Fiesta spectacular

Dunsborough residents and visitors will be treated to a visual and aural spectacle when the annual Arts Festival kicks off on Saturday, March 3.

Dunsborough and Districts Progress Association president Jacquie Happ said the festival, which celebrates its 11th year in March, had produced several new events.

“From art markets, music and art workshops, the X-Factor, Sculpture by the Bay, Rhythms by the Bay concert on Sunday night and this year Classics by the Bay on the Saturday night, it has grown into something worth spending two days down by the beach for,” she said.

Entries for the popular X-Factor concert close next week, with students between the ages of seven and 17 who love to sing, dance, play an instrument or tell a joke encouraged to compete for cash prizes.

Mrs Happ said Boy Band, young singer Phoebe McGregor and a dance troupe had been highlights last year.

“It’s exciting talking to the kids who participate, they are nervous sometimes but once they start their act you can see smiles and twinkling eyes, the audience certainly gets a treat,” she said.

Another drawcard of the event will be the art market, providing an outlet for locals and visiting artists and craftspeople to sell their wares.

Mrs Happ said there were still spots available for stallholders.

A diverse range of sculptures will be on display on the Duns-borough foreshore from Saturday morning to Monday afternoon as part of the Sculpture by the Bay exhibition.

Residents are invited to plant trees in Seymour Park on Saturday from 10am.

Mrs Happ said the big addition to this year’s festival was Classics by the Bay, featuring popular vocal duo the Cape Divas.

She said Sunday’s finale concert would offer the chance to have a dance to music by local bands Needing Cherie and Dallas Royale and Perth band Funk Jazz as the sun retreats over Geographe Bay and the moon rises.

Those attending are encouraged to walk to the event as parking will be limited.

For more information on the X-Factor and art market stalls, please email jacquie@happspottery.com.au or phone 0412 221 117.