one on Saturday August 27, and (Mama Mia, here we go again) another on Sunday, August 28, when SOS take the Bar Top stage one last time!

Put On Your White Sombrero for their afternoon shows from 2.00pm to 5.30pm!

What: SOS – The Australian ABBA Tribute Show

When: Saturday and Sunday, August 27 and 28, from 2.00pm to 5.30pm both days

Where: The Airlie Beach Hotel

The Airlie Beach Hotel is eagerly awaiting the Arrival of SOS – The Australian ABBA Tribute Show in late August

They faithfully recreate not just the sound, but the look and theatrics of the Swedish supergroup

Make sure to “bring your Chiquititas” for the show at The Pub

‍

Whitsunday Christian College, a local Prep – Year 12 school is inviting the community along to celebrate its 25th anniversary in late August with ‘A Night Under the Stars’ event.

Whitsunday Christian College will open its doors on Friday, August 26, bringing together families and the wider community to enjoy an event where music, market stalls, Eat Street, fireworks and a movie under the stars will celebrate the school’s special anniversary.

“We would like to use this special event to open up the College and connect with the local community, offering a family experience” Whitsunday Christian College Principal Kylie Langshore said.

A Night Under the Stars will be held across the campus and invite families to weave through the school both geographically and interactively, enticing people to explore the grounds and meet the school community.  

A petting zoo, inflatables zone, an art exhibition, book fair, and sideshow amusements will be spread out across the campus, lit by festoon lighting to capture the Eat Street atmosphere.

The event will also see students hosting fete and market stalls, and even performing on the big stage. Iterations of songs like Wherever I Go, Wakka Wakka, and Footloose, will be performed by classes from Prep up to Year 12.

Stalls developed and run by staff and students will include games like Pie Face, Chocolate Bed, The REEL Deal, Balloon Darts and even a Donut Bake Sale.

To showcase the night theme, families will be given the opportunity to enter the ‘Star Gazers Lucky Stars Competition’ where they will need to find and collect stars from around the College to go into the draw to win a Nintendo Switch Lite.

“The whole concept of building community is important to us, and that’s what we want to achieve with this event. Come by, stick around, enjoy some fun, have a meal, watch a movie, and enjoy the winter weather.

“We’re honouring the past, celebrating the present and looking towards the future with this community event.”

Starting at 4.00pm, A Night Under the Stars will run until 8.30pm, with food stalls, sideshow amusements, fireworks, and will conclude with a movie from 8.30pm – 10pm.

WHAT: A Night Under The Stars (Family Event)

WHERE: Whitsunday Christian College

WHEN: Friday, August 26 from 4pm

Whitsunday Christian College Principal Kylie Langshore and students are looking forward to their Night Under the Stars event in late August.

‍

It’s been billed as a part-concert film and part-road movie, showcasing “stunning local landscapes, remarkable people and amazing stories”. Lee Kernaghan: Boy From The Bush, comes from the minds behind “Slim and I”, the famed documentary-style story on Slim Dusty’s life.

Poignant, in a way, seeing as Kernaghan has equalled Slim’s record of 37 Golden Guitar Awards, and has certainly had a celebrated country music career that might even rival the Australian icons.

Lee may well have picked up the pick, just where Slim left it. He’s shaped a generation and made a huge impact on the country music scene both in Australia and around the world. He has become a part of the outback; something he calls “more than a setting” in the film.

“It’s a character in our shared story,” he says. “But when you take a place, a person, a time, a story and wrap it up in words and music, that’s magic.”

And it certainly is magic. The film features live performances of some of Lee’s greatest hits and even a brand-new song. It also details the local landscapes, people and stories that have inspired him throughout his 30-year career.

It’s a film not just for the urbanites, but for everyone; it pushes the format of concert-films before it by being interspersed with documentary vignettes, filled with sweeping shots across the outback and countryside, as Kernaghan takes audiences on the road and speaks to the rural life and community that colours his lyrics.

It’s a “tone poem”; a love letter to rural Australia, as seen through the prism of Lee’s songs and stories.

‍