Scenes on the Yarra
A$8,115
of $8,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 3rd Jul 2014 at 3:38AM.
The Yarra River cuts through the middle of our city, we picnic, cycle, walk, entertain and exercise by this large body of water as it courses its way through our suburbs and towns. Scenes on the Yarra has been a series of workshops concluding with a live performance and art installations set along the banks of the river. The project seeks to connect us to this river and discover the forgotten stories and history that gives this river and the land its significance. Rivers have stories as they flow from the headwaters to the sea and it is my vision through this project to tell some of these stories, through -music, storytelling, song, dance, performance, visual arts and film. I hope that through sharing a greater understanding of place, individuals build a stronger connection and with that a responsibility.
A giant native perch sculpture made by a group of young artists from Warburton, Charlie Boddington, Jack and Rosie Eden, George Nagano and Iden Reidy.
It is my intention to continue this venture down the Yarra. The projects in Warburton, Yarra Glen and Warrandyte were very successful and I really love bringing this free community project together. There are 5 more sites to visit to reach the sea with the next 2 events at Dight's Falls in Collingwood and Herring Island in South Melborne.
Local artists from each area are invited to a 5 day workshop, stories will be shared, collaborations between artists, story tellers, performers and musicians will develop. The workshop participants will also have the opportunity to learn from keepers of knowledge such as local historians, Aboriginal historians, environmentalists and scientists. Performance, singing and artistic workshops will be run every day led by inspiring instructors that have worked previously with Scenes on the Yarra.
This will be an opportunity to make art in the moment of inspiration, inspiration sourced from the Yarra River.
Simon Oats- Storyteller and Performance Facilitator, Santha Press- Choir Leader and Singing Instructor.
Smoking ceremony conducted by the Aboriginal Elder Aunty Walda- Scenes on the Yarra, Warrandyte.
Please support this project.
Fabulous recycled timber sculpture made by Tim Denshire Keys, made at the Yarra Glen - Scenes on the Yarra.
As the river flows and grows, so to, does each performance of Scenes on the Yarra. It is constantly being refined and evolving with each workshop and performance creating a truly dynamic production. This is why it is such an exciting project. The overall contributing factor to this excitement, is the fact that there is not one site the same, and each show is its own entity, connecting with it’s own community and place.
The sites which I have selected to perform Scenes on the Yarra, are chosen because each location has its own unique qualities. Site specific performance is based on research, with regard to the topography of the land, history, and stories that resound in each particular location. So in choosing each place it is important to consider all the elements that are available.
Warburton was chosen as it was the largest settlement closest to the “Headwaters” of the Yarra River, whilst Yarra Glen was chosen as this is where the Battle of Yering took place. Warrandyte is famous for gold and the gold rush that occurred there. Dights Falls and Herring Island also have wonderful, historical and environmental aspects with these factors alone, I believe I can produce a truly wonderful local community event at each of these sites.
How The Funds Will Be Used
Hannah Blake in her Water Garden at Scenes on the Yarra in Warburton.
In order to continue with this project I need your help!
Every dollar raised here will assist in bringing together the next 2 projects.
Melbourne Water has assisted with every project and I hope that this will continue. Local councils have also been very supportive, providing venues from which the workshops run and assist with printing and advertising. They also help me connect with the community groups and individuals who are interested in participating. I am currently applying for many other Grants from major funding bodies such as Vic Arts and Australia Council. I have all my "fingers and toes crossed" and if this is successful, I will for the first time be able to financially support myself while putting these projects together. In the past I have used a large amount of my own money to support this wonderful project Scenes on the Yarra.
Jacqui Hagan making her pods using natural materials, the artists are encouraged to use recycled, reusable and sustainable mediums.
The money raised here will go towards the Dights Falls project in Collingwood. The expenses for the project include the facilitator fees, insurance, art supplies, costume hire and makeup, auspicing fees and the cost of catering. The artists, performers and specialists all donate their time and energy to the project, offering a meal is great way to say thank you as well as sustaining them during this hectic period.
There is also the Pozible Fee, Hey I'm more than happy to pay this, this is wonderful site and has offered to so many independent artists, performers, creators, helpers, an incredible opportunity to create financial support for there many wonderful projects and dreams.
There is also the fees for Promotion and Marketing, design of publicity material, printing of posters, postcards and admin costs involved in promoting the free performances.
I hope to offer a nominal payment to go to the specialists that have to date donated their time and expertise to this project; I hope that in the future a more substantial payment can be made to these individuals or to their nominated charity.
Other funds will go towards many other significants costs, such as production and stage management fees, administration costs, auspice fees, phone expenses, venue hire. The list is endless!
The Challenges
As I have recently discovered - funding is a tricky business! I have been lucky enough to have had some wonderful financial support for this project along the way but with a couple of recent funding failures I can see that the greatest challenge is boring MONEY! This project is flexible and I get such wonderful feedback that I am still very enthusiastic to continue with this work. I believe it ticks so many boxes, environmental and indigenous awareness, artistic collaborations and inspirations, community connectiveness and so much more.
