The countdown is on until a weekend of pure artistic hedonism hits Ballarat.
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New annual festival SongWays will be held October 14 to 16 – a smorgasbord of sound that will reach out into the various nooks and crannies of Ballarat’s existing music venues.
It will tie in with the opening of the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s second go hosting the Archibald Prize exhibition.
SongWays is a key feature of the City of Ballarat’s new Live Music Strategic Plan, which it has been squirreling away at for 18 months, and has ambitious plans of putting Ballarat on the map as a go-to destination for local and live music.
The line-up itself is comprehensive and features a range of free and ticketed events, with all artists having a strong Ballarat connection.
Live Music Committee spokesperson, councillor Belinda Coates, said it was exciting to see the action items start getting ticked off the strategic plan.
“It’s terrific that it will coincide with the Archies as well, so it will really activate the city at a time when it’s really buzzing,” she said.
City of Ballarat arts and culture manager Daniel Henderson said SongWays would demonstrate the type of music-embracing community Ballarat was home to.
“It builds the vibrancy and the notion that Ballarat is a city of music, a city of creativity, and it’s a chance to embrace and recognise local creative talent,” he said.
“The notion of it is activating our city through live music and empowering our businesses to create cultural tourism opportunities.”
Busking organiser Amie Sexton said on Saturday October 15, residents could expect to see Bridge Mall come to life with buskers and roaming performers all day. She also said an open mic spot would be open for anyone willing to have a go.
Highlights will include free live music across the city on Friday night, a musical extravaganza at Suttons House of Music on Saturday, and a Sunday chill session at the Main Bar featuring Geoffrey Williams, Paige Duggan Quartet and Michael Westlake Trio.
For more details, visit www.facebook.com/BallaratSongWaysMusicFestival