A SHOW RICH IN OUR COLLECTIVE AUSTRALIAN HISTORY

Circle the date for this powerful live show coming to theatres in our region in April.

Family secrets are revealed in double bill Stardust + The Mission – two original Australian stories about love, music, war and all the things that people leave behind...

STARDUST tells the story of bandleader and trumpet player Col Brain. Before he died, Col placed his most prized life possessions into a cupboard and locked it up, never to be opened again. But what was inside? Told by his grandson, award winning ABC presenter & performer, Joel Carnegie (below left), STARDUST is a heart-warming musical quest to uncover what Col wanted us to know about his life by the things he left behind.

THE MISSION follows “Fighting Gunditjmara” man Allan McDonald off to war. As one of the first Aboriginal soldiers from Victoria to enlist, Allan fought at Gallipoli and Beersheba, only to be denied a soldier’s settlement upon return and forced from his traditional land. Told by his great, great nephew, acclaimed Gunditjmara actor Tom Molyneux, THE MISSION tells the truth of Uncle Allan’s struggle; fighting for Country, for love, and for justice.

Royal Theatre Quirindi: Tuesday, 19 APRIL 2022

Crossing Theatre Narrabri: Wednesday, 20 APRIL 2022

Inverell RSM Club: Thursday, 21 APRIL 2022

Civic Theatre Gunnedah: Friday 22 APRIL 2022

Capitol Theatre Tamworth: Saturday 23 APRIL 2022

WOMEN INVITED FOR CREATIVITY, SPACE TO HEAL, AND A CUPPA!

After two postponements, Arts North West is happy to invite women in and around Tingha, Torrington, Drake, and Yetman, 28 Feb-3 March, to the first of four free printmaking workshops with artist Lizzie Horne. These are days to introduce women to some basic print processes with some beautiful results, and no experience is required.

Additionally, each workshop will have a team member of the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, which is no stranger to our small communities where so many rural people have been sorely tested by drought, fire, flood, mice, COVID, and more. Also, the women of HealthWISE have generously offered to attend to provide support.

28 February 2022 | Tingha - BEST Access Centre

1 March 2022 | Torrington - Torrington Community Hall

2 March 2022 | Drake - Drake Community Hall

3 March 2022 | Yetman - Yetman Community Hall

All sessions are from 10AM-3.30PM. Registrations are open now at www.artsnw.com.au/creativitea-2022. There are only 12 spaces/workshop. Morning tea and lunch all materials are included. Arts North West is requiring participants to present proof of at least two vaccinations, and wear an effective mask and follow the current COVID regulations for this first round of sessions to protect ageing and vulnerable women present. We will return three more times to these same communities in June and October of 2022 and early 2023.

CreativiTEA workshops for women are finally fixed on the calendar

“If there a time women need to come together and talk over a cuppa and a creative activity, this is it.”

Arts North West’s Project Officer Michèle Jedlicka is very excited the organisation’s free CreativiTEA workshops for women are finally fixed on the calendar.

“We had to postpone the launch twice in 2021, but it means we’ve brought it forward, and we’re feeling positive this time that it’s happening,” Michèle said.

Arts North West is bringing their four free CreativiTEA workshops to women in and around the towns of Tingha, Torrington, Drake and Yetman from 28 February-3 March. The workshops will provide women a day of introductory printmaking with Armidale artist Lizzie Horne, with no experience necessary. Each session will also have familiar faces from the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) and HealthWISE.

“This is about being in a room where anything is possible, with other people who have come along to enjoy the day and a side of themselves that they may not get to experience too often,” Lizzie said.

“When people are engaged in art-making, they’re not thinking about anything else. It’s a fantastic respite from everyday worries. Everyone has something creative inside them. It doesn’t matter what it looks like - the thrill that people experience when they see what they can create is always electric.”

ANW executive director Caroline Downer agreed the creative process can be cathartic.

“Participants can communicate ideas and feelings that may be hard to put into works, such as anger, stress, and other personal experiences such as hardships on the land, our shared day-to-day life as women, or living through COVID,” Caroline said.

The days will be repeated over four seasons through 2023, giving continuity and something build upon for participants. Program partner RAMHP will have a team’s professional at every workshop, giving participants a link to continuous mental health support and resources if they choose. RAMHP professionals will attend every workshop.

The workshops are free, with morning tea, lunch and all supplies provided. For more information and registration, go to http://www.artsnw.com.au/creativitea-2022.

The CreativiTEA project is supported by funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund.

GATHER & TRADE REGIONAL ABORIGINAL ARTISANS MARKET

First Nations artists, craftspeople, cultural artisans in the New England North West are invited to submit an expression of interest to have a stall at the 23 April Gather and Trade Regional Aboriginal Artisans Market. EOIs close 25 March.

Held during the Tamworth Country Music Festival in Tamworth's Bicentennial Park, this event has been created to celebrate our region's First Nations arts, culture and music. Aboriginal artists and artisans from the 12 LGAs making up Arts North West's footprint are invited by an EOI process, to hold a stall at the Market - a great opportunity for local Aboriginal creatives to sell their art and products and reach a wide audience to promote their goods and practices.

There are provisions available for financial assistance towards travel and accommodation however due to availability issues they may not be to supply accommodation requests. You will be required to have Public Liability Insurance. If you do not, or need more information, please contact 2 Rivers director Lorrayne Fishenden on 0467 668 977 or email lorrayne@2rivers.com.au for guidance on how to get it. Learn more and register your EOI here: artsnw.com.au/gather-and-trade