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| World-Class Festival of Music and Art Opens in Hobart Tasmania's ground-breaking music and arts festival, MONA FOMA, has opened in spectacular style tonight with a free outdoor jazz-funk concert in Hobart's Salamanca Place. Speaking at the opening night concert, Premier David Bartlett said the two-week festival would make a bold statement about Tasmania and its vibrant arts and music culture while entertaining tens of thousands of locals and visitors at mostly free events centred on Hobart's waterfront precinct. "Now in its second year, MONA FOMA shows that a small state like Tasmania can embrace big ideas and be creative, innovative and confident, " Mr Bartlett said. World-class artistic talent from France, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, USA, and New Zealand will join local and national artists for the festival which continues until Sunday 24 January 2010. "The festival hub will be Princes Wharf shed 1 on Hobart's waterfront, which has been completely transformed with art and music installations, and plenty of space to relax and enjoy good food and drinks, " he said. Musical highlights for 2010 include renowned musician and composer John Cale, founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground; pioneering hip hop musician and DJ, Grandmaster Flash; and the world premiere of acclaimed pianist Michael Kieran Harvey's 48 Fugues of Frank. Mr Bartlett said MONA FOMA, which has strong links to the world's most highly regarded arts festival, the Venice Biennale, would also showcase some of the world's leading contemporary visual arts with events centred on the Salamanca Arts Centre, Princes Wharf 1, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and MONA's home at Moorilla Estate. "MONA FOMA is the perfect platform for promoting Tasmania's diverse arts and culture offerings to Tasmanians and visitors alike, and for creating yet another reason to visit our vibrant state, " he said. "The State Government is delighted to be partnering with MONA again and supporting this showcase of artistic innovation. "The State Government's support means that the majority of events will again be free to the public, and that Tasmanian artists will be able to work with renowned musicians and artists from across Australia and around the world. "More than 30, 000 people experienced the first MONA FOMA that was held over four days in 2009. Many more are expected to take part in this year's 16-day festival of music and art, which also includes events celebrating international food and wine, " he said. Mr Bartlett congratulated the Museum of Old and New Art and the Salamanca Arts Centre for the investment and passion that has made this event possible. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |