Grab your comfiest pyjamas and your girlfriends and come to the Big Girl’s Pyjama Party, this Thursday, April 27.

In the Soroptimist International (SI) Mackay’s 4th annual tradition, the Big Girl’s Pyjama Party hits new highs, screening 2022 movie ‘Allelujah’ on the big screen.

Booking out the Mount Pleasant cinema, SI Mackay have high hopes for the 2023 event, with all proceeds to go to Mackay outreach of the Better Together Housing project.

SI Mackay have a long history of community support, regularly supporting J’s Wardrobe with Mackay Base Hospital, ovarian cancer pledge cards, plus many other ongoing projects to empower, educate, and inspire women and girls in the Mackay and Whitsunday catchment.

This year’s movie, ‘Allelujah’ follows a geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital, as it is threatened with closure, starring the likes of Judi Dench and Jennifer Saunders.

This is a timely selection, as SI Mackay have made the move to donate all proceeds from the event to Better Together Housing (BTH), an organisation with the purpose of linking single women over the age of 55 together to provide suitable housing, to reduce the impact of the rise of the cost of living.

Tickets for this event include 3 raffle tickets for the event, costing $35.

Raffle prizes have been donated by local businesses and include fuel vouchers, wine, Ma’s Pizza Kitchen voucher, and Personal Training sessions.

For more information, contact Maria 041 189 568

WHAT: Pyjama Night

WHEN: Thursday, April 27

WHERE: Mount Pleasant Cinema Mackay

TIME: 6:30pm to 10:00pm

TICKETS: $35 per person

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Grab your Pyjamas, it’s time for a movie night! Stock image

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You almost need a magnifying glass to read the dates on Melbourne band Kingswood’s latest tour poster, such is the enormity of the tour. Cramming 100 gigs into a seven month window, the band are celebrating the release of ‘Home’, an album packed with sultry country music-tinged riffs, with their Hometowns tour. Sam caught up with Kingswood’s guitarist Alex Laska ahead of their show in Mackay this weekend.

I see you’ve been working your way up the coast over the past month or so, how have the shows been?

Incredible. All the shows have been incredibly positive as far as engaging with regional and remote communities goes, which was the impetus that fuelled this whole thing, for us to reengage in all the regions that started and built this band in the last 10 years. Obviously we’ve been starved of travelling to all those regions and the regions have been starved of bands travelling to them. The mission was to hit as many as we could possibly undertake within a six month period and I think everyone’s responding really positive to it because they’re super appreciative of the fact that we’re doing it.

Do you notice any particular differences between a regional crowd and a metro crowd?

The difference has lessened. Metro crowds were a lot less susceptible to our charms because they’re used to seeing bands come through whereas regional crowds and communities are genuinely appreciative of an event or someone making an effort, not to say that metro crowds aren’t appreciative. They just used to be a little less inclined to give it their all. I suppose because of the break from social interaction and exposure, honestly everyone’s been pretty much the same, it’s been amazing.

What’s it like personally to be on such a busy tour?

It’s pretty vast and varied. You’ve got to try and maintain health and diet and all that sort of stuff and be patient and considerate because you’re living in such close quarters with people. But the benefits are incredible. We get to see this amazing country and we get to engage with all of the communities we haven’t before. Seeing that exchange, that interaction, and being a part of it and developing our musicality, pushing this album, it’s incredibly positive. People are really responding positively to the new album, it’s been at the top of the ARIA Australia charts for six of the last seven weeks which is amazing.

Speaking of the album, Kingswood have been around for 15 years, you’ve half a dozen albums and each feels like you introduce something fresh and new, how did you keep things fresh while writing Home?

Honestly, I just satisfied my own creative urge. We’d just finished up with our record label on the last three albums and COVID had happened and no one knew what was going on or what was going to happen so I went into this escapist, surrealist world living on a ranch in Queensland. I leant into the more country-tinged music that I love and just wrote the album without any album of anything, I just wrote it for the sake of writing it. I had no idea of when, where, how, why we were going to release it. Did we know we were going to tour it? Same thing.

In saying that, there are obviously common Kingswood sounds, themes and moods throughout all of your albums, who or what inspires the Kingswood sound?

That is incredibly difficult question. It’s probably an amalgamation of the entirety of my life, what I’ve been exposed to musically, and there’s definitely a formula or recipe that’s engrained itself in my head based on everything I’ve been exposed to musically. Because of that, there’s an inherant identity that, no matter what genre we undertake, links back to the Kingswood sound and I think that will be present because it’s part of my identity in all stuff.

