2010 heralds an exciting new winter season for Tasmania, with the launch of the island's new winter campaign – Lumina - A Winter of Festivals. The first of a three year program, Lumina 2010 brings together over 100 events and festivals, including hero events such as the Australian Shakespeare Festival, the Festival of Voices, the Festival of Broadway, Hawthorn Football Club's matches at Aurora Stadium, Savour Tasmania, Junction Arts Festival, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Targa Tasmania.
Targa Tasmania signalled the start of Lumina, kicking off on 27 April on a six-day adrenaline fuelled road rally around the island. Tasmanian driver, Jason White, emerged as the winner in the Modern section after winning the race in his Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo Strada, adding a second Targa Tasmania title to his 2005 win. Other winners included Victorian, Rex Broadbent (Classic Outright competition), Melburnian Paul Batten (Classic Handicap competition), Tasmanian Tony Warren (Showroom Competition and Australian Tarmac Championship), Victorian Andrew Richmond (Early Modern Competition) and Tasmanian Wayne Clark (Vintage Competition).
Other Lumina events occurring in June and July include the Tasmanian Red Wine Weekend, TasPride Queens Ball, Tastings at the Top, Festival of Voices, Chocolate Winterfest and Devonport Jazz Festival which are featured below.
For a full and up-to-date listing of Tasmanian events and information on travelling to Tasmania, visit the Lumina website at http://lumina.discovertasmania.com/ and the Discover Tasmania website at www.discovertasmania.com, or call 1800 623 191.
JUNE
TASMANIAN RED WINE WEEKEND – 12 – 13 June 2010
An annual winter event, the popular Tasmanian Red Wine Weekend brings together winemakers and vignerons from vineyards across the state to educate, showcase, and talk about their best reds. Held in the historic sandstone surrounds of Salamanca Arts Centre, the event will feature some of Tassie's best Pinot Noirs, Gamays, Cabernets, Merlots, Sparkling Reds and Roses for tastings and purchase.
WHEN: Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 June 2010, 12:00pm – 5:00pm
WHERE: The Long Gallery, Salamanca Arts Centre, 77 Salamanca Place, Hobart TAS 7000
HOW: Entry costs $15.00 for wine tastings, a wine glass, a tasting note booklet, pen and entry to the lucky door prize. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 03 6223 3770.
For more information on the festival, contact Gerald Ellis on geraldellis@meadowbankwines.com.au or Gill Christian at gill@coalvalley.com.au. W: http://lumina.discovertasmania.com/events/tasmanian-red-wine-weekend
TASPRIDE QUEENS BALL – 13 June 2010
The TasPride Queen's Ball is one of the most colourful and highly-anticipated events in Tassie's gay and lesbian calendar, and is held on the Sunday of the June long weekend each year. The vibrant event is renowned for being the place to see some fanciful and extravagant costumes, and engage in a fun-filled night of great shows (previous balls have featured Millie Minogue and Savage) and outrageous themes (previous themes have included Superqueero, Brokeback Mountain, Sunday Night Fever and Circus). The Ball is one of Tassie's most flamboyant fundraising events, with the 2010 theme being SPACE. Held at the Tattersalls Hotel, 'A Spaced-Out Odyssey' will feature galactic décor, a costume competition and parade, hosts Miz Ima Starr and Virginia Hamm, two dancefloors, great DJs and other surprises.
WHEN: Sunday, 13 June 2010
WHERE: Tattersalls Hotel, Murray Street, Hobart
HOW: Tickets start at $15 for GLC Centre Members and $25 for non-members and can be purchased from Centertainment at www.centertainment.com.au. Tickets will also be sold at the door on the night for an additional $5 cost.
For more information on the festival, contact Duncan Johnson on 0419 565 452.
W: http://lumina.discovertasmania.com/events/taspride-queens-ball
TASTINGS AT THE TOP – 26 – 28 June 2010
Held in the beautiful surrounds of Cradle Mountain in the luxurious Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tastings at the Top is one of the island's premier epicurean events. The three day, two night package has been rated among the country's best food and wine experiences, and is packed with activities that will thrill food lovers including lunches and degustation dinners with wine matching, cooking demonstrations, fresh produce markets and wine and cheese tastings. The food retreat includes pampering spa treatments at Waldheim Alpine Spa, and relaxing wilderness walks through the beautiful area. The 2010 Tastings at the Top event will be jointly hosted by Peter Bourne "The Wine Man" from Sydney, and Nick Haddow, owner and artisan cheese maker at the Bruny Island Cheese Company.
