Toowoomba is now officially the home of blooms and tunes. The city that is home to the beautiful Carnival of Flowers is about to host an inaugural Summer Tunes program.

Summer Tunes will take over the Southern Queensland city and its surrounds in the most beautiful of ways, with a program of more than 38 FREE unique musical events and experiences for the whole family on each Sunday from 7 January to 28 February 2018. 

Musically, the program showcases and celebrates local south-east Queensland musicians from as young as 8 years-old.  The line-up covers over four decades of popular music genres including jazz, blues, swing, rock ‘n’ roll, folk, bush ballads, Latin and cabaret, as well as lullabies and Gospel.

Staged across a selection of Toowoomba’s stunning parks including Queens Park; Laurel Bank Park; Picnic Point; Newtown Park State Rose Garden; and additional regional parks. With over 64,000 seedlings planted in Queens Park and Laurel Bank Park for summer, the Summer Tunes program offers FREE entertainment among 25 summer blooms – from petunias and marigolds, through to sunflowers and alyssums.

Summer Tunes 2018 program

SUNDAY 21 JANUARY

SING AUSTRALIA TOOWOOMBA

Where: Queens Park, Toowoomba – children’s play area 

When: 10am to 12pm  

Info: Be entertained by a network of community singers performing popular songs and be prepared to sing along.

KILLIN TIME

Where: Picnic Point, Toowoomba – band stand When: 12pm to 3pm 

Info: Join Andrew Kucks, Phillip Vellacott & Jared & Nathan Walmsley for a rare Toowoomba show, as they play popular songs from 25 years of experiences at the Gympie Music Muster.

TIMELESS

Where: Laurel Bank Park, Toowoomba – shade shelter area

When: 12pm to 3pm  

Info: Just like the name, the music is timeless, soothing and relaxing.

BROXBURN MUSIC CLUB OF PITTSWORTH

Where: Newtown Park, Newtown – under the trees 

When: 12pm to 3pm

Info: A Variety of music ranging from bush ballads, country and alternative styles.

SUNDAY 28 JANUARY

JULIE WITNEY

Where: Queens Park, Toowoomba – children’s play area

When: 10am to 12pm 

Info: Playing a range of well-known songs and tunes from the 60s till today.

SLOW TRAIN COMING

Where: Picnic Point, Toowoomba – band stand 

Time: 12pm to 3pm

Info: Slow Train Coming influences include rock, pop, blues, jazz, soul and Memphis.

LET’S DANCE BAND

Where: Laurel Bank Park, Toowoomba – shade shelter area

Time: NOON to 3.00PM

Info: This two-piece group will entertain with scintillating melodies from the 60s and 70’s.

HARRY & SPEED

Where: Newtown Park, Newtown – under the trees

Time: 12pm to 3pm

Info: Enjoy an afternoon of all country favourites from the 50s to 90s, along with special requests.

KILLIN TIME

Where: Arthur Shooter Park – Stanley Street, Oakey 

Time: 10am to 1pm 

Info: Join Andrew Kucks, Phillip Vellacott & Jared & Nathan Walmsley for a rare Toowoomba show, as they play popular songs from 25 years of experiences at the Gympie Music Muster

SUNDAY 4 FEBRUARY

THE DARLINGTON STRINGS

Where: Queens Park, Toowoomba – children’s play area

When: 10am to 12pm  

Info: Enjoy the vibrating sounds of finely tuned strings – perfect for any occasion. 

TOOWOOMBA MUNICIPAL BAND

Where: Picnic Point, Toowoomba – band stand 

When: 12pm to 3pm  

Info: Music of all styles from the traditional to the modern, classic to rock and serious to comedy.

AROUND THE CORNER

Where: Laurel Bank Park, Toowoomba – shade shelter area

When: 12pm to 3pm 

Info: Enjoy up-tempo, foot-tapping Irish folk songs played on acoustic guitars, the mandolin, bodhran (Irish drum) and bass guitar.

RONNIE & JOHNNY

Where: Newtown Park, Newtown – under the trees 

When:  12pm to 3pm 

Info: Husband and wife duo performing middle of the road, easy listening music with a country flavour.

SLOW TRAIN COMING

Where: Centenary Park, Crows Nest 

When: 10am to 1pm
Info: Think of a five-piece band with horns! Established last century, this band has performed over 600 live shows at venues across Southern Queensland. Their influences include rock, pop blues, jazz, soul and Memphis. They are a cover band that plays popular hits from the last four decades. 

