Sunshine Coast arts and cultural festival Horizon returns in 2021 with ten days and nights of music, visual art, theatre, dance, film, spoken word, comedy and more.
“Horizon is a great example of Sunshine Coast Council and our community working together to create a festival that pushes boundaries and surprises and delights all in attendance,” Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson says.
“Our region’s arts and cultural sector is thriving and, in its sixth year, Horizon Festival is well on its way to becoming a cultural highlight on the national arts calendar.”
Meanwhile, Horizon’s Artistic Director Dr Lynne Bradley says the programme shines a light on the talent of those on the Sunshine Coast and throughout Queensland.
“The all-Queensland line-up offers local audiences and visitors to the Coast the chance to experience a high quality and accessible artistic programme, set against the spectacular backdrop of the region,” she says.
“The natural environment and issues such as climate change feature throughout the programme, with many projects inspired by, and set within, this region’s very special landscape including Lake Baroon, Glass House Mountains, Chambers Island and Happy Valley.”
'Dawn Awakening' – Image © Benvos Productions
Local Kabi Kabi (Gabbi Gabbi) and Jinibara artists are central to Horizon in 2021. The First Nations programme includes ‘Dawn Awakening’, large-scale outdoor visual arts projections, ‘Kabi Kabi Connections’, and more.
This year’s Horizon festival hub will be one like no other. The Wonderland Spiegeltent is set to take centre stage, overlooking the water at Cotton Tree Park and providing an offering of cabaret, comedy, circus, dance and theatre at a global scale.
The programme will host events such as ‘Club Briefs’ from Briefs Factory International, stand-up comedy ‘Black Out’ featuring Ydinji comedian Steph Tisdell and friends, and ‘Circus Wonderland – A Mermaid’s Tale’, for the whole family.
‘Common People Dance Eisteddfod’ will see Sunshine Coast dance gladiators battling it out at the Wonderland Spiegeltent, paying homage to Rock Eisteddfods of decades past.
'Ive Been Meaning To Ask You' – Image © Stephen Henry
“‘Common People Dance Eisteddfod’ is an amazing project hailing from Brisbane that brings people of all ages and abilities together through dance and performance,” Dr Lynne says. “‘Common People’ will be a highlight of the programme and really speaks to our commitment to creating opportunities for the community to get involved and to connect with each other through art.”
In the afternoons, audiences can enjoy the sunset in the Wonderland Spiegeltent Garden with nightly programming of ‘Live + Local’ music, accompanied by food and drinks.
Community Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski is interested to witness the festival’s consciously thought-provoking youth programme.
“One show I’m particularly looking forward to is a unique performance where 9-13 year olds ask challenging questions of grown-ups,” Rick says.
“‘I’ve Been Meaning To Ask You’ is a fantastic way to give our youth a voice and to introduce them to the performing arts all at the same time.”
Horizon Festival 2021 Highlights
Wonderland SpiegeltentDawn Awakening
Open Air Concert Series
Final Call
Sunshine Coast Art Prize
Eumundi School Of Rock
Siren
Songs Of Gaia
Workshops
Tickets are on sale now. Check out the full programme of events here.
Horizon Festival (Sunshine Coast) runs from 27 August-5 September.
