Calling all East Gippsland musicians, venues and live music fans. East Gippsland Shire Council wants you to help it foster a more lively local music scene, support home-grown talent and turn our shire into a live entertainment destination.

Council will be hosting ‘East Gippsland Live and Local’, a program delivered in partnership with the NSW Live Music Office that will serve up professional development workshops, a local industry forum and even music micro-festival events.

Mayor Cr Mark Reeves said Live and Local will play an important role in bringing people together again to enjoy music and spur our local creative economy.

“This initiative will play an important role in getting bands and musicians new and old into our pubs, bars and halls and provide a boost to the towns that host our local talents,” Cr Reeves said.

“Live music doesn’t just enrich our towns’ cultural offerings; a strong night-time economy also brings in visitors and important tourism dollars.”

The first event to be held will be the East Gippsland Local Music Industry Forum, on Tuesday, August 23 from 5.30pm at Albert & Co in Lakes Entrance.

The forum will give bands, industry figures and the music-loving public a chance to riff on the future of live music in East Gippsland and will offer a valuable opportunity to network and discuss what a thriving live music scene should look like. To have your say at the forum, head to www.trybooking.com/CBQNY.

The outcomes of this forum will also assist Council in development of its Culture and Creativity Strategy, which is open for public feedback until Sunday, August 14.

For more information and to register your interest in the wider East Gippsland Live and Local program, including professional development workshops and micro-festivals, call Council’s Arts and Culture Coordinator.

As part of the program, Council is establishing an East Gippsland Music Database of musicians and venues, to make it easier for Council and community to find and book performers for events and help musicians to help connect with the public, find new gigs and grow their fan bases.

We invite local musicians and businesses to join the database by contacting Council or registering at bit.ly/eglivelocal