Spring is finally here, which means that the Geelong Arts Centre is blooming with great concerts, events and more.
The city’s finally getting starting to get its warm weather groove back with festivals, outdoor events, plenty of great exhibitions and theatre, and of course, the sun.
With a plethora of entertainment once again adorning our favourite regional theatre, from the songs, stories and art of the musical legend that is Joni Mitchell, a world-class rock royalty tribute, and a performance from an ARIA Award-winning artist, this is your cue to get ready for a huge Spring of entertainment in Geelong.
Here are the shows not to miss at the Geelong Arts Centre this month.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Our Top Pick For September: BLUE: The Songs Of Joni Mitchell
When: Saturday, September 3 at 1pm and 7:30pm.
Where: Costa Hall
BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell is a beguiling night of melancholic songs, poetic storytelling and haunting vocals.
Renowned for her artful storytelling and raw emotive vocals, Australian cabaret chanteuse and musical theatre star Queenie van de Zandt is bringing the songs, stories and art of the musical legend that is Joni Mitchell in the award-winning show BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell, arriving at Costa Hall in Geelong on Saturday, September 3 2022.
In BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell, Queenie, along with her live band, explores her love of all things Joni – the renaissance woman, painter and poet who created a soundtrack for the Woodstock generation.
Using voiceovers and intimate storytelling, Queenie takes audiences on a sonic journey through Joni’s life, loses and loves, affectionately reinterpreting her melancholy music, and intimately revealing the stories behind some of her most haunting songs such as ‘A Case of You’, ‘Both Sides Now’ and ‘Little Green’.
Since its inception in 2017, BLUE has toured to sold-out houses and rave reviews across Australia and in the US. Along the way, it has won a slew of theatre awards, as well as been nominated for the prestigious Helpmann Award for Best Cabaret Performer and the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Cabaret Production.
BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell, is a beguiling night of melancholic songs, poetic storytelling and haunting vocals in a perfect setting that is not to be missed.
Tickets here.
The Toni Childs Retrospective
When: Sunday, September 4 at 7:30pm
Where: Costa Hall
Emmy winner and three-time Grammy nominated recording artist, Toni Childs, arrives in Geelong for a special two-hour performance as she celebrates her life’s musical works.
Toni will be performing hits and fan favourites from Union, House of Hope, the Woman’s Boat and Keep the Faith in the first hour of her show then the second hour will be an introduction to Toni’s new music, from two very special albums It’s All a Beautiful Noise and Citizens of the Planet.
Toni is a celebrated singer/songwriter known for her powerful voice, inspiring independent spirit and crafted storytelling. With fans in over 50 countries around the world, Toni has produced a list of international hits such as: Don’t Walk Away, Stop Your Fussin’, Walk and Talk Like Angels, Zimbabwe, Where’s the Ocean, Many Rivers to Cross, I’ve Got to Go Now and Because You’re Beautiful, to name a few.
Tickets here.
Shake Rattle ‘n’ Roll
When: Saturday, September 10 at 8pm
Where: Costa Hall
The only rock ‘n’ roll tribute show of its kind… prepare to be razzle-dazzled with ‘Shake Rattle ‘n’ Roll’ this September with the music you loved, the music you grew up with.
Following four sell-out seasons at Her Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne, Theaters across Australia and seen by over 263,991 audiences, Shake Rattle ‘n’ Roll will boast a dynamic cast of 15 singers, hottest award-winning Latin ballroom star dancers from DANCING WITH THE STARS, dazzling eye-candy costumes, mind-blowing staging, smoking-hot Jive, Latin Ballroom, Cha-Cha, Waltz, Fox Trot & Jazz dance routines will sizzle in this fully choreographed show and transport you back to those rockin’, boppin’, unforgettable 50’s & 60’s!
Hits include – Jailhouse Rock (Elvis Presley), Beyond The Sea (Bobby Darin), Save The Last Dance For Me (The Drifters), Grease Lightning Oh What A Night (Jersey Boys), Bye Bye Love (Everly Brothers), Twistin’ The Night Away (Sam Cooke), At The Hop (Danny & The Juniors), Sea Cruise (Frankie Ford), Put Your Head On My Shoulder (Paul Anka), La Bamba (Ritchie Valens), Lipstick On Your Collar (Connie Francis), It’s My Party (Lesley Gore), Shout (Johnny O’Keefe) & Much More!
