Opportunity for youth to shine
A Wimmera arts company will host instrument workshops and a performance showcase as part of an arts festival in Stawell this month.
Stawell Performing Arts Company will stage a youth talent showcase, ‘GYE Factor’, as well as singing, ukulele and Celtic lever harp workshops during Stawell Performing Arts Fest on February 25 and 26.
The youth showcase encourages musicians, dancers, actors and comedians aged between 12 and 25 to perform on the Friday night, in front of a live audience and a panel of arts professionals. Instrument workshops for all ages will follow on Saturday and culminate in a night performance from workshop leaders and participants.
Frances Thiele will host an introductory beginner harp workshop, with harps available to borrow if participants do not have their own.
Polly Christie will host a singing workshop and Nicki Johnson and Craig Barrie a beginner to intermediate ukulele workshop.
Stawell’s Isobel Smith, 10, is looking forward to joining the ukulele workshop. “I started playing the ukulele about 12 months ago and it is well and truly fun to play,” she said.
“I’m going to stick with the ukulele for the moment. Dad does have a guitar but it’s too big for me.”
Participants will need to bring their own ukulele.
The company’s talent showcase is free for entrants, but registration is necessary.
Organisers said the event would follow state COVID-19 venue and vaccination requirements.