The team behind the Tiny Homes Project have released details about their next fundraising event.

Tiny Homes Project is an initiative to build four tiny homes for women aged 55 and over, who are experiencing homelessness.

This next event, Let’s Do Latin, set to be held on Saturday, July 8, will “be fabulous”, says event organiser Sandy Clark.

The event will be held on the grassed area next to the Whitsunday Sailing Club, overlooking the Coral Sea.

“It’s the pick of spots in Airlie for a big party style event, and this time we can fit over 200 guests in the area, which is great because all of our previous fundraisers were sold out weeks before the event.”

Featuring Viva Acoustic and her Latino Fiesta Band, event attendees will have the dance floor to themselves, with a limbo competition and other activities happening on the night.

Whisper Gin Bar and Restaurant will be catering an array of Latino food, including Mexican-style paella and canapes.

On the night, there will be a raffle and auction, conducted by Paul Skinner of Ray White.

Sponsors for the event include Taylors Property Specialists, The Garden Bar, Mick’s Mobile Computer Services, Slinkylinks, Airlie Tiles, Green Fox Studio, and Fat Frog Café.

Tickets are available from Airlie Events, another sponsor for the night.

Tickets are $125 per person and include a cocktail on arrival, plus amazing Latino food.

WHAT: Let’s Do Latin Fundraiser

WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club Lawn

WHEN: Saturday, July 8

TICKETS: $125  https://bit.ly/Lets-Do-Latin

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The Tiny Homes Project to hold another event to raise funds for construction of four tiny homes for homeless women. Photo supplied

The upcoming Whitsunday Multicultural Festival has been backed by big players, with the Whitsunday Regional Council and the Whitsunday PCYC partnering up for the event.

The Whitsunday Multicultural Festival celebrates the 83 different ethnicities and cultures prevalent in the Whitsundays region, and now with the PCYC, the festival will also celebrate 38 new Australian citizens who will be officially sworn in by Mayor Julie Hall.

“In our multicultural society, we find strength in our differences and inspiration in our shared humanity, said Mayor Hall.

“Together, we can build a community that is inclusive, compassionate, and united,”

The Multicultural Festival includes family fun, with a jumping castle, food tastings from around the world, traditional dancers and musicians, a cultural dress parade, cooking classes, face painting, and a multicultural art workshop.

“This is an opportunity for our Whitsunday community’s wide-ranging cultures and ethnic backgrounds to come together and celebrate their unique differences by sharing food, entertainment, and conversation.”

The festival began in 2019, following the devastation of Cyclone Debbie, as an effort to get the community to come together and reconnect, and celebrate the diversity that runs through the Whitsundays.

“As we enjoy the music, dance, food, and traditions of various cultures, let us remember that diversity is not a challenge to be overcome, but an opportunity to be embraced,” Mayor Julie said.

The 2023 Whitsunday Multicultural Festival will be held at the Whitsunday PCYC location in Jubilee Pocket, on Sunday, May 21, from 10am to 2pm.

The Citizenship Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10am on the main stage of the PCYC, and a Smoking Ceremony will follow at 10.45am.

“Let us use this festival as a reminder that our differences make us stronger and that together, we can create a future that is vibrant, diverse, and filled with boundless possibilities.”

WHAT: Whitsunday Multicultural Festival

WHERE: Whitsunday PCYC at Jubilee Pocket

WHEN: Sunday, May 21

TIME: 10am to 2pm

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2023 Production of Sweet Charity

The latest edition of the Proserpine State High School theatre production is an amazing rendition of the classical musical Sweet Charity, based on the book by Neil Simon, music by Cy Coleman, and lyrics by Dorothy Fields.

Sweet Charity follows Charity Hope Valentine, a young dance hall hostess in New York City. Charity has a series of relationship mishaps before she stumbles upon Oscar Lindquist, a shy accountant. The pair become close, engaged, before Oscar panics about Charity’s profession, and declares the wedding off. The production finishes with Oscar pushing Charity into the lake and running off.

The Proserpine State High School student participation in the 2023 production meant that two lead casts were created, a Senior Lead Cast, with Year 11 and 12 leads, and a Junior Lead Cast, of Year 9 and 10 students.

The Junior cast was led by Allegra Bradley, playing Charity, and Blake Hanks, as Oscar. This pair were energetic on stage, commanding the attention of every member of the audience with every piece of dialogue.

