Trove of talent to take on Capital steps

AN ongoing live music initiative that is hoped to boost visitor numbers around the View Street arts precinct is poised to strike a chord on selected Saturdays until November.

City of Greater Bendigo Bendigo venues and events manager Julie Amos said View Street Amplified represents “an exciting activation”, bringing fresh energy and vibrancy to the precinct during the gallery’s redevelopment.

“There will be a street party atmosphere with music filling the street, shop fronts expanding onto the footpath, buskers, pop-up art at the Bendigo sign, and the recently unveiled Barbara Rae statue watching on from the corner of the QEO,” she said.

“View Street is the cultural heart of Bendigo with boutique shopping, coffee, wine, gelato, dining, galleries, art and much more, all set amongst a backdrop of some of the grandest heritage buildings in the region.

“We are inviting people to visit, explore, stay longer, and support local cafes and shops.”

The second leg of the activation, to be staged on the steps of The Capital on Saturday 28 March, will feature up and coming contemporary pop/folk singer Ellie Silver, bluegrass duo The Quarry Hillbillies and Melbourne six-piece country/honky-tonk aficionados No Sleep Till Texas.

Quarry Hillbillies’ lead vocalist, guitarist and mandolin player Chris Jacobs said he has played with bandmate and “partner in crime” Peter Fidler for around 30 years.

“We’re both part of the very small Australian bluegrass music scene and we’re one of the few traditional bluegrass bands where it’s banjo, double bass, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, all played acoustically around one microphone,” he said. “We wear suits and big white hats and really look like we’re just off the plane from Kentucky.”

He said the “chameleon-like” Hillbillies will be playing classic covers and Americana-toe-tapping numbers on gig day.

“We really try to work on our harmonies and super-tight musicianship,” he said.

“We’d like to think we can hold our heads high and shoot for the stars in trying to nail down our material.”

Mr Jacobs said although he thinks the art gallery redevelopment will be amazing when it is finished, he also recognises that while it is closed, View Street still needs to thrive as much as it can.

“The precinct shouldn’t just go into hibernation in that interim period, and the more we can do in that area, the better,” he said.

“I sincerely think that’s a great thing.” Visit bendigoregion.com.au