Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Local stages creating cultural hub

Our local stages are busy with work in performance and in rehearsal. The wealth of material which our performing artists are exploring is exciting and confirming for me that Bathurst is the cultural hub in the central west.
Next week we have Version 1.0 in Bathurst rehearsing their new show, The Disappearances Project, which has been created following a research and development period in Bathurst in 2010. Version 1.0 last performed in Bathurst with their show ‘Deeply Offensive and Utterly Untrue” which was a striking and memorable production. It has been wonderful to work with Version 1.0 and to have them here for the premiere of this new production, which will be a deeply emotional work – which traces the trajectories of hope, anger and grief over years of police investigations in a range of unexplained disappearances, Version 1.0 will explore the effects of long term missing persons cases on family members and regional communities. The Disappearances Project

While V1.0 are in Bathurst, we will be chatting with them – and putting some of our conversations up facebook – be sure to check it out regularly..

Following the premiere of the show on the 8th we also look forward to the Tormentors and Teasers Supper Club - with local duo Fat Wombat performing. The supper clubs at BMEC offer a great opportunity to meet the cast and crew of the show, and a chance to discuss the show with other theatre goers. I love the T&T Supper clubs – I guess I love the idea of having a glass of wine and an opportunity to chat with visiting artists and listening to local music, a perfect way to end a night at the theatre. Ask our box office staff about your ticket to the Supper Club.

Other work in development is of course, The Inland Sea of Sound – an exciting week long world music festival which runs from 10-16 April. This wonderful festival brings local artists together with exciting guests from across the globe. The ‘100 miles picnic’ in Machattie Park from 12noon on the Sunday launches the festival. We invite the community to join us at this free event, which celebrates the diversity of our cultural hub. With music, dance, face painting, local food and wines this event will be a highlight of the festival. For more information about the ISOS Festival see our website and link to the blog which gives details of the program.
The Inland Sea Of Sound


On Becoming A Witch – a site specific work is also coming along. I had a meeting at Yetholme yesterday with Cate McCarthy. The property is so beautiful, and to be there at night with lighting, live music and poetry will be a thrilling experience. Tickets are onsale for the 20& 21 April and they are limited, due to the nature of the performance, don’t miss out..
What's On at BMEC


A big thank you to the volunteers who are helping us out with these shows aand festivals - we couldn't do it all without you! If you want to find out more about volunteering with us - please contact me kylie.shead@bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Search For A Backyard

The other week we began search for a backyard awesome enough to contain a world of music.
Like last year, the 2011 Inland Sea of Sound has two concerts in two local backyards.
Locals handed in their expressions of interest forms and come application closing day, BMEC manager Stephen Champion, Artistic Director of the festival Aaron Hopper and myself set out on the sunny afternoon to inspect the candidates and make a difficult choice.

After some mild trekking around we had managed to narrow the pool down to three choices, two medium sized, hills hoisted, stock standard aussie backyards and one with a bit of a different style.

The one at the end of Russell st had a nice downhill slope for that nice layered audience feel, and a pre made slab suitable for a stage.

There was also one in Morrisset st which was slightly smaller than the Russell st backyard but did have some nice aesthetic touches such as little colourful lanterns and a cute water feature. There was also a handy rear entrance from Rankin street which we thought could prove useful.

Finally there was the special one. Miss Trails House, which I hadn’t been to since I was a kid at a Carols by Candlelight evening. I had forgotten how big it was.
Right out the back there is a massive block of land suitable for a large mob with extra space for picnic blankets and kids to run around.
We all decided then and there that it would have to be one of the chosen ones.
There is a great spot for a stage right in the centre with the beautiful backdrop of the heritage building behind it and a clear view for the audience from all angles.

We decided that we would go with Miss Trails House and have one really big open concert and one small intimate one. We figured that this also solves one of the major issues from last year where we had to turn so many people away because there just wasn’t the space.
After much debate we are leaning toward the Morrisset St house as we thought it provided a little more atmospheric vibe that fits into the intimate feel we are going for but we will have to see what happens.
You can check out the places on the video below.

The festival itself is really starting to take shape. We have site maps and things planned out and it is getting close real quick. We still need to find a few volunteers to help with stage managing, band managing promotion etc so if that sounds like some experience you would like to have under your belt please contact us on 63336161 or leave a comment on facebook.

Personally I am really looking forward to Lolo Lovina, the gypsy band. I have been checking them out a bit on youtube and I really like the gypsy vibe. Also I love world film so I’m looking forward to the film night where you will be able to come and go as you please and chat and have a few drinks during the screenings.