Dust off those blue suede shoes, your favorite rock ‘n’ roll costumes and prepare to be razzle dazzled! Shake Rattle ‘n’ Roll will have you dancing in the aisles.
Hurry and secure your seats now… this show will sell out!
Tickets here.
Benjamin Northey conducts Kaleidoscopic Splendour – Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Season 2022
When: Friday, September 16 at 7:30pm
Where: Costa Hall
The MSO brings a program of vivid melodies and kaleidoscopic colour to Costa Hall, joined by a rising star soloist Emily Sun.
With works spanning the 20th century, Miriam Hyde remains one of Australia’s most respected composers. At 21, she even debuted her own Piano Concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra! Within a compact running time, Village Fair – subtitled ‘a ballet for orchestra’ – alternates buoyant and sprightly melodies with introspective and lyrical passages.
Currently based in London and teaching violin at the Royal College of Music, Emily Sun possesses an expansive resume with accolades such as the 2018 ABC Young Performer of the Year. Emily tackles Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s elegant and yearning Violin Concerto, expanded from thematic material he originally composed for film scores during the 1930s.
Antonín Dvořák’s cheerful Eighth Symphony emerged out of the composer’s desire to refresh his approach to the form. Composed over a whirlwind few weeks in his holiday home in the Czech countryside, the symphony seamlessly moves through passages of melancholy and vigorous joy.
Program and artists subject to change.
Tickets here.
The King Of Rock & The Prince Of Pop
When: Saturday, September 17 at 8pm
Where: Costa Hall
The King of Rock & The Prince of Pop is a music-hit-fest starring Marty Rhone as Cliff, Mark Andrew as Elvis that is heading to Geelong’s Costa Hall on Saturday 17 September.
2022 marks the 45th Anniversary of the premature passing of the KING of Rock & Roll. To acknowledge this most noteworthy milestone we bring together an Australian music legend and one of the world’s most renowned ‘ELVIS’ performers to honour rock royalty.
You’ll hear Suspicious Minds, Viva Las Vegas, Jailhouse Rock, Devil Woman, Wired for Sound, Young Ones, oh, and a couple of bonus tracks called Denim & Lace and a Mean Pair of Jeans. Every song performed is a mega-hit swathed in gold; a non-stop, mind-blowing visual experience.
Tickets here.
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Bohemia and Beyond | Geelong Symphony Orchestra
When: Saturday, October 22 at 5pm
Where: Costa Hall
Head on down to Costa Hall and hear a live symphony orchestra as the GSO takes you on a journey from Bohemia and Beyond. From Bohemia’s woods and fields, down the mighty Vltava river, across Bavaria to Saxony.
The GSO journeys through Europe with conductor Richard Davis and soloist Stefan Cassomenos presenting lush melodies and stunning imagery through Smetana Ma Vlast: Vltava (Die Moldau), Schumann Piano concerto in A minor Op.54, and Dvorák Symphony No.9 in E minor Op.95 ‘From the New World.
Tickets here.
Children’s Week – The Alphabet Of Awesome Science
When: Friday, October 28 at 5pm
Where: Geelong Arts Centre
A scientific race through the alphabet — where awesome words inspire awesome science!
Join professors Lexi Con and Noel Edge (the Word Nerd and the Science Freak) for a thrilling voyage through the alphabet – where great big chewy sesquipedalian words inspire mind-blowing scientific surprises. Professor Lexi Con has curated a curious collection of her favourite words (one for every letter of the alphabet) with each word providing Professor Noel Edge with an inspirational jumping off point for 26 quirky scientific demonstrations – that squish and squirt, float and fly, erupt and explode.
Together, this dad-joke quipping, prank-pulling pair of polished professors strut their stuff in a performance that’s equal parts explosive, messy, spectacular, hilarious, fascinating and gross. And if things weren’t exciting enough, every show is completely different, with audiences determining the order in which the letters are revealed and explored.
Plus, did we mention, this is a race? The plucky pair of professors have just 52 minutes to complete their alphabetical, scientifical countdown. That’s just 2 minutes per experiment! Will they make it in time…?
Brace yourself for an immersive hour of carefully crafted alphabetical, scientifical (award-winning!) chaos! Ideal for audiences 5-12 years old.
