Prepare to be entertained
It may be the State Library of Queensland’s birthday, but we’re the ones reaping all of the benefits with a host of free activities and events coming to the cultural hub on Saturday June 18. A huge roster of entertainment will be lighting up the precinct all day with Brisbane’s premiere First Nations contemporary youth performers Digi Youth Arts set to interlace place, story and culture through dance and music, while Grammy-nominated Tenzin Cheogyal is set to dazzle with a performance on the Queensland Terrace. The birthday fun doesn’t stop there, with the Extra-ordinary Day stage brimming with all-day party action – think pop-up performers, guest interviews, mini competitions and more.
Go behind the scenes
Those eager to get hands-on can don some white gloves to check out some of the rarely seen treasures of State Library’s remarkable collections on a behind-the-scenes tour. You’ll also be able to hear from expert conservators about how they care for State Library’s collections on a conservation lab tour, as well as learn how to unlock your own home’s hidden history with help from some research librarians. You could be sitting on a goldmine of history and you don’t even know it!
Unleash your inner child
The young and young at heart can be entertained by a bounty of fun-filled activities on the day, with plenty of opportunities to get their hands dirty too. They can join the curator of The Great & Grand Rumpus for a tour of sculptural, digital and immersive installations, bring snacks along for a story picnic with accomplished songwriter Nadia Sunde or put on their detective caps to solve a house history mystery in a treasure hunt-style experience. Kids can get hands on and make a party hat (it’s a birthday bash, after all!) or screen print a memento to take home as a souvenir of the festivities.
Cure your curiosity
On top of all of the entertainment, behind-the-scenes action and family-friendly activities, State Library’s exhibitions will be open to immerse yourself in – you can discover weird and whacky installations in The Great & Grand Rumpus, celebrate the man behind the game-changing Native Title Act at Legacy: Reflections on Mabo and experience a decade of storytelling from some of Australia’s brightest First Nations voices in Sovereign Stories. You’ll go home with a noggin full of fun facts after this day of extra-special, expert-led events and tours.
To browse the full list of events happening at State Library of Queensland for Extra-ordinary Day on Saturday June 18, hop over to the State Library of Queensland website.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at State Library of Queensland.
