CD Launch of the M2M Contemporary Songline

Image by Bindi Cole

M2M

The Arts & Culture Department, City of Greater Geelong, are very excited to announce the release of the much awaited Studio recording of the M2M Contemporary Songline for Geelong.

M2M is a contemporary songline of music that responds to the landscapes, the special places, the built environment and the people of Geelong. It was specially written and performed live as part of Connecting Identities...Mouth to Mountain, a community journey which took place on 9th May 2009.

Principal Composer, local musician Rod Gear (Sons of Korah, Barach) said “The assignment to musically represent places I had grown up with had some particular challenges. Could I hear music flowing from these locations I knew so well? Would familiarity inspire song, I wondered? But as I revisited these places and reflected long enough on their uniqueness I began to see them in new light. The melodies began to flow quite naturally and the ‘songline’ took shape under my hands as I reconnected with my homeland, almost as if I’d never left. Thanks to all the wonderful musicians involved in the M2M project who took the project to new levels”.

Other compositions contributed include "Walk this Land" by Tiffany Eckhardt with Dave Steel, Rose Bygrave's (Goanna, Pearl) piece "Carry Memory" with a combined Geelong community choir conducted by Lucy Jones, and Spoken word piece "Dawn" by Meme McDonald.

Presented with a full colour booklet and supplimentary DVD of the highlights from the M~M 2009 Community Journey, this beautiful CD will make an outstanding gift for family members or visitors to Geelong.

Fony 2013

Social Media. Digital activism. Bullying. Trolling. Duck shooting. Shooting. Rumour-made-easy. How to be authentic in an anonymous world where you can be anyone you want to be.

FONY 2013 will make you laugh and make you think about crying without having to totally commit. It is presented by Courthouse ARTS as their first Ensemble Project for 2013, all the way from planet Geelong, and will tour to Australian Theatre for Young People in Sydney in July 2013.

* This event is supported by the City of Greater Geelong Community Arts and Festivals Grants Program.

International Hit No Child Comes To Geelong

Nilaja Sun in No Child

A startling new play depicting the battleground of public school education comes to GPAC in May as part of the Shaken + Stirred program.

No Child is written and performed by Nilaja Sun, who spent eight years teaching in some of New York’s toughest schools. This mesmerising solo show tells the story of a newly employed drama teacher, struggling to teach students who don't expect much more than to drop out, get pregnant or go to jail. The play premiered in New York in 2006 and has since wowed audiences in the US and Europe. It was a hit at the Melbourne Festival where it gained standing ovations at every performance.

Nilaja Sun switches with ease between an impressive array of characters – teachers, parents, security guards, administrators and students – sketching out a quirky and dysfunctional school system. This Theatreworks production is directed by Hal Brooks and comes to GPAC for one performance only in the Drama Theatre.

This show is not suitable for children under the age of 12 due to strong language. GPAC’s Shaken + Stirred program is supported by the Sidney Myer Fund.

Jonathon Welch Returns To Musical Mornings

Jonathon Welch

GPAC’s Musical Mornings Season One concludes in June when the much-loved Jonathon Welch AM, presents a thrilling morning of Great Tenor Hits. Well known for his ‘Choir of Hard Knocks’, Jonathon is considered one of the finest tenors of his generation.

Musical Mornings audiences will be treated to a thrilling morning of music celebrating many of the world’s great tenors, including Richard Tauber, Pavarotti, Domingo, Bocelli and Josh Groban.

Born and educated in Melbourne, Jonathon began his singing career with Victoria State Opera and has since gone on to perform in Australia and overseas, notching up some 60 stage roles. Today, Jonathon is in demand as a performer, guest lecturer and conductor.

Jonathon Welch’s Great Tenor Hits comes to GPAC for two performances only, on June 12 and 13 at 10.30am.  Musical Mornings concerts are proudly supported by Tuckers Funeral & Bereavement Services and are held in The Playhouse at GPAC on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with free morning tea available to patrons before the show.

Copacc Presents - Moon By The Australian Voices

The Australian Voices

Comming to Colac Otway Performing Arts & Cultural Centre - Moon is a stunning a cappella choral-theatre experience by the Australian Voices.

The concert includes beautiful choral works by Rachmaninoff, Bruckner and Biebl alongside pieces like the Australian Voices’ YouTube hit The Facebook Song and other contemporary Australian works by Stephen Leek, Gordon Hamilton, Nigel Butterley and more. 

Following intermission, the show enters choral-theatre mode with the intergalactic love story, MOON. This epic song of love, featuring 10 movements tells the story of the lonely Diana, her search for love and the twists of a very long distance relationship.

Steve Singline - A Glimpse Beyond Signs Of The Times

oil on canvas 2013

An exhibition of recent oil paintings by Steve Singline explores the natural landscape and the built environment.

