THE FOURTH annual Tweed Fusion festival kicks off next weekend with events showcasing the Tweed region from the valley to the coast.
Held across nine days and two weekends from Saturday October 22 to Sunday 30 October, the fourth annual Tweed Fusion will showcase the diversity and creativity of the Tweed Valley and Tweed Coast communities and the abundance of local gourmet produce and cuisine for which the Tweed is renowned.
Set against striking bush and beach backdrops, Tweed Fusion is a celebration of arts, music, food and culture presented by Caldera Institute and Destination Tweed.
The rich and unique feast of inspiring events will include pop-up art galleries, markets, self-drive and guided tastes tours, a Tastes of Tweed foodie festival held beachside under the stars at Hastings Point and a country picnic, which sets guests on board the Spirit of Wollumbin up the Tweed River to a secret mooring for a glass of bubbles, live music and lunch created from farm-fresh local produce.
The signature dinner at Tweed Regional Gallery returns with drinks and canapes, a tour of the Margaret Olley Art Centre and its latest exhibition led by filmmaker and journalist Meg Stewart, author of the award-winning biography Margaret Olley: Far from a Still Life, followed by dinner in the Gallery Cafe overlooking the Tweed River.
Tyalgum hosts a dance spectacular, featuring performances by Australia’s best ballroom, Latin and New Vogue dancers and an opera singer under fairylights in its heritage-listed hall, while the popular creative trail moves from beach to bush to take art and music out of the studio and into the valley where the picturesque hinterland village celebrates its Spring Fair.
Arts highlights include performances by classical musicians and a popera program that doubles as charity fundraiser with proceeds headed to You Have a Friend, volunteers who supply fresh food and meals to the marginalised and homeless.
Families will enjoy magical Murwillumbah Theatre Company performances of Ali Baba, featuring the Baba family, 40 thieves and a dancing camel.
Destination Tweed CEO, Bill Tatchell said “Tweed Fusion is a celebration of everything there is to love about the Tweed; the arts, culture, food and lifestyle, packaged up into an inspirational nine days and spread across some of the Tweed’s most picturesque locations.”
“We have brought back some of the favourites and success stories from previous years and added some new events in 2016.”
Tweed Fusion project manager Anne Duke said the festival, with an extended nine-day program to allow collaboration with Taste the Tweed and Tyalgum Spring Fair, would showcase the best Tweed had to offer.
“It’s all about food, farmers, creative arts and landscape, it’s relaxed – our motto is explore, relax and enjoy,” she said.
What’s on week one
HEAVENLY SOUNDS
A recital by Duo Piacere held in the beautiful little Living Waters Church followed by a High Tea at the House of Gabriel.
DATE: Saturday October 22
VENUE: Living Waters Church and House of Gabriel, Riverside Dve Tumbulgum
TIME: Concert 2-3pm followed by a fabulous high tea
COST: $50
BOOKINGS: Are essential. Book online or call 1800 674 414
TASTE THE TWEED @ TWEED FUSION
Join our First Taste the Tweed on the Tweed Coast, as we celebrate in style with Tweed Fusion and all things food, art and culture that the Tweed has to offer. A selection of the Tweed’s best cafes and restaurants will offer $6 & $12 tasting plates showcasing the fresh produce and gastronomic diversity of the Tweed. Live music, bar.
DATE: Saturday October 22
VENUE: Hastings Point
TIME: 4–10 pm
COST: Book a seat at one of our long tables ($15 per seat)
BOOKINGS: For a long table seat are essential. Book online or call 1800 674 414
TYALGUM DANCE SPECTACULAR
A special evening in this historic valley village. Hearts Aflame Productions present an elegant evening featuring Australia’s best Ballroom, Latin and New Vogue dance couples and guest operatic soprano Petah Chapman in the historic Tyalgum Hall. Dinner packages at Flutterbies.
DATE: Saturday October 22
VENUE: Tyalgum Hall and Flutterbies, Tyalgum
TIME: Dinner at 6pm show at 8pm
COST: Dinner & Show $95; Show only $60
BOOKINGS: Are essential
AN OPERATIC AFTERNOON
Our special guests, charismatic singers, soprano Yasmin Ismail and tenor Michael Lapina, bring an afternoon of favourite opera songs to the Tweed Valley. Join us at the heritage listed Tumbulgum Community Hall for a memorable Tweed Fusion experience. .
Profits from the day will be donated to You Have a Friend – an amazing group of volunteers ensuring fresh food and meals are provided to the marginalised and homeless in the Tweed Valley community
DATE: Sunday October 23
VENUE: Tumbulgum Community Hall, Riverside Drive Tumbulgum
TIME: 2pm
COST: $20 adults, children free
BOOKINGS: Preferred but not essential
TO MARKET TO MARKET
Passionate promoter and user of local produce chef Jonathon Evans from Jujus will use market fresh produce for a cooking demonstration at the Murwillumbah Farmers’ Market.
DATE: Wednesday October 26
VENUE: Murwillumbah Showground, Queensland Road, Murwillumbah
TIME: 9am (market open 7-11am)
COST: Free
BOOKINGS: Not necessary
TASTE THE TWEED TASTING TOUR
Kerry Turner the Director of the popular Tweed Foodie Fest is hostess for a day enjoying fab fresh local produce and stunning locations and views of the Tweed Valley; starting with a coffee tasting and tour at the plantation; and then a gourmet two course lunch and glass of wine at the character filled converted cottage at Potager – a kitchen garden; finishing the day with a tour and tasting at Tropical Fruit World.
Proudly sponsored by Mount Warning Tours
DATE: Thursday October 27
VENUE; Wirui Estate/ Potager – a kitchen garden/Tropical Fruit World
TIME: Bus leaves the Murwillumbah Visitors Centre cnr Tweed Valley Way and Alma
Streets at 10 am –return 4.30 pm (DST)
COST: $100 (inclusive of tours/tastings/two course lunch and glass of wine).
BOOKINGS: Are essential – numbers limited for a special Tweed Valley experience.
Book online or call 1800 674 414.
See next weeks edition for Tweed Fusion’s week two events