Festival 2018 rolls out 3500 artists to entertain crowds at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

FORMER New Zealand Paralympian turned dancer Rodney Bell is one of more than 3500 performers set to star in Festival 2018 — Queensland’s largest ever arts and culture program.

FORMER New Zealand Paralympian turned dancer Rodney Bell is one of more than 3500 performers set to star in Festival 2018 — Queensland’s largest ever arts and culture program.

The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games’ multi-arts and cultural celebration will feature 12 days of free performances on the Gold Coast and in Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane from April 4-15.

‘PC PROGRAM’ FOR GC’S MULTI-ARTS FESTIVAL

Launch of Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Festival 2018 program. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

The Festival 2018 program was unveiled in Broadbeach today by Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones, with excerpt performances by two of its star acts — a musical piece by core artists from Spirit of Churaki, a concert honouring the Coast’s first lifesaver that plays Surfers Paradise on April 12; and a preview of Huirhuri, Movement of The Human, in which integrated artist Rodney Bell re-purposes the wheelchair for an aerial duet.

Mayor Tom Tate at the launch of the Festival 2018 program. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

The festival’s program of more than 500 events covers everything from music and film to dance, circus, street theatre and family friendly activities.

The worldwide LGBTQI community will be celebrated at Sparkle in the Sand, an evening of song, dance, “laughter and delight” with performers, athletes and speakers from across the Commonwealth hosted by international drag star Courtney Act (Australian Idol, Rupauls Drag Race, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras) in the sand on Surfers Paradise beach.

Centred mostly around Games activation zones in Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise, the Festival 2018 program includes concerts by Amy Shark, Ian Moss, Troy Cassar-Daley, The Cat Empire, Kate Miller-Heidke and Busby Marou.

Olympic gold medal winning diver, mental health ambassador and Commonwealth Games diving commentator Matthew Mitcham at the Festival 2018 program launch. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

Ms Jones said more than half of Festival 2018’s 3500 performers were from Queensland.

“We’re giving local performers a chance to rub shoulders with some of the biggest acts on the planet and we’re showcasing Queensland talent to a global audience,” she said.

“Festival 2018 is an opportunity to expose Gold Coast audiences to some of the most sought after arts and culture acts in the world right now.”

Visit www.gc2018.com/festival2018 for the full program.