Inaugural 4-Day Wynnum Fringe Taster in The Augathella Spiegeltent Sept 26 to 29
Attention world - prepare for the yearly pilgrimage to Wynnum, Queens
Over the past four years, Wynnum Fringe has evolved into an award-winning cultural staple on Queensland’s event calendar. This year however, it’ll be a little different!
Firstly, there’s new dates and details.
This year the on the menu is the four-day Wynnum Fringe Taster, being held from Septmber 26 to 29, following Brisbane Festival. Then, from 2025 onwards, the Wynnum Fringe will take place in July, moving from its November home dates. Why? Well Wynnum Fringe founder Tom Oliver said their luck with Mother Nature had run out!
“After four years staging Wynnum fringe in November, our luck with Mother Nature has come to an end. November is just a about the worst month to hold an extended, outdoor event; it’s humid, stormy and wet and windy. Last year we had to cancel a number of shows. So, we’ve listened to Mother Nature and from 2025 onwards, the Wynnum Fringe will be in July, which of course ties in nicely for when we welcome the world for the 2032 Olympic Games,” said Tom.
“This year, we have the Wynnum Fringe Taster as we transition to the new date, and also, as we move into our new home, the iconic Augathella Spiegeltent, which still needs a lot of work, but will have its bare bones outing in September, and together we can manifest the grand design of what it could be,” he said.
Secondly, there’s a new home – The Augathella Spiegeltent.
Thanks to an extraordinary crowdfunding campaign, the iconic Augathella Spiegeltent has travelled 800km from Outback Queensland to Wynnum, and has been lovingly refurnished, to be the home of the Wynnum Fringe Taster, and will host its first audience in over 11 years. *More about The Augathella Spiegeltent at base.
With the release of the 2024 lineup (see over), a new venue and a forward-thinking strategic business plan, Wynnum Fringe, again, is keeping creatively alive against all economic odds.
Following the world record-setting sing-along of "The Wynnum Takes It All" in 2023, Wynnum Fringe and ABC Radio Brisbane are teaming up again for the sequel – “Everyone’s a Wynnum (baby),” a joyful homage inspired by the classic hit from Hot Chocolate.
The Wynnum Fringe Taster – September 26 to 29 - THE PROGRAM
- Melanie Bracewell, international comedian and host of Network 10’s The Cheap Seats, brings her sharp wit to the stage.
- Dinosaur Cupcake Pyjama Party, presented by Iona College Brisbane, a brand-new kids' show starring television legend Ranger Stacey Thomson, produced by Tom Oliver Productions.
- Taste Cabaret presented by De Bortoli Wines, an enticing variety soirée featuring circus, wine, music, and appetisers, hosted by festival favourite Dr. Trevor Jones and showcasing Brisbane circus performer Alice Muntz.
- Massaoke OZ presented by Archie Rose, the European hit sing-along experience with a live rock band and giant lyrics, invites the audience to belt out rock and pop classics.
- Wynnum Fringe Comedy Gala presented by Green Beacon Brewing, promising an evening of laughs with top-notch comedians.
- Yana Marumba (Walk Good), the festival’s traditional opening ceremony, celebrating culture and community.
- PLUS an outdoor bar, food trucks, roaming performers, a caravan stage presented by AMPOL, and more.
“Wynnum Fringe has experienced phenomenal growth over the past five years, and to present a lineup like this in our own venue is a dream come true,” said Tom. “The Taster is a celebration for our community of artists, technicians, audiences, sponsors, Government partners and volunteers who have made this journey with us.”
The Augathella Spiegeltent is at 166 Bay Terrace on a site generously donated by BMD Construction and is the new heart of Wynnum Fringe. With the buzz building, tickets for this taster event are expected to sell out quickly, so online booking is essential.
The Wynnum Fringe Taster – September 26 to 29
TICKETS AND MORE wynnumfringe.com
ABOUT The Augathella Spiegeltent
Three months ago, and 800km away under a spectacular Outback sky, The Augathella Spiegeltent in Augathella (previously known as the The Q150 Shed) was packed down and onto a semi-trailer for the long trip to its new home in Wynnum. The relocation is the brainchild of Tom Oliver and with his team he has revived this forgotten piece of Queensland’s cultural history and given it new life, and at the same time, given arts and community organisations in Brisbane a new place to call home!
A groundbreaking community crowdfund made the relocation and refurbishment happen with the campaign midway to raising $500,000 to finish the restoration.
Designed by world famous fourth-generation Belgian tent-building family The Klessens, The Augathella Spiegeltent was originally commissioned in 2008 by the Queensland Government as part of Queensland’s 150th anniversary celebrations. The venue was a community entertainment centre until it fell into disrepair many years ago. With its uniquely Queensland design, blending traditional 19th century Belgian construction techniques with a quintessential Australian shearing shed aesthetic, The Augathella Spiegeltent is regarded as Australia’s first Spiegeltent of its kind.
For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact Kath Rose on 0416 291 493 or email kath@kathrose.com
Contact details:
Kath Rose on 0416 291 493 or email kath@kathrose.com
