In this Issue

In the news

Tune in and try out Test Drive the Arts GIANT Karaoke

Reveal your inner rock star on Saturday night at the biggest singalong Brisbane has ever seen.

Join in the fun at the free event at the Cultural Forecourt, South Bank where you can belt out all of the karaoke classics, songs from the late great Michael Jackson, 60s classics, Eighties hits and current favourites.

The evening will feature two mystery guests and special surprises before making way for Sampology's Visual Disco Party where partygoers can dance into the night under the stars.

The event is part of the Brisbane Festival's inaugural The Carnival's Edge festival, which features a jam-packed program of comedy, sideshow, cabaret and circus under big-top circus tents and sideshow marquees.

The event will be a great way to experience a live performance, enjoy a night out with friends and get involved in the performing arts through Test Drive the Arts.

An initiative of Arts Queensland and the Australia Council, Test Drive the Arts offers everyone the opportunity to experience the excitement of live performance at various venues across Queensland.

Those who are new to the performing arts can register online at the Test Drive the Arts website to 'try-before-they-buy' and receive two complimentary tickets to a live show of their choice.

For more information on Test Drive the Arts GIANT Karaoke and how to access public transport for the event, go to Arts Queensland or follow updates on Arts Queensland's Facebook and Twitter groups.

Log on to The Carnival's Edge website for full program information.

What:	Test Drive the Arts GIANT Karaoke
Where:	Cultural Forecourt South Bank, Brisbane
When:	7pm, Saturday 19 September 2009
Cost:	Free

Strategy launch showcases Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture

It was a celebration of Indigenous culture when artists, performers and arts workers from across Queensland gathered at the State Library of Queensland last month.

The occasion was to launch Queensland's first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Strategy 2009-2010 which works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to preserve, promote, develop, strengthen and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures.

It is also Queensland's first Indigenous arts strategy to articulate a common commitment and vision across the 10 organisations that make up the state's arts portfolio.

The launch was at the State Library of Queensland's newly refurbished Indigenous Knowledge Centre, kuril dhagun, which explores different ways of understanding, creating, collecting and storing Queensland Indigenous knowledge.

Dance students from the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts took to the floor in two beautifully crafted contemporary dance performances, and music student Sondra Paulson wowed the crowd with a stunning acoustic version of her song, For Tomorrow.

Guests were also treated to a guided tour of the Floating Life exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal fibre art at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA).

The launch of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Strategy 2009-2010 comes at a time when Queensland Indigenous artists are achieving recognition across the art forms.

The inaugural Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), 21-23 August, was a huge success with more than 10,000, people flocking to see the work of Queensland Indigenous artists and art work sold to national and international buyers.

In contemporary music Kuranda-based band Zennith took out an award at the recent Q Song awards and in the coming days we will see Deborah Mailman, Casey Donovan and Aaron Fa'Aaso take to the stage in the Brisbane Festival's Miracle in Brisbane.

To view the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Strategy 2009-2010 please visit the Arts Queensland website.

Indigenous art fair brings new kind of event to Cairns

More than 10 000 people flocked to the first Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) on 21-23 August, enjoying three days of fantastic art by Queensland Indigenous artists and performance by dancers from Aurukun and the Torres Strait.

The Art Fair was a huge success and showed that North Queensland is hungry for an event that allows people to immerse themselves in Indigenous culture in a welcoming environment.

CIAF certainly did that. The Tanks Arts Centre was a relaxed and rich setting for the event, allowing people to wonder freely between the two "tanks" that housed a selected exhibition and booths manned by art dealers from around Australia, Indigenous Art Centres from Far North Queensland, publishers and government organisations.

More than 600 people attended the Opening Event on 20 August, where Premier and Minister for the Arts Anna Bligh officially announced CIAF as open for business. Art fair patrons Her Excellency Penelope Wensley, Governor of Queensland, and Indigenous elder and acclaimed artist Thanakupi also attended the Opening Event and went on a tour of the exhibition and booths with the Premier.

