Community
14 September, 2023
Your chance to shine
THE Warrnambool FReeZA Crew are encouraging local up-and-coming performers to check out two opportunities to take centre stage.
An ‘Open Mic Night’ will be held on Thursday, September 28 at the Mozart Hall, while the Warrnambool Showdown on Friday October 27 will act as a curtain-raiser for Warrnambool Show.
The Open Mic Night is for musicians, comedians, poets, dancers and any other performers aged between 12 and 25 years. Performers need to register by next Wednesday, September 13, with the show to also include performances by Gabby Steel and Michael Ferguson.
This event forms part of Youth Fest and is funded through the state government’s FReeZA funding.
To find out about other Youth Fest events head to whatson.warrnambool.vic.gov.au.
The Warrnambool Showdown is open to emerging musicians of any age. Artists need to submit a video or demo track by October 9.
Eight finalists will be chosen to perform at the Warrnambool Showdown. All eight finalists will receive mentoring by established musicians and other music industry professionals.
Warrnambool FReeZA crew member Dylan Patterson said that if you don’t have a lot of experience on stage, the Open Mic Night and the Warrnambool Showdown are the perfect opportunity to put yourself out there.
“It’s a safe space, so it’s a good way to play for maybe the first time in front of people or in front of people you don’t know, and it’s potentially a larger audience than what you would normally do, so it’s a good first step as an emerging performer to start to build up your confidence,” he said. “It’s an easy way to get yourself heard and get your name out there as a performer for free.
“With it being run through FReeZA, we provide all the PA equipment and do all of the stage setup, so participants don’t have to worry about providing any gear. We organise everything and they can just focus on playing their best.
“There are some really good regular musicians that play around Warrnambool but there are also lots of undiscovered, talented people who are incredible, but they just haven’t had the chance for people to hear them.”
Dylan said working to organise two live events was also a great experience for the FReeZA crew.
“There’s a lot of planning that goes into it that a lot of people don’t see because it’s behind the scenes,” he said. “There’s lots of different jobs that people don’t realise exist because they can’t see them, so working on the FReeZA crew offers the chance to experience what goes into planning and executing a music event.”
For more information and to register for either or both events, visit www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/freeza.
