‘Come, they told me, the festival is here.’ Drum Atweme.
All eyes on the band leader (Pete Lowson).
Kids on bikes …
… adults too.
A marching band with circus flair.
New arrivals and more on the way.
Dusty Feet hip-hoppers and other movers of the future.
Low-tech Henley-on-Todd.
Shoulder to the wheel for the mums and dads.
Happy little pirates, and some big ones too.
Dear festival, with love …
You were colourful, noisy, fun for all involved but there’s no doubt that as last night’s festival opener, the traditional street parade, you were small and attracted only a small audience. But then Alice is a small town and this month its creative energy is stretched in many directions. Are we big enough to host what was conceived of as a town-wide, even regional, festival at the same time as a fringe festival (Free BBQ Cash Giveaway) and hot on the heels of Desert Song Festival (whose core event was once part of the program) and Desert Mob? Time for a collaborative rethink on scheduling? And maybe a rethink on core purpose and form?
Kieran Finnane