Thanks to everyone who came to the festival last Saturday. Here are some photos of the fun. I’d like to thank Vanessa Pike-Russell and Mick O’Donnell for these great shots!
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Mussa, 12
From Australia
Review:
“The music was epic and was just really awesome.”
Highlight:
“The music, people getting up on stage, the beat boxing!”
Event rating: 10/10
Alison, 66
From Cambewarra
Review:
“There was an audience of all ages witnessing a variety of performances, enjoying themselves.”
Highlights:
“Belly dancers with lovely smiles, costumes and bellies – including one with a ‘human inside.'”
“The brass band with trilbies and vests!”
“Eclectica Group singing about the history of coal in the region from pre-European to the present.”
“The Pied Piper effect of performers leading the way to McCabe Park.”
Event rating: 10/10
Leesa + Hannah, 22 + 24
From Wollongong
Review:
“We came especially for the crochet coral reef. I think it’s cool – it’s really original and different. Like, ‘What are you doing this weekend?’ I’m going to crochet a coral reef’ [laughs]”
Highlights:
“Were pretty excited about the hyperbolic factor! I love the word hyperbolic” says Hannah.
“I like the beach, I’m studying ecology, so I appreciate all the different forms of coral people have made,” Leesa says. “It’s pretty amazing what you can do with one hook. Like this was, this was a full ball of wool. Crocheting is pretty addictive.”
Hannah: “This was a shark’s egg that has turned blue from being in the sea too long.” [Shows crochet piece]
Leesa: “I don’t know what this is… it’s a folios coral – that means leaf-like.”
Jill + Sandy, 42 + 30 (plus 12)
From Wollongong + Kiama
Review:
“We’re having a great day. Lior is great and it was really nice having the aerial performance through one of his songs to. Natalie Harris is fantastically talented.
Highlights:
“The food.”
“It’s a really nice crowd – people aren’t getting too drunk or silly.”
Onora
From: “I’m part of Circus WOW and the Wollongong Roller Derby.”
Review:
“Natalie is brilliant, she’s so beautiful. It’s really good to see her perform to live music. Nat actually does a really good job at improvising. Last year she did an improv performace to a piano player – it was really beautiful, a really vibrant and wild cabaret. Today is a a nice, more gentle performance. It’s lovely.
Lucy + Matt
From Mount Ousley
Review:
“The circus act was good.
Highlight:
“My favourite bit was when the performers were jumping over the rope. It was pretty funny when they were pushing each other. I think I would like to be in the circus one day.”
Rose, 9
From Coledale
Review:
“We got to create something with knitting.”
Highlight:
“Getting together and having fun, making friends and just enjoying herself.”
Event rating: 7/10
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Gem, 26
From Wollongong
Review:
“I think this installation is freakin’ dope! You can see there’s a lot of different artists and style in this piece.”
Highlight:
“I really dig the multi-media side of this – it’s awesome. It would have been cool if the interactive movement stayed onscreen for a while and you could write things on it. It also would have been good if there was more use of local artists – the lack of local representation is a bit disappointing, particularly as there are a lot of graf artists here!”
Event rating: 8/10
Jess (middle), 21
From Wollongong
Review:
“This performance was really entertaining! They guys had great energy, and used great humour within their performance. Was definitely original – with lots of jokes and moves.”
“Also like that they’re a national act.”
Highlight:
“Their seesaw skit incorporating juggling.”
Viva la Gong Blog 