After 18 months of redevelopment, the Hawthorn Town Hall will officially open as the Hawthorn Arts Centre, an exceptional arts and cultural space designed specifically for the performing and visual arts and to accommodate local and national exhibitions, community workshops, theatre performances and events.
To celebrate this monumental occasion, the Hawthorn Arts Centre will be hosting an action-packed weekend full of entertaining and interactive events, activities and workshops, including a Community Ball, Opening Concert and Open Day where the community can experience, celebrate and reflect from Friday 22 – 24th November. Events will include:
Off the Chart, Hawthorn Arts Centre Opening Concert, 8:15pm, Friday 22 November
Flawlessly merging the classical with the contemporary, Off the Charts will celebrate and reflect on the future profile of the Hawthorn Arts Centre. Musically directed by Brett Kelly (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra), and Tamil Rogeon (Raah Project), this concert is an exciting exploration of the history and genre of music.
Featuring Brett Kelly’s Impossible Orchestra alongside contemporary musicians Tamil Rogeon, Ryan Ritchie and stalwart of soul Kylie Auldist, the concert will present a program of reformulated works of classical masterpieces.
Tickets $50 Full, $42.50 Concession
Learn to ‘chalk’: 3D Chalk Art Workshops 10am – 3pm 1 hour duration, Saturday 23 November
The Hawthorn Arts Centre invites the community to join in and create an original piece of 3D Chalk Art creating a myriad of shapes and sizes. Australia’s Champion Pavement artist Jenny McCracken will be on-hand to assist and reveal her tools of the trade using a number of different chalk techniques. The 45 minute beginner and intermediate workshops allow for the creation and exploration of an art form growing in popularity. This program will run on Saturday and Sunday and is free, however bookings are essential.
Through Their Eyes, 12pm – 3pm, Saturday 23 November
Everyone has a story! Boroondara local senior residents, in collaboration with writer/performer Sarah Collins and Barking Spider Visual Theatre, will share their stories through interactive short performances and video installations. Engage with colourful, heartfelt and historic stories about local resident’s experiences in the area and reflections of the old Town Hall.
Curator’s Talk: 10 Years of Collecting: Town Hall Gallery, 1pm – 2pm, Saturday 23 November
Join Town Hall Gallery Senior Curator, Mardi Nowak, on a guided tour of the current exhibition Marker, followed by an in depth look at how the Town Hall Gallery art collection continues to prosper. The Gallery’s significant art collection is a reflection of the rich cultural history of the City of Boroondara, featuring such prominent artists as John Brack, Fred Williams and Ian Armstrong. presents a snapshot of the past 10 years of an active collecting strategy. Join us as we muse on the role of the public collection and ‘what is to come’ for the Town Hall Gallery Collection. This event is free however bookings are essential.
Boroondara Community Ball, 7pm, Saturday 23 November
Be swept back to the grand old days at the Boroondara Community Ball held in the magnificent Main Hall. This event is an open invitation to experience the glamour of the Hawthorn Art Centre’s extravagant Second Empire architecture. Guests will enjoy a three course dinner with programmed entertainment and will be tempted by the charity auction. . All proceeds raised from the night will go to Guide Dogs Victoria to support the wonderful work of this important charity organisation.
Tickets $150 per head, $1,400 per table of 10.
Hawthorn Arts Centre Community Open Day, 10am – 4pm, Sunday 24 November
Staging one of the biggest Open Days to date, The Hawthorn Arts Centre will provide the community with the opportunity to view and experience this wonderful new centre! From 10am – 4pm on Sunday 24 November the Hawthorn Arts Centre will open its doors with live music, theatre performances, workshops for kids and a hangout zone for young people. A schedule of local performing arts groups and cultural performances will be on the main stage throughout the day. The Open Day will have a number of children’s activities including the following highlights:
- Paper play: Guided by Sayraphim (Sayra) Lothia children will draw, cut, collage and assemble their own paper-based art pieces.
- Strange Fruit: The Open Day’s feature act will perform ‘Double Happiness’ in the Main Hall at 11.55am and 1.30pm.
- Rebel Stepz: Children will be taught about rhythm, tempo and sound and how to create ‘music’ using parts of their body and everyday objects in the Rebel Stepz Hip Hop and Beat Box workshop.
- Learn to ‘chalk’ 3D Chalk Art Workshop: Children will have the opportunity to create and learn about chalk art with pavement artist Jenny McCracken. Workshops (1 hour) will run 10am to 3pm.
Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Victoria
