World music festival and NAIDOC artworks celebrate diversity for SPARK Ipswich
04 July 2022
A smorgasbord of world music in Springfield Central and inspiring multistorey light-based art installations in the city’s heart as part of the SPARK Ipswich program will celebrate our multicultural community.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said SPARK Ipswich will showcase the city’s culturally and linguistically diverse community with a one-day world music festival and NAIDOC Week inspired art installations.
“The towering spires of St Mary’s Church will again be reimagined to become the heritage-listed sandstone canvas for deLight projections, profiling unique works by four First Nations artists as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations,” Mayor Harding said.
“SPARK Ipswich’s artistic centrepiece is the perfect platform to celebrate the achievements of our local Indigenous community and learn more about their culture through the beautiful art of Kylie Hill, Jacob Sarra, Jarryd Lawton and Jennifer Kent from 7 to 10 July.
“This year’s expanded festival program features several new additions including the festival’s hub – luminate – where friends and family can gather and enjoy SPARK AFTER DARK in the rejuvenated Ipswich Central and WOMI, now a free one-day world music festival in Springfield Central.
“Ipswich is proud of its rich history and wonderfully diverse community that is home to more than 150 nationalities, and it is this convergence of cultures and our people that make Ipswich so great.”
Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully said WOMI on Sunday 10 July will see plenty of entertainment with an incredible line-up of musicians from across the globe take over Orion Springfield Central.
“Orion Springfield Central will be bursting with music, colour and delicious smells of international cuisines and artisan market stalls, to make WOMI a street festival to remember,” Cr Tully said.
“Visitors can also look forward to brilliant Brazilian dancers, African Drummers, Vietnamese Lion roving entertainers and more than a dozen world music acts.”
Division 2 Councillor Councillor Nicole Jonic said events like WOMI help the community reflect on how truly diverse Ipswich is and celebrates the city’s multicultural past and vibrant future.
“Council is committed to nurturing an inclusive, harmonious and cohesive city, and WOMI celebrates the multicultural diversity of many families throughout the in Springfield region and across Ipswich,” Cr Jonic said.
Sadliers Crossing resident and No Way Jose singer Milly Sargeant said the band are excited to bring the joy and danceability of Latin music to WOMI and Springfield Central.
“I have lived in Ipswich for 16 years, but our pianist, percussionist, trombonist and bassist all arrived here from Colombia at different points during the last decade or so,” Ms Sargeant said.
“Life for our band has been a mix of cultural adaptation, getting introduced to other migrant cultures, and finding opportunities to celebrate Colombian and Latin American food, music and community through events like WOMI.
“We are hoping to inspire the WOMI audience to go home and continue to listen to Latin music, and that Latino migrant families will feel represented onstage and connected through our music to audience members from other cultures.”
SPARK Ipswich 2022 will deliver 15 events over 11 days. The full program and ticketing information are available at SparkIpswich.com.au
SPARK IPSWICH MULTICULTURAL PROGRAM SNAPSHOT:
SPARK AFTER DARK – deLight – 7 to 17 July
Over 11 nights St Mary’s Church is the stunning backdrop and is transformed into a projection art piece, profiling local artists heritage architecture and culture of Ipswich its people and places. Participating local artists include Kylie Hill, Jacob Sarra, Jarryd Lawton, Jennifer Kent, Rebecca Lewis, Lee FullARTon, Colin Mac, Kenneth Gavin Lewis, Glen Smith and Jessica Andersen.
WOMI: Sunday 10 July
Main Street, Orion Springfield Shopping Centre
A one-day world music festival showcasing and celebrating the vibrancy of Ipswich and South East Queensland’s culturally and linguistically diverse community. Line-up includes Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra, Sasta, Estampa, MZAZA, No Way Jose, East of West, Tibet2Timbuk2, Shanasheel Arabic Music Ensemble, Mircha Mangiacotti Quartet and many more.
Spirit Of Place – Here, There and Everywhere: 25 July to 21 August
Ipswich Art Gallery|
An exhibition of new work by much loved local indigenous artist, Kamilaroi woman Sally Harrison. Sally is recognised for her distinctive use of traditional dot painting in a contemporary impressionistic style. Now in her 70’s, Sally’s work has been exhibited widely and is featured in the City of Ipswich and private collections.
SPARK Ipswich is delivered through the support of the following partners:
Foundation Partner: Ipswich City Council; Major Partners: Ripley Town Centre, Orion Springfield Central, Stockland Providence and The Queensland Government; Support Partners: Brick Lane Brewing, Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC), and Quest Springfield Central; Media Partners: Bishopp, Scenestr, 4ZZZ and QMusic; Programming Partners: Ipswich Libraries, first5forever, Ipswich Art Gallery, Studio 188, Ipswich Civic Centre, Ipswich Waste Services, Ipswich Catholic Community, Ipswich City Orchestras, Circa 160, Goleby’s Basement and Hotel Metropole.