Fifties fest back to Rock Ballarat

FEBRUARY’S ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown postponed Rock Ballarat, but its team is rebooting the rockabilly and rock-and-roll festival this weekend.

From Friday, 30 to Sunday, 2 May organiser Stevie Kaze said all the fun and fashion of the 1950s will return to the CBD.

“We have a Civic hall precinct party going ahead with a vintage market. Most of our music events will be in the Civic Hall, but on the Friday night, we’ve moved our Tiki Party to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute which is a nice intimate venue with a great theatre feel,” he said.

“We have an all-new burlesque show on the Saturday night as a standalone event separately ticketed to Rock Ballarat. We have all new pin-up competitions.

“We’ve sold out of our three-day passes, but we now have weekend passes on sale, hoping the event will be a sell-out again.”

Some ticketholders are travelling from other states, and most originally booked bands are returning including headline act, The Lincolns, who are from Adelaide and will be part of festivities all weekend.

“They’re a real drawcard for entertainment. They came for the planned festival in February and then got sent home, and they also recently got sent home from a festival in Queensland when they had their lockdown,” Mr Kaze said.

“They’re going to enjoy coming over and playing music for a change.”

He said everyone is welcome to immerse themselves in the 50s lifestyle, whether they’re already part of the rock-and-roll or rockabilly cultures, or are new to the vibe.

“We want people to see all of the fashion, all of the gorgeous cars in the Civic Hall precinct, and people will be dressed up and walking around town all weekend.”

Visit rockballarat.com.au.