A huge influx of visitors is expected to flood into Nebo, with the announcement of The Nebo Hotel Street Party, taking place the night prior to the 2023 Nebo Rodeo.

A popular event in the local calendar, The Nebo Hotel Street Party has high hopes for 2023, including live music from headliners such as The Wolfe Brothers, Zac & George, Layla Gossage, and LG & Biig Sxxc.

There will also be extensive kids entertainment, with music The Crackup Sisters and the crew from Dance Like an Animal, eat street, and unlimited kids rides.

The reception of the 2022 event, with over 2000 patrons attending, has Nebo Hotel Owner, Kristen Stevenson, excited.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting such a talented lineup of country music artists at the Nebo Hotel pre rodeo Street Party,” Mrs Stevenson said.

“This weekend is a celebration of our town, our region, and our community.

“We’re proud to be supporting local charities and organisations, and we invite everyone to come along and join in the fun.”

The Nebo Rodeo alone attracts over 5000 visitors, with attractions including a full APRA rodeo, bull ring, and barrel racing.

However, the committee have introduced an exciting conclusion, with country music star, Luke Geiger, to head the after party.

Camping is available to patrons at no added costs, and all proceeds from both events being donated to support worthy causes.

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Don’t miss the party of the year, while supporting worthy causes. Photo supplied

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Half-Price Tickets Available From Monday

Early bird tickets will soon be on sale for Kucom Theatre’s July production, Perfect Wedding.

The tickets, available between Monday, April 24 and Sunday, April 30, are available at half the cost of general sale tickets.

Director Kathryn Evans has shared a personal invitation to all.

“You are cordially invited to the wedding day of Bill and Rachel,” Ms Evans said.

“We all dream of having the Perfect Wedding—and this one is a door-slamming, laugh-a-minute farce.

“It opens with the groom waking up on his wedding day beside a woman who is not his bride.

“Then we embark on a twisting, turning tale with misunderstandings, mistaken identity, and a very prominent toilet brush.

“Starring some well-known faces and featuring new faces, this promises to be a night of fun and frivolity.”

The theatre’s production of Perfect Wedding, by Robin Hawdon, is a Mackay Festival of Arts Fringe event.

Perfect Wedding follows a groom who wakes on his wedding morning in his own bridal suite with his bride-to-be about to arrive any moment.

As he awakes, he finds a strange girl in bed beside him – an extremely attractive girl whom, in the depths of his post stag-night hangover, he can’t remotely remember even having been introduced to.

Then things start to get really complicated.

Lani Seaton and Zachary Trounson fill the leading roles as bride and groom alongside Michael Brennan, Asta Ryan, Carolyn Roche and Kristyn Everett.

WHAT: Perfect Wedding

WHEN: July 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 from 7:30pm

WHERE: Kucom Theatre

TICKETS: Available from Monday, April 24 from events.humanitix.com/perfect-wedding

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Friday 21 April

Company of Women

Friday, 11.30am – 3.00pm

Join the Kickass Women in their bimonthly lunch, encouraging, networking, and supporting the women of Mackay. This lunch’s theme is Women’s Safety and includes three guest speakers, a two-course meal, and a drink on arrival. Tickets are $89.95, and all are welcome.

Rare Bar and Grill, Mackay

West Texas Crude @ The Dispensary

Friday, 6.00pm to 10pm

Performing their eclectic mix of country, blues, funk, and rock, West Texas Crude are returning to Mackay this weekend! Fan favourites of the area, this will be a show to not miss!

The Dispensary, Mackay

Lazy Ghost – Summer is Here Tour

Friday, from 8.00pm

Lazy Ghost are in Mackay, touring their newest single, Summer is Here. Lazy Ghost is known for their good vibes, fantastic live shows, and songs envisioning summer heat and summer love, all things Mackay is known for. Grab your tickets now, while you can! Tickets available through Oztix.

The Metropolitan Hotel Mackay

Mackay Twilight MEGA Markets

Friday 21, from 5.00pm to 8.30pm and Saturday 22 April, from 4pm to 8.30pm

Support local makers with this two-day event, jampacked full of live music and entertainment, eat street, jumping castles, and face painting.

With $2 entry – children 17 years old and under entry free – this is an event not to miss.

Mackay Showgrounds

Saturday 22 April

Kingswood on Tour

Saturday, from 8.00pm

The next stop of their Hometowns tour will see Aussie band Kingswood in Mackay! Performing their best hits, Kingswood will also be showcasing their newest hits from recently released album, Home, featuring the best lyrical writing in recent years. Tickets are available through Oztix.

