Monster Gala Concert in Castlemaine

The Monster Meeting Band. Picture: Vivienne Hamilton.

A huge crowd is expected to attend the Monster Meeting Gala Concert at the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine next Friday night, December 14.
A new CD, complete with a history of the Monster Meeting, will be launched on the night.
The first Monster Meeting was held in Chewton on December 15, 1851, when diggers rallied against Governor Latrobe's bid to double the fee for gold licenses. It was the first real stand for democracy in the state and as history has it, the diggers won.
Organiser Jan `Yarn' Wositzky says the new album features finalists in the 2010 Monster Meeting Song Competition, and that 10 of the finalists will perform their songs at the gala concert.
"We have also formed the Monster Meeting Band, which backs the singers on the CD, and it will also be performing at the concert," Jan said.
The band comprises of mainly local musicians including Tim Heath, Doug Falconer, Wendy Rowlands, James Rigby, Nicholas Lyon, Jane Thompson and Jan himself.
"But the concert is not just a band set," Jan said. "It will have a story flowing through it and people can expect a top line musical performance with a theatrical feel."
The former Governor of Victoria John Landy will launch the CD on the night, which is perhaps a touch ironical.
"The CD tells the story of the first big protest against the first Governor of Victoria, Charles Joseph Latrobe," said Jan. "Mind you, I think Governor Latrobe had much more power than John Landy ever did in his time."
Castlemaine author and local librarian Robyn Annear will also speak at the gala concert.
Jan said music on the night would range from folk to rock.
"The theme is all about the Monster Meeting so people can expect some wonderful ballads but there will be lots of styles played on the night - brass band, contemporary, Irish balladry and even some music bordering on samba."
He said the songs were about people standing up for their rights and in that sense "they are all universal".
"It's about people standing up against despotic governments and inherited privilege - it's about how people have to stand together against oppression.
"The album is about an event in the goldfields in 1851 and people are singing about freedom, justice and that we all should be equal in the face of the law and that we should all have rights.
"So I guess in a way we have made a protest album - it's not left or right - it's about the basics of democracy that we all take for granted. And that push for democracy started out there in Chewton with the first Monster Meeting.
"I think next Friday night will be a night to remember."
The annual march and re-enactment will follow in Chewton the next day, Saturday, December 15.
To book tickets for next Friday night's gala concert ($30 show or $52 dinner and show) call the Theatre Royal on 5472 1196.