Victorian festivals, associations, get funded
The Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Next Wave Festival, Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, the Wantok Music Foundation, The Black Arm Band, Big West Festival, Liquid Architecture Sound, Midsumma, Songlines and the Melbourne Fringe were among music festivals and associations who received funding from the State Government’s new Organisations Investment Program.
White knight for Breath of Life
Launceston City Council alderman Rob Soward will move a motion at its October 14 meeting to overturn its decision not to continue funding the Breath of Life festival. Earlier this month, Council’s event assessment committee opted not to contribute $20,000 towards the March 14 event in Inveresk as there were other events that were more needy. It contributed $9900 to the festival in 2013 and $11,250 in 2012. The event draws over 16,000 punters and injects $2.5 million to the economy. Soward said, “It’s an important event and it works, and I don't think what it brings to the area has not been considered enough.”
Promoter Clint Pease is gathering letters of support from local business to include with the motion. If interested, email him at clint.pease@opcon.com.au. Pease was told by Council that he could increase ticket prices to cover the shortfall but he says the result would be that less people would attend. Greens member Kim Booth has written to the Council asking it to reconsider. Cultural events already receiving Council support are Junction Arts ($105,000), New Year on Royal ($120,000), Festivale ($60,000) and Symphony Under the Stars ($45,000).
Caloundra Music eliminates disposable bottled water
Caloundra Music is claiming an Australian first for a music festival: it has abandoned selling bottled water for environmental reasons. Patrons are asked to bring a reusable water bottle and refill it during the event at various refill stations on the site. “By not selling disposable bottled water it will reduce the accumulated waste in the festival site by approximately 20,000 bottles over the four-day event,” Sunshine Coast divisional councillor Tim Dwyer pointed out. Chilled and filtered spring water will be available to purchase from three site locations. “This is really the initiative we need to spread awareness of plastic pollution and create behavioural change that will have lasting benefits for our environment and particularly our oceans. Marine debris is such a massive problem for our oceans,” observed Jacki Boyce of the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
Bluesfest brings out the legends
Byron Bay’s Bluesfest, which celebrates its 25th anniversary next year, just announced its second round of artists – heavy on legends, including the Doobie Bros, Greg Allman, Aaron Neville, Boz Scaggs, India.Arie, Dr John, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Suzanne Vega, Jimmie Vaughan and a Jamaican supergroup with Ernest Ranglin, Sly & Robbie and Bitty McLean.
All-Australian Paradise launches
A new music festival with an all-Australian bent, Paradise, is held in the Victorian alpine region November 29 to December 1 at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort near Marysville. Acts include Glass Towers, Elizabeth Rose, Millions, Oisima, Naysayer & Gilsun (DJ set), Squarehead, The Demon Parade, The Getaway Plan, O.O.M.A, Dark Arts, Electric Sea Spider and Them Swoops.
- Christie Eliezer
