The atmosphere was electric and the energy pumping as Goulburn Performing Arts Centre unleashed its 2023 Season at an extravagant launch party last Friday.
The enthusiastic crowd arrived early and was entertained by eclectic local performances - an elegant and moving performance by international Kathak dancer Sakshi Kumar; classical music by Canberra based Grevillea Quartet, while 17 year old songbird Isy Cappo and her band raised the roof with her original songs.
GPAC's new season is a knockout with performances by many of Australia's elite arts companies – including Opera Australia's The Barber of Seville, Twelfth Night by Bell Shakespeare, Sydney Symphony Orchestra returning with another mesmerizing performance, and Bangarra and Australian Chamber Orchestra both presenting enchanting family productions.
Goulburn Performing Arts Centre Manager Raina Savage said, "The season theme – earth + sky, speaks to our dual role: grounded in place and community, celebrating the local and particular, while also connecting to the global and transcendent, and embracing excellence from distant and diverse influences."
GPAC will celebrate its first birthday on 25 March, and will mark the occasion with ON by CIRCA - a stunning display of acrobatic finesse by Australia's pre-eminent circus company. Another season highlight is the powerful First Nations dance performance SILENCE by Blakdance that amplifies the voices and stories that history has suppressed. Two piano concertos by international soloists Konstantin Shamray and Edward Neeman will showcase GPAC's Shigeru SK7 concert grand, there will be fabulous Flamenco, drama for the young with CUSP and not so young – Wild Thing, and magical morning melodies with the NSW Police Band, and Keith Potger of The Seekers in a free Seniors week concert.
Flickerfest short film festival heads up a great cinema program, including a new partnership with Southern Tablelands Arts that will see its popular STA Screen program presented at GPAC, and a late night Halloween Freaky Friday film night. Family offerings include the delightful Possum Magic, kooky circus fun with BOOP by Statera Circus, and Just – tricking, annoying, disgusting etc. from the best-selling Andy Griffiths books. There are also free school holiday workshops for teens.
The Festival of Regional Theatre will also return in 2023 with even more opportunities to celebrate and showcase local and regional theatre makers – including the popular One Act Wonders short play competition, original works by local playwrights and cheeky cabaret entertainment with a new Late Night Supper Club.
In 2023 GPAC will also play host to a huge range of performances by local theatre groups (from The Addams Family by Rocky Hill Musical Theatre to Pirates of Penzance by Highlands Theatre Group and two new plays by Bladwell Productions) and commercial national and international touring acts – including Cirque Mother Afrique, and Soweto Gospel Choir, to Ross Noble, 1927 and The Two of Us Marina Prior & David Hobson.
Mayor Peter Walker said, "GPAC has only been opened 9 months but in that time it has proved a huge success and really struck a chord with local audiences. We are building on the success of our first year with a new season that is even bigger and bolder. We invite the community to join us again in 2023 for our new season program where the sky really is the limit."
Tickets to all shows in the 2023 Season are on sale and can be purchased from the Box Office – open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 3pm or call 02 4823 4999 or online anytime at www.goulburnpac.com.au
Image credit: Peter Oliver Imagery
