Ipswich’s signature world music event WOMI (World Of Music Ipswich) returns to Orion Springfield Central this Sunday 7 July as part of the SPARK Ipswich Festival schedule.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the free event once again features a jam-packed line up of musicians from across the globe.
“I am looking forward to the performance from Paco Lara, a passionate Spanish flamenco guitarist who is one of the headline acts this year. Recognised as the most prominent flamenco guitarist living in Australia, Paco Lara and his troupe are a world class experience,” Mayor Harding said.
“WOMI is a one-day world music festival highlighting and celebrating the vibrancy of Ipswich and South-east Queensland’s culturally and linguistically diverse community.
“Ipswich currently has more than 20,000 residents who speak a language other than English at home and is home to migrants from 163 countries. Ipswich is a multicultural city, and our residents will be out in force for WOMI.”
Economic and Cultural Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Pye Augustine said as well as the music, workshops will run to involve residents including Origami, Weaving, Brazilian drumming and Henna workshops.
“This festival really does have something for everyone so if you want to try something unique, I suggest a visit to WOMI,” Cr Augustine said.
“This festival is a cacophony of eclectic sounds played by masters of their genres. Come along and make music with the rest of us as these amazing musicians take their sounds to the street.”
Deputy Mayor and Division 2 Councillor Nicole Jonic said WOMI also features multicultural food and artisanal market stalls.
“Springfield Central will be bursting with light, sound and colour on the day with residents able to experience what makes our region such a great place to live, work and play,” Deputy Mayor Jonic said.
“The event will bring a lot of day-trippers to the area, which will result in a lift in foot traffic for local retailers as well. This event, along with the Little Day Out later in the SPARK Ipswich calendar are tremendous crowd pleasers.”
Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully said WOMI allows residents to explore music they may have never heard before.
“The live music sector has surged in recent years around Ipswich with many talented local musicians playing at venues around the city,” Cr Tully said.
“The beauty of WOMI is you can see many different, diverse acts on the same day at the same venue. You can come along, hear something new and maybe head down a different path in your appreciation of music.”
For more details, including the full program of events across the city, visit www.sparkipswich.com.au
WOMI is presented in partnership with Orion Springfield Central and supported by the Queensland Government.
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.