The Fairfax Youth Initiative (FYI) is back again for 2019, complete with one of its biggest and most ambitious programs yet – and you’re invited to be part of it.
In 2019 there will be four major public events, with each event open to the entire community. Most importantly, each event is FREE and open to all who would like to attend.
Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Ann Young said Council was proud to continue supporting and advocating for this youth arts event, and encouraged the wider community to do the same.
“We would love the community to come along to see these young artists and the contribution they are making to arts in the Swan Hill area and beyond,” she said.
“Through Fairfax, we also get the chance to see some of Australia’s top artists right here in our own venues – at the Town Hall, Settlement and Gallery.”
On Monday, 16 September at 6pm, the Lower Murray Inn at the Pioneer Settlement will be transformed into the world of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, for a free performance from Sydney ensemble Bar’d Works.
“We are presenting a fun and engaging Shakespeare performance, suitable for young people and the young at heart. We are thrilled to bring such a high-quality troupe of actors to Swan Hill and for local audiences to have the chance to see them perform for free,” Fairfax Co-Artistic Director Chelsea Zeller said.
On Tuesday, 17 September at 7pm, the Swan Hill Town Hall will become a giant, participatory, interactive jukebox as Fairfax again sets out to create a mass community choir event in Songs in the Key of Fairfax.
“Last year, we had 200 singers. We want to double the number this year and present a whole night of group singing. We will be joined by musical maestro Nathan Gilkes, comedian and cabaret artist Laura Burzacott, and the extraordinary a cappella group Ginger and Tonic. This will be a fast-moving and fantastic event for the whole Swan Hill community,” Artistic Director Bryce Ives said.
On Wednesday, 18 September at 7pm, the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery will play host to an intimate live reading of a new adaptation of Alcestis by playwright Kat Kats.
“This is a performance that is powerful and beautifully crafted. Again, this is a chance for Swan Hill audiences to see two of Australia’s finest actors, Lachlan Woods and Laura Burzacott, up close and personal in the stunning surrounds of the Swan Hill Regional Gallery,” Chelsea said.
During Fairfax Festival week in Swan Hill, young people from across the region descend on Swan Hill to take part in a full week of workshops and activities. The culmination of the workshops is a major performance on Thursday, 19 September at 7pm, which is also free and open to the general public. It’s called The Main Event.
“As well as showcasing the emerging artists’ performance works at The Main Event, for the first time in Fairfax history we will be screening a world-premiere trailer – of Kat Kats’ Shift F Feels, a powerful new Australian film set in the Murray Mallee, made by and featuring young people from Tooleybuc Central School,” Bryce said.
“The Fairfax Youth Initiative is one of the great success stories of rural Australia. The program unites young people across the Murray Mallee with some of Australia’s leading artists,” he said.
Schools involved this year’s festival include Tyrrell College, Tooleybuc Central School, St Mary MacKillop College, Red Cliffs Secondary College, Manangatang P-12 College and Chaffey Secondary College.
FREE EVENTS DURING FAIRFAX WEEK
Bar’d Work presents Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Date: Monday, 16 September
Time: Doors 5.30pm, show commences 6pm
Where: Lower Murray Inn, Pioneer Settlement, 125 Monash Drive, Swan Hill
Running time: 90 mins (with a 15-minute interval)
Songs in the Key of Fairfax
Featuring Ginger and Tonic, Laura Burzacott and Nate Gilkes
Date: Tuesday, 17 September
Time: 7pm
Where: Swan Hill Town Hall
Running time: 75 Minutes
Alcestis
Date: Wednesday, 18 September
Time: 7pm
Where: Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery
Running time: 75 Minutes
The Main Event by Fairfax
Performances by the 2019 Fairfax Schools and Artists
Date: Thursday, 19 September
Time: 7pm
Where: Swan Hill Town Hall
Running time: 75 Minutes
