Jimmy Barnes will join Queensland Premier Anna Bligh at the opening of the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) in July to an expected crowd of more than 10,000 people.
By Gwen O’Toole
Jimmy Barnes will join Queensland Premier Anna Bligh at the opening of the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) in July to an expected crowd of more than 10,000 people.
The event will also serve as the official opening of the 2009 Mackay Festival of Arts, the region’s signature arts festival including dance, music, arts and an opulent theatrical burlesque event.
Burlesque performance Tarnished will take the
stage as part of the Mackay Festival of Arts, the first
event to open the city’s new convention centre
stage as part of the Mackay Festival of Arts, the first
event to open the city’s new convention centre
The festival will also feature Aboriginal musical talent The Black Arm Band, Brisbane based dance ensemble, Polytoxic, a number of musical concerts, a dance party featuring five DJs, acrobats and lightshow, a theatre production of the children’s classic The Jungle Book and Greek tragedy Oedipus.
The facility is funded by a $28 million Queensland State Government grant and designed by award-winning Brisbane architects Cox Rayner (known for the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre),
It will offer many versatile spaces including a 1090-seat theatre, 100-seat studio space, two plenary halls that when fully extended seat 1800 people, two dedicated foyers, bars, breakout rooms, and extensive front-of-house and backstage amenities.
Artist Impression of the Mackay Entertainment &
Convention Centre to be completed in July 2009
Convention Centre to be completed in July 2009
Situated midway between Cairns and Brisbane along the Queensland coast, Mackay offers a tropical option for conferencing and events.
The manager of convention precinct, Mark Fawcett, has said the centre will soon become a leading player in Australia’s growing regional convention market.
He said it will boast an exciting calendar of events from July 2009 onward, with a combination of high-profile government and corporate conventions, coupled with trade and lifestyle shows, sporting events, and an exciting performing arts program.
For more information on the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, click here.
For information on the Mackay Festival of Arts, click here.
