BMI to host music events thanks to State government grant

A NEW concert series to be presented at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute has been made possible by a grant from the State government’s Small Regional Presenters Program.

Receiving $13,689, the BMI will present five separate recitals from next month until March 2020, to an audience of 100 to 120 people.

Solo harpist, Mary Doumany, Cheryl Durongpisitkul’s contemporary jazz group, solo accordionist, Anthony Schulz, Michelle Nicolle Frettet’s jazz group, and Brazilian musicians Entre Tango Duo and the Dany Maia Group are all set to play in the Humffray Room, looking out over Sturt Street.

This is the third series of performances of this ilk at the BMI, following previous Jazz in the Humffray shows, but Sam McColl, Venue and Facilities Coordinator said the state government’s injection means the season will be better than any they’ve hosted before.

“It’s a unique opportunity for us to host something that’s recognised by Creative Victoria. It’s been really exciting, and to have that support from the State government has been awesome,” he said.

“For us to receive funding, it means we can get better acts, we can pay our acts properly, and we can receive funding for room hire that comes back to the Mechanics’ and gets spent on these other larger events and opportunities locally. So it’s fantastic to have that extra support behind us.

Mr McColl said the BMI belongs to the Ballarat community and the vibes of the series will be simply “awesome.”

“The people here will be the people who want to see this music, and it will just be so welcoming and warm. This room was done up five years ago, so for us to be able to show off the room in its restored state, with music like that, will just be amazing.”

All the performances will be put together in conjunction with Small Space Music’s Ronny Ferella. Colin Jackson OAM, the BMI’s new Executive Manager, is excited at the prospect of the shows bringing more people inside to discover the Institute.

“The building’s always been here, but not enough people come through the door. When they do, you’ve got to keep them here, and things like this will get people coming back, and back, and back.”

The concerts are planned for the evening, and the BMI hopes to also partner with some local eateries, creating a concert dining package.

“A chance to come here at night, walk around and be part of it is great,” Mr Jackson said.

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison can’t think of a better way to listen to jazz than in the “beautiful” Humffray Room.

“It’s just a stunning place. To be able to have all the history of the Mechanics’ and then to come and see a live jazz performance, it’s going to be an absolute treat for Ballarat,” she said.

“Often we feel we have to leave Ballarat to get these amazing offers, like a solo harpist or seeing a Brazilian music group, but imagine being in here, with the bar, having a drink… There will be an amazing buzz,” she said.