Free event to celebrate CPAC Open Day

THE doors to the Cairns Performing Arts Centre will be thrown wide open in June giving the Cairns community a unique behind the scenes look at the $71 million community facility.

The Open Day will include a live performance at Munro Martin Parklands and tasty local food on Florence Street, bringing The Precinct to life for the first time.

On Saturday 22 June, the celebrations replace the official public opening event in December that had to be cancelled due to bad weather.

Mayor Bob Manning said, “CPAC and Munro Martin Parklands were first and foremost created for the people of Cairns. We want to give everyone in the community a chance to see exactly what these facilities can deliver.

“People who have already been to shows at CPAC will know how great the venue is from the audience perspective, but the stage and back of house areas have always been off limits.

“These are the areas that our local performers will know well, but for most people, the Open Day will be the one chance they have to truly explore the building.

“I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved through The Precinct project.

“Residents now have access to high-quality shows with all the bells and whistles. Our local talent has a facility to rival those of the capital cities. And we have created an even playing field for our young and emerging performers who can go on to the brighter lights with confidence in their knowledge and experience.”

The open day kicks off at 4pm with six hours of food and entertainment.

For the first time Florence Street will be closed to traffic, connecting CPAC and Munro Martin Parklands, with Meet Eat Repeat transforming the roadway into a temporary foodie heaven.

Local musos and a surprise big-name performer will entertain on the Munro Martin Parklands stage with the public is encouraged to bring along friends and family and a chair or picnic rug to kick back and enjoy.

Free tours of the new state-of-the-art CPAC building will also be held throughout the day. Times will be advertised closer to the event date.

CAPTION: Mayor Bob Manning gets a behind the scenes tour of the CPAC back of house.