The fourth iteration of the city’s premier arts and culture festival, SPARK Ipswich, is back bigger and better than ever this year over 11 days of jam-packed action from 4 July.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the program for the 2024 SPARK Ipswich Festival has been locked in and it is promising to be another incredible celebration.
“SPARK is now one of council’s signature festivals and has grown to join Planes, Trains & Autos and the Festival of Horsepower as must-see festivals across South-East Queensland,” Mayor Harding said.
“Ipswich is embracing its emerging cultural scene and there will be plenty of local talent on show. I for one can’t wait to see what Ipswich brings to the table in this year’s version of the Common People Dance project, which returns for its second year.
“The group had a real connection with the local Ipswich community last year and they had plenty of support as they represented the city in this madcap celebration of dance.
“The city will reverberate to the music and joy this festival brings as Ipswich transforms into a dynamic cultural experience for locals and visitors alike. This festival brings so much energy and verve to the city – it is one of the highlights of the year.”
The Common People Dance Project is back for SPARK Ipswich 2024, giving everyday folk a chance to bust a move.
Economic and Cultural Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Pye Augustine said SPARK Ipswich will again highlight the city’s creative flair with programming, activations and performances all reflecting the people, places and culture of Ipswich.
“This year’s program is a mix of returning favourites as well as three fresh events including Circuit – Music in Many Places, which will see pulsating beats played across 15 unique venues within Ipswich Central including trendy barbershops, art-filled spaces and pubs,” Cr Augustine said.
“A new event for our younger citizens will be Teddy Bear’s Picnic on 6 July where children and their families are invited to bring your favourite teddy, a picnic rug and brunch and enjoy entertainment on offer.
“And a locally created interactive fibre arts garden for children with reading, craft and play activities called a World of My Own will fill the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre between 24 June and 13 July.”
World of Music Ipswich (WOMI) will bring life, light and colour to SPARK Ipswich this year.
In addition to the packed program of music, performance, exhibitions and workshops, Cr Augustine said returning event favourites will also be on offer including:
- deLight – large scale projection of local artworks in d’Arcy Doyle Place for second year with projection on 143 Brisbane Street and St. Paul’s Anglican Church. A record-breaking 17 local artists’ artwork will be profiled as part of this initiative.
- WOMI (World of Music Ipswich) – Bursting with life, light and colour, WOMI is a one-day world music festival held in Springfield Central with a jam-packed line-up with music from across the globe.
- Little Day Out – A SPARK festival favourite where the young and young at heart are invited to sing, dance, create and play.
- Common People Dance Eisteddfod – Dripping with sequins, sweat and spandex, this will be the ultimate finisher for the SPARK Ipswich 2024 festival.
For more details, including the full program of events across the city, visit www.sparkipswich.com.au
SPARK Ipswich is delivered through the support of the following partners: Ipswich City Council, Ripley Town Centre, Orion Springfield Central, Queensland Museum Rail Workshops Ipswich, Queensland Government, 4EB Radio Brisbane, River 94.9, Scenestr, SAE Creative Media Institute, Imbibis Craft Distillery, Quest Springfield Central, 4Hearts Brewing, Anglican Church, Arttime, Arts Connect Ipswich Inc., Banshees Bar and Artspace, Common People Dance Project, Firestation101, Ipswich Art Gallery, Ipswich Civic Centre, Ipswich Studio 188, Live and Local, and Queen’s Park Environmental Education Centre.
deLight will again see local artworks, like this one by Jacob Sarra last year, projected onto St Paul’s Anglican Church in Ipswich Central.