News and Events     July 2011 Dear Subscriber, Now that winter is here, it’s probably a great time to take out the knitting needles and rather than knitting a jumper you may have been inspired to knit a flower or two after visiting the Knitted Garden exhibition which has been touring the south west.   The exhibition has received fantastic reviews with many of the venues not wanting the knitted pieces to leave!  The exhibition wraps up at Amaroo Gallery in Darlington Point 14 July 2011. To see all that is happening in July scroll down and or visit  our Events Calendar. Keep an eye out for Fund It!, our monthly funding e-bulletin that will arrive in your inbox mid-month. It lists some highlights from our online Funding Database, an excellent resource for artists and community organisations. Enjoy your arts Alyce Fisher and Kristen Dyer South West Arts Inc. Ph 03 5881 7749 Congratulations to Slamming Poet Jo Wilson-Ridley Coleambally Poet Jo Wilson-Ridley has been slamming the poetry scene recently winning a few awards.  Jo was invited to the Henry Lawson Festival in Grenfell where she received a highly commendation in their poetry competition and Jo also won the Slamming Competition.  The Slam competition she entered was also a heat for the National Australian Slam Poetry Competition and now Jo has qualified for the State Final in Sydney in November at the Sydney Theatre.  Jo was also at the Griffith Cottage Gallery for the launch of the eXposed Open Mic CD, Jo has recorded 2 of her original poems on the CD. Saruzu Quartet performed in Hay, Deniliquin & Barham South West Music in partnership with South West Arts received Arts NSW funding through the Regional Conservatorium Association, to hold a series of concerts in 2011 titled “The Bush Concert Project”.  The first concert to tour Hay, Deniliquin and Barham is the Saruzu Quartet, a fiery flamenco-tango-jazz ensemble.  The quartet displayed rich harmonies of Argentine tango, wild improvisations of gypsy jazz and the fire and grace of flamenco. Regional Arts Development Officer, Alyce Fisher comments “I felt I was in another place and another time, the music of the quartet and the passion of the flamenco dancer was captivating.”  . Growing Our Place Public Arts Project South West Arts & Murray Shire Council are delighted to release the first artist brief for the Growing Our Place Public Arts Project. The Murray Shire Initiative involves the development of a series of sculptural park furniture for placement at the new revitalised Moama Skate Park Facility. The closing date for expressions of interest from artists is July 20th and a copy of the brief is available on the South West Arts website, or can be obtained by contacting South West Arts on (03) 5881 7749. EVENTS ___________________________________________________________________ Here are some highlights of the wide variety of events scheduled for July and early August. To see more, go to our online Events Calendar. Exhibition The Knitted Garden Touring to Darlington Point When 30 June to 14 July 2011 Where Amaroo Gallery Darlington Point As part of their 2011 Showcase Tour, South West Arts are proud to present highlights of the Griffith Community Project.   The Knitted Garden will be touring Hillston, Berrigan, Mathoura, Moulamein, Conargo, Hay, Deniliquin, Balranald and Darlington Point.  The Knitted Garden exhibition was originally exhibited in the Griffith City Council Art Gallery to coincide with the Festival of the Gardens and Orange Sculptures in October 2010.  It started with a vase of flowers, which then grew to a whole knitted garden in only sixteen months.  The knitted works has come together with the help from 106 people, from ages of five to nearly 100.  1850 hours was spent knitting, crocheting, crafting and sewing. For more information please phone South West Arts 03 5881 7749        Tocumwal Winter Festival When Saturday 2 July 2011 Where Tocumwal Enjoy the parade of Fergie Tractors, Vintage Trucks and Cars which will roll through the town at 12pm.  At 12.45pm board the train which will leave Tocumwal for a return journey on the Wizard's Express to Strathmerton.  Dress up and join the fun on the train as it winds its way through the Red Gum Forest along the river.  Visit the Foreshore Stalls - delicious food, hot coffee, kite making and locally made produce and crafts.  Memorial Hall will host an Arts and Crafts display - meet the artisans and enjoy afternoon tea in the foyer. And on Sunday 3rd July 2011 come along to the Swap meet and pick up a bargain at the Tocumwal Race course. Gates open from 7am, there will be food and coffee stalls plus BBQ and refreshments available throughout the day. For further information please contact the Berrigan Shire Council 03 5888 5101 About Time: Australian studio tapestry 1975-2005 When 1 July – 14 August Where Swan Hill Art Gallery 'About Time' is an exhibition surveying the development of Australian studio tapestry from 1975 to 2005. The exhibition presents tapestries by leading artist‐weavers from Ararat Regional Art Gallery's permanent collection, alongside selected loans from public and private collections to highlight the key influences and formal and conceptual concerns that have shaped the character of studio tapestry during this period. For further information please phone 03 5036 2430  http://www.swanhill.vic.gov.au/gallery/index.html  Email itully@swanhill.vic.gov.au Threads of Friendship Quilt Show When Friday 8 Saturday 9 & Sunday10 July 2011 Where Deniliquin High School Multipurpose Hall Come and celebrate 25 years of quilting in Deniliquin.  