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THE winds of change are blowing into Barragga Bay this month in the lead-up to Easter’s Four Winds Festival.
The final touches are being put on the Windsong Pavilion, completing “Nature’s Concert Hall” – a world-class performance venue set in beautiful bushland 10 minutes south of Bermagui.
With its completion, the Four Winds committee is planning to launch a year-round program of performances and residencies, as well as looking at the site’s potential as a venue for hire.
What makes it even more exciting is that it opens this side of Easter completely debt free according to Four Winds chairwoman Sheena Boughen.
She said she has been “bowled over” by people’s reaction to the Windsong Pavilion.
She said it’s on par with reaction to the unique sound shell built and launched for the 2012 Four Winds Festival and showcases “an extraordinary new regional development”.
“I’ve had people say to me ‘We know Four Winds does things well, but this is beyond belief’,” Ms Boughen said.
“We had [recorder virtuoso and former Four Winds artistic director] Genevieve Lacey here – she played five notes and burst into tears.
“She said she had never heard a sound like it.”
Ms Boughen said Four Winds had already been approached by the head of the Sydney Film Festival and other potential partners as well as “significant Australian artists” wishing to record in Windsong.
“That would be dynamite,” she said.
“Nature’s Concert Hall is not just about performances of beautiful music, but now we can give audiences an understanding of the creation of music.
“This isn’t just about Four Winds the Festival, it’s about the whole region’s future.
“It’s the beauty of being in a community that wants adventurous work and having that in the natural beauty of the South Coast.”
Ms Boughen said music is the “core to a happy life”.
“This isn’t just about classical music,” she said.
“We want to provide familiar and risky and edgy work.
“We want to bring our audience with us, plus open it up to new audiences.
“I’m also excited about the things we can do for young people – with video conferencing and digital connectivity.
“We can turn our geographical disadvantage into cultural advantage.”
* Tickets for the Four Winds Festival can be bought online at www.fourwinds.com.au.
The website also includes further information on the full weekend program, free child care bookings and free buses from Bermagui.
A free community concert will be held at the Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf from 3-7pm. More details to come.