FRIDAY night the Go North Arts Festival gets under way, as Swan Hill welcomes spring with three days of arts and music.
Kicking off at 7.30pm at the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery with musician Delsinki performing his show of iconic ’80s Aussie covers, Straight to the Pool Room.
It features the music of Men at Work, Australian Crawl, Midnight Oil, INXS, Goanna, Icehouse, Olivia Newton John, Cold Chisel, Divinyls, Paul Kelly and more, played stripped back and acoustic by four talented musos.
There have been a few last-minute changes to the format, with a change of venue and reduced ticket prices to make the festival more affordable and accessible to more people.
Swan Hill Council in partnership with Creative Victoria has drastically cut tickets prices, in response to the rising cost of living.
Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery director Ian Tully said event organisers were responding to a significant community need for more affordable events, and had reduced tickets prices to just $15.
“We’re aware of the growing costs of living and as a result we have made changes to ensure our Go North Arts Festival is more affordable for our community and visitors to enjoy,” Mr Tully said
“We have opted to relocate the festival to the Swan Hill Town Hall PACC – and, as an added bonus, we will now not have the extra stress associated with impacts of weather forecasts on an outdoor event.
“The Town Hall doors will open (noon Saturday) for the main concert event, with music and workshops to commence from 12.30pm.
“The concert features music from Indigenous singer-songwriter Benny Walker, a Yorta Yorta man from Echuca, who mixes blues and roots with contemporary guitar-driven soul, joined on stage by his band for a big blues-rock sound guaranteed to reach the soul.
“Singer-songwriter Simon Marks and his four-piece band will perform music ranging from folk to country, rock, roots and ballads, guaranteed to get the crowd moving.
“There will be several art workshops throughout the day, alongside the main concert.
“No matter your level of skill there’ll be a workshop for you – sculpting, painting, drawing, spray painting, ukulele and more.”
