Some of Victoria’s smallest towns will share in a big dose of creativity thanks to an injection of more than $100,000 by the Victorian Government to help local groups bring performers to the regions.
Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley announced that 13 community groups across Victoria had received support through the latest round of the Small Regional Presenters program.
Collectively the recipients will present 38 shows at 17 locations including Kongwak and Hallston in South Gippsland, Tylden and Dunolly in central Victoria and Nathalia in the north.
This round includes support to the Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce to bring acclaimed giant puppet company Snuff Puppets to the town as one of the headline acts of the 2019 WinterWild Festival. Nathalia’s GRAIN Store will present a performance by Kutcha Edwards supported by local Yorta Yorta artist Maddi Colville-Walker.
Audiences in Mallacoota, Ararat and Point Lonsdale can expect exciting live music performances while Upper Kiewa Valley Regional Arts will bring a dynamic program of theatre and chamber music to the Mount Beauty Community Hall.
In August 2019, Wonthaggi Theatre group will partner with performer Stephen Valeri for workshops that will help local artists develop shows for the inaugural cabaret festival Come to the Cabaret in October 2019. Valeri will also headline the festival with Age of Stephen, a cabaret paying tribute to the life and music of John Farnham.
Several performances will also include opportunities for community members, local performers or school students to undertake workshops with the visiting artists.
Primary school students in Robinvale and surrounds will take part in workshops with children’s entertainer Tony Genovese ahead of 2019’s Mallee Almond Blossom Festival, while community members in Ruby, Tarwin Lower and Toora will be invited to Afro-Cuban and acoustic singing workshops.
Launched in 2016, the Small Regional Presenters program enables regionally-based community groups, venues and organisations to attract performances to their communities and supports the costs of presenting shows.
Source: Vic Government