Club Local hits the spot in first live performance since March 2020

Club Local hits the spot in first live performance since March 2020

Every cloud has a silver lining, and with interstate tours not possible at the moment, Dubbo Regional Council’s (DRC) Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre (DRTCC) has unearthed unique hidden gems of talent in our local region, and there are plans to bring even more local talent to the stage in coming months following its success.

The season show Club Soda scheduled for August 2020 was a no-go due to border closures in Victoria and escalating hot spots in Sydney. Not to be defeated, the ingenious team at DRTCC rebranded Club Soda for 2020, to Club Local – Cabaret Style showcasing talented musicians, artists and dancers from Wellington and Dubbo.

Manager DRTCC Linda Christof said it was fantastic to support the likes of Tin Roof Big Band, Michelle O’Callaghan on vocals, Miss Lee Burlesque, Fantasy Dubbo Dancesport and Pooka the entertainer as MC.

“Being the first live performance at DRTCC since March this year (2020), patrons were thrilled to be able to attend a night out to enjoy live entertainment and know that the utmost safety precautions were in place,” said Ms Christof.

“Our staff transformed the Convention Centre into a cabaret club, with candle-lit round tables, safely spaced apart. Clever lighting helped create an intimate evening setting, even though, technically, we were spread out over 600 square metres! We were thrilled that all patrons followed the COVID safety instructions pre-show, during the show and post show,” she said.

A patron survey highlighted that the night was a winning formula and they would like to see monthly Club Locals programmed as it’s a great opportunity to dress up and have a night out with family and close friends seeing live performance.

“The survey demonstrated that patrons felt extremely comfortable with the safety measures in place but would like to see more variety of acts—so our team is on a mission to source local talent in dance, contemporary music, magic and comedy skits,” said Ms Christof.

Manager Regional Events Kim Hague says DRTCC staff are now in the process of organising more local performances in the coming months.

“The DRTCC’s creative thinking has re-invented the presentation of live performance during these unusual times. Patrons can look forward to Club Local—Swinging Sixties on 26 September (2020) and Club Local—Made in the Central West on 31 October (2020) which will involve contemporary original music by local bands,” said Ms Hague.

Mayor of the Dubbo Region, Councillor Ben Shields, says it’s important to keep supporting locals wherever possible, particularly in the arts sector.

“I was thrilled to hear that local talent was being sourced, as you know I love to champion the Buy Local campaign and strengthening the bonds with local providers and talent,” said Councillor Shields.

Source: DRC

Featured Image: Image caption: Tin Roof Big Band playing at the 2020 Season Launch. Photo by Luke Hibbard