Saturday, 21 January 2023 16:15
LABOR’S PLAN FOR COUNTRY MUSIC
LABOR has launched its plan for Country Music in NSW, with a commitment to complete the state’s first Regional Music Census, mapping music venues, performances and music infrastructure across regional NSW for the first time.
An analysis of the latest data from Liquor and Gaming shows that NSW has slipped dramatically behind Victoria when it comes to regional music venues, with just 48 specific music venues in regional NSW compared to 308 music venues in regional Victoria - less than a sixth as many.
Based on Victorian research, the economic gain to NSW of closing that gap would be nearly $450M in extra economic activity each year.
The Regional Music Census would be completed alongside a music census for Sydney venues, with both to be completed by the end of 2023.
Other elements of Labor’s plan to support country music over four years include:
• Guaranteed funding for five Country Music Association of Australia Academy of Country Music Senior Scholarships per year, $40,000 to support the Academy to deliver their country music education and professional development programs, and $7,500 per year to send the leading graduate to Nashville.
• Working as a priority to set up a Special Entertainment Precinct in Tamworth, along with local live music venues and Tamworth Regional Council to guarantee the long term future of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
• A commitment to country music representation on the Contemporary Music Artform board.
Making this announcement at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, John Graham, Shadow Minister for the Arts, Music and the Night Time Economy said: “Country music in NSW has huge potential given our talented artists, the importance of the Tamworth festival and the grip country music has on the heartstrings of the biggest music market in the world.”
“We want to see that potential grow, especially after a hard couple of years for the industry.”
“We need to back our regional venues to make that possible and rebuild the regional touring circuit that is so important to the country music scene.”
“The first step is this stocktake on the regional venues we have, which allows us to build from there.”
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Friday, 20 January 2023 06:59
SPOTS AT ALAN BAKER GALLERY OPEN NOW
THE highly-coveted spots in the first term of the Alan Baker Art Gallery Public Program for 2023 are now up for grabs.
On offer this term is:
• Art After School, held between Tuesday 7 February and Friday 31 March from 3.45pm on Tuesday for five-to-seven-year-olds; Wednesday and Thursday for seven-to-11-year-olds; and Friday for 12-to-16-year-olds. The weekly program will deliver a series of guided workshops designed to develop budding artists’ conceptual and practical skills;
• Drawing Wildlife on Wednesday evenings from 8 February to 1 March, 6.30-8.30pm. Residents aged 15 years and over will learn how to create realistic drawings of wildlife using charcoal and graphite pencil on paper over the four workshops;
• Textiles For Beginners on Tuesday evenings from 7 March to 28 March, 6-8pm. Attendees will learn a variety of textile art techniques including patchwork and decorative stitching;
• Watercolour Fridays on Friday mornings from 10 February to 31 March, 9am-noon. This eight-week program will teach participants the art of watercolour painting and guide them through foundational techniques in a supportive and friendly environment;
• Life Drawing (18+ only) on the third Thursday of the month (16 February, 16 March and 20 April), 6.30-8.30pm. This program allows attendees to express their creative side, sharing ideas and techniques with a warm and welcoming group. The sessions include a nude model;
• Sunday Art Play on the last Sunday of the month (31 January, 26 February, 26 March and 30 April), noon-2pm. With a different activity each week, and an abundance of artworks to take inspiration from, attendees are welcome to enjoy two hours of self-directed artmaking; and
• Ceramics for Beginners on Saturday 15 and 22 April, 10am-1pm. This two-session workshop will teach participants the basics of hand-building techniques using air dry clay
Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli, urged interested residents to get ready to book their spot.
“All our Alan Baker Art Gallery programs are incredibly popular and tend to book out really quickly,” Cr Fedeli said.
“If you see something you like and want to try your hand at being a little creative, make sure you secure your spot as soon as possible – so it’s not too late!”
For more information on the program, including costs, materials needed and how to book, visit https://bit.ly/ABAG-at-Macaria
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Friday, 20 January 2023 06:44
THE LEGEND OF FISHER’S GHOST
Where else is a ghost a famous citizen?
DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
THERE aren’t too many places around the world that can claim a ghost as its most famous citizen, but that’s certainly the case in the Campbelltown district.
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