Articles

Danielle R, Roving reporter

FReeZACentral Graduation Tour 2009

Every year the FReeZACentral program sees 50 mentees produce a compilation album and hit the road on tour to support it.

For the 2009 tour there was harmony in the sound of the female performance stream mentees, who were each featured on the Naked in the Woods compilation. The blues and roots, funk and soul vibe on the album was reflected in the relaxed and classy feel to the shows.

Katy Steele (Little Birdy) and Jen Cloher headlined a three-date tour that visited two regional areas (Hepburn Springs and Meeniyan) as well as playing the program graduation and main show at the Melbourne Arts Centre.

Melbourne Arts Centre show

After the graduation ceremony, the Playhouse Theatre was set for the concert. Doors re-opened and people of all ages were welcomed into the 800-seat venue.

Sophia Katos, performing her own music for the first time, took to the stage to start the show. It doesn't get much bigger than opening at the Arts Centre for two successful female artists, but Katos was a natural performer and seemed at home on stage. Sophia's set started with "Black Bird", the track featured on the compilation album, and the young performer strutted a few moves as she sang and performed.

Next up Jen Cloher was nothing less than exquisite. Dressed up for the occasion and accompanied by Michael Hubbard and two acoustic guitars, Cloher's vocals seem to come direct from her soul. Her melodies were pure, creating a serene atmosphere.

The theatre was silent as the polite and captivated crowd watched Cloher tune her acoustic guitar. Her set included the title track from her new album Hidden Hands, which also appears on the compilation album, and featured a nice flow of tunes that were easy on the ears and appreciated by the many who listened.

Headliner Katy Steele was then under the spotlight for her solo set. It was an unfamiliar feeling for the successful frontwoman of Little Birdy. She played both acoustic and electric guitar as well as the keyboard, performing old and new material. She switched mics for vocal effects and handclaps were contributed by the crowd for rhythm, as well as impromptu backing vocals for a few Little Birdy classics.

To fill the silence in between songs she laughed at her own nerves and joked at her "seasoned performer" tag, which disappeared when stripped to just the single soul on stage. It was intimate and real. She too played her track featured on the compilation, the new Little Birdy release "Brother".

All attendees were able to take a piece of the show home having received the *Naked in the Woods* compilation on entry.

Road trip to Meeniyan

The tour concluded in the small regional town of Meeniyan, located in South Gippsland. FReeZACentral Project Manager Sarah De Borre and Tour Manager Melinda Krause drove a team of mentees down to the area to run the show.

The local crowd was a mixture of ages, from grandmas to teenage boys. Candles were placed on the each table and attendees were able to bring their own food and drinks to enjoy during the show. The venue suited the music and all elements of the show combined for a pleasant community event.

The Rezzalp sisters opened with their beautiful harmonies and again Jen Cloher and Katy Steele awed the audience. Encores were encouraged and delivered. "I already played for an hour! I don't know any more songs!" laughed Steele.

After the lovely dinner, which was apparently the best she'd ever had on tour, and the welcoming treatment, Steele also vowed to bring her band back down to town to rock.

A job well done

The team were the first to arrive and the last to leave and oversaw all aspects of the event, from tickets at the door to merchandise, stage management and assisting artists and sound engineers.

Event Manager Kristian Walsh is one that likes order and relished in overseeing the event. "I'm always learning how to deal with stressful situations better," he says. Everything ran smoothly and he was able to enjoy the view side of stage.

In charge of ticketing and working the door was Jason Morrison. His highlight without a doubt was chatting and joking with Katy Steele. "My job was over by halfway through the night and I was able to help out where else was needed."

"The tour's been really successful," Melinda concludes over a well-earned breakfast after the final show. "Each show has felt really warm and the audience has enjoyed it, the mentees have enjoyed it and everyone had a good experience."

The hard work by The Push staff and the FReeZACentral team paid off and both Sarah and Melinda were impressed with how the mentees were able to perform. "Everyone excelled and worked above and beyond and took their role seriously," says Melinda. "My highlight has been seeing all the mentees shine."

For information on how to get involved in the 2010 FReeZACentral mentoring program and tour, visit www.freezacentral.vic.gov.au. And for more Arts & music articles, check out our Articles archive.

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