It's not your first time in Mackay this weekend, do you have any memories of the place?

We like north Queensland. We’ve always had really good relationships with venues and the people so I always think of north Queensland as fun.

And what can Mackay expect at the Metropolitan on the weekend?

The best show they’ve ever seen, hands down.

WHAT: Kingswood

WHEN: Saturday, April 22 from 8:00pm

WHERE: The Metropolitan Hotel Mackay

TICKETS: Oztix

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Kingswood are about halfway through a mammoth 100-date tour of Australia

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Celebrating his 42nd anniversary, ARIA, Logie, and Helpmann Award winner Jonathon Welch AM retells his amazing story at the MECC this May.

Best known as the creator of the multi award-winning ABC TV smash hit Choir of Hard Knocks, Jonathon Welch AM threads the amazing story of his life with beautiful music and stories.

From his early years, being told he would never have a singing career, to becoming one of Australia's finest Tenors and being awarded Australian of the Year Local Hero 2008 and an Order of Australia for his passionate work and advocacy of the homeless and disadvantaged, Jonathon's voice and unique story is thrilling, deeply moving and inspiring.

Jonathon will sing a selection of songs and ballads that have shaped his musical career from My Fair Lady, Kismet, and The Music Man to Road to Gundagai, You Raise Me Up and the hauntingly beautiful, Hallelujah, with rave reviews ensuing.

“The Frankston Musical Mats audience absolutely loved Jonathon – as you would expect,” said Frankston Arts Centre’s Merryn Tinkler.

“His show was slick and professional and, at the same time, warm and inviting for our audience, who all had some laughs and some tears along the way.

“He was very generous with his time, spending much time after each performance in the foyer meeting and greeting and chatting.”

WHAT: Friends Of The MECC's Morning Melodies 2023 - A Hard Knock Life By Jonathon Welch AM

WHEN: Wednesday, May 19, 11.00am

WHERE: MECC Plenary Halls

TICKETS: mecc.com.au

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Jonathon Welch AM brings his inspiring story to the MECC in May

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The Beatles are back and performing at the Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre (MECC) this May.

Envisioning a revival of The Beatles iconic Rooftop Concert, Aussie band The Honey Sliders, will bring the best of Australian musicians, including the likes of Danny Widdicombe, Dan Mansfield, Ben Carstens, and Bos Borley in an invigorating movie projection, acclaimed to impress all audience members.

Set on the backdrop of a cool winter’s day in 1969, the Rooftop Concert acted as catalyst to propel the band into all-time rock-stardom, only being a 42-minute show before police arrived at the Apple Corps building in Savile Row and ordered the band to reduce the volume.

Despite this, the raw power of the impromptu show enchanted an unsuspecting crowd.

The Honey Sliders do more than just impersonate The Beatles, but rather have intimately recreated The Beatles’ discography, creating a performance that will ring true to any Beatles fan.

The Honey Sliders also reminisce on other popular musicians, Neil Young, particularly his classic album Harvest, Jimi Hendrix, and The Rolling Stones, having travelled across New South Wales and Queensland performing to a multitude of audiences.

A combination of nostalgia and a faithful celebration, The Honey Sliders Play the Beatles’ Rooftop Concert is a positive reflection of the impact of the original Rooftop Concert, and nods to the power and testament of The Beatles and their endless and continuous creativity, and their ability to wow crowds and fans 54 years on.

With much critical acclaim, this performance will throw audiences back to The Beatles’ final live and open performance of their career.

With an extended lineup of Beatles hits and rarities, The Honey Sliders will perform at the MECC on May 27, with doors opening at 7pm.

For one night only, this show is quickly selling out. To purchase tickets, head to themecc.com.au.

WHAT: The Honey Sliders Play the Beatles’ Rooftop Concert

WHERE: The Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre

WHEN: Saturday, May 27, from 7.30pm

TICKETS: themecc.com.au

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Not just a Beatles tribute show, The Honey Sliders Play the Beatles’ Rooftop Concert is not one to miss

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Mackay Musical Comedy Players, who brought you the smash hits Mamma Mia, Shrek, and Chicago, presents the original story of The Addams Family, and it's every father's nightmare!

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family.

If that weren't upsetting enough, Wednesday begs her father not to tell her mother.

Now, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia.

Everything will change on the fateful night the family hosts a dinner for Wednesday's 'normal' boyfriend and his parents.

