The Geelong Arts Centre will continue to brighten up homes this month as they forge ahead with their #WhereCreativityMeetsAtHome initiative – a rich online experience that has spawned from the Centre adapting to life during shutdowns.
Delivering a regular dose of performances, behind the scenes moments and creative activities direct from their theatres to our homes for the past few months, the live-streamed season has featured the likes of Melbourne’s Queen of Cabaret Dolly Diamond, Australian musical theatre leading men, Bert LaBonte and Rob Tripolino, home-grown talent Taylor Henderson, and Australian comedy sensation Tripod, among others.
Now the Geelong institution has just revealed two more juicy performances for this month, including Alinta and the Jazz Emperors and Aussie music legend Ella Hooper.
Taking to the stage this Friday, July 17, Alinta and the Jazz Emperors will captivate eager audiences currently bunkering down in their houses. A voice that demands to be heard, vocalist Alinta Chidzey has been described as one of Australia’s most captivating leading ladies, coming fresh off the back of starring role, Velma Kelly, in the 2019 national tour of Chicago the Musical. She’ll be joined by powerhouse Dutch tenor saxophonist and composer, Remco Keijzer (who recently wrapped an international tour with none other than Michael Bublé), Pianist Sam Keevers, Chris Hale on bass and Darryn Farrugia on drums. This quintet is at the top of their game and will perform original songs from their album I Got You, as well as classic jazz standards.
A fortnight later, the Geelong Arts Centre will host award-winning Aussie music legend Ella Hooper for a free online gig packed full of original acoustic rock renditions and unreleased material from her upcoming album. With a career spanning 20 years as the distinctive front woman of Killing Heidi, a dynamic solo artist, occasional DJ, TV presenter for Rockwiz and former regular on Spicks and Specks, Hooper has been branded everything from a pop sensation to the ultimate rock chick.
A Forte favourite over the years, Ella Hooper is true music chameleon that does not fit any mould and we love it! You won’t want to miss this. She’ll take to the stage on Sunday July 31 from 8pm live from the Geelong Arts Centre.
With restrictions going backwards instead of forwards of late, it’s going to be a long time before we can all gather in a theatre or live-music venue in Victoria for a rocking performance we so desperately desire. This however is a pretty simple solution to getting your usual arts and culture fix.
The live-streamed events are free, but Geelong Arts Centre is also calling for donations, large and small, to enable the regional arts organisation to continue to deliver digital arts experiences to the community.
Taking part is easy. Simply tune in at the allocated time via their live-stream takeover on Facebook or their website home page, sit back and enjoy! Audiences are encouraged to share their at-home concert experiences by tagging @GeelongArtsCentre and using the hashtag #WhereCreativityMeetsAtHome.
