Council has approved $240,000 in funding to support for two First Nations entertainment events to be held in Cairns later this year.
A two-year funding agreement of $160,000 will support the Shine On Gimuy 2024 and 2025 events.
Council also endorsed a contribution of up to $80,000 to support Queensland Music Festival to deliver Dream Aloud 2024.
Shine On Gimuy and Dream Aloud are key events in the 'Tropics Trail' – part of the state-wide Queensland Music Trails (QMT) program supported by the Queensland Government.
Shine on Gimuy is a First Nations multi-arts festival in its second year following a successful inaugural event in 2023, which was also supported by Council.
The 10-day free public festival will be held at the Cairns Esplanade from 3 October this year, with ticketed events also at the Salthouse.
The festival program has been curated and developed in partnership with local artists and local First Nations groups.
Dream On is a new contemporary music event to be held on 5 October, and is produced by QMF in collaboration with Shine On Productions, under the curatorial guidance of leading Indigenous producer, Rhoda Roberts AO.
The event will incorporate First Nations contemporary music, including nationally renowned artists.
The Tropics Trail is scheduled to take place in October each year and as well as Dream On and Shine On Gimuy, includes the Yarrabah Music Festival and Savannah in the Round.
