Return concert to support young stars

A TRIBUTE to one of music’s most successful female acts is returning to the region next week with the aim of supporting the next generation of performers.

After showcasing her Barbra Streisand tribute show at Piano Bar in March, Rachael Grace is bringing her concert back to the venue with proceeds going towards the Ballarat Centre of Music and the Arts.

Originally presented with just piano accompaniment, Grace said the concert will this time be expanded, with full band on display.

“It’ll be a bigger sound. We’re amping up and adding new songs and stories, so it’ll be a bit of a different vibe,” she said.

“We’ve got John Thorn on piano who’s a multiple-Green Room award winning composer, Darryn Farrugia on drums who’s internationally renowned and we’ve got Adrian Close on bass.

“It’s still me singing Barbra but we’ve got Kara Ciezki doing backing vocals and duets from Judy Garland to Donnna Summer, even a bit of Barry Gibb.”

BCMA director Paula Heenan said the concert will provide a dual purpose for the company.

“The money will help get our young performers on stage for Finding Nemo Jr, Little Shop of Horrors, and Imagine This, and The Wizard of Oz,” she said.

“It’s two-fold because it’s great for our students to go see performers performing on stage and how they do cabarets.”

The Australian Barbra Streisand Show will perform at Ballarat Piano Bar on Tuesday 27 June, with tickets at $35 and they can be booked at bit.ly/3qJKTAW.