Dead-end streets to become life of the party for Brisbane Festival
Hot on the heels of last night’s confirmation that this year’s Brisbane Festival will be proceeding in September, organisers have announced plans to transform some of the city’s dead-end streets into the life of the party.
Last night, a brief message – “You. Us. September. We’re going to fill Brisbane with live art. Program drops 28 July” – appeared on the Brisbane Festival Facebook page.
This morning, organisers followed up the announcement with a callout inviting residents who live in the city’s courts, places and closes to nominate their cul-de-sac as a venue for a street concert as part of Brisbane Festival.
The Brisbane Festival website says the concerts will offer the city’s residents the chance to reconnect with their neighbours after months of social isolation. Organisers have also stressed that appropriate COVID-19 social distancing and health and safety rules will apply.
You. Us. September.
We're going to fill Brisbane with live art. Program drops 28 July.
Join the 📧 list at https://t.co/j13FVc4hpz pic.twitter.com/nNecdfLnEp
— Brisbane Festival (@BrisFestival) June 22, 2020
Residents have until 10:00am Wednesday, July 8, to nominate their cul-de-sac to be featured, with those applying asked to tell organisers in 200 words or fewer why their street should be chosen.
Streets nominated must be cul-de-sacs and any suburbs must be part of the Brisbane City Council area, with shortlisted applicants to be notified by July 24.
Louise Bezzina has taken over the reins as artistic director of Brisbane Festival for the 2020 event, following David Berthold’s final year in the role last year.
Earlier this year, Bezzina – the creator and inaugural artistic director of the Gold Coast’s hugely successful Beach Festival – told InQueensland, “hopefully by September, there’s an opportunity for us to, to celebrate in whatever way, shape or form it can be in these bizarre times”.
“It’s so important that an organisation like Brisbane Festival, which is so iconically known in the city, that brings so much joy and hope to people, as well as celebration and employment for so many artists, that we find a way in these very odd times to continue to find a way to be able to do something that’s really hopeful for our community,” Bezzina said in March.
Brisbane Festival will run from September 4-26, with the full line-up to be announced on July 28.
For more information and updates, sign up to the Brisbane Festival’s mailing list