Tickets here.
Children’s Week – Tweens Night 2022
When: Saturday, October 28 at 5pm
Where: Costa Hall
In celebration of Children’s Week, it’s time for local Tweens to have some fun!
Part workshop, part dance class and all fun, this supervised event will see Tweens aged 9 – 12 create, make and dance with the artistic talents of artist and educator Liz McGrath and the groovy moves of Sheree Nash from Impetus Dance, one of Geelong’s longest-running dance schools.
At the start of the night you will work in two fun groups. The night will start with some fun games and activities, then you will be split in two groups and rotate from one workshop to the next with a break in between.
There will be a Creative Workshop, where participants will bring their imagination to whip up some wonderful, wearable creations; and a Dance Workshop, where participants explore some new groovy dance moves to impress. Once everyone has utilised their creative juices, they will all come together to share and celebrate, dancing the night away!
The dress code is get creative, so use your imagination to whip up something wonderful and wearable to dance in. Think Blue or White colours and super comfy to move in!
Tickets here.
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Guy Sebastian T.R.U.T.H On The East Side Tour
When: Sunday, November 20 at 7:30pm.
Where: Costa Hall
Following his sold-out record-breaking Arena T.R.U.T.H. Tour, Guy Sebastian, together with his full band, are hitting the road again, bringing the show to those who may have missed out the first time around.
T.R.U.T.H. ON THE EAST SIDE TOUR will take the ARIA Award-winning artist to regional towns across the East Coast, performing some of his most popular tracks from across his career – including hit single ‘Believer’, ARIA Song Of The Year & 4 x platinum mega smash ‘Choir’, fight song ‘Before I Go’, the upbeat ‘Love on Display’ and the mesmerising power anthem ‘Standing With You.’
Fans will also be delighted by Guy’s biggest songs including ‘Bloodstone’ and global hit ‘Battle Scars’ and many more smash singles from the popular songwriter.
Guy’s recent tour, named after his latest #1 ARIA chart topping album T.R.U.T.H., broke record sales across the country, including two venue sales records at Sydney’s Super Aware Theatre & Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena. It was his first tour since 2019’s ‘Ridin’ With You’ tour.
Tickets here.
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Sunshine Super Girl
When: Sunday, November 20 at 7:30pm.
Where: Costa Hall
A young girl hits a ball against the tin wall of her family’s home. This is where it all began for Evonne Goolagong. Hers is a quintessentially Australian story about a girl from the bush who dared to dream, and with the support of an outback farming town, rose to become the No. 1 tennis player in the world and a household name by the age of 19.
Evonne Goolagong’s heartwarming story is a celebration of spirit and passion over adversity, and a tribute to a woman whose sporting prowess continues to inspire a nation, giving hope to thousands of young girls across the country. With its distinctively Australian sensibility and humour, Sunshine Super Girl asks us to consider our nation’s future and the part we can play for the next ‘Goolagong’ waiting in the wings.
Produced by Performing Lines, this landmark new Australian work is written and directed by Yorta Yorta/Gunaikurnai theatremaker Andrea James (Yanagai! Yanagai!) and the result is a story told with plenty of heart, humour, charm and skill.
Tickets here.
This Is Me | Younger People Animation Workshop
When: Tuesday, September 27 at 11am; Wednesday, September 28 at 11am; and Thursday, September 29 at 11am.
Where: Studio 4
Are you looking for a creative and engaging activity for young First Nations people during the upcoming September School holidays?
Come join in for This Is Me; a free, three-day animation workshop with Pillowfort Creative and Kiri Tawhai!
This Is Me invites Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people from across the region to engage in three amazing days of workshops. We will explore animation, from storytelling and construction of characters to the process of stop motion animation. Participants will create their very own short animation under the guidance of Creative Directors from Geelong’s only animation studio, Pillowfort Creative.
Running from 11am to 3pm, there are two age-based sessions available: one for Young Animators (children aged 7–12) and one for Teen Animators (children aged 13–17).
Stop motion animation is animation that is captured one frame at a time, with physical objects that are moved between frames so that when played back rapidly, the sequence of images creates the illusion of movement. The best part about this is no previous animation experience is required.
Geelong Arts Centre is supported by The Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Major Artistic Partner Deakin University and Innovation Partner Costa Asset Management.
