Jesuit Social Services staff and participants were out in force recently on the opening day of one of Australia’s biggest community events The Brunswick Music Festival.
The recent festival opening day party held along Sydney Road Brunswick, had thousands of people flocking along to witness a smorgasbord of musical talent, taste multicultural food, check out the fashions on display, shop at hundreds of stalls and generally have fun in the sun.
For twenty-five years this much loved festival has celebrated live folk, roots, and blues music and the high quality of the festival programming and the welcoming atmosphere has drawn audiences back again and again.
Gracing stages at the Brunswick Town Hall, the Mechanics Institute and commercial and community venues have been big name artists like The Audreys, Eddie Reader, Mick Thomas and Fiona Boyes, Eric Bogle, Judy Small, Kelly Auty, The Pigram Brothers, Joe Geia, the Mills Sisters, the Black Arm Band and Archie Roach and the late Ruby Hunter.
This year, given the long time operation of our iconic Brosnan Centre in the Brunswick area, Jesuit Social Services were invited to take part in the festival.
Our Artful Dodgers Studios participants in action on the opening day included African rappers The Flybz, young indigenous story teller, dancer and painter Brent Watkins, hip hop stars ‘Da Hypnotist’ and Koori rapper DJ Caution.
They were looked after on stage by Artful Dodgers Studios producer and music course mentor Jesse Sullivan, while our studios coordinator Marianna Codognotto was also on hand to support the young artists involved.
There was also a Jesuit Social Services stall in Sydney Road, manned throughout the day by volunteer staff members who handed out information about programs at our nearby Brunswick office, as well as Collingwood-based programs Jesuit Community College and Artful Dodgers Studios.
In upcoming Brunswick Music Festival events, Jesuit Social Services Artful Dodgers Studios music mentor Jesse Hooper, will perform with a number of acoustic concerts accompanied by participants.
For more info on events go to brunswickmusicfestival@strutnfret.com
