Gatakers by Night – Fraser Coasting

Last year I was very briefly homeless during my move from Brisbane to Hervey Bay. Unsurprisingly the settlement for the sale of my old place and purchase of my new place didn’t quite synchronise so I bunked at my mother’s in Maryborough for a nearly a week.

As coincidence would have it, the inaugural Maryborough Open House took place while I was there.

I’m actually not much of a tourist (ie – I hate sightseeing and similar); but as I was determined to make more of an effort in my new life to participate in community events, the Open House gave me the perfect opportunity to start on the right foot! #orsomething

Fortunately my mother had been to a few of the places with another friend the day before so – being well-versed in my low level of tolerance – she whipped up a list of ‘what we should see’.

You’ll see from last year’s post that (surprisingly) I enjoyed the visits (fave places in the pic to the left!) and used it to get some ideas for my new abode. Indeed – my new place is far brighter and cheerier than my last apartment. I even have a patchwork quilt!

And – after that long introduction – I’m pleased to say that it’s THAT time again.

The 2013 Maryborough Open House Event will be held over the weekend of 26-27 October.

Last year I predominantly stuck to houses so I’m aiming to target some different places this year and am particularly keen on visiting some of Maryborough’s CBD and riverside beauties. I vaguely recollect borrowing Noddy books from the School of the Arts in the early-mid 1970s so am eager to see if it rekindles any old memories. (Pic below from Open House Facebook page!)

A full list of buildings and houses which will be open to the public is available from the website, which also includes details of how to get to Maryborough and accommodation information.

There’s a program of events attached to the Open House celebrations, including a guided bus tour and archeological dig and the festivities will also coincide with regular events – cemetery tours, ghost tours, Gatakers by Night and Sunday in the Park.

You may recall I enjoyed the last Gatakers by Night event so I’ll be dragging someone along to that with me on Saturday 26 October. I understand the entertainment this time around includes a local choral group doing excerpts from Broadway musicals as well as a classical guitarist. Drinks are available for purchase on the night (beer, wine, tea, coffee and softdrinks) as well as wood-fired pizzas and I believe there’s usually cake!

To keep up-to-date you may wish to ‘like’ Maryborough Open House on Facebook.

Will I see you there?

It took a while but I finally made it to Maryborough’s monthly soirée at the gorgeous Gatakers Artspace (within the Portside Precinct) – Gatakers by Night.

Held on the last Saturday of the month (from 5-9pm) the free event features musicians and the opportunity to partake in the Night Watchman’s tour, visit the Military museum and often incorporates the launch or opening of a new show at the art gallery. Of course, if you’re like me you’re happy to kick back with a glass of bubbly (or two!) and enjoy the intimate environment and entertainment on offer.

Wine, beer and softdrinks are available as well as a coffee van. Stalls offering pizza and cakes (mud cake or pavlova!) were also on hand. I would have liked a bit more variety (as a coeliac) but did note that the food available can vary from event to event.

September’s Gatakers by Night (GBN to those of us in the know… actually that’s a lie. I’m just using the acronym to avoid having to type the entire phrase again and again!) featured local Irish band, Slainte – who everyone agreed were just fabulous.

The new printspace – a collaborative project between Gatakers Artspace and local printmakers – was also launched in a building adjacent and I look forward to seeing the printing equipment (donated by Sue Flavel) in action down the track. Watching artists doing their thing is something GBN offers which you don’t find elsewhere.

And now the equipment is in place printmaking workshops are being held on a regular basis.

September’s GBN also featured a fashion parade – supported by Bundaberg designer Julie Appo featuring some amazing textiles, and fabrics – part of a training course for local Butchilla girls.

It was a great opportunity for those involved AND we had the opportunity to see some gorgeous designs. Incidentally, I later checked out Julie’s website (as I really liked a couple of the pieces in the parade) and discovered that she also makes / sells accessories and homewares!

It appears she’s just setting up her online store but I wondered if she’s considered distributing her fashion and goods through other places – there’s a new art gallery / store on the Esplanade at Urangan which would be a good match!

I hadn’t been to the latest shows in the gallery so wandered through and was incredibly impressed by Visual Art entries (right) in the North Coast North Exhibition – part of the Creative Generation Awards involving a number of schools in the region.

For those interested, the Fraser Coast Chronicle ran this story in relation to the show, as two pieces by Aldridge State High School students have been selected to be displayed at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane next year.

I also loved the rest of the work at the gallery (those on the left were my fave and yes, it appears I have a penchant for the bright and colourful!). I also enjoyed watching local artists in action, including Brett Jones who launched his drawing magazine on the night – in an Australian first.

I loved so much about the evening. And it was interesting to see an entirely different crowd of people. Quite frankly I never knew there were as many edgy older women and funky young people in the area!

I’ll most definitely be back for more!

For information about the next GBN and other Fraser Coast Events check here, or like them on Facebook.