A cast of Mackay favourites will bring this story to life in May including John Hadok, Vicky Bobeldyk, Dallis McLean, Henry Miller, Joshua Duncan, Warren Samuel, Megan Geoghegan, Molly Rossetto, Hayden White and George Rogers.

Founded in February 1965, Mackay Musical Comedy Players Inc is a not-for-profit community theatre company, with a history of entertaining Mackay audiences with quality productions of stage musicals for over 50 years.

The club is set to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025.  

WHAT: Mackay Musical Comedy Players presents The Addams Family

WHEN: Friday, May 19 from 8pm and Saturday, May 20 from 2pm and 8pm

WHERE: MECC

TICKETS: themecc.com.au

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Mackay Musical Comedy Players presents The Addams Family at the MECC in May

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After much preparation and anticipation, Karen Jacobsen’s pop-orchestral masterpiece entitled The Misogyny Opus, is ready for its world premiere, which is due to take place at the Mackay Entertainment and Culture Centre (MECC) next weekend.

Karen is passionate about giving everyone in the community an opportunity to feel inspired by the words of Australia’s first female prime minister, Julie Gillard, who delivered her famous misogyny speech in 2012.

By setting these powerful words to music and performing the speech in its 55-minute entirety, Karen hopes to raise the issue of equality and draw our attention to how, despite substantial developments, we still live in a world of gender discrimination.

She believes this is an important message we need to share with our children and hopes the song will spark conversation within our boarder communities.

Joined on stage by the world class musicians from the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the performance is set to be both transformational and enlightening.

Cellist Craig Allister Young, who brings with him over 30 years of experience in arranging and orchestrating music, said he was deeply moved during the process of orchestrating the piece.

“During the (orchestral) process, I found myself feeling angry that this type of behaviour was present in our highest offices, not in a distant past but at a time where Australia is moving towards a more equitable society,” he said.

Any Whitsunday residents who wish to attend the event are invited to book a seat on the dedicated minibus which will take you there.

WHAT: The Misogyny Opus

WHERE: The MECC

WHEN: April 28-29

TICKETS: themecc.com.au

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Karen Jacobsen performs The Misogyny Opus, Not Now, Not Ever at the MECC next week. Photo supplied

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Help fight animal cruelty at the upcoming Million Paws Walk, Sunday May 28.

Million Paws Walk is an RSPCA initiative, raising funds and awareness for animal cruelty.

In this national event, almost 4,000 dogs and their owners have participated, with over $185 thousand raised to fight animal cruelty, funding over 5,000 days of shelter care for dogs in need.

The Whitsunday Marine Club has signed up for the challenge, calling for local dog-lovers to bring their pooch down to the Whitsunday Marine Club for a walk along the boardwalk to Cannonvale Beach, to help a good cause.

Keeping every member of the family happy, there will also be food vans, market stalls, raffles, and competitions following the walk, all supporting the RSCPA and Million Paws Walk cause.

Money raised will go towards funding community outreach programs, ending animal cruelty, and maintaining RSPCA shelters and care homes.

Registration is open, with the walk kicking off from 8am on Saturday, May 28.

WHAT: Million Paws Walk

WHERE: Whitsunday Marine Club

WHEN: Sunday, May 28, from 8am

REGISTRATION: millionpawswalk.com.au

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Walk your dog and fight animal cruelty. Photo supplied

A growing audience of locals have enjoyed ‘the pictures’ at The Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC) over the first three months of the site’s cinema operations.

Movie screenings returned to Proserpine for the first time in almost four decades when The PEC officially launched its cinema arm on December 12, 2022 - the first-time relatively new releases played in Proserpine since the El Dorado Picture Theatre’s closure in 1984.

Manager at Proserpine Entertainment Centre, Kate Boyd, said the cinema has been a budding success, and is offering the Whitsunday town something extraordinarily special.

“To have a cinema, living in small town, it can be a huge thing,” Ms Boyd said.

“Having something else to do, to be able to get out, it has huge benefits. And people are coming more often, they’re realising that we’re back and functioning, that we have state of the art facilities, and a full front of house.”

With more support, The PEC hopes to receive newer releases from distributors.

Movie sessions have been held weekly - with a small break in February – on Sundays and Mondays and have included new releases and Nostalgia Screenings of films like Back to the Future, E.T., and The Goonies.

“It’s part of our plan to be continually trialling things, trying to give people what they ask for,” Ms Boyd said.

“What we’re seeing is a building of momentum that we’re hoping to continue.”

