A documentary film screening, art exhibition, poetry slam and suitcase forage will be part of a reimagined 2019 River Arts Festival.
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A shift to winter will see the festival set in the historic Victoria Square on June 15 and organisers led by Rob Shannon and Ro Burns say it will have both familiar and new elements.
Music and dance remain a key part of the event, always an opportunity to showcase local talent. But this year sees some new feature artists and events.
It all starts Thursday evening with the screening of Island of the Hungry Ghosts - a documentary by Bathurst filmmaker Gabrielle Brady about Christmas Island. Tickets are $16.50 at the Forbes Services Memorial Club.
Friday evening is the Arts Outwest Art Huddle, a gathering open to all but particularly relevant to those involved in arts events.
The evening will include the official opening of the Flow Art Gallery for the weekend at Town Hall, with the opportunity to hear from the artists featured.
It's free and you can register by emailing artsoutwest@csu.edu.au
Community events in Victoria Park get underway at midday Saturday.
There'll be live music all afternoon with local artists Lily Gaffaney, Lucy Simmonds, Danica Bartholomaeus and Georgia Sideris featured.
There'll also be a "spoken word" stage called The Soapbox, hosting a poetry slam with local poets urged to bring their original work, of any genre, to the space.
Special guests and familiar faces in Forbes will be Jason and Chloe Roweth, with their weaving of story and song, history and culture.
Taking the music into the late afternoon will be Bathurst band 10th Man. They have "the energy of Midnight Oil", Shannon says, and their website describes their original music as highly collaborative and influenced by politics, environment and social issues and history.
Expect the park to be beautifully lit for a finale that incorporates local dancers, musicians including the festival drummers and Bedgerabong students.
Those with arts, crafts, jewellery or second-hand clothing are invited to be part of the suitcase forage.
A space for your case in this mini-market is $20 - or just $5 if you're under 16.
Further details on events to come, you can go online to River Arts Flow Festival 2019 for individual event details or email riverartsfestsecretary@gmail.com to sign up for the poetry slam or suitcase forage.