Performers to hit the streets in new areas

Roving street performers will add colour and excitement to a further six shopping and dining districts, in support of Greater Geelong’s It’s Our Backyard program.

Backed by funding from the Victorian Government, the City of Greater Geelong is expanding its free street entertainment program into a host of new areas.

Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher said the initiative was a feature of the Council’s push to attract and retain visitors to our commercial precincts.

“The roving performers will add further personality and life to the busy precincts.

“We hope they will create a more enjoyable experience for visitors and provide another reason for people to spend more time sampling the local dining and shopping options.”

The new locations to benefit from the street entertainment program are:

  • Pakington Street, Newtown;
  • High Street, Belmont;
  • Belle Vue Avenue, Highton;
  • The Centreway, Lara;
  • The Terrace, Ocean Grove; and
  • Eastern Beach Road, Geelong

Find the full list of performances here

Councillor Eddy Kontelj, Chair of the Arts, Hospitality and Live Entertainment portfolio, said the initiative was also a great way to support Greater Geelong’s creative and artistic community.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically limited the chances to perform live, share talent and spread joy over the last 14 months,” Cr Kontelj said.

“This program will connect our artists to new audiences and encourage residents to enjoy the lively fun with their community.”

On-street entertainment is already an element of the activated outdoor dining areas in:

  • Pakington Street, Geelong West (between Autumn and Preston streets);
  • Union Street, Geelong; and
  • Yarra Street, Geelong (between Ryrie and Malop streets).

The City installed al fresco dining spaces and enhanced the streetscape in the three above-mentioned locations during March and April.

The three outdoor dining activations are in place until 22 June.

Funding to support the City-led project has been provided by the Victorian Government’s Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package.

The initiative complements Greater Geelong’s outdoor dining boom, with the City approving more than 80 temporary permits for new or extended al fresco areas since September 2020.

Find details about participating al fresco dining venues and the entertainment program at www.geelongaustralia.com.au/itsourbackyard

The City’s It’s Our Backyard campaign encourages the Geelong community to think local first when seeking goods and services and to ‘taste the region’.