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The Proserpine Entertainment Centre is building a budding audience of cinemagoers and hopes to continue the growth with more support from the town

Just in time for Mother’s Day, head down to the Proserpine Community Markets (PCM) on Sunday, April 30, and grab some handmade goodies.

Taking place on the old St Catherine’s Campus, the Proserpine Community Markets is home to a diverse range of local and handmade stalls, with food vans galore, face painting, raffles, local buskers, and live music and so much more, always supporting a local charity or cause.

The upcoming markets, on Sunday, April 30, will be supporting local Proserpine mum, Jenn Johnson, a breast cancer battler.

Jenn is a 30-year-old single mother, and she was diagnosed with grade three breast cancer in her right breast and lymph nodes in late January, after finding a lump in her breast back in November.

Currently, Jenn is undergoing her second round of chemotherapy, and proceeds will go towards supporting her lengthy journey.

The upcoming market is a great opportunity to support a local family and also many small businesses in the region.

There will be a sun catcher making workshop with Whitsunday Creations, and a Mr Poppas Balloon making workshop and much more so make sure you have the markets on your radar for Sunday.

PCM is held quarterly and open for all local makers to participate in.

WHAT: Proserpine Community Markets

WHERE: 69 Marathon Street

WHEN: April 30, from 8.30am to 12.30pm

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For two nights at the end of April, the poetic and eclectic sound of one of the biggest bands of all time will revive in two back-to-back tribute shows setting “the night on fire” at The Pub.

Unlocking The Doors, a mesmeric, hedonistic tribute to the provocative music of Jim Morrison and The Doors, will play on the Bar Top Stage at local’s favourite local on April 29 and 30 in two free shows.

The Airlie Beach Hotel is bringing one of Australia’s most authentic tribute shows to audiences for a second year running – what The Pub is calling a ‘Full Circle’ return of The Doors mayhem and psychedelic ‘60s aura.

The renowned tribute runs through a select repertoire of the Rock Hall of Famer’s 50-year history, right back to their self-titled debut album up to the post-Jim Morrison years of An American Prayer, all for free at the Airlie Beach Hotel.

Unlocking The Doors is led by Wollongong musician Richie Mikic, a long-time apostle of the American-band, who delivers a heartfelt performance in channelling the mystical command once held by the man at the iconic heart of the band – Jim Morrison.

“We take people back in time to when ‘The Lizard King’ ruled,” Richie said.

“Showing people how brilliant The Doors were and how intoxicating Jim Morrison was on stage drives us.”

Formed in Wollongong, the tribute band has travelled across the country to an ever-growing legion of fans and critical acclaim, with each member expertly reproducing the unique sound.

“Capturing the shamanistic presence of Jim Morrison, the hypnotic bass lines and swirling keys of Ray Manzarek, Robbie Krieger’s legato blues inspired guitar modality and John Densmore eclectic fusion of jazz, rock and Latin drumbeats, is our absolute pleasure,” Richie said.

There’s Sandy on organ and keyboard bass, who holds the key to reproducing the authentic live sound of Ray Manzarek. While fellow band-member Mick draws on his classical guitar and rock background to play his Gibson SG standard in finger-picking style to emulate Robbie Krieger’s beautiful legato tone.

And completing the line-up on drums is Lee, who unlocks John Densmore’s original style, providing the backbeat so vital when paying tribute to their signature melodies.

Unlocking the Doors reprise the energy from the band’s catalogue of classics - ‘People Are Strange’, ‘Break On Through (To The Other Side)’, ‘Riders On The Storm’ – and their back catalogue like ‘Spanish Caravan’ and ‘Hyacinth House’.

It’s a celebration of the band which marked an age when the American rock underground of the ‘60s came crashing into the mainstream. One which changed music forever – and it will have you singing “I’d really like to stay here all night”.

What: Unlocking The Doors

When: Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and April 30, 2.00pm to 5.30pm both days

Where: The Airlie Beach Hotel

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The Airlie Beach Hotel is bringing back one of its favourite shows, Unlocking The Doors, a tribute to one of America’s biggest bands

Richie Mikic takes on the role of Jim Morrison in this revival show for the ages coming to the Whitsundays in late April

Unlocking The Doors is a perfect capsulation of the energy of the band that changed music forever

To the outsider – that being anyone who hasn’t played a thousand hours of Super Mario Galaxy 2, at least - nothing in The Super Mario Bros. Movie makes any sense. Is that a problem for mainstream audiences? Apparently not.