Inclement weather could be an obstacle to the individual projects, though the artists will always have a venue from which to work. Experiencing nature in severe weather also brings to the environment a new and often spectacular element. This image of the audience carrying umbrellas and wearing raincoats is from the Yarra Glen - Scenes on the Yarra, it poured during the first half of the walk, but still they were happy to join in and participate in this wonderful event.
The challenge has always been the strict timeframe in which this workshop is held with the constant pressure of getting the final performance together in 5 days. The task seems impossible but the proof is that we can do it. In fact we have done it 3 times and intend to do it again and again.
The Warrandyte Neighbourhood House worked in partnership with Scenes on the Yarra in Warrandyte and provided this wonderful space from which run the workshop.
Inclement weather could be an obstacle to the individual projects, though the artists will always have a venue from which to work. Experiencing nature in severe weather also brings to the environment a new and often spectacular element. This image of the audience carrying umbrellas and wearing raincoats is from the Yarra Glen - Scenes on the Yarra, it poured during the first half of the walk, but still they were happy to join in and participate in this wonderful event.
The challenge has always been the strict timeframe in which this workshop is held with the constant pressure of getting the final performance together in 5 days. The task seems impossible but the proof is that we can do it. In fact we have done it 3 times and intend to do it again and again.
The Warrandyte Neighbourhood House worked in partnership with Scenes on the Yarra in Warrandyte and provided this wonderful space from which run the workshop.
Thanks for igniting this project, it has been through your support and others like you that this project is well on the way to coming to fruition and I hope this gives you a warm fuzzy feeling! Thank-you.
5 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 14
A certificate of appreciation will be forwarded to you, via email to save the trees. This will contain an original artwork from Scenes on the Yarra, in appreciation of your kind generosity for this project. As well as a big thank you posted on the Scenes on the Yarra Web Page and Facebook Page.
14 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 14
Dights Falls - Day 1
Spend the first day of the workshop with us at Dight's Falls in Collingwood and learn all there is to know about this site. This will be an opportunity to hear the speakers such as Ian Penrose from the Yarra River Keepers, Jim Poulter - Aboriginal Historian and Author, Tina Konstantinidis - Frog Specialist, Local Historians and many other specialist. Enjoy a meal with us and participate in the singing workshop. Date yet to be announced but should be in early January 2015.
1 chosen / 4 available
Est. delivery is Jan 15
Spend the first day of the workshop with us at Herring Island, travel by punt over to the island and learn all there is to know about this site. This will be an opportunity to hear the speakers such as Ian Penrose from the Yarra River Keepers, Jim Poulter - Aboriginal Historian and Author, Tina Konstantinidis - Frog Specialist, Local Historians and many other specialist. Enjoy a meal with us and participate in the singing workshop. January 2015 date yet to be confirmed.
1 chosen / 4 available
Est. delivery is Jan 15
You will be rewarded with the opportunity to participate in the 5 day workshop at Dights Falls in Collingwood. What great fun and a wonderful learning opportunity to share in the creative process, meet new people, learn new skills, participate in singing, performance and creative workshops, follow the development and share in the meals over the 5 days.
0 chosen / 1 available
Est. delivery is Oct 14
You will be rewarded with the opportunity to participate in the 5 day workshop at Herring Island. What a fabulous opportunity it will be to share in the creative process, meet new people, learn new skills, participate in singing, performance and creative workshops, follow the development and share in the meals over the 5 days all in and around this wonderful Island of sculpture and natural beauty.
0 chosen / 1 available
Est. delivery is Jan 15
You will be rewarded with the opportunity to participate in the 5 day workshop at Fairfield Boathouse. What a fabulous prospect it will be to share in the creative process, meet new people, learn new skills, participate in singing, performance and creative workshops, follow the development and share in the meals over the 5 days at this iconic venue surrounded by the natural beauty of the Yarra River.
0 chosen / 1 available
Est. delivery is Sep 14
You will be rewarded with the opportunity to participate in the next 3 workshops at Fairfield Boathouse, Dights Falls and Herring Island. This will give you the chance to fully immerse yourself in the process of developing and creating site-specific installations and performance. Share in the creative process, learn new skills, participate in singing, performance and creative workshops. You will also be credited as a major sponsor and listed on the web page and on the program for these events.
0 chosen / 3 available
Est. delivery is Sep 14
A tissue paper, gum leaf and cane lantern operated by a small battery pack - LED lights. Made for the Scenes on the Yarra project in Yarra Glen. This reward will need to be collected from Carlton or Warburton. As well a certificate of appreciation will be forwarded to you, with appreciation of your kind generosity for this project. As well as a big thank you posted on the Scenes on the Yarra Web Page and Facebook Page.
8 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Jun 14
Spend the first day of the workshop with us at Fairfield Boathouse and learn all there is to know about this site. This will be an opportunity to hear the speakers such as Ian Penrose from the Yarra River Keepers, Jim Poulter - Aboriginal Historian and Author, Tina Konstantinidis - Frog Specialist, Local Historians and many other specialist. Enjoy a meal with us and participate in the singing workshop. Wednesday 24th September from 10am to 6pm.
4 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Jan 15