Allegra’s vocal prowess shone through the production, dominating every solo perfectly and highlighting her dedication to the theatre arts.

Allegra and Blake first performed on stage in Year 6, in the Cannonvale State School’s production of Aladdin, with Allegra as Jasmine and Blake as Aladdin. For both leads, this production sparked a passion for theatre and performing arts.  

Allegra and Blake are joined with a host of other classmates, including Hayden Hudak as Herman, the dancer hall owner, Arwen Edwards-Bland and Ebony Crighton as Helene and Nickie, Charity’s two close friends, and Wiremu Tairaki as Daddy.

Wiremu’s Daddy is a titular character, the leader of the Rhythm of Life Church, and for Wiremu, Sweet Charity was his first musical.

The star said it was very surreal.

“I don’t always act like [my character] daily, but I feel like it’s good to harness this part of myself and let it out on stage,” he explains.

Proserpine State High School’s dedication to set design and characterisation is to be applauded, with Daddy’s car, a hippie-esque rainbow car, making only one appearance in the actual show, but being beautifully decorated and presented on stage.

This goes hand-in-hand with the 23-person orchestra, made up of students, teachers, and members of the wider community.

“To put together a live orchestra is something very special,” said Don McDermid, the School Principal.

Artistic director, Jenny Napier has been a part of Proserpine State High School’s musicals for years, helping students prepare for the productions in every way.

“The students have risen to the challenge and performed with the professionalism for which Proserpine State High School is renowned,” Jenny said.

This was an incredibly professional performance, and all students who were a part of the show, either backstage, with costuming, makeup, lighting, and music, or on the chorus should be incredibly proud of themselves for the fantastic production.

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Friday 5 May

Luke Geiger Live At Harrup Park

Friday, 6pm to 10pm

Luke Geiger is performing at Harrup Park Country Club this Friday. No bookings required and no ticket needed, this will be a great free event for everyone.

Harrup Park Country Club

Elvis One Night In Vegas

Friday, from 7.30pm

Mark Anthony is returning as Elvis in this one night only experience. Mark will push audiences back in time and reminisce on the legend of music, playing all the greatest hits.

Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre

Saturday 6 May

Daisy Day

Saturday, 8.30am to 12pm

Show your love for the Mackay Botanic Gardens and plant over 1,000 Golden Everlasting Daises across the slopes of the Lagoons. Be sure to contact Maya to participate 0436 331 009, or mackayrbgfriends@gmail.com

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

The Smurfs Great Escape

Saturday, 9am to 5pm

In this new immersive escape room-esque game, save the Smurfs from Gargamel and follow a scavenger hunt through the streets of Mackay. In this family friendly experience, you compete against other teams and race against the clock. Tickets available from Eventsonthehorizon.com

Mackay

ZACH MACH Mackay Adventure Challenge

Saturday, 8am to 5pm

Dust off your mountain bike and get your kayak reading, the ZACH MACH Adventure Challenge is gearing up for another round. Mountain Bike down Mia Mia, kayak the Teemburrra Dam, run through the rainforest and ride past cane paddocks, in this epic challenge.

Pinnacle, Queensland

MKC Sugar City Titles

Saturday, 7am to 9pm

Get those karts out of the shed, it’s time to race! All classes of kart accepted, and all race licenses recognised. This will be a day of full of fun for the whole family.

21 Grants Road, Palmyra

Sunday 7 May

Seaforth Mega Markets

Sunday, 8am to 12pm

The Mega Markets are back, showcasing the best of Mackay’s homemade goodies, fresh fruit and veg, plants, and food vendors.

Seaforth

Volunteer Expo 2023

Sunday, 9am to 12pm

Come down to the Mackay Showgrounds and see how you can give back to your community, with local community groups and charities promoting their opportunities for volunteering.

Mackay Showgrounds

Sarina Country Music Family Afternoon

Sunday, from 1pm

Bring your originals or even your favourite songs and celebrate the love of country music at the Sarina Sporting and Services League. With the best of backing bands, sing along to fantastic country music in this family friendly afternoon. Tickets at $5

Sarina Sporting and Services League

Mackay Urban Gelsoft Games

Sunday, 3.30pm to 7.30pm

In this hectic day, test your blaster game with all types of players, 10 years and up, welcome. Bookings are strongly encouraged so get signed up and prepare yourself for an adrenaline fuelled afternoon.

