Your Centre is Our Centre
Darwin Entertainment Centre is gearing up for a massive 2020. With a new management team in tow, exciting new initiatives in the works and a focus on fostering local talent, Darwin Entertainment Centre (DEC) is set to keep Top Enders and visitors entertained, in 2020, and well into the years to come.
By Tierney White
At 8am on a Wet season morning last December, the first six months of DEC’s 2020 program was revealed at a special breakfast launch. A particularly exciting announcement was the introduction of The Wet Sessions program – five huge shows presented across 15 Wet season nights – providing audiences the chance to escape the humidity whilst catching a quality show.
The maiden Wet Sessions program includes Queen Forever, recreating the music and performance of one of the greatest bands of our time, and The Beatles’ Abbey Road Live – a full stage production to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the famous Beatles’ album featuring Aussie music legends such as Spiderbait’s Kram, Jet’s Mark Wilson, You Am I’s Davey Lane and Powderfinger’s Darren Middleton.
Also featuring is American singer, songwriter, musician, author, and performance artist Amanda Palmer with her show There Will Be No Intermission, English rock royalty 10cc, and Australian drag queen, pop singer, entertainer and reality television personality Courtney Act.
The Wet Sessions program is impressive enough, but an exciting new initiative – Live @ The Studio – gives locals the opportunity to have their time in the spotlight.
“Live @ The Studio is a new experience within the Centre that is different to anything you’ve seen there before. Local acts are aligned with shows from The Wet Sessions to provide free pre-show entertainment starting two hours before the show,” says DEC Acting General Manager Coryn Huddy.
“We’ve got Lizards Bar & Grill cooking up a sizzling gourmet BBQ, with antipasto platters and sweets. It’s open to everyone, not just ticket holders.”
This time of year, getting out and about can be a bit of a struggle due to the heat and humidity, so the promise of a BBQ and respite in air-conditioning will appeal to many.
“It gives people the option to get out of the house, escape the wet and the heat, and come in to a relaxed, chilled-out atmosphere, here at the Centre. Darwin’s favourite local beers are served by One Mile Brewery at a pop-up bar, alongside cocktail, wine, beer and spirit offerings at The Studio bar.
“It’s the epitome of Top End life – expect a tropical vibe, with festoon lighting and comfy seating. And a dance floor!”
Local performers in the first round of Live @ The Studio include Jigsaw Collective, Adam Scriven, Emma Rowe, Kathryn Ezzy and DJ Tristan. But the opportunities for locals don’t end at the conclusion of the pre-show performance.
DEC is looking to roll out Live @ The Studio on a monthly basis in conjunction with a performance in The Playhouse, with the goal to build relationships and contribute to the skills development of the local cultural sector.
This allows local performers to make important industry connections and foster collaboration with highly skilled industry professionals.
The motivation behind Live @ The Studio, together with other DEC programs such as the Education Program, is an investment in the community.
“Connection to community is important to us and is part of our identity. 89% of the utilisation of the Centre in the past 12 months has been community-focused.
“We intend to continue to deepen our community engagement and facilitate pathways for established and emerging local artists and performers. We hope our contribution comes full circle and we see them on the big stage one day!”
So if you’re a local performer and want to get involved with Live @ The Studio, watch this space for an expression of interest call out from DEC.
Click here for a Q&A with Live @ The Studio singer-songwriter Emma Rowe
Live @ The Studio
Opens two hours prior to The Wet Sessions show.
ADAM SCRIVEN FRI 28 FEB, 5PM
EMMA ROWE SAT 29 FEB, 5PM
KATHRYN EZZY WED 4 MAR, 5.30PM
DJ TRISTAN SUN 8 MAR, 5PM
COST FREE
The Wet Sessions
THE BEATLES’ ABBEY ROAD LIVE FRI 28 FEB, 7PM
AMANDA PALMER SAT 29 FEB, 7PM
10CC WED 4 MAR, 7.30PM
COURTNEY ACT SUN 8 MAR, 7PM
COST $30-$175
INFO yourcentre.com.au
Header: Live @ The Studio, Feb 2020. Photo: Steve Kelk for Foldback Magazine
Top: Amanda Palmer. Photo: Kahn and Selesnick
Bottom Jigsaw Collective. Photo: Steve Kelk for Foldback Magazine