A diverse body of work which includes intimate postcard size atmospheric landscape and seascape paintings, and larger urban/industrial city scapes.

Vacant billboards and signs punctuate some pieces, which questions the role advertising and signage plays within our public spaces.

Day Dreamings, Unframed

Rainbow Wind Scarf

Eucalyptus Cape

Day Dreamings – Unframed: Silk – Felted Wearable Art A special treat for May is an exhibition of two prominent artists from South Australia.

Igora Lucyna Opala is a talented textile artist who works with silk and felting to create gorgeous throws, scarfs and other versions of wearable art. The designs echo the Australian landscape and seascape, colours are at times vibrant and subdued.

To complement this magnificent display is the work of Jan Woodman, another much loved South Australian artist who has recently exhibited her Botanical art at The Observatory in Melbourne. She has also published a number of books on Australian wild flowers.

Metropolis Gallery Alick Tipoti + David Bosun + Glen Mackie: Printmakers From The Torres Strait Islands

Glen Mackie 'Kursi' Linocut

Alick Tipoti 'Murai' Linocut

David Bosun Kek-Monsoon Season

Alick Tipoti and David Bosun are from Badu Island and Glen Mackie is from Yam Island in the Torres Strait, situated between the northern tip of Australia and Papua New Guinea. These three highly-collected Australian artists are part of an important school of contemporary Torres Strait Islander art, with works in many important Australian and international permanent collections.
 
Traditionally, small Islander audiences experienced culture through storytelling and dance. Tipoti, Bosun and Mackie are translating the knowledge and techniques derived from their traditional skill as carvers into a contemporary visual art form. The fine incising into linoleum blocks of complex narrative images and symbolic pattern making is hand-printed onto archival paper, and represents the unique and continuing culture of the islands.

The artists' intricate designs and strong figurative imagery re-tell legends passed down by Elders about the creation of their environment; unique and exciting stories about life before the islands were impacted by outside interests: a time when warriors were held in high esteem, their distinctive headdresses and masks, drums and objects associated with ritual ceremonies and dances.

The artists are acutely aware of the fragile nature of their marine environment and incorporate into their work imagery of important foods including dugong, turtle, edible fish, crayfish; beautiful reef features like corals, trochus shells and conches and exotic flowers, trees and birds.

Time To Come 'Home'

Red Ruffles by H Henry

Pretty Blue Planet by K Wells

Afternoon Tea by R Pickersgill

Scarf Festival 2013: Home

Knitted, felted, crocheted, woven or otherwise handcrafted, the National Wool Museum’s Scarf Festival© 2013 is an exhibition of over 300 pieces of wearable art by creative individuals from across Australia and the world.

Scarf Festival© - ten years of creativity and diversity of techniques, designs, materials and ideas from primary school students to some of Australia’s most accomplished artisans, and every level of enthusiasm and expertise in between. A signature event of the National Wool Museum since 2008, Scarf Festival© started in Melbourne with Craft Victoria in 2003.

Most of the scarves are available for purchase with prices ranging from $30 to $300 or more. Be forewarned: the best scarves sell quickly; however, every scarf remains on display for the full duration of the exhibition.

2013 Theme: Home

For 2013 the National Wool Museum invited scarf makers from across the globe to answer a most heartfelt question – what is home: ‘Whatever it means to you, however you define it, shape it and live it, this is your opportunity to create a scarf that explains, explores and explodes the myths and realities of what it means to belong.’

Awards:
An independent panel of three will judge all entries against 11 different categories such as Use of Sustainable Practices, Knitted, School Entries and Scarf of the Year; new for 2013 - ‘Menswear’.

Disagree with the judges? Love one scarf over all the others? You can have your say by casting a vote for People’s Choice Award. Craft Demonstrations Daily Scarf Festival© 2013 includes an inspiring program of daily craft demonstrations including traditional crafts and unusual, cutting edge techniques from knitting and weaving to wood burning and fashion design sketching.

Daily from 10am to 4pm at no extra charge.

Barwon Grange - Winter Opening Hours

Barwon Grange

Barwon Grange captures and conserves a moment in time providing insight into the affluent life style of Jonathan and Ann Porter O’Brien in Geelong in 1856. Volunteer guides deliver an enjoyable and educational experience to visitors as they take you through the house and back in time.

The Heights Heritage House And Garden - Winter Opening Hours

The Heights

Join a guided tour of this heritage house built in 1855 and once home to three generations of the one Geelong family. Take a stroll in the gardens which occupies two and a half acres and is one of the oldest private gardens in Geelong.

National Celtic Festival 2013 at Portarlington

Mairearad Green & Anna Massie

Australia's largest and most diverse Celtic celebration is now in its 11th year and takes place at the picturesque bayside town of Portarlington, on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula.