CIAF's relaxed atmosphere did not deter people from buying and more than $500,000 worth of art was sold at the event with people snapping up work from major artists such as Judy Watson, Ricardo Idagi and Samantha Hobson but also buying new work by artists from Indigenous Art Centres such as Western Cape, Kuku Yulanji Dreamtime Art Gallery and Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre.

A key part of CIAF's success was the mix of visual art and performance and some of the highlights were performances by the Aurukun dancers and the Ariw Poenipan from Saibai Island as well as the Bippera Kymel concert starring Wil Kepa, King Kadu, Zennith and a moving final appearance by Seaman Dan. It was also the friendly convivial atmosphere - aided by freshly made delicious coconut desserts - that contributed to CIAF's success.

CIAF was part of Festival Cairns and was surrounded by some big events that added to the festival atmosphere. It was a great opportunity for newcomers Canopy Arts to open their doors with new work by Arone Meeks and Ken Thaiday snr and for KickArts to open its Sting in the Tail exhibition.

CIAF also brought the first Indigenous Symposium to Cairns. This was held at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Cairns and more than 150 people attended to hear keynote speakers Nicolas Rothwell and Judy Watson.

Planning is underway for the next CIAF so watch this space for news.

In the meantime have a look at our picture gallery of CIAF on our AQ Facebook page through our website at Arts Queensland or watch the video of the Premier opening CIAF on AQTV on our AQ website.

The Symposium sessions are available as a streaming Webcast while the Podcast can be downloaded for MP3 / i Tunes.

Brisbane Writers Festival celebrates power of words

Writers and readers from across the literary landscape descended on the Cultural Centre last week for the 2009 Brisbane Writers Festival.

The annual five-day festival (9-13 September) allows many of Australia's most popular authors to mingle alongside international guests and literary fans at a series of events to celebrate the written word.

The Queensland narrative was a major theme of this year's Festival with Friday 11 September featuring a celebration of Queensland's 150th year and exploring how words have shaped the history of our state.

The festival also saw the return of the popular Word Play for school-aged audiences with an extended reach to include from Year 4 to Year 12 with more than 10,000 school students participating.

More than 30 international authors, including MJ Hyland from the United Kingdom, Jeb Brugmann from Canada and Tracey Chevalier and Norb Vonnegut from the United States also attended to entertain audiences and mentor developing writers.

A popular new feature of the festival was The Breezeway, a large, open tent on the Cultural Centre's Maiwar Green that was constantly abuzz with music, food, poetry and spontaneous events.

Many of the 2009 Queensland Premier's Literary Award winners and shortlisted authors featured in festival panel discussions and workshops as one of the first outcomes for the new initiative A State of Writing.

A State of Writing, a new collaboration to connect writers, readers and ideas, kicks off with a $400,000 investment from the State Government to support: the Queensland Writers Centre; Book Links; Queensland Poetry Festival and the Children's Book Council of Australia to form a writing hub at the State Library of Queensland.

RADF conference to explore arts access across Queensland

More than 200 arts participants and practitioners from across Queensland will gather in November to explore new ideas and partnerships to ensure all Queenslanders have access to arts and culture.

The Queensland Regional Arts and Culture Conference, artspeak 2009, will take place in Beaudesert, in the stunning surroundings and thriving arts and cultural community of the Scenic Rim region.

The biennial conference is specifically for those involved in the long-running Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). The fund helps support the professional development and employment of arts and cultural workers in regional Queensland in a partnership between State Government, through Arts Queensland, and Councils.

This year's artspeak conference will not only draw upon the successes of RADF, but will be broadened to help identify future directions and to share excellence. artspeak will present keynote speakers, workshops, presentations, panel discussions, examples of arts and cultural projects and a program of artistic work exploring regional arts and culture.

The four artspeak themes are: encouraging community participation and engagement through arts and culture; building strong communities; supporting vibrant regional arts and cultural practice; and activating creative spaces.

artspeak is presented by Arts Queensland and held in partnership with the Scenic Rim Regional Council.

