With less than a week to go until the second annual Whitsundays Songwriters Festival and Residency kicks-off, organisers are excited to not only bring together a stellar line-up of legendary musicians for their mentorship program, but also to showcase a host of amazing talent at an intimate concert on Saturday evening.
Attracting a high calibre of artist to lead this year’s event, the festival is expected to flourish once again and will feature special guests, Tony Childs, Vika and Linda, Mark Sholtez, and event founders Francesca de Valence and Karen Jacobsen.
From Thursday, August 31, festival attendees will participate in a professional-level song writing retreat, connecting with other writers, co-writing, and masterminding new music.
On Saturday a special one-day workshop event for emerging songwriters will take place.
This will be followed by an evening performance by the professional faculty at Paradiso on the Airlie Beach Foreshore.
This intimate Concert and Conversation event will offer guests an up-close and personal insight into these talented musicians who will each share their new and original compositions, and the personal stories of their musical journeys.
Highly acclaimed local musicians, Karen Jacobsen and Francesca de Valence are co-founders of the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival and say they are absolutely thrilled to be bringing this event to the region.
“To have artists of the calibre of Toni Child’s, Vika and Linda, and Mark Sholtez coming here is very exciting,” said Karen.
“Our mission is to develop a next generation of songwriters in the Whitsundays, and the support from the community and local businesses has been incredible.
“Imagine hearing Vika and Linda in an intimate performance setting then hearing Toni Childs share about her career and creative process?
“The Concert and Conversation event offers exactly this and it’s really special to be able to bring this never to be repeated format with these artists right here in Airlie Beach.”
Whitsundays Songwriters Festival would like to thank Whitsunday Regional Council, Arts Queensland, the Whitsundays Arts Festival, Yangaro, Cruise Whitsundays and Paradiso for their support.
WHAT: Whitsundays Songwriters Festival, Concert and Conversations
WHERE: Paradiso Restaurant
WHEN: Saturday, September 2 from 5pm
TICKETS: $60 from whitsundaysartsfestival.org
Festival co-founder Karen Jacobsen will be performing alongside Tony Childs, Vika and Linda, Mark Sholtez and co-founder Francesca de Valence next Saturday at Paradiso.
Photo Credit: T. D'Herville
