ARTS ALIVE IN THE HINTERLAND

Street Festival

August the 4th is a date to mark in your calendar, as a special event is set to take over the town of Maleny.

Arts Alive Maleny is a vibrant event hosted in the main street of Maleny that brings the whole town and the incredible talent of the arts community to life all in one evening. It is a circus of the senses where everyone is invited to come and immerse themselves in the unique world class talent that resides in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

As the sun sets, the main street will close to traffic, and come alive with lanterns, light shows and art projections, live music, street performances, and interactive art exhibitions, installations, dance, puppetry, and theatre, comedy, poetry, and pop up workshops, along with a range of intimate gatherings in local cafes and restaurants, artisan stalls and so much more!

The event is the brainchild of local artist, performer and community advocate of the arts Steve McLiesh, and has been in the dreaming for many years, 2023 is the year it will come to life!

“Arts Alive is an event like no other and the first of its kind at this scale in Maleny.” shares Steve.

“The vision is to have the artists of Maleny and surrounds showcased and celebrated, and to shine a massive spotlight on the talent we have right here in the hinterland.

“The idea of the event itself is to create something that feels like it's alive with activity and learning. A place where you don’t know what's going to happen next. It’s flowing and emotive.”

There is no central focus to Arts Alive, rather an atmosphere of many facets, colours and experiences. A place with many art forms represented, all happening at the same time. An eccentric arts village of artisans and arts workers, where the visitor reaches down inside themselves to find the artist within and curates the experience they want to have.

“Maleny is an arts village and we punch above our weight when it comes to talented artists. It’s incredible how many people have started here in Maleny and have gone on to perform internationally, so having an event like this brings all of this to life and gives the whole Sunshine Coast an opportunity to come and experience this talent in a diverse and immersive way!”

Joanne Howard, owner of the local Maleny Art Direct Gallery, is one of the many businesses participating in the Arts Alive event.

“We are really looking forward to this event. This is about showing off what’s here and what has been born here.

“Every second person here in Maleny is an artist whether it's visual, music, poetry. Even when you sit and people watch, Maleny oozes creativity.

“Being part of this event is another opportunity to celebrate this, this is exactly what MAD Gallery is all about and this event is an extension of this.”

Arts Alive Maleny will be held in Maple Street Maleny on the 4th of August. The street will close from 5pm, people are encouraged to purchase tickets online prior to the event, and more information can be found at www.artsalivemaleny.com.au

All funds raised from ticket sales will go directly back into supporting the arts community and the artists bringing you this spectacular event.

This event is proudly supported by Apex, Maleny Lions Club, Maleny Chamber of Commerce, Cr Winston Johnston and Maleny Rotary

For further enquires please contact Steve McLiesh email: steve.mcleish@gmail.com phone: 0428674335