Midsumma call for artists and stallholders

The Midsumma crew is well into organisational mode for next year’s festival and is calling for stallholders and artists to register their interest for Carnival Day.

Midsumma media spokesman James Findlay told Southern Star Observer all is on track for the 2011 festival, with Carnival Day making the move across the Yarra to Birrarung Marr.

“We’re really excited about the move … we’re hoping to top this year’s festival if possible,” he said.

According to festival organisers, already 70 percent of stalls have been reserved for the January 16 Carnival Day, with registration still open until the end of October.

Midsumma Carnival Day organiser Simon K Patterson said he was also looking forward to the new Carnival Day layout.

Carnival Day will be located on three tiers with stallholders on the bottom tier, T-Dance in the middle and more music events on the top. Bars will operate in all three areas.

“We’ve had applications from brand new stallholders, which means there’ll be plenty of new faces,” Patterson said.
“It’s great to see people looking forward to carnival as much as we are.”

Findlay said the focus is now on developing the Community Produced Events program, with applications open until September 17.

The CPE program is a chance for local and independent artists to take the stage in events ranging from theatre, visual arts, spoken word, cabaret, film, and music to debates and sporting events.

The visual arts program is almost complete, however, other areas are still open for registration.

CPE events take place at any time during the festival which runs from January 16 to February 6.

In a good sign for the long-term future of the event, Midsumma recently posted a $23,000 surplus after this year’s festival.

info: To register for a stall or CPE, visit www.midsumma.org.au