It has scored the most successful global opening ever for an animated film. I suppose everyone knows Nintendo, everyone knows Mario - and especially kids know Mario. But, although it’s been a financial success, have directors Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath made a filmic success? Can anyone turn to anyone else in their plush cinema seats and say: “You know that Mario thing? Pretty darn good in a filmmaking sense.”

Certainly, The Super Mario Bros. Movie has the look down pat. If you were to bring in your handheld Nintendo DS to the theatre, flick your eyes from the small screen to the big and back, you’d be impressed by the acuity.

If it looks like a Mario, jumps like a Mario… does it quack like a Mario?  It might be a Mario if it does. On voice performances, the internet was broiling with sarcasm when Chris Pratt was announced as voicing the eponymous character – but the Jurassic Park and Marvel star has managed to portray Mario in surprising fashion; he’s genuinely done a stand-up job.

And so do the rest of the cast: Jack Black as chief antagonist Bowser, comedian Charlie Day as Luigi, and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong. Audiences seem to have been asking for a joyful adaptation with references galore, which is what The Super Mario Bros. Movie delivers. It may lack in a meaningful thematic throughline, but it’s Mario, after all – we’re not here for Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite.

It’s fun. Let’s hope for a bit more than just fun next time – let’s get Mario doing an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House or something insane like that. I’d pay to see it.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is playing now at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema.

Review by Declan Durrant

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Let’s-a-go! Mario and Luigi hit the big screen in The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Describing their sound as ‘bourbon-soaked blues’, it is not hard to see the appeal of Juke Joint’s music.

With an eclectic sound and energetic stage presence, Juke Joint performs with music that hits right on a barmy Wednesday Autumn afternoon.

Juke Joint will be on stage 6:30pm, Wednesday April 26, at the Proserpine Golf Club, starting the first leg of their North Queensland Tour.

Darren Griffis leads the charge, on lead guitar and vocals, with Gary Schieve on drums, Roy Bentham on guitar, banjo and slide guitar, and Gary Graham on bass and the harmonica.

This rag-tag range of instruments lends itself to a Southern American blues inspiration, with Gary Graham often playing the bass and harmonica at the same time.

Headlining the show will be their most recent release, Swivel Neck Boy, plus other original music, and everything from blues to classical rock and funk.

The Club looks forward to promoting more events in the future, as well as promoting their facilities for private functions. Affordable and inviting function facilities, with perfect photo opportunity locations on the beautiful Golf course.

Juke Joint will be performing at the Clubhouse courtyard, overlooking the course in the cool twilight of the evening.

Juke Joint is open for all ages, with tickets only $10, available at the door, at Whitsunday Computers and Stationery and online at Try booking.  A curtesy bus is available, ring 049 834 0848 to organise pick up.

WHAT: Juke Joint – Bourbon Soaked Blues – North Queensland Tour

WHERE: Proserpine Golf Club

WHEN: Wednesday, April 26, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm

TICKETS: trybooking.com

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Friday 14 April

Reece Mastin and Jonte at The Metropolitan

Friday, 7:30pm

Celebrating his 10-year anniversary X-Factor winner, Reece Mastin, is in Mackay, performing at The Metropolitan. Mackay local artist, Jonte, will be supporting Reece, with a 45-minute opening. Reece will hit the stage, performing all his best hits from 9pm, making this a night not to miss. Tickets $39.90. Doors open at 7:30pm.

The Metropolitan Hotel Mackay

Saturday 15 April

Sarina 4B Rodeo

Saturday, 3:00pm

The annual Sarina Rodeo is back for 2023 and has fun for the whole family, including Open Bull Ride, Open Saddle Bronc, Open Bareback, and Pee Wee Barrel Race. Gates open at 3pm.

Sarina Showgrounds

Learn2Run 5k

Saturday, 5:45am

Want to learn to run 5 kilometres in 13 weeks? This program will run through core running skills to avoid injury and let you enjoy running with a group. The first Saturday of the month will start at Mantra Mackay Carpark and every other Saturday will start from Laffos Caneland. Start time is strictly 5:45am every Saturday. Tuesday and Thursday are from City Fitness at 5:30am sharp.

Mantra Mackay Carpark

Elvis Presley Tribute Show

Saturday, 7:15pm

All Elvis Presley fans, heads up! Elvis will be performing at the Souths Leagues Club Mackay this Saturday, performing all his best hits. General admission $35, with doors opening from 7:15pm.