WHEN: Saturday, 26 to Monday, 28 June
WHERE: Cradle Mountain Lodge, 4038 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain TAS 7306
HOW: Packages start at $1,902 (one person) and $3,190 (twin share) for a Pencil Pine Cabin. To make a booking, contact Cradle Mountain Lodge's Reservations staff on 1300 806 192 or email reservations@cradlemountainlodge.com.au.
For more information on the festival, contact Cradle Mountain Lodge on 1300 806 192 or email reservations@cradlemountainlodge.com.au. W: http://lumina.discovertasmania.com/events/cradle-mountain-lodge---tastings-at-the-top
JULY
FESTIVAL BONFIRE AND BIG SING – 10 July
Part of the up lifting Festival of Voices, the Festival Bonfire and Big Sing is one of the event's highlights, and a great way for the community and visitors to come together and partake in a night of singing around an enormous bonfire in the beautiful and historic surrounds of Salamanca Place, on Hobart's waterfront. Over 3000 people gathered around the bonfire last year to sing Hunters & Collectors Throw Your Arms Around Me and this year, the Festival of Voices is working with radio station 936 ABC Hobart to create a Flash Mob Choir for the event. Visiting artists and choirs who have taken part in the Festival will also be at the Big Sing to perform the songs they have sung at the festival.
WHEN: Saturday 10 July
WHERE: Salamanca Place, Hobart TAS 700
HOW: The Festival Bonfire and Big Sing is a free community event.
For more information on the festival, contact the Festivals of Voices office on 03 6224 5975 or info@festivalofvoices.com. W: http://lumina.discovertasmania.com/events/festival-of-voices
LATROBE CHOCOLATE WINTERFEST – 11 July
A winter favourite, the Latrobe Chocolate Winterfest is held each year in the town of Latrobe, and is a day of decadent indulgence centred around the "food of the gods". Designed to indulge, inform, astound and amuse, the festival will immerse visitors in all things chocolate, from a chocolate dessert competition entitled My Chocolate Love Affair (entrants can channel their inner culinary gods/goddesses and create a sumptuous chocolate dessert after the theme 'A Chocolate Love Affair'), to chocolate cake decorating and creating "Chocolate Wonders of Wearable Art". The full program will be available from the Chocolate Winterfest website in early May.
WHEN: Sunday 11 July
WHERE: Various venues in Latrobe
For more information on the festival, contact Michelle Dutton on 03 6421 4650 or enquiries@chocolatewinterfest.com.au.
W: http://lumina.discovertasmania.com/events/chocolate-winterfest-latrobe
DEVONPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL – 22 – 25 July 2010
The Devonport Jazz Festival is held in the town of Devonport, where the Spirit of Tasmania docks on its daily trip between Tasmania and Melbourne. The festival is a celebration of all things jazz – from old jazz styles to new, swing to Latin, be-bop, funk, gospel, Dixieland, big band, gypsy and blues. The four-day extravaganza marries jazz with visual art, dance, film, education and food in a range of intimate venues, allowing Tasmanians and visitors to enjoy great-quality food while listening to the cool jazz rhythms. This year, the festival is negotiating standout performances including a Tribute to "Fats" Waller, The Music of Django Reinhardt, the Southern Gospel Choir, Howler's Cotton Club, George Washingmachine & The String Band, The Great American Songbook and Ingrid James & Trudy Kerr.
WHEN: Thursday 22 – Sunday, 25 July
WHERE: Multiple venues in Devonport CBD including the Devonport Entertainment and Convention Centre
HOW: Tickets can be booked at the Devonport Entertainment and Convention Centre and online from mid-May. Tickets to events at all other Devonport venues can be booked through the venue itself.
For more information on the festival, contact Devonport Jazz on 03 6424 0511 or email devonportjazz@devonport.tas.gov.au.
W: http://lumina.discovertasmania.com/events/devonport-jazz
Travel to Tasmania
Travellers can fly to Tasmania on Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Qantas, Tiger Airways or Rex Airlines, or take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Port Melbourne (VIC) to Devonport (TAS).