For further information, please visit the Arts Queensland website.

Public art projects to transform Cairns

Two major sculptural commissions by Queensland artists with international reputations will add a new dimension to the representation of Australian Indigenous culture from both the mainland and the Torres Strait.

Sculptures by Far North Queensland artist Thanakupi (Thancoupie) and Torres Strait artist Dennis Nona form part of the redevelopment of the Far North Queensland Ports on the Cairns foreshore.

Dr Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher James, known as Thanakupi, will develop a sculpture for the new Passenger Terminal. It follows Thanakupi's recent public art installation for Reconciliation Place in Canberra of large-scale bronze yam sculptures with intricately-textured surfaces.

Thanakupi, who was named as a Queensland Great in 2008, is Australia's most significant Indigenous ceramicist, an elder and cultural custodian who has introduced generations of Australians and international visitors to her country and cultural heritage.

The Dennis Nona sculpture, titled Saulal Au Tonar, is part of the redevelopment of the heritage sheds and reflects the seasonal phenomenon of turtle mating which starts on the mainland and travels north through the Torres Strait Islands.

Both commissions are to receive funding from the Queensland Government's Public Art Fund, art+place. Further details about the program can be found at the Arts Queensland website.

Enlivening the Cultural Centre

Under a month before the Cultural Centre enlivening program officially goes live!

The past few months have been busy with meetings to build and strengthen partnerships to collaborate on the enlivening program which aims to bring more people into this fantastic creative space on the Brisbane River and also to inform people of its potential of a place with excellent spaces to hire.

Arts statutory Authorities at the Cultural Centre such as the Queensland Art Gallery and the State Library of Queensland have each offered exceptional support and as a result, discussions around leveraging existing programming and initiating new programming are well under way.

Arts Queensland has also purchased equipment to assist in activation of the Cultural Centre. It includes an inflatable cinema for movie screenings throughout the precinct; a nomadic tent that is modular allowing for three different sizes and numerous formations; and bollarding and signage providing crowd control options and clear messaging.

A destination marketing campaign launches early October with the first ever Cultural Centre website that actively promotes the entire precinct, each arts statutory authority, activities, shops, restaurants and hire opportunities.

Watch this space! For more information please contact Danica Wilson, Arts Queensland on telephone 07 3234 1231.

Valley alive with BIG SOUND

Bands and musicians from across the world gathered in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley this month with ambitions of being discovered by international tastemakers in the city for BIG SOUND.

Twenty-seven Queensland acts were joined by 30 others from across Australia and overseas to showcase at the Music Industry Summit, 9-11 September, which brought together talent scouts, managers, record producers, promoters and tour bookers to discuss developments in the music industry, as well as spot new talent.

BIG SOUND is responsible for international awareness of the 'Brisbane Sound', a fresh approach to contemporary music that placed the city in the top five destinations for new music in 2007.

This year's speakers included US producer Van Dyke Parks, Lee Laborde (Live Nation UK), Jens Geisemeyer (G-Pop Records GER), Mike Walsh (XFM Radio UK), Tim Riley (VP Music Affairs Activision USA), Glenn Wheatley - CEO Stripe, Talentworks AUS), Alison Wenham (AIM UK), and John Watson (CEO Eleven: A Music Company AUS).

Queensland acts in the showcase program include The Middle East, Hungry Kids of Hungary, The Boat People, Drawn From Bees, Grand Atlantic, Last Dinosaurs, Little Scout, The Rational Academy, The Cairos, The Optimen, Tijuana Cartel, Toy Balloon, We All Want To, Edward Guglielmino, Emma-Louise, Chris Pickering, Dan Parsons, DZ, Elke, Hunz, I Heart Hiroshima, Kate Bradley & The Goodbye Horses, Mary Trembles, Rocketsmiths, Skinny Jean, Timothy Carroll, and Washington.

BIG SOUND is supported by the Queensland Government through Trade Queensland, Arts Queensland and the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. For more information or BIG SOUND 2009 ticket sales, visit BIG SOUND.