Mackay North State High School

Thursday 11 May

MADSCOTS Whiskey Night

Thursday, from 6.30pm

In a year second, MADSCOTS are holding another Whiskey Night, a fantastic opportunity to taste all the unique whiskies from around the world.

The Dispensary Mackay

Bjorn Again – Thank You For The Music Tour

Thursday, 7.30pm

In a one day show only, Bjorn Again is showcasing their love and dedication to the powerhouse ABBA, in this sing-along, dance-along experience. Tickets begin from $73 and available from themecc.com.au

Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre

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New concrete has been poured and rev heads in Mackay are getting ready.

The Sugar City Burnouts is quickly approaching and there is no time to wait.

It is no joke about this burn out shows, with audiences and drivers alike eager for the smoke and surprise of the show.

In its 5th year, the 2023 Sugar City Burnout are upping the stakes, making this a show to not miss.

After a pre-event was postponed in March due to poor weather making the Palmyra Drag Racing Club dragway dangerous for drivers, the Sugar City Burnout competition is a welcome return, taking place on the second weekend in May.

On the lineup including pro, eight and six cylinders, and ladies class entrants, including the local six-cylinder CURRYINAHURRY Sugar City Taxi and with entrants coming from as far as Townsville to Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.

With a re-invigorated dragstrip and pad, being extended an extra 10 metres, now totalling 65.3 metres long, with a 22-metre tip in.

The day jampacked with the screech of tyre skidding, smoke blowing, and engines roaring, and with this event being a highlight on the drag and burn out calendar, this is one not to miss on the Mackay calendar.

With a prize pool worth $8,500 across all classes, this competition will have strength, smoke, and high speed tipins.

WHAT: Sugar City Burnouts

WHERE: Palmyra Drag Racing Club, Mackay

WHEN: Saturday, May 13,

TICKETS: mackaytickets.com.au

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Join the smoke, engine screech and family laughter at the 2023 Sugar City Burnouts

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Mackay Scale Modellers Club hosted its 29th annual exhibition and Model Competition in St Paul’s Uniting Church hall last weekend – attracting enthusiasts from as far as Townsville, Cairns, Rockhampton and Brisbane.

Sponsored by Outlaw Paints and BBs Hobbies Mackay, the judges were impressed by the 150 entries lodged that featured intricate scale models of a variety of subjects including nautical, military, aviation and civil historical themes, spiced up with fantasy and science fiction.

Brent Wood was the recipient of the Greg Martin Memorial Award for Best on Show (Logging Camp) – an award that perpetuates the memory of the Club’s founder with partner Vicki Ayre on hand to present the prize.

Club President Wayne Belzer of BBs Hobbies thanked major sponsor Outlaw Paints for their tremendous support and his tireless team for their work behind the scenes.

“Models on show included scratch-built creations and these scale replicas are the result of the labour of love of talented model makers who worked patiently and diligently for hours to make intricate miniature replicas out of diverse materials,” he said.

Winning modellers were: JUNIOR: Cars & Figures Fictional: Sidney Newlands; Science Fiction & Wooden Models: Alexander Newlands; LEGO & Model Railways: Dallas Head; SENIORS: Aircraft Large Scale: Alvin Whyte; Motorcycles: Greg Canning; Military Vehicle Small Scale: Greg Canning; All Types & Large Scale Tracked: Alvin Whyte; Large Scale Wheeled: Chris Bean; Miscellaneous: Dimi Markou; Scratchbuilt: Rob Farlow; Science Fiction: Ross Moore; Ships Powered: Jeremy Cahill; War Vehicles Gaming Figures: Alvin Whyte; Aircraft Small Scale: Brad Hurley; Cars Modified: Jason Waddell; Cars Out of Box: Alvin Whyte; Cartoon & Egg Models: Ross Moore; Trucks & Civil Vehicles: Jason Waddell; Dioramas & Vignettes: Adam Robins & Brent Wood; Figures Actual: Jeremy Cahill; Fictional: Ross Moore; LEGO Senior: Scott Newland & Myles Somerset; Rail Layouts LEGO Senior: Myles Somerset; Aircraft Display: Myles Somerset; Best World War 2 Model: Tony Hill; Military Vehicle Large Scale: Chris Bean; People’s Choice: Simon Blom.