SUNDAY 11 FEBRUARY

TOP GEAR

Where: Queens Park, Toowoomba – children’s play area 

When: 10am to 12pm 

Info: 50s rock ‘n’ roll and country tunes.

JAZZY CHATS

Where: Picnic Point, Toowoomba – band stand

When: 12pm to 3pm 

Info: Mix of jazz, swing and contemporary rock with a big band.

PAUL EDWARDS QUARTET

Where: Laurel Bank Park, Toowoomba – shade shelter area

When: 12pm to 3pm 

Info: Playing a broad range from jazz through to blues, cabaret and fusion.

JUNGLE DETOUR

Where: Newtown Park, Newtown – under the tress

When: 12pm to 3pm 

Info: A vibrant mix of classical hits and modern music, spiced with some of their original songs.

TUX

Where: ANZAC Park, Millmerran 

When: 10am to 1:30pm 

Info: Covering swing jazz through to popular rock, Tux showcases some of Toowoomba’s finest musicians in Alison Bryant on piano, Camilo Lazafami on bass, Mark Nuss on drums, Al Skerman on trumpet, Mal Gaydon on trombone, Paul Hendon on sax and Greg Bird – vocalist. 

SUNDAY 18 FEBRUARY

TOOWOOMBA VOCAL ENSEMBLE & WOMEN IN HARMONY

Where: Queens Park, Toowoomba – children’s play area 

When: 10am to 12pm 

Info: Be entertained to a variety of music – think Manhattan Transfer or Idea of North. Add a dash of Michael Jackson, Josh Groban and Enrico Morricone then smooth it all out with Norah Jones and Sting.

JIM MILLER BIG BAND

Where: Picnic Point, Toowoomba – band stand 

When: 12pm to 3pm

Info: Big band music featuring arrangements from Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

FLASHBACK

Where: Laurel Bank Park – shade shelter area 

When: 12pm to 3pm  

Info: Songs spanning from Elvis to Jonny Cash, Credence to the Beatles, plus a sprinkling of country greats.

BROXBURN MUSIC CLUB OF PITTSWORTH

Where: Newtown Park, Newtown – under the trees

When: 12pm to 3pm  

Info: Variety of music ranging from bush ballads, country and alternative styles.

UNDERCOVER

Where: Pittsworth Historical Village and Folk Museum, Pittsworth

When: 4pm to 6pm  

Info: UnderCover produce great live music in combination with quality backing tracks. They play the hits from the Sixties through the Nineties and their motto is: “We keep the hits coming!” UnderCover consists of Martin Paroz on lead vocals and harmonies, Gayle Dixon on lead vocals and harmonies and Ian Dixon on drums.

SUNDAY 25 FEBRUARY

HIGH ALTITUDE HARMONY

Where: Queens Park, Toowoomba – children’s play area

When: 10am to 12pm 

Info: Enjoy lullabies, gospel and rock from groups such as the Beatles, Beach Boys and The Drifters through to Queen.

2 TIMING

Where: Picnic Point, Toowoomba – band stand 

When: 12pm to 3pm 

Info: Songs from the 1950s to current popular hits including rock ‘n’ roll, pop, country, swing and European.

LAUREL BANK PARK – Shade Shelter Area

UNDERCOVER

Where: Laurel Bank Park, Toowoomba – shade shelter area

When: 12pm to 3pm  

Info: With a motto of We keep the hits coming, UnderCover will feature hits from the 60s right through to the 90s, with a focus on great live music with quality backing tracks.

YAKETY SAXES

Where: Newtown Park, Newtown – under the trees  

When: 12pm to 3pm 

Info: Playing pop tunes along with a big band, swing and Dixieland jazz standards. Punters can delight in swings from the 50s to the 90s, with hits from Bill Haley, Billy Joel, Elvis Presley, ABBA, Elton John and Michael Jackson.  

BLACK VELVET QUARTET

Where: Mocatta Street by the War Memorial, Goombungee

When: 12pm to 3pm 

Info: Toe tapping warm and fuzzy to keep the sun shining and the mood light and happy! African born Deeny Kohler-Caporale will showcase a mix of Latin and traditional jazz numbers accompanied by Carmelo Lanzafame on Double Bass, Graham Muller on keyboard and Neville Jess on drums. 

TOP GEAR

Where: Cambooya Recreation Grounds, Cambooya

When: 3pm to 6pm   

Info: This four-piece group will delight with 50s rock ‘n’ roll and country tunes. 


Summer Tunes

Where – various Toowoomba locations 

When –  January 7 to February 25, 2018

Website – www.tr.qld.gov.au