New acts take to the road this spring

Six emerging Queensland bands will play to audiences across Australia in October and November with Arts Queensland touring assistance.

Power-pop group Grand Atlantic and alternative rock trio 26 have been selected to showcase at Perth's One Movement Festival next month.

Both acts will play alongside other emerging and established bands from across the globe, including fellow Queenslander Kate Miller-Heidke.

Cairns band The Medics will also be on the road in October, joining Groundswell, a new Indigenous touring circuit comprising Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra that is supported by the arts agencies of the Australian, Queensland, Victorian and New South Wales Governments.

Building on the popular performances of the Queensland acts at last year's Australasian World Music Expo, three bands and a dance troupe had been invited to take part in the event this November.

Bands Dubmarine, OKA Music, Kamerunga and Cape York-based dance troupe Injinoo will all feature at the Melbourne expo which attracts a prestigious delegate list of international and Australian festival directors and programmers, producers, music media and agents.

Helping performers showcase and perform across Australia is an integral component of Press Play, Arts Queensland's four-year (2009-2012) strategy to support Queensland's contemporary music industry.

For more information on Press Play visit Arts Queensland - Contemporary Music Strategy.

Planning underway for 2010 APAM

In 2008, Arts Queensland presented some of the state's leading performing artists to international talent scouts at the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) under the slogan 'made in Queensland'.

It was the state's most successful pitch at the event to date, with all the Queensland companies with showcase and spotlight opportunities securing either tour dates, international showcases or production assistance.

For APAM 2010, we are looking less at geography and more at attitude.

A number of Queensland performing artists and companies are currently being considered for showcase and spotlight spots at the Adelaide showcase, 22-26 February, with announcements of the successful applicants expected to be made around November.

APAM is the largest performing arts event in the southern hemisphere and coincides with the Adelaide Festival of Arts and the Adelaide Fringe. It attracts more than 400 delegates from 25 countries to a program that includes showcases, pitch sessions, on display booths, industry forums, keynote address and networking functions.

For more information on APAM visit APAM and to find out more about Queensland acts and Arts Queensland at the event see Arts Queensland - APAM.

True grit pays off for David Unaipon winner

For three years Nicole Watson entered the David Unaipon Award as part of the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards and each year she made the shortlist but went home empty handed.

This year, fourth-time proved the right time for the young Caboolture-raised solicitor who saw her determination pay off as winner of the 2009 award.

Nicole won the award for her unpublished manuscript, The Boundary, which is a crime novel about a Native Title claim.

At the awards ceremony on 8 September Nicole said she was delighted to win the award as it meant her hard work over the past few years had been worth it - and she could catch up with her big brother poet Sam Watson who won the same award 10 years earlier.

Nicole was one of 13 winners announced at the awards ceremony by Premier and Minister for the Arts Anna Bligh. Arts Queensland sponsors three awards as part of the event - the David Unaipon Award, the Steele Rudd award for an Australian Short Story collection and the Judith Wright Calanthe Award for a poetry Collection.

This year's winner of the Steele Rudd award was Nam Le for his acclaimed book The Boat (also shortlisted for the Fiction Book Award) and Emma Jones was named the winner of the Judith Wright Calanthe Award for her collection, The Striped World.

Other major winners were: Fiction Book Award, Richard Flanagan's Wanting; Drama Script Paul Galloway for Realism; Young Adult Book Award A Small Free Kiss in the Dark by Glenda Millard; and Non-Fiction book award winner The Tall Man: Death and Life on Palm Island by Chloe Hooper.

In good news for all writers - and readers - the Premier confirmed on the evening that the awards would continue in 2010 with the cash element intact. This announcement was applauded and appreciated by the crowd.

What's on at the Cultural Centre

Fashion the focus at GoMA

Visitors to the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) this month can explore a diverse range of exhibitions, encompassing fashion, fibre art, photography and the work of an Indigenous icon.

The work of internationally acclaimed, Brisbane-based design partnership Easton Pearson marks the Queensland Art Gallery's first fashion design exhibition, featuring more than 75 Easton Pearson outfits created over two decades.

