IT is set to be a stellar year for performing arts across the region, starting with the Swan Hill Town Hall and Region Season Launch next week.
Venue manager Simon Myers told The Guardian that the launch, at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening, will give the community a taste of what is to come this year.
“So what we are doing is we are launching the season, but in some ways you might say it is a relaunch of this venue and maybe performing arts in the area,” he said.
While the Swan Hill Town Hall is a prominent venue for hosting performing arts events, Mr Myers said this season will see more venues utilised across the region, including the Robinvale Community Arts Centre, as well as the Manangatang, Boundary Bend and Nyah West community halls.
“If you think about it like a pebble that hits the lake and just sort of ripples out, that’s the idea,” Mr Myers said.
The Swan Hill Theatre Group hall on McCrae Street will also be another venue that will be used for some upcoming performances.
“We think that some of the potential shows that we can bring aren’t suitable for the Town Hall, it is just too big,” Mr Myers said.
“The Theatre Group Hall is a beautiful, more intimate area.”
The launch night will feature guest speakers and performers such as Robinvale local Paul Costa and The Victorian State Ballet, as well as show snippets, canapes, a drink on arrival and a copy of the season brochure.
“The plan is for this year to very much be presenting what I call ‘bangers’ – something that it is not hard to decide whether you want to go see it or not,” Mr Myers said.
After a few years of cancellations and postponements, Mr Myers said what is he most looking forward to about the upcoming season is consistency.
“I think, coming from Melbourne, it’s been a real eye-opener with the recent floods on how that affects people, and that’s just after COVID and all kind of stuff,” Mr Myers said.
“So I am looking forward to hopefully some consistency, and hopefully looking forward to establishing a regular routine for people again so they can go out and have a great experience, not just here but also in other venues around the area.”
The Swan Hill Town Hall and Region Season Launch will be held on Tuesday, February 7 at 6.30pm at the Swan Hill Town Hall. Entry is free.
