Stage is set for CPAC gala opening

The curtain will be raised on the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) as the city’s cultural community comes together to celebrate the new venue’s opening tomorrow night, Saturday 15 December.

Mayor Bob Manning said the gala event was the culmination of several years’ hard work by countless individuals from concept to completion.

“Three years ago, we unveiled a vision for a world-class performing arts centre for Cairns,” Cr Manning said. “Today, we can proudly state that this vision has been fulfilled.”

The building – which boasts a 940-seat main theatre plus a 400-seat studio theatre – will be officially opened by His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland.

Also in attendance will be Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Queensland and Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch.

“This will be a very special event for the city of Cairns and we’re delighted that all levels of Government will be present to share in this achievement,” Cr Manning said.

Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the new purpose-built CPAC would be a valuable addition for Cairns.

“This new venue will give Cairns the opportunity to host bigger shows and allow Far North Queensland artists and audiences to embrace creativity and experience unique stories,” Ms Enoch said.

Inside CPAC, a cast of about 500 local performers will be the first to experience the new stage.

The evening will start with Symphony For Tomorrow, composed by 15 year old musician Amber Farnan from Redlynch College and presented by the North Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra in collaboration with the Cairns State High School Symphony Orchestra.

Also gracing the stage will be Sounds of Austranesia, standout pieces from the Cairns Junior Eisteddfod, a selection of local choirs and bands, plus an excerpt from the Cairns Choral Society’s Wicked – which will become the first full-length production staged at CPAC in January.

“There a strong emphasis on youth,” Cr Manning said. “They are the performers who will be honing their skills on this stage and entertaining us for years to come.”

The full gala opening event will be live streamed via the Cairns Performing Arts Centre Facebook page.

“This event has been a long time coming and we’re pleased to be able to share it with our community in this way,” Cr Manning said. “We’d like to thank everyone involved with this fantastic project – especially the 1464 people who worked on the construction.”

The Cairns Performing Arts Centre was jointly funded by Cairns Regional Council, the Queensland Government and the Australian Government.