This State We’re In #30

Hi Forte readers!
After a busy November, we’re very happy to sit down, relax and take a look back on what went down over the last month.
It was amazing to see such an overwhelming number of quality nominees in the running to win at this year’s The Age Music Victoria Awards. In addition, the Regional/Outer Suburban categories were, for the first time, voted by a regional panel instead of being public voting categories.
A massive congrats to this year’s regional and outer suburban winners This Way North for Best Regional/Outer Suburban Act, Meeniyan Town Hall for Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue – Under 50 Gigs Per Year, Karova Lounge (Ballarat) for Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue – Over 50 Gigs Per Year (all of which received $3,000 each courtesy of Bendigo Bank) and Golden Plains for Best Festival. A further congratulations to both Baker Boy and Courtney Barnett for netting several gongs each with 4 and 3 awards respectively.
This week we’re excited to announce the launch of Cultivate, a new leadership program aimed at mid-career and established women in the Victorian music industry who wish to further their leadership and management skills. Supported by the Victorian Government, Cultivate aims to foster the development of some of the state’s key decision makers, business owners, and industry leaders within the music sector, by partnering them up with CEOs, senior role holders and experienced mentors to support and guide the advancement of their careers. Participants will also be engaged in personalised leadership training programs, group masterclasses and networking opportunities. Applications are open now and close 14 January 2019. Check out more information here.
The Music Victoria/VMDO office will be closed for the festive break from 5pm Friday 21 December 2018 and will re-open for business on Monday 7 January 2019. Have a wonderful and music-filled month until we next write.
Christmas cheers, and happy new year!
The Music Vic crew
Member Moment
Sanicki Lawyers
Proudly a Music Victoria member, Sanicki Lawyers is a boutique entertainment and commercial law firm. It offers legal services across a range of areas. Focusing on creative industries and small businesses, they have acted on the behalf of many major Australian entertainers including British India, Megan Washington and Darryl Braithwaite. Their hardworking and experienced team pride themselves on their practical yet cost-effective legal advice. Music Victoria thanks the team at Sanicki Lawyers for supporting us and the Victorian music community. Sanicki Lawyers offers all Music Victoria members a free initial consultation – check it out, and other benefits, on our website.
Gig of the month
Mulatu Astatke & the Black Jesus Experience at Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
Friday 25 January 2019
Mulatu Astatke is the creator of an entire musical genre as the Father of Ethio-Jazz and one of Africa’s most influential and enduring musical figures.
Mulatu was at the heart of Ethiopia’s urban music renaissance during the latter part of the 20th century. He came to renewed world prominence through the ‘Ethiopiques’ record series and the soundtrack to Jim Jarmusch’s ‘Broken Flowers’.
As part of his final Australian tour, Mulatu will be touring with locals Black Jesus Experience, Australia’s premier Ethio-funk ensemble who are born of Australia’s vibrant multiculturalism.
Come and see this unique performance in one of Victoria’s best theatres!
Tickets to this and other gigs here.