For Brisbanites, nothing sums up social life in our city more than the backyard party, so this year Brisbane Festival is once again jumping the fence, invading these suburban kingdoms and bringing some friends over for a bit of a knees up.

If there’s ever a good time to sneak a peak over your neighbour’s fence it’s between 4-25 September when the Brisbane Festival’s Brisbane Backyards programme supplies the music for a series of eight intimate events, which celebrate the good old backyard get-together in style.

The musical talents on display vary from classical and jazz to Latin, pop and Australian rock and roots, with artists and influences from our very own backyards to as far away as Colombia – tickets are $15.00 for adults and free for kids under 12 years old.

Residents of Yeronga, Brookfield, Northgate, Carina, Alderley, Newmarket, Norman Park and Everton Park have already offered up their outdoor space for a backyard bash.

Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Noel Staunton said Brisbane Backyards was another creative way of expanding the boundaries of the Brisbane Festival into suburban spaces.

“This is a fantastic and uniquely-Queensland way to appreciate arts, by taking performances outside of set venues and into the locations which quintessentially sum up Brisbane social life – backyards,” Mr Staunton said.

So grab your friends, family, picnic rug and esky and pop round to the neighbour's for some of the best live music around.

All events from 4.30-5.30pm (gates open at 4pm)
The eight events are:
 

belladiva
On Saturday 4 September Brisbane Festival with Melissa and Clark Anderson invite you to see belladiva in their backyard in Yeronga. belladiva are a sextet of sassy sopranos who are changing the face of opera. These girls charm and captivate with their unique sound and striking musical repertoire of opera classics, pop opera hits and musical theatre favourites – all delivered with a dash of 21st century style and sophistication.

The Rooftops
On Sunday 5 September Brisbane Festival with Carla and Scott Burns invite you to see The Rooftops in their Northgate backyard and take an excursion through the musical contours of soul, reggae, and funk grooves. The band is synonymous with Valley venue The Bowery (voted Best Bar in Australia), where they cultivated their fresh organic sound during a four-year residency, before taking their earthy, uplifting vibes to scores of venues across Australia.

The Twoks
On Saturday 11 September Brisbane Festival with Sue and Nick invite you to see The Twoks in their Carina backyard and enjoy the best of improvised contemporary music. This trio uses electric violin, esoteric vocals, and drum and bass to carve out a nice little niche just to the left of jazz, where haunting and exuberant instrumentals sit alongside jangly melodic pop lines and heartfelt balladeering.

Asa Broomhall Band
On Sunday 12 September Brisbane Festival with Libby and Peter Turnbull invite you to see Australia's Rock and Roots larrikin Asa Broomhall whose fusion of Rock and Roll, Folk, Blues, Country and Calypso is guaranteed to get audiences moving. Asa’s guitar driven style, stunning instrumental skill, sharp lyrics and finely woven melodies have won over audiences across Australia, the UK, Canada and U.S. – it’s now Alderley’s turn so don’t miss out.

Madeleine Paige
On Saturday 18 September Brisbane Festival with Jan and David Bodman invite you to see Madeleine Paige in their Brookfield backyard. Madeleine sings sweet jazz/country infused ditties and with an ever-changing line-up, her effortless velvety vocals could be accompanied by violin, vibraphone, or even a dash of double bass. She has appeared alongside such artists as Kate Miller-Heidke, Washington and End Of Fashion.

Francesca de Valence
On Sunday 19 September Brisbane Festival with Marie and Pat Nolan invite you to see Brisbane musician Francesca de Valence in their backyard at Norman Park. Francesca‘s shimmering and accessible blend of pop, rock and folk, the sweet clarity of her voice and her fresh energetic melodies have earned her recognition across the globe. She won a Los Angeles Music Award for International Songwriter of the Year in 2008 and has been hailed by industry leaders as one to watch.

Susanna O'Leary
On Friday 24 September Brisbane Festival with Diane Davies invites you to see Susanna O'Leary in her backyard in Everton Park. This singer/songwriter’s repertoire combines Latin, pop, rock, film, folk and classical music, underscored by her unique vocal style and musical references that reflect her Colombian heritage.

pear and the awkward orchestra
On Saturday 25 September Brisbane Festival with Jan and Stuart Gregory invite you to see pear and the awkward orchestra in their backyard in Newmarket. Sweet, juicy and unique, this band is a quirky, memorable musical offering. Fronted by the extraordinary, emotive and powerful vocal style of Stephanie Barros Lees, they deliver gritty, personal songs through whimsical folk-pop from a mini-orchestra of diverse instrumentation.

TICKETS
Adult $15 (includes all fees and charges)
Children under 12 - Free

BOOKINGS
Limited capacities. Book now!
qtix - 136 246 or visit the Brisbane Backyards page.

DURATION
60 minutes (no interval)

MORE INFO
No seating provided. Please bring a deck chair or cushion for your comfort. BYO refreshments, with food and beverages also available for purchase at some venues. Venue details will be provided upon ticket purchase.

MEDIA: FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Gabe Cramb – Ph 0419 798 995 / E gabe@scrabble.net.au
Patrick Martin – Ph 0423 359 737 / E patrick@brisbanefestival.com.au
Mikaeli Costello – Ph 0401 580 685/ E mikaeli@brisbanefestival.com.au