Australia Day Carnival
The 51st edition of the Australia Day Carnival is expected to include some entertaining and competitive basketball. Teams from wide and far will converge for the annual four-day event, to compete in several divisions. It’s the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Suncoast Clippers. There should be a festival atmosphere at the event, with groovy tunes and a canteen and bar. There will also fun games and prizes, with a local radio station, on Friday afternoon. A jumping castle and sausage sizzle will feature on Sunday, when grand finals will be contested.
Where: Maroochydore Basketball Stadium, Syd Lingard Drive, Buderim.
When: Thursday, January 26, to Sunday, January 29, from 8am (but from 1pm on Friday, January 27).
Entry: Free to watch.
Maroochy Classic
Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club, in partnership with the Summer of Surf series, hosts the Murphy Homes Maroochy Classic from Friday to Sunday. Australia’s longest-running and most-successful club-run surf carnival, the Maroochy Classic started in 1967 and has been conducted almost uninterrupted for 56 years.
Athletes from Maroochydore SLSC will be prominent, with Commonwealth Games gold medallist swimmer Sam Short and Olympic kayaker Alyce Burnett leading the way. Homegrown Nutri-Grain iron athletes Tiarnee Massie and Adam Palmer, plus young guns Olly Monaghan and Joel Piper, will also face off against the best of the rest including Ali Day, Courtney Hancock, Georgia Miller and Matt Bevilacqua. Cash and prizes of close to $60,000 and Summer of Surf series points are on offer.
When: Friday, January 27, to Sunday, January 29.
Where: Maroochydore SLSC, Alexandra Parade, Maroochydore Beach.
Entry: Free to watch.
Sunshine Coast Cup Race Day
One of the Sunshine Coast Turf Club’s biggest race days is poised to attract some exciting racehorses and a huge crowd. The Listed $150,000 Coastline BMW Sunshine Coast Cup will be the feature race, held over 1400m. There will be plenty of track-side entertainment, including live local beats playing favourite tunes throughout the race day followed by complimentary bus departures after the last. The Family Fun Zone returns with children’s entertainment, amusements, lawn games and pony rides. There will also be food trucks.
When: Saturday, January 28, gates open at 10.30am
Where: Corbould Park Racecourse, Pierce Avenue, Corbould Park.
Entry: general admission $20, for more information see Sunshine Coast Turf Club.
The Ingrid James Quartet
Award-winning vocalist Ingrid James embodies the spirit of Brazil with her sultry, powerful ‘warm like chocolate’ voice and irrepressible stage presence. James teams up with celebrated musicians from Brisbane and NSW for A Swingin’ Brazilian
Love Affair. Join these artists for a sensual journey of warm bossa nova and cool sambas, as well as classic swing tunes.
When: Sunday, February 5, 1pm.
Where: Millwell Road Community Centre, 11 Millwell Road East, Maroochydore.
Tickets: $26 via ticketebo.
The Audreys
Live favourites and multiple ARIA award winners The Audreys are back with a new line-up. Led by sultry songstress Taasha Coates, The Audreys have graced festivals and clubs in Australia, Europe and North America.
When: Saturday, January 28, 7.30pm.
Where: Imperial Hotel Eumundi, 1 Etheridge Street, Eumundi.
Entry: $34.70 via Oztix.
The Comedy Cruise
The Mooloolaba Canal Cruise and Funny Coast Comedy invite you to The Comedy Cruise. Join them for an evening of sightseeing and belly laughs on board the MV Mudjimba, featuring the hilariously funny Kat Davidson. This is the only event of its kind on the Coast and places are limited for the 18+ event with bar.
When: Friday, January 27, 5.30pm.
Where: 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba.
Entry: $60 via Mooloolaba Canal Cruise.
Free jam
Welcoming all artists and local inspiring musicians to use Soundbox studios for free. Anyone interested in music, DJing or podcasting and looking to expand their knowledge or skills is encouraged to attend. Under-18s must be with an adult.
When: Tuesday, January 31, 4pm.
Where: Soundbox Studios, 36 Howard Street, Nambour.
Entry: Free event, register via Eventbrite.
First Home Buyers’ Bootcamp
This event is for those who want to take their initial step on the property ladder. You will be introduced to My Big Money Goal: a program aimed at helping young adults master money habits, set financial goals, get into the property market with the First Home Owners’ Grant, and understand the perils of consumer loans and credit card debt.
When: Wednesday, February 1, 6.30pm.
Where: Think Investment Realty, 55 Sugar Rd, Maroochydore.
Entry: Free event. Register via Eventbrite.
Macroinvertebrate Bug Club
Head along for a captivating morning observing invertebrates living in and around waterways. Over the course of the morning, you will learn how to conduct a water health check by looking at a sample of the macroinvertebrates living within the water. You’ll also conduct a mini bio-blitz of the insects around the waterway. Findings will be photographed and added to the iNaturalist project.
When: Saturday, January 28, 9am.
Where: Hell Hole Park, 28 Harris Road, Diamond Valley.
Entry: $10.76 via Eventbrite.
Outspoken Presents: Chris Sarra
Chris Sarra is the author of the remarkable memoir Good Morning, Mr Sarra: the inspiring story of a young boy from a country town who grew up to become Queensland’s Australian of the Year, a subject of the ABC’s Australian Story and one of the most outspoken and recognised educators in the country. His leadership institute and its nationally acclaimed ‘strong and smart’ philosophy, now used in many schools, means that Indigenous children no longer hope for a better education because they can expect it.
When: Wednesday, February 1, 6pm.
Where: 23 Maple Street, Maleny.
Entry: $25 via trybooking.
Musical theatre classes
Coast Academy of Song and Dance is enrolling now for new musical theatre classes. After many years performing professionally overseas in musical theatre and cabaret, Anna Quayle is set to share her knowledge of the entertainment industry with students in Years 6-10, in the new series of classes. “Each class involves tuition in singing, dancing and acting which makes it fun for both the students and myself as the teacher. We also have great fun putting on shows, one at the end of each semester,” she said. Participants can enjoy a free trial class.
When: Classes start on Tuesday, February 7.
Where: Nambour State College, 1 Carroll Street, Nambour, and Cooroy Memorial Hall, 23 Maple Street, Cooroy.
Entry: For more information phone 0466 508 489 or email anna@songanddancenoosa.com.au.
Weekend gig guide
Friday, January 27
- Pat Tierney: Bob Dylan Tribute, Eumundi Brewery, 7.30pm.
- Blow Ins, Solbar, 7pm.
- Alys Ffion, Cooroy RSL, 6pm.
- AQAA, Maroochy RSL, 6pm.
- Uncle Salty, Caloundra RSL, 9pm.
- Kahl, Maroochy Surf Club, 7.30pm.
- Duology, Alex Surf Club, 7.30pm.
- Malia Stirling, Mooloolaba Surf Club, 4pm.
Saturday, January 28
- The Audreys, Imperial Eumundi, 7.30pm.
- Tay Oskee, Solbar, 7pm.
- Luke Dickens Duo, Maroochy RSL, 5.30pm.
- Alter Ego, Caloundra RSL, 9pm.
- Tony Boyd, Maroochy Surf Club, 7.30pm.
- Andy V Muso, Alex Surf Club, 7.30pm.
- Michael Gerahty, Mooloolaba Surf Club, 4pm.
Sunday, January 29
- Romeo and Juliet, Maroochy RSL, 6pm.
- Ricky the Rockstar, Alex Surf Club, 1pm.
- Alexis, Mooloolaba Surf Club, 2pm.
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