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Mackay Scale Modellers Club President Wayne Belzer (standing far right) with this year’s exhibition competition winners L-R Simon Blom, Rob Farlow, Brent Wood, Ross Moore, Dallas Head, Scott Newlands, Jeremy Cahill, Adam Robins and Alvin Whyte (seated)

Brent Wood receives the Greg Martin Memorial Award for Best on Show (Logging Camp) from the late Modellers Club founder’s partner Vicki Ayre and Club President Wayne Belzer

Lego models filled the exhibit. Photo credit: Chris Karas

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Paul Tabone is returning to his roots, bringing his Golden Days show to Mackay in May.

After four years of performing in London’s West End and hanging up his time on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, playing Ubaldo Piangi, Paul has announced his massive Australian show, Goldens Days: Songs from the Movies and Musicals.

This mammoth of a touring show has Paul travelling lengths of Australia, showcasing his tenor and musical range.

The performance takes audiences on a journey, including much loved classics from the ‘Golden Age’ of music, and drawing on more contemporary favourites, including Disney and popular musicals, including The Student Prince, The Phantom of the Opera and Toast of New Orleans.

Highlight performances include ‘Love Changes Everything’, ‘Bring Him Home’ and ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’.

Moving through decades of music and fantastic inspiration, Paul leaves no member of the audience behind, guiding them through his performance magically.

He will be sharing the stage with friend and past lecturer Professor Judith Brown, with guest appearances of Madison Crase and Isabella Davison.

Being dubbed the ‘tenor from Oz’ is high acclaim, and Paul Tabone does not disappoint. Paul and his Golden Days tour will be at Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM Music, Boundary Road), on Sunday, May 14, at 1pm.

WHAT: Paul Tabone presents Golden Days

WHEN: Sunday, May 14

WHERE: Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music

TICKETS: cqcm.edu.au

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Paul Tabone, dubbed Tenor of Oz returns to Mackay

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Tourism business owners and anyone working within the sector are invited to attend a free workshop which will provide helpful tools and sustainable initiatives to offer a pathway towards creating low carbon tourism across the Whitsundays.

The workshop is due to take place at The Reef Gateway Hotel on Wednesday, May 10 from 2pm until 4pm.

The event is part of a larger four-year program which began by educating 37 tourism businesses on sustainable working practices back in 2022.

Since then, the Healthy Heart Project has shown these businesses how to help the environment and save money at the same time.

The latest workshop is dedicated to recruiting more tourism businesses to the program and during the event, participants will hear real life accounts from other businesses who have experienced success through adopting the key principals.

EcoBiz Sustainability Auditor Fiona Sleight will be presenting alongside Lee Hawkins who will give a broader description of the role of the Health Heart Project in our local region.

“The rise of environmentally conscious travellers is rewarding tourism businesses that are making an effort to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Ms Hawkins, Climate Change Resilience Officer.

“More visitors are looking for eco-tourism options that have a low, or even non-existent environmental impact.”

During the afternoon, further topics will include consumer behaviour, climate change and pathways to create a Sustainable Destination Accreditation for the Whitsundays.

Attendees will also receive an online carbon calculator demonstration and afternoon tea will be provided.

WHAT: Tourism Workshop: Moving Towards Low Carbon Tourism

WHERE: The Reef Gateway Hotel

WHEN: Wednesday, May 10 – 2pm-4pm

COST: Free

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The boys from Sex and Chocolate are back and ready to work their magic in Airlie Beach over this Mother’s Day weekend, at the Airlie Beach Hotel.

With their intimate Motown II Millennia show, the Sex and Chocolate boys are ready to give Airlie Beach a show not to be missed.

With smooth tunes and unforgettable dance moves, Sex and Chocolate draw inspiration from classic Motown, R&B, and soul, with hits from Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Spinners, Earth Wind and Fire, Prince, Bruno Mars, Outkast, and Bill Ocean, there will be something for everyone.

Featuring the vocals and appeal of Paul Thompson and his team, Mikey, Wilz, and Maihi, three award-winning sensations that dominate, the boys will perform this personal show to a crowded dance floor.  

With every rendition of this up-close and personal show, the boys of Sex and Chocolate have perfected their craft, wowing audiences throughout the two-hour show, and leaving every single person entertained and entranced.

The boys have shared their excitement to be performing to the Airlie Beach crowd once again, wanting to make sure the ladies feel extra special on the day.

Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays has become a favourite for the group, returning for the umpteenth time to entertain the unforgettable Airlie crowd, their classic temptations of sex, charisma, and romance leading the show.

