Mature-aged competitors have returned to the 39th Logan eisteddfod for the first time in years to dazzle crowds and amaze judges.
According to event organisers at Quota Beenleigh, the ‘Mature and Motivated’ dance competition for people aged over 18 ended a few years ago due to a low turnout.
But new demand this year meant there was no saying ‘no’, with several groups signing up and competitors ranging from 18 to 74 years old.
“We had five groups perform to a resounding applause,” Quota Beenleigh treasurer and eisteddfod assistant co-ordinator Margaret George said.
“So they’ll be back on the schedule for next year, that’s for sure.
“It just exuded fun, and that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day.”
The Quota Beenleigh eisteddfod, currently on at the Logan Entertainment Centre, has been running for almost four decades. It now hosts music, drama and dance performers from across south-east Queensland.
“We get schools from… north of the Sunshine Coast, west of Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Redlands and everywhere in between,” Ms George said.
This year, across 33 days, around 9000 people will be participating in a predicted 26,000 performances.
Ms George said the level of talent had been “fantastic” so far.
“The adjudicators have been pleasantly surprised with the level. Even in our schools now, the level of performance is fantastic.
“It has always been good competition. Our school groups have grown enormously.
“With our dance groups, we were lucky if we had one small section 20 years ago. Now we do five days of secondary schools and one day of primary schools.”
She said the arts were “very much alive and well” in local schools.
“A lot of people don’t realise how strong our educational schools are in performing arts.”
