Entertainment
23 May, 2025
New acts to dazzle Carnivale
WRITING the ‘Goss’ has certain perks and with the Port Douglas Carnivale just about to get underway, I was lucky enough to capture an early glimpse of The Maho Magic Bar, a new attraction for this year’s event.
The bar has actually been up and running for over a week now and will be in Dixie Park, Port Douglas, for four weeks, organised by Broad Encounters Productions.
The bar, which offers earlier evening acts for families and a “raunchier” offering later at night, is one of the latest attractions to be added to the Carnivale after sell out shows across Australia.
Apart from enjoying the humour of each act as they rotated around the various tables in the venue, the sleight of hand was a pleasure to watch and certainly had me puzzled.
All up, Maho Magic Bar is a colourful and entertaining new feature for Carnivale, in my opinion, and this thought was certainly shared by others
“The Port Douglas Carnivale is getting bigger and bigger every year and the Maho Magic Bar will be a great new addition for the Shire,” Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said.
Direct from Japan the bar, described as part-show, part-bar and all magic, offers the opportunity to be transported to a neon-lit Tokyo night of mischief, amazement, cocktails and laughter as Japan’s very best close-up magicians and sleight-of-hand specialists perform exclusive magic shows at your table.
The bar is said to put a wild contemporary spin on magic traditions that date back to Japan’s Edo period.
“The Japanese have a great affinity with magic and maho magic is a homage to traditional magic techniques in Japan with a contemporary twist,” said Kirsten Siddle, creative director of Broad Encounters Productions.
Another fantastic addition to this year’s Port Douglas Carnivale is Savannah Sounds, a music festival in the Douglas Shire, which has been a long time coming I believe. Running over three days, this event is being more than welcomed by both locals and visitors.
Most regional communities would be more than happy with one or two headline acts, but thanks to renowned Savannah In The Round director James Dein, the new addition to Carnivale will host numerous well-known artists.
Located at Rex Smeal Park, from Friday, May 23 to Sunday, May 25, the event will support regional, national and international artists and DJs, both old and new, from country music to techno through to traditional Aussie pop and rock.
I have been lucky enough to catch up with a number of the acts on my radio show, together with Mr Dein who said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to deliver Savannah Sounds Port Douglas as part of Carnivale”.
“Having incredible artists like Glenn Shorrock, Sheppard, The Black Sorrows, The Wolfe Brothers, Max Jackson and many more alongside DJ powerhouses Andy Van and Zoë Badwi, makes this a standout celebration of Australian music,” he said.
“With the tropical beauty of Port Douglas as the backdrop, it’s set to be an unforgettable weekend for music lovers from near and far.”
Day one, Friday, May 23, will include Australian disc jockey and record producer Andy Van, half of Maddison Avenue, best known for the UK chart topping hit ‘Don’t Call Me Baby’.
“I’ll be playing tracks from the 90s right through to current day music, so the weekend will bring a great dance element, plus some fantastic great rock and pop artists to the stage as well,” he said.
Friday’s line-up will also include Melbourne Artist Zoe Badwi known for tracks such as ‘Freefallin’.
Day two, Saturday, May 24, will include New Zealand-born, Australian-based DJ, producer and remixer Jolyon Petch, best known for his singles ‘Holding On’ and ‘Dreams’.
“I came up to Port Douglas for my 40th Birthday but didn’t get a chance to DJ,” Jolyon Petch said.
“When the opportunity came up to headline the main stage for Carnivale, I said definitely put me down,” Mr Petch said.
Headlining the night will be band Sheppard playing hits like ‘Geronimo’, plus tracks from their new album Zora.
Amy Sheppard is looking forward to performing in the tropics saying: “You don’t want to miss this one with so many great acts. It will be a fantastic weekend”.
I am particularly looking forward to Sunday, as I will be hosting the afternoon and evening. This finale to the Port Douglas Carnivale will see a number of acts on stage, including veteran singer, song writer Glenn Shorrock.
I’m off to learn my lines for the big night, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
