Mini music festival plans unveiled for Orange

Orange’s array of contemporary music talent will be on show next month, with the staging of a mini music festival in a string of venues around Robertson Park.

Organisers today unveiled plans for JAM SATURDAY, a 1-day event which will see more than 50 performers entertaining crowds in a dozen cafes, pubs, shops, and other venues dotted around Robertson Park.

The event, on Saturday 24 March, is being organized by JAM Orange, with support from the NSW Government, Orange City Council and local businesses.

JAM Orange secretary Paul Kelly said there’s a lot of excitement among local musicians about next month’s event.

“JAM Orange has been staging concerts in local venues for many months now,” Paul Kelly said. “We’ve had a string of performances by touring acts and local musicians and that has shown us there is a strong demand and interest in the ‘live’ music scene.”

“The JAM SATURDAY event is aiming to take that interest to a new level, and we’re very grateful for the backing of the State Government, Orange City Council and local sponsors.”

Orange City Council’s Services Committee chair, Cr Kevin Duffy said the decision to stage this event across a dozen different venues is a good move.

“The beauty of a music festival is that music fans will be able enjoy a smorgasbord of local performers by strolling to venues that are all with a stone’s throw of Robertson Park,” Cr Kevin Duffy said.

“Less than a block away from the park, people will be able to sit in their choice of cafes and pubs and other stores and enjoy live music.”

“The best thing is that all the concerts across the day will be free. People might buy a drink or a meal in their choice of venue, but the show will be free.

“With the festival funding, all the professional performers will be paid for their shows, and by doing that we’re working on developing a local live music scene.”

The festival was unveiled in McNamara Lane alongside a number of the venues, Blind Pig cafe, Grocer & Co and the Parkview Hotel.

Among the more unusual venues, are plans for a musical taxi. On the day, taxi customers can choose to take a trip from the Robertson Park taxi rank with a musician sitting in the front seat, to perform during their trip.

$20,000 funding for the festival is coming from the NSW Government’s Create NSW program and the LIVE MUSIC Office.

This funding is being matched by Orange City Council ($15,000) and local businesses ($5,000.) The total funding covers equipment costs and payments to musicians.