With over 20 years’ experience in the entertainment trade, these boys have perfectly smooth harmonies and sensual dance moves and are always ready to serenade the crowd through the two afternoon shows.

And the Airlie Beach Hotel is looking after you - any table booked at the Airlie Beach Hotel for Mother’s Day will receive a complimentary gift of Devils Corner Rosé, so be sure to make a reservation and treat your mum right this Mother’s Day.

While, yes, Sex and Chocolate are very popular with the ladies – there’s no denying that - but all are welcome to this charismatic show, where the only stripping is the boys’ smooth harmonies and powerful dance moves.

Indulge in this Mother’s Day weekend special at the Airlie Beach Hotel and experience the most romantic show of the year, with the highly sought-after boys as they travel Australia, sharing their love.

Expect to be swooned by smooth talking, engaging tunes that will ease the workday blues right out of you.

WHAT: Sex & Chocolate presents Motown II Millennia

WHEN: May 13 and 14, from 2.00pm to 5.30pm

WHERE: Airlie Beach Hotel

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The boys are back and ready to serenade all through this Mother’s Day weekend

Airlie Beach Hotel has the perfect free shows for the weekend

Sex and Chocolate will be at the Airlie Beach Hotel, May 13 and 14, ready to bring their Motown charm

To imbue this review with the spirit of “Mafia Mamma”, I refuse to refer to the film as pastiche – instead, I dub it a “pasticcio”. Please: cue the weeping strings, the long, drawn-out horn, and “leave the gun, take the cannoli.”

Mafia Mamma is, at its purest, a fish-out-of-water comedy where the fish has been dropped into a nice Napoletana Sauce; it is unabashedly inspired by every mafia trope ever from every mafia film ever (Especially “The Godfather”). There’s a premise and a promise of goofiness in that. And being directed by the talented Catherine Hardwicke – whom audiences would vaguely know from her directorship on “Twilight” – though, ever since then, she’s flitted between television and film directing; notably in “This Is Us” and “Guillermo del Tor’s Cabinet of Curiosities” – the offer to see Mafia Mamma seems to be one audience can’t refuse.

Hardwicke again directs Toni Collette, having worked with the star in 2015’s “Miss You Already” (A brilliant performance from Collette, as ever). And here, she portrays the self-effacing American helicopter-mom Katherine, and inherits her grandfather's mafia empire in Italy – becoming the eponymous Mafia Mamma. And she carries the film with her charm, despite an often-flailing script that seems torn between mafia motifs and Hallmark travel films. Based on a short story by French novelist Amanda Sthers, Mafia Mamma has some deft flourishes to it.

So, guided by the firm's consigliere, Bianca (Monica Belluci), Collette attempts to defy everyone's expectations as the new head of the family business. A sort of female-empowerment narrative ensues – the lacking in confidence Collette tries to find her feet in Italy in an “Eat, Pray, Copulate” approach -- but the film seems remiss to commit to it wholeheartedly. Despite the detractors, Mafia Mamma cuts a goofy figure worth the watch.

Mafia Mamma (R) is playing at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre this Sunday, May 7.

Review by Declan Durrant.

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Friday 28 April

Wintermoon Music Festival

Friday 5pm to Monday, 4pm

The annual Wintermoon Music Festival is back, celebrating music and dance, with workshops and circus acts in the Mount Charlton rainforest.

Mount Charlton, Queensland

Hypnotise Me presented by Andy Vening

Friday from 6.30pm

Returning by popular demand, comedy hypnotist Andy Vening is ready to surprise the audience with his new comedy show. Prepare to be shocked by his amazing hypnotic skills, where volunteers test their unconscious minds in fantastic displays.

Metropolitan Hotel, Mackay

Saturday 29 April

Sarina Mud Trials May Day

Saturday 7am to Sunday 8pm

Join Sarina for the annual Sarina Mud Trials. Following the Grand Parade at 8am, the races begin, tearing through the course and making a mess. Classes include junior, standard, buggies, bombs and topgun. With a licensed bar and live music, this will be fun for the whole family.

Sarina Showgrounds

Flavourista Social Tasting

Saturday, 9am to 11am

Enjoy good food and others company with this great workshop. Starting with a nature walk, create meals together, using Flavourista blends, which are gluten and nut free, with the chance to win various prizes.