The exhibition encompasses the earliest examples of Easton Pearson's work, created in the late 1980s, to an elaborately beaded and hand-decorated garment created especially for the exhibition Since 1989, Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson's label has maintained a strong affinity for Queensland - the state in which their creative partnership began and where they continue to live and practice.

In addition to the garments on loan from the Easton Pearson archive and private collectors, the exhibition features video footage, look-books, fabric samples and other inspirational ephemera.

Nurreegoo: The art and life of Ron Hurley 1946 - 2002 is a stunning celebration of the life and art of contemporary Indigenous artist, Ron Hurley, on display at GoMA until 25 October. More than 50 art works highlight three decades of Mr Hurley's exceptional career.

Visitors can view many of Hurley's finest works, including his series inspired by Aboriginal cricketer Eddie Gilbert. The series features the Queensland Art Gallery's painting Bradman Bowled Gilbert 1989 and the major triptych Gilbert Bowling, Bradman, Wicketkeeper 1990, on loan from the National Gallery of Australia.
The beautiful Floating Life: Contemporary Aboriginal Fibre Art, and 150 Years: Photography in Queensland from the Gallery's Collection, a fascinating exploration of Queensland images since the state was formed in 1859 are among the other free exhibitions currently on display at GoMA. 

This week marks the final week of the inspiring American Impressionism & Realism: A Landmark Exhibition from the Met exhibition. 

Please pay the exhibition a visit - it is the first time a selection of 71 paintings from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art have been delivered to an Australian audience. Included are many of the Metropolitan's best examples in the American Impressionist and Realist traditions which have never before been displayed together and are not likely to be lent again as an ensemble.  

For more information about the exhibitions please visit the QAG website.

What:	Easton Pearson
Where:	Gallery 1.3 and Foyer Cabinet, GoMA Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), Stanley Place, Cultural Centre South Bank, Brisbane
When:	Daily until 8 November 2009
Cost:	Free

What:	Nurreegoo: The art and life of Ron Hurley 1946 – 2002
Where:	Gallery 3.6, Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), Stanley Place, Cultural Centre South Bank, Brisbane
When:	Daily until 25 October 2009
Cost:	Free

What:	American Impressionism & Realism: A Landmark Exhibition from the Met
Where:	Queensland Art Gallery Cultural Centre South Bank, Brisbane
When:	Daily until 20 September 2009
Cost:	$20

Take a trip back in time and solve an old mystery at SLQ this month

There's something for everyone at the State Library of Queensland these school holidays, with an influential exhibition exploring the transformation of all aspects of modern life and super sleuth holiday fun for the kids.

Modernism was a major international movement that spanned design, architecture and art and continues to influence the everyday lives of us all. Modern times: the untold story of modernism in Australia features objects drawn from five decades, 1917 to 1967, and reveals how our cosmopolitan culture was shaped.

The Powerhouse Museum travelling exhibition presented at the State Library includes over 250 works across art, animation, fashion, design, film, photography and architecture. Themes include the modern body, the city, and the Space Age, the mass culture of cars and the new entertainment landscape of cinemas, swimming pools and cafes.

Kids will be able to put their detective skills to the test to follow the trail of clues across the State Library to uncover the identity of a real convict who lived more than 180 years ago.

In an entertaining and stimulating exercise, children will need to use their wits and the resources available to piece together this 180-year-old puzzle. Especially for children aged 8-12 years accompanied by their parent or carer.

What:	Modern times: the untold story of modernism in Australia
Where:	State Library of Queensland Stanley place Cultural Centre South Bank, Brisbane
When:	Daily until 8 November 2009
Cost:	Free

What:	Super Sleuth Holiday Fun
Where:	Meet at the entrance to State Reference Library, level 3. State Library of Queensland Stanley place Cultural Centre South Bank, Brisbane
When:	Mon 21 - Fri 25 Sept, 10.30 – 12 noon
Cost:	$12 (including a take home pack), free for accompanying adult Bookings qtix 136 246 or at The Library Shop

Museum activities allow visitors to reminisce and research

It's a busy month at the Queensland Museum, with a new exhibition entertaining visitors and very important research surveys and discoveries surveys being made by Queensland Museum staff.