The Metropolitan Hotel Mackay

Olive Workshop with One Hungry Mumma

Saturday, 9.30am to 11.30am

Learn how to process and marinate your own olives in this comprehensive workshop, run by One Hungry Mumma. Using a family Italian recipe, you will learn from the best, and be able to make the best for all entertainment needs! Tickets are $145 per person and include one kilo of olives, olive pitter, basket for soaking, light refreshments, and a canape and drink on arrival.

1 Zahmel Street, Finch Hatton

Sunday 23 April

Red Dog Sip and Paint – Sunday Sesh

Sunday, 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Test your inner artist with this guided sip and paint workshop! Local artist, Michelle, will lead the afternoon, showing artists through the workshop, leaving with a beautiful flamingo artwork. Tickets are $79 and include all art supplies, a drink on arrival (beer or wine) and shared pizza.

Red Dog Brewery

Monday 24 April

Up, Up and Away

Monday, 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Locally trained artists, Emma Goding and Nicole Pillhofer, are setting their sights on Mackay, hosting this evening of Song and Dance. Featuring favourites from musical theatre, classical repertoire, and contemporary areas, this concert will be fun for the whole family. Tickets available through Trybooking.

Ken Martin Choral Centre

Wednesday 26 April

Soul Jam at The Kooyong Hotel

Friday, 6.00pm to 11.00pm

Grab your mates for a night of original music, musical experimentation, and to jam with others! Supplying the drummer and guitarist, with a bass available, all you need to bring is your songs and good vibes!

The Kooyong Hotel

No Lights No Lycra

Every Wednesday, 7.00pm to 8.00pm

Dancing in the dark, what a great way to shake the mid-week hump! From 12 to 100 years old, this event is for all, to get together, shake and dance.

St Pauls Uniting Church, Mackay

Thursday 27 April

Big Girl’s Pyjama Party

Thursday, 6.30pm to 10.00pm

Bring your girlfriends, wear your comfiest pjs and enjoy the film ‘Allelujah’ on the big screen, while supporting the Mackay Soroptimists, with proceeds to be donated to Better Together Housing. Tickets are $35 per person and include three raffle tickets.

Mt Pleasant Cinema, Mackay

MECC Presents: Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2023

Thursday, from 6.30pm

The Roadshow is back, with Mackay on the lineup. Get your mates together and enjoy a night of comedy that will leave you in stitches. Doors open at 6.30pm, with live music for local musician, Jonte Tupaea, in the North Foyer Bar.

Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre

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Lazy Ghost coming to Mackay

Olives Olives Olives

Melbourne International Comedy Festival at the MECC

Kingswood take on Mackay

West Texas Crude

Sip and Paint with Local Artist

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A beloved family story re-imagined with original music and exciting antics is coming to the Mackay Entertainment Centre (MECC) in early May to entertain and inspire the Sugar City’s kids.

A delightful production of The Wind in the Willows - the classic children’s novel by Kenneth Grahame - will go from page to stage in a joyous and masterful theatrical experience, brought to life by Queensland production company RAVA Productions.

David Gooderson helms the new stage adaptation of the children’s fiction novel, which has sold over 85 million copies worldwide.

After the success of RAVA’s performance of Charlotte’s Web at the MECC in 2021, the production company have once again reimagined a classic.

RAVA Productions producer Ruth Atkinson said the crew is excited to bring The Wind in the Willows to young audiences in Mackay.

"I hope these performances will enchant the children of Mackay,” Ms Atkinson said.

“With this show, we really wanted to highlight importance of friendship, the consequences of actions and when the going gets tough, it’s friends that matter most.”

The Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre will hold two performances on May 10, featuring playful, whimsical characters performed by a troupe of seasoned Queensland performers.

Exploring themes of friendship, responsibility, adventure, and the significance of home, this heart-warming story is ideal for family audiences.

“Expect to be transported into a whimsical world with playful antics, the ups and downs of the Mole, Ratty, Badger, and Mr. Toad, all through a fusion of exquisite storytelling and original music,” Ms Atkinson said.

What: The Wind in the Willows

When: Wednesday, May 10, 9.30am and 11.30am

Where: The Mackay Entertainment Centre (MECC)

Tickets: MECC Box office or online at themecc.com.au

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The Wind in the Willows cast are excited to bring their antics to Mackay

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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