Released 09/11/2023
The Hoodoo Gurus’ scene will be Canberra next year when they take to the stage and join the Canberra Symphony Orchestra for Symphony in the Park on Sunday 10 March.
“I’m thrilled to welcome our special guests the Hoodoo Gurus to Canberra next year to perform their hits with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra at next year’s Symphony in the Park,” said Assistant Minister for Economic Development Tara Cheyne.
“The Hoodoo Gurus were ground-breakers when they first began playing live shows in Aussie pubs and clubs in the early 80s. Forty years later they’re still trailblazers and this is demonstrated by the band’s enthusiasm about collaborating with one of the most progressive orchestras in Australia.
“We’re excited that Canberrans will be the first to experience this latest incarnation of the Hoodoo Gurus at Symphony in the Park and encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the experience.
“Symphony in the Park is always a highlight of the Enlighten Festival, and its sure to be spectacular with the Hoodoo Gurus taking to the stage alongside our amazing orchestra.”
Minister Cheyne said the Enlighten Festival provides significant financial benefits for the Canberra community.
“The Enlighten Festival not only provides great entertainment for visitors and locals, but also provides a boost for our tourism sector and our local businesses. In 2023 the festival attracted a record attendance of 391,826 and generated over $19.9million of expenditure in the ACT.”
“More details about what is planned for 2024 will be available through updates on the Enlighten website in the lead up to the festival. Remember to ‘save the date’ for this special night of musical entertainment.”
The Enlighten Festival will welcome visitors from 1 to 11 March in 2024 with Symphony in the Park is always a fun family evening of musical entertainment. Find out more about Symphony in the Park at Enlighten Festival 2024, visit enlightencanberra.com.
Quotes attributable to Hoodoo Gurus founder and songwriter Dave Faulkner:
“We’re really thrilled to be doing Symphony in the Park. It’s going to be extraordinary. The last time we performed in Canberra was 2017 and we can’t wait to get back there.”
Quotes attributable to Alex Turley, Composer:
“It’s a great honour to be asked to be involved in a project like this. The music of the Hoodoo Gurus has sound tracked a lot of people’s lives. Among the songs Dave and I have chosen are some hits and some lesser-known tracks, some funny songs and some serious songs and some romantic songs. It really is kind of an emotional journey.
“For me as the orchestrator I’m tasked with finding ways of expanding the musical world outside the four musicians of the Hoodoo Gurus, who will now have a 40-odd piece orchestra behind them. It’s about building the music into this cinematic, epic soundscape - allowing the two genres, rock plus the orchestral side, to fuse together and create something really new and exciting.”
Quotes attributable to CSO chief executive officer Rachel Thomas:
“Symphony in the Park is a chance for Canberrans to experience classical music in a fun and engaging way. Over the years the CSO has treated audiences to orchestral versions of Abba hits, songs from the film Babe and music from electronic duo Electric Fields. Being able to work with a band as beloved as the Hoodoo Gurus to set their songs to classical music is something we’re incredibly excited about.”
- Statement ends -
Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases