The inaugural Central Coast Music Festival is set to wind up this weekend as a full week of live music, pop-up experiences and workshops held in and around Gosford since September 10 comes to a close.
The festival will culminate in a huge free community day on Saturday, September 17, and a music masterclass at Drifters Wharf on Sunday, September 18, followed an all ages presentation by Kingdom Sounds.
Central Coast Council Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard, said the festival had been a huge success and was set to become an annual event.
The fun kicked off on September 10 with a Brazilian samba workshop in Kibble Park.
“We had some really positive feedback,” Cannard said.
“We have a large South American community on the Coast and there were 15 or 20 people involved with the workshop, engaging those in and around the park.”
Highlights of the week of activities included multiple workshops held at Park House in Gosford, along with live performances from a variety of artists and music industry advice sessions from a range of professionals held at various venues.
Gates will open at 9.30am on September 17 at Central Coast Stadium for a huge day of live music headlined by multi award winning musician Dan Sultan.
Having received six ARIA awards to date including Best Artist, Sultan is also an accomplished author and actor.
Other acts on the day will be Pierce Brothers, Moving Stills and NEAV.
Cannard said the fun would continue until 4pm ad would include supplementary entertainment including the Gramophone Man with a ‘60s-‘70s juke box, roving entertainment to keep the children amused and a range of food stalls.
On Sunday, September 18, a music industry masterclass conducted by MusicNSW and Central Coast Music & Arts will be held at Drifter’s Wharf, Gosford from 11am-1pm.
It will be followed by the ticketed event Never Had So Much Fun, an all-ages event presented by Kingdom Sounds from 2-8.30pm.
Cannard acknowledged the huge contribution of the local community, artists and organisations to making the festival a success.
“This was a model built on people participating and it was all about the collective effort,” he said.
“The festival has enormous potential for growth and Council is looking to expand it, with community involvement so that everybody feels ownership.
“With a lot of cool venues and restaurants opening in Gosford there is a real live entertainment scene emerging, with flow-on effects for the economy and tourism.
“With so many having got involved in this first year, the festival will continue to grow with external engagement and support.
“The diversity and number of people participating is testament to industry and venue support, notably from major sponsor Central Coast Leagues Club.”
The full program of remaining gigs, workshops, pop up performances and the main event can be found online at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/centralcoastmusicfestival.
Terry Collins