Great Railway Journeys of Australia is a new exhibition that explores the development of Australia's rail network and some of the most famous railway journeys in the country.

Currently on display at the Museum of Tropical Queensland in Townsville the exhibition, developed and presented by The Workshops Rail Museum, draws on the Museum's collection of objects, photographs, posters, art and documents and involved a number of loans from other institutions.

Great Railway Journeys of Australia is presented in two parts, Connecting the Cities and States, which explores the development of the bourgeoning railway industry in Australia, and Great Passenger Journeys of Australia delves into the spectacular results of the back breaking work of our pioneering forefathers.

Stowaway Asian House Geckoes have been arriving by cargo ship to Australia from exotic locations and they're settling in to our homes.

Queensland Museum scientists are calling on Queensland residents to help them find out more about the Asian House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) distribution in Australia through an online survey (www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au)

Photos of the Asian House Gecko and an identification key will make it easy for people to determine whether the geckoes they spot are the right species.

The survey is a National Science Week initiative and will run for 12 months.  The information collected from the survey will help museum researchers reveal how this introduced species is impacting on our ecosystem and find out whether it is threatening native geckos.

The survey takes about five minutes to complete and is online at www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au

What:	Great Railway Journeys of Australia
Where:	Museum of Tropical Queensland 70-102 Flinders Street East Townsville, Queensland
When:	Daily until 8 November 2009
Cost:	Free

Classic and contemporary dance take to the stage at QPAC

A much-loved classical ballet and an exciting contemporary dance piece will light up the new Lyric Theatre stage at QPAC this month.

The Imperial Russian Ballet Company will take to the stage at QPAC on their first visit to Australia to perform the classic masterpiece Swan Lake.  

Swan Lake crosses the world of magic and mystical creatures with that of the real world. It is a story where the virtues of love and forgiveness in the end conquer evil and betrayal.  Presented in three acts, the performance follows the original storyline with the happy ending which was decreed by Soviet rule in the 1930's during the 'reign' of Stalin.

Audiences can celebrate a 20 year journey of contemporary dance that encapsulates 40,000 years of Indigenous storytelling with Fire -- A Retrospective, showcasing Bangarra Dance Theatre's most memorable and potent repertoire.

Fire - A Retrospective is an opportunity for audiences to experience this uniquely Australian ensemble through dance theatre that has won the company rave reviews and caused audiences around the world to sit up and take notice.

The performance encompasses the magic and mysticism of choreographer and artistic director Stephen Page's powerful productions including Ochres, Fish, Skin, Bush and Corroboree.

What:	Swan Lake
Where:	QPAC, Cultural Centre, South Bank
When:	25 - 27 September 2009
Cost:	$49.90 - $89.90 Bookings via qtix 136 246 or qtix

What:	Fire - A Retrospective
Where:	QPAC, Cultural Centre, South Bank
When:	7 - 10 October 2009
Cost:	$24.50 - $55.00 Bookings via qtix 136 246 or qtix

What's On

Visit Queensland's largest arts and cultural celebration - Brisbane Festival

The brand-new Brisbane Festival began with a bang last week and now is the time to take part with a multitude of free events, song, dance, theatre and performance taking place across Brisbane in the coming weeks.

Check out The Carnival's Edge program online for full details about the exciting events and activities taking place until 3 October.  There is a full range of children's activities as well as comedy, performance and GIANT karaoke.

The stunning QUT Spiegeltent, part atmospheric Belgian pub, part elegant late night cabaret club will once again deliver the very best in live music, cabaret and dancing and much, much more to audiences. 

More than 70 acts will grace the stage, along with tours, talks and festival conversations with renowned local author Nick Earls, as well as Italian composer Giorgio Battistelli and Indigenous director Rhoda Roberts - the creators of Brisbane Festival opera, Miracle in Brisbane.  For full Spiegeltent program information please visit the Brisbane Festival website (Brisbane Festival.

