Arts Bulletin 266
13 March 2008

This Week's Feature - Lara Heritage Festival

The original Duck Ponds School in Lara

An antique fire engine joins the parade


A taste of post-settlement heritage

The Lara Heritage Festival will be held this weekend Friday 14th March through Sunday 16th March.  There is a buzz in the township this evening as the festival enters into its final stages of preparation, and all of Lara gets ready to kick up their heels at this exciting and successful community festival, which celebrates all of what Lara is about - a pride in the history and a strong belief in the future of this unique community.

It is 25 years since the establishment of the Lara Heritage Festival, which was the brainchild of the Lara Progress Association, the Lara Lions Club and the then Corio Shire, along with plenty of input from the community and backing from local businesses.  And how it has grown - it seems everyone in the township is involved!

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this triennial event the Lara Heritage Festival is delighted to welcome Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative to the Festival's Grand Parade this year.  With the support of Councillor Tony Ansett and the City of Greater Geelong's Cultural Development Unit, two exciting indigenous artists have created a breathtaking new float with an indigenous theme to play a leading role in this year's parade. 

And that's only the beginning!  The 2008 Festival will feature a whole range of activities including heritage displays, an old time dance, youth disco, a talent showcase and many bands playing a range of music styles.  There will be approximately 60 stalls featuring arts, crafts, food and wine plus much more.  The colourful Grand and Torchlight Parades will be highlights of the Festival.  A Scarecrow-making competition, the Lara Heritage Film Festival, the Lara Talent Showcase, and the fantastic Victoria Police rock band Code One round out the smorgasbord on offer in this year's festival. 

The Lara Heritage Festival is an exciting event for the whole family, and not to be missed.  Come along for the weekend and see what's happening in Lara!

For a full program visit the Festival website (below).

KEATING! - The Musical We Had To Have
The 2008 Alcoa Theatre Season continues at Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) with KEATING! – political satire at its best with a cast of some of Australia's most colourful politicians: Paul Keating, John Howard, Alexander Downer, Bob Hawke and John Hewson, all singing and dancing.  There's even a moving duet with star-crossed lovers Gareth Evans and Cheryl Kernot.  Written by Casey Bennetto, the scathingly hilarious lyrics tear through the reign and tragic fall of the Placido Domingo of Australian politics.  Part French farce, part Greek tragedy, this is 'the country soul opera we had to have'.  It transports you back to a time less politically grey as it charts the rise, fall and rise again of an antique clock collector from Bankstown.

The Scarecrow Patch - Artists Studio
Geelong Textile and Fibre Artists Inc - Uniquely Geelong Exhibition
The tiny township of Ceres once again hosts the Textile and Fibre Artists annual exhibition.  The work of 15 artists, including special works of art uniquely associated with Geelong will be on sale.  On display will be creative textiles, ceramics, weaving, collages, smocking, embroidery, felting, hats, wearable art, drawings and more.
  

 
*NEW* 
Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea
It's back!  The Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea is a vibrant FREE community event made possible through fundraising and the generous support of the community and local businesses in the form of volunteering, sponsorship and donations.  It is truly an event by the community, for the community, and has a long history of providing fun times for visitors and locals alike.  This year the Festival will run for a huge six days, culminating in a fantastic one-day event along the Barwon River foreshore in Barwon Heads.  There will be loads of fun and fascinating family activities by local musicians, performers and visual artists.  And of course it wouldn't be a festival of the sea without plenty to see, learn and enjoy about Barwon Heads' unique and precious coastal environment.  Environmental awareness activities, information stands and performances, and fun activities with a sea/coast/environment theme will be a specialty.  The festival is extremely popular with the local community, providing as it does many opportunities for local businesses, associations, clubs and organisations to get involved, showcase their wares and activities, and raise funds for their very worthy causes.
* Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea is supported by Community Festivals Grants Program.

 
*NEW*
EOI: Sculptors for Connecting Identities Project
City of Greater Geelong is pleased to invite Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced sculptors (working in a range of mediums) interested in creating "story-vessels" to be used as part of an exciting 3-year cultural project called Connecting Identities.  Connecting Identities is part of a national project entitled Generations, which was initiated by the Cultural Development Network of Victoria.  Applicants will work with a team of professional artists who are engaging with residents in a creative process to articulate community identity and aspirations for the future, while assisting Council to respond creatively to its community's cultural needs.  Applicants will be expected to provide a sample of previous works.  A Project Brief is available by contacting the Project Co-ordinator Duncan Esler directly on (03) 5227 0773 or by emailing generations@geelongcity.vic.gov.au.  All applications must be received or post-dated no later than 5.00pm Friday 28th March 2008.  Applications must be submitted via mail to: Kaz Paton, Co-ordinator Cultural Development Unit, City of Greater Geelong, PO Box 104, Geelong Vic, 3220.  No email applications will be accepted. 
Contact: (03) 5227 0773
Email: desler@geelongcity.vic.gov.au  

