With only a month to go before the opening of the Castlemaine State Festival, the township and artists are abuzz with activity and preparations for the 10 days of festivities about to ripple across the region.
Festival director Martin Paten says it is both an exciting and crazy time leading up to the festival.
"It's when all the big ambitious ideas come together, when sets are built, artists prepare for exhibitions and technical rehearsals start - it's when final artistic decisions are made, and the energy in Castlemaine is palpable," Mr Paten said.
He said seven shows were already fully booked, and many more were close to selling out.
"Clearly this is a hugely anticipated festival.
"I am overwhelmed by the positive reactions from people I speak with across the region. Everyone is responding very encouragingly to the festival program. It has broad appeal and is full of the unexpected."
The festival is estimated to bring in an audience of close to 50,000 people, with Australian and international performers and companies mixing and mingling with regional communities and audiences it is a truly celebratory arts festival.
Highlights of the festival include the premier of the George Fairfax Theatre Award piece by Dan Mitchell The Republic of Trees: a tale between earth and sky created in the trees at Vaughan Springs; the Visual Art Biennial curated show Periscope located over three venues, Our Collective DNA literature program, Australia's hippest rock-electro-fusion group The Raah Project performing with over 26 musicians, indigenous work Blak Cabaret and its stellar line-up of artists, French singer Caroline Nin and much more.
A recent post-program printing addition is a remarkable a new dance piece all the way from Spain: "Entomo", to be presented as a free event on the final weekend of the festival.
Festival director Martin Paten says it is both an exciting and crazy time leading up to the festival.
"It's when all the big ambitious ideas come together, when sets are built, artists prepare for exhibitions and technical rehearsals start - it's when final artistic decisions are made, and the energy in Castlemaine is palpable," Mr Paten said.
He said seven shows were already fully booked, and many more were close to selling out.
"Clearly this is a hugely anticipated festival.
"I am overwhelmed by the positive reactions from people I speak with across the region. Everyone is responding very encouragingly to the festival program. It has broad appeal and is full of the unexpected."
The festival is estimated to bring in an audience of close to 50,000 people, with Australian and international performers and companies mixing and mingling with regional communities and audiences it is a truly celebratory arts festival.
Highlights of the festival include the premier of the George Fairfax Theatre Award piece by Dan Mitchell The Republic of Trees: a tale between earth and sky created in the trees at Vaughan Springs; the Visual Art Biennial curated show Periscope located over three venues, Our Collective DNA literature program, Australia's hippest rock-electro-fusion group The Raah Project performing with over 26 musicians, indigenous work Blak Cabaret and its stellar line-up of artists, French singer Caroline Nin and much more.
A recent post-program printing addition is a remarkable a new dance piece all the way from Spain: "Entomo", to be presented as a free event on the final weekend of the festival.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.