An arty haven

With the ChillOut festival behind us for another year, those looking for an excuse to revisit the region sooner rather than later need look no further than the Castlemaine Fringe Festival, running from March 27 to April 5.
Castlemaine, about half an hour’s drive north of Daylesford on the Midland Highway, has played host to the eclectic festival for over 20 years. This year sees a renewed vitality to the festival, with local Danni Ryles stepping into the director’s role for the first time.
-œThe idea with this year’s program was to inspire the younger generation to get involved. There’s an exciting new venue that we’re launching called the Fez Bar, which is kind of a cabaret/supper club. We’ll have bands, short films and even circus acts, she said.
Other events include the Castlemaine Idol singing competition, the Breakout youth art exhibition at the Old Gaol, and a cavalcade of musical performances from folk, acoustic, classical and avant garde musicians.
Ryles said the Fringe arts festival was a perfect fit for Castlemaine -” the town is a haven for artists from across Victoria.
-œIt’s one of the most unique small country towns I’ve ever visited, and I’ve lived in a lot of places across Australia, she enthused.
-œWe’ve got second and third-generation artists living here, and there’s always so much creative activity. I think a lot of artistic people from Melbourne also migrate here when they’ve had enough of the city.
What’s the reasoning behind this convergence of arty types?
-œMy theory is there’s something in the earth going on here, said Ryles, laughing at her own New Age mysticism. -œSome kind of higher vibrating energy.
Ryles said one of the other aims of the festival is to strengthen the ties between Castlemaine and Melbourne.
-œIt’s focusing on local and Melbourne-based artists. We want to strengthen the connection between the rural and the urban. There’s a lot that rural artists can get from interacting with those from the city -” and vice versa.

info: Visit castlemainefringe.org.au