Festival of Mosman gets bigger
Mosman’s biggest biennial community celebration, Festival of Mosman, returns this year with a record number of more than 60 events, hosted by Mosman Council and local organisations.
With events spreading across 10 days from Friday 18 to Saturday 27 October, there will be something for everyone, from outdoor concerts, open air cinemas, the OctoberFeast night market, a public art program, Pet’s Day Out and Children’s Fair to an Italian feast on the Village Green and Traditional Sunset Ceremony at Balmoral Beach.
“The festival showcases the best of our stunning natural environment, village atmosphere, culture and heritage,” Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan said.
The Festival Opening Concert is a great way to unwind and enjoy live music, as the sun sets at Balmoral Beach on Friday 18 October form 6-8.30pm. Award winning vocalist and one of Australia’s favourite voices in jazz, Emma Pask will headline the concert. Emma and her band will entertain the crowd along with a host of local talent including Mosman Musical Society and Mosman-based Jacques Emery Band representing the Mosman Music Club.
A special screening of the Lego Movie 2 on the Village Green will kick off the first festival movie marathon on Saturday 19 October from 7.15-9pm. The second screening in the movie marathon Bohemian Rhapsody, will start at 9.30pm. Moviegoers will enjoy the later movie through special headphones while under the stars.
The following evening, on Sunday 20 October, an authentic Italian experience, Dinner on the Green, will be held in an intimate setting under the stars and festoon lighting on the Village Green. Guests will enjoy a three-course shared feast by Fourth Village Providore, served on “a tavolo lungo” (long table). They will be entertained by the magical singing of Sylvana Bonacci whose Italian background gives her performances a distinctly European flavour.
Celebrating Aboriginal culture, a Traditional Sunset Ceremony at Balmoral Beach will be led by widely respected Yuin elder Uncle Max “Dulamunmun” Harrison on Wednesday 23 October from 4-8.30pm. The event will feature many engaging workshops such as traditional Indigenous games, native cooking demonstrations, weaving, Yidaki sound healing, ochre painting, traditional fire lighting, whale dreaming ceremony and spear and dance workshops. Highlights of the event, Traditional Sunset Ceremony and Back to Country dance performances, are scheduled to start from 7.15pm.
Throughout the festival, a range of public art events and activities will take place across Mosman, from guided walks of the historic artist camp at Sirius Cove, plein air painting by artists in-situ, a public art walking tour of Mosman to pop up sculptures, soundscapes and art installations in hidden locations. Mosman Art Gallery will host a range of exhibitions including the 2019 Mosman Art Prize – celebrating 72 years and featuring 100 new works by Australian artists.
The Festival will end on a pawfect note with the much-loved Pet’s Day Out at Mosman Square and Village Green on Sunday 27 October from 10am-2pm. The event will have something for every pet and their owner, including Dr Katrina Warren and the Wonderdogs show, DOGA by Rancan Sisters Fitness, performances by Dancing Dogs R Us and much more. There will be many prizes on offer during competitions including Animal Fancy Dress, Best Trick, Cutest Pet, Egg and Spoon, and There’s No Such Thing as the Dog Poo Fairy Race.
The Festival of Mosman 2019 is sponsored by Mosman BMW, the Festival Silver Sponsor.
Festival of Mosman 2019 highlight events include
Festival Opening Concert
Friday 18 October, 6-8.30pmBalmoral Reserve, The Esplanade
Free twilight concert set against the stunning backdrop of Balmoral Beach to celebrate the opening of the Festival of Mosman 2019. Featuring award winning jazz vocalist Emma Pask and performances by Mosman Musical Society and Jacques Emery Band representing the Mosman Music Club.
The Lego Movie 2 (Festival Cinema Under the Stars – Movie Marathon)
Saturday 19 October, 7.15-9pmMosman Village Green
An outdoor screening of The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, a fun and action-packed animated adventure the whole family will enjoy. Children are invited to dress up as their favourite superhero character to go into the draw for a prize.
Bohemian Rhapsody (Festival Cinema Under the Stars – Movie Marathon)
Saturday 19 October, 9.30-11.45pmMosman Village Green
The second screening in the movie marathon, this is the festival’s first outdoor silent cinema. Audience will enjoy the acoustics of Bohemian Rhapsody, a film about the legendary rock band Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury, through special headphones while under the stars. Headphones will be supplied on a first-come first-served basis.
Dinner on the Green
Sunday 20 October, 6.30-9.30pmMosman Village Green
A special authentic outdoor Italian experience. Guests will enjoy a three-course feast prepared by Mosman’s Fourth Village Providore served on “a tavolo lungo” (long table), and be entertained by the magical singing of Sylvana Bonacci in an intimate setting under the stars and festoon lighting on the Village Green.
Price per person is $85pp for set shared three-course dinner and non-alcoholic beverages. BYO wine is allowed. Bookings are essential via festivalofmosman.net.
Traditional Sunset Ceremony
Wednesday 23 October, 4-8.30pmBalmoral Beach, The Esplanade
The traditional sunset ceremony at Balmoral Beach will be led by widely respected Yuin elder Uncle Max “Dulamunmun” Harrison. The event will feature many engaging workshops such as traditional Indigenous games, native cooking demonstrations, weaving, Yidaki sound healing, ochre painting, traditional fire lighting, whale dreaming ceremony and spear and dance workshops. Not to be missed highlights of the event, Traditional Sunset Ceremony and Back to Country dance performances are scheduled to start from 7.15pm.
Delicious native BBQ low and slow smoked proteins and sweets by Mirritya Mundya Indigenous Twist will be available for purchase.
Bookings to attend the event are not required, however bookings are essential for participation in the cultural workshops via festivalofmosman.net.
OctoberFeast Night Market
Thursday 24 October, 4.30-9pmMosman Square and Village Green
Mosman Square and Village Green will provide a magical setting for OctoberFeast, a celebration of the flavours of spring with gourmet food, wine and beer, as well as beautifully crafted artisan goods. There will be live busking entertainment and face painting for the kids.
Children’s Fair
Friday 25 October, 10am-12pmAllan Border Oval, The Crescent
A fun morning out for families, and especially for children up to 5, with outdoor activities, rides, arts and crafts, animals, face painting, music, bubbles and a whole lot more. Children will have a chance to get up close and pat lizards, snakes and a baby crocodile, take a ride on a pirate ship and safari train, explore a cactus cabin and play African drums.
Pet’s Day Out
Sunday 27 October, 10am-2pmMosman Square and Village Green
Pets, their owners and animal lovers are invited to this popular community event. Highlights include Dr Katrina Warren and the Wonderdogs show, Australian Wildlife, Taronga Zoomobile and Mosman Vet displays, Bark Busters Walking Obedience master class, DOGA by Rancan Sisters Fitness and performances by Dancing Dogs R Us.
There will also be plenty of prizes to be won with competitions including Animal Fancy Dress, Best Trick, Cutest Pet, Egg and Spoon, and There’s No Such Thing as the Dog Poo Fairy Race.