The Araluen Arts Centre’s 2017 season program and ticket sales will be released this Friday, 3 February.

Director of the Araluen Cultural Precinct Mark Crees said this year’s program features something for everyone with performances and exhibitions that will inspire and entertain.

“In December we released a teaser of what the public could expect with some of Australia’s finest performing arts companies headed back to Alice Springs in 2017 including new productions from the Bell Shakespeare Company, Opera Australia and the Sydney Dance Company.

“We are excited that we can reveal the full program to the general public with outstanding performances this year including the State Theatre Company South Australia, who will visit Alice Springs for the first time with a production originally directed by Geoffrey Rush.

“We have some amazing performers taking to the stage to celebrate the life and music of artists such as Amy Winehouse, Christine McVie and Johnny Cash as well as musical performances from the winner of last year’s prestigious Sydney International Piano Competition, contemporary Aboriginal singer Gawurra and classical duo Boyd Meets Girl.”

The 2017 season will also see the return of Flickerfest, Australia’s international short film festival, in March on the Araluen Circus Lawns.

There is also plenty for families to enjoy with stage-show adaptions of the beloved children’s stories Diary of a Wombat, Patch Theatre Company’s Emily Loves to Bounce, and the interactive deep sea giant puppet adventure Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium.

The Araluen Galleries will also welcome a wonderful range of exhibitions in 2017, with the nationally significant Desert Mob taking residence during September, continuing its annual tradition of showcasing the latest developments in contemporary Aboriginal art from the NT, WA and SA.

“The Araluen Arts Centre is proud to present Desert Mob each year and work with partner Desart to support the Central Australian and Western Desert Aboriginal art centre communities,” Dr Crees said.

“This event is one of the most anticipated and important Aboriginal art and cultural events in Australia and we are proud to continue presenting this bold and exhilarating exhibition in 2017.”

The Araluen galleries will also host two national travelling exhibitions in 2017: Resolution, from the National Gallery of Australia, presents the best work produced by Indigenous artists working in photography and new media, while People Like Us, from the Museums and Galleries of New South Wales is an interactive exhibition that captures universal aspects of the contemporary human condition.

Exhibitions from local artist Sarah Brown, the Alice Springs Beanie Festival and the Advocate Art Award will also feature as part of the 2017 Season.

The full Season 2017 program will be available in the Centralian Advocate this Friday 3 February or online at www.araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au. To book tickets, visit the website or phone the box office on (08) 8951 1122.

Media interviews - Araluen Cultural Precinct Director, Dr Mark Crees, 08 8951 1126