The Noosa Long Weekend Festival, a 13 day festival of theatre, literature, music, dance, film, visual arts, cuisine and barrier-breaking forums – in one of Australia’s most enviable destinations: Noosa Heads, Queensland, from 14th to 26th July.

Recognised as one of Australia’s foremost regional cultural events, the Noosa Long Weekend Festival was launched in 2002 by a local group of creative visionaries wanting to blend their passions with the beautiful environment that is Noosa. The festival’s founding members include prominent Australian playwright David Williamson, author Kristin Williamson, internationally renowned violinist Brett Dean, environmental activist Dr Michael Gloster, restaurateur Leonie Palmer-Fisher together with Rick Clayton and Ros McCauley.

Noosa Long Weekend Festival presents a diverse program of events which in its 12 years has attracted some of the best Australian and international performers, writers, film-makers, musicians, artists, chefs, environmentalists and commentators. The festival will be presenting the stage premiere of the 3 finalist plays from the National One-Act Playwriting Competition of 2015. The finalists were picked as the best of the best, selected from more than 80 entries from across Australia and New Zealand. Noosa Arts Theatre is proud to have been fostering playwriting for over 35 years through this competition, and invites one and all to come along and support these new emerging Australian playwrights, as their new works make their stage debut. Saturday’s final performance will see the announcement of the winner, and the presentation of the six thousand dollar prize pool between the 3 finalists. Have your say and vote on the Nancy Cato Audience Choice Award.

As well as the finalists showcase, the festival will play host to a number of other shows and events. Included on the bill is Now Hear This, ABC Radio National’s storytelling show. People all around Australia tell their personal stories into a microphone, to an audience, without any notes. It’s like being around a campfire, only there are a few more people listening. Join host Melanie Tait for a special night of live stories, as five storytellers reveal their true stories to the theme: THE LAST TIME. The ‘Leading Ladies’, Melody Beck and Johanna Allen, team up for a double-billed event – a superb evening of artistry featuring two of Australia’s leading lights of musical theatre and cabaret. UNSEEN – A Tribute to Marni Nixon, starring Melody Beck. Melody returns to the Noosa Long Weekend Festival by public demand to once again “shine a light on the unseen star of Hollywood screen musicals”. A tribute to the woman remembered as ‘The Voice’ of Hollywood. ‘The Songs That Got Away’. Acclaimed Singer/Actor Johanna Allen takes you back to the Cotton Club in 1930’s Manhattan, against a backdrop of segregated America and patriarchal Hollywood. Allen explores the survivor stories of Harold Arlen and his muses and the volatile uncertain nature of success. Hit after hit written by Harold Arlen, timeless music that has seeped into our consciousness, and now returns to life during Johanna’s performance.

For more information on all the theatre, dance, musical performances, literature, food, visual arts and forums planned over the mammoth 13 days of cultural excellence, visit the Festival’s website and don’t forget to book your seats for the events as tickets will be selling fast.