An international circus group will make their way to Tara next month offering a range of creative fun for the young, and young at heart.
Thanks to a partnership between Western Downs Regional Council and A Good Catch, residents from across the region are being invited to Tara to take part in free 'Laugh and Craft' workshops, as well as watch three intergenerational women tumble, talk, and fly precariously during their acrobatic circus performance of 'Casting Off'.
Council Spokesperson for Community and Cultural Development Councillor Kaye Maguire said these unique events were a fantastic way to connect the region through exciting experiences not normally offered to regional towns.
"Western Downs Regional Council is thrilled to be bringing this program to our region which is about uniting our local people and boosting our active, vibrant communities by offering new opportunities everyone can get involved in," Cr Maguire said.
"Casting Off is a theatrical circus experience suitable to 12 years and above and celebrates thoughtful, strong, and resilient individuals, like those of the Western Downs community.
"It's an opportunity for the community to come together, socialise, and have a fun night out at an award-winning and internationally acclaimed circus show at an affordable price."
Casting Off has won three fringe awards including the BankSA Best Circus & Physical Theatre Award – Adelaide 2019, the Total Theatre & Jacksons Lane Award for Best Circus at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018, and Best Circus at Melbourne Fringe 2018.
Prior to the performance, Circus Artists Spenser Inwood, Sharon Gruenert & Debra Batton will also deliver Laughs & Craft community workshops and a closed school-based workshop.
"The Laugh & Craft workshops are one-of-a-kind community gatherings which invite stitching enthusiasts of all skill levels to connect, chat about life, and share their work," Cr Maguire said.
"Meanwhile, a dedicated school session in Tara will offer the region's youth with a thrilling challenge where they will learn new tricks, build skills in balance and basic acrobatics, all while increasing capacity for collaborative learning.
"This unique program of events will be a magnificent experience for anyone who attends, and I would highly recommend making the time to go along to the workshops and performance, have a laugh and make memories with your fellow community members."
Casting Off is a circus show developed and performed by Melbourne based group A Good Catch, and produced by Brisbane based Cluster Art who are committed to bringing a quality circus to the region.
Debra Batton, co-founder at A Good Catch said they were looking forward to bringing these events to the Western Downs and sharing their art with the community.
"A Good Catch formed in 2017 with the aim to experiment with circus and nurture our own creative voices with a feminist tone and proactive attitude, reinventing the collective approach to devised performance. We can't wait to share this with the Western Downs community at our Casting Off circus and workshops," Debra said.
"Self-directed, hand-knitted, and honouring the life events that get in the way of work, this theatrical circus is a joyous accumulation of moments that shine a light on women relating to each other in playful, fruitful relationships.
"Flipping, climbing and flying to a soundscape of the many disparate texts that embody each day, Casting Off is nonnarrative circus where the personal is political, the furious is funny, and the acrobatics are downright dangerous. It's a disarming, hilarious show about living on the edge and talking about it.
"I'm excited to meet all the incredible people who come along to our workshops and the show."
The Laugh & Craft workshops will be held at the Chinchilla Creative Centre on Friday 12 May from 9.30am to 11am, and the Tara Soldiers' Memorial Hall on Saturday 13 May from 10am to 11.30am.
The Casting Off Circus will be performed on the Saturday 13 May at Tara Soldiers' Memorial Hall with the doors opening at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start. The show is suitable for ages 12 and over with an entry fee of $5 for 18 years and above, and free for anyone under 18.