*NEW*
EOI: Songwriters/Composers for Connecting Identities Project
City of Greater Geelong is pleased to invite Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced musicians interested in composing songs or soundscapes in diverse genres (contemporary or classical) to be used as part of an exciting 3-year cultural project called Connecting Identities.  Connecting Identities is part of a national project entitled Generations, which was initiated by the Cultural Development Network of Victoria.  The musicians selected will work with a team of professional artists who are engaging with residents in a creative process to articulate community identity and aspirations for the future, while assisting Council to respond creatively to its community's cultural needs. Composers will be expected to provide a recorded sample of previous compositions.  A Project Brief is available by contacting the Project Co-ordinator Duncan Esler directly on (03) 5227 0773 or by emailing generations@geelongcity.vic.gov.au.  All applications must be received or post-dated no later than 5.00pm Friday 28th March.  Applications must be submitted via mail to: Kaz Paton, Co-Ordinator Cultural Development Unit, City of Greater Geelong, PO Box 104, Geelong Vic, 3220.  No email applications will be accepted. 
Contact: (03) 5227 0773
Email: desler@geelongcity.vic.gov.au  

EOI: Filmmakers/Multimedia Artists for Connecting Identities Project
City of Greater Geelong is pleased to invite Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced filmmakers and/or electronic multi-media artists interested in creating short video works to be used as part of an exciting new 3-year cultural project called Connecting Identities. Connecting Identities is part of a 5-council program entitled Generations, which was initiated by the Cultural Development Network of Victoria. Applicants will work with lead artist Malcolm McKinnon and engage with residents to create stories reflecting personal connections to particular localities. Applicants will be expected to provide a cover letter outlining their experience and personal interest in the project, a sample of previous works (preferably on DVD and/or via reference to work accessible on-line) and a 1-2 page CV.
A Project Brief is available by contacting the Project Co-ordinator Duncan Esler directly on (03) 5227 0773 or by emailing generations@geelongcity.vic.gov.au.  All EOIs must be received or post-dated no later than 5.00pm Friday 21 March 2008.  Applications must be submitted via mail to: Kaz Paton, Co-Ordinator Cultural Development Unit, City of Greater Geelong, PO Box 104, Geelong Vic, 3220. No email applications will be accepted. 
Contact: (03) 5227 0773
Email: desler@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

*NEW*
Information night for The Producers
Geelong Lyric Theatre Society will be holding an information evening for all prospective cast for its' April 2008 production of Mel Brooks The Producers on Tuesday November 20th at 8.30pm iimmediately following the Annual General Meeting of the Geelong Lyric Theatre Society (from 7.30pm).  The Producers will be directed by Davina Smith Crowley with musical direction by John Shawcross.  Performance dates are 25 April - 3 May 2008.  All cast must be 16 years of age or older as of 25 April 2008.
 
*NEW*
EOI: Geelong Society of Operatic and Dramatic Arts Inc (GSODA) Junior Players - Production Positions
GSODA Junior Players are seeking expressions of interest for production positions for their 2008 end of year performance and Aladdin in June 2009.  Positions include Director, Musical Director, Vocal Director, Choreographer, Stage Manager, Set Design, Costume Design/Co-ordinator and any other interested persons who may like to be involved with this dynamic youth theatre company.  They are also seeking suitable people to assist with the 2008 workshops.  For further enquiries please phone Debbie Fraser (03) 5229 7387.
  
Artist requires assistance
If you want to earn a bit extra for those art/book supplies, a local artist requires assistance.  Will suit mature and outgoing student and must have drivers licence and own car.  Standing by display promoting artists work at expos and corporate functions so a high standard of presentation is required.

  
Applications Open - National Celtic Festival
The National Celtic Festival invites applications for performers, stall holders and volunteers for this year's event - to be held on 6 to 9 June in Portarlington.  Information and application forms can be obtained on the website below.  Applications close 17 March 2008.

 
Bilby Saves Easter Preschool Program
Preschoolers are invited to join in the Easter Fun at the National Wool Museum with the new 'Bilby Saves Easter' Preschool Program. Using a range of creative abilities the children will make things, sing songs, dance and read stories, and along the way discover a home for Bilby within the Museum.  Led by experienced staff, this program is designed to be age appropriate and is sure to leave a smile on the faces of the children.   Group bookings are essential.