Arts and Culture
From its earliest days to the present Sandgate has been home to a lively arts community.
The Sandgate Town Hall has been a popular venue for the arts since 1911. Sandgate’s longest running theatre group Sandgate Theatre Inc. runs a year long program of plays and theatre cafes, including the annual Yarrageh Theatre Competition at the town hall.
Music By The Sea is a regular feature on the local calendar bringing hundreds of people to the Sandgate Town Hall for musical programs which range from Classical, Folk, Jazz and World Music. www.musicbythesea.com.au
Sarah Hopkins is an internationally renowned experimental musician who lives locally. Read about her ‘harmonic whirlies’ on www.harmonicwhirlies.com and listen to her CD’s on www.sarahhopkins.com.
The Phoenix Fire Tribe, a modern troupe of performing artists and musicians, integrate everything from fire performance, drumming, music, dance, stilt walking and street theatre in their spectacular performances. They have been active participants in Sandgate Bluewater Festivals since 1986 and now travel around Australia showcasing their talents.
Every Full Moon you will hear the rhythmic pounding of drums on the beach at Shorncliffe as fire dancers and fire stick twirlers present their Moonfest against the backdrop of a full moon rising over Moreton Bay. For more information email moonfest@bigpond.com.
The parklands and streetscape of Sandgate are full of delightful works of art. Well known Queensland sculptors Kathleen and Leonard Shillam have worked most of their life in Brighton producing monumental sculptures in stone and bronze that are represented in galleries around Australia. Einbunpin Lagoon boasts two pelicans finely cast in bronze by Kathleen Shillam and given to the people of Sandgate.
In recent times arts based community organizations like Artrageous Community Arts Centre and Artesanos Arts and Crafts People have revitalised local interest in the arts.