Join in the fun out in the suburbs at the Racecourse Road Street Party at Hamilton on Sunday, and West End Live from 30 September to 3 October at Boundary Street, West End.  Also, be sure to check out the live music and home hospitality at one of the Brisbane Backyards parties in a suburb near you.

For full Brisbane Festival program details, please visit the Brisbane Festival website Brisbane Festival.

Free daytime and evening concert series at QACI

A free concert series at the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries (QACI) has something to offer everyone from students to grandparents.

Until November, QACI's concert series presents a range of performances in musical styles including jazz, classical, fusion, world, funk and salsa.

Acts to perform including David Bridie - who took to the stage with Papua New Guinean legend, George Telek - Topology and the QYO Big Band are among the best in Brisbane.

With influences from experimental, jazz and world music, Clocked Out Duo uses traditional and modified instruments as well as toys, junk and sound sculptures to create a sonic and visual experience.

QACI is a selective entry state school for students in Years 10 to 12 and is located at 61 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove.

The QACI concert series is funded by the Queensland Government's Gambling Community Benefit Fund.

For concert information and to book, visit the QACI website, email register @ QACI or telephone 0438 834 083.

What's on @ Cairns CoCA

In a major cultural coup for Cairns, KickArts is hosting renowned Indigenous artist Vernon Ah Kee's first solo exhibition, Waru, from 22 September to 14 November.

The Waru Cricket Project is a metaphorical insight into Aboriginal engagement with broader society through the game of cricket.

Also at KickArts this month, Jessie Hall and Elizabeth Dunn explore the process of artistic creation, reflecting on the relationships that exist between the artist in relation to materials, audience and community.  This is the fourth exhibition in the 2009 Hatch program and will be on display from 23 September to 7 November.

In the theatre, JUTE Theatre continues its commitment to providing professional professional development opportunities to all residents of Cairns with a four-day professional acting workshops for children during the school holidays.

Children aged 8-12 years will be able to learn new skills, gain confidence and meet new friends through the exciting and innovative program.  Actor Simon Hapea, fresh from touring with Queensland Theatre Company will run the September School Holiday Program from 22 to 25 September.

The program is open to children aged 8-12 years and costs $220. For more info visit the JUTE website.

What:	Waru
Where:	KickArts Centre of Contemporary Arts 96 Abbott St Cairns, Queensland
When:	22 September - 14 November 2009
Cost:	Free

What's on @ JWCOCA

The Judy Shopfront is abuzz with activity during September with the sounds of jazz, an alternative national anthem and a new twist on an Australian favourite.

This month's Shopfront Jazz will feature acclaimed drummer Ken Edie, who has performed and recorded with the likes of Scott Tinkler, Paul Grabowsky, John Rodgers, Anthony Burr and Marc Hannaford among others.

Presented by Judith Wright Centre and Jazz Queensland, Shopfront Jazz is a free monthly event featuring a different artist-in-residence each month.

Everybody can reveal their own take on the Australian national anthem in an interactive telephonic cut-up by Inkahoots.

New Anthems, an installation in the Judy windows along Brunswick St, uses cutting edge technology consisting of LED panels, neon lights and multi dimensional typography.

Participants are invited to play via SMS to insert their own words to invent their own expression of national identity. The two texts are "Australian's all let us___ for we are young and ___" and "I love a ___ country, a land of ___ plains".

Join in and put your own spin on them.  For further information please visit the JWCOCA website.

What:	Shopfront Jazz
Where:	Shopfront Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts 420 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley Brisbane, Queensland
When:	9pm, 25 September 2009
Cost:	Free

For bookings telephone 07 3872 9000 or email boxoffice @ JWCOCA with your name, contact number and number of tickets.

What:	New Anthems
Where:	Shopfront Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts 420 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley Brisbane, Queensland
When:	24/7 until 28 September 2009
Cost:	Free