The festival showcases the cream of Celtic talent from across Australia and around the world. This year the line up includes Eleanor McEvoy (Ire), The Outside Track (Can/Ire/Scot), Aoife Scott (Ire), Fiona Ross (Scot), Mairearad Green & Anna Massie (Scotland) and Tim Chaisson (Canada.
 
The Australian contingent includes the original Ploughboys, Claymore, Siobhan Owen, Zeon, The Beenies, Claddagh, Tolka, Corinn Strating Band and many many more. So whether your Celtic connection is just a fondness for a glass of Guinness, or a deep bond with your spiritual homeland – this warm and exciting festival has something to offer everyone.

Relax in more than a dozen undercover heated venues with ample seating and enjoy performances ranging from full-scale concerts to intimate jam sessions. There's traditional dance, pipes & drums, poetry and Gaelic languages, quirky Celtic cuisine, children’s entertainment, an extensive workshop program, and so much more. The “craic” begins on Friday night and continues over three jam-packed days and nights, concluding late Monday afternoon.

* This event is supported by the City of Greater Geelong Community Arts and Festivals Grants Program.

Art@wintergarden - Creative Design Market

Applications are still open for stall holders for the Sunday 16 June Creative Design Market.

National Celtic Festival - Last Chance To Volunteer

Volunteering at NCF

Ever wanted to get more involved in a local event? This is your chance! Come along to the National Celtic Festival to volunteer with us this June 7 - 10. This wonderful winter festival boasts warm venues, friendly hospitality and a vibrant program of music, song, art, language, dance and much more.

Volunteering is a great way to get involved with a major arts & culture event in our region, also to meet some great new people, learn new skills & support the local community. Volunteer applications close soon, so get in quick! Head to our website for more details.

* This event is supported by the City of Greater Geelong Community Arts and Festivals Grants Program.

Make A Film, Make A Difference

MAFMAD 2013 is seeking ideas for short films from young Victorians that form part of the theme 'Your Mates Life is in Your Hands' and specifically address the thought of speaking up. Your idea should encourage young people to look out for their mates and/or provide strategies to 'speak up' to get out of or avoid dangerous situations as a driver or passenger.

To enter Make A Film. Make A Difference. simply submit your idea for a short film that tackles the theme 'Your Mates Life is in Your Hands', and specifically encourages young Victorians to speak up if they feel unsafe. It doesn't matter what style you choose just so long as it's not a traditional TAC road safety ad.

The judges are looking for something outside the box that will make your mates look out for each other on the road. If you want some inspiration, take a look at past winners. Otherwise get familiar with the brief, consider your own experiences and let your imagination do the rest.

Funding For Your Community Arts Activities

There are so many arts and cultural activities going on around Geelong every day of the week, that its easy to feel overwhelmed. For committee members charged with finding resources to provide for your community arts projects and festivals, there are many more sources of funding than most people are aware of. To encourage your efforts to find the perfect funding partner, here are just a few:

Federal government: http://grants.myregion.gov.au

Federal Regional funding http://arts.gov.au/funding/opportunities  
Heritage related Projects
http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/programs/

State Government: http://www.arts.vic.gov.au/Funding_Programs/Funding_at_a_Glance

Check to see if your area is eligible for regional funding: http://arts.gov.au/regional/aria

Regional Victoria Funding: http://www.rav.net.au/funding-and-resources

Philanthropic (non-Government) Funding: http://www.philanthropy.org.au/links/fund.html 

http://www.artsaboutus.com.au/about
 
Local Government http://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/community/arts/article/item/8cb908a8c56fc8c.aspx 

This is only the beginning - there are lists available through groups like www.ourcommunity.com.au  that cover all these and more.

So jump in and have a go. There are also plenty of people willing to assist you to apply for funding, using thier own knowlege and experience to get you started.

Adult Craft Classes

Felting Class

Come along for an introduction to a variety of craft techniques from felting to embroidery, led by our experienced Education team.

Bookings not required, however class size is limited to 12 participants.

Telephone 5272 4701 for more information.

Craft Classes For Preschoolers

Craft classes for youngsters

Your preschooler can experience a whole new side to The National Wool Museum as they explore the Museum to find new colours, textures, patterns, and illusions to inspire their creations. Each week has a new theme and a new activity specifically designed for children aged 2 to 5 years. Come and join in our friendly and fun Saturday morning art and craft classes with our qualified art teacher Michelle – we’ll even clear up after you! Classes run on Saturday mornings from 10am to 11am. Please note, an adult carer must remain with each child participant. Pre-booking is not required; however, there is a limit of 12 children in each session.

New Tv Show - "Yes You Can Paint"

Yes You Can Paint TV Show

Geelong artist Rod Moore has a new TV show 'Yes You Can Paint' which is currently broadcasting on C31 in Melbourne & Geelong.

The new show teaches you how to paint in oil and acrylic step-by-step. The show is broadcast each Monday at 3:30pm and is repeated on Friday mornings at 9am