A top-drawer calendar of events is set to make Maleny and the Blackall Ranges a key destination for tourists in 2023, as local organisations consider ways to engage with the influx of newcomers to the region.
The packed year of high-quality events include Queensland Music Trail’s one-day festival in August to The Rangebow Festival’s return on August 10-13, to the Curated Plate running from late July, Knitfest (July 1-3), the Garden Show in October, the Wood Expo April 29 to May 1, as well as the 100th anniversary of the Maleny Show on June 2 and 3.
A key plant to the energised year ahead is the Queensland Music Festival’s (QMF) inaugural QMT event at Maleny Showgrounds in August.
While details are yet to be released, the QMT event is set to attract thousands of people with a world-class lineup of artists performing over two stages, along with a curated artisan alley, picnic areas, and food trucks just to name a few of the enticing elements.
Local arts coordinator Steve McLeish said he was hopeful of tapping into the event and is exploring local support for what he calls ‘Arts Alive Maleny’ (AAM).
Steve’s aim is that it operates as a viable vehicle to promote the arts community of the Hinterland. Putting forward a date of Friday August 4, 2023, Mr McLeish shared his event vision with GC&M News, which would (as the event name suggests) see the main street of Maleny come alive with music, performances, and art-related activities.
“QMF is expecting thousands of visitors to come to Maleny for the festival, and people will be encouraged to camp for the weekend at the showgrounds from the 4th – 6th August. This will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the diversity and caliber of our arts community,” explained Mr McLeish.
Keen to offer an exciting creative collaboration, areas of visual interest would include a twilight arts market throughout the centre of town, including vacant land next to Peace of Green, street theatre and buskers, lanterns and sculptures, projections, and lighting throughout the town to include 3D imaging on buildings, and a plan to illuminate all the trees along Maple Street.
Mr McLeish said he also envisaged having all art-related shops, cafes, and licensed venues in the centre of town to open their doors while the event is running.
“We are planning for performances, forums or workshops in all venues and cafes throughout the town to include writers, music, comedy, theatre, visual art, workshops, and even film. Basically, we want to showcase as many art forms as possible,” Mr McLeish said.
‘Arts Alive Maleny’ would also include performances at Maleny Lane to run into the evening and plans to secure headline acts for a ticketed event in the Maleny Community Centre.
Hoping to engage local cafes and food vendors, Mr McLeish said there would be a possibility that food vendors could also link to the Curated Plate events happening during the same time across the Sunshine Coast.
If you’d like to get involved or to find out more on Steve’s vision, email him on steve.mcleish@gmail.com.
Main image: Sofia Isella playing at The Long Sunset in 2022. Picture Mitch Lowe