FRUITY ACT: Hamish MacCallum and Tanja Beer set up the “Living Stage” for the Castlemaine State Festival. Picture: Jodie Donnellan
TEN explosive days of music, art, theatre and literature kick off today, with the Castlemaine State Festival set to light up the town.
About 50,000 people flock to Castlemaine over the 10 days of the festival.
Castlemaine State Festival director Martin Paten said he is looking forward to 10 days of celebration and said he was impressed by the local contribution to the event.
“This year’s festival is my most ambitious to date,” he said.
“It is thrilling to see that Castlemaine has created events that have come from the ideas of the community to be created and produced here in Castlemaine and ready for an audience.”
“Outdoor extravaganza” Cornucopia! will launch the festival in Lyttleton Street, starting at 7pm, with a range of performers entertaining people as they dine in an alfresco musical restaurant.
Other shows include the Clubrooms, an act that draws on the concepts of Australian sports and sitting on the bench, while the creative team and actors from indigenous work Wulamanayuwi and the Seven Pamanui will also perform.
Another festival favourite includes a performance by one of Australia’s leading actors John Stanton who will perform a series of Shakespeare’s monologues, and artist Tanya Schultz will exhibit her work.
For more information about the Castlemaine State Festival, or to buy tickets, visit www.castlemainefestival.com.au