Senior Festival goes remote

This year’s Victorian Seniors Festival will be reimagined into an interactive online festival running over six months.

Ordinarily, the month-long festival is held in October with a range of free and low-cost activities and outings for local seniors to enjoy.

However, this year’s festival will be delivered directly to local homes from now until October 31. It will feature online performances, zoom interviews and storytelling through weekly online broadcasting of recordings made at home by a range of performers.

Themed “in the groove”, the recordings will be hosted by Bec Reid and Tristan Meecham, featuring performers such as Kutcha Edwards, Gram-O-Phonie Brothers, Tania Kernaghan, Jane Clifton, Paul Williamson and Robyn Archer.

Activities will be entertaining and will include online concerts and dedicated radio content for older Victorians.

The major shift from traditional events, outings and activities during the month of October is a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic and the Victorian Government’s redirection of festival funding towards onlineonly content.

2020 marks the 38th year the festival has run – but the first with a solely online focus.

“While this year’s festival will be very different to the normal format of much-loved local events and activities, it’s fantastic to see the festival adapt in these uncertain times,” said Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss. “Each week the reimagined festival will bring you new performances and interactive opportunities - so be sure to join in and get in the groove.”

The festival is funded by the Victorian Government and rolled out by local governments across the state.

For more information about online events happening now, go to the Victorian Seniors Festival website seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festivalsandawards.