City to be illuminated by creativity

This year’s Geelong After Dark program has officially landed, with over 70 art projects locked in to bring the city to life.

On Friday May 3, Central Geelong will be transformed by music, street performances, installations, exhibitions, dance and projections from over 78 acts.

Get carried away in sounds from a five-metre slide guitar constructed and played by local slide guitar virtuoso Tim Hulsman or lend your ears to Wendy Grose as she sings opera from the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre.

Councillor Jim Mason – arts, culture and heritage portfolio chair – said this year’s program will entertain, amaze and make guests think.

“Geelong will come alive with an incredible range of art, music and cultural displays. Our region is home to so many talented and creative people, and this event gives them a chance to showcase their work to a large audience,” he said.

“It’s a night not to be missed.”

Johnstone Park will play host to the OYSTER project, an art installation about quantity and appetite. Piles of oyster, mussel and scallop shells signify the decline and current restoration of oyster and shellfish populations in Port Phillip.

Guests are invited to eat an oyster, cleanse the shell in water and contribute to the installation and restoration.

Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood encouraged anyone who hasn’t experience Geelong After Dark to mark the event in their diary.

“Geelong After Dark is one of the highlights of our cultural events calendar.

Last year it attracted more than 20,000 attendees to central Geelong and contributed around $2.1 million to our local economy. It’s loved by our local community and draws visitors from Melbourne and beyond,” mayor Harwood said.

“This year’s program will be a fantastic showcase of our city’s clever and creative arts and culture scene.”

For the full program, visit geelongafterdark.com.au/2019-schedule.