Noosa Alive Festival ended on Sunday after 10 glorious days and was hailed a great success with festival director Ian Mackellar saying it surpassed even his own expectations.
“There was some real festival magic created this year,” he said.
Festival president Johanne Wright agreed describing the festival as “a world class event and cause for pride”.
“I applaud everyone on their combined monumental efforts – I am absolutely thrilled and very grateful to the entire team, to our extraordinary talented performers, to local individuals and businesses who continue to support us,” she said.
The festival had 16 sold out events and a further four shows selling 90 per cent of tickets.
“All the events were popular and of the highest standard,” festival publicist Giorgi Ciot said. “We had more firsts than ever before – 14 of them. There was a more diverse offering than usual across all genres and some wonderful surprises such as (the Mad About Theatre musical) Disenchanted produced on our own doorstep.
“What this year’s festival proved once again is that quality and excellence in delivery is what it’s all about. There was neither a dud performance, event or experience amongst a massive program of 80 plus events overall.”
This year’s highlights included The J Theatre series, opening act the award winning a capella vocal group The Idea of North and Katie Noonan’s Elixir with Michael Leunig and String Quartet with received standing ovations.
Queensland Ballet, Marjorie Prime, IDA Girls, OLE and Straight From The Hart were exception. And sellout shows included Carlotta Queen of the Cross, Livvy and Pete and Disenchanted.
About 10,000 people joined in the Hot 91 Fire in the Sky, more than 5000 wandered through the Maze Art Street Village and a further 8000 flocked to events across the shire.
Johanne urged people to keep an eye on their website for future plans and assist them by filling in their survey. Visit www.noosaalive.com.au
