An event to celebrate the history of the Margaret River Cultural Centre will be held this weekend, where the venue will be farewelled by local musicians, artists and community groups.
“Autumn Lights will be a fantastic evening for our community with plenty of creative entertainment for kids and adults,” said Shire President Pam Townshend. “It is a special opportunity for people to celebrate music, dance and the arts and bid farewell to our existing centre before the transformational works begin.”
The event will boast a laser light show, music from the Margaret River Concert Band, Deb ‘Spoons’ Perry, the Riversong Choir and Doxy as well as local dance groups, a bouncy castle, local food, coffee and a licensed bar.
An external wall of the building will become an enormous collaborative mural, overseen by talented local artist Rebecca Cool. “We will be working to create the mural throughout the day, and children will be welcome to take part and contribute,” Ms Cool said.
Arts Margaret River General Manager Andrew Frith said the centre had been an important space over almost four decades of service.
“The Cultural Centre has been home to many community events over the last 38 years,” he said. “It’s seen weddings, funerals, loads of school concerts and has been the evacuation centre during emergencies.
“Who can forget the old reel to reel cinema, the old greenrooms, and having to put loads of chairs out on the floor before the raked seating was installed.
“Now its time to change again to cater for the next generations, who will have a fantastic new community centre for the next thirty-plus years.”
Arts Margaret River will move their operations to the Community Centre during the renovations, and Mr Frith said despite the lack of a theatre venue, a program of live entertainment will still run through the year.
“You will see us popping up in many different locations, wineries and spaces around the region. But before all that happens I hope to see everyone come along to celebrate and say goodbye to our old centre.”
Autumn Lights will run from 5pm to 8pm Saturday March 17 on the Cultural Centre Lawns, Wallcliffe Road, Margaret River.
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
