Parasteddfod is chance to shine
A day of music, drama and dance like no other will be on offer when the Gippsland Parasteddfod is staged at the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Wednesday, November 14.
This uplifting event features performers with a disability who shine on stage as the audience creates a supportive vibe with cheers and claps.
Now an annual event presented by the West Gippsland Music and Drama Eisteddfod Inc, the entrants will perform individually or in groups.
The eisteddfod committee has been running a traditional eisteddfod for more than 25 years. It is regarded as a significant cultural event in our local community and wider regional Victoria, attracting over 1000 entrants of all ages from across Gippsland, Melbourne and beyond.
The 2018 competition was run over 13 days in July/August.
The Gippsland Parasteddfod started in 2012 to promote social inclusion and provide a supported opportunity for people with a disability to share their musical and dramatic talents.
This initiative has been very well received within the community and participation has grown as performers come from our local community as well as the Latrobe Valley, South Gippsland and Bass Coast regions.
In 2017, more than 130 people with a disability, aged from 16 to 60 years, performed on a purpose-built stage at the Warragul Exhibition Hall to a crowd of more than 300 people.
The Gippsland Parasteddfod is a non-competitive event and an experienced, professional adjudicator provides verbal and written performance feedback and encouragement to all participants.
Medallions and certificates are provided to each performer as a memento of their experience.
The eisteddfod committee has received fan- tastic feedback from the performers, their families and carers; making the Parasteddfod now an eagerly awaited event.
The opening of the newly renovated West Gippsland Arts Centre is adding further excitement to the staging of the 2018 event.
The Gippsland Parasteddfod will be held on Wednesday, November 14 from 10am. Tickets are just $5 per person.
Community members are warmly invited to join in this wonderful day of music and celebration.