Thanks to all for the positive response to the first edition of the Bluesletter (February 2011). We’ve had so many emails from people showing support of all kinds… it’s very encouraging to know that this festival is a worthwhile undertaking in the opinion of so many people out there.
While funding is in the process of being secured from numerous sources (as mentioned in the Bluesletter edition #1), we are of course still happy to field offers of cash and in-kind sponsorship from any and all interested businesses and groups who wish to become part of our humble festival in its inaugural year and beyond.
I’d also like to invite people to visit www.planbig.com and show support for our festival plan, as well as for my suggestion/plan of a permanent stage facility in Rosalind Park. Go to http://www.planbig.com.au/Permanent-performance-stagefacility-in-Bendigos-CBD It’s another project that is close to my heart and to those of the committee, our support crew and those in the wider arts and music community of this region.
I’d just like to make a quick mention of a show that would be well worth you attending (if you’re reading this in time to do so of course) and that’s the Relay For Life benefit gig at the Golden Vine on Saturday April 9. It’s an annually held event and this year has a slight Rootsy kind of twist, with featured artists Joel English, TJ, Deano Stanton’s band and Urban Creatures. All proceeds from the door are donated to the Cancer Council’s Relay For Life anti-cancer campaign through the Bendigo Bank’s Bendigo Centre Relay team. The door will be manned yet again by Bendigo Bank’s Customer Help Centre team and the door charge is a mere $10. Great value for great entertainment; and all to support a great cause – so why wouldn’t you go?!
For those Blues enthusiasts out there looking for a casual play, or keen to witness some improvised musical magic, the Bendigo Blues Club (headed by Roy and Sue Webb) run a twice monthly Blues Jam that shouldn’t be missed. Get along to the Newmarket Hotel on the first Saturday afternoon of every month for the fully electrified Blues Jam (drum-kit and some backline provided)…and: the Golden Vine Hotel on the third Saturday afternoon of every month for the acoustic Blues Jam. For the uninitiated, these are probably the most welcoming and fun jam sessions you’re ever likely to take part in or witness. And to witness is to take part! We get fantastic singers, brilliant players and live music enthusiasts from all over the region (and beyond) regularly coming along to enjoy the vibe these Blues Jams emanate. Be amongst them and check it out for yourself!
Don’t forget: no matter what the cause, what the occasion, or what your tastes, going out and enjoying live music is its own reward!
Finally, it’s very exciting for us to be able to announce that Bendigo Bank, having recognised the value in what our Festival committee and crew is striving to achieve, has committed to providing a $10,000 sponsorship towards the cost of getting this festival off the ground in 2011.
There are already so many overdue thanks to be handed out to the many people who’ve donated their time and talents, and those who’ve already kicked in with sponsorship dollars to help this project along, but this contribution by the bank cannot be overlooked as a huge boost to what we will be able to achieve with the inaugural Festival in November 2011.