Wetland Walkabout

Sunday 30 April

The Wild Sky live at the Seabreeze Hotel

Sunday, from 2pm

Mackay local band, The Wild Sky, will cruise you into the public holiday, with their blues-inspired tunes.

Seabreeze Hotel

Resin Workshop by the Creative Art Studio

Sunday, 2pm to 5pm

Relax the weekend away with this calming resin workshop. Come home with a beautiful floral resin trinket dish. Led by artist Michelle, this workshop will teach you all you need to know about resin art and give you handy tips and tricks to make your own.

The Creative Art Studio, 3 Ungerer Street, Mackay

Monday 1 May

Boogie Bounce Mackay Walking Group

Monday, from 9.30am

Hosted by the Boogie Bounce Mackay Walking Group, come along to the new walking group, starting Monday. Meet at the Botanical Gardens and join the group for a casual walk around the gardens, following by a coffee at the café.

Botanical Gardens Mackay

Wednesday 3 May

Novice/Beginner Yoga

Every Wednesday, 3pm to 4pm

Led by Wellness with Deb, this new novice and beginner yoga class is perfect for everyone. Strengthening and stretching muscles is the game, learning how to use and engage muscles for the best results with your fitness.

Habana, Queensland

STEAM Club – Magformer Construction

Wednesday, 3.30pm to 4.30pm

Hosted by the Mackay Regional Council Libraries, this STEAM Club will encourage creative minds, by building engineering projects with Magformer magnet shapes.

Gordon White Library

Thursday 4 May

Frenchy Judgement Day

Thursday, from 7.30pm

Viral Australian comedian Frenchy is visiting Mackay on his national tour. With nothing off limits, and warnings for sitting in the front row, this show will test the audience.

Metropolitan Hotel, Mackay

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July sees the return of the Whitsunday Voice Youth Literature Festival and the Literary Dinner, with headline keynote speaker, Annabel Crabb announced.

Whitsunday Voices is one of the largest literature festivals for youth in north Queensland, attracting over 5,000 students to Mackay to the annual event.

The festival allows students to meet and engage with some of Australia’s most acclaimed authors, presenters, and performers, with students coming from as far south as Rockhampton, and just north of Bowen.

2023 Australian stars include authors Isobelle Carmody, Katrina Nannestad, and Matt Stanton and performers Shake and Stir.

The Literary Dinner is a highlight of the program, celebrating the conclusion of the wider festival, with Australian personality Annabel Crabb presenting the keynote presentation.

Annabel has led the charge on various ABC Projects, including Australia Talks, The House with Annabel Crabb, and The Kitchen Cabinet, which received two Logie nominations for Most Outstanding New Talent and Most Popular New Female Talent.

The Literary Dinner includes a three-course meal, live music, and the opportunity to grab a hold of favourite high-profile presenters.

The festival spans three days, July 12 to 14, and includes author talks, writing and art workshops, a Poetry Slam! Competition and short story competition, presentations, plus book signing for all patrons.

WHAT: Whitsunday Voices Literary Dinner

WHERE: MECC Plenary Hills

WHEN: Friday, July 14

TICKETS: themeec.com.au

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Annabel Crabb joins the Whitsunday Voices lineup

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It was perfect weather for the first 2023 Cinema Under the Stars for the Mackay Hospital Foundation, presented by Harvey Norman Bedding Mackay, and sponsored by BHP BMA.

Over 300 people attended the showing of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the Mackay Botanical Gardens lawn on Friday, April 21.

From 5.30pm, families were welcomed into the Amphitheatre, with a jumping castle and merry-go-round, face painting and balloon animals available.

Attendees also had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to go into the draw for the chance to win a VIP marquee package.

The VIP marquees were decorated with lights, and had lanterns, an inflatable lounge with blankets and cushions, and a table perfect for food and drinks, plus vouchers for food and drink vendors that participated in the event.

Other raffle ticket prizes also included one of 25 pillow and store vouchers for Harvey Norman Bedding Mackay and food vouchers from the food vendors.

Cinema Under the Stars is one venture of the Mackay Hospital Foundation, which is driven to support Mackay families, and aid in reducing the offset costs associated with receiving essential health care services.

As a community charity, the Mackay Hospital Foundation supports patients within Mackay Base Hospital and other public hospitals in the Mackay district.  

The next Mackay Hospital Foundation Cinema Under the Stars will be held on August 11, in the Mackay Botanical Gardens Amphitheatre, with a third on September 16, in Sarina.

