Ballarat will be brought to life this Summer with a jam-packed Summer Sundays event for the entire community to enjoy. One of Ballarat’s most popular summer events – Summer Sundays – will return this January with a fantastic line-up of musical talent from around Victoria, including Bob Evans, Jeff Lang, Freya Josephine Hollick, Rhiannon Simpson, Didirri and Oh Pep!
Celebrating its seventh year, Summer Sundays will be spread across three huge days on January 7, 14 and 21 between 3pm and 7pm in the surrounds of Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The musical offering comprises an eclectic mix of several genres and varying styles from local, regional and metropolitan acts – and best of all, it’s completely free. Check out the lineup and start planning a Summer Sunday Session now.
LINE UP:
Sunday January 7
Bob Evans – an Australian singer-songwriter. Evans is the front man of stalwart alt-rock
band Jebediah, who have performed all around the country for over 20 years. Since 1999,
he has worked on several solo albums and launched his renowned podcast last year, ‘Good
Evans, It’s a Bobcast!’
Evans will be joined by:
Al Parkinson
Freya Josephine Hollick
Baby Blue
Sunday January 14
Jeff Lang – a widely respected singer, songwriter and slide-guitarist. Influenced by the folk
music of the southern United States, Lang incorporates Australian-inspired lyrics throughout
his blues-rooted rock style. Winner of various Aria Awards, Lang brings a very distinct and
easy-listening vibe to the stage with every performance.
Lang will be joined by:
Rhiannon Simpson
Butterfunked
Sam Boon Hammond Trio
Sunday January 21
Oh Pep! – this Melbourne duo has made it’s mark overseas already, playing the 2015
Americana Music Festival & Conference in Nashville and the College Media Journal Music
Marathon in New York City. Having released their debut album ‘Stadium Cake’ in 2016 to wide
acclaim, their music has been likened to folk legends including Paul Kelly, Leonard Cohen
and Bob Dylan.
Oh Pep! will be joined by:
Didirri
Ukulele Death Squad
Emily Ulman
Accompanying the exciting lineup of music will be a delicious selection of 21 food vendors. Bean Bag Mania will also return due to popular demand, with the bean bags offering Summer Sundays attendees a comfortable option to enjoy the music.
This year a fully-licensed pop-up garden bar set up in full sight of the stage will also give music-goers an alternative experience, while enjoying the best of local wine and brews. Held in the beautiful surrounds of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, the free community event is presented by the City of Ballarat. Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh is excited by what the Summer Sundays event means for the area.
“Each year more than two million visitors descend on Ballarat to experience the arts and culture, food, and many events and festivals that are worthy of the city’s position as the capital of Western Victoria,” McIntosh says. “And what a way to celebrate the city’s ability to host such high-calibre events than by kicking off summer with Summer Sundays.”
Boasting family-friendly events such as Summer Sundays only endears the Ballarat region more, with regional residents appreciating the cultural and destination hub the area has grown to be.
“Ballarat has become a year-round destination,” McIntosh continues, “and there is no better way to enjoy our beautiful Botanical Gardens than by relaxing with a picnic and listening to music under the sun.”
For more information follow @summersundaysballarat on Facebook.
Written by Daniel Jubb