Secret laneway concerts, calming sensory rooms and roving circuses are just some of the innovative projects to receive Love My Place (LMP) grants from Port Phillip Council.
Worth a total of $100,000, this latest funding round will support ten successful applicants to dazzle and delight residents and visitors with fun activities and events over several months.
City of Port Phillip CEO Peter Smith said the LMP grants are part of Council’s Live Love Local program, aimed at keeping Port Phillip vibrant during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery phase.
“Love My Place grants are a great way to bring fun back to our many outdoor spaces through unique events and programs. There really is something for everyone to enjoy and all activities will be mindful of COVID-19 restrictions,” Mr Smith said
Curbside Carnies’ Sophie deLightful is looking forward to taking circus to the streets.
“I created Curbside Carnies during lockdown to ensure performers had the best chance to get back out there and deliver CovidSafe arts’ experiences as soon as possible,” Ms deLightful said.
“Not only do we get back on a real stage, but the people of Melbourne get to enjoy some contactless entertainment outside. It’s a win-win!”
Curbside Carnies. Billed as a circus for the COVID world, the Carnies will move a custom-built stage around the City, stopping to delight audiences with a variety of acts including hula hooping, juggling, acrobatics, unicycle and fire performance (November/December, locations to be confirmed).
PLAYlist. As the sun sets over St Kilda, come along to Alma Park to enjoy this Red Stitch Theatre festival of short plays – each inspired by different songs and the physical environment (25-28 March 2021).
Musicians in Alleyways. A video series of live concerts – if you’re lucky enough to come across one you can enjoy it live! Part of the Alex Rocks program, the concerts are aimed at encouraging people to explore Port Philip (one show monthly from November to June 2021).
Sight and Sound. Held by Memo Music, this event aims to activate Albert Street, St Kilda, through an inclusive one-day indoor / outdoor festival showcasing locally made short films and the best or established and emerging local performers (21 February 2021).
Portal Pop-Up. An interactive installation made by disabled and non-disabled artists. Organised by Rawcus Theatre, Portal invites the audience to step into a soothing, enchanting space. The sensory rooms, created through an artist’s lens, providing a calming experience (13 March 2021, venue TBC).
Albert Park Contemporary Art Walk. Contemporary artists across Melbourne will install eyecatching art in participating Albert Park store windows, vacant premises and temporary property boards for Albert Park Village’s first Art Walk Weekend (March 2021).
Helios Radiating. This interactive street-art mural expands upon the existing Atlas artwork. A collaboration between Chuck Mayfield and Ilan El, Helios aims to make an iconic piece of street art in St Kilda Road accessible to a greater audience through radiating light (November to June 2021).
Open Arts Day. A free, fun opportunity to enjoy the talents of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Theatre Melbourne’s drama and dance students and for children aged 3-12 years to participate in free performing arts activities. Craft stalls and food trucks will add to the family friendly atmosphere at the J. Talbot Reserve, St Kilda (21 February 2021).
Rouse Street Greening Project. Come along to Port Melbourne to help build and fill nine planter boxes. One will be planted with edible Indigenous plants for the Albert Park Secondary College’s student-run café (November-March 2021).
Connecting hARTS St Kilda Peace Festival. Organised by the Planetary Healing Artists, this free O’Donnell Gardens event includes local artists and performers and a “Visionary Peace” art exhibition, all in line with its aim of creating peace through the arts (20 December 2020).
