From August 20 to September 5, Cairns will become party-central, with locations all over the city and surrounds hosting a stellar program spanning 17 days of quirky entertainment and cultural events. “Cairns Festival 2010 is especially about families enjoying time together. Carnival on Collins and the Opening Parade and Fireworks are long-time favourites, plus there are plenty of new activities to try,” says Cairns Festival producer Eric Holowacz.

Here are a few Festival Top Picks:

August 28 and 29 – The First Astronomers? at Tjapukai Cultural Park

Originating at the Darwin Festival, this is a unique cultural and visual event based on the night sky and the meaning we give to the light above. Enchanting and interactive, two great characters—senior custodian of the Wardaman people Bill Yidumduma Harney and UK born and educated CSIRO astrophysicist Ray Norris—explore their separate, yet hauntingly similar notions of the question: who were the first astronomers?

August 31 and September 1 – Nan Jombang at Centre of Contemporary Art

Founded by choreographer, Ery Mefri, and based in Padang, West Sumatera, the Nan Jombang Group is one of Indonesia’s leading contemporary performing arts companies. Grounded in a spiritualism and a deep connection to his traditional culture, Mefri develops modern dance that affirms human motion and movement as the source of identity and music as the breath of his dances.

September 3, 4 and 5 – Head Full of Love at Centre of Contemporary Art

Remarkable, touching, and human: Head Full of Love is an intricately warm play drawing a portrait of the relationships that develop and flourish at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. The renowned event is an annual pilgrimage for women as diverse and distant as the Anangu and Tjanpi weavers, and Western women from all over the world. Directed by Wesley Enoch and starring Colette Mann and Roxanne McDonald, this remarkable production is an invitation to look differently at the possibilities of the beanie: a much-loved everyday item and extension of ourselves and the everyday lives we wear.

August 26 – Grrilla Step at Tanks Arts Centre

This exciting project from legendary music-maker DJ Dexter, of The Avalanches fame, combines Papua New Guinean log drumming master Airi Ingram (Drum Drum) and the Pacific Islander street dance crew, Royal Fam. Interweaving Polynesian culture with Krump to create their own unique style, Grrilla Step effortlessly blend traditional music, hip hop turntablism and dance, creating an extraordinary, high energy show that’s sure to get Festival audiences moving.

August 28 and 29 – Scared Weird Little Guys at Tanks Arts Centre

Since forming in 1990 the Scaredies have toured extensively throughout the world, delighting audiences in Canada, the US, UK, Asia, New Zealand and their native Australia. They have released six CDs and one DVD; performed shows with Symphony Orchestras, Rock Bands and Brass Bands, and appeared at festivals all over the world. One Edinburgh reviewer called them “Talented disturbed Aussies…all the entertainment you could dream of…brash, hilarious, sharp.”

August 31 – Kransky Sisters at Tanks Arts Centre

A confirmed cult phenomenon in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, The Kransky Sisters are three oddball spinsters from rural Queensland. On an old 60’s reed keyboard, guitar, musical-saw, tuba, and cooking pot, these unworldly sisters offer their offbeat illuminations on what they hear on their wireless and pictures they ponder in the magazines. Their unusual musical act draws on naiveté, spinsterhood and the somewhat gothic existence that forms the world of three eccentric sisters.

For more information, visit www.cairnsfest.com.au