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308 people attended the first Cinema Under the Stars held by the Mackay Hospital Foundation. Photo supplied

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At the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music

The Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) has always been known for bringing together the best in the music industry to mentor students and entertain Mackay audiences. This May, CQCM have two exciting events lined up that are sure to be a treat for fans of great jazz, blues, and soul.

Friday Jazz @ The Con on May 12th will feature George Washingmachine, a Sydney-based vocalist, guitarist, and violinist, who will perform alongside the talented staff and students of the Conservatorium. The following week, on May 19th, Keyboard Confessions will showcase the vocal and keyboard prowess of Clayton Doley, another Sydney-based musician. The event will also feature performances by staff and students of the CQCM.

George Washingmachine has been a fixture in the Australian music scene for over four decades. He is known for his impeccable musicianship and his ability to blend various genres of music, including jazz, blues, swing, and country. He has performed with some of the biggest names in music, including James Morrison, Tommy Emmanuel, and Leo Sayer. Washingmachine's style is soulful, and his violin playing is particularly memorable.

Clayton Doley is a musician who is equally at home on the keyboard or behind a microphone. His style is a mix of blues, funk, and rock, and he is known for his soulful vocals and his impressive keyboard skills. Doley has toured with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Joe Bonamassa, Harry Manx, Jimmy Barnes, and Renee Geyer. Doley has recorded a number of albums with his groups the Organ Donors and Bayou Billabong, with the finest musicians Australia and New Orleans has to offer.

These two events are a rare opportunity to experience some of the best jazz and blues musicians in the country, performing alongside the talented students and staff of the CQCM.  Tickets for both events can be purchased on the CQCM website, https://cqcm.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/sales/sales. Don't miss out on the chance to experience the musical genius of George Washingmachine and Clayton Doley, and to support the Conservatorium's talented staff and students. Mark your calendars and get your tickets now!

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Spanning over 10 years, Cosentino’s career is mind-blowing and extraordinary, always mystifying crowds, shocking and surprising audiences all over the world.

And now, Cosentino is taking it regional, performing his Decennium: The Greatest Hits Tour, honouring the 10-year milestone.

The master magician and escape artist caught up with Mackay and Whitsunday Life journalist Bronte Hodge ahead of his show in Mackay this May.

How does it make you feel to reach 10 years in the industry?

You know, I’ve been doing this a long, long time and looking back, I think of the TV specials and the international TV shows. All the tours and all the people I've met, and all different countries have been pretty you know, amazing. To be able to turn a little passion into entertainment is a niche, and to turn that into a viable career is amazing. So, yeah, I'm kind of, very proud of what we've managed to accomplish.

We’ve really broken the mould. And now I’ve got a new TV show coming out next month, so we just keep going. We keep reinventing and we keep refreshing and we keep breaking the rules.

What is a defining moment in your career?

Wow, there’s a couple of really interesting moment. The first one I remember I was watching David Copperfield, when I was a teenager after Regent Theatre in Melbourne, it's pretty special. And then probably two years later, I auditioned for Australia’s Got Talent at the Regent Theatre, and I was so nervous. And then, a year later, I filmed my own TV special at the Regent Theatre, and that was really a completion of a circle.

What can audiences expect in the Decennium show?

It’s the best of my best. I’m taking a part my five TV specials, the international TV show, the international tours, and experiences from around the globe and jampacking them into one 90-minute show. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and it’s great. It’s not new material, it’s the best material. So, if people have seen the show before, their getting the best parts. I’m drawing on five hours of TV specials, nine hours of international TV shows and 10 years of material since Australia’s Got Talent. There’s no way anyone has seen all my material.

Can you share a shocking act that’s in the show?

Yeah, I can. One would be where my head is in a Perspex box with 18 kitchen knives. I have to wriggle and get out with a timer. And this one went wrong on a rehearsal on my TV special. I had to get 12 stitches in my chin and caught it all on camera.

And it's, you know, seeing it on TV is one thing, but seeing it live is another because someone comes on stage, they examine the apparatus and the knives, and they become invested.

WHAT: Cosentino – Decennium – The Greatest Hits Tour

WHEN: Thursday, May 5

WHERE: The Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre

TICKETS: cosentino.com.au

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Master magician and escape artist, Cosentino, returns to Mackay with 10th year anniversary performance. Photo supplied

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