South Leagues Club Mackay

Tuesday 18 April

BMA Kidspace

Tuesday, 10:00am to 12:12pm

Join local artists and performers for creative art activities for toddlers and their parents. Activities include creative play, live musical entertainment and so much more.

Artspace Mackay

Imagine Kids Wellbeing Program

Tuesday, 4:00pm to 5:00pm

Imagine Kids is a wellbeing program for children, aged 5 to 9, that builds confidence, healthy self-esteem, and emotional resilience in creative, fun, and engaging classes. The Term 2 program includes mindfulness, managing big emotions, and music and dress up. $180 per child per term, and with limited spaces, contact Kylee on krystallinekreations111@gmail.com.

The Neighbourhood Hub, South Mackay

Wednesday 19 April

Night Nav MapRun

Wednesday, 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Get involved with this evening running event. For all ages and fitness levels, meet at John Breen Park and walk, jog, or run through local parks and streets in the cool of the evening. BYO: MapRunn6 app, water bottle, footwear, and a torch or head lamp. $5 per person or $12 per family. To register, email 21degreessouth@gmail.com with your name, contact number and number of participates in your team.

John Breen Park, Mackay

Thursday 20 April

Gin Appreciation

Thursday, 6:30pm

If gin is your drink of choice this is one event you don't want to miss. The evening will feature 5 gin tastings with a 3-course menu designed by The Dispensary head chef, Alex.

The Dispensary Mackay

Cocktails and Karaoke

Every Thursday, 8:00pm to 11:45pm

Come on down for cocktails and karaoke, with the best amateur singers of Mackay showing their stuff. This night is always a hit with locals!

Empire Alternacade and Events Mackay

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Reece Mastin

Elvis

BMA Kidspace

Sarina Rodeo

Gin Appreciation

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Easter eggs could be found scattered around Lake Poco for Wake House Australia's annual Family Easter Egg Hunt.

Dozens of children walked away with sugar highs, sticky fingers and chocolate-covered mouths, with all money raised going directly to local charity All Abilities Inc - Summer House Mackay.

A beautiful day of wakeboarding ensued as the sun shined on a stunning Easter Sunday.

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Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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Marking a moment in history, the upcoming performance of the Misogyny Opus at the MECC later this month is a world premiere of an important pop orchestral piece, written and delivered by local musician Karen Jacobsen.

It was August 2021, when Karen was watching Ms Represnted on television and inspiration hit her “like a bolt from the blue”.

The show was hosted by Annabel Crabb and had been detailing the history of Australian women in politics.

When Julia Gillard’s famous Misogyny Speech was recounted, the words deeply impacted Karen, and she found herself racing to the computer.

“There was an urgency in what I was doing,” said Karen.

“I started to set the speech to music word for word – I put my hands to the keyboard and the music was all there.”

“Over 10 years has passed since the iconic speech by the 27th Prime Minister of Australia and as predicted by those attending parliament that day, history was made.

“Julia Gillard’s justifiable anger at the shocking misogyny she had experienced during her leadership, exploded into a speech which has survived the test of time.”

When she started writing the orchestral piece two years ago, Karen already knew that the project was bigger than her and had the potential to start conversations all over the world.

Engaging with famous and inspiring women right across Australia, Karen put faces to the passionate words within the music by filming a music video.

The result was an impressively powerful visual that heightened the important message she was driven to deliver.

“Casual sexism is a constant,” said Karen.

“Until every woman is safe in their own home, workplace and walking down the street, we do not have equality.”

Karen, who is also known as the voice of Siri, was born and raised in Mackay.

She moved to America to launch her music career and spent many years successfully performing in the New York music scene.

At the onset of COVID, Karen moved back to the region with her husband and their teenage son.

Since then, she has been dedicating herself to furthering the local cultural offering.

“To have the opportunity to do a world premiere of an original orchestral work is a big moment for the arts in Mackay and shows how much the local arts and culture seen has grown,” she said.

“The audience will experience the entire speech for an hour-long performance.”

The Premiere of the Misogyny Opus will take place at the MECC on the April 28 and 29.

The pop orchestral masterpiece is 55 minutes, split into 18 sections.

Karen’s stunning vocals will be accompanied by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in this ground-breaking performance that is expected to create conversations all over the world.

“Let’s get behind this momentous occasion,” said Karen.

“Share the message of the importance of equality, while experiencing an exceptional original musical work in concert.”

WHAT: The Misogyny Opus

WHERE: The MECC

WHEN: April 28-29

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Karen Jacobsen will perform her pop orchestral masterpiece at the MECC

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