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General News

28 September, 2020

Kuranda Amphitheatre set to reopen.

The COVID pandemic has had a devastating effect on live music venues, especially at the Kuranda Amphitheatre where they’ve not had concert since Xavier Rudd in August of 2019

By Phil Brandel

Kuranda Amphitheatre set to reopen. - feature photo

The Kuranda Amphitheatre is set to reopen thanks to the Queensland Government's, Arts Queensland Live Music Venue Support Program.

The Covid pandemic has had a devastating effect on live music venues across the state, especially for unique performance spaces like the Kuranda Amphitheatre where they’ve not had a public gathering or concert since Xavier Rudd in August of 2019.

Recently The Kuranda Amphitheatre received $24,838 through the Live Music Venue Support (LMVS) program for operational costs associated with re-opening and operating the venue.

President of the Kuranda Amphitheatre Liza Dewey said that the money will help keep the venue solvent during the current COVID climate.

“This LMVS money will help us pay the bills and keep us afloat for at least the next 6 months so that when the big concerts to start happening again we can put them on,” she said.

“We have started getting a few tentative enquires and now we have to map the place out for our COVID safety plan to see how many people we can fit in due to COVID.”

The Kuranda Amphitheatre Society also received $11,600 through the Play Local funding program which is aimed at regional Queensland artists and performers.

Ms Dewey said that the Play Local Funding will be used to pay local performers and to put on performances for local residents.

The very first Play Local event will be held on October 10, with Secret Tuesday, One love, The Muddy Barron shakers, The Koahlition, Willie Brim and friends, The Kuranda Choir and a local DJ.

“We are calling it the Kuranda Spring recovery day and there are only about 400 tickets available,” Me Dewey said.

“It will be a daytime event starting at 11am and we will have security enforcing social distancing and seating, people can buy tickets from the Honey House in Kuranda.

Rohan Rusch from Koahlition said he and his bands mates can’t wait to start playing live music again.  “We are really keen to get back here and play as some of the greatest bands in the world have played here,” he said.

“The last time we played together was about 8 months ago; it’s been really hard for musicians as we haven’t had anywhere to play.”

Ms Dewey said that not having gigs has affected the community in a number of different ways.

“The community has really missed it; we really need a coming together and some great live music,” she said.

“We need to do something fun rather than concentrating on the doom and gloom around at the moment.”

When the Amphitheatre is operating Ms Dewey said it’s a financial boost for the local community and businesses. “When we do have a big band come in, we can fit in around 3500 people so it brings a lot of money into the town,” she said

“Money wise it helps the community, everything from bus hire to local food suppliers, accommodation, cleaners and more.

“We do have some big-name bands enquiring at the moment, but unfortunately I can’t mention their names. They are just looking to see if number wise it’s worth their while and it will also depend on if the borders are open.”

 

 

 

 

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