The Deniquilters are proud to display their many and varied quilts.  Opening times Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-4pm. Entrance cost Adults $6 and Students $3. For further information please contact Jennifer Gow 03 5881 5936 The Life of Akmal When Saturday 16 July 2011  8pm Where Griffith Regional Theatre Enjoy an entertaining night with Akmal, he'll be featuring memoirs and extracts from his book release of the same name. He'll be covering topics from growing up in Egypt and migrating to Australia to being kicked out of the Coptic Orthodox Church and finding solace in his newfound religion of Comedy For further information please phone 02 6962 8444  www.griffithregionaltheatre.com.au Beyond the Drought Photograph Competition When Entries close Monday 18 July 2011 Where Murrumbigee Shire Budding photographers are encouraged to view the Murrumbidgee catchment through the camera lens and enter the annual ‘Bidgee from Behind the Lens' photographic competition.  The theme for this year's competition is ‘Beyond the Drought', to celebrate the native plants, native animals and wetlands that have thrived and returned after the floods. There are 2 sections in the 2011 competition - colour / black and white with 4 categories per section. The 4 categories are: Primary Student, Secondary Student, Open Amateur and Open Professional. Cash prizes of $200 will be offered for first place and $100 for runners up and highly commended awards in each section and category. Winning photographs will be showcased at various locations and events throughout the Murrumbidgee catchment from August 2011 to May 2012. The winning photographs will be used in the development of the Murrumbidgee CMA 2012 catchment calendar. For further information please visit www.murrumbidgee.cma.nsw.gov.au South West Arts General Meeting When Tuesday 26 July 11am - 2pm Where Intereach Deniliquin The general public is warmly invited to join South West Arts at their board and general meeting from 11am to 2pm at Intereach Neighbourhood Centre.  Lunch will be provided and it is a great opportunity to hear about what projects we are delivering and have planned for the furture. For further information please visit www.southwestarts.com.au Music for old time Dances When Friday 29 July 2011 – 7.30pm Where The Uniting Church Cox Hall, Chanter Street, Berrigan Enjoy a great night dancing to keyboard player Ian Stewart, Ian is a very popular musician with his lively music a pleasure to dance to.  This dance is a 2011 CASP (Country Arts Support Program) funded project . For further information please contact the Berrigan Uniting Church Old Time Dance Committee. Echuca-Moama Winter Blues When 29 30 and 31 July 2011 Where Echuca Moama Winter Blues is on again and this year’s festival is going to bigger and better than ever!  Special highlights at this year’s festival include Boot Camp for secondary school kids, ‘Blues in the streets’ Buskers Stage at Beechworth Bakery, Feature headline act Ash Grunwald to entertain on Saturday night, The MBAS "Unearthed Stage" (Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society), Blues Gospel service on and a Wind Up Party! For further information please visit http://www.winterblues.com.au/ Belly Dance Workshop- Bollywood style When Sunday 31 July  1.00pm – 3.30pm where Tocumwal Activity Centre, Adams Street Tocumwal Dance Teacher Colleen De Winne from Echuca will be holding a class on the Bollywood inspired style dancing.  Colleen teaches dances that are very appealing and lovely to watch and teaches dancers of all skill levels.  Come along and inject some new material and influence into your dancing.   Cost $20 per person. For further information and bookings please phone  0430 055 533 or email libbyb50@yahoo.com Market Barham When Sunday 7 August 2011  10.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m Where Riverside Park, Murray Street Barham The Barham Festival Committee will be holding a market with lots of home grown and home made products - avocados, olives, sauces, soap, oils, biscuits, cakes, oranges, coffees, clothing, wood fired pizzas, face painting, fake tattoos, plants and vegetables, wines, cheeses. Free entry, so come along and enjoy a great day out! Concert - Die Winterreise When Saturday 20 August 2011 - 7.30pm Where ‘Laverstock’ 419 George Street, Deniliquin Die Winterreise – A Winter’s Journey.  A Song Cycle by Franz Schubert.  Performed by Graham Sattler (baritone) and Hamish Tait (piano).  Schubert’s Die Winterreise is considered to be one of the most significant works in the classical vocal literature. Based on the poetry of Wilhelm Muller, the 24 songs in the cycle trace the decline in the poet’s state of mind as he grapples with the loss of his love to another and steals away to reconcile himself with his own mortality and loneliness.  A classical tale, taking audiences on a winter’s journey of their own.  Adults $20 School Children Free. For further information please contact South West Music 03 5881 4736 Felted Wool & Silk Scarf Workshop When Saturday 20 August 2011 Where Wanganella Hall Jeanette Naylor from Echuca will be running a workshop starting at 10.00am.  Enjoy a day learning the art of felting in a relaxed atmosphere.  Tea/coffee and lunch provided.  Cost $42 per person. For further information please phone Joan Wallace 03 5884 7539