I’ve just been looking at the events calendar in and around Canberra in March, and have noticed what looks to be some interesting clash of dates, that someone didn’t have there thinking caps on for.
Firstly, on Saturday March 12th, ‘Symphony in the Park’ at Stage 88 which is part of the ‘Celebrate Canberra’ festival clashes with the just announced ‘Inxs’ gig as part of ‘Enlighten Canberra’ across the lake at Commonwealth Place.
Not sure on the acoustics, but given they are on at the same time and just across the lake from one another, isn’t there a chance they may drown each other out.across the lake in terms of distance, but isn’t given these events look as though they will be on around the same time, something that may drown each other out?
Secondly, and probably more of an issue, on Saturday March 19th, ‘Skyfire 2011’ on Lake Burley Griffin clashes with the ‘Frank Valli and the Four Seasons’ gig again a part of ‘Enlighten Canberra’ at Commonwealth Place.
Has anyone actually thought about the nightmare having these two events on the same night is going to cause. For starters, the south side of Lake Burley Griffin is where thousands of southsiders camp to watch ‘Skyfire’, which on that night however in part will be fenced off for the ‘Enlighten Canberra’ precinct.
Whilst there is also the matter of something known as parking around the parliamentary triangle for again the thousands driving in for ‘Skyfire’, and those attending ‘Enlighten Canberra’.
I’m all for having ‘Enlighten Canberra’ being on, don’t get me wrong, it’s a fantastic idea and concept, but couldn’t someone have done there homework and become a little smarter in terms of it’s scheduled dates.
The first weekend in March for example, there is nothing on and it would have been a much better time to schedule the first weekend of it, with it wrapping up on the second weekend, which is also our Canberra Day long weekend.
Another odd thing is the Balloon Festival is on over the same period, and they use the same grassed area what will be fenced off for ‘Enlighten Canberra’ for their take offs each morning.
Ouch….any thoughts anyone…?
UPDATE: In response we’ve had this in from ACT Tourism:
Symphony in the Park is actually being held on 13 March 2011. ENLIGHTEN is on 11-12 and 18-19 March 2011.
In response to other points raised in the article, Australian Capital Tourism and Skyfire organisers have taken a cooperative approach to ensure that the two events complement each other and that the Canberra community can continue to enjoy the annual Skyfire event at no cost.
Skyfire and the ACT Government are co-investing on service and infrastructure costs to complement both events. This will provide enhanced services and amenities for the community including public transport, security, toilets and event communication relating to road closures.
While a small portion of the Lake’s foreshore will be taken up by Enlighten activities, the majority of the area will still be allocated to free viewing of Skyfire.
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