Readers win VIP double pass for Monica Trapaga at Tortuga Festival

Tortuga Festival has made its way to Port Macquarie for the first time this month. Read about the event, and how our VIP double pass winners enjoyed Monica Trapaga’s show, here.

Congratulations to Craig Cannon and his wife Fiona, who were the lucky winners of our Tortuga Festival VIP double pass giveaway.

In his entry, which asked for 25 words or less on who you’d bring along to the show and why, Craig told The Mid North Coast News that he’d love to take his wife.

He said Monica Trapaga’s show would be a great way to end a difficult week, as Fiona had undertaken surgery for breast cancer earlier last week.

“Some good news during a difficult time is very much appreciated,” Craig said when he found out he and Fiona had won.

He said they enjoyed the long weekend show and both locals were stoked to be given the opportunity to see Monica’s show up close.

EARLIER

For the first time, locals will have a chance to see Play School’s Monica Trapaga – also known for her work as a regular guest host on ABC Jazz – in Port Macquarie, as part of the Tortuga Festival.

She’s one of the many talented performers who will be appearing in Westport Park as part of the daring arts festival.

And we’re giving you the chance to see the talented Ms Trapaga, up close and personal in the front section of the crowd, with a VIP double pass giveaway valued at almost $130.

Simply send an email telling us, in 25 words or less, who you’d bring along to the show and why for the chance to win! The best answer, as judged by us, will be notified by email, and the tickets will be kept under their name at the box office.

The festival is curated and produced by 13-time Guinness World Record holder Gordo Gamsby, a strongman and sword swallower, and his circus-performing wife Lucy Frost.

After travelling the world, they have settled back in Port Macquarie and now have a son, Spike.

Tortuga is keen to make their debut on the Mid North Coast, taking place over a week and a half from June 10 to June 19, and Ms Trapaga shares that excitement.

“It’s just nice to be coming to Port Macquarie because we think people will come from all directions to the city for these shows,” she explained.

“It’ll be a great opportunity to celebrate together – especially after the impact of Covid – we’re all due for some fun.

“The circus community was the worst hit by the pandemic, with a lot of us out of work for two years and not much government support, so we’re excited to be reigniting live entertainment with shows like this.

“This is a time when audiences can show their support for us, which is great because we appreciate it so much and we really want to entertain you.”

It’ll be a family affair for Monica, with all her circus-performer children – the “travelling Trapagas” – coming up to Port Macquarie together for Tortuga.

Ms Trapaga says the Tortuga Festival will offer performances from circus and cabaret talents, comedians and musicians, as well as outdoor roving performances, food trucks and community workshops.

“There will be all forms of entertainment, with a lot of fun acts,” she said.

“There’s something for everyone.”

While she wasn’t keen on giving too much away about An Evening with Monica Trapaga, the performer said audiences can expect plenty of musical fun in her show.

“I hope my performances are always unpredictable, so I won’t tell you too much,” Ms Trapaga said.

“But we’ll have some beautiful musicians playing up on stage with me.”

As well as this being Tortuga’s inaugural appearance in Port Macquarie, it will also be the first time the Aurora Spiegel Tent – an authentic art-deco venue from the Netherlands – has been set up.

Find out more about the festival, and what shows will be on, via the Tortuga Festival website.