Broadway on the Balcony, featuring Eleanor Waters-Jones, Jazmin Castle, Hannah Rumbachs, Max Schneider, Emily Saeki, Rhys Manley and Aisha Farar, is among the highlights of the Sundown Sessions at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre. Photo: CreativeRiverina.com.
Wagga locals are set to enjoy a relaxing live music experience throughout April, with high-profile touring acts combining with emerging and homegrown talents.
It’s all thanks to Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, which is set to debut its Sundown Sessions festival.
The theatre’s balcony and foyer space will be revamped into a moody, intimate gig venue that will host 11 performances over 15 days.
Civic Theatre manager Claire Harris said event-goers could expect to see some of our nation’s best musicians and a healthy dose of local talent.
“We are transforming our upper foyer into an intimate live music venue,” Claire said.
“The series of live music events is a combination of high-profile touring acts, emerging artists and a swag of local talent including the Bidgee Blues Club, Riverina Conservatorium of Music, The Curious Rabbit’s Live Local Original Jazz and a special performance by seven up-and-coming musical theatre stars with Broadway on the Balcony.”
Riverina Youth Musical Theatre founder and singer Eleanor Waters-Jones is set to put on the musical theatre showcase Broadway on the Balcony with six other young musicians for the Sundown Sessions.
“It’s a young person-led show that will showcase all kinds of Broadway musical theatre hits, from Les Miserables, CATS, Wicked, Rent, and In the Heights,” Eleanor said. If it’s been on stage in a musical, it’s probably going to be sung by us.
“The musical theatre hits will be sung by our cast of seven strong, talented, and enthusiastic young people with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working, picking out, and collaborating.
“That was very important to me – the collaboration with young people. Anytime there’s collaboration specifically with young people, only good things can come.”
Eleanor said the audiences could expect a fun, energetic and dramatic show.
“They might cry, probably laugh, might want to dance along or they might want to sing along,” she said.
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre manager Claire Harris (back, far left) with Eleanor Waters-Jones, Aisha Farar, Larissa Burak and (front) Jazmin Castle. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
Other highlights include Triple J Top 30 artist D’Arcy Spiller, infectious riff and groove-based ”blue-billy-grass-rockin’-roots band” 19 Twenty, as well as Tibetan-Australian singer-songwriter Tenzin Cheogyal.
Claire said the performances were about engaging with Australian artists near and far to awaken the live music scene in Wagga.
“We thrive on activating every corner of the Civic Theatre, Sundown Sessions being no exception,” she said.
“The Civic Theatre balcony and foyer gigs are becoming part of our regular programming and audiences love the vibe of it, and dancing is allowed.
“There is something for everyone, with themed cocktails, jazz bar vibes and exceptional musical talent. Order a cheese platter and settle in. We can’t wait.”
Tickets for each session start at $25, with the option for the audience to book a joint ticket-and-platter deal for $50.
Bookings can be made online at Civic Theatre or by calling the box office on 6926 9688.
Check out Sundown Sessions for the full line-up of performances.
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