Delight as Parasteddfod hits stage
The joy of appearing on stage was obvious as the Gippsland Parasteddfod made its long-awaited return to the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Wednesday.
The parasteddfod, part of the West Gippsland Performing Arts Competition, attracted 120 entrants performing vocal, dance, instrumental and drama solo and group items to perform in front of an audience of some 300 people.
The bands kicked off this uplifting event featuring performers with a disability. They set the tone for the day in getting the audience involved, singing along and dancing in their seats.
“The interaction between performers and the audience was amazing with everyone clapping along, joining in the chorus and many shouting encouragement to their friends on stage,” said convenor Anne McNiffe who added every act received rapturous applause.
“It is wonderful to see the enjoyment of those relishing their moment on the big stage equalled by those in the audience seeing their friends up there.”
The Gippsland Parasteddfod is a non-competitive event with an experienced, professional adjudicator providing verbal and written performance feedback and encouragement to all participants.
Medallions and certificates were provided to each performer as a memento of their experience.
Ms McNiffe said the return to the West Gippsland Arts Centre was greatly appreciated by organisers and participants alike. The centre now offers greatly improved accessibility, more space to gather in groups outside the auditorium and the wrap-around foyer creating better crowd management.
The West Gippsland Music and Drama Eisteddfod Committee, who run the West Gippsland Performing Arts Competition, thanked the sponsors who enable this fabulous opportunity to continue. They include Drouin and District Community Bank, Community College Gippsland, Baw Baw Shire Council and Creative Victoria.