The Shine On Gimuy festival is set to illuminate the Gimuy/Cairns Esplanade's 'Gimuy Boulevard' (Queensland) for another year.
Showcasing a display of light installations, art sculptures, animations, and soundscapes, the full festival program will feature music performances, cultural dance, comedy, and conversations in a celebration of First Nations peoples, arts and cultures.
Running from October 3 - 13, the event is supported by the Queensland government, Arts Queensland, Cairns Regional Council, and Australian government.
Shine On Gimuy is a multi-arts light festival led by Artistic Director, Rhoda Roberts AO, under the guidance of a dedicated committee of Cultural Guides.
From October 3-6, the Salt House bar and restaurant (Festival Hub), the Eastern Events Lawn and Gimuy Boulevard will become host to an array of multi-arts activations.
Queensland Minister for Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts, Leeanne Enoch MP, said that Shine On Gimuy strives to amplify the voices of First Nations peoples by celebrating all forms of First Nations storytelling.
"This year's festival theme of 'ENTWINED' highlights connections to Country and the exchange of knowledge and cultures that is vital on our Path to Treaty, truth-telling and healing," she said.
"The Queensland Government's investment of multi-year funding for Shine On Gimuy and the Queensland Music Trails' Tropics Trail provides employment opportunities for Queensland artists and arts workers, activates Queensland spaces and places and delivers valuable social and economic outcomes.
"Festivals like Shine on Gimuy create innovative cultural tourism opportunities that showcase Queensland's unique stories and cultural identity ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games."
Cairns Regional Council mayor, Cr Amy Eden, said Shine On Gimuy is a testament to the rich cultural tapestry that defines Gimuy/Cairns as the regional 'arts and culture capital of Northern Australia'.
"This festival not only celebrates the creative brilliance of our First Nations communities but also strengthens the bonds that unite us all. I'm immensely proud to see our city shine on the national stage, showcasing the deep connections to country and cultures that make Gimuy/Cairns truly unique," she said.
Produced by Queensland-based events company, Shine On Productions, the Shine On Gimuy festival is the cornerstone First Nations element of The Tropics Trail, presented by Queensland Music Festivals (QMF) as part of the Queensland Music Trails initiative.
Other events part of The Tropics Trail include: Yarrabah Music Festival, Savannah in the Round, Tropics Muster, and a new event–Dream Aloud. Dream Aloud will be held on Saturday 5th of July at Munro Martin Parklands, showcasing the very best of world-class First Nations and local Bama musical talent, and will be headlined by Baker Boy and King Stingray, and MCed by comic legend, Steph Tisdell.
QMF chief executive officer Daryl Raven said the festival is an essential component of QMF's Tropics Trail.
"QMF's vision is to be a key part of Queensland's cultural and tourism landscape. Shine On Gimuy is a shining example of how we're co-curating experiences that leave a lasting impact on both locals and visitors," he said.
"Through true connection to culture, and deep links to community, the Shine festival adds so much to our Trail–this is a partnership we're incredibly proud of."
The Artstory Light Walk—Shine's flagship program element—will profile the artistic visions of three local Bama artists come alive and writ-large as they are transformed into light sculptures.
"This year's theme is 'Entwined' and is reflective of the interconnectedness all First Nations (and Bama) peoples share, as well as our intrinsic and inseparable connection to country. Visitors will be entranced by this sensory spectacle", said Rhoda Roberts.
"We're excited to be showcasing works by Marun Carl Fourmile (a Yidinji Traditional Owner and Songman), Merindi Schrieber (a Yalanji weaver and musician) and Doreen Collins (an emerging artist from Wujal Wujal)," she said.
Gimuy/Cairns Traditional Owner, and Shine On Gimuy Cultural Guide, Professor Henrietta Marrie-Fourmile AM, shared that she is also excited to see Shine On Gimuy return.
"Shine On Gimuy plays an important role for our peoples; it brings together the cultures, stories and knowledges of this area in a way visitors from all over can learn from, and leave this place with a greater appreciation for our old (and new) ways. Shine connects us all," she said.
Held on October 3, the Calling Country Ceremony is Shine On Gimuy's signature performance event which opens the festival.
Taking place in the evening on the Eastern Events Lawn next to the Cairns Lagoon, the Calling Country Ceremony will bring together the neighbouring nations and clan groups of the First Nations peoples of the region.
"This event, free for the general public to attend, is a significant one and up until last year's festival, hadn't been performed for close to a century," said Cultural Producer Lydia Miller.
"Last year we showcased 90 dancers, where they expressed their song and dance in both traditional and contemporary ways—speaking to the relationships we share in songlines and kinship."
In 2024, Shine On Gimuy is also introducing a vibrant and inclusive Unplugged program, open to all local acts (musical, poetic, performance and more) with a First Nations element. This opportunity will be unique and give emerging or established local talent the opportunity to showcase their art to audiences at our world-class event.
Other events on the program include the return of our Deep Wisdom Conversations. These conversations are a great opportunity for attendees to learn from First Nations leaders on topics such as Talk of Country, Truth-Telling, Sovereignty, Shaping the Future, Rising Waters & Tensions, and Shaping the Future, - these will be held the over October 5-6.
The theme for this year's Deep Wisdom Conversations is: The Turning Point — Sovereignty Country, Voices and Action. Speakers include: Professor Martin Nakata (Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Indigenous Education & Strategy), Distinguished Professor Sean Ulm (Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories), Larrisa Baldwin Roberts, (GetUp's CEO, and Director of Research for Passing the Message Stick) – with more to be announced.
The Music Makers program will showcase emerging musical artists/singers-songwriters from the region, as well as headlining major talent such as Mau Power, Yirgjhilya Lawrie, and Kee'ahn.
"Following the outstanding success of the inaugural Shine On Gimuy Festival in 2023, Shine On Productions are proud to present Shine On Gimuy multi-arts light festival on the waterfront along the Boulevard in the heart of Gimuy/Cairns. In 2023 we welcomed over 33,000 attendees to our events throughout our festival, and, we injected $2 Million to the local economy. With the stellar program in store for 2024–and with the support of our partners–we know we'll increase these outcomes for the community and all sectors," said executive producer, Merryn Hughes.
To celebrate comedy and fun, Shine On Gimuy's 'comedy night' will be held on Saturday the 5th of October at the Salt House Festival Hub. Comedic extraordinaires, Sean Choolburra and Andy Saunders, are also bound to draw a crowd.
With a program brimming with engaging events, activities and performers, Shine On Gimuy is set to showcase and spotlight several First Nations creatives from all fields of work.
Shine On Gimuy will be held from the 3rd-13th of October. Shine On Gimuy's main program of events will run from the 3rd -6th of October, with the Artstory Light Walk remaining in-situ until the 13th of October.
For more fashion, beauty and lifestyle news subscribe for free to the Style Up newsletter.
