Entertainment
13 August, 2024
Art deco style appreciated
EVERYTHING bold and lavish is back with the return of the fourth Tropical Art Deco Festival to Innisfail in September for eight days of workshops, entertainment and fashion.
Organised by the Innisfail and District Historical Society, the Tropical Art Deco Festival will run from Sunday, September 8 to Sunday, September 15, with free and ticketed events for all ages.
The festival kicks off on September 8 with the art deco high tea at the shire hall, followed by the historical society’s cemetery walk along with shire hall and town walk guided tours, art deco trivia night at the Innisfail RSL, Paronella Park and Mamu Tropical Skywalk tours, art deco cruise and jazz music in Edith Street throughout the week.
On Saturday, September 14, dress yourself and your pet in art deco fashions to enjoy a morning out with the return of ‘Doggy Deco’ while Brothers Leagues Club joins the event program this year with their Saturday night ‘Al Capone’s Gangsters and Gals Italian Night’.
A Cassowary Coast Regional Council RADF-funded workshop will be run by Brisbane-based duo, ‘Electro Swiggety’ on September 14. The duo will also perform on September 13 at the ‘Flappers and Dappers Ball’ as well as at the picnic.
“It was such a coup to get Electro Swiggety, the only international act to perform at the most recent Napier Art Deco Festival in New Zealand, to come to Innisfail for our festival,” said the president of the Innisfail Historical Society Trish Ernst.
“We’d love to see a huge crowd turn out to see them and enjoy their retro-style funky jazz-swing music.”
The festival will conclude with the vintage market at the shire hall on September 15 with a gold coin entry fee, refreshments and entertainment on the verandah from 9am to 2pm.
Attendees are encouraged to wear their best art deco fancy outfits to celebrate the town’s art deco heritage and stunning architecture.
“Dressing up is optional of course,” Ms Ernst said
“But we’d love to see people get into the spirit of the event, wearing the fashions of the era to as many events as possible. We’ll have some great music from the era to help get in the mood as well.
“Whatever you do, don’t miss this exciting and fashion-filled festival. Get out and have some old-fashioned fun.”
For more information and the full Tropical Art Deco Program, visit www.innisfailhistory.com.au
