Event Guide

Friday 18 August

Conversations with Art

Friday, 1:00pm

Conversations with Art is a free and enjoyable discussion led by Artspace staff as they look at images of traditional and contemporary artworks from Gallery and Museum Collections from around the world. It’s not an art theory lesson, it’s simply a casual conversation to talk about the art, deconstructing the works, considering themes, possible techniques used by the artist, and creating links with our own personal experiences. Whether you’re an artist, an art and language lover, beginner, or expert, it’s free, interesting, thought provoking and extremely enjoyable.

Artspace Mackay

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

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

Wake House Australia

Saturday 19 August

QCCS NQ's Rock'n Country 2023

Saturday and Sunday, 8:00am to 11:00pm

Yeehaa Events are bringing the best country rock artists to Mackay for QCCS NQ's Rock'n Country music festival. On site camping is available for two-day pass holders giving you easy access to come and go as you please. There will be plenty to keep the whole family busy with kid shows and entertainment including mechanical bull, jumping castles, face painting and plenty of food and market stalls. There will be some awesome prizes up for grabs for those winners of our best dressed competition and the line dancing competition. For those feeling strong don't forget to register at the event for the City Fitness Tug-of-war! This event is proudly raising funds for Variety - the Children's Charity with a live auction held at the event. Bring along a camp chair and set yourself up for an incredible two days!

Mackay Showgrounds

ARTIST’S TALK - Award-winning artist Zanny Begg discusses her latest exhibition Saturday, 9:30am

‘These Stories Will be Different’ brings together Zanny Begg’s most significant video installations —a fascinating series of works that tell stories, but also challenge the conventions of storytelling. After Zanny’s artist’s talk, do her workshop from 12:30pm to create a wallpaper inspired by late medieval drawings used to illustrate Christine de Pizan’s manuscript The Book of The City of Ladies (1402). Working across time contemporary artist Zanny Begg will bring a feminist lens to drawings of witches, outcasts, healers, monsters and demons—exploring the European witch trials Zanny will invite you to reimagine a world beyond misogyny.

Artspace Mackay

Zing Cosplay Comp 2023

Saturday, 10:00am

As part of their fundraising for Starlight Children’s Foundation, Zing Caneland Central are hosting a Cosplay Competition. There will be a registration fee which is 100% donated to the Starlight foundation and there are prizes to be won across 12 and under, Group and Advanced categories. The Cosplay Competition location will be out the front of Target in the centre.

Caneland Central

Family Trivia Fundraiser

Saturday, 10:00am

Join the United Apostolic Volunteers Foundation for an afternoon of food, friendship and fundraising. All proceeds go to Orange Sky Australia, Ukrainian Humanitarian Aid and Kenyan Children in Need. $25 per person including afternoon tea. Tables of eight. Drinks are available to purchase, however this is an alcohol-free event.

Beaconsfield State School Hall, 1 Nadina Street, Beaconsfield

Sunday 20 August

Sunday Live Music – BarbsWired

Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Music every Sunday from 2pm - 5pm. Head down to the Seabreeze Hotel this Sunday for some fresh tunes, delicious food, and ice-cold brews.

Seabreeze Hotel

Tuesday 22 August

BMA Kidspace

Tuesday, 10:00am

BMA Kidspace, Artspace Mackay’s free and ever popular toddler’s program, gives children under five a chance to explore and have fun with art in a climate of co-operative learning. The program includes free artist-run craft activities in two sessions, Session 1: Anytime from 10 to 11:30am; Session 2: Anytime from 12:15 to 2pm with live musical entertainment 11:30am to 12:15pm. Bring your children along for a fun day of art-making, singing and dancing.

Artspace Mackay

DBCT Kids' Theatre Season - The Twits

Tuesday, 12:30pm to 1:30pm and 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Roald Dahl’s gruesome twosome The Twits are ready to delight and disgust, in equal measure. You’ve read the book – it’s time to experience this family classic from the wacky mind of the world’s No. 1 Storyteller live on stage. Adapted for the stage by shake & stir theatre co.

MECC

Wednesday 23 August

Teen Shed Mackay Teen Circle

Every Wednesday, 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Teen Circle is a place for all teens in the community to come together. It's a safe space for them to connect, heal & learn from each other. They can be seen, heard & understood with no judgement. It's a space to honour the uniqueness of each individual, everyone is equal. They will be able to speak from their hearts about things that trouble, annoy, frustrate them. This gathering will be held every Wednesday, all teenagers are welcome to attend. It is a free event, but attendees are asked to register for numbers.

Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School

Mackay Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday, 6:30am to 10:30am

The market is a showcase of our region’s amazing produce direct from the farmer.

Bluewater Quay

Sugar City Rock and Roll Mackay Club Wednesday Night Lessons

Every Wednesday, 7:00pm

Why not come along and learn to rock ‘n’ roll in a friendly and fun atmosphere with the Sugar City Rock ‘n’ Rollers Mackay Club? Previous experience is not required. Everyone learns at their own pace and, even better, the first lesson is free on your way to learning the four step style of rock ‘n’ roll. $5 for members and $8 for non-members after that. The club caters for social activities for club members with regular dances with live bands in attendance and away trips. For further enquiries call 0408 983 911.

58 Macalister St, Mackay

Thursday 24 August

Picnic in the Gardens

Thursday, 9:30am

Celebrating Children's Book Week, dress up as your favourite book character and join us for a picnic in the Botanic Gardens, Story Time under the trees and Baby Bounce on the lawn. Join the Mackay Regional Council Libraries team for face painting, puppets, craft activities and heaps more for children from birth to five years. Bring a picnic rug, water bottle and hat.

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Mackay Riverside Market

Every Thursday, 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Come and meet your local growers, bakers and makers, chill on the lawn listening to some beautiful tunes and grab some delicious dinner and desert.

Bluewater Quay

DZ Deathrays R.I.F.F. Album Tour

Thursday, 7:00pm

DZ have released their sixth studio album R.I.F.F, arguably their most experimental, enhanced and immediately resonant record yet. Heading out on the road with Press Club and Dust, these shows are sure to spark joy as well as anarchy. They inspire listeners to ignite a passion in themselves to continue to challenge and strive, making sure to always Remember It’s For Fun.

Seabreeze Hotel

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