Wollongong City Council hosted a sneak preview of the highlights from Viva La Gong at MacCabe Park, Wollongong, on Tuesday 16 August at 11am at MacCabe Park.

Viva has grown in scope and reputation over the years and is becoming the city’s premiere community cultural and arts festival. Viva 2011 will take place on 12 November 2011, kicking off with a street parade from the Civic Plaza to the main festival site at MacCabe Park.

“This year’s Viva theme – Spirit and Place – celebrates our unique and beautiful natural environment and the sense of belonging and connection that all of us who live in Wollongong feel,” said Council’s Manager of Community Cultural and Library Services Jenny Thompson.

“Viva 2011 has something for everyone, with five stages featuring international, national and local performers and a variety of roaming performances throughout the park,” Ms Thompson said.

Highlights of this year’s festival include a showcase of émigré musicians, who have made Wollongong home, performances by established and emerging bands and musicians and a circus program that includes pieces from Circus Monoxide that will surprise and delight.

In a festival first, as the light fades a lantern parade will wind its way through MacCabe Park to a digital stage, where a digital artist will light up the park and short films and local images will be screened.

“Wollongong has really gotten behind Viva over the past couple of years,” said Ms Thompson. “We are encouraging everyone to get that date – 12 November 2011 – into their diaries now so that they can be part of this exciting community celebration.”

For further information contact Megan McKell, Cultural Services Coordinator, Wollongong City Council, on (02) 4227 7228, or visit Council’s web site.