This Easter weekend the Surf Coast and Otway Hinterland will become a mecca of activity, with the Birregurra Easter Arts one of the shining events. Held on March 26 & 27 the event brings over 30 exhibiting artists, artisans and performers to the town with the main program of events held at the historic Tarndwarncoort Homestead.
Last year’s event coincided with the 175th anniversary of the homestead, which drew attention from town right across The Otways. The highlight for the inaugural event was an intimate performance from opera soprano Annalisa Kerrigan in Tarnwarncoort Homestead’s historic Apple Store.
“We had such a strong reaction to our opera performance last year With only 45 in the audience, the space was so unusual and intimate that it moved people much more than had they seen her in the usual venue. We felt we were on to something and loved this idea of small intimate gigs in unusual places,” chair of the Birregurra Community Arts Group Fiona Brandscheid.
Following on with the intimate theme, this year’s event sees another world class opera performance in the Apple Store from soprano, Lee Abrahmsen as well as from indie folk group Tinpan Orange– who are set to perform in Birregurra’s Christ Church back in the centre of town.
“Saturday night at Christ Church is going to be a great night with a Spanish food van dishing out tapas before the event and local winemaker, Dinny Goonan, on hand to serve up some of his award winning wine as well as Forest Brewery beer,” she says of the Tinpan Orange gig, before chiming in on the show with Lee Abrahmsen.
“Holding another opera event was a no brainer given the reaction from last year’s event. Lee is fresh from receiving rave reviews for her recent performance with Melbourne Opera in Mozart’s The Abduction of Seraglio. She is so excited to be performing to such a small intimate audience. It seems it’s as rare for her as it is for us.”
Across the weekend, visitors will be able to enjoy a packed program of family friendly arts fun at Tarndwarncoort as well as great local food, and wine —harnessing the quality offerings from the Otways. Featured artists at the homestead are; Stonemason Gavan Bramley, Lampwork artist Monica Provan and Jeweller Karen Harvey. Supplementary activities in Birregurra include Birregurra Sunday Market, in Birregurra Park from 9am to 2pm, and a Pop Up Gallery open at the Birregurra Mechanics Hall from 10am to 4pm each day.
Several workshops and activities for kids will also take place across the weekend, really opening up the event to the whole family. And where there’s joy for the family to enjoy in, there’s even more so for the local artists involved in the event, who are gaining the chance to showcase their craft.
“The arts group [Birregurra Community Arts Group who have organised the event] and the event is all about showcasing local artists….of all kinds – visual, spoken word, and musicians,” Fiona beams.
“They are what enriches our community and makes it more desirable to live in We try to source some very local acts, such as the Birregurra Ukulele Kollective and Tyler Lunn, bring in some favourites such as Mountain Grey, and Uke’s d’Jour and give some newcomers a go as buskers in the garden or in the OCRFM Open Mic on Saturday.”
Tickets for Tinpan Orange and Opera are sold separately to general admission weekend passes and are available online via www.birreartsgroup.com. General admission weekend passes for Tarndwarncoort Homestead are valid for both days and can be purchased at the homestead gate. Adults are $10 and Children 13 years and under are free. All funds raised go toward providing arts projects and opportunities for the town and district.
When & Where: Tarndwarncoort Homestead, Birregurra’s Christ Church and the main street, Birregurra – March 26 & 27
