You may not have noticed but the western suburbs have quietly become Melbourne’s hottest spot for arts and creativity. Every weekend there is no shortage of incredible arts events to please every palate.
The recent LIT Light Festival in Werribee’s Wyndham Park is a wondrous example with Bruce Ramus’ installation Breeze – featuring seven ethereal, flowing veils synchronised with music and light – stealing the show.
Our theatre companies are diverse and pulsing with energy. Think Western Edge Youth Arts in Newport and Wit Incorporated in Footscray, as well as performance ensembles like the highly innovative Born In A Taxi and the much loved Snuff Puppets. I’m just scratching the surface here.
Our galleries and performance spaces are plentiful and punch well above their weight including: the Louis Joel Art Gallery in Altona, The Bowery Gallery in St Albans, Footscray Community Arts Centre, and of course The Substation in Newport.
And don’t even get me started on the list of incredible musicians, from nations all around the world, who call the West home.
For lovers of books we now boast three excellent writers festivals. The Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival, the Footscray West Writers Festival, and of course the well established Williamstown Literary Festival fondly known as Willy Lit Fest.
Taking place this month from 12–14 June, The Westsider is hosting two events at the Lit Fest: a live crossword tournament hosted by our very own crossword compiler Eliesha Rae, and How to Pitch an Opinion Piece featuring Bhakthi Puvanenthiran from ABC Arts and award winning writer Vicki Milliken, whose work you also see regularly in The Westsider.
So, as the days get colder and the nights get longer I know it’s tempting to bunker down and cosy up around the TV, but if you want to take the fullest advantage of living on the right side of bridge, get off the couch and head out to one of the many arts offerings taking place in a venue near you.
And if you need further convincing – a recent study by The College of London showed that people who engaged in arts and cultural activities at least once a week appeared to age 4% more slowly than those who rarely did the same.
For inspiration head to our arts sections. You won’t regret it.
