Invitation to put up performers

WITH Creswick’s annual arts extravaganza to return in early April, organisers are encouraging the community to help find a temporary home for the event’s visiting performers.

CresFest, to be held from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 April, will see more than 70 acts – several visiting from overseas – filling the surrounds with a range of folk, rock, jazz and baroque music.

With some artists visiting from places like the United Kingdom, India, Europe and Ghana, accommodation manager Pam Harris is asking residents to offer a space for performers to stay.

“Preferably we are looking for people who live within a five-minute drive from Creswick’s centre and can provide a bed, access to a bathroom and offer breakfast,” she said.

“However, last year some hosts lived in Ballarat, Clunes and Newlyn, and none of these locations proved to be a problem.” In exchange for providing lodgings for incoming artists, hosts will be rewarded with access to all CresFest weekend performances.

Now in its fourth year, the festival will be held across venues such as Creswick Town Hall, the local primary school, Creswick Neighbourhood Centre’s Wayapurra Hall, the Creswick Courthouse Theatre, and other spaces.

Ms Harris said with so many artists expected to plant themselves in town over the course of the three-day offering, it is important the performers are given a place to stay.

“The logistics are huge,” she said.

“Accommodation at the RACV Goldfields Resort is booked up nearly a year in advance.

“Bed and breakfast spots are limited and those too are booked up by regulars to CresFest.

“I believe that out in the community there are people who would love to host a musician for the duration of CresFest.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know a performer, to share in the excitement of being in the company of musicians.”

To express interest in hosting a performer, visit the CresFest website’s Get Involved page.