Arts, cars, Harry Potter and kitsch: 11 Things to Do September 8 to 10

Ipswich’s creative side comes to the fore with 25 events across 15 CBD locations. FUSED includes:

Markets and entertainment: d’Arcy Doyle Place will be a hive of activity with an artisan market, workshops and stage performances from 10am to 4pm on Saturday.

Street art mural: Artist Mike Shankster is working over four days to transform the brick wall at the back of Goleby’s into a street art mural celebrating the region’s heritage and strength.

Looking Forward, Looking Back: Ipswich Art Society presents an exhibition in the historic court house on the corner of Roderick and East streets.

Fused Harmony: Art forms collide when live painting, poetry, music and projectionist art feature in a unique event at Art Time and Goleby’s Basement.

For a full FUSED schedule go here.

Enter the magical world of Harry Potter as Professor Frankie Falconette brings to life the characters, creatures and adventures from J.K. Rowling’s bestselling series.

WHEN: Saturday 9 September, 11.45am to 12.45pm
WHERE: Ipswich Central Library, South Street, Ipswich
COST: Free

Enjoy some family fun and try your hand at canoeing as part of the Ipswich Fishing and Water Fest. Canoes and equipment will be provided.

WHEN: Sunday 10 September, 9am to 12pm
WHERE: Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve, Mt Crosby Road, Chuwar
COST: Free

Adrenaline-fuelled fun on and off the track includes cruises, burnouts, drag racing, powerskids, drifting, Miss Powercruise, rides, trade stalls and stunts.

WHEN: Friday 8 to Sunday 10 September, gates from 8am
WHERE: Queensland Raceway, Champions Way, Willowbank
COST: Friday $35, Saturday $40, Sunday $35

The workshop is open for a preview performance of Paris-trained circus artist Jens Altheimer’s show about friendship and acceptance in an eccentric world of puppets. Book and pay for tickets here.

WHEN: Saturday 9 September, 10.30am to 11.30am and 1.30pm to 2.30pm
WHERE: Ipswich Art Gallery, d’Arcy Doyle Place, Ipswich
COST: $7 per person, under 2s free

Celebrate the official opening of StoryArts with two of Queensland’s most talented contemporary children’s authors and illustrators, Peter Carnavas and Gregg Dreise.

WHEN: Friday 8 September, 6pm to 8pm
WHERE: Ipswich Central Library, South Street, Ipswich
COST: Free

Swich takes an intergalactic twist with a prom pageant, vintage fashion, pinup parlour, market stalls, live music, burlesque, dancing and bar.

WHEN: Saturday 9 September, 12pm to 6pm
WHERE: Ipswich City Mall, Nicholas Street, Ipswich
COST: Free

Tanya Batt will entertain you with amazing stories from all over the world. This interactive, thought provoking session draws on traditional and original stories.

WHEN: Saturday 9 September, 9am to 10am
WHERE: Ipswich Central Library, South Street, Ipswich
COST: Free

The longest running musical in the world comes to town, presented by Ipswich Musical Theatre Company.

WHEN: Tickets still available for 9, 10, 13, 15, 16 and 17 September
WHERE: Ipswich Civic Centre, 50 Nicholas Street, Ipswich
COST: Adults $68, concessions $58, children 3-14 $35, group discounts available

If you have a diesel-powered vehicle this is the event for you. Best of all, print this form and you can race down the quarter mile for free.

WHEN: Friday 8 September, gates from 5.30pm with runs from 6pm
WHERE: Willowbank Raceway, Champions Way, Willowbank
COST: Adults $20, students with ID $18, under 14s free

Explore three iconic Ipswich properties as part of this celebration of heritage and history.

WHEN: Saturday 9 September, 10am to 4pm
WHERE: 30 Quarry Street, 70 Thorn Street and 88 Nicholas Street
COST: $5 per person per property, free for National Trust members, children and students