Venue gets live music boost

MONEY from the Federal Government’s Live Music Australia program is flowing locally.

The program was set up in the wake of COVID 19 pandemic restrictions which impacted the ability of musicians to perform in person and venues to host them.

As part of the Live Music Australia push, Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, last week announced more than $15,000 will go to Chateau Dore in Mandurang to bolster the venue’s Summer Sessions series of events.

The boutique events space is run by Nicole and Glenn Walker, and this year Chateau Dore will be starting the Summer Sessions in Spring, and they’ll run once a month until December after which the events will become weekly.

The first session will be held on 14 October and Ms Walker said they are excited to be working with Mandurang Winery whose products will be offered at the events.

“It’ll be music with the vines, and we’re super excited about that,” she said. “Beautiful live music in the gardens, spring, gorgeous, and featuring those wines.”

Ms Walker said the Federal Government money will in part go towards music equipment for the performers to use.

“The funding’s been great, it’s all the infrastructure, so all the things you need to have a really professional approach to the music,” she said.

Ms Chesters said the date of the first session is a hard one to forget, as it is also that of the voice to Parliament referendum.

“We’ll say to people vote and then come out and enjoy the afternoon, and it is the beginning of what we hope will be a really beautiful spring and summer season,” she said.

“The Live Music Australia program is about that, it’s about promoting all music, all genres, and encouraging venues like